Amidst the high-altitude cloud layers, the Boeing 747 flew steadily, approaching Korea's Ganghwa Bay. An unperceived crisis slowly drew near.
The Japanese co-pilot at the helm suddenly cried out, startling even the resting 13 awake. Rushing swiftly to the cockpit, he observed four fighter jets tightly enveloping their surroundings. The communicator incessantly repeated warnings issued in Japanese!
"This is restricted airspace! Unidentified aircraft, immediately descend according to our instructions for inspection, otherwise bear all consequences!"
"What do we do now?" the co-pilot stammered, trembling.
Yet, 13 displayed an utterly nonchalant expression: "I anticipated this outcome long ago; otherwise, I wouldn't have hijacked a Japanese plane."
Glancing sideways at the pilot, the plan commenced.
The lead fighter jet received a response from the unidentified aircraft, surprisingly in Japanese:
"We are Japanese charter flight, Flight 753. Our original objective was to retrieve overseas investors from China, but we were hijacked by criminals in Shanghai. The hijacker demands the Japanese government deliver ten million US dollars as ransom, or the plane will be detonated! We implore the Japanese commander stationed in Korea to treat this demand with utmost seriousness! Below is the passenger manifest..."
Clutching the script drafted by 13, the co-pilot read tremulously.
"Excellent." Once the pilot finished reading, 13 swiftly deactivated the communicator. "Now we can proceed into Seoul with peace of mind."
Returning to the main cabin, another scene of chaos unfolded. The fighter jets outside seemed like beacons of hope to the despairing passengers. Yet, no one dared unfasten their seatbelts. 13 appeared to have etched an indelible shadow upon everyone's psyche.
"Just now, outside the window..." Sun Hui sought clarification, but 13 gestured for silence.
His gaze returned to the somewhat agitated crowd, stating placidly: "You are correct, outside are your military forces. We have entered Korean airspace. More accurately, it should now be considered Japanese airspace. However, please be advised, this does not signify your safety."
Everyone began to tremble.
"Should anyone defy my will, I offer no guarantee that your lives will remain intact until reaching the ground." 13's tone carried a murderous intent. "I hope that after cooperating for so long, no further unpleasant incidents occur. Understood?"
Everyone nodded.
"Now those are intelligent Japanese." 13 sat back down on his original spot on the floor to rest.
Within 13's plan, Japan would never attack its own aircraft; they would deploy substantial personnel in ambush at the airport. Then, by merely instigating chaos and blending among the passengers, escape would be effortless upon spotting the slightest vulnerability. It was a considerably rational plan. Yet, 13 overlooked one crucial detail: the commanding officer of the forces was Aota Hideaki!
Twenty minutes after the surrounding fighter squadron reported, the lead fighter received an astonishing order!
"Destroy the passenger plane?!" The pilot repeatedly sought confirmation, but the response received was unequivocally certain: destroy the airliner over the sea surface.
"Your Excellency! Might we reconsider? Aboard that aircraft are pillars of Japan! For the nation's strength, these overseas investors have devoted their entire efforts," Miyamoto pleaded earnestly in Hideaki's office.
"As citizens of Great Japan, they should be prepared to sacrifice themselves for the country at any moment. We don't know what cargo arrives from China. Perhaps merely common hijackers, or perhaps Special Operations forces. Worst case scenario, 13 is also aboard!" Hideaki stated frigidly.
Miyamoto's mind went blank; a forgotten name struck his consciousness.
The fighter formation strangely retreated, quietly tailing the airliner.
"No! Don't abandon us!" The clamor from the passengers within the cabin roused 13.
He suddenly leaped from the floor, rushing to the window. His peculiar behavior caught Sun Hui's attention. Observing 13's grave expression, a foreboding premonition spread through Sun Hui's heart.
"Bastard." 13's extremely soft curse was overheard by Sun Hui.
Picking up his carried backpack, 13 strode quickly into the rest area.
"What do you intend to do?" Sun Hui followed him inside.
Ignoring her inquiry, 13 rapidly removed his outer garments. A normal person's reaction prompted her to turn away, face flushed with embarrassment.
"I have no obligation to inform you." Activating the 'Night' computer system, streams of information cascaded before his eyes like a waterfall.
"But we are all on the same aircraft! We have the right to know what will happen next!" Sun Hui roared.
After a moment of silence, 13 clenched his fists: "You wish to know? We are currently targeted by four fighter jets, liable to be shot down at any moment! Are you satisfied now?"
Sun Hui's face turned ashen. She was no soldier; her psychological fortitude was not as robust as imagined. Until yesterday, she was merely an exceedingly busy flight attendant, soaring through different blue skies across the world. Now, her life was essentially concluded.
"You..." Sun Hui whirled around furiously. "What do you plan to do?"
"Evacuate, naturally." 13 analyzed calmly. "Below the aircraft is the sea, and the altitude isn't excessive. With some technique, a safe departure is possible."
"You intend to leave alone?" Sun Hui's body trembled violently.
"It cannot be helped. At this altitude, there is simply no method for you all to depart." 13 finished organizing his equipment.
"You say it so effortlessly!" Sun Hui seized 13's arms. "Just because you deem it impossible for us to leave, we must perish here? Have you even considered our feelings?!"
"This is an unalterable circumstance." 13 averted his gaze.
"Don't jest! You brought us here, only to let us die like this?" Sun Hui bellowed. "You are a selfish ghost!" Her voice reverberated throughout the entire aircraft. A sense of sorrow permeated everyone.
"I... I don't want to die yet!" Sun Hui wept, collapsing onto the floor, her hands falling limply. "Why must it be like this? We are merely ordinary people; why must we endure such things? A meaningless death? Who can alter our destiny?"
"Apologies!" 13 uttered silently.
"You are utterly devoid of responsibility." Sun Hui shook her head. "No, you are not human. You are merely a monster that brings misfortune. You lack the capacity to change anything. You are the most tragic existence."
13 stepped past Sun Hui, traversed the cabin, back turned to pairs of expectant eyes, and entered the mechanical room.
This journey was the most arduous "battle" for 13.
Pressing the emergency switch for the landing gear, the front wheel slowly lowered. The surface of the sea, as blue as the sky, appeared. Holographic helmet data indicated an altitude of only one thousand meters; the suspension system in his right arm could facilitate a safe descent into the water.
Aiming at the front wheel strut, 13's body trembled strangely—a phenomenon that should not have occurred. It was Sun Hui's phrase, "the most tragic existence," that elicited this physical reaction.
"Can I change?"
A question that should never have arisen struggled within him. As someone possessing the most extensive combat experience, 13 had been warned about what he faced. Baseless emotions would only increase his peril. Engage four fully missile-laden fighter jets in aerial combat? At least, a human wouldn't entertain such a lunatic notion.
The lead fighter jet activated the missile control switch. A soldier's duty is obedience, but the passengers aboard the airliner were sons and daughters of the motherland. The pilot's raised finger trembled.
"Wildcat 1, execute the order immediately! Delay further, and the target might descend over land!" His comrades reminded him.
"Understood!" Ultimately, he pressed the detested button.
A "Sidewinder" missile, trailing white smoke, hurtled madly towards the passenger plane. Passengers witnessed the killer's form clearly through the windows. Facing death, there were no anticipated wails, no expressions of agony, only acceptance.
Observing the missile's graceful flight path, it was suddenly noticed that the aircraft's front wheel had been lowered at some unknown point. But what shocked Pilot 1 most was that a dark figure seemed to be standing there, watching him.
Seated on the floor, Sun Hui closed her eyes, awaiting her demise.
"Boom!" A massive explosion caused the aircraft to shudder violently. Strangely, however, after the tremor subsided, the plane continued its steady flight.
Cheers erupted from within the cabin. Sun Hui stood up, rushing to the window. Dense smoke from the explosion still lingered behind the aircraft, but the missile was gone.
"Regardless of what I am, I am me." Ejecting the spent casing from the COOL-FIRE5, "I can change. Because my name is Zhang Jie!"
"Wildcat 1! Wildcat 1!" his comrades called out. "What happened? Why did the missile self-detonate?"
The pilot stared fixedly at the figure beneath the front wheel, as terrified as if he had seen a ghost. Trembling, he pointed one hand forward: "There... there's someone there..."
Before he could finish speaking, a bullet hole appeared on Wildcat 1's canopy—a clean penetration. Immense wind pressure shattered the glass; tiny fragments lacerated the pilot's body, but he no longer felt pain. As the bullet passed through the glass, it simultaneously traversed his brain.
Losing control, the fighter jet plunged directly towards the sea surface. His comrades swiftly altered their flight paths, ceasing pursuit.
Awaiting in the office, Hideaki and Miyamoto received the response. Yet, upon hearing the news, Miyamoto wished more strongly that he hadn't.
"One missile intercepted! Wildcat 1 crashed!"
"It's definitely him." Hideaki clenched his fists. "China's Sniper King... 13!"