"If we run into them, we must avoid a direct confrontation at all costs. Intelligence is the key!"
Shen Qiuyue nodded slowly. "I understand. The fighting power of the Rebel Army is not to be underestimated. We can’t afford to be careless."
"Alright, is everyone ready?" Li Chang’an asked, looking over his team members.
"Ready!" they all replied in unison.
Li Chang’an checked the time, then gave the order. "Alright, move out! Stick to the plan!"
The Insect Hunter Squad quickly geared up, left the base, and boarded a transport to the designated mission area.
The transport sped through the dim sky. The terrain of Lion’s Fang Star was rugged and uneven, and the distant mountain ranges looked especially menacing in the darkness.
"Do you guys think we’ll run into any real trouble this time?" Han Ruoxi asked, gazing out the window.
"And if we do, we’ll just have to deal with it, won’t we?" Sun Yang said, leaning back in his chair. Though he sounded casual, his grip on his Pulse Gun never slackened. "We’ve seen worse. Don’t be afraid!"
Bai Lin stared at his terminal and said flatly, "There’s bound to be trouble. How we respond is what’s key.
We need accurate intelligence; that’s the factor that will decide the outcome."
"Exactly," Li Chang’an agreed with a nod. "All our actions must be based on intelligence. No matter how cunning the Insect Race is, they can’t completely evade our recon."
As the transport neared the mission location, the landscape outside grew increasingly desolate.
Signs of the Insect Race’s activity became more obvious, and they could occasionally see tracks left by them on the ground.
The transport slowly descended. The Insect Hunter Squad filed out of the hatch in perfect formation, instantly assuming a combat-ready state.
Li Chang’an raised a hand, signaling for everyone to disperse and stay alert.
"We’ve entered the Insect Race’s scouting area. Stay sharp, everyone!" Li Chang’an warned in a low voice, then looked at Bai Lin. "Bai Lin, activate the monitors. Gather as much intel as you can on the surrounding enemy situation."
Bai Lin nodded and immediately began tapping at his terminal. Soon, a topographical map of the surrounding area appeared on the screen, along with various scan data.
"No large enemy forces within a ten-kilometer radius for now," Bai Lin reported calmly. "But there are a few moving signals five kilometers ahead. Probably Insect Race scouts."
"Good. Proceed as planned," Li Chang’an said in a low voice.
The Insect Hunter Squad advanced silently. The terrain became increasingly complex, littered with rocks and overgrown grass. The distinctive buzzing of the Insect Race faintly carried on the air from up ahead.
"Contact!" Han Ruoxi said suddenly in a low voice, the Electric Energy Ball in her hand flickering faintly. "A few scout insects up ahead. They’re fast, and they’re closing in!"
"Everyone, take cover!" With a wave of his hand, Li Chang’an sent the team scrambling for cover behind nearby rocks and in the tall grass, waiting silently for the enemy to approach.
A short while later, a few Insect Race scouts came into view. They moved quickly and lightly, as if searching for something.
"Han Ruoxi, take them out. Don’t let them spot us," Li Chang’an ordered in a low voice.
Han Ruoxi immediately gathered her Electric Energy. With a gentle wave of her hand, several blue-white streams of electricity shot out silently, striking the insects with precision.
The insects’ bodies went rigid for a moment, then crumpled to the ground without making a sound.
"Done," Han Ruoxi said softly as the Electric Energy in her hands gradually dissipated.
"Nice!" Sun Yang said, poking his head out from behind a rock and giving a thumbs-up. "It’s so satisfying watching you zap those bugs every time!"
"Alright, don’t get careless," Li Chang’an said, getting to his feet and waving the team forward. "Those were just the outer scouts. The real trouble is still to come."
The squad continued to advance, and before long, Bai Lin’s terminal suddenly let out a chirp.
"Stop!" Bai Lin said, frowning at his screen. "A large number of signals ahead. It’s most likely the main force of the Insect Race, and they’re massing quickly!"
"The main force? This soon?" Sun Yang’s eyes lit up. "Looks like our intel was good for something after all. We walked right into the Insect Race’s nest!"
"Don’t get ahead of yourself," Shen Qiuyue said coldly. "The Insect Race’s main army is fast-moving, and we still don’t know what their motive is."
Li Chang’an glanced at Bai Lin’s terminal, then said after a moment’s thought, "There are too many insects up ahead; we can’t engage them head-on.
We’ll circle around and try to get closer to their command post."
"You got it!" Sun Yang nodded. "This Pulse Gun of mine is itching for some action. I’m ready for a real fight!"
"Your Pulse Gun will wait for my command," Li Chang’an said, glancing at him, his tone still calm. "Fire support is a last resort, to be used only at a critical moment."
The squad skirted the main body of the Insect Race’s army, gradually approaching a deeper section of the territory.
Suddenly, a strange fluctuation appeared in the air ahead of them; something seemed to be approaching at high speed.
"Something’s coming!" Han Ruoxi’s expression changed as she immediately went on guard.
Li Chang’an made an instant decision. "Everyone, hide!"
The squad scattered, ducking behind the surrounding cover.
A few seconds later, a group of Alien Martial Artists in black combat suits leaped into view from a distance.
"The Rebel Army," Shen Qiuyue said coldly, tightening her grip on her sword.
Li Chang’an’s eyes went cold. "Just as expected. The Rebel Army is involved in this operation as well.
Everyone, be careful. Stay hidden!"
Sun Yang tightened his grip on his Pulse Gun and whispered, "Chang’an, should we take them out?"
Li Chang’an shook his head. "Now is not the time. Keep observing. Watch their movements."
The Alien Martial Artists of the Rebel Army were secretly conferring with the assembled Insect Race troops. It was clear the two sides were planning a much larger operation.
"Those guys are working with the Insect Race. It seems the situation is far more complicated than we imagined," Han Ruoxi said in a low voice, looking somewhat nervous.
"Continue to lie low," Li Chang’an ordered softly. "We can’t risk alerting them. We have to figure out their plan."
The Insect Hunter Squad remained pressed tightly behind the rocks and vegetation, holding their breath as they carefully observed the Rebel Army and the Insect Race up ahead.
The scene was so tense that it felt like everyone’s heartbeat had slowed.
Peering carefully through the tall grass, Han Ruoxi saw the group of Alien Martial Artists conferring with a number of Insect Race commanders.
"What the hell are those guys up to?" Sun Yang muttered, his eyes glued to them. "Never seen the Rebel Army and the Insect Race get along so chummy before."
Li Chang’an kept his voice low. "Patience. Don’t make a move yet. We need to figure out what they intend to do."
Han Ruoxi frowned. "The armor on these Alien Martial Artists looks different from the models we’ve intercepted at base. It looks like it’s been modified.
What on earth are they planning?"
"It could be for some kind of resource, or they’re using the Insect Race to achieve some other goal," Shen Qiuyue said icily.
"Either way, any cooperation is purely based on self-interest."
"Cooperation?" Sun Yang scoffed. "With the Insect Race? Just how crazy is this Rebel Army, getting mixed up with a bunch of bugs?"
Li Chang’an didn’t respond, his piercing gaze fixed on the scene ahead.
They couldn’t hear the words exchanged between the Rebel Army and the Insect Race, but judging by their body language and demeanor, the two parties had clearly reached an agreement.
An Alien Martial Artist commander pointed in a certain direction not far away. The lead Insect General nodded, and the insect swarm began an orderly retreat.
"They’re moving the swarm!" The real-time scan on Bai Lin’s terminal updated. "Looks like they’re planning a large-scale encirclement in the peripheral zone!"
"These rebels are so treacherous!" Han Ruoxi hissed. "They’re intentionally guiding the Insect Race’s line of attack to lead us into a trap!"
"Yeah!" Sun Yang tightened his grip on his Pulse Gun. "Looks like we’re not their only target. They’re using the Insect Race as a tool.
Tsk, that’s cold-blooded!"