"Hi Keane, long time no see! Come over and chat!" Some people who seemed to be from Keane’s Kabas clan called him over.
Jackson and Nangong Yi stayed by the plasma protective wall. They were watching the 11th Regiment Base Flight Squadron. They were happily collecting blue armor from the Jungle Giants.
Other space paratroopers, like Jackson and Nangong Yi, pointed at the X-305 delta-wing fighters in the sky. They made hissing sounds.
Jackson looked in the direction they were pointing. The CCFR996-11 Flight Squadron had finished their mission. They were doing stunts in the air. Super cobra turns, 90-degree vertical climbs, and mid-air knife fights were among the tricks. The crowd was excited. The female soldiers from the communications squad cheered.
"Damn it, what’s so impressive about killing a few creepy monsters?" Jackson muttered.
"Haha, Squad Leader, are you jealous of the flight squadron pilots?" Nangong Yi teased. "Look at those paratroopers hissing. It’s because the pilots took our communications squad's pretty girls. I heard the best ones are with the ace pilots."
"You're a gossip, Nangong Yi! That’s not what I meant!" Jackson shot back.
Jackson didn’t like how the 11th Regiment Base Flight Squadron wasted state resources. The X-305’s three superluminal engines used a lot of energy. The "Padra Crystals" they used were some of the most expensive energy sources in the universe. The Kabas Empire was in debt. They had started taxing the Panhua people to cover military costs.
"You’re kidding, right?" Nangong Yi asked, confused.
"As a Panhua, don’t you know the Kabas Empire taxes us to cover military expenses? If the flight squadron saved some energy, it would ease the burden on us," Jackson explained, hoping to get Nangong Yi’s support.
Nangong Yi’s eyes brightened. "Squad Leader, have you heard of the Yinglong Pirate Group?"
"Of course! It’s the last armed force for the Panhua people. I think most Panhua know about it," Jackson said. He didn’t understand why Nangong Yi was bringing up the Yinglong Pirate Group.
People from the Kabas Empire, especially those from the Mu Hua star system, knew about pirates. Their home was close to the Pirate Nebula. Pirates were illegal everywhere in the universe, but many people still admired them, like how some people admire gangs on Earth.
"What do you think of them?" Nangong Yi asked.
"I don’t have a strong opinion. They’re just one of the pirate groups. I’m a paratrooper for the Kabas Empire. I probably won’t meet them. Pirates don’t raid nearby countries—they go to other places," Jackson said.
"What about after we retire? We can’t be paratroopers forever. The universe isn’t friendly to us Panhua people. I think joining the Yinglong Pirate Group might be a good way out. It’s an armed force for our people, protecting our interests," Nangong Yi said with energy.
"Heh, Nangong Yi, didn’t expect you to be a nationalist!" Jackson laughed.
"Why not? Our ancestors built the third most powerful empire in the universe," Nangong Yi said proudly.
"I’m not like you. From what I know, your ancestors were surrenderists. Earth people are real warriors. We fought to the last and never gave up," Jackson said. "But that’s all history now."
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"No, we can rebuild it and make it stand at the top again!" Nangong Yi said strongly.
"You?" Jackson was surprised. Nangong Yi’s words sounded like rebellion in the Kabas Empire. Soldiers shouldn’t think about creating a new nation.
"Squad Leader, don’t be surprised. Recently, the new Panhua recruits in our 7th Company have been talking. We’ve only had synthetic food for months, while Kabas soldiers get natural food. The Kabas Empire doesn’t treat us as citizens—we’re second-class citizens. Why should we be loyal to them? Also, don’t you think the 202012 recruitment is a joke? All of us Panhua recruits were assigned to cannon fodder—paratroopers. And the special war tax targeting us Panhua people? These are clear signs of oppression," Nangong Yi said, his voice rising. Some soldiers nearby started to listen.
"Shut up! Don’t you want to live? I still want to live a long life!" Jackson hissed, hoping no one heard them.
"Squad Leader, I’m sorry, I got carried away," Nangong Yi quickly apologized.
"Let’s take a walk," Jackson said, starting to move.
He didn’t want to become a target for the Kabas Empire. Who knew if there were spies around? A casual conversation could put him on the blacklist.
Nangong Yi was frustrated with himself. He thought, "I’m still too new to the organization. I’m not experienced enough. The Squad Leader seems impatient. How do I continue?"
Jackson noticed Nangong Yi’s troubled expression. He thought, "Nangong Yi must have something important to say if he came to talk to me today."
Suddenly, an X-305 fighter flew by at a very low altitude. The female soldiers from the communications squad cheered.
"Alba, you’re so handsome! I like you!" A cheerful female soldier shouted to the pilot in the sky.
"Little flirt, look at you all excited. It’s disgusting!" Some more composed female soldiers muttered curses in their hearts.
"What a show-off! Don’t they know they’re wasting Kabas Empire’s military funds?" Nangong Yi grumbled, flipping the bird at the sky.
Jackson smiled. He understood Nangong Yi was trying to please him.
"Alright, Nangong Yi, you must have something else on your mind. If you do, just say it. We’re both Panhua people, we should stick together," Jackson urged.
Nangong Yi looked around to make sure no one was paying attention, then whispered, "Squad Leader, have you heard of the Dark Dragon Association?"
The Dark Dragon Association was an underground group similar to a mafia. Jackson knew about it from Justin’s memories. Justin had wanted to join, but they didn’t accept him.
"Yeah, I’ve heard of it," Jackson said calmly.
Nangong Yi smiled mysteriously and said, "It’s not surprising you know. Every Panhua knows something about it. The Dark Dragon Association is actually a front for the Yinglong Pirate Group. You didn’t know that?"
"What? The Dark Dragon Association is part of the Yinglong Pirate Group?" Jackson asked, surprised.
Jackson had heard other Panhua recruits mention the Dark Dragon Association. Now, Nangong Yi was telling him it was connected to the Yinglong Pirate Group.
Jackson thought, "The Yinglong Pirate Group must be powerful."
"Squad Leader, I’ll be honest with you. I’m a member of the Dark Dragon Association’s Bibo Star branch. I’ve been assigned to recruit new members for our 11th Regiment Base. You’re the only Panhua recruit who made it to the temporary squad leader position. I want to invite you to join the Dark Dragon Association and help us grow our influence," Nangong Yi said seriously.
Jackson’s mind raced. Should he join the Dark Dragon Association?
Joining would give him power and popularity in the 7th Company, which could help him become the permanent squad leader. But the Dark Dragon Association was secretive, and joining conflicted with his long-term plans.
Jackson wanted to rise through the ranks, gain power, gather resources, and find Earth’s place in the universe. He hadn’t decided if he would use force against Earth’s existing powers.
The Yinglong Pirate Group was just a pirate organization. It couldn’t satisfy Jackson’s ambitions.
"Nangong Yi, I’m honored that the Dark Dragon Association wants me," Jackson said carefully.
Nangong Yi smiled, pleased. If he could recruit someone like Jackson, his position in the group would improve.
"However, I can’t join right now. I think our Panhua people should have more influence in the Kabas Empire military. That way, we can better support our people’s future cause," Jackson explained.
Nangong Yi’s eyes lit up. "So, Squad Leader, you want to rise in the military first, then join the Dark Dragon Association?"
Jackson thought, "Why would I join the Dark Dragon Association as a subordinate after rising in the military? If I need them, I’ll just negotiate directly with the Yinglong Pirate Group."
But he replied, "That’s the plan. I hope you can talk to the Dark Dragon Association members in the 7th Company and get them to support me. Let’s work together for our people’s future."
Jackson and Nangong Yi shook hands, sealing their temporary agreement.