Chapter 1027: The Zerg Attack on Ximao Star (6)

The soldiers of the Wentuiliya 93rd Legion felt their pressure suddenly ease; under the command of their officers, they began to reconsolidate their positions, rescue the wounded, and replenish ammunition.

Company Commander Maskuge, inside the command vehicle, watched the stabilizing defensive line and the rapidly dropping casualty reports on the tactical panel, and let out a long sigh of relief.

He connected to the communication channel of the commander of the "Steel Will".

"Commander Gustav, well done! And the lords of the Blood Angels... thank you for your support!"

From the communication device came the deep laughter of the commander of the "Steel Will," a veteran noble named Gustav, mingled with the mechanical roar of the main gun reloading in the background.

"Haha, Company Commander Maskuge, no need for formalities. Crushing these Alien bastards is the very reason for the 'Steel Will's' existence. It was those Angel lords who really helped a lot, clearing out quite a few annoying 'flies'."

More, smaller but extremely fast Swift Bugs and a type of "Leaping Bug" capable of short-distance gliding were committed to the battlefield.

They no longer charged the main defensive line held by the "Steel Will" and the Blood Angels, but instead used their numbers and speed advantage to infiltrate the gaps between the defensive lines, focusing their attacks on the relatively weak infantry positions and logistics nodes.

On the right flank of the defensive line, a defensive point held by the 3rd Squad of the 2nd Platoon of the Wentuiliya 93rd Legion suffered such an infiltration attack.

This squad had already lost two men in the previous fighting, and the remaining ones were all wounded.

The squad leader, a veteran named Kael, was shouting hoarsely as he gave orders.

"Hanks! To the left! Another group is coming up on the left!"

"Milern, grenade! Throw it accurately!"

"Medic! Medic! Jansen has been shot!"

Private Thomas, clutching his already scorching Laser Gun, lay behind sandbags, aiming, firing, and aiming again.

His face was covered in sweat, and his military uniform was torn in several places.

Thomas looked at the Blood Angels and the "Steel Will" super-heavy tank in the distance, his heart filled with awe.

"Thomas! Watch your head!"

The veteran Hanks beside him suddenly shouted.

Thomas looked up instinctively, only to see several "Leaping Bugs" using the protrusions on the outer wall of the granary to leap over the forward fire net in a few bounds, pouncing toward their position from the air!

"Fire!"

Squad Leader Kael roared.

Thomas and the surrounding soldiers raised their guns and fired into the air.

Laser Beams crisscrossed in the air, and several Leaping Bugs were shot down mid-air. But more Leaping Bugs entered the position, and several of them hissed as they pounced toward the ammunition crate next to Thomas, where the last few boxes of Laser Gun Charging Packs and several Fragmentation Grenades for his squad were stacked!

If those bugs crashed into it and triggered an explosion, the entire position could be blown away!

"No!"

Thomas's pupils constricted.

He must not let the Aliens succeed!

Thomas stood up from behind the cover, aimed his Laser Gun at the Leaping Bug diving down, and pulled the trigger!

"Zzzzt!"

The searing Laser Beam hit the chests of the two leading Leaping Bugs, blasting a charred hole through them.

The Leaping Bugs let out a wail, lost their balance, and fell sideways.

But the few Leaping Bugs behind them swept their sharp forelimbs across Thomas's chest!

Thomas felt a chill in his chest; he looked down and saw his uniform torn open, a wound deep enough to see bone running across his chest, with blood gushing out.

"Tho... Thomas!"

Hanks shot a Leaping Bug that was closing in on him and looked at the stricken Thomas.

Thomas opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but only blood foam bubbled out.

Looking at the intact ammunition crate, a faint smile appeared on his face.

Then, the light in his eyes dimmed, his body went limp and collapsed, and the Laser Gun in his hand hit the ground with a "clatter."

"Thomas!!!"

Squad Leader Kael let out a painful roar, his Laser Gun pouring fury toward the swarming bugs.

Hanks moved to the spot where Thomas had fallen, picked up his dropped Laser Gun, checked the energy reading, and continued to fire.

There was no time for grief; he could only use more killing to honor the sacrifice of his comrade.

Thomas's death was quickly drowned out in the more intense clamor of battle.

On this land scorched by the flames of war, another soul had given his life to protect everything he believed in.

Red Rock City Mine Entrance Plaza.

The first large distribution plaza behind the main entrance of the mine had become the most important core defensive line for the Cadian garrison.

It was relatively open, enough to deploy a certain amount of troops and small vehicles, and was also the only path to the deep shelters.

Company Commander Kilgrave set up his command post here, constructing several circular defensive lines.

"Hold steady! Maintain fire spacing! Do not waste ammunition!"

Company Commander Kilgrave's voice echoed across the plaza, overriding the clamor of the battlefield.

Every time Company Commander Kilgrave's Plasma Pistol fired after charging, it would melt a hole through a Heavy Armor Bug or carapace bug that had broken through the fire net.

Soldiers were constantly being hit by the bugs' Plasma Bombs, screaming as they fell after being sprayed by plasma, but others immediately filled their positions.

"Pressure increasing on the third passage on the left! They are crawling out from the ventilation ducts!"

A blood-covered Cadian Sergeant roared over the communication channel.

"B Zone received! 'Lynx One', 'Lynx Two', move to the left flank, provide fire coverage for the third passage exit!"

Company Commander Kilgrave ordered.

Two Chimera Armored Vehicles painted in Cadian camouflage adjusted their positions nimbly, their tracks crushing the bug corpses and shell casings covering the ground.

The Multi-laser turret on top of the Chimera Armored Vehicle rotated, and searing Laser Beams swept across the passage exit area reported by the Sergeant, burning the dozens of sickle bugs and spike bugs that had just surged out into charred husks.

"Well done!"

The Cadian Sergeant's voice carried a hint of relief at having survived the ordeal.

"Don't let your guard down! Loader, hurry! Energy Battery!"

The commander of Lynx One shouted inside the vehicle, sweat already soaking through his uniform.

Just as the two Chimeras had finished a round of firing!

An abandoned ventilation shaft cover above the plaza, which had originally been sealed shut, exploded open!

A slender-bodied Burrower broke through the obstruction, crashing down amidst rubble and dust!

Its massive maw, lined with circular sharp teeth, opened wide, targeting the now-exposed side of Lynx Two!

"Watch out above!"

A soldier exclaimed.

It looked as though the Burrower was about to Devour a Chimera Armored Vehicle along with the crew inside!

At this critical moment, a deep crimson figure leaped down from a high platform to the side and rear!

It was the Blood Angels Sergeant Luosikemu.

The force of Luosikemu's descent, combined with the full power of his power armor, caused Luosikemu to stomp fiercely onto the Burrower's waist!

"Crack!"

A crisp sound of bone fracturing rang out!

The Burrower let out a painful hiss, its downward pounce interrupted.

Using the momentum of his descent, Luosikemu nailed his feet firmly onto the Burrower, punching again and again into the junction of the Burrower's head and spine!

"Thud! Thud! Thud!"