Han Ruoxi quickly took out a small scanning device and secretly placed it behind a rock. The device activated silently and began to intercept the enemy’s data stream.
Meanwhile, Li Chang’an and Sun Yang remained hidden in the distance, waiting for word from Han Ruoxi and Shen Qiuyue.
"Chang’an, isn’t this a little too risky?" Sun Yang couldn’t help but ask in a low voice. "What if the enemy discovers them?"
Li Chang’an’s gaze was calm. "Han Ruoxi and Shen Qiuyue know what they’re doing.
Our job is to make sure they have enough cover. We’ll provide backup immediately if necessary!"
Bai Lin, staring at his terminal, suddenly warned in a low voice, "We’ve got movement.
A new patrol has appeared to the southeast, and it’s approaching the high ground!"
"Damn, more patrols!" Li Chang’an frowned slightly and quickly ordered, "Sun Yang, get ready to provide support.
Han Ruoxi and Shen Qiuyue might need cover!"
Sun Yang immediately tightened his grip on his Pulse Gun, crouching down, ready to move at any moment. "No problem, I’m on standby!"
At the edge of the high ground, Han Ruoxi had already finished intercepting the intel. She spoke softly into her communicator, "Brother Chang’an, I have the data. We’re pulling back now!"
Li Chang’an responded immediately. "Roger that. Watch out for the approaching patrol and make sure your extraction is clean!"
Shen Qiuyue glanced at the nearby patrol and said coldly, "Let’s go. Move out!"
The two of them quickly fell back from behind the rock, but just as they were about to withdraw, a Rebel Army soldier seemed to notice the movement and immediately looked in their direction.
"This is bad!" Han Ruoxi’s expression changed, and an Electric Energy Ball immediately began to flicker. "They’ve spotted us!"
"Prepare for battle!" Shen Qiuyue drew her sword without hesitation, shielding Han Ruoxi.
The distant Rebel Army soldiers immediately sounded the alarm. The enemies on the high ground erupted into chaos as patrols quickly assembled and charged in their direction.
"Damn it, they’ve been spotted!" Li Chang’an waved his hand and immediately ordered, "Sun Yang, covering fire! Bai Lin, monitor our surroundings and prepare for withdrawal!"
"Here we go! I’ve been holding back for way too long!" Sun Yang immediately raised his Pulse Gun and unleashed a volley toward the charging enemies. Streaks of light from the Energy Bullets cut through the air, precisely striking several of the advancing Rebel Army soldiers.
"Fall back, now!" Li Chang’an shouted as he provided cover for his team and moved toward Han Ruoxi and Shen Qiuyue.
Han Ruoxi gathered Electric Energy in her hands and unleashed a powerful current toward the enemy, instantly paralyzing several who got too close. "Go, now! I’ll hold them off!"
Meanwhile, Shen Qiuyue met another wave of enemies with her sword. Her movements were incredibly swift, each strike clean and efficient, completely dismantling the enemy’s assault.
"Sun Yang, maintain suppressive fire!" Li Chang’an commanded as he charged toward Shen Qiuyue and Han Ruoxi.
"Don’t you worry, my suppressive fire is top-notch!" Sun Yang chuckled and kept firing, a fierce rain of Pulse Bullets forcing the enemy back.
The Insect Hunter Squad quickly regrouped and retreated from the high ground.
Amidst the enemy’s onslaught, they maintained a high level of coordination, fighting as they fell back and successfully breaking out of the encirclement.
Finally, they broke through the enemy’s alert perimeter and entered a relatively safe area.
"Whew, we finally made it out!" Sun Yang gasped, leaning against a large tree and wiping the sweat from his forehead. "That was a close one. We almost got caught by those guys!"
Han Ruoxi was also catching her breath, a look of relief on her face. "Good thing we got the intel. Otherwise, this whole trip would’ve been for nothing!"
Shen Qiuyue said coldly, "The enemy reacted quickly. It seems their tactical command system is highly advanced!"
Li Chang’an nodded, his expression grim as he looked at the intelligence data in his hand. "The intel we’ve acquired this time is extremely
important. Once we’re back at the base, we’ll hand it over to command immediately.
From now on, the base’s defensive deployments will be even more critical!"
"Let’s go. We shouldn’t linger here. Let’s head back quickly," Bai Lin urged in a low voice, scanning their surroundings.
The Insect Hunter Squad delayed no further. They quickly left the battlefield, returned to their aircraft, and flew toward the base.
The aircraft streaked through the night sky. Everyone in the Insect Hunter Squad had fallen silent, the atmosphere still tense.
Han Ruoxi leaned back in her seat and let out a long sigh. "Man, that scared me to death today. The Rebel Army’s reaction time is much faster than I expected!"
"Indeed. Their tactics are more disciplined than what we’ve encountered before," Shen Qiuyue said coldly, her fingers tightening slightly on the hilt of her sword. It was clear she hadn’t fully relaxed from the tension of the fight.
"Well, good thing we’re fast runners, or we would’ve been goners back there!" Sun Yang grinned. "But honestly, that was one hell of a fight.
Once I started firing, those guys couldn’t even get close!"
Han Ruoxi couldn’t help but laugh. "You’re always so optimistic. If we hadn’t coordinated so well, I honestly don’t know what we would’ve done back there!"
"Heh heh, of course! We’re the strongest Insect Hunter Squad there is!" Sun Yang said, full of confidence and wearing a smug expression. "How else would we survive a chaotic battle like that?"
Just then, Li Chang’an lowered his terminal and looked up at his teammates, his expression still serious. "Don’t get cocky. This is just the beginning.
According to the intel we just intercepted, the enemy is already preparing a large-scale offensive.
The intelligence we brought back is useful, but we’ll need to take more action if we want to completely disrupt their plans!"
"Brother Chang’an, has the enemy’s attack route been confirmed?" Han Ruoxi asked as she leaned in, a hint of nervousness in her voice.
Li Chang’an nodded and pointed to the map on his terminal. "According to the intel, the Rebel Army and the Insect Race will launch their main assault on the base’s Southeast Defense Line.
Their plan is to use a massive charge by the Insect Race as cover while the Rebel Army flanks us. They intend to tear open our base’s defenses and create a breach!"
"Those bastards are ruthless!" Sun Yang frowned. "They’re planning to hit our base head-on? Looks like they’re coming in full force this time!"
"More importantly, their target is one of the base’s weak points!" Bai Lin added, his terminal displaying the enemy’s tactical deployment. "The Southeast Defense Line is relatively weak. If it’s breached, the entire base’s core facilities will be threatened!"
Shen Qiuyue said calmly, "We have to prepare our deployments in advance. If the line falls, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
Li Chang’an thought for a moment, then looked up. "We need to get this intel to command as soon as possible and assist in the defense of the Southeast Defense Line.
The joint Rebel Army and Insect Race offensive is coming much faster than expected. We don’t have much time!"
Han Ruoxi frowned and asked, "So what’s our squad’s mission? More reconnaissance, or are we joining the fight directly?"
Li Chang’an looked at her with a steady gaze and said in a low voice, "We’re joining the fight. We’ll support the Southeast Defense Line.
If that line is breached, the entire base will be thrown into chaos. This is a battle we absolutely cannot afford to lose!"
"Alright!" Sun Yang slapped his thigh, excited. "It’s finally time for a real showdown! I’m more than ready. I don’t care if it’s the Insect Race or the Rebel Army—if they dare cause trouble on our turf, we’ll show them what we’re made of!"
Shen Qiuyue shot him a look and said coldly, "You’d better not get reckless. This time, the enemy has numbers *and* a sound tactical mind. We can’t let our guard down."
Sun Yang pouted. Although he didn’t argue back, it was obvious he was itching for a fight.
The aircraft landed quickly on the base’s landing pad. The Insect Hunter Squad disembarked immediately, and Li Chang’an led them straight to the command center.
Commander Liu Na was busy coordinating the defensive deployments of the various Combat Groups. Upon seeing Li Chang’an, she immediately walked over, her face etched with anxiety. "Chang’an, did you bring back the intel?"