Upon hearing Zhou Yuan's words, the team members sprang into action, making their way towards the wormhole. They all recognized the validity of Zhou Yuan's statement. If they were Starship Insects, that's exactly what they would do. Either seek refuge in the sea or find protection from Battle Insects on land. However, since the Starship Insect was recently injured by the Starship Fleet, hiding in the sea wasn't a practical option. Thus, searching near the Hive seemed like the most reasonable choice. Zhou Yuan's strategic thinking was truly impressive! At this moment, the team grew even more appreciative of Zhou Yuan, considering themselves fortunate to be part of his squad.
... ...
Outside the wormhole, a small number of Soldier Insects kept a watchful eye, around seven or eight in total. They were terrified when they witnessed the complete annihilation of the insects on the beach and quickly fled into the Hive to report the incident.
"Give me a nuclear bomb," commanded Zhou Yuan, as he and his team halted about a hundred meters away from the wormhole, reaching out to the demolition expert.
"Captain, this wormhole leads to the left," said the demolition expert, handing over the launcher loaded with a tactical nuclear bomb, while quietly reminding Zhou Yuan.
"In that case, let's go right," Zhou Yuan responded. While setting the detonation time, he spoke in a low voice, sharing his experience. "Remember, before launching the tactical nuclear bomb, use the sonic probe to survey the visible path of the wormhole. The Hive has a vast area, and to maintain stability, the insects only construct it on one level, extending inward from the direction of the wormhole. Therefore, after launching the tactical nuclear bomb, we need to retreat from the opposite direction of the wormhole, far away from the Hive. Normally, retreating would be the best choice, but with the sea behind us, a collapse of the Hive could cause seawater to pour in. Hence, we can only choose the right flank."
"Whoosh!"
After delivering his instructions, Zhou Yuan aimed at the wormhole on the cliff by the sea and launched the tactical nuclear bomb.
"Go!"
In the next moment, Zhou Yuan waved his hand, signaling the team to retreat to the right.
"Boom!"
By the time the tactical nuclear bomb detonated, the third squad had distanced themselves from the blast area, reaching the end of the coastline where a range of mountains awaited them.
"Keep moving forward!"
"The Starship Insect is quite large and likely hiding in the mountainous area," Zhou Yuan declared, leading the team towards the mountains.
The mountainous region was not only a suitable hiding place for the Starship Insect but also an ideal location for the insects to build their nests. Regardless, they wouldn't return empty-handed.
Once they entered the mountainous region, the team became even more cautious. The number of insects here was noticeably higher than on the beach.
Within their field of vision, Soldier Insects roamed about, while Flying Locust Insects occasionally soared overhead. They could even witness Tank Beetle Insects digging tunnels.
Fortunately, this was the Insect Star, the insects' territory. When they weren't encountering enemies, the insects wouldn't gather and patrol everywhere but instead mind their own tasks.
As long as they maintained a safe distance from the insects and refrained from indiscriminate firing, they wouldn't attract swarms or even an insect tide.
"Captain, there's a Locust Insect nest!"
"On the left flank of that mountain, there are numerous wormholes, and Locust Insects are coming in and out," Poisonous Cat reported, crouching down and surveying their surroundings with binoculars.
He found that there weren't many soldier bugs and tank beetles here, but rather an abundance of locusts. These locusts had occupied the entire mountainous area.
"Don't bother with them," he said.
"Remember, locusts are the infantry's natural enemy. When our numbers are not enough, it's best not to provoke them."
Zhou Yuan waved his hand, without any intention of attacking the locust nests.
Locust nests were different from soldier bug nests; each locust lived in a single cave, just like a beehive. Also, locust nests were only dug on the surface of the rock walls and not within the mountains.
It could be said that they were living right at their doorstep, ready to run outside at any time, making it difficult to cause significant casualties to them at once. Even if a tactical nuclear bomb were dropped, it would only kill a few thousand of them at most, and then it would alarm the locust swarm, leading to retaliation.
"Let's go this way," Zhou Yuan checked for a moment and chose to avoid the locust nests. With only ten people in his team, he didn't want to risk confronting the locusts, preferring to deal with the soldier bugs, which were an easier target.
One must understand the tactics of a strategic retreat.
... ...
Four hours later, Zhou Yuan led the team to the right side of the mountainous area.
"Rest here for ten minutes."
After nearly five hours of walking, Zhou Yuan found a natural cave at the foot of the mountain and ordered the team to stop and rest.
Upon hearing that they could finally rest, everyone found a place to sit down, took off their tactical helmets, and began to consume nutrient fluid.
During special operations, to reduce weight and not hinder movement, they could only carry compressed rations, even slightly larger ones were not allowed.
"Phew~" Zhou Yuan also found a place to sit down and lit a restorative cigar for himself.
Hedora was a naturally radioactive mineral planet, but the Federation's medical level was very high now. As long as one did not stay exposed in the air for too long, it would be fine by taking some medicine upon return.
Host: Zhou Yuan
Rank: Federation Second Lieutenant, 18-year-old male enhanced human
Attributes: Strength 3, Speed 5.5, Jump 2.5, Agility 2.5, Endurance 3, Defense 3, Self-healing 3, Skill 1.6, Brain Function 5.5
Skills: Telepathy, Telepathic Communication, Telekinetic Abilities, Rapid Learning...
Equipment: Leapfrog, Heavy Atomic Wingsuit, Laser Bird, Inferno Grenade...
Title: Pest Exterminator - 20% bonus to kills, +3 Speed
Soul Points:
While resting, Zhou Yuan opened his personal panel and checked his gains.
During the four hours, he had found a total of five soldier bug nests. He personally destroyed four of them, and the remaining one was left for the team members to practice bombing, after all, he couldn't always snatch the tactical nuclear bombs.
Four nests yielded 210,000 soul points.
With the bonus from the "Pest Exterminator" title, an average nest could yield at least 50,000 soul points. As long as he bombed two more nests, his soul points would exceed 800,000.
"What a load of nonsense about brain parasite starship bugs."
"No matter how much they give, it's not as satisfying as blowing up bug nests."
While Zhou Yuan maintained a neutral expression on the surface, he was overjoyed in his heart.
As a soldier with the potential to become a commanding officer, it was time for him to make sacrifices for the Federation. He could give up the credit from the starship bugs and provide firepower support for other special operations teams by bombing bug nests.
"Tears in my eyes..."
"This is the greatness of Captain Zhou!"
As Zhou Yuan basked in his own glory, a faint sound of soldier bug chirping suddenly reached his ears from outside the cave.
"Captain, the bugs are coming, at least a thousand of them!"
As the team's reconnaissance expert, Venom reported the situation immediately.
A group of soldier bugs was marching along the foothills towards their location, heading to their left. From the direction, it didn't seem like they were directly charging at them, but the soldier bugs had a strong heat sense, and they would definitely discover them as they passed by the cave entrance.