SCOM - Chapter 40
Chapter 40
The five of them had just climbed down from the top of the elevator. The moment they landed, they found a row of second-generation robot dogs standing outside, aiming light guns at them.
Qian Mao had cried out because the scythes usually held by the second-generation robot dogs outside the elevator were gone, replaced by the same SL-4 light guns they carried.
A row of red, glowing eyes and dark muzzles were aimed at everyone inside the elevator. Qian Mao, standing right in the middle, was completely stunned. For a split second, he had already composed his last words.
“Get back!” Zuo Luohuan suddenly reached out and yanked Qian Mao aside.
The instant they saw the robot dogs outside, everyone immediately ducked to the sides of the elevator. Jiang Hong reached out to press the switch, hoping to close the doors and block the light gun blasts, but the switch was shattered in the next second.
With a row of second-generation robot dogs outside, hiding in the elevator was not a long-term solution. Zuo Luohuan charged out, intending to use the automated cargo movers for cover.
She left behind only a single phrase: ‘Cover me.’
Fortunately, the others reacted quickly, all aiming their light guns at the robot dogs in front of Zuo Luohuan, using the force of the blasts to keep them from retaliating.
Ultimately, Zuo Luohuan successfully closed in on the robot dogs, sweeping through them one by one. Every time she moved a robot dog and exposed its head, a light gun blast from Ji Yuezhi would follow, hitting the chip’s location with one hundred percent accuracy.
Their coordination was nothing short of perfect. Yan Yan, still in the elevator, finally found an opportunity to emerge. He grabbed a second-generation robot dog and slammed it to the ground, displaying a style rather reminiscent of a Northern Military Academy student.
The row of second-generation robot dogs was swiftly dealt with. Jiang Hong and Yan Yan quickly collected the light guns from their hands, which was perfect as their own energy packs were depleted.
Qian Mao crept out of the elevator, his heart still pounding. “So many second-generation robot dogs with light guns. I almost thought we were going to meet our end here.”
Jiang Hong slung two light guns over his back and held another in his hand. “Over the years, some of our light gun technology has leaked to the Gashiro Empire. If they develop a third generation, it’s possible they’ll use light guns.”
“Let’s go. More second-generation robot dogs are heading this way,” Zuo Luohuan said, turning her head.
The underground structure was extremely complex; walking through it felt like navigating a maze. They periodically encountered attacks from second-generation robot dogs, but thankfully, they were getting closer to their destination: the central control room.
“Those second-generation robot dogs outside the elevator before, did they spot us as we were coming down?” Jiang Hong quietly asked Ji Yuezhi, who was up ahead.
“No, there’s likely a similar setup at every elevator entrance.” Ji Yuezhi scanned their surroundings. He felt that the number of robot dogs coming for them wasn't large enough. “The people from Yundong Military Academy and the United Military Academy have probably come down.”
This secret base was likely modeled after a Gashiro Empire facility. Second-generation robot dogs were stationed at every elevator exit, ensuring anyone who entered would be discovered. Only if the other two military academies had also come down, drawing away some of the robot dogs, would they face fewer attacks than expected.
“They came down too?” Qian Mao glanced nervously to the side. “We can still put up a fight against Yundong Military Academy, but what if we run into An Yingjing again…”
“Then we’ll dig out his gland before he can release his pheromones,” Ji Yuezhi said expressionlessly.
Hearing this, Qian Mao subconsciously touched his own gland, a chill running down his spine.
Zuo Luohuan raised an eyebrow. “If his pheromones are ‘Poppy,’ there’s no way the instructor would let you dig out his gland.”
An Yingjing using such pheromones against them was indeed a dirty move, but he was a Federation citizen. Used properly, it could have a massive impact on the Gashiro Empire’s forces on the battlefield. One could say he was a major weapon for the Federation.
Ji Yuezhi disliked hearing about An Yingjing from Zuo Luohuan, especially when she was refuting him on An Yingjing’s behalf. He couldn't help but press his lips together. “Or you Alphas could just dig out your own glands.”
Jiang Hong covered the back of his neck. “Captain, it’s not that serious, is it? It’s just a competition.”
Ji Yuezhi walked silently at the front, ignoring what the others were saying behind him.
As they drew nearer to the central control room, the defenses they encountered grew progressively tighter. Finally, at a turn in a forked path, they suddenly ran into the people from Yundong Military Academy.
The Yundong Military Academy students were in a sorry state, clearly having been pursued. Many were injured, with blood dripping onto the floor. Upon seeing the First Military Academy team, they were first taken aback, then became vigilant.
Ji Yuezhi glanced at their condition and confirmed that Cha Lili hadn't encountered An Yingjing yet.
“This path is a no-go. The only way left is the one you’re on,” Cha Lili said, catching his breath. “Let’s make a deal. We go in together first, and then we fight for it. How about it?”
“Wouldn’t it be better to just take care of you here first?” Jiang Hong retorted.
Cha Lili smiled. “If you take care of us, the tide of second-generation robot dogs behind us will catch up, and you won’t be able to escape.” As he spoke, he sized up the five from the First Military Academy. They were missing two people, but all five were in good condition, not at all like they had just fought the Northern Military Academy.
Could Zuo Luohuan really be that strong, able to easily handle seven people from the Northern Military Academy by herself?
Cha Lili’s gaze lingered on Zuo Luohuan for a few extra seconds, allowing Ji Yuezhi to discern his thoughts.
“An Yingjing’s pheromones are Poppy,” Ji Yuezhi said suddenly.
“What?” Cha Lili heard what Ji Yuezhi said but didn't immediately process it.
“How do you think the Northern Military Academy was eliminated?” Ji Yuezhi continued to ask.
Wasn’t it you, the First Military Academy… The words were on the tip of Cha Lili’s tongue when he instantly connected them with what Ji Yuezhi had said. He was shaken internally, but his face showed a look of confusion and disbelief. “How do you know An Yingjing’s pheromones are Poppy?”
“We ran into them. We almost sacrificed two of our team members,” Ji Yuezhi said, mixing truth with lies. “They led the second-generation robot dogs to us, and after we took their energy packs, An Yingjing released his pheromones. That’s how the Northern Military Academy was eliminated too.”
No wonder they were missing two people. But Cha Lili still wore a look of disbelief. “It was clearly you who eliminated the Northern Military Academy, and now you’re trying to pin it on the United Military Academy. An Yingjing’s pheromones are Poppy? Do you have any idea that those pheromones are ranked number one on the list of rarest pheromones? Ji Yuezhi, if you’re going to make up a story, you should at least find a believable premise.”
“Believe it or not, it’s up to you.” Ji Yuezhi could already hear the sound of the pursuing second-generation robot dogs from behind. He gestured to his team and was the first to run forward.
In truth, Cha Lili was already half-convinced. The more outrageous the story, the more it explained the Northern Military Academy’s sudden elimination. Luo Shaoyuan was such a capable fighter, and the others from the Northern Military Academy were all tough nuts to crack. If they had encountered Poppy, a team composed almost entirely of Alphas would indeed be easily eliminated.
“Keep up,” Cha Lili said to his teammates.
The second-generation robot dogs from behind were about to arrive. They had to leave this place first, no matter what.
The students from the two military academies sprinted all the way, finally arriving at the outer door of the central control room. The door was made of thick steel plates and couldn't be opened without a key and password.
Just then, Guan Xue’s voice came through the First Military Academy’s helmet channel: “Captain, we’ve entered the central control room through the vents. There are second-generation robot dogs guarding it inside. We’ll need time to get the technology.”
Ji Yuezhi remained impassive. He turned slightly and tapped his fingers on his helmet, then said to Cha Lili, “The United Military Academy hasn't shown up yet. They’re probably looking for the password and key. Should we cooperate and get rid of An Yingjing first?”
At this moment, Cha Lili was ninety percent convinced, just one step away from certainty. Ji Yuezhi’s choice to cooperate with Yundong Military Academy showed his wariness of the United Military Academy.
“You don’t know where An Yingjing is coming from either. How about we, Yundong Military Academy, stand guard here?” Cha Lili proposed.
“That works,” Zuo Luohuan spoke up. “But if An Yingjing releases his Poppy pheromones, your team will lose half its members.”
Cha Lili had already surveyed the area when they stopped. There was nowhere to hide. If what Ji Yuezhi said was true, they would be in serious trouble when they encountered An Yingjing.
“I have a rough idea of which direction the United Military Academy team is in,” Ji Yuezhi said, looking at Cha Lili. “His pheromones affect both Alphas and Omegas, but they have no effect on second-generation robot dogs.”
“You mean…” Cha Lili was starting to understand. “You want to lure the second-generation robot dogs over to them?”
“The choice is in the hands of your Yundong Military Academy,” Ji Yuezhi said, not in a hurry.
In the end, Cha Lili agreed, but he demanded that his team be the first to enter the central control room.
“Fine. Once we’re inside, it’s every man for himself.” As Ji Yuezhi spoke, he deliberately glanced at Zuo Luohuan, as if the hopes of the First Military Academy rested on her.
Cha Lili’s expression soured as expected. Weren't the people from the First Military Academy just relying on having a capable fighter like Zuo Luohuan? Once inside, it was anyone’s game. Yundong Military Academy had capable fighters too.
Since entering the underground facility, all possible routes and robot dog locations had been rapidly calculated in Ji Yuezhi’s mind. Thus, after leading them to eliminate a few locations, he accurately found the United Military Academy team, who were rummaging through a data room for keys and password clues.
“Now, we split up and lure the second-generation robot dogs over.” Ji Yuezhi sent out all the Alphas, leaving only himself and Qian Mao behind.
Cha Lili did the same, also leaving only an Omega and a Beta by his side.
The departing Alphas moved with great speed, and second-generation robot dogs from several directions began to pursue them toward this location.
An Yingjing never expected so many second-generation robot dogs to suddenly appear and attack them. He immediately forgot about searching for the key and password, his only thought being to get out quickly.
There were too many. It seemed like every robot dog in the entire base was converging on their position.
An Yingjing sensed something was wrong. Someone had to be plotting against him. His face turned cold, and he shouted to the surroundings, “People from the First Military Academy? Do you want another taste of my pheromones?”
It really was Poppy!
The moment Cha Lili heard An Yingjing’s words, he completely believed what Ji Yuezhi had said.
At that moment, Ji Yuezhi, who had been in the shadows, suddenly rushed in, catching everyone off guard. Zuo Luohuan, who had just lured a large pack of second-generation robot dogs, reached out for him but missed, only able to watch as he charged toward An Yingjing.
“Damn, the captain isn’t really going to dig out his gland, is he?” Jiang Hong exclaimed in shock.
Zuo Luohuan frowned as she watched Ji Yuezhi swiftly dodge past the robot dogs. She was more worried about her captain’s safety than the safety of An Yingjing’s gland.
Ji Yuezhi’s movements were astonishingly fast. In the blink of an eye, he was beside An Yingjing, knocking the man unconscious before he could mount a resistance. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Zuo Luohuan rushing in after him, and his heart soured slightly: Is she coming to protect An Yingjing?
Comments
Post a Comment