Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high! Chapter 1072 - 730: Rescue

Using the remains of the "Traveler" as a shield, the "Thorny Bird" managed to evade the main Bug Race pursuit and quietly slipped into the comparatively safe near-Earth orbit above the northern hemisphere of Jade Stone Star.

The ship's sensors, combined with data processed from the "Traveler" by "Ash," presented a grim, hellish panorama of the planet below.

Across the planet's surface, areas once representing human civilization were mostly snuffed out or flickered precariously, replaced by vast swaths of repulsive dark purple fungal growth, like a virulent infection spreading across the planet's skin.

The atmosphere intermittently illuminated with explosive flashes, vestiges of ongoing battles between the remaining human defenses and the Bug Race ground forces.

Global communication networks had collapsed long ago, leaving only fragmented, static-filled distress calls hinting at desperation.

Catherine brought up a high-resolution tactical map displayed on the main screen. This map, sourced from the "Traveler" platform, detailed the major city defense configurations and the subsequent cascade of their fall during the initial Bug Race assault.

Within the temperate oceanic region of the northern hemisphere, several anomalous energy concentrations were pinpointed in the "CT-7" trench area. This was the objective for the White Calamity Squad's secondary mission – the suspected location of the "Main Nest Prototype."

However, just as Catherine was strategizing the "Thorny Bird's" concealed approach and the coordinates for their underwater insertion, the area scanner "Ash" issued an urgent alert.

"Sir, Captain! Approximately 300 kilometers northwest of our planned concealment zone, in the land area designated X-77, Y-42, we've detected signals of high-intensity, sustained combat! Energy signatures indicate a fierce clash between standard human energy weaponry and Bug Race bio-weapons! Multiple Bug Race Spiritual Energy concentrations are detected around the source of the human signal, moderate to high intensity, rapidly encroaching upon the human position! The human energy signatures are weakening rapidly!"

That particular region flashed brightly on the map.

It wasn't a major metropolis, but rather a mid-sized industrial mining settlement nestled amidst rolling hills, complete with supporting defensive outposts.

According to the "Traveler" data, this town had put up a valiant defense during the initial Bug Race invasion, temporarily securing the routes to several rearward resource extraction points. However, they later lost contact with the main defense perimeter, their current status unknown.

"But that's not our designated mission zone," the Star Alliance record keeper on board interjected softly. "Our primary objective is the 'Main Nest Prototype,' and time is critical. The Bug Race could finalize that thing at any moment."

No one from the Bauhinia squad responded.

Catherine's gaze shifted to Bai E; the entire team awaited his decision.

Bai E's eyes remained fixed on the coordinates of the intense firefight area for a few moments.

Through the heightened senses of the "Insect Race Killer," he could faintly perceive the agonizing cries of innumerable lives fighting on the edge of oblivion in that area, mingled with the Bug Race's predatory, chilling intent.

It took Bai E no more than two breaths to reach his conclusion.

"Alter course," Bai E's voice echoed, calm and resolute, throughout the bridge. "Proceed there first. We will save them."

Catherine responded without hesitation: "Understood! Adjusting course, target area X-77, Y-42! All personnel, prepare for combat! Estimated arrival over the combat zone in three minutes!"

"You all!" the Star Alliance record keeper exclaimed, but found no one was listening.

Ultimately, he could only heave a sigh of resignation, mentally logging the team's deviation from the original plan.

In the sky, the "Thorny Bird" shed its stealth protocols, engines blazing at full power, streaking towards the land being consumed by death like a falcon diving towards its prey.

...

On Jade Stone Star, in the northern hemisphere's temperate zone, the outer defense line of the hill mining region, designated "Anvil," was a scene of devastation.

This was once the frontline for humanity's extraction of precious metal ores, fortified with sturdy alloy walls, automated turrets, and an extensive network of underground shelters.

Now, that defense line was shattered.

Heavy alloy barricades were pockmarked with acid-eaten craters and the impact marks of biological projectiles. More than half the automated turrets lay disabled and smoking on the ground. The remaining defenders, clustered in the last operational firing positions, mounted a defense that was nearing its end.

Within the command center – a reinforced, semi-subterranean bunker – Sergeant Major Malcolm Red braced himself against a cracked alloy wall, struggling for breath.

Multiple breaches marred his powered armor, his left limb dangling uselessly, the faceplate screen obscured by crimson, a blend of system damage and his own blood.

The comms channel echoed with nothing but static, punctuated by muffled, desperate cries and the concussive force of explosions.

"Sir… Tower three has fallen! They've breached through the ventilation shafts!"

"Ammo! I require ammunition!"

"Medic! Someone needs… Ah!!!"

Malcolm deactivated the chaotic public channel, leaving only the command link active.

Silence reigned there as well.

The last directive from his superiors had been received six hours prior—

"Resist until the very end to facilitate the ongoing evacuation."

Following that, all communications ceased.

He had no knowledge if the evacuation had succeeded, nor could he ascertain the remaining strategic importance of his current position.

All he was aware of was the seemingly unending tide of Bug Race units outside, their roars filling the air as they relentlessly advanced, inch by agonizing inch, consuming him and the lives of his last few dozen comrades.

Through the bunker's restricted observation port, Malcolm could witness the unfolding chaos: under a somber sky, the very ground appeared to heave with unnatural life—countless "worker bees," " "hydralisks " and recently emerged "raiders " encased in hardened chitin armor, surged forward across the carpet of fungal growth.