Chapter 548 - 266: My Hands Are Itching (Part 2)
Chapter 548: Chapter 266: My Hands Are Itching (Part 2)
"Synthetic meat? Synthetic meat again!" Sun Yang clutched his head in agony. "I’m going to be sick! When are we going to eat something fresh? Can’t we just get some real meat for a change?"
"Have you forgotten where we are?" Bai Lin said coolly, glancing up at Sun Yang.
"We’re on a Third-class Planet. Resources are limited, so stop dreaming."
"Bai Lin, you’ve got no dreams at all, man!" Sun Yang sighed. "All right, I give up. Synthetic meat it is. It’s better than starving, I guess."
"By the way, be ready this afternoon. The commander said we’re getting a new reconnaissance mission," Li Chang’an said.
"A mission? Finally!" Han Ruoxi immediately perked up, her eyes gleaming. "I was starting to think we’d be stuck at this base forever!"
"Ugh, staying at this base for so long has been suffocating," Sun Yang chimed in. "A mission’s finally here. Does this mean we get to fight the Insect Race again?"
"Don’t get your hopes up," Li Chang’an said, shaking his head. "Recon missions don’t usually involve direct engagement. Our main job is to gather intelligence. We’re supposed to avoid a head-on conflict with the Insect Race.
If you’re that eager for a fight, wait for an assault mission."
"That’s fine. A little recon isn’t bad," Sun Yang nodded. "But Captain, you have to promise me—if we run into the Insect Race, you won’t hold me back. I need the practice!"
"We’ll see if we run into them. Don’t get so worked up," Li Chang’an said, patting him lightly on the shoulder. "Just don’t be the one running faster than anyone else when you finally see them."
"I don’t scare that easily!" Sun Yang immediately puffed out his chest, declaring confidently.
The group chatted as they ate, and the atmosphere gradually lightened.
The cafeteria wasn’t crowded, and the squad paid little attention to anyone else, focused on discussing the potential afternoon mission at their table.
"Hey, Captain, what if we run into enemies on this recon mission? What gear should we bring?" Han Ruoxi asked, a bit worried.
"Do you even have to ask? We bring what’s necessary. We have to be prepared for anything, whether it’s the Insect Race or other hostile forces," Li Chang’an said.
"But we can’t be weighed down by too much gear. Traveling light is key.
We need speed and agility. A recon mission isn’t about direct confrontation. Being fast is what matters most."
"That’s true," Han Ruoxi agreed with a nod. "Besides, I have my Superpower, so I’m not slow.
Still, I hope we don’t run into any opponents that are too tough. I really don’t want to have to fight on the run."
"What are you afraid of? If you can’t outrun them, just zap ’em!" Sun Yang said with a sly grin.
"Zap them? My power is limited; I can’t discharge electricity indefinitely," Han Ruoxi said, shaking her head. "Besides, the Insect Race are tough. My Electric Energy can only paralyze them at best. To actually take them down, we’ll need physical attacks from you guys."
"All right, that’s enough discussion," Li Chang’an said, standing up and clapping his hands. "Finish eating and go get ready. The commander will assemble us this afternoon.
The mission details aren’t finalized yet, so don’t get ahead of yourselves."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever the Captain says," Sun Yang mumbled, shoveling down the last of his food. He patted his stomach. "I’m full. Let’s go!"
The group left the cafeteria and returned to their dorms to prepare their gear.
Back in his dorm, Li Chang’an took out his Saw Chain Sword and gently wiped the blade.
’I wonder what we’ll run into on this mission,’ he muttered to himself. But a moment later, he smiled and stood up.
’But it doesn’t matter what we face. As long as I’m here, everyone will be safe.’
Once their gear was in order, the squad gathered in front of the command center to await their mission assignment.
Liu Na walked out, her expression calm, holding a mission briefing.
"Insect Hunter Squad, are you ready?" Liu Na asked, looking at Li Chang’an.
"We’re ready," Li Chang’an replied with a nod.
"Your mission is to head to the Western Mountain Area. There are signs of Insect Race activity. Your job is to reconnoiter the situation, confirm their exact location and numbers. Do not engage directly. Remember that."
"Understood," Li Chang’an nodded. He turned to his squad. "You all heard that? Recon is the priority. No impulsive moves.
Han Ruoxi, Sun Yang, you two keep yourselves in check. Don’t do anything rash."
"Don’t worry, Captain. I know my limits," Sun Yang said with a cheerful grin.
"Good. Let’s move out," Li Chang’an said with a wave of his hand, leading the squad toward the Western Mountain Area.
Along the way, Han Ruoxi periodically sent out electrical currents to probe the path ahead, while Shen Qiuyue gripped her Longsword, alert and ready for anything unexpected.
"Captain, I think there’s movement up ahead," Han Ruoxi said, stopping abruptly. Her ear twitched slightly. "It might be an Insect Race patrol."
"Everyone, be on alert. Prepare for action," Li Chang’an’s voice turned serious.
Sun Yang grinned, raising his Pulse Gun and readying himself for a fight.
Li Chang’an raised a hand, signaling for everyone to halt.
"Hold on. Let’s assess the situation first," he said, his gaze fixed on the path ahead.
Han Ruoxi gave a slight nod. She released a faint electrical current, a soft light flickering in her palm as it snaked along the ground, probing forward.
"It looks like a few members of the Insect Race, but not many," she reported in a low voice. "There’s a patch of jungle ahead. They’re hiding behind the bushes.
Looks like they’re on patrol."
"A patrol?" Li Chang’an frowned, thinking for a moment. "If there aren’t many, we can bypass them.
There’s no need to force a confrontation. This is a recon mission; we don’t need to reveal our position."
Sun Yang, however, looked excited and lightly patted his Pulse Gun.
"Captain, why don’t we just take them out? There are only a few of them. Once they’re dealt with, we can advance faster. Wouldn’t that be better?"
"Sun Yang, don’t be reckless," Li Chang’an shot him a look. "Did you forget the mission parameters? Our job is to reconnoiter, not to engage in open combat.
If we expose our position, things will get much more complicated for us."
"But just sneaking past them is so boring!" Sun Yang pouted, clearly dissatisfied.
"We finally run into a few members of the Insect Race, and we’re not going to do anything? My trigger finger is getting itchy!"
"There’s a time and place for fighting. Don’t jeopardize the mission," Li Chang’an glared at him. "If you’re that eager, request to be on the vanguard for the next mission. This time, you’ll follow my orders."
Sun Yang shrugged and reluctantly lowered his gun. "Fine. Whatever you say, Captain.
But don’t hold me back next time. I don’t want to be stuck doing this sneaking around all the time."
"Let’s see you complete this mission quietly first, then we’ll talk about next time," Li Chang’an said with a chuckle. He then turned to Han Ruoxi. "Keep an eye on them. Don’t let them spot us."
"No problem," Han Ruoxi nodded. The light in her hand flickered faintly. Her Superpower would help them advance without alerting the Insect Race.
Shen Qiuyue remained silent, but she never loosened the grip on her sword, her eyes constantly scanning their surroundings.
"Shen Qiuyue, you keep watch, too. Report any unexpected developments to me immediately," Li Chang’an said to her.
"Understood," Shen Qiuyue replied curtly.
The squad continued on, skirting the Insect Race’s patrol zone.
Han Ruoxi’s electrical pulses periodically scanned the path ahead, making sure there were no surprises.
Though inwardly disgruntled, Sun Yang obediently followed at the rear of the group, occasionally sneaking a glance at Han Ruoxi and muttering something under his breath.
Li Chang’an listened in for a moment, then smiled and clapped him on the shoulder.
"What are you grumbling about? Stop thinking about fighting all the time. Sometimes, brains are more important than brawn."
"I just think our squad is being a little too cautious," Sun Yang shrugged. "But you’re right, Captain. Brains... I guess using them now and then isn’t a bad idea."
"Glad you realize that," Li Chang’an chuckled. "All right, stay alert. We should be approaching the target reconnaissance area."
The squad moved deeper into the woods, and an eerie silence fell around them.