On the surface of Mineral Planet YT-117, black mineral dust was whipped up by the fierce winds, swirling through the air as a formation of twelve mechas sped through the undulating mountains at a speed of at least 70 km/h.
There were no plants here; as far as the eye could see, it was a barren expanse of gray rocks.
Qin Zheng operated the PS-01, maintaining a fluid motion as he swiftly advanced on the right side of the formation.
The team had been advancing for over two hours, and the operators of the engineering mechas were starting to feel drowsy, with the chat channel having long fallen silent.
Only within the BL-3-79 Squad did vigilance remain.
QJ3-12: "The area ahead is open, everything looks normal in view."
QJ3-27: "Rear is clear, no tails. Hey, that old relic actually kept up!"
QJ3-12: "Yeah, I didn't expect this outcome. Motion-capture mechas have synchronization delays. To operate one like this these days, that's real talent."
QJ3-27: "Do you think... this is his top speed? How long can he maintain this pace? I should've pulled him earlier, I'm really curious."
QJ3-05 (Commander): "Curious my ass. No matter how good, it's just a humanoid mecha, without any mounted long-range weapons, and one arm's broken. No need to overthink it, we're almost at the target location. Stay sharp."
Fifteen minutes later, the twelve mechas finally reached the target location.
Qin Zheng maintained his breathing rhythm and, under the astonished gazes of everyone, slowly stopped at the rear side of the formation. Beside him was Zhu Fugui's Sabertooth Tiger HS2-02.
Sabertooth Tiger HS2-02: "Bro, impressive! Three hours! You actually made it without falling behind. I'm impressed, big guy, cover me."
Worker Ant WY-01: "Didn't I say Iron-boned Zheng would make it?"
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Worker Ant WY-02: "Not just make it, did you see those fluid movements? Who can do that these days? I'm impressed!"
Engineering Heavy Mech QB-04: "Must've loaded a walking assist plugin."
Worker Ant WY-01: "At this point, still making excuses? Is it that hard to admit someone else's excellence?"
Bedrock PS-01: "Remember to transfer the money."
After replying in the group chat, Qin Zheng looked towards the target area ahead.
It was a low-lying pit, resembling a lunar crater, getting deeper towards the center.
In reality, it was created by a crashed flight probe. Near the center of the pit, a circular flight probe lay there, half-buried in the sand, clearly having plummeted from the sky.
Qianji QJ-05 (Commander): "Cannon fodder, move forward and check the situation."
The group hesitated, moving slowly, as no one wanted to be the first.
"Move it, circle around the probe, don't make me push you."
The commander's impatient voice came through the earpiece, prompting everyone to quicken their pace towards the probe.
Qin Zheng silently drew the Ship-Cleaving Blade from his back, fully focused as he walked on the far right of the group.
From the moment he saw the mission difficulty level provided by the system, he knew with certainty that this mission would encounter complications.
The standard for a D Rank mission was a guaranteed squad-level conflict, vastly different from a pure exploration E3-level mission.
But Qin Zheng didn't attempt to explain or issue any warnings. If he did, no one would appreciate it; instead, they would immediately question where his information came from, whether it was real, who he was, and what secrets he held.
Qin Zheng had long seen through this world. In this chaotic era of the starry sea, a saint wouldn't survive past three chapters.
These seemingly disorganized cannon fodder, while speaking lightly, were actually fully focused on observing their surroundings.
Anyone who could pilot a mecha to this mineral planet for a mission wasn't a fool; those who didn't value their lives were long dead.
In such a focused state, time seemed to slow down.
Eight miscellaneous mechas spent 15 minutes thoroughly exploring the entire pit created by the flight probe, finding nothing unusual.
Qianji QJ-05 (Commander): "Cannon fodder, spread out, perimeter alert!"
The moment the commander's order was issued, the eight mechas scattered, as if they had been waiting for this command.
Qin Zheng controlled the metallic body of the PS-01, turning to head back in the direction they came from, always maintaining his position on the far right of the formation.
The four Qianji Mk III mechas that had been on alert finally moved, leaving one to observe from a high vantage point while the commander led the other two into the center of the pit.
QJ3-12: "Beginning interface with the flight probe... Interface successful, copying data..."
QJ3-05 (Commander): "How long?"
QJ3-12: "Five minutes."
QJ3-05 (Commander): "Alright, once the data's copied, 27, you're responsible for dismantling the sensitive probe to take back."
QJ3-27: "Got it, boss."
The two Qianji Mk III mechas operated around the flight probe, while the commander QJ3-05, equipped with an additional attack module, maneuvered the mecha slowly around the area.
Clearly, this commander didn't trust the scattered "cannon fodder."
Sabertooth Tiger HS2-02: "Phew, finally done."
Worker Ant WY-01: "My eyes are strained from watching, but thankfully everything went smoothly."
Engineering Heavy Mech QB-03: "Once we're done here, we're out of the picture. Once the big shots finish up, we can head back. If we're quick, we might even have a drink tonight."
Engineering Heavy Mech QB-04: "Yeah, this one's in the bag, just waiting for the return trip."
Just as Qin Zheng was about to say something in the channel, his brow furrowed suddenly.
Because he needed to perform Grass Skimming Flight for long-distance sprints, he had concentrated the sensor's energy consumption on the mecha's lower limbs, especially the feet.
This allowed him to receive more detailed feedback, adjusting the Grass Skimming Flight movements for better results.
But at that moment, Qin Zheng suddenly felt a vibration from the sensors underfoot.
Without thinking, he leaped forward!
Right where Qin Zheng had been standing, the ground suddenly split open, and a bizarre creature with a mouth full of massive fangs emerged from the earth!
Sawtooth Bug: A Zerg cannon fodder unit, reproduces rapidly, exists in large numbers, with teeth hard enough to bite through steel. Its body is relatively fragile, but it fights fearlessly, as troublesome as locusts.
The information about the bug flashed through Qin Zheng's mind instantly. Without hesitation, he took a deep breath, raised the right arm of the PS-01, gripped the Ship-Cleaving Blade from his back, pivoted on his right leg, swiftly withdrew his left leg, and with the momentum of the turn, struck down with the blade!
First Form of Five Tigers Gate-Severing Saber: Fierce Tiger Pouncing on Prey!
"Slash!"
The 6-meter-tall mecha swung the Ship-Cleaving Blade with immense kinetic energy, cleaving the Sawtooth Bug in two!
Green Zerg blood splattered everywhere, soon buried by the sand and rocks displaced by the blade's impact.
Taking advantage of the moment, Qin Zheng surveyed the surroundings:
All eight "cannon fodder" mechas at the edge of the pit had been ambushed by Sawtooth Bugs, with the worst-hit engineering heavy mech having its left leg's steel plate torn off, sparking profusely.
However, the most dangerous situation wasn't theirs, but the three Qianji Mk III mechas in the center of the pit!