Bai Lin answered in a low voice, his terminal screen displaying a dense web of energy fluctuations. "These eggs are close to hatching. If we don't clear them out, this whole area will soon be swarming with them!"
"Damn, giving us a hell of a welcome the second we get here!"
Sun Yang slapped his thigh, his voice tight with nervousness. "Captain, shouldn't we plan an escape route in advance?"
"An escape route isn't something you plan; it's something you fight for!"
Li Chang'an sat beside the driver's seat, his eyes fixed on the map. "Our objective is to clear the perimeter, gather real-time data on the Insect Race's movements, and pave the way for the follow-up units.
As long as you all stick to the plan, your chances of survival aren't low!"
"Captain, I get the feeling there's a lot of risk hidden in those words!"
Sun Yang hunched his shoulders. "Can't you give us a bit more confidence?"
"You make your own confidence!"
Li Chang'an said no more, turning to Han Ruoxi. "There's an Energy interference source five hundred meters ahead. Han Ruoxi, prepare to deploy the Electric Grid. Block any potential channels the swarm might use to advance!"
"Understood!"
Han Ruoxi nodded, activating the Energy regulation module on her gauntlet.
"Shen Qiuyue!"
Li Chang'an continued issuing orders. "You're responsible for covering Han Ruoxi. Ensure she can set up the Electric Grid safely.
Remember, if the swarm appears, prioritize eliminating the fastest units!"
"Roger!"
Shen Qiuyue gripped her Dueling Sword, her tone even.
"Sun Yang!"
Li Chang'an's gaze fell upon Sun Yang. "Covering fire. Prioritize suppressing the rear and both flanks.
And remember, don't run off on your own. Stick to orders!"
"Don't worry, Captain. I definitely won't run off this time!"
Sun Yang raised his Pulse Gun, forcing a smile. "I'm your professional fire support specialist, after all!"
Li Chang'an ignored his quip and turned to Bai Lin. "Bai Lin, your task is the most important.
You need to crack the interference source in real time. We need a clean signal channel to monitor the Insect Race's trajectories!"
"I know!"
Bai Lin's voice was quiet but his tone was firm. "Give me fifteen seconds. I can clear part of the interference.
A full clear will probably take longer!"
"We'll buy you the time!"
Li Chang'an nodded, then turned to face the team. "Mission start.
Remember, no one messes up!"
The vehicle stopped at the target location. The Insect Hunter Squad quickly disembarked, fanning out into their designated positions.
The air was thick with a putrid stench, as if every breath carried the reek of the Insect Race.
"This smell is something else!"
Sun Yang muttered under his breath while setting up his Pulse Gun. "Captain, I strongly recommend that after this mission, command issues us all a heavy-duty decontaminant!"
"Shut up!"
Han Ruoxi, who was rapidly deploying the Electric Grid nearby, snapped, "Less chatter, more vigilance!"
"Roger that, Miss Han!"
Sun Yang grinned, then immediately adopted a combat stance, his eyes warily scanning the area.
Han Ruoxi's Electric Grid unfurled, covering the clearing in a spiderweb of blue electrical arcs.
The slime on the ground vaporized where the arcs touched it, emitting a harsh SIZZLE.
"The Electric Grid is set. What's next?"
Han Ruoxi raised her head and looked at Li Chang'an.
"Press forward!"
Li Chang'an gave a forward wave of his hand. "Shen Qiuyue, cover Bai Lin as he cracks the interference source! Everyone else, stay alert!"
Bai Lin sat at the center of the target location and quickly booted up his terminal.
His fingers flew across the keypad as complex code scrolled endlessly on the screen.
"This interference source is highly complex! It might take two minutes to disable completely!"
Bai Lin said in a low voice, his fingers never ceasing their motion.
"We'll buy you that time!"
Shen Qiuyue stood beside him, her Dueling Sword held defensively across her chest as her sharp gaze watched the path ahead.
"Movement!"
Han Ruoxi suddenly yelled, raising her hand to fire an arc of electricity that hit a member of the Insect Race just as it burst from the ground in the distance.
The shriek of an Insect Race creature echoed instantly, and the ground began to shake violently as more of them swarmed out from all directions.
"All hands, combat ready!"
Li Chang'an yelled, his Saw Chain Sword roaring to life with a low hum. "Suppress the closest targets first!"
Sun Yang raised his Pulse Gun and fired in quick succession. Blue beams of Energy precisely struck two members of the Insect Race in the head.
The creatures' bodies convulsed for a moment before they collapsed to the ground.
"Captain, these things are faster than the ones we've encountered before!"
Sun Yang yelled while firing, "My covering fire can barely keep up!"
"Then speed up!"
Li Chang'an replied icily, cleaving a lunging creature in two with his sword. "Han Ruoxi, seal the right flank! Shen Qiuyue, clear any hostiles that get close!"
"Roger!"
The two of them answered in near unison, each diving back into the fight.
The swarm was growing, and the Insect Hunter Squad found itself locked in a fierce battle.
Li Chang'an's Saw Chain Sword tore through the carapaces of the Insect Race time and time again, splattering ichor everywhere, but his movements remained composed and precise.
"Bai Lin, how much longer?"
Han Ruoxi yelled while loosing another arc of electricity.
"At least forty seconds!"
Bai Lin replied instantly, his fingers still flying. "You have to hold them off!"
"Hold them off?"
Sun Yang gritted his teeth, firing a continuous stream at one creature's joints. "Captain, we're already at our limit! A few more waves and we'll really be overwhelmed!"
"Shut up and focus on the fight!"
Li Chang'an severed a creature's claw with a single swing and said coldly, "The Insect Race won't stop their assault, and neither will we!"
"Interference clear!"
Bai Lin suddenly shouted. The signal warning on his terminal screen had turned green.
"All units, withdraw!"
On Li Chang'an's order, the Insect Hunter Squad immediately began to pull back.