Watching an [Iron Eagle] armored battle aircraft of the Imperial Army screaming past overhead, Tian Xingjian breathed a sigh of relief. The reconnaissance system of such a battle aircraft could not identify [Antenna]'s camouflage, and the biological radar capable of distinguishing between humans and animals could only be loaded on medium-sized ships. Furthermore, high-speed aircraft faced numerous limitations when flying in mountainous terrains, making ultra-low altitude flights very difficult. As long as this aircraft didn't land on the treetops, it would be impossible for it to detect the team hidden in this mountainous forest.
Sure enough, the [Iron Eagle] circled back and forth in the air, conducting a clockwise search centered on a tunnel. Although it flew over the team several times, it ultimately found nothing and left.
After regrouping, the team moved even faster. Once the [Iron Eagle] left, the Imperial Army would undoubtedly use other reconnaissance methods and send mechas to search this area. The team needed to reach the designated attack point and acquire the necessary weapons and equipment before the enemy discovered them. Otherwise, they would be trapped in the mountains, and food shortages alone could render this team completely combat ineffective.
However, the Imperial Army seemed determined to eliminate this team. Their aerial reconnaissance continued incessantly. Dozens of aircraft conducted carpet searches. Perhaps satellite detection found the tunnel, and the Imperial Army's attention was finally diverted. [Logic]'s holographic radar showed that the Imperial Army was searching in the opposite direction along the tunnel.
Without a sound, the team followed silently behind [Anger]. The mountainous roads were winding and difficult. Although mechas cleared the way, the steep cliffs, protruding rocks, and slippery moss and mud continually created problems. Moreover, human stamina was ultimately limited. Those with weaker constitutions, who really couldn't keep up, were carried by the mechas. After a short rest, they immediately jumped down to give others the opportunity to rest.
Despite the arduous journey ahead filled with countless unknown dangers, everyone gritted their teeth and persevered, advancing step by step toward their goal.
As dusk fell, Tian Xingjian had already led the team around the mountains and deep into the mountainous area. They just needed to cross one more mountain range to the northeast to reach the Imperial Logistics Base. The Federation's air power could roughly provide support there. Although relatively safe, Fatty didn't feel any relief. On the contrary, an uneasy feeling grew stronger over time, and his sixth sense signaled danger.
[Antenna] stopped, its detection radar on its head continuously rotating and emitting a beeping warning sound. In the sky, an Imperial Army's small transport ship with a peculiar emblem was flying west towards the mid-slope where the team had just passed. Everyone watched the Imperial Transport Ship intently, not knowing why it appeared here. Could they have already been discovered by the Imperial Army?
Tian Xingjian's heart sank. The real pursuers had arrived. The mid-slope of that small mountain was the only path centered on the tunnel to the Federation-controlled area. Though the towering mountains on both sides appeared flat, the geological issues made mecha operations impossible. This information was obtained through [Logic]'s geological analysis. Therefore, this small transport ship flying directly to the critical spot indicated it had brought truly keen-sensed Fierce Beasts. And that strange fierce Heavenly God's emblem was unmistakably the Mythical Army's insignia.
Leading two hundred infantrymen on foot against a Mythical Army that had wiped out twenty Special Forces Camps and defeated more than ten Special Forces Groups? These days are really interesting, Tian Xingjian thought with a bitter smile.
The small transport ship hovered for several seconds before flying away.
[Antenna] reported that ten small dots appeared on its radar and then quickly disappeared, indicating enemies had been dropped from the transport ship. They were piloting stealth mechas with anti-detection capabilities.
Tian Xingjian closely watched [Logic]'s holographic radar. While these stealth mechas could evade [Antenna]'s detection, they were no match for [Logic]'s new holographic radar. [Logic] quickly pinpointed the locations of these mechas and calculated their size and mobility through radar scanning.
Arrogant Mythical Army! Tian Xingjian was certain that they hadn't predetermined the team's movements but had estimated the team's composition from tunnel intelligence. Regardless, dispatching only a unit for ground searches without first knowing the mecha count of the enemy displayed a bit of arrogance. If he were leading the entire Special Reconnaissance Company, could they ensure victory?
Tian Xingjian quickly determined the plan of action. The team would continue along the planned route, delaying enemy contact as much as possible. The leading mecha was replaced by a Warrior Pioneer.
The other mechas, including [Antenna] and [Anger], concentrated at the rear of the team on alert. If the enemy approached, they would choose to ambush. The ambush must be completed within a half-hour electronic attack window provided by [Antenna]; otherwise, once the signal interference was lifted, these mechas would attract countless enemies. If the enemy headquarters couldn't confirm the safety of the team beyond this timeframe, they would dispatch units to focus on the search area. Only by annihilating the enemy swiftly and using their mecha communication devices to continue sending safe signals could they mislead the enemy while obtaining information on enemy movements, which was crucial for a successful escape.
But, given the Mythical Army's rumored combat effectiveness, could a squad of Warrior Pioneers, along with an [Anger] and an [Antenna], accomplish the task?
Against a typical Imperial Army's mecha squad, Tian Xingjian was confident he could finish the battle and annihilate the enemy within five minutes.
However, facing this Mythical Army that hadn't left the battlefield for centuries, even with the advantage of darkness and the presence of [Antenna] and [Anger], Tian Xingjian felt no assurance.
[Logic]'s scanning continued, gradually piecing together the enemy mechas' profiles. They were beast-shaped mechas, categorized as Single Soldier Mecha based on their size. Their movements were highly agile and swift. The radar indicated that the enemies were searching in the direction of the team's advance in a scattered formation, displaying remarkable coordination. The distance between the mechas was maintained with near-centimeter precision. If one came under attack, the farthest mecha could arrive within five seconds, forming a semicircular defensive formation.
This is going to be a tough battle!
Based on the enemy's direction and speed, they would catch up with the Federation team within an hour. As the terrain became more familiar, the speed of these Mythical Mechas was increasing.
Ordering the team to accelerate, Tian Xingjian left the third squad led by Caleb. They would stay at the rear with the mechas and establish a frontal blockade during the ambush. The team's three anti-armor Single Soldier Energy Cannons were allocated to them. Everyone was instructed to use their light weapons to target the enemy mechas' most vulnerable spots. Some single soldier mines were assembled into a collective explosive device, to be used as a last resort for a suicidal strike.
After advancing another ten kilometers, Tian Xingjian ordered the blocking squad to separate from the main team at a location flanked by low hills, starting to build crossfire points and ground defenses. In twenty minutes, the enemy would arrive here. To avoid enemy radar, all mechas had to shut down their engines and hide around [Antenna], meaning the third squad would face the enemy's ten mechas alone for nearly five minutes.
There was no disagreement with the plan, and the third squad immediately executed the orders. These brave warriors smiled and waved goodbye to the other squads, then fully committed to building the blockade positions.
Along the way, Meiduo and Nia observed Tian Xingjian issuing orders casually, his gaze still roving over them sleazily. They knew that this Fatty, bearing the responsibility of over two hundred lives, was no longer the same as when he flirted during their escape. Deep within his eyes lay an unyielding determination and a calm readiness for life-and-death situations.
Who made him like this? The brutal war, the unavoidable desperate situation, or the two women who fell helplessly in love with him through adversity?
All of them, yet none of them!
This seemingly sleazy Fatty, like the world's finest men, would not abandon his principles or the women. In his heart, he held a standard that they would rather die than allow to be trampled.
What is Fatty's standard? He clung to life fearfully, so he vowed to defend lives to the death. He craved vanity, so he protected dignity. He was lustful, so he safeguarded women, whether he loved them or they loved him.
As they departed, Meiduo and Nia kissed Tian Xingjian on the cheek. Meiduo said, "No matter what, you must come back alive! I'll wait for you. If you dare leave me again, I'll come back, even if it means dying together."
Nia said, "It's not just Meiduo, but me too."
"See?" Nia unbuttoned her shirt, and Tian Xingjian greedily looked at not her body but several Single Soldier Hand Grenades. This wicked woman teased Fatty triumphantly, saying, "They'll never catch me again."