October 31, 2064, Luojian Mountain.
Ground crew waved their batons, signaling it was clear for takeoff. Ou Zhanpeng started the transport craft, its distinctive hum growing louder.
On the ground, Xie Yu raised his right hand, saluting his comrade who was about to depart.
Life was unpredictable. Soldiers lived by obeying orders. With just a single transfer order, brothers who shared meals together today could be miles apart tomorrow, perhaps never to meet again.
In the transport craft, Ou Zhanpeng and Ling Xiao both raised their right hands.
After the salute, Ou Zhanpeng pushed the throttle. The engine roared, and the transport craft lifted off.
Just then, a piercing alarm blared in their ears. Ou Zhanpeng's expression changed drastically.
This was not an audible alarm, but an electromagnetic signal triggered by an incident, alerting all friendly personnel within communication range.
Ou Zhanpeng decisively aborted takeoff and landed the transport craft immediately. According to flight regulations, no one was to take off without authorization until the situation was understood.
Outside the craft, everyone rushed towards the wreckage. The radio was in chaos, filled with screams, shouts, and roars, making it impossible to discern what was being said.
As Ou Zhanpeng was about to switch channels, the radio suddenly went silent. Xie Yu's anxious voice cut through: "All units, attention! Assault team encountered alien species in the wreckage's lower cargo hold. Exchange of fire is ongoing. All combat personnel, report for immediate support. Non-combat personnel, evacuate the wreckage immediately. Repeat, combat personnel, report for support; non-combat personnel, evacuate immediately. Hurry!"
The two exchanged glances, surprise evident in their eyes.
After capturing the wreckage, the fleet, concerned about any remaining alien presence, had assigned the assault team to conduct a thorough sweep using drones, location monitoring, radar scans, and manual inspections to clear the vessel.
However, after several days of work, they hadn't found a single trace of any alien species.
Even so, Luo Jintang and Xie Yu dared not declare the wreckage completely safe. The wreckage was too vast and complex, and the assault team was understaffed, making a comprehensive sweep impossible. They could only proceed slowly, clearing section by section.
The original plan was to commence research only after confirming safety. But first, Gong Yiding had led his forces to Luojian Mountain, and then personnel were gathered on the ground to head to the moon. Luo and Xie, with their limited resources, couldn't resist the higher-ups' directives. Thus, under constant reiteration of safety, they had opened up limited areas of the vessel.
Now, their worst fears had materialized. Alien species were indeed hiding within the wreckage. With the assault team dispersed throughout the ship, it had inadvertently created a significant advantage for the enemy.
While there were objective reasons beyond human control, human error also played a considerable part.
Ou Zhanpeng's gaze sharpened. "I'll go for support. You wait here!"
Before the words had fully left his mouth, Ou Da Shao was already rushing out.
Ling Xiao's eyes widened in displeasure. He also rushed out, "Why should you go for support and I wait? Hey, wait for me!"
Upon exiting the cabin, he discovered that Ou Zhanpeng wasn't running towards the wreckage, but climbing into a nearby assault craft!
Speed was of the essence. Ou Zhanpeng had no time to wait for the slow-moving Ling Xiao. The assault craft took to the air, accelerated, and flew over the wreckage, descending slowly into a breach.
Ling Xiao, hopping with impatience, scanned his surroundings and spotted another assault craft. Taking two steps at a time, he rushed over, piloted the craft, and took off without a word.
"You scoundrel, I'm done with you!"
Ou Zhanpeng hadn't considered all this. Piloting the assault craft into the wreckage, he immediately saw several assault team members directing an evacuation.
"Captain Xie, where is the engagement?"
"Ou Zhanpeng?"
Xie Yu was slightly surprised but not overly so. "Lower cargo hold, South Deck Four!"
"Roger that!"
The assault craft descended, landing at the lowest point, almost touching the bottom. On the deck ahead, several assault team members were exchanging fire with hidden enemies, muzzle flashes erupting continuously.
Additionally, two team members lay on the ground, their condition unknown.
Ou Zhanpeng immediately activated the machine cannons. "Get clear, give me a firing solution!"
The assault team members promptly withdrew from the immediate combat zone, marking the enemies and sharing their locations with everyone.
Upon receiving the data, the system displayed the enemy positions on his visor—all targets were obscured by cabin walls, out of Ou Zhanpeng's line of sight!
Ou Da Shao decisively pressed the launch button. The twin machine cannons roared to life, a volley of shells piercing the cabin walls and hitting the massive targets behind them.
He couldn't see how many targets were hit, but the assault team members outside soon reported repelling the enemy.
Ou Zhanpeng opened the cabin door. "Get in!"
The assault team members outside lifted their fallen comrades and leaped into the craft.
The cabin door slowly closed. A group of massive species suddenly emerged from the darkness, opening fire on the assault craft. With a few *pangs*, several holes appeared on the side of the rescue craft.
Ou Zhanpeng manipulated the controls, suddenly engaging and then disengaging the afterburner.
The assault craft spun ninety degrees, its rear facing the group of massive species. The thrusters spewed out fierce flames, instantly turning the alien creatures into charred remains.
As the assault craft began to ascend, urgent voices crackled over the radio: "North Deck Seventeen calling for support! North Deck Seventeen calling for support!"
"South Deck Nine calling for support! South Deck Nine calling for support—"
Ou Zhanpeng felt a pang of being unable to be in two places at once. "Where the hell am I supposed to provide support?"
Everything had been normal just moments ago when they parted ways, but now it had devolved into utter chaos. His mind was still reeling, and he had no idea what had happened, only that many alien species had suddenly appeared.
Xie Yu's voice came through in time: "All units, attention! Engage the enemy at all costs! We must buy time for the researchers to evacuate, and we must ensure the safety of the evacuation route!"
At this moment, a voice came from the rear cabin: "Boss Ou, could you take us to South Deck Nine? Leave North Seventeen to us."
"Are you sure?" Ou Zhanpeng asked.
"Of course," the person replied. "We're all fine, but please take the injured out."
Ou Zhanpeng's heart sank. "Alright!"
Xie Yu had very few people under him, and they were all deployed within the wreckage, stretched thin for both defense and support. Even Xie Yu himself was out there, gun in hand.
The assault craft landed on South Deck Nine, the hatch opened, and several assault team members rushed out, disappearing into the darkness in an instant.
Ou Zhanpeng offered a silent blessing as the assault craft continued to ascend.
Suddenly, Ling Xiao's voice came over the radio: "I'm here!"
The radar showed an assault craft above. Ou Zhanpeng immediately understood Ling Xiao's location. "Captain Xie, which deck needs evacuation? Ling Xiao and I will evacuate them first!"
"Roger that! All units, attention! Report your positions and number of evacuees immediately. Quickly!"
"West Deck Six, two people!"
"East Deck Seven, two people!"
"South Deck Twelve, three people..."