As the vines retreated, Natarle finally exhaled in relief. Without weapons, they had reached their limit—any longer and they would have been ensnared. Glancing around the empty surroundings, everyone broke out in a cold sweat.
"We can't stay here any longer. Whatever Eurasia is planning, we need to leave immediately," Zhao Qi said, earning nods of agreement from the group. They hurried through the unmanned corridors toward the shuttle docking area.
"What a desperate situation..." Ray Le Creuset licked his lips, picking up a few military rifles scattered across the hall. "World, do you wish for my death now? Let me see."
The sound of footsteps faded into the distance.
Meanwhile, aboard a Nelson-class battleship in cosmic space...
A lieutenant colonel grinned excitedly on the bridge. "Hahaha, the heavens favor Eurasia! Who could've predicted this? Excellent work." He turned to issue orders. "Don't hold back—spread the word. Have we identified this man yet?"
A subordinate responded, "Satellite records show it's Weber-Walter, chief of the garrison. Records indicate he encountered a similar incident in '55, resigned afterward, but later returned and climbed the ranks to become garrison commander."
Clap clap clap.
The lieutenant colonel applauded. "What perfect material. Have our writers embellish his story—our 'Great Demon King Weber' needs a deeply moving motive."
Light laughter filled the bridge as the subordinate nodded. "Understood. I'll contact the propaganda department immediately."
"Can we locate the core of these plants?"
"Negative. Radar interference is severe."
"Then use optical telescopes. Find and sterilize it."
"Roger."
"Oh, and one more thing," the lieutenant colonel added with a smirk. "Broadcast a message throughout the satellite. Let any survivors know we're still 'working hard'—give them time to spread our narrative for us."
"What about the researchers and data retrieval?"
"One S-class researcher confirmed dead. Another named Gilbert-Durandal was captured by Weber—current whereabouts unknown. Only about 30% of data recovered. The vines' interference is too severe."
"Enough. Cut our losses and retreat. As long as the data isn't destroyed, we'll find ways to retrieve it later." The lieutenant colonel raised his voice. "Final phase of the operation begins now. Don't screw this up!"
A chorus of acknowledgments followed.
Back at the Mendel Satellite's spaceport shuttle bay...
Natarle's group arrived to find the shuttles still intact, sighing in relief—until inspections revealed all were locked down and unable to launch.
Zhao Qi frowned. "Li Xin, status? How long to override the lock?"
Sweat dripped from Li Xin's forehead as his fingers flew across the keyboard. "No good. This is the satellite's special defense protocol—a final measure to prevent bio-leakage contaminants from escaping. Can't crack it quickly without a specific key."
"Focus solely on bypassing the system," Zhao Qi ordered before addressing the others. "Qin Feng, scavenge weapons from security. Gu Yue, locate any Eurasia personnel. We haven't encountered a single soldier—find out why."
"Got it."
"On it."
The two hurried off while Natarle tended to Ray nearby. The boy clung to her obediently.
Zhao Qi observed her. "You're remarkably calm."
Natarle smiled shyly. "I trust Tianming. With him here, we'll be fine."
"Zhou Tianming..." Zhao Qi repeated the name. "This mission started because of him. I'm not afraid to die, but I'd prefer it to mean something."
"We won't die." Natarle's gaze hardened.
Zhao Qi chuckled. "Ah, women in love..."
Natarle's ears burned crimson.
Soon, Qin Feng returned laden with rifles—though only light weapons remained after the satellite's explosions. Gu Yue reported: "All Eurasia forces vanished. An empty docking spot outside suggests they've evacuated."
Zhao Qi's expression darkened. "So that's their game."
The group turned their attention to him.
"They're using the bio-leakage as cover to abduct top-tier researchers."
Natarle gasped in realization. "That's why they took those targets earlier under inspection pretexts."
Qin Feng gritted his teeth. "No wonder the facility was compromised before we acted—their doing."
"Exactly." Zhao Qi nodded. "Their objectives likely included experimental data too, but the red vines' interference blocked transmissions. Direct retrieval became impossible against endless vines."
Gu Yue looked puzzled. "Then why assist with sterilization and inspections? Under these circumstances..."
He left the implication unspoken.
Eliminating witnesses would conceal the researchers' disappearances.
"That's the plan's brilliance." Zhao Qi sighed. "They're using us to disseminate their narrative."
"Consider their actions so far. What message reaches the outside world?" He answered his own question. "The Atlantic Federation provided protection, conducted inspections, and initiated immediate sterilization."
Natarle exhaled sharply. "We've all become witnesses to their 'heroic efforts.' Flawless procedure leaves no room for criticism—especially under Atlantic Federation guise."
Zhao Qi added, "An impeccable strategy. And now someone else solves their biggest problem."
Gu Yue caught on. "The man controlling the vines."
"Precisely. Eurasia needn't dirty their hands—they emerge completely blameless."
Qin Feng growled, "What if we expose their bio-virus release—"
"Impossible." Natarle cut in sternly. "No evidence, and it implicates us—we're here on a mission too."
"Damn it!" Qin Feng kicked the wall. "Played like fools!"
Aboard the Nelson-class battleship...
"Lieutenant Colonel! Possible plant core located!" a radar operator shouted. "Telescopes show heaviest red vine concentration at the satellite's energy complex—thicker vines there appear to be absorbing nuclear power."
The screen displayed an overhead view: the energy building encased in a crimson cocoon.
Pulsing red veins along the vines suggested energy absorption—and drastic mutations.
Periodically, vines burst, spewing scarlet liquid waterfalls, while others withered black only to sprout new tendrils.
The horrifying spectacle left the crew stunned.
"Incredible... What have these researchers created?" The lieutenant colonel wiped his brow, genuine fear surfacing. "No more delays. Activate the gamma ray emitter—target that structure continuously. Sterilize the entire satellite afterward. Not a single trace can remain."
"Aye!" The crew sprang into action.
Below the battleship, a rectangular bay opened, extending a disc-shaped device with a central column featuring triple-layered mirrors.
It slowly aligned with the vine-covered energy complex.
"Oh, and broadcast a warning to the satellite—fulfill our 'duty to inform.' Whether anyone survives..."
The lieutenant colonel smirked. "Statistically, it's possible."
[Emergency Alert: Due to severe biohazard outbreak, gamma ray sterilization of Mendel Satellite will commence immediately. Seek shelter. We apologize for the inconvenience.]
In the spaceport, Natarle's group paled at the announcement.
Zhao Qi yelled, "Li Xin! How much longer?!"
Li Xin's fingers blurred across the keyboard, voice shaking. "No time! I've only breached the first firewall!"
Despair settled over them.
"Li Xin!" Natarle suddenly interjected. "Check if any shuttles here are LHZ-4 series models!"
"Wha—?" Li Xin stammered.
"Do it!" Zhao Qi barked.
Moments later, Li Xin shouted, "One at E-339! But gamma rays penetrate metal—"
"Location! Hack its systems!" Natarle spoke rapidly. "LHZ-4 shuttles have multi-layered anti-radiation shielding—designed for cosmic radiation paranoiacs. Tests show they withstand intense short-term exposure!"
Hope reignited as Li Xin's fingers became a frenzied blur. "E-339!"
The group sprinted toward the designated shuttle without hesitation.
-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/QueenTL
Thanks!