dkrc Chapter 177 I fly to move forward!
Chapter 177 I fly to move forward!
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it's Friday again.
Old Tang's live stream room was already packed with viewers.
"Children, your prison guard Tang is back!"
Old Tang sat in his gaming chair, beaming as he interacted with his viewers. "Gu Laozei's filming techniques are simply divine now. But this only makes me more excited for today's episode 29."
Old Tang glanced at the time; there was only half a minute left until eight o'clock.
"Did everyone see the trailer from a couple of days ago? It seems like this episode is going to fill in a huge plot hole! The mystery of Shin Asuka's father, the man who has always lived in memories and lines, and Shin Kazuma's disappearance, is finally about to be revealed!"
As Lao Tang's excited voice rang out, the chat in the live stream was scrolling wildly:
[They're here! Selling sunflower seeds and drinks in the front row!]
Is it finally time to talk about Asuka's dad? There's been so much buildup, I'm dying of curiosity!
[Just a wild guess: Asuka's dad is definitely not dead. He's probably somewhere in space fighting some monster!]
[Hurry up! Hurry up! It's 8 o'clock sharp, refresh!]
When the time came, Lao Tang skillfully pressed F5.
The familiar, rousing opening theme music started playing right on time. After a brief black screen, the title of episode 29 of Ultraman Dyna slowly appeared on the screen—
In the Light of Destiny
The main feature begins.
Without any unnecessary daily setup, the first scene directly presents a cold, deep, and dark expanse of space.
Accompanied by somber and oppressive background music, a massive comet with a long tail is hurtling toward the solar system at an incredibly terrifying speed.
This single, few-second empty shot instantly established the grand yet slightly suspenseful tone of the episode.
[Meteorite warning at the start!]
This comet doesn't look like a normal celestial body; it's definitely hiding a monster inside!
[Old Gu: Hold on, let me give you a doomsday countdown first.]
The scene flashed back to Earth, to the command center of TPC's Far East headquarters.
However, the atmosphere here did not become somber due to the crisis in outer space; instead, it had a touch of absurdity.
"What?! They're transferring me to the lunar base?!"
Shin Asuka's eyes widened, she pointed to her nose, her face filled with disbelief, her voice cracking, "Captain! Are you going to fire me?!"
Sitting behind his desk, Captain Hibiko, holding a coffee cup, sneered, "Hmph, if only I could fire you, I could save myself some trouble."
Despite saying that, the captain put down his cup and explained the reason.
It turns out that TPC's higher-ups assigned Shin Asuka to the Carlo base on the moon to serve as a test pilot for an extremely important new machine.
Upon hearing that it wasn't a dismissal but rather a job as a test pilot, Shin Asuka, who had just been filled with despair, instantly changed his expression like a Sichuan opera.
He tossed his hair triumphantly, launching into his usual self-aggrandizing mode: "Oh, so that's how it is! I knew it! How could TPC possibly fire a genius pilot like me! It's definitely because the higher-ups recognize my superb driving skills!"
Seeing Asuka's smug look with her tail held high, Kibi Gosuke's expression turned unusually serious.
Instead of his usual playful banter with Asuka, he warned in a stern voice, "Asuka, listen to me. Your new boss is no pushover. He's the man nicknamed 'Devil's Gate'! You'd better drop this cocky attitude!"
Feiniao waved his hand dismissively, readily agreed, and then swaggered out of the command room.
Watching Asuka's departing figure, Miyagi frowned slightly and turned to the captain: "Captain, why Asuka of all people? Although he's technically skilled, he's too impulsive. Is he really suitable to be a test pilot for the new type of aircraft?"
As Kibi Kosuke stared at the closing automatic door, his gaze became extremely deep and complex.
He paused for a moment before slowly speaking, "Because this is the only time... no matter what, I must let him go."
[The captain's eyes tell a story!]
[Did they know the inside story and deliberately send Asuka away?]
[The Devil's Gate? That nickname sounds like it's meant to torment Asuka.]
[Asuka: As long as I run fast, the devil can't catch me!]
[Oh right, where's Captain Gale? Where's the all-around genius from Carlo Base?]
The scene shifts, and an Alpha fighter jet cuts through the sky, soaring into the depths of space.
Here, Lao Tang pressed the pause button and said to the screen, "Brothers, we need to fill in some background information here. In the world of Dyna and Tiga, this isn't the first time humanity has established a base on the moon."
"Ten years ago, humanity built its first space base, Karo. However, in the era of Ultraman Tiga, specifically in episode 48, it was destroyed by the alien Mejulang. The Karo base that Asuka is visiting now is a rebuilt one, equipped with its own dedicated space attacker force. This shows that humanity's progress towards the 'New Era' has never stopped."
[Old Tang, the expert, is online!]
The world-building is so seamlessly integrated!
[Keep watching, keep watching! I can't wait to see Asuka get a beating from the devilish coach!]
Playback continues.
Asuka arrived at the Caro base on the moon.
As soon as he stepped out of the passage, he ran into an acquaintance—Instructor Sanko. This was the instructor who had made a brief appearance in the first episode, training Asuka at "ZERO," a talent training institution directly under TPC.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the instructors introduced a man standing next to Asuka.
He was a middle-aged man with a buzz cut, a weathered face, and eyes as sharp as a hawk's.
He was wearing the uniform of a technical foreman from the lunar base, exuding a cold and aloof aura that kept strangers at bay.
This is the "Devil's Gate" that Kibi Gosuke mentioned—the gatekeeper.
The sergeant, with an unlit cigar dangling from his mouth, sized up Asuka from head to toe before coldly uttering, "Asuka. Actually, I've seen you a long time ago."
The bird was taken aback, its face full of confusion.
Without offering any explanation, the gate simply turned and led them to a massive, extremely well-hidden hangar deep within the base.
As the hangar's sensor lights illuminated layer by layer, a futuristic, all-white, streamlined space fighter was revealed to everyone.
This is the new machine that Asuka is going to test on this trip—the Plasma Hyakushiki!
Looking at this fighter jet, which was like a work of art, Asuka's eyes were filled with fervor and awe.
"This...this is the machine I'm going to test?" Asuka murmured to herself.
The instructors from the third department walked up to Asuka, their expressions turning extremely solemn: "Asuka, do you know who piloted this machine before?"
"Who?"
"Your father, Shin Ima."
Upon hearing this, not only Feibiao, but also the viewers in the live stream held their breath.
[Holy crap! I knew it!]
[A father-son showdown is coming!]
[That makes sense! The first episode mentioned his father's disappearance!]
The instructor continued, "Back then, your father was piloting this very test aircraft when he mysteriously disappeared in space. It wasn't until six months ago that the Plasma Type 100 was detected and recovered by the defense forces' radar near Pluto. However, unfortunately, there was no trace of your father inside the cabin..."
The bird stared blankly at the fighter jet in front of it, its eyes trembling violently.
This is where my father used to sit; this is my father's unfulfilled dream.
"Asuka, are you aware of the 'Zero Drive' project?" Sanko asked.
Asuka snapped out of her daze and nodded: "I know, but I've only heard the name; it's TPC's top secret."
At that moment, the Demon Gate, which had been silent all along, came out.
Gu Nan used extremely subtle lighting here. The light source shone directly down from above the door, casting deep shadows on his face and vividly revealing the complex emotions in his heart.
The gatekeeper coldly explained, "The so-called Zero Drive is an ultimate navigation method that completely surpasses the Magnum power system. It has only one goal—to enable fighter jets to travel through space at 30 kilometers per second!"
"That is... the speed of light!"
"This is a grand project, unprecedented in human history, that challenges the 'light'!"
So, Asuka's father disappeared in a light-speed spaceship???
[It's likely that the speed was enhanced upon reaching the level of light, causing matter and energy to approach infinity, thus resulting in a qualitative change in the level of life.]
So, if this spaceship is traveling faster than light, wouldn't it be able to travel through time?
Can you please stop using reality to judge the absurd technological worldviews of tokusatsu shows...?
[Isn't this the Magnum system? Isn't it also traveling at the speed of light?]
The Magnum system uses light energy for propulsion, not light-speed travel; these are fundamentally different.
Then, the door continued its narration.
"However, it was precisely because we lost your father and this Plasma Type 100 during the testing back then that this overly dangerous project was frozen indefinitely until today."
After hearing these words, Asuka was completely shocked.
He had always known that his father was an excellent pilot, but he never imagined that his father would be involved in such a great and crazy epoch-making project!
Asuka's eyes hardened with determination. He abruptly turned to look at the gate and Sanke: "If that's the case, then let me complete it! I will finish the task my father couldn't!"
[It's heating up! The son pays for the father's debts... no, the son fulfills the father's dream!]
[Challenging the speed of light! This is the true romance of a new era!]
[That kid Asuka may be unreliable most of the time, but he's absolutely reliable when it counts.]
However, faced with Asuka's determination, Daimon merely snorted coldly, his eyes even carrying a hint of contempt, before turning and leaving the hangar.
The scene changes.
In the base's lounge.
The doorman sat alone in the dim light, a cigar between his fingers, quietly looking at an old photograph on the table.
That was a photo of him and Shin Yi-ma when they were young, their arms around each other's shoulders, both smiling brightly.
It turns out they were once the closest of comrades-in-arms.
The three instructors walked in and stood in the light. This contrast between light and shadow subtly hinted at their drastically different positions at that moment.
Looking at the photo, the gatekeeper said in a hoarse voice, "It's definitely not a coincidence that Kazuma's son came here."
San Ke readily admitted, "Yes, it was I who strongly recommended him to my superiors to be the tester."
Immediately afterwards, the film's visuals rippled like water, inserting a flashback!
That was in the vast universe more than a decade ago.
The young Sanko piloted a Magus system test aircraft that closely resembled the "Snow White" from Ultraman Tiga, flying behind as an observation aircraft.
And in front of him was the Plasma Hyakushiki, driven by Shinichi Ma!
"Ichima, the speed is approaching the critical point! Can the machine withstand it?" Sanko shouted anxiously into the communicator.
"No problem! It can go even faster! I'm going to see... what the end of the speed of light is!" Kazuma Shin's voice was filled with fearless fervor.
The Plasma Hundred emitted extremely dazzling energy from its tail, and its speed soared in an instant. In just the blink of an eye, it completely left the three science observation machines behind.
Inside the cockpit from a first-person perspective.
Amidst the violent turbulence, the previously dark universe suddenly began to distort strangely before Shinichima's eyes.
Immediately afterwards, a huge, warm, and mysterious light appeared without warning in front of the Plasma Hyakushiki!
"That light... what was that light?!"
Shinichima stared wide-eyed at the strange light in front of him that defied scientific explanation.
"What's going on? Kazuma! My radar can't detect anything!" Mikasa's anxious shouts came through.
"Ichima! Stop the test immediately! Return to base!"
"Too late..."
Shinichi's voice became extremely ethereal; he even released the control stick, his gaze fixed on the light with fascination.
"I've reached the critical speed... and for some reason, that light... seems to be calling to me."
"Ichima! Ichima!!!"
Amidst the heart-wrenching cries of the three departments.
The Plasma Hundred-Type transformed into a shooting star, rushing into that mysterious light without hesitation.
Then, the light suddenly contracted and disappeared completely into the dark universe.
Xin Yima disappeared into the light, becoming a legend in the history of human spaceflight.
The memory ends.
[With such high speed, and the communication still keeping up, you must have a 10G network.]
Actually, I think it's less about turning into light and more about becoming one with light.
So, that's how Asuka's father disappeared into the light.
In the lounge, Da Men took a deep drag on his cigar, exhaling thick smoke.
He remained deeply troubled by his old friend's disappearance.
As the commander back then, he watched helplessly as Shin Kazuma disappeared in the light.
This deep sense of self-reproach made him never give Feibiao a kind look from the very beginning.
He didn't want his old friend's only son to embark on this perilous journey of no return once again.
To become "the second 1Ma".
"Don't misunderstand, Gate."
Sanko looked at him and said, "The reason I recommended Asuka is because I genuinely acknowledge his top-tier skills as a pilot. He has the ability to tame that machine."
Old Tang let out a long sigh in the live stream.
"Brothers, I think I understood this dialogue scene."
Old Tang pointed at the screen and analyzed, "On the surface, Squad Leader Da Men is targeting Asuka, but he's actually protecting her. He's channeling his guilt towards his comrade into strictness towards Asuka. San Ke, on the other hand, is an absolute rationalist; he believes in Asuka's skills. This kind of bond and choice between adults is also expressed here."
Indeed, Class Monitor Daimon is actually a tsundere.
Who could feel good watching their friend's son go to his death?
[The main concern is that something might happen to the birds too, otherwise the whole family would be martyrs.]
What exactly was that light? Could it be that Dyna's light was given to him by Asuka's father?
[This is terrifying to think about! If that light was Dyna, then wouldn't Jack Ma be...?]
The plot continues to unfold.
Asuka came to the hangar alone and observed the Plasma Hyakushiki up close.
An experienced technician responsible for maintenance came over and explained to Asuka the crazy aspects of this machine.
"This machine doesn't have any safety devices installed at all."
The old mechanic stroked the cold fuselage. "Instead of wasting energy on adding those life-saving features, we should put all the power into the Zero-Drive engine. This... is exactly what your father insisted on back then."
After hearing this, Fei Niao's reverence for his father deepened even further.
In his pursuit of the unknown, the father even abandoned any means of retreat.
Just then, the gatekeeper reappeared with a gloomy expression.
"Although you were assigned here by your superiors, I still disagree with you conducting the test," the gatekeeper said coldly. "You can't handle it."
This remark thoroughly enraged the already proud and arrogant bird.
"I haven't even tried it, what makes you say that?!"
Asuka retorted without backing down, "Try it, and you'll see how powerful this guy is!"
Without any hesitation, Asuka jumped into the cockpit and forcibly activated the Plasma Hyakushiki.
The test has officially begun!
The plasma system accelerated wildly in its lunar orbit.
As the numbers on the velocimeter continued to soar, it got closer and closer to the critical point of the speed of light.
Inside the cockpit, the intense G-forces pressed down on Asuka like countless mountains.
Even the human form of the Giant of Light, as powerful as he is, is now under the terrifying physical limits, his facial muscles contorting violently and his vision beginning to blur.
The alarm blared wildly, but Asuka gripped the joystick tightly, refusing to let go.
"Ughh ...
Just a second before breaking through the critical point, Asuka finally couldn't bear the tearing pain any longer, and everything went black as she completely lost consciousness.
In a deep coma, half-awake and half-asleep, a childhood memory buried deep in Asuka's heart surfaced in her mind.
Here, Gu Nan used an extremely warm and soft sunset-toned filter, which created a striking contrast with the cold, greenish hue of the hangar in reality.
In my memory, it was a baseball field bathed in the golden afterglow of the setting sun.
Young Asuka is holding a baseball glove, looking very unhappy.
The tall and handsome Shin Il-ma squatted down in front of his son, smiling gently.
"Didn't we agree that I'd be the pitcher in tomorrow's baseball game?"
The little bird complained, feeling wronged.
Shinichi patted his son's head, a hint of apology flashing in his eyes: "I'm sorry, Asuka. But if Dad doesn't go to the flight test tomorrow, we don't know what to do. Just like you, everyone is waiting for Dad. Understand?"
The little bird seemed to understand but not quite, but it still pouted.
"Hmm... how about this, as compensation!"
Shin Ichima held up his little finger, looking at his son with bright eyes, "When Daddy comes back, let's play a baseball final, okay? Let's settle this once and for all!"
"If Dad loses, he has to listen to me all day! He also has to spend the whole day off playing with me!"
The little bird immediately offered its terms.
"Alright! That's a man's promise!"
Two fingers, one big and one small, were tightly clasped together in the golden sunset.
However, Asuka never got to see that promised baseball game.
That tall figure was forever etched in the golden sunset.
Waaaaah, the knife killed me!
Unfulfilled promises are the most frustrating.
No wonder Asuka loves baseball so much; it's the only bond between him and his father.
The contrast of these filters is amazing; the warmer the memory, the crueler the reality.
Old Tang's eyes reddened slightly as he looked at this memory.
"That's the soul of Dyna's film."
Old Tang said in a low voice, "The theme of 'Dyna' is 'The Age of New Territories.' But in the process of humanity's exploration of the unknown, there will always be some who sacrifice themselves as pioneers. Shin-chan is such a pioneering hero. He did it not only for humanity's dreams, but also to protect his son's future. This is a tragic ode to the pioneers."
The memories are fading away.
Feiniao suddenly opened her eyes on the hospital bed in the infirmary, panting heavily.
He pulled out the tubes from his body and, dragging his weakened body, returned to the hangar.
The old technician looked at him and sighed, "Don't worry too much. Apart from Kazuma, no one has been able to withstand the terrifying performance of this machine so far. If you're not convinced, then tame it as soon as possible."
These words, like a sudden awakening from a dream, instantly roused the bewildered bird.
"I will never lose to my dad!"
The bird gritted its teeth, its eyes rekindling with a fierce fighting spirit.
He wants to prove to everyone that he is not only Dyna, but also Shin Ima's son!
The days that followed were filled with one frantic test flight after another, and one near-collapse and failure after another on the edge of their limits.
The bird was lifted out of the cockpit time and time again, only to climb back in each time.
until a certain day.
Extremely exhausted and weak, even walking unsteadily, Asuka is preparing to once again approach the Plasma Hyakushiki.
Just as he passed by the squad leader at the gate.
"Bang!"
The door was kicked so hard that it knocked the bird to the ground!
"You bastard!"
The bird angrily tried to get up.
But this devilish squad leader looked down at him and harshly criticized him:
"Look at yourself now! When the body reaches its limit, the mind becomes the most important support! In your current state, even if you sat on it, you wouldn't be able to control it at all!"
"Is all you thinking about is how to settle things with your father?!"
The sound of the gate opening echoed loudly and resounded throughout the hangar.
"You're incredibly foolish to waste all your energy on this pointless squabble!"
"Back then, Yima flew for something more important and greater!"
"For the dream we all entrusted to him! Think carefully about what the true meaning of space travel really is!"
The gatekeeper's furious outburst completely stunned the already enraged bird.
He sat motionless on the cold floor, his mind replaying his father's fervent and resolute voice from years ago, as well as his own repeated failures.
Accompanied by rousing background music, Shin Asuka, the man who never gave up, finally slowly stood up from the ground.
The restlessness and naive competitiveness had faded from his eyes, replaced by an unprecedented clarity and determination.
In the plasma system.
Asuka spoke from the depths of his heart, which is also the core belief of the entire Ultraman Dyna series.
"I... am not in it for winning or losing."
The bird's cry was not loud, but it was full of power.
"I fly to...move forward!"