NOVEL NEXT Chapter 17: Hidden Adversary
Yuan and Hana were making good progress. The sampling devices were providing ample information and with the sun shining down, Yuan was enjoying the peace and quiet. Hana was very sociable and friendly, too, hailing from a tropical planet, the climate here was just right.
"You don't look like you are from the Wuji Star System. Where are you from then?"
Hana looked amused at Yuan.
"How did you know? Is it that obvious?"
Yuan replied,
"I guess not everyone from the Wuji system looks as happy as you. The way you work in this climate. It's like your natural habitat."
Hana laughed, she found Yuan very charming. She explained that her life back on her homeplanet was peaceful until some dynasty forces decimated it for resources. Her family had connections and eventually they made their way to the kingdom. Her father had a warp amulet too, enabling the easy journey and Yuan could only feel regret, knowing that he once supported the very destroyers of her planet out of desperation and necessity.
Above them, Yuan could see the chopper making circles above the canopy, the buzzing noise increasing in volume everytime it went over the small forest Yuan and Hana were in. It had been almost 3 hours now, and Liyung had ventured over, inspecting the work.
Abruptly, Liyung's radio began buzzing. It was the original gorilla director from the chopper, again shouting frantically.
"Liyung San! Liyung San! Kuma O has been wounded by a projectile! Damn it, we got a fucking sniper or something. The projectile came from the east side, standard g-sphere direction. I'm going to order the pilot's to ascend, we can't risk the chopper. Until we can identify the general location of that bastard, we're going to be up high. Good luck down there."
The radio crackled to static. Shouts could be heard in the distance. Yuan and Hana looked at each other wildly. It was the first time in such a simulation for both. Liyung told them to gather the sampling devices and keep low and then crouched in the distance.
Liyung's radio came alive again.
"Liyung San! This is Min Rayyan. The shots are coming from the hill at 3 o'clock. Kuma O has fainted. The sentry robots are in close proximity defense mode. Mike is currently on Kuma O right now and he isn't in a fatal condition yet but blood loss is rapid. Cai is in the other forest cluster, she cannot make it without becoming vulnerable. Awaiting further orders!"
Liyung sighed, this wasn't the worst mission he had been on but certainly this was a bit tricky. It was always the hidden sniper scenarios that the commanders enjoyed placing the lower ranking in.
"Stay low, keep a low profile, put as much non-important equipment between you and your surroundings. Check your pack Rayyan, there is a bullet-proof barricade. Unravel it and set it up. Tell those with you, to look out. There is likely more than one sniper lying in wait. Further plans will be announced."
Liyung then contacted the rest of the teams to do the same. Yuan instinctively piled all his gear around Hana, even though they had just met, he still felt a sense of special connection between them. Taking out a sniper beam cylinder of his own, Liyung began looking at the hill brush cluster which Min Rayyan had identified through the long scope. The mysterious sniper had likely relocated. Liyung debated with himself whether to utilize the emergency removal protocol but until the true power of the hidden adversaries could be revealed, it would be far too risky. He decided to make an announcement on all radio channels.
"This is Liyung. This is our plan. As I assume our encampments are completed, use the parachutes to cover the brush. Don't expose yourself, but try to get the parachute to cover as much as you can while still maintaining a good view of your surroundings. I will call up the command ship. Hopefully, they can arrive here on time. I'll be ordering a circular airstrike, everyone, take the remaining samples and Mike, take care of Kuma O. The second the extraction vessel descends, we will make a run for it. As for right now, Min Rayyan, secure one of the robots with your jet pack and launch it towards the hill. Gouro, bring your vehicle over to Min Rayyan's forest cluster. Layer it down with protective baggage. Once everyone else is finished, remain still."
Yuan and Hana looked at each other. At the same time, they both turned and asked each other,
"Doesn't he have an amulet on him?"
Liyung was busy on the radio contacting the air support.
Yuan looked out over the vast plains, his eyes falling on the heavy harvesting truck as the machine roared to life, slowly grinding its way through the undulating grass. Just then, a couple of crisp gunshots ripped through the air - the slug pierced through the metal casing, leaving a deep bullet hole, and it was positioned ... right in Yuan's direction!
"Liyung! There's a sniper behind us! Liyung-"
Before Yuan's words left his mouth, Hana suddenly sucked in a breath.
He quickly turned his head, only to see a huge four-legged beast stretching its body, ready to explode!
Under the dim forest light, the silhouette of the lion-like beast gradually became clear, and underneath the fur, the layers of tangled muscles were full of explosive power, and every breath carried a suffocating sense of oppression.
That was not the enemy.
It was Liyung.
"Keep low!"
The low beast's roar carried an unquestionable majesty that trembled and echoed across the battlefield.
In the next second, more gunfire exploded!
Harsh projectiles crashed hard against the Harvester's armor, striking the target from different angles-not just the rear, but also the flanks!
"There's more than one sniper!"
Hana exclaimed in a low voice, while Liyung's gaze was icy cold as he stared at the nearest patch of bushes.
There - the perfect place for a sniper to hide.
No words were needed, his body had already made a decision.
Before Yuan had time to think, Liyung's figure had disappeared -
In the next instant, the air seemed to be torn apart.
Boom!
The erupting muscles were violently tensed, sharp claws like silver bullets cut through the air, and the huge body was like an invisible meteor, pouncing straight at the bushes!
The extraterrestial sniper in cover seemed to notice, his muzzle turning slightly - but it was already too late.
A suppressed gasp rang out, and with it, the smell of blood.
Yuan held his breath, his fingers clenching unconsciously as the scene before him felt like it had been stretched out of time.
What if their intelligence was wrong?
What if the enemy was far stronger than they thought?
In the shadows of the woods, Hana's hand slowly felt for the weapon at her holster, her fingertips trembling slightly. She knew as well as Yuan did -
This, all of this, had only just begun.