Chapter 551: Asking Father for Money

Not long ago.

Those who had infiltrated the outskirts of the base then split up to act.

Ba'er headed straight for the central control room, while six elites placed, in the base's peripheral main facilities, a plasma bomb with a TNT equivalent of one ton.

After the detonation,

The communication, command and other central systems of the 13th City's high-ranking officials were paralyzed, as were the garrison and United Army deployed within the city; they would immediately focus their attention on the base on the city's western side.

Then, when the main force of the Mourners outside the city launches its assault, we can directly storm the central castle of City 13, catching the traitors and riffraff off guard.

But before that, Ba'er alone must face the entire city's military force.

Moreover, Ba'er's previous performance was 'nothing special'; at most he showed up skilled in cracking, programming and modification, a 'tech otaku' with the potential to become a battalion technical sergeant.

According to standard military organization, even if technical personnel have considerable military training, they should not be assigned to assault or bait-like dangerous duties.

And Dan Ding sent this tech otaku, Ba'er, to carry out the infiltration and lure mission…

Those unaware of the details might think Dan Ding and Ba'er have some grudge, but first and foremost, Ba'er is an Astate, and only then a candidate for technical sergeant.

At this moment.

The successive explosions rising also caused the base and the entirety of City 13 to echo with old-style air-raid sirens.

This drastic change directly caused those without nightlife to startle awake.

Those living in high-rise apartments opened their windows, half-crouching behind walls to peer west, while the homeless hid in corners; even looking up, they could see the western flames shooting skyward.

And the National Guard and United Army…

Between the ground streets, in the blink of an eye, large numbers of off-road vehicles and armored vehicles equipped with. 50cal or 20mm+ caliber weapons surged forth.

Above, nearly a hundred aerial craft swooped low.

There were armed helicopters favoring the technology of Earth's great powers, and also biological transports whose appearance resembled a disassembled and reassembled crab.

The total numbered over twenty thousand guards and over four thousand United Army soldiers, who rapidly rushed to the base situated to the west.

In an instant, the commotion caused by Ba'er and company was like kicking a hornet's nest, sending City 13 directly into the highest alert level.

This shows how much the traitors fear the rebel army, or the remnant forces of Earth's great powers, capable of successfully overthrowing their rule.

While the United Empire granted them supreme power, it also thoroughly offended their fellow countrymen, making another rebellion impossible, for humanity could no longer accommodate them.

This is why the main force of the United Empire, even after withdrawing from the Space Gate, still keeps Earth and humanity firmly in its grasp.

Not long after,

The nearest unit, an air formation of four armed helicopters and ten biological transports, was the first to reach the western base.

All high-power lights focused on Ba'er alone standing in the center of the assembly plaza, after which the transports landed around the plaza.

At the moment the hatch opened…

"Go! Go! Go!"

"Hold formation!"

"Target acquired, lock on!"

Then came dense, low-pitched radio chatter.

Only to see at least five hundred elite synthetic humans in black coat-like combat uniforms, wielding live ammunition, pulse weapons, even flamethrowers, charging out of the cabin.

And within just a few seconds, this synthetic human unit completed its encirclement formation, swiftly and orderly shrinking the circle.

Finally, stopping about twenty meters from Ba'er, they raised their guns and faced off.

One of them, with an octopus helmet painted deep crimson, shoulder insignia according to the United Army's organization, presumably a captain acting as commander, stepped forward.

They showed no surprise at Ba'er's height and build, instead issuing a warning in a very cold tone:

"Drop your weapons and surrender; don't make us repeat ourselves."

"."

Ba'er, however, remained silent for a moment, then glanced at the upper-right corner of the holographic screen.

12:00.

The timing was perfect.

Moreover, Dan Ding's voice came through the earpiece: "Ba'er, we have reached the eastern outskirts of City 13; you may begin the 'game'."

"But be careful—not to overplay; if you get wounded, it's inconvenient to treat, and besides, your father's opinion of us Mourners will drop—understand?"

"Don't worry, I'm not Fennisi." Ba'er gave a faint reply, also making a bolt-pulling motion with his left hand as he looked at the synthetic human commander, and rare for him to complain:

"At this scale, it's finally worth using my gun."

Seeing that Ba'er had no intention to surrender, the synthetic human commander immediately raised his left hand to issue an order:

"Fire…"

"Sss!"

But as soon as it spoke, it was cut off by a burst from a bolt-action rifle.

It was Ba'er, who, at extreme speed, raised his aim and pulled the trigger, sending a dark-green-tipped bolt out of the barrel.

"Pff!!"

75-caliber, needing no explosion, the sheer kinetic force directly shattered the synthetic human commander's upper torso; armor and combat uniform were as paper, offering no resistance against the bolt.

"Pff! Pff!"

Moreover, this green-headed bolt had no intention to stop; anyone in its path among the synthetic humans was torn apart, leaving a straight line of blood mist 'drawn' in the formation.

"Boom~"

After it had consecutively shattered more than ten synthetic humans, the green-headed bolt finally detonated.

However, the explosion was not particularly violent, nor did it spray dense fragments; instead it released a puff of green mist…

Together with the green head marking, it is clearly a viper bolt containing high-concentration alien strong acid.

Initially, the synthetic humans within the strong-acid mist paid no heed, intending to continue attacking Ba'er.

"Sss…! Sss…!"

But soon, the strong acid rapidly corroded the armor, combat suit, and the ghastly white skin unlike that of humans.

"Ah!!"

"Ugh…!"

"Beep~———"

Accompanied by a wail and a shrill alert like a heart monitor flatlining, every synthetic human within the strong acid fog was completely corroded, turning into liquid that stuck to the floor tiles.

Most notably, these synthetics actually wailed in pain?

Perhaps, since the synthetics were cultivated, their self‑awareness was sealed, yet their minds had to obey United Empire commands.

(In Half‑Life: Alex, the United Empire initially cultivated synthetics, or modified prisoners from the Seven‑Hour War to create synthetic soldiers; when not receiving orders they would perform… "glitches," "silly" actions, details can be found on the broken site.)

When they die, some synthetic soldiers even say "I… I'm sorry," indicating that while their hearts ache at attacking human comrades, they cannot defy the United Empire.)

It seems death not only stops them from persecuting humans, but also serves as a release for them?

And the same corrosive scenario on the Assembly Plaza is merely the tip of the iceberg.

"Bang bang bang!!"

After eliminating the synthetic commander, Bar ran, dodging attacks while unleashing a barrage of auto‑aiming explosive arrows in all directions.

In just a few seconds, after emptying a thirty‑round magazine, more than half of the five hundred surrounding synthetics were killed or wounded.

Conversely, the synthetics caught off guard, though they didn't collapse outright like ordinary humans when faced with such a ludicrous power gap, still could not lock onto the high‑speed Bar.

Fortunately, four armed helicopters aloft coordinated with ground forces to form a crossfire net, finally managing to have dense fire strike Bar just after he reloaded.

"Boom~!! Boom!"

When the large‑caliber machine gun hit Bar's body and armor, it produced plumes of black smoke and dense fog.

Under concentrated fire, Bar was forced to disrupt his pace and rhythm; his armor was riddled with bullet holes, and his combat suit became tattered.

The live rounds were fine, but their principle resembles the main universe's plasma weapons: energy bursts from pulse rifles or machine guns leave significant scorch marks on armor.

Although they cannot pierce skin, they leave red marks, indicating that United Forces using various‑caliber pulse weapons could still threaten Astate recruits lacking ceramic‑steel armor or a Thunder Hammer.

Feeling a slight pain, Bar did not curse loudly nor harbor resentment; he wondered why his father didn't send them powered armor, and instead reflected on his own mistake of not addressing the aerial threat immediately.

He quickly swung his barrel and, using armor‑piercing venomous explosive‑arrow rounds with a striking effect, destroyed all armed helicopters and also took out all half‑bio, half‑mechanical transport aircraft.

After this, Bar will surely prioritize eliminating enemy air weapons at the first opportunity in future battles.

Meanwhile.

If viewed from above City No. 13.

On the east side, where defensive and patrol forces are absent, five black‑painted, well‑equipped Wailing Ones combat squads are rapidly advancing.

After entering the city, four combat squads dispersed longitudinally, as if they already knew where threats lay, executing precise strikes.

The remaining squad marched straight toward the central fortress.

———————

…

The top floor of Central Fortress No. 13.

"What's happening! What on earth is going on?!"

In the luxuriously decorated, spacious office, angry roars echoed.

The fifty‑something 'Mayor', sporting a goatee and wearing a dark‑gray uniform, grew extremely irritable as communications and command authority failed, he knew nothing of the outside, and explosions and gunfire rang incessantly.

Among all the 'people' in the office, the white‑clad synthetic tasked with guarding the Mayor remained silent.

Several corrupt officials also in gray uniforms were flustered, not knowing how to answer "What's happening!"

Now they are completely blind, unable to tell whether the destruction is caused by rebels or remnants of the old national military.

Moreover, they fear regime overthrow more than anyone.

"Boom!!"

At that moment, the office's metal gate was forcefully kicked open.

"Bang! Bang!"

"Puff! Puff!"

Immediately followed by burst fire from the explosive‑arrow gun, and the bodies of synthetics and corrupt officials exploding in response.

In the blink of an eye.

Inside the office, only the Mayor, the 'first traitor' of City No. 13, remained.

At this moment, the Mayor, seeing Dante approaching, was terrified, his legs went weak and his body trembled uncontrollably.

"He‑mad!" The youth following Dante could no longer hold back profanity and suggested, "Sir! This guy keeps preaching obedience to the United Empire's rule and lets those corrupt humans run rampant; we must shred him to pieces!"

"Control your emotions." Dante instructed the youth, then looked down at the Mayor whose mind was blank and commanded in a deep voice, "Contain this guy, keep him alive; later professionals will interrogate him."

"Yes, sir!"

Receiving the order, the youth and another support soldier hurriedly captured the Mayor.

What the youth didn't know is that the 'professionals' Dante mentioned are plague doctors who visit Luna Base every three months to give Astate recruits a 'dissection public lecture.'

Handing the Mayor and Wallace Brin, the chief corrupt official, over to the plague doctors is probably the best punishment Dante could think of.

"Kill him?"

If he were to grant them an easy death, Dante would feel too 'holier‑than‑thou.'

How could he let them die so easily?

———————

…

Main Universe.

Imperial Palace.

The interior of the hall called the Reception Hall was large enough to fit two football fields.

Inside were laid spotless marble tiles that could reflect light, a noise-reducing red carpet ran down the center, and on each side every fifteen meters stood gilded redwood pillars so thick that six Imperial Guards were needed to encircle one.

The walls and ceiling bore many murals carved from gold, jadeite, and jade, whose depicted momentum was grand and sweeping, and their content was the history of humanity's struggle in the Main Universe.

One could say this Reception Hall softened the characteristics and styles of Earth's various civilizations, and was extravagant to the point of being overly ostentatious and wasteful.

But, since it is for receptions, it is natural to display the strength and wealth of the Human Empire to visiting species.

At this moment.

On the stepped platform at the front of the hall stood a golden throne (with no function), and the Human Emperor seated upon it.

Sui Bian, sitting with his left elbow on the armrest and his left fist propping his cheek, had his pupils emit a faint light, as if he were using Psychic Gaze to observe all the new recruits.

He certainly saw that Dante had set up the Mourners' temporary headquarters, and he also heard that Baer hoped for the assistance of a low-intelligence AI.

'These brats really like to hit me up for money.'

Although Sui Bian complained to himself, he still waved his right hand, sending the seventy-odd stored undead and Soldier Boys, plus a freshly made, not-yet-activated low-intelligence AI, and other such 'supplies,' to a universe similar to that of Half-Life.

After all, expecting just six new recruits of the Holy Blood Angels to take on the entire United Empire is really tough on Dante, Baer, and the others.

Moreover, Baer suffered a slight injury (so minor it would heal in a blink, to the point that Baer himself hardly noticed it), which also made Sui Bian feel a bit of pity.

(End of Chapter)