Chapter 25: The Choice of the Controller

Xu Yan glanced at the operator behind him and gave a subtle signal.

The operator immediately understood and quickly responded, "Successfully evaded Shark No. 9 and detonated the charge."

Then, following Xu Yan’s gesture, he continued, "The Walrus sonar system has been destroyed. Only one launch tube remains intact. The rear mechanical propulsion system can only maintain normal cruising speed. Requesting permission to return."

"Copy that. You may return," came the voice from the command center.

Just as the operator was about to confirm preparations for retreat, Li Mingqi raised his hand over his shoulder.

"What is it?" The operator’s voice trembled slightly.

"There are still enemy vessels from the 'Redeem' fleet ahead. They’re likely not small. The intelligence was incorrect."

The operator’s voice grew dry with tension. "How can you be sure?"

"By the deep-sea current velocity."

"Are you certain?" the captain asked.

"Absolutely. Unless we have large underwater submarines or equipment ahead, but we cannot yet estimate the exact distance. It’s expected we will encounter them within ten to fifteen minutes."

"Command center, suspicious large 'Redeem' submarines detected due east. Requesting auxiliary detection," the operator promptly reported.

"Return to base immediately," the command center ordered.

"Copy that!" The operator glanced at the captain and placed a hand on Xu Yan’s shoulder, waiting.

This decision was for the captain to issue; the operator could only comply.

"You’re Xu Yan, right?" the captain asked kindly.

"Yes, Captain. Reporting as ordered."

"Give me the maximum you can accomplish."

"If relying on the current equipment and machinery of the submersible, returning is no problem."

"No, I mean the maximum in facing the enemy."

"The chance to destroy is zero, but there’s still hope to halt their advance."

"How?"

"Abandon the submersible, ascend to the surface using the battle suit. Humans under high pressure often experience dizziness but no life-threatening danger. One person stays behind, shuts down all submersible systems, then at the last moment rapidly ascends and hovers close to the enemy’s propulsion outlet, waiting for death."

The captain lowered his head in thought. "How long to surface or evade detection?"

"About eight minutes," Xu Yan replied. "But this is an estimate with possibly a 30-second margin of error."

"Damn!" The captain cursed inwardly, amazed at the professionalism.

"Command center, this is Captain Qiju. If waiting for reinforcements, how long must we hold out?"

"At least fifteen minutes," the command center replied. "You must return immediately to ensure safety."

The captain took a deep breath and looked at Xu Yan. "What are the chances of success if you stay behind to block the enemy’s propulsion?"

Xu Yan opened his mouth but hesitated, then slowly said, "Less than fifty percent. It requires familiarity with the submersible equal to mine."

The odds were slim, and considering command’s reinforcements timeline, even if successful, rescue chances were bleak.

One must block the propellers and immediately separate from the submersible without sonar detection to have any faint hope.

"I’ll stay," the operator said anxiously, looking at the captain. "I know it best."

But the captain’s gaze shifted to Xu Yan, who shook his head. "I can operate it, but I’m not as familiar as he is. It’s not that I’m unwilling."

Duan Peng glanced at him questioningly but said nothing.

At that moment, a message came from the covetous intelligence: "You could also stay, but not block the propulsion. Instead, relay information to command."

Xu Yan was stunned, then replied, "No use. If we can’t stop them, by the time reinforcements arrive, they could be near Sheli Island and attack swiftly."

The intelligence responded, "Then no need to sacrifice a life knowingly on a doomed path."

Xu Yan had also wanted to stay; after all, death seemed inevitable. But without the intelligence’s support, staying behind meant becoming useless.

The captain hesitated, but the operator grew anxious. "Captain, no time. Xu Yan is still a new member!"

This remark reminded Captain Qiju that Xu Yan and Duan Peng were indeed rookies.

"Alright, take care! The rest, evacuate and surface immediately."

He led the way, opening the hatch.

Xu Yan stood, looked at the operator, and said, "After blocking them, don’t leave the submersible. You still have a slim chance."

The operator paused, then smiled. "Got it. I’ll follow your lead."

With the upper hatch open, the seven men exited the deep submersible in turn, ascending toward the surface. The battle suits’ built-in thrusters activated, doubling their ascent speed.

Xu Yan stopped Duan Peng from activating his thruster, gesturing that one was enough between them.

Once Duan Peng understood, they took each other’s hands. Using his superior strength, Xu Yan led them upward faster than the others.

As they rose, the seawater warmed and the surroundings brightened. Only then did Xu Yan allow Duan Peng to use his thruster to bring them both to the surface.

Emerging, Duan Peng realized the importance of Xu Yan’s restraint.

They were still about a thousand meters from the support team by sight. Without the submersible, their communicators couldn’t maintain effective contact, and five teammates’ ascent directions were unknown. The support team would have to search within a square kilometer, and under deep-sea pressure, not everyone could endure.

Xu Yan and Duan Peng, however, had undergone special training and could withstand the pressure.

This allowed them to approach the support team independently rather than drift at the surface waiting, even helping to bring up another pale-faced teammate on the way.

When they were fifty meters from the support team, the rescuers spotted them and quickly brought the three aboard the speedboat.

"You all okay?" the rescue captain asked with concern.

"We’re fine," Xu Yan replied.

The captain nodded. "Command has dispatched reinforcements. They hope he can hold on."

Xu Yan remained silent, watching the sea. He hoped the operator would not leave the submersible. Even if discovered, as long as the hatch remained closed and they held out for a few minutes, rapid descent might still offer a chance.

Once everyone was aboard, the rescue team received command’s notification: the 'Redeem' submarine had been sunk.

But the operator inside the deep submersible had self-destructed it, denying 'Redeem' a propulsion unit and enabling the rescue sub to catch up and destroy it.

Xu Yan felt a wave of sorrow.

He had not foreseen this outcome. The intelligence was shocked—was such a sacrifice necessary?

He didn’t understand the operator’s choice, but he recognized it as a grand act of sacrifice and devotion.

Through this, Xu Yan also began to grasp the difference between the intelligence and the people of Blue Star.