Chapter 1 This Time

Even with the assistance of S-class mechas, the command didn't allow Mingmei and Mu Chen to fight on the extremely dangerous front lines this time.

Even though their mechas were a significant advantage and their strength was outstanding, Mingmei and Mu Chen lacked a team they could rely on in terms of combat experience and teamwork.

Not even a small team of a few dozen people.

The commander transferred from the Sixth Legion, who was initially stuck outside and only understood the situation through the live broadcast, saw this at a glance.

The only people Mingmei and Mu Chen could rely on with their lives were just a few.

Including Lu Xiaoyao, who was sometimes reliable and sometimes a hindrance.

He didn't comment on Lu Xiaoyao's excellent logistical support and rescue capabilities, but her performance on the front lines still had many flaws.

The fact that she appeared on the front lines with so many flaws meant that, if not for the special nature of the previous battles, Lu Xiaoyao's appearance would likely have been a hindrance rather than a help.

Although Mingmei and Mu Chen were a couple with outstanding mutual understanding, combining their strengths could unleash astonishing combat power. However, if one of them made a mistake, they could both be in mortal danger.

Such things had happened before.

Like that prince, when he died in battle, his princess arrived and, after witnessing his death, quickly lost her mind. In the end, the couple died together on the battlefield.

This was an irreparable loss, both for the small family and for the empire as a whole.

This time, the command had Mingmei and Mu Chen retreat to the second line, partnering with a group of veterans.

As for what they were doing together, Mingmei felt like they were patching up the gaps in the rear.

Killing any insectoids that broke through the encirclement.

For Mingmei, who had already killed several insectoids that had rushed over, killing one now was not challenging at all.

This was a far cry from her previous battles against hundreds of insectoids alone.

"Girl, don't be careless!"

An old soldier next to Mingmei, piloting a mecha, grabbed an insectoid that had flown past Jin Yi just as Mingmei was distracted.

"Insectoids that can break through are definitely carrying important missions from the insectoid command. Like this scythe fly..."

The old soldier stopped the insectoid and crushed the scythe fly, which was only the size of a mecha palm, with the immense grip of the mecha's mechanical arm.

"The Third Legion suffered heavy losses because they ignored this guy back then."

"Yes."

Mingmei was a little ashamed that she had overlooked this little guy, whose size was completely disproportionate to the mecha.

"Keep it up, we're under a lot of pressure too." The senior's deep voice came from the communication channel. "Don't be careless!"

"Okay!"

Listening to the senior's advice, Mingmei's expression gradually became serious.

The sounds of artillery fire and fighting continued to come from above her head, but Mingmei didn't dare to look up.

She was afraid that if she looked up, she would see fragments of mechas or battle starships being smashed and falling to the ground with the fire.

Like shooting stars streaking across the sky, eventually falling to the ground and leaving nothing behind.

Some people were able to eject in escape pods at the first moment, but there were also some whom Mingmei never saw emerge from the explosions in escape pods.

She dared not watch such scenes after seeing them once or twice.

"I understand, I know." Mingmei said softly, not knowing who she was saying this to, nor what she really understood.

In one day, her friends' lives were uncertain, and classmates or seniors she was familiar with on weekdays were seriously injured or killed without her knowing.

[When this is over, I'll take you home.]

Mingmei suddenly remembered Sun Yunzhong, whom she had seen at the medical station during the previous break. He was lying in front of a closed medical pod, his bloodshot eyes staring intently at the person inside.

Mingmei didn't say anything, just stepped forward and glanced inside, seeing Dong Lei lying there with half of her body missing.

The doctor said that even if she survived, she would need to lie in the pod for more than half a year to recover.

At that time, Sun Yunzhong didn't know what was happening on Hua Lan Star. Now that he knew, he had a loved one whose life or death was uncertain and a mother living alone far away on Hua Lan Star.

He could do nothing, the only thing he could do was to hide the emotions for the two most important women to him in the depths of his heart.

He couldn't afford to lose his mind in the face of what was about to happen.

He had to go back alive, he had to stay here with his seniors!

…

When Mingmei came back to her senses, she quickly piloted Jin Yi to fight the insectoids that appeared in Jin Yi's field of vision!

Just two scythe flies!

Jin Yi raised its hand, and its blade-like elbow slashed at the two "tiny" scythe flies, instantly severing them.

"Beep—"

Before Mingmei could raise the corners of her mouth, a harsh busy tone suddenly came from the channel!

"Senior!"

Mingmei turned her gaze and saw a streak of light she couldn't see clearly flash past her and hit the mecha that had been talking to her a moment ago.

In the instant of the explosion, Mingmei only felt her mind go blank…

…

[Warning, warning, a streamer has broken through the defense line, a streamer has broken through the defense line!]

Mu Chen and another team were also blocking the occasional insectoids that broke through on the other side of Qi Lan Star. Suddenly, the army's alarm sounded in everyone's ears, scaring everyone around!

"What the hell! A streamer! Where's the streamer?!"

"Be alert, maintain close contact with the ground!"

A bunch of chaotic arguments came from Mu Chen's communication channel, showing the terrible status of the streamer in everyone's mind!

The ground command center was also immediately on high alert, preparing to transfer to the underground defense!

"Leave quickly!"

Chen An and the people around him guarded Julian in the middle and moved towards the underground. On the way, they also met the medical center, which was also carrying the treatment pods and retreating downwards.

"What about the people outside?"

Seeing the medical team, Julian suddenly remembered that Lu Xiaoyao, who was once again acting as a "corpse collector," was still outside!

"They received the signal. Except for those with missions, the others are also retreating!"

This was naturally not said by Chen An, but by a medical staff member who was retreating nearby.

"What about those mobile logistics personnel who rescue the wounded from the battlefield outside?"

Julian suddenly stopped, and Chen An also stopped with him.

"Julian!"

The veins on Chen An's forehead jumped, and a bad premonition flashed in his mind.

"Those with missions naturally cannot retreat."

…

"I'll kill your insectoid mother!"

Lu Xiaoyao piloted Fen Dai, with two escape pods in her left mechanical hand and a half-destroyed battle starship that was still smoking in her right hand, cursing as she dodged an extremely fast insectoid.

As a result, the other party seemed to be entangled with her and turned around to rush towards her again. Lu Xiaoyao was protecting several rescue pods in her hand, so she used the side of her mecha to block the insectoid's attack. The next moment, her mecha warned that it had suffered 30% damage!

"What the hell is that thing?!"