Chapter 622 - 303: Waiting for News from the Instructor
Chapter 622: Chapter 303: Waiting for News from the Instructor
"Captain, what’s the mission this time?" Shen Qiuyue was the first to speak.
"To put it simply, it’s perimeter reconnaissance. The target is a small cluster of the Insect Race!" Li Chang’an walked in, tossing the mission briefing onto the table.
"New intelligence indicates they may have built a temporary nest in an abandoned mining district on Lion’s Fang Star. The higher-ups want us to confirm it!"
"Confirm? So that means we might not have to fight?" Sun Yang drawled lazily as he walked in.
"Confirmation is the first step, but if we get a chance to solve the problem, it won’t just be confirmation!" Li Chang’an shot him a look.
"You better not screw up, kid!"
"Hey, Captain Li, our Insect Hunter Squad’s reputation is on the line. How could I possibly screw up?" Sun Yang chuckled and pulled up a chair to sit down.
"Still, something feels off about this recon mission."
"What feels off about it?" Han Ruoxi asked as she walked in.
"Isn’t it just a standard recon mission, confirming a location and all that? What’s there to overthink?"
"Hey now, Ruo Xi, it’s just my professional instincts kicking in!" Sun Yang said, throwing up his hands.
"The Insect Race is the ’attack on sight’ type. When they come out of a nest, they’re bound to make a scene. So what’s there for us to scout?"
"The Insect Race can be stealthy!" Shen Qiuyue looked up.
"You think they’re always so conspicuous? If they’re building a nest, it means they’re gathering their strength!"
"Sister Qiuyue is right!" Bai Lin said, still staring at his screen.
"According to the data from the base, there have been recent signal anomalies in this area, likely caused by an Insect Race jamming device!"
"All right, that’s enough chatter!" Li Chang’an knocked on the table.
"Before we head out, check your gear. Stick to the plan, and no funny business!"
"Understood!" Shen Qiuyue nodded immediately.
"Captain, what’s our route? Are we forcing our way through the front or taking the long way around?" Han Ruoxi asked.
"The long way around!" Li Chang’an took out a map and spread it on the table.
"Here, here, and here are all possible Insect Race patrol points. We’ll avoid these areas and go in from the rear of the abandoned mine!"
"How much of a detour is that going to be?" Sun Yang muttered, looking at the map.
"The Insect Race is such a pain. They mess things up everywhere, making it inconvenient for us to operate!"
"Don’t like the detour? You could always go for a head-on confrontation with them!" Han Ruoxi retorted bluntly.
"I was just trying to save time!" Sun Yang said, waving his hand dismissively.
"Fine, fine, I’ll listen to the Captain!"
"Bai Lin, you’re responsible for communications and tech support for the entire operation!" Li Chang’an said, turning to look at him.
"There might be signal interference this time, so remember to adjust as needed!"
"Understood!" Bai Lin nodded.
"Everyone else, get your weapons ready. We assemble in ten minutes!" With that, Li Chang’an headed straight for the armory.
"Whoa, things are moving fast!" Sun Yang stood up and stretched his wrists.
"Looks like today’s not going to be an easy one!"
"Is ’easy’ all you ever think about?" Han Ruoxi shot him a glare.
"Maybe you should just go back and work in logistics!"
"Hey, don’t say that! I’m the squad’s ace firepower. You can’t do without me!" Sun Yang laughed loudly, following behind her.
"Less talk, more prep!" Shen Qiuyue was already walking out briskly.
...
Ten minutes later, the entire Insect Hunter Squad had assembled, fully equipped and ready to go.
Li Chang’an stood at the very front, scanned his team members, and nodded.
"Move out!"
The Insect Hunter Squad departed from the base, moving cautiously through the outer jungle area.
Within the team, everyone maintained a high state of alert, except for Bai Lin, who walked at the rear, responsible for monitoring the instruments.
"This place is seriously desolate!" Sun Yang remarked, looking around as he walked.
"I mean, can’t our planet have any places with decent scenery? It’s just messy piles of rocks and trees all day long!"
"You really have the leisure to worry about scenery?" Han Ruoxi glanced back at him.
"Why don’t you stop and paint a picture as a souvenir?"
"Hey, you know, that’s not a bad idea!" Sun Yang chuckled.
"After the mission’s over, I might actually make an Insect Race nest commemorative album. A little something for the squad to remember this by!"
"First, you have to survive to come back," Shen Qiuyue said coldly, not sparing his feelings.
"Ouch, Sister Qiuyue, can’t you be a little less harsh?" Sun Yang said, holding his hands out.
"I was just trying to liven things up! Who knew you’d all be so serious!"
"Quiet! Eyes open!" Li Chang’an suddenly interrupted in a low voice, raising a hand to signal for everyone to stop.
The squad fell silent instantly, every member on high alert.
"Captain, did you find something?" Han Ruoxi moved closer to him and asked in a whisper.
"There’s signal interference up ahead. The instruments can’t get a read!" Li Chang’an pointed forward.
"It’s probably a stealth device placed by the Insect Race!"
Bai Lin, at the back, fiddled with his portable terminal and reported in a low voice.
"Captain, signal strength is rising steadily. We must be close to the source of the interference!"
"Alright, everyone stay sharp!" Li Chang’an nodded and continued to lead the team forward.
After advancing for about five minutes, they found an Insect Race signal device in a clearing up ahead, just as expected.
"This thing looks simple enough!" Sun Yang crouched down to observe it.
"Should we just dismantle it?"
"No!" Bai Lin hurried forward to examine it.
"Dismantling it might trigger an alarm. It has to be cracked using technical means!"
"Alright, you’re the boss!" Sun Yang stood up and took two steps back.
"You handle it. We’ll stand guard!"
"Give me some time!" Bai Lin began operating his portable terminal, and a string of complex code appeared on the screen.
Han Ruoxi stood to the side, warily scanning the surroundings.
"This isn’t going to attract the Insect Race, is it? This place doesn’t look quiet at all!"
"That’s why we need to get this done quickly!" Li Chang’an said, surveying the area.
"Sun Yang, scout ahead! Shen Qiuyue, guard our rear!"
"Understood!" Shen Qiuyue drew her weapon and quickly moved to the rear.
Sun Yang raised his Pulse Gun and moved forward cautiously, not forgetting to mutter under his breath.
’I refuse to believe the Insect Race has the time to specifically target a small group like us!’
"Shut up!" Li Chang’an hissed.
"Watch your step!"
A few minutes later, Bai Lin wiped his forehead.
"Crack complete. The signal device is disabled!"
"Good work!" Li Chang’an nodded.
"Let’s keep moving!"
...
After walking a bit further, the team finally approached the target area.
The entrance to the abandoned mining district was eerie and quiet, though the faint chirping of insects could be heard in the distance.
"This place is seriously creepy," Sun Yang muttered, looking at the mine entrance.
"What are the Insect Race doing holed up in here? Mining?"
"Not mining. Nesting," Shen Qiuyue replied, her voice low.
"The mine’s terrain is complex. It’s suitable for concealment."
"Bai Lin, can you scan the interior?" Li Chang’an asked, looking back.
Bai Lin fiddled with his terminal and shook his head.
"The metal content in the mine is too high. The instruments are getting severe interference, so I can’t get a clear scan!"
"Then we go in," Li Chang’an said, pointing ahead.
"Spread out! Stay alert!"
The team members quickly adjusted their positions and cautiously entered the mining district.
The mine tunnels were deep and complex, and a damp, rotting smell permeated the air.
"Do you guys smell that...?" Sun Yang, walking at the front, couldn’t help but cover his nose.
"Smells like... Insect Race excrement?"
"Shut up!" Han Ruoxi said with a frown.
"Who asked you to analyze it?"
"I’m not analyzing it. I’m... uh, sensing the local environment!" Sun Yang said, looking up at the ceiling.
"This place is disgusting. An Insect Race nest is definitely not a nice place to be!"
"Focus!" Li Chang’an warned.
"The more disgusting the place, the more likely something is hiding here!"
Before long, Han Ruoxi suddenly stopped.
"Wait, there’s something up ahead!"
"What is it?" Li Chang’an moved forward and asked in a low voice.
"It looks like..." Han Ruoxi stared ahead, holding her breath.
"Insect Race larvae!"
As the others moved closer, they saw what Han Ruoxi was pointing at—in a corner around a bend in the tunnel, several Insect Race larvae were curled up, squirming slightly.
"What do we do?" Sun Yang subconsciously tightened his grip on his weapon.