"Enough with the big talk," Li Chang'an said, giving him a cold look.
"Go over the tactical plan again in a bit. Don't screw up tomorrow."
"Got it!" Sun Yang chuckled sheepishly, scratching his head.
"Anyone else? Any questions?" Li Chang'an asked, looking at the rest of the team.
"No problems," Shen Qiuyue answered curtly.
"Armor energy levels are normal. No issues here," Han Ruoxi said, looking up.
"Terminal and jamming device are calibrated and ready," Bai Lin confirmed with a nod.
"Good," Li Chang'an nodded.
"Get some rest tonight. We assemble at five a.m. sharp."
With that, he turned and left the barracks, leaving the others to their preparations.
...
Late that night, the barracks grew quiet, but Sun Yang tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
He finally gave up and sat up, staring blankly at the ceiling.
"Still awake?" Han Ruoxi asked, poking her head out from the adjacent room.
"Tomorrow's mission isn't exactly a walk in the park. You're not afraid the Captain will chew you out?"
"I can't sleep," Sun Yang sighed.
"I just have a bad feeling about this mission. Something feels off."
"You think it's dangerous?" Han Ruoxi asked, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed.
"When is a mission *not* dangerous?"
"It's not that," Sun Yang said, scratching his head.
"It's just... the Insect Race working with the Rebel Army is too strange. I feel like we might run into something we're not prepared for."
"Scared?" Han Ruoxi challenged, raising an eyebrow.
"No way," Sun Yang scoffed, patting his chest.
"A guy like me, what haven't I seen? I just think we need to be extra careful. This mission is too important to mess up."
"It's rare for you to have that kind of awareness," Han Ruoxi said with a nod.
"Get some sleep. You don't want to burn out tomorrow."
"Alright, you win," Sun Yang said, lying back down and closing his eyes.
...
The next morning, the base's broadcast blared right on schedule, and the Insect Hunter Squad assembled swiftly.
Li Chang'an stood before the squad, his determined gaze sweeping over each member.
"The objective for this mission is clear, but its execution could be complex.
No matter what happens, remember this: our primary objective is to destroy that supply line and disrupt the Insect Race's plans." He paused, his gaze landing on Sun Yang.
"Especially you. No screw-ups."
"Don't worry, Captain!" Sun Yang declared, straightening his posture.
"I absolutely will not let you down this time!"
"See that you don't." Li Chang'an gave a sharp wave of his hand.
"Move out!"
...
The squad boarded a transport vehicle from the base and headed toward the target area.
The mood on the ride was heavier than usual.
"Bai Lin, can you determine which of the two potential locations is more likely to be the terminus of the supply line?" Han Ruoxi asked in a low voice.
"Based on the data, the first point has higher signal activity, but the second has more complex terrain, making it better for concealment," Bai Lin replied, his eyes on the terminal screen.
"Captain, what's your call?" Shen Qiuyue asked, looking up at Li Chang'an.
"We'll scout the first point," Li Chang'an answered without hesitation.
"If it's a bust, we move on to the second point immediately. We need to be fast."
"Understood!" they all replied in unison.
As the transport neared the target area, Li Chang'an did a final check of everyone's gear.
"Alright everyone, listen up. Once we're in the target zone, maintain constant comms. Report any anomalies immediately," he ordered calmly.
"Roger!" the squad members replied in unison.
The transport came to a halt. The squad disembarked quickly and began advancing toward the first objective.
The Insect Hunter Squad entered the target area. It was eerily quiet, the only sounds being the wind rustling through the treetops and the faint CRUNCH of dry twigs under their boots.
"This place is uncomfortably quiet," Sun Yang muttered, tightening his grip on his Pulse Gun.
"Feels like a purpose-built trap set by the Insect Race and the Rebel Army."
"Could you stop jinxing us?" Han Ruoxi shot back, glaring at him over her shoulder.
"You think just saying it will make it happen?"
"I'm just trying to remind everyone to be careful!" Sun Yang retorted, pursing his lips.
"What if it really is a trap?"
"Shut up and focus," Li Chang'an commanded from the front of the formation, not even turning his head.
Sun Yang didn't dare say another word. He raised his Pulse Gun and carefully scanned his surroundings.
"Heat signatures 200 meters ahead. Looks like three to five of them," Bai Lin reported quietly, his eyes glued to his terminal screen.
"Human or Insect Race?" Shen Qiuyue whispered.
"Can't confirm yet. But the signatures are spread out, like they're on guard," Bai Lin said, quickly adjusting his detection parameters to continue the analysis.
"Qiuyue, you're on point. Ruo Xi, cover the right flank. Sun Yang, ready for fire support. Bai Lin, stay in the rear and keep feeding us data," Li Chang'an ordered decisively.
"Understood!" The team members quickly shifted formation and advanced as ordered.
...
As they drew closer, the target came into focus.
It was a hidden camp. Five Rebel Army soldiers were positioned around it, each armed and clearly on high alert.
In the center of the camp, several pieces of equipment pulsed with a faint blue light, indicating they were operational.
"So this is the supply line's relay station?" Han Ruoxi observed.
"This equipment doesn't look like standard comms gear. It's more like some kind of transport system."
"The Insect Race could be using this to transport resources or information," Bai Lin whispered.
"But I can't determine its exact function."
"Don't get too close. They have patrols," Shen Qiuyue noted after a moment of observation.
"The rebels seem well-equipped. We can't afford a direct firefight."
"Can you crack the device?" Li Chang'an asked, looking at Bai Lin.
"I can try, but I'll need to get right up to the device. I'll need at least five minutes," Bai Lin said, pushing his glasses up his nose.
"And once I start the hack, they'll likely detect it."
"And if we're discovered?" Sun Yang asked instinctively.
"Then we fight," Li Chang'an replied without a moment's hesitation.
"Captain, what's the plan?" Han Ruoxi asked him.
"First, we neutralize the perimeter guards and clear a safe zone," Li Chang'an ordered swiftly.
"Ruo Xi, Qiuyue, you take the two targets on the right. Sun Yang, you have the one on the left. Bai Lin and I will handle the remaining two Rebel Army soldiers.
Move fast. Don't give them a chance to call for reinforcements."
"Understood," they all whispered in unison.
...
The operation began. Han Ruoxi moved silently toward the target on the right. A small ball of electricity arced between her hands before she flung it at the Rebel soldier's back.
The target collapsed without so much as a scream.
"One down," Han Ruoxi reported quietly.
Shen Qiuyue struck at almost the same instant. Her High-Energy Sword slid cleanly through the other rebel's back, ending his life just as efficiently.
"Right flank clear," Shen Qiuyue stated coldly.
On the left, Sun Yang took aim at a rebel who was vigilantly scanning the area. He took a deep breath and squeezed the trigger.
An Energy Beam from the Pulse Gun struck the man squarely in the chest. The rebel went down without a chance to react.
"Left side clear!" Sun Yang whispered, a hint of pride in his voice.
"Don't get cocky," Li Chang'an warned quietly, then waved Bai Lin forward.
"The last two are ours," Li Chang'an whispered.
He charged into the camp first, his Saw Chain Sword revving to life with a low hum.
Three meters from his target, he leaped and brought the sword down, severing the rebel's right arm along with his weapon.
The man had just started to scream when Li Chang'an silenced him with a final, decisive strike.
The other rebel froze in shock at the sight. Before he could react, he was immobilized by the jamming device Bai Lin had deployed.
A flash of an Electromagnetic Pulse, and the man collapsed.
"Perimeter secure. Bai Lin, start the hack," Li Chang'an said coldly.
"Got it." Bai Lin quickly moved to the device, opened his terminal, and began working.
"We're on the clock. Everyone, stay alert," Li Chang'an warned, his eyes scanning the perimeter.
...
While Bai Lin was hacking the device, the sound of hurried footsteps suddenly erupted from outside the camp.
"We've got enemy reinforcements!" Han Ruoxi shouted, turning her head.
"Prepare to engage!" Li Chang'an commanded instantly.
"Bai Lin, hurry up! Everyone else, covering fire!"
"Give me two minutes!" Bai Lin said, his fingers flying across the terminal.