Only after returning to school did the group learn just how massive the impact of this upheaval had been—it was almost comparable to a planet evacuation operation.
The most recent planet evacuation operation had occurred in the permanent star system, where a large planet called "Zhuyun" was on a collision course with an asteroid that had broken free from its orbit in the outer asteroid belt. At the time, the Planetary Prediction Bureau estimated that this celestial accident could result in the death of 30% of the planet's population from thermal energy radiation. The regional governor immediately organized the evacuation of all planetary residents, calculating that the transfer operation needed to be completed within four star hours.
Even the central star district provided comprehensive coverage of the event, dispatching unmanned mechas to film short documentaries for galaxy-wide fundraising efforts for disaster recovery.
This was an operation that could almost be recorded in the history books—a prime example of successful planet evacuation operations in recent years.
It was said that after the planet-wide broadcast, all residents reached their designated positions within just one star hour, then boarded the rescue starships in organized groups.
The incident that occurred on Planet 732 this time wasn't quite the catastrophic disaster that Zhuyun faced, but the severe consequences it caused were no less significant.
To minimize harm to defenseless civilians from those deranged rebels, Zhou Yuanjing adopted relatively harsh measures, completing control over all planetary residents in less than half a star hour.
The following days were entirely up to the military's performance, with the vast majority of the planet's residents waiting for news in safe zones.
Finally, on the fifth day after the incident, they received complete lifting of restrictions. All passages were reopened, and orbital flight paths returned to normal.
From the military's perspective, although this operation was elaborate and costly, it ultimately achieved its objectives. They used this opportunity to completely eliminate the rebel forces that had been deeply hidden on Planet 732. Those without concrete evidence but under suspicion weren't spared either—they were all detained and taken away for investigation. Only after thorough vetting would it be determined whether they should return to normal life or be marked as red-flagged and expelled from Planet 732.
The lockdown was lifted, military personnel withdrew, and the situation appeared resolved, but the chaos triggered by Planet 732's incident wasn't so easily settled.
The military issued relevant announcements and reasonable explanations, informing everyone of the sequence of events and providing varying degrees of compensation to citizens who suffered losses. However, human curiosity is boundless—when such a major incident occurs in one's vicinity, yet only these minor details are revealed, it naturally arouses suspicion and curiosity among the populace. Online information flew wildly, with all sorts of claims being made.
Many timid citizens were severely frightened by this and spent these days living in fear and anxiety. Even after the lifting of restrictions was announced, many chose to work from home, observing the situation.
The group most significantly affected was the student population.
Needless to say, students in early childhood education and primary education were still young and unable to distinguish complex matters, so they simply followed their guardians through these days, whether nervously, anxiously, or blissfully unaware.
As for secondary and higher education students who had developed discernment abilities, they all sensed something different from this chaos. Especially certain students from military-political families who vaguely knew some inside information—they too were watching and waiting.
The school teachers needed no mention—those whose mental and physical stamina could keep up all received orders to assist with monitoring the follow-up situation of this incident, leaving them no time to attend to students.
Only after five or six days had passed did they gradually clean up those messes and return to their respective positions. What awaited them was schools that had fallen into complete chaos.
Stark also made time to pick up Jiang Hui and the others. He happened to be on a mission in the area and was returning, so he took the opportunity to escort Jiang Hui and her group back to school. According to the school's arrangements, in no more than two days—at the latest by tomorrow morning—students should be notified to return to school in batches.
Rather than let this group of worry-inducing little ones run around on their own, it was better for him to take the trouble to pick them up personally, lest any accidents occur along the way.
Whenever Stark thought about what he saw in that surveillance footage obtained through military channels that day, his heart couldn't help but skip a beat.
Really... Jiang Huai, oh Jiang Huai, your daughter is quite something—one moment of inattention and she encounters trouble again. This time, she nearly lost her life.
Stark found it difficult to describe what he felt the moment he first saw that footage... Fortunately, she was still alive.
Only then did he understand what that strange expression that flashed across Jiang Hui's face during their call that day meant—that girl had probably concealed it from him.
Did that girl really think he wouldn't know just because she didn't tell him? Stark was both annoyed and amused.
He had immediately wanted to contact that certain reckless individual, but then thought better of it... Even if he asked, what would it accomplish? The matter was already over, and he had clearly missed the most appropriate time for questioning. To bring it up now would seem like he was pursuing the matter relentlessly.
Better not to ask.
Well, after all, this incident wasn't that child's responsibility anyway. It was an unexpected disaster that no one wanted. Ultimately, it was all the fault of those conspirators who had plotted this affair from top to bottom.
Stark had also been brought in to participate in a certain internal meeting. Not only were the various dignitaries present furious about this, but even he felt a certain degree of anger after hearing the details.
Of course, his anger had many directions, which won't be listed one by one here. In any case, in his eyes, this was a senseless disaster stirred up by ambitious parties, with the most innocent and pitiful victims being those civilians who suffered for no reason.
Stark glanced sideways at someone who was being as obedient as a quail, his brow imperceptibly relaxing before he focused entirely on piloting the aircraft.
It seemed she had learned her lesson and knew to be afraid—that was good. There was no need for him to waste more words.
But given the fright that certain someone had given him, Stark decided not to see her for the time being, to avoid getting angry.
The group remained silent throughout the journey. After arriving at school, Stark simply dropped them off at the campus parking area and continued piloting his aircraft away—
Leaving the group looking at each other in bewilderment.
Jiang Hui, who had mentally prepared herself to be scolded, looked at her companions with a puzzled expression. What was going on? What was Uncle Tang rushing off to do?
Zhou Xiuwen, who was more familiar with internal affairs, met Jiang Hui's questioning gaze and thought for a moment before answering: "I heard from my father that there's a shortage of personnel for this cleanup operation, so they've called upon resident military officers from various universities to assist with part of the cleanup work. Captain Stark is probably no exception. Jiang, he probably specifically made time to pick you up."
Xierman patted Jiang Hui's shoulder heavily: "Isn't it good that you didn't get scolded? I think Instructor Stark isn't as fierce as you said. He's quite good to you—even when he's this busy, he remembered to come pick you up."
Yes, this Uncle Tang really was very good to her.