011 San Francisco Incident (Five)

Diane piloted the Banshee Fighter, a low-end model among the aeroplanes of Iridium Star United Empire Universe Army Aviation Soldiers. This fighter jet was cost-effective, quick to build, easy to construct, had outstanding maneuverability, and was multifunctional with good compatibility. Its small size allowed it to be carried by most Empire Warships for reconnaissance and as an attack weapon. Although its shape wasn't quite aerodynamic within the atmosphere, the Empire's fighter jets were equipped with "Aerodynamic Field Wave-Riding Body" technology, which formed a wave-riding body force field outside the aircraft, providing it with better aerodynamic performance than that of terrestriall fighters, thereby achieving the relatively best aerodynamic effect.

The laser weapon that cut off the F-22's wing, named Bird-Claw-3 Light Laser, was considered light and junior in the Empire's arsenal, mainly used in atmospheric anti-air weapons and on small aircraft. Though labeled as lightweight, its power was, for humans, more terrifying than so-called high-energy lasers.

The Bird-Claw-3 was designed to maximize the killing effect by adopting this moving attack mode. Since laser weapons, which almost hit their target upon firing, wouldn't make much difference without moving the impact point—other than creating a hole on the opponent's weapon. Of course, it would be a different story if it caused an explosion. However, as civilizations entered space, the usage of chemical energy weapons drastically reduced and became safer, with fewer cases of accidental explosions. Moving the impact point could cause more extensive damage, and if the opponent lacked a shield or had poor defensive capabilities, they would be sliced by the Bird-Claw-3's light beam just like the F-22.

After the wing was severed, and the plane completely lost its balance, Sean's face turned deathly pale, knowing he was powerless to recover, he could only pull the ejection handle and ejected. His fate wasn't much better than Frazer's; the peril of low-altitude ejection was immense, although the ejection seat could maintain a high success rate at extremely low heights, he was now over a densely built urban area. His parachute opened successfully, but unfortunately, he scraped against a skyscraper and Sean miraculously survived, albeit with severe injuries.

The F-22, abandoned by Sean with only one wing remaining, plummeted downwards in an extremely ugly form. Compared to Frazer's seat plane which had exploded and disintegrated in the air, Sean's jet, being almost intact, meant it would cause greater damage to the ground.

Bai Zhongqi watched the advanced fifth-generation air superiority fighter that once made him, a military enthusiast, envious and resentful. The F-22 was defeated so cleanly and swiftly; the opponent was only slightly serious for a second before eliminating both F-22s. Like the aliens in "Independence Day," this alien fighter also had an invincible protective shield, and Earth's weapons were ineffective against it. And it merely fired a light beam, cleanly severing the F-22's wing.

What would be the fate of humanity? If this UFO really came to invade Earth, then would humans, who had thrived for thousands of years, still have a chance to survive?

Bai Zhongqi didn't know the answers to these questions; he was momentarily lost in thought. The F-22 eventually crashed down, resulting in an explosion; its own fuel combined with the weapons in the hanger, turning this 150 million US Dollar advanced fighter into a giant bomb.

Bai Zhongqi fiercely turned towards the crash site, his eyes nearly bursting.

Because the F-22 had crashed into the school teaching building he had just left fifteen minutes ago, and his dreamy schoolmate, Han Jiaxue, was inside attending a class!

Bai Zhongqi ran towards the school like a madman, against the crowd fleeing for their lives. Everyone was running out, but he alone was running towards the crash site. Blocked by the panicking crowd, Bai Zhongqi could hardly move forward. Normally mild-mannered and polite, Bai Zhongqi became the most agitated and violent offender at this moment. He fiercely swung his fists, knocking down anyone who came in his way, then broadly swung his arms to forcefully make his way through the oncoming crowd. People didn't know why such a ferocious person had suddenly appeared and could only avoid him as they ran. At that moment, a muscular hulk nearly the size of Vin Diesel charged towards him recklessly, like a bull. Perhaps, in his eyes, this almost frail-looking Asian youth was like an ant that he could stomp to death, and even if mad, posed no threat.

But he underestimated Bai Zhongqi, who was determined to reach the crash site.

Bai Zhongqi kicked fiercely, lifting his entire body into the air, even reaching an alarmingly high altitude. The big man almost cried out in fear, as he had not anticipated that this Asian guy could perform such a mid-air kick. Bai Zhongqi's kick landed squarely on the big man's face, knocking him out cold. After striking with his flying kick, Bai Zhongqi immediately got up from the ground and continued rushing toward the crash site. No one dared to block this man who seemed intent on facing death anymore.

He didn't actually know any martial arts or other combat skills; what he relied on was sheer, reckless courage at this moment.

Not minding how many bruises he had incurred on his body, he paid no attention to the pain. Bai Zhongqi had finally reached the front of the academic building. The F-22 had crashed directly into the front of the building, and unfortunately, it blocked the main entrance. The shockwave from the initial collision and explosion made this ordinary-looking academic building look as though it had been bitten by a dog, with thick black smoke and flames billowing out.

Bai Zhongqi wasn't sure how many people were in the building when it was struck, but he estimated it was no less than five hundred.

Out of a third-floor window of the academic building, a Caucasian male student panicked and jumped down, then landed hard on the ground with a 'pia' sound. Bai Zhongqi glanced at him; the student's luck was bad—landing on his side, he likely broke his spine.

The Caucasian student was not dead but began wailing. Seeing Bai Zhongqi rushing over, he cried out, "Save me! Please, save me!"

Bai Zhongqi didn't look at the man again.

He picked up a fire extinguisher hanging under a streetlight outside the academic building, sprinted a few steps to the ground floor's lobby windows, and violently threw the extinguisher at the glass.

The glass shattered instantly, and without any pause, Bai Zhongqi dashed inside, picked up the fire extinguisher, and began spraying dry powder at the areas of the lobby ignited by the explosion flames. He was clearing a relatively safe path; he had entered the fire to save people, not to die in there.

There was only one person he intended to save, and he wouldn't bother with the others. He never believed in the idea that "with great power comes great responsibility." He didn't have much ability and couldn't look after everyone; he just needed the people he cared about to be safe.