SCOM - Chapter 40
Chapter 40
The five of them had just climbed down from the top of the elevator. As soon as they landed, a row of Gen 2 Robot Dogs stood outside, aiming their light guns at them. The reason Qian Mao had yelled was because the scimitars in the paws of the Robot Dogs outside the elevator were gone, replaced with SL-4 Light Guns, the same as theirs.
A row of red optical sensors and the dark muzzles of the guns were pointed at everyone inside the elevator. Qian Mao, standing in the middle, was completely stunned. For a moment, he was already composing his last words.
“Move!” Zuo Luohuan abruptly pulled Qian Mao aside.
From the moment they landed and saw the Robot Dogs, everyone immediately ducked to the sides of the elevator. Jiang Hong reached out and pressed the button, trying to close the elevator doors to block the light gun fire. However, the next second, the elevator button was shot to pieces.
With a row of Robot Dogs outside, staying inside the elevator wasn't a long-term solution. Zuo Luohuan rushed out, using the automated cargo carriers as cover.
She left behind only the words, “Cover me.”
Fortunately, the others reacted quickly, aiming their light guns at the Robot Dogs in front of Zuo Luohuan. They used the force of their shots to keep the dogs from retaliating.
Finally, Zuo Luohuan successfully got close to the Robot Dogs, taking them down one by one. With each Robot Dog she engaged, she exposed its head, which was immediately met with a light gun blast from Ji Yuezhi, hitting the chip with perfect accuracy.
Their coordination was flawless. Yan Yan also finally found a chance to get out of the elevator, grabbing a Robot Dog and smashing it to the ground, somewhat in the style of a Northern Military Academy student.
The row of Robot Dogs was quickly dealt with. Jiang Hong and Yan Yan swiftly collected the light guns from them, which came in handy as their energy blocks were depleted.
Qian Mao emerged from the elevator, still shaken. “So many Robot Dogs with light guns… I almost thought we were goners.”
Jiang Hong slung two light guns on his back and held another in his hand. “Some of our light gun technology has leaked to the Gashro Empire over the years. If they develop a Gen 3, it's possible they'll be using light guns.”
“Let’s go. More Robot Dogs are heading this way,” Zuo Luohuan said, turning her head.
The underground structure was extremely complex. Walking inside felt like navigating a maze. They occasionally encountered attacks from Robot Dogs, but fortunately, they were getting closer and closer to their target: the central control room.
“Were those Robot Dogs outside the elevator earlier alerted to our presence when we came down?” Jiang Hong quietly asked Ji Yuezhi, who was walking in front.
“No, they’re probably stationed at every elevator exit,” Ji Yuezhi replied, observing their surroundings. He felt that the number of Robot Dogs coming after them wasn't as high as it should be. “The Yundong and United Military Academies might have come down as well.”
This secret base was likely modeled after one of the Gashro Empire’s bases. With Robot Dogs stationed at every elevator exit, anyone entering would inevitably be discovered. The lower number of attacks they were facing suggested that the other two academies had also entered, drawing the Robot Dogs away.
“They’re down here too?” Qian Mao nervously glanced around. “We can still handle Yundong, but if we run into An Yingjing again…”
“Then we’ll just dig out his glands before he releases his pheromones,” Ji Yuezhi said impassively.
Upon hearing this, Qian Mao subconsciously touched his own glands, feeling a chill.
Zuo Luohuan raised an eyebrow. “If his pheromone is Poppy, the instructors wouldn’t let you dig out his glands.”
An Yingjing using that kind of pheromone against them was indeed a bit underhanded, but he was a Federation citizen. Used properly, it would have a huge impact on the Gashro Empire on the battlefield. He could be considered a major weapon for the Federation.
Ji Yuezhi didn’t like hearing about An Yingjing from Zuo Luohuan, especially when she was arguing against him on An Yingjing’s behalf. He pursed his lips. “Or you Alphas could just dig out your own glands.”
Jiang Hong covered the back of his neck. “Captain, there’s no need for that. It’s just a competition.”
Ji Yuezhi walked silently at the front, ignoring what the people behind him were saying.
As they got closer to the central control room, the defenses became tighter. Finally, at a bend in a forked path, they suddenly encountered the Yundong Military Academy team.
The Yundong students looked disheveled from being chased, many of them injured, blood dripping onto the floor. Seeing the Federal First Military Academy team, they were first taken aback, then became wary.
Ji Yuezhi scanned their condition, confirming that Cha Lili hadn’t encountered An Yingjing yet.
“This path is blocked. The only way left is the one in front of you,” Cha Lili said, catching his breath. “How about we make a deal? We go in together, then fight it out inside?”
“Wouldn’t it be better to take care of you here?” Jiang Hong retorted.
Cha Lili chuckled. “If you take care of us, that wave of Robot Dogs behind us will catch up, and you won’t be able to escape.” As he spoke, he sized up the five members of the Federal First Military Academy team. They were two members short, but the remaining five looked to be in good condition, not at all like they had just battled the Northern Military Academy.
Could Zuo Luohuan really be that strong? Could she single-handedly defeat seven people from the Northern Military Academy?
Cha Lili’s gaze lingered on Zuo Luohuan for a few seconds longer, allowing Ji Yuezhi to glean his thoughts.
“An Yingjing’s pheromone is Poppy,” Ji Yuezhi said suddenly.
“What?” Cha Lili heard Ji Yuezhi clearly but didn’t react immediately.
“How do you think the Northern Military Academy was eliminated?” Ji Yuezhi continued.
Wasn’t it your Federal First Military Academy that did it…? Cha Lili almost blurted out these words before he suddenly connected them with what Ji Yuezhi had said. He was shocked, but feigned confusion and disbelief. “How do you know An Yingjing’s pheromone is Poppy?”
“We encountered him and almost lost two teammates,” Ji Yuezhi said, half-truthfully. “They led the Robot Dogs to us, and after we took their energy blocks, An Yingjing released his pheromones. That’s how the Northern Military Academy was eliminated.”
So that’s why they’re two members short… But Cha Lili still expressed disbelief. “You eliminated the Northern Military Academy, and now you’re trying to blame the United Military Academy? An Yingjing’s pheromone is Poppy? Do you know that this pheromone is ranked first on the rarest pheromone list? If you’re going to make up a story, Ji Yuezhi, at least make it believable.”
“Believe it or not, it’s up to you.” Ji Yuezhi had already heard the sounds of the pursuing Robot Dogs. He gestured to his team and ran forward.
Cha Lili was actually half-convinced. The more outrageous it sounded, the more it explained the Northern Military Academy’s sudden elimination. Luo Shaoyuan was such a strong fighter, and the other Northern Military Academy students were tough as well. If they encountered Poppy, with almost all of them being Alphas, it would explain their elimination.
“Follow them,” Cha Lili said to his team.
The Robot Dogs were about to arrive. They had to get out of there first.
The two academy teams sprinted, finally reaching the outer door of the central control room. The outer door was made of thick steel plates, impossible to enter without a key or password.
At this moment, Guan Xue’s voice rang out in the Federal First Military Academy team’s helmets. “Captain, we’ve entered the central control room through the vents. There are Robot Dogs guarding inside. It will take us some time to retrieve the technology.”
Ji Yuezhi remained impassive. He discreetly tapped his fingers on his helmet, then said to Cha Lili, “The United Military Academy team hasn’t shown up yet. They’re probably looking for the password and key. Shall we cooperate and eliminate An Yingjing first?”
By now, Cha Lili was ninety percent convinced. The last piece of the puzzle was Ji Yuezhi’s offer to cooperate with the Yundong Military Academy, showing his apprehension towards the United Military Academy.
“You don’t even know where An Yingjing will come from. Why don’t we, the Yundong Military Academy, guard here?” Cha Lili suggested.
“Alright,” Zuo Luohuan spoke up. “But if An Yingjing releases Poppy, you’ll lose half your team.”
Cha Lili had been observing since they stopped. There was no place to hide here. If what Ji Yuezhi said was true, and they encountered An Yingjing, they would be in serious trouble.
“I have a general idea of where the United Military Academy team is,” Ji Yuezhi said, looking at Cha Lili. “His pheromones affect both Alphas and Omegas, but they’re ineffective against Robot Dogs.”
“You mean…” Cha Lili began to understand. “You want to lure the Robot Dogs over there?”
“The choice is in your hands, Yundong Military Academy,” Ji Yuezhi said, not showing any urgency.
Finally, Cha Lili agreed, but on the condition that they would be the first to enter the central control room.
“Fine. Once inside, it’s every team for themselves.” As Ji Yuezhi spoke, he deliberately glanced at Zuo Luohuan, as if she were their only hope.
Cha Lili’s expression darkened. Weren’t they just relying on their strong fighter, Zuo Luohuan? Once inside, it wasn’t certain who would win. Yundong Military Academy also had capable fighters.
Since entering the underground area, Ji Yuezhi had been rapidly calculating all possible routes and Robot Dog positions in his mind. After leading them and ruling out several locations, he accurately pinpointed the United Military Academy team, who were searching for the key and password clues in a data room.
“Now we split up and lure the Robot Dogs over,” Ji Yuezhi said, sending out all the Alphas, leaving only himself and Qian Mao.
Cha Lili followed suit, leaving only an Omega and a Beta by his side.
The departing Alphas moved swiftly, drawing Robot Dogs from several directions towards their location.
An Yingjing never expected so many Robot Dogs to suddenly appear and attack them. He immediately abandoned his search for the key and password, focusing on escaping.
There are too many. It’s like all the Robot Dogs in the base are coming this way.
An Yingjing sensed something was wrong. Someone must be setting him up. His face turned cold, and he shouted, “Federal First Military Academy! Do you want to experience my pheromones again?”
It really is Poppy!
Upon hearing An Yingjing’s words, Cha Lili completely believed Ji Yuezhi.
At that moment, Ji Yuezhi, hidden in the shadows, suddenly rushed in, catching everyone off guard. Zuo Luohuan, who had just lured a large group of Robot Dogs, reached out but failed to grab him, only able to watch as he charged towards An Yingjing.
“Damn, is the Captain really going to dig out his glands?” Jiang Hong exclaimed.
Zuo Luohuan frowned as she watched Ji Yuezhi swiftly dodge the Robot Dogs. She was more worried about their Captain’s safety than An Yingjing’s glands.
Ji Yuezhi moved with astonishing speed, reaching An Yingjing’s side in the blink of an eye and knocking him unconscious before he could react. He saw Zuo Luohuan chasing after him from the corner of his eye, and a pang of jealousy hit him. Is she coming to protect An Yingjing?
Comments
Post a Comment