After a brief rest,
Zhao Qi and Gu Yue injected half a dose of Adrenaline each from Natarle's combat uniform to save time. Though harmful to their bodies, the complex situation demanded they not linger.
Simultaneously, Li Xin encountered trouble—he barely managed to shout "Outside!" before his communication with the group cut off entirely.
Hearing this, everyone glanced out the research institute's windows and gasped in shock.
Red—everything in sight was coated in a layer of crimson!
Upon closer inspection, it was the blood-colored vines, slithering and writhing like countless snakes across the ground.
Boom!
A deafening explosion erupted from a nearby building, sending dust soaring like a geyser into the sky.
Within the hazy cloud, a tower-like vine rose, swayed, and slammed down heavily.
Crash!
Half of the building's wreckage shattered instantly, debris scattering like cannonballs in all directions.
"Watch out!"
A boulder the size of a dining table flew toward them, and the group hastily scattered.
Boom!
The wall crumbled like tofu, the corridor severed in half as the massive rock carved a path forward.
"Move, move, move!"
Zhao Qi yelled, and everyone swiftly evacuated.
Outside the institute, red vines sprawled everywhere.
All skilled, the group advanced rapidly. The little boy stumbled behind Natarle, his bare feet wincing in pain on the rough ground.
Noticing this, Natarle halted, turned, and prepared to lift him by cradling his hips and legs.
Just then, Qin Feng, who had been ahead, circled back and slid his broad palms under the boy's armpits, hoisting him up.
The boy flailed his arms in protest, but Natarle gently stroked his head and back, murmuring, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid..."
Instantly calming, the boy clung tightly as Qin Feng lifted him onto his shoulders. "Hold on tight!"
With that, Qin Feng sprinted forward, Natarle close behind. The boy stiffened, clutching Qin Feng's large head, occasionally glancing back at Natarle.
Vines draped every surface—buildings, lampposts, roadside tables—giving the group the sensation of traversing a jungle. They pressed on in a spearhead formation: the trio led the charge with Natarle following.
Qin Feng, immensely strong at the forefront, used a wide metal sheet scavenged from the ground as a shield to batter through obstructing vines. The boy on his shoulders cheered with wide-eyed excitement.
Flanking him, Zhao Qi and Gu Yue brandished retrieved iron rods, whirling them to fend off lunging vines from all sides.
Natarle, positioned at the rear, wasn't idle either—she raised her gun, vigilantly scanning the surroundings while remaining ready to provide support.
Suddenly, a wave of scorching heat swept through the air, accompanied by a strange, pungent odor.
The group looked toward the distance, where a massive fire had erupted.
Within the flames, thick vines writhed incessantly.
Exchanging glances, they quickly moved closer.
Before long, they came across a convoy.
The people there were using homemade Molotov cocktails to hurl into the clusters of vines, burning them to ashes to prevent their approach.
Zhao Qi stepped forward to speak with the crowd and managed to hitch a ride with an elderly man.
Midway, Gu Yue and Qin Feng got off early, taking Natarle's automatic rifle with them to rescue Li Xin.
Natarle, along with the young boy and Zhao Qi, continued with the convoy to the spaceport to make preparations.
A few hours later, the trio—two adults and one child—arrived safely at the spaceport.
Upon arrival, they found the area filled with soldiers wearing Atlantic Federation uniforms. The soldiers were registering and inspecting everyone who arrived, conducting basic decontamination before allowing them to proceed.
Zhao Qi, wearing a smile, mingled with the crowd to gather information.
He learned that the satellite's administrators had called for outside assistance, prompting the Atlantic Federation's Space Force, being the closest, to come to the rescue. However, the Atlantic Federation personnel were not yet permitting anyone to leave; they insisted on conducting specialized checks to ensure everyone was clear before departure.
Just then, a soldier entered the crowd with a list and called out loudly: "Victor Blanc, Austria Fendi, Wood Meloz... Are you here?"
Those whose names were called stepped out from the crowd and were led away by the soldiers.
Natarle noticed that all of them were wearing white lab coats, seemingly researchers.
"What's this about?" Zhao Qi asked a friendly-looking woman nearby. "Are they letting them leave first? They all seem to be researchers in lab coats."
The woman replied, "No, that's not it. They're bringing in professionals to determine if we've been infected by a virus or something. The situation here is complicated, so they're having internal researchers from the institutes conduct the checks."
"I see."
Although everything seemed reasonable, both of them felt something was off.
Standing in a corner away from the crowd, Zhao Qi's eyes darted around as he asked:
"Badgiruel, you're with the Atlantic Federation military. What's your take?"
Natarle observed the soldiers carefully. "The reason—there's a missing reason for them to help!"
Though reluctant to admit it, she gave an honest assessment of her homeland: "There are multiple facilities here—research institutes and hospitals—that perform Coordinator surgeries. My country is deeply influenced by Blue Cosmos..."
Though she didn't finish, Zhao Qi's expression showed understanding as he closely watched the soldiers' every move.
A moment later, a glint flashed in his eyes. "Eurasia's people."
Startled, Natarle looked more closely but couldn't detect anything amiss, her face showing confusion.
Zhao Qi tilted his chin upward. "Look at that patrolling soldier—the way he walks. Doesn't it seem awkward? Try mimicking his steps."
Natarle did as instructed and found the movement highly uncomfortable.
"Now, let me teach you. Follow my instructions..."
Adjusting according to Zhao Qi's directions, she modified a few movements, and her posture instantly became fluid.
At the same time, she recognized her own motion: "Eurasia's military march."
Zhao Qi nodded. "It could be a coincidence, but considering everything, it's highly likely this is a Eurasia disguise."
Natarle nodded. "A reasonable assumption. Seeking rescue isn't shameful, but now they're deliberately posing as Atlantic forces—Eurasia must be trying to frame them!"
Clenching her fists, Natarle's willow-leaf eyebrows arched sharply, her expression icy.
"It seems the massive explosion at the research institute was their doing too."
"Very likely, but that's unrelated to our mission." Zhao Qi looked at Natarle. "Our priority is to leave safely. Don't do anything unnecessary."
Pressing her lips tightly together, Natarle sighed after a moment. She had made her choice: "Understood."
Zhao Qi's face showed approval.
"But what exactly are they trying to achieve?"
Both gazed in confusion at the disguised Eurasian soldiers.
Spaceport Control Room
A man in an Atlantic lieutenant colonel's uniform sat in a swivel chair before the monitoring screens. "Is everyone assembled?" he asked his subordinate.
"Still many missing. We've dispatched teams for rescue."
"Focus on the $-level targets. Others as circumstances permit."
"Understood."
"How long until the Gamma Ray Emitter arrives?"
"Over an hour." The subordinate asked curiously, "Is disinfection still necessary? The original plan didn't involve sparing these people."
The captain snorted. "Shortsighted. These people still hold value. I need their mouths to spread what they've witnessed."
"But... aren't we operating covertly?"
"The best concealment is revealing half-truths. I want them to personally tell others we came to rescue."
"I see! Brilliant strategy, sir!"
The captain smiled. "Observe and learn. Otherwise, you'll remain a low-ranking soldier forever."
"Yes, sir!"
"Lift the communication jamming. Inform everyone outside that the comm tower is repaired—they can contact their families to confirm their safety."
"Yes, sir!"
As soldiers announced the restored signal, the panicked crowd gradually calmed, reaching out to loved ones.
Zhao Qi and Natarle grew even more perplexed, though restored communications were welcome.
Natarle contacted the Black Tortoise, but strong interference prevented connecting with Zhou Tianming. According to Li Chuang, it was likely due to electromagnetic Overdrive.
Learning Zhou Tianming would arrive soon eased her mind, a sweet smile gracing her lips.
Zhao Qi also reached his unit and sighed in relief upon hearing reinforcements were en route.
Time passed. People trickled in—some escorted by soldiers, others in self-formed groups. Two individuals caught Natarle's attention. Seeing the blond hair, she finally realized why the boy looked familiar.
She had seen him before—on a small hillside near the research institute.
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