After removing the outpost, Han Lang ordered Ma Long to confirm their bearings. The five set off again, heading north in search of the mission's final objective: the esper base.
Fortunately, the map wasn't too large. At the speed of Han Lang and his companions, they found the base's location with little effort.
However, due to the formidable strength of Han Lang's team, although they were the last to locate the outpost, they were the first to reach the vicinity of the base.
"Brother Ma, set the rendezvous marker. We'll wait here for the other squad members!"
The final assault on the esper base was primarily to assess the entire platoon's collaborative abilities. Therefore, according to the plan, even though Han Lang's group arrived first, they had to obey superior orders and wait near the base for other squads to complete their missions and rendezvous.
Of course, they weren't just waiting idly.
During this time, Han Lang humbly sought advice from Ma Long on reconnaissance techniques for special forces and asked all squad members to learn diligently.
This made Ma Long extremely proud.
While undertaking the basic task of reconnoitering the esper base, he began explaining reconnaissance techniques to everyone.
"Firstly, without any intelligence, we can almost only observe their defenses. If there's an opportunity, it would be best to capture someone for questioning about the espers' strength within the base. For instance, based on my current observations, the base's defenses are rather lax. Although the patrols are in groups of three to five, if we were to launch a surprise attack now, our success rate would increase by at least twenty percent! If we could ascertain the strength of the personnel within the base, our chances would be even greater!"
Seeing Ma Long speak with such conviction, Han Lang and the others nodded, understanding only partially.
"Then, if I wanted to capture someone for questioning right now, how should I proceed?"
Hearing Tang Geng's question, Ma Long chuckled.
"Capturing someone for questioning must be done stealthily. Therefore, choosing the ambush location and the weak points in the base's defenses are crucial. From my current observations, our position directly faces the rear of the base, which should be an area the enemy pays less attention to. The patrols there should not be as dense. If we are quick enough, we should..."
Before Ma Long could finish speaking, he suddenly heard a "swish," and a figure darted out rapidly.
Ma Long was anxious and shouted.
"Hey, Zhao Wu! The enemy situation isn't clear yet, why are you so eager?"
Han Lang and the others were also taken aback.
They had absolutely no warning of Zhao Wu suddenly darting out.
But even with Ma Long's quiet call, Zhao Wu's figure had already disappeared on the other side of the jungle.
"Damn it! If such a disobedient soldier were in a regular special forces unit, they'd be shot on the spot!"
Ma Long grumbled through clenched teeth.
"Exactly! This is just a simulated training! In actual combat, if we alert the enemy, all of us would eventually be finished by him!"
Tang Qin also expressed her displeasure with Zhao Wu's actions. Even Tang Geng and Han Lang frowned at this.
After a while, Tang Geng, who had good relations with both sides, said.
"Alright! It's happened, so let's stop complaining! We should prepare for battle. If Zhao Wu alerts the enemy, we won't have time to wait for other team members to arrive!"
Han Lang, upon hearing this, quickly agreed.
"Tang Geng is right! It's already happened, and complaining is pointless. Since we are comrades now, we must be tolerant of everyone. Let's prepare for battle!"
As the group stood ready, carefully observing the base's situation, rustling sounds soon came from the bushes again.
When they looked closely, Zhao Wu had returned.
As he rejoined the team, he said coldly with a blank expression.
"Fifty-eight BC-class espers, fifteen A-class, fifteen D-class, two S-class, no mutations!"
Hearing such detailed data, everyone was overjoyed.
Ma Long was the first to step forward, laughing heartily as he slung an arm around Zhao Wu's shoulder, completely forgetting how he had just complained about Zhao Wu's insubordination. With a fawning expression, he said.
"The strength of the late Foundation Establishment stage is indeed different! You've gathered detailed base intelligence in such a short time. You're a real genius!"
But Zhao Wu didn't seem to welcome his familiarity, promptly shaking off his arm and replying indifferently.
"Take your stinking hand off!"
Fortunately, Han Lang maintained a sliver of clarity at this moment. He said righteously.
"Gathering intelligence is certainly commendable, but acting without authorization is still unacceptable, Zhao Wu! You must be careful in the future!"
Zhao Wu seemed unfazed by Han Lang's lecture, snorted, turned his head, and ignored Han Lang completely.
Han Lang was helpless and didn't say anything further.
However, at this moment, alarms suddenly blared from within the base, and the espers in the entire base, like ants on a hot pan, anxiously began to tighten their defenses.
This scene stunned the group.
Ma Long was also the first to question.
"What's going on? Why have these espers suddenly become so vigilant? Did Zhao Wu's actions alert them?"
Zhao Wu himself wasn't entirely sure.
He had just seized an opportunity and, with lightning speed, captured an esper to question them before eliminating them.
Logically, it should have been done without anyone noticing.
If the alarm at the esper base was related to him, it could only be triggered by someone's disappearance.
But the location where he had captured the person shouldn't have been discovered so quickly!
As he was pondering this, Tang Qin beside him began to accuse him sarcastically.
"I knew it! How could it be so smooth? Extracting such valuable information in such a short time, no matter how high the strength, how could there be no flaws!"
Tang Qin's words caused everyone to look at Zhao Wu with scrutiny.
Because, based on the current situation, besides Zhao Wu's recent actions, there was no other plausible way to have alerted the espers in the base.
Zhao Wu felt wronged but didn't know how to explain himself for the moment.
Therefore, he merely stared at Tang Qin and Ma Long's questioning gazes with reddened eyes.
Han Lang and Tang Geng were more rational.
Because their strength was higher than Tang Qin and Ma Long, they knew in their hearts that Zhao Wu wouldn't have attempted to capture someone without absolute certainty.
Thus, Tang Geng hurriedly tried to ease the atmosphere.
"Alright! It's not certain whether this was caused by Zhao Wu! Now that the enemy has been alerted, let's think of a way to deal with the upcoming battle!"
Tang Qin, however, was somewhat persistent.
"What method is there? Given the current situation, besides forcing our way through, can we make any surprise attack plans?"
After hearing Tang Qin's complaint, Han Lang suddenly seemed to be enlightened. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and he replied softly.
"Perhaps, it's not impossible!"