Chapter Three: The Paratrooper Commander

Ssszzz—

The satellite map in the upper right corner flickered, as if struggling to receive a distant signal.

Then, a science-fictional information control room appeared, where a female soldier in military uniform looked delighted.

“At last, we’re connected. Thank God! Good morning, Commander. Please excuse my choice of words, as I have no way of knowing your current situation.

It has been twelve hours since communication was lost with the Rocky Mountain Paratrooper Base. Researchers urgently recruited by the Pentagon have conducted intense tests and analyses. The expert team unanimously concluded that the entire paratrooper base has fallen into a suddenly appearing rift in space-time.

So far, the experts have no leads. Military research institutions are now involved, and it’s believed a solution will be found soon.

With the President’s support, the Air Force has urgently enacted the Lades Act. You have been granted full authority. With the aid of the hyperspace transmission device, we will deploy all types of units for you.”

The image flickered, and the female soldier’s expression shifted. “Commander, the space-time rift’s algorithm is changing. Our signal may be cut off at any moment.

I am Second Lieutenant Eva, assigned as your exclusive liaison. Given the special nature of your mission, I consider myself lucky to have been chosen. Now, your first mission…”

Static drowned out her words. The screen flashed and vanished.

A line of text suddenly appeared above the Red Alert control panel.

[Mission One: Survey the environment. Reach a safe zone.]

It was only after the words disappeared that Gao Ning snapped back to reality.

He stared in disbelief at the control panel, his fingers trembling, unable to resist the urge to touch it.

WEE-OO, WEE-OO—

An alarm blared. The white lights switched to flashing red, and a wave of tension swept through the air.

Gao Ning nearly leapt from his seat, nerves on edge. “What’s happening? Is there another emergency?”

Liang Bing didn’t even look up. “We’re almost there. Come with me, it’s time to get off.”

She turned and pulled open the partition door, entering the next compartment. Gao Ning hurried after her.

This day had exhausted him.

One inexplicable thing after another had happened. He’d been thrown onto a train, and that Red Alert communication—what on earth had that been? He was a commander now? The game had come alive?

The memory of a class reunion, when his friends had talked about infinite novels, flashed through his mind.

A sudden chill ran through Gao Ning. Could it be…?

“We’ve arrived!”

He returned to his senses, realizing he’d followed Liang Bing inside.

Unlike the previous cargo car, this carriage was far more luxurious—like the interior of a top-tier private jet.

The whole car was white, without obvious lighting, yet soft radiance illuminated every corner.

The first thing he noticed was the lounge area. A spacious circular sofa beckoned invitingly, with an oval-shaped minibar behind. A dazzling array of shelves divided the lounge into cozy nooks.

“You’re here! Hmm, not bad, you’ve calmed down. Looks like you had a good chat with Bing!” said the grandmotherly figure from The Matrix, sitting grandly on the sofa, handling an enormous revolver. Her wrinkled hand was steady as a rock, suspended in midair without the slightest tremor.

Gao Ning forced a laugh, at a loss for words.

Liang Bing sat expressionlessly across from the old woman. “His name is Gao Ning. He hasn’t received formal military training. Aside from a somewhat fragile psyche, there’s nothing wrong with him.”

The old woman raised her brows. “That’s rare praise coming from you!”

“He didn’t lie,” Liang Bing replied coolly, pulling a jacket from the sofa’s armrest cabinet and putting it on slowly.

The old lady chuckled and turned to Gao Ning. “Good young man, come sit. The alarm’s already sounded—we have three minutes left.”

Gao Ning walked over and sat on the other side, the three of them forming a neat circle.

“Thirsty, aren’t you? Have a glass of water first.”

She swept her right hand across the coffee table, and a holographic menu popped up. She tapped it carelessly, and a panel in front of Gao Ning slid open, slowly raising a glass of water.

Gao Ning studied it curiously.

The old lady said, “Go on, nothing soothes the nerves like cool boiled water.”

“Thank you,” Gao Ning said, taking the glass.

He was parched, his mouth dry from the cold sweat he’d just broken out in.

Seeing him down the water in one go, the old woman smiled. “My name is Liu Minhung, from Taiwan, though I married into Shandong decades ago. It all feels like a dream now.

Bing probably told you—this place is rather special. So don’t worry about age. Just call me Sister Liu.”

Pfft!

Gao Ning, still sipping the last mouthful of water, nearly spat it out.

For the first time, Liang Bing’s poker face showed a hint of exasperation. “I’ll never understand your twisted sense of humor. You’re ninety-something years old. He could call you his ancestor, yet you want him to call you ‘sister’? Only you could come up with that.”

Liu Minhung glared. “What? Am I not allowed a little youthful spirit?”

Liang Bing rolled her eyes. “Ignore her. She’s like a child. Call her Granny Liu. Spend more time with her if you can—she’s survived three worlds already.”

Gao Ning was startled and looked at the old woman.

She beamed. “Worlds? Hardly. They’re just stops along the way.”

“Granny Liu, what exactly—”

Before Gao Ning could finish, the train let out a loud whistle.

Mmm—

Liang Bing lowered her gaze, speaking softly. “We’ve arrived.”

The old lady’s expression grew serious. “Gao, remember this: never act rashly. Think thrice before you do anything.”

Gao Ning froze, not quite understanding. A flash of white light pierced his vision, and he instantly lost consciousness.

His last thought was: Damn, not again?

----

March in New York—brilliant sunshine, biting wind.

Early in the morning, as Gao Ming snored away in his messy bedroom, his mother, Li Lijuan, burst in brandishing a spatula.

“Get up, up! How long are you going to sleep, you little rascal? Today’s your first day on the job. If you’re late, wait till your father gets his hands on you—”

Before she finished, Gao Ning bolted upright. “Right, my first day! Mom, where are my clothes?”

“They’re ready in the dining room—”

Before she could finish, Gao Ning dashed out.

Sun Lijuan shouted after him, “Brush your teeth, wash your face, eat breakfast!”

“Got it!” Gao Ning’s voice came from downstairs.

Two minutes later, dressed in a brand-new police uniform, a pancake between his teeth, Gao Ning hopped on his bike and shot out of the yard.

The moment his rear wheel hit the road, the world abruptly froze.

Gao Ning suddenly became fully aware.

“What is this…”

Everything he’d just experienced—his consciousness had been clear throughout. But it was as though he’d been watching someone else’s life on TV: he knew everything about this other Gao Ning, yet couldn’t intervene—until now.

A cold, mechanical voice sounded in his ear.

“Passenger number zsnr24956 has arrived at the Modern Station.”

“Mission: Acquire a tuxedo.”

“Reward: Ten hours.”