As the massive alloy shield of Shieldmount MT3-01 was about to crash into Cangjie SC4-01, Qin Zheng sighed. The mission reward was gone this time...
He was too far away, and with just a Ship-Cleaving Blade, there was no way he could make it in time for a rescue.
This was when the power of long-range attack methods truly showed.
However, even with long-range attack methods, most people wouldn't have reacted in time at this moment.
For instance, the red Qianji Mk III was still dumbly running along, not even activating its weapon systems.
The next second, the buzzing sound of an electromagnetic pulse rang out!
The massive alloy shield was split in two, and the nimble Cangjie SC4-01, wielding a green Laser Sword, leapt directly onto the shoulder of Shieldmount MT3-01, stabbing through the cockpit with a single thrust!
Wang Defa?
Qin Zheng's eyes widened in disbelief as he watched Cangjie SC4-01 push off from Shieldmount's shoulder with both legs, performing a backflip and swinging the Laser Sword to meet the oncoming Shieldmount MT3-02.
At this moment, MT3-02 had no time to evade.
Its operator never imagined that their boss would be this fierce!
With a "whoosh," the Laser Sword split MT3-02's cockpit in half.
Luo Qingning, piloting Cangjie SC4-01, lightly jumped down from the massive body of Shieldmount, landing back in the center of the team and continuing to run.
As if nothing had happened.
But now, the entire team was reduced to just Qin Zheng's mercenary squad, Luo Qingning, and the red Qianji Commander.
Inside Qin Zheng's squad's communication channel, chaos erupted:
"This... this is insane! Laser weapons!"
"It's not just the weapon that's impressive; I think this beautiful employer's skills are on par with Zheng Ge!"
"No wonder it's a Mk IV Mech!"
"I was wondering why that red Qianji didn't react at all..."
"Indeed, she's not needed at all."
Qin Zheng's gaze lingered on the spot where Cangjie SC4-01 had held the Laser Sword.
A Laser Sword!
The pinnacle of melee cold weapons!
A super destructive weapon capable of instantly slicing through alloy armor.
If he had a Laser Sword, he felt his combat power would at least double without any problem.
Luo Qingning's voice interrupted Qin Zheng's thoughts on the communication channel.
Cangjie SC4-01: "Alright, the problematic ones are gone. The Bluebird Transport Ship at the airfield has taken off and will arrive above us in 10 minutes to pick us up.
But before that, I need you to do something for me."
Qin Zheng's eyes narrowed, knowing things wouldn't be that simple. He saw Zhu Fugui privately signaling him to respond, so he asked on the communication channel:
"So you knew these people were problematic all along? Impressive, seems we have no choice..."
Cangjie SC4-01: "When you're out and about, you have to be cautious. Of course, I'm easy to talk to; you can choose not to board the Bluebird and run back to the airfield. Maybe you'll find a transport ship willing to take you."
PS-01: "State your request."
Cangjie SC4-01: "I need biological samples! From the bugs behind us. You know my sampling speed; it won't take long..."
Qin Zheng frowned. That was a sea of bugs, and the survival time for mechs surrounded by them was measured in seconds, especially given their lack of sufficient firepower suppression.
Combat Engineer GC2-01: "Zheng Ge, we have some means to block the swarm from one direction, enough to hold until she finishes sampling."
The voice of the Ruan Brothers came through the internal channel.
Sabertooth Tiger HS2-01: "Wildcat and I can hold for a short while. With such a vast Bug Tide, no one at the airfield will wait for us..."
Qin Zheng sighed. Indeed, no one would wait for them at the airfield.
The only escape route was to cooperate with Luo Qingning, hoping she would keep her word.
Qin Zheng quickly made a decision and spoke gravely on the communication channel:
"Qianji will handle frontal fire suppression of the swarm. I'll take the left with the Combat Engineer, Sabertooth Tiger and Wildcat will cover the rear. You'll be in the center, complete the sampling as quickly as possible... I have one condition."
Cangjie SC4-01: "Speak."
PS-01: "After sampling, you board the ship last."
Cangjie SC4-01: "Alright, I agree. Start preparing, follow your allocation, and begin action 30 seconds before Bluebird arrives!"
QJ3-01 (Red·Commander): "Miss! That's too dangerous!"
Cangjie SC4-01: "It's fine, just some Sawtooth Bugs. PS-01, it's up to you now."
PS-01: "Okay, once sampling is complete, Qianji boards first to establish aerial fire suppression, followed by Sabertooth Tiger, Wildcat, Combat Engineer, me, and then Cangjie in that order. No delays, evacuate at maximum speed!"
Qin Zheng's plan was clear and effective. QJ3-01 didn't protest further; Luo Qingning had already tacitly approved the plan, so there was no point in arguing.
Minutes passed in the blink of an eye. With the distraction of two Shieldmounts and the other Qianji, the swarm hadn't caught up yet.
Seeing the icon representing the Bluebird Transport Ship appear on their mech radars, Qin Zheng led the slowdown, stopping and turning towards the swarm.
The others quickly formed a formation around Cangjie SC4-01 based on his position.
The swarm ahead was like a black ocean, surging from afar, overwhelming everything in its path.
Everyone's breathing involuntarily grew heavier, hands gripping the control sticks in the cockpits trembling slightly as the swarm drew closer—
500 meters... 300 meters... 200... 100...
Qin Zheng suddenly took a deep breath, activating the Breathing Technique to its fullest. The red dot representing him on the bio-detection radar turned deep red, surpassing all surrounding life forms!
PS-01's left foot stomped the ground, creating a small crater as it shot forward, the mech's right hand gripping the Ship-Cleaving Blade's hilt tightly, drawing it from the rear slot.
On the endless wasteland, facing the surging Bug Tide, the one-armed PS-01 charged with the blade!
The distance between them closed instantly, and through the mech's observation view, Qin Zheng could even see the sharp teeth in the Sawtooth Bugs' mouths!
He focused entirely, not daring to relax for a moment, as the Ship-Cleaving Blade in the mech's hand thrust forward.
It wasn't a powerful horizontal slash, but a skillful move, the blade deftly inserted into the Bug Tide, flicking backward!
A Sawtooth Bug screeched as it flew towards the team, and Cangjie SC4-01 quickly caught it!
Seeing the task completed, PS-01's right foot stomped the ground, halting its forward momentum and quickly retreating!
The surging Bug Tide followed instantly, almost catching up.
Suddenly, a barrage of Armor-Piercing Rounds poured in, sweeping through the front row of bugs.
Qin Zheng seized the opportunity to retreat successfully to the right side of the formation.
Immediately, numerous Sawtooth Bugs trampled over their fallen comrades, crashing into their formation like a giant wave.
The red Qianji at the front unleashed its full firepower, the professionally modified weapon systems incredibly powerful, holding back the Bug Sea's advance from the front with reckless output!