Full-Time Public Enemy-Chapter 767 - 524 Rescue Operation (Part 2)

But I don't want to cooperate with you!

Chen Gu played with the high-voltage electric chain lock in his hand, asking Andrei with interest, "I hear these things are quite expensive in your area?"

The Empire's corruption is well-known throughout the Star Sea. This holds true even within the military, where obtaining some genuinely useful equipment is impossible without giving some benefits to the quartermasters.

And the high-voltage electric chain lock is not only useful but also cool-looking; the quartermasters had practically put a clear price tag on it: one for 150,000 Starshields.

Chen Gu praised, "I didn't expect you to be so wealthy. Do you have anything else as impressive?"

The hatch of the heavyweight Mecha opened a crack. Andrei, shrinking inside, saw Chen Gu reaching out his hand, wanting more!

A flurry of curses in the Imperial language! What else do you want? An "Overkill Ivan" Antimatter Bomb?

But this man was so strange. Even now, Andrei couldn't understand how they had managed to complete that "hand-to-hand" exchange with such perfect, unspoken coordination.

He silently closed the cockpit hatch, but the guy outside was relentless. "Any more? Don't be so stingy, man. I know the Empire has deep pockets; you must have more..."

Andrei closed the hatch and silently called his commander, "Boss, what's the deal with this guy? So weird."

Bai Yunpeng called Chen Gu back, "The principal agreed, but he also extorted a hefty sum from me."

"Director Xue and the others will soon go back and pick up the other students."

"The team of professionals I arranged to meet with you wasn't wiped out, but they are trapped somewhere. You and people from the other three major Star Nations should go rescue them first. Then, you will represent the Confederation in joining the search team."

"Alright," Chen Gu agreed.

Bai Yunpeng cautioned him further, "They must have found some reliable clues, which is why they were attacked so ruthlessly. Be very careful!"

Chen Gu couldn't help asking, "Is the Insect Queen... that important?"

"Of course!" Bai Yunpeng said. "The Insect Queen may be key to the direction of this entire war! Whoever captures an Insect Queen first might be the first to find a way to counter the Insect Race's army."

Chen Gu nodded.

In the distant wilderness, three figures appeared, each followed by four or five others, rapidly approaching Chen Gu's location.

Qiao Shuangyi and his team were on alert, their Mechas' weapons locked onto different targets.

Chen Gu said, "Just stay alert."

Andon, Charles, and Benjamin reached Chen Gu, and they exchanged military salutes. Charles suggested, "I recommend we split from the other deadweights immediately. They can stay here to wait for assistance. Chen, Marshal Bai Yunpeng has sent over the coordinates. Those who are trapped are in a very bad situation. We should leave soon; I'm afraid if we're late, they'll all be wiped out."

Qiao Shuangyi and the others instantly grew anxious. "Brother Chen, what does he mean by that? Aren't you going with us?"

Chen Gu looked up. Through the thick clouds, the school's spaceship had appeared. Clearly, Director Xue hadn't strayed far. Despite the cruelty of the practical lessons, the school had surely arranged for support.

A swarm of giant flying insects was approaching from a distance, preparing to besiege the ship with menacing force.

Chen Gu smiled at Qiao Shuangyi and the others. "Director Xue will explain it to you." For them, exiting such a dangerous practical lesson was a good thing.

Before Qiao Shuangyi and his group could ask further, from the spaceship several thousand meters away, slender steel cables launched out, each ending in a magnetic lock. With CLACKING sounds, they clamped onto Qiao Shuangyi and his team, then swiftly pulled them back into the ship.

The spaceship then ascended, avoiding the attacking insects.

Andon helped Andrei up, feigned a hearty laugh, and approached Chen Gu, extending his hand. "We wouldn't have gotten to know each other without that fight! If we fight side-by-side in the future, you'll understand that we Empire people are the most loyal and reliable comrades!"

Chen Gu also let out a hearty laugh, grasping his hand firmly. "With the future of humanity at stake, let's work together with utmost sincerity!"

If it were a contest of acting skills, a hundred Andons tied together wouldn't be a match for Chen Gu.

In that instant, almost everyone was willing to believe that Chen Gu had set aside past grievances and intended to collaborate for mutual victory.

An act, huh? You think I'm scared of you?

Andon immediately had a thought. This kid might have decent professional abilities, but his temperament is still far too lacking. If he gets mixed up with old soldiers like us, who've crawled out of piles of corpses, he'll definitely be devoured, not even scraps left.

But this illusion passed in a flash, and then he remembered the finger that youngster had pointed at him from afar! A chill ran down his spine again.

I mustn't underestimate this guy!

Charles smiled slightly. "Let's set off quickly."

Chen Gu also received the coordinates sent by Bai Yunpeng. The military's professional squad had landed in a location that, out of nowhere, had erupted with an insect tide, causing them to lose contact for a while.

After re-establishing contact, they also figured out what had happened: the military's Landing Craft had dropped them off and then left. They hadn't advanced three kilometers on the ground before entering a fractured ravine, only to find it hiding a nest of Troop Nest Beetles!

It just so happened to be their maturation time, and the insect tide burst forth instantly. They were caught in the middle, fighting and retreating, suffering heavy losses.

Fortunately, there were three Sixth Energy Level individuals in the team who found a cave and managed to hold their ground. However, outside, the insect swarm surged, wave after wave, preventing them from breaking out. Without support, they would ultimately be worn down and killed.

Charles proactively introduced himself, "Charles from the Freedom Alliance, Sixth Energy Level Magnet Field Constrictor," adding, "The others are at the Fourth and Fifth Energy Levels."

Benjamin followed suit. "Benjamin from Star State, Sixth Energy Level Psychological Spy. My subordinates are also at the Fourth and Fifth Energy Levels."

Andon laughed heartily again. "My name is Andon, a Sixth Energy Level Charge Dominator. Andrei here is a Fourth Energy Level Star Wind Centurion, and the others are also at least Fourth Energy Level."

The group headed towards the coordinates together, with the members of the three parties intentionally or unintentionally surrounding Chen Gu. On the way, Andon explained, "In our Empire, everyone has a straightforward character. Some misunderstandings can be cleared up over a few drinks, and then everything's fine."

"We also know this looks a lot like we set up the Confederation, but it really wasn't like that." While maneuvering his Mecha, he rambled on, "telling" Chen Gu about their prior experiences. From what he said, it appeared that the complete annihilation of the Confederation's search team truly had little to do with them.

They did try to rescue them during the process, but the insect swarm's strength was too formidable. They almost got themselves killed in the attempt and eventually had to abandon the effort.

"The Insect Queen is not to be underestimated, and she also has some methods unknown to us, so we dared not contact your military outside of the agreed-upon communication time," he added.

"As for Andrei throwing that bomb, he truly intended to save you. You all say we Empire people are Mindless Warriors. We know. We ourselves understand our character is a bit too straightforward. Andrei is just that kind of person..."

The Empire's Mecha manufacturing was crude, and their flight was noisy; the sounds continuously reached Chen Gu's ears through the communication line as he listened silently.

If he wanted to act, Chen Gu knew he could do it flawlessly. He could act as if he believed Andon's explanations and express sympathy for the fallen Confederation search team. That would allow him to better conceal himself, perhaps even gain Andon's trust.

But Chen Gu didn't. He just listened quietly.

Because Chen Gu couldn't get over one thing in his heart: knowing that the warriors of his Star Nation had been killed by these murderers, should he still pretend to believe their words?

These members of the Confederation search team... they were martyrs!

Chen Gu wished he could strike immediately and send all these bastards to hell. But Andon was cunning; throughout his entire narrative, he hadn't mentioned a single piece of intelligence about the Insect Queen.

"Just endure a bit longer," Chen Gu reminded himself silently. "Their deaths must not be in vain."

Ahead, black dots gradually appeared on the land—the peripheral troops of an insect swarm.

"Forty kilometers to the target location!"

"Activate full stealth mode. We'll cross the insect swarm from the air."

This "full stealth" mode could make a Mecha completely disappear visually, olfactorily, from infrared detection, and even from radar, allowing it to evade the perception of most insects.

However, this equipment was very expensive; only elite squads like theirs could afford it.