Chapter 863 - Humiliation

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Ling Lan only rested for a short while before she walked over to the command center. The situation was currently very volatile, so anything could happen now. Therefore, she must be present to watch over the entire situation.

The command center was no longer empty as there were many people sitting on both sides of the command center. Ling Lan looked at them carefully with squinted eyes, and realized they were regiment commanders from the various mecha clans.

When they saw Ling Lan arriving, they stood up and greeted her.

“What is happening?” Ling Lan took off her military cap and asked Lin Zhong-qing who came beside her immediately.

Lin Zhong-qing took the cap off her hand and whispered back, “They probably knew that the situation around us is very bad currently, so they came here to discuss the issues with you.” Little Four didn’t allow anyone to go to 250 Ace Mecha Clan’s camp, so these people could only wait for her at the command center.

There was a meeting room at the back of the command center, so Ling Lan asked Lin Zhong-qing to invite those people there first. She would join him after she finished her work.

Besides these regiment commanders, there were around 10 people busy with arranging materials and documents in the command center. Han Jijyun and Li Lanfeng were among these people. Han Jijyun saw Ling Lan so he took a document he had prepared and rushed towards Ling Lan.

“Regiment commander, this is the intel we received so far. The situation is very bad.” Han Jijyun passed the document over.

“Continue.” Ling Lan took the document and flipped through it. At the same time, she asked Han Jijyun to concisely explain the situation. Little Four had already told her about the condition of the base and the other bases when she was on the way here but she still wanted to know more information.

“Based on the replies from Base 012, 014 and 015, some of the bases around them had already been destroyed. Base 008, 010, 011 situated in front of Base 012 are destroyed. Base 017 and 019 situated on the outer border of Base 014 are also destroyed. Base 016 and 018 situated in front of base 015 are destroyed too.” Han Jijyun quickly told Ling Lan the main points.

Ling Lan narrowed her eyes. She passed the document back to Han Jijyun and walked to the front of the 3D map in the middle of the command center. She looked at the position of the fallen bases and wondered what Hailiya wanted to do.

“They want to end this war. They want to use these points to break through our defenses on Planet Haijiao,” Ling Lan said coldly.

“Yes. At first, they planned to destroy our base, but luckily, we managed to hold them off. Once Base 013 falls into their hands, Base 012, 014, and 015 will follow closely after.” The Hailiyan army would be able to attack these three bases from two different sides once Base 013 falls.

“This is not good.” Ling Lan raised the pointer stick and pointed to the bases that had fallen. “Our four bases are the only bases left in this area. This side, this side, and that side belonged to Hailiya now. Our enemy can now attack us in all directions. The only fortunate thing was, we have the three bases to help us fight off the enemy coming from three directions.”

Han Jijyun thought about this too. That was why he said that they were in a bad situation at the start.

After Ling Lan finished speaking, she looked passed the area where Base 013 was located at. She stared at the middle and western parts of the map with a stern facial expression. She pointed at one empty spot. “That is not the worst thing. I’m also worried that all the other areas are facing the same circumstances.” If that’s the case, they would be in danger.

Han Jijyun narrowed his eyes. What Ling Lan said was possible. If that was true, they would inevitably die. All the bases that survived this first round of attack, including them, were going to be destroyed soon.

Han Jijyun was in deep thought as his mind worked furiously. He was too optimistic just now. He needed to plan based on the worst-case scenario.

“Base 012, 014, and 015 can’t be under independent command anymore,” Han Jijyun said sternly. They couldn’t afford to lose anyone now. Those bases not being under their control might not be a huge problem in the past but now, it was not a risk they could take.

“We must gather them to form a large base that is able to attack and defend properly.” A clear voice sounded behind Ling Lan. It belonged to Li Lanfeng. He too had a document in his hand. He wanted to pass this document to Ling Lan but when he heard what they were discussing, he just decided to just give his suggestion on the matter.

“You noticed it too?” Han Jijyun asked in frustration.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Based on the strength of the three bases, they are not stronger than those bases that got destroyed. They might even be weaker than them. This proves that our opponents didn’t choose who to attack based on the strength of the base. I took a look at those bases that got destroyed.” Li Lanfeng pointed to the bases on the map. “First, they split the bases into segmented areas. Then, they would choose the weakest base among the bases in that area. After that, they would send two times the number of mecha operators than what the base has to attack the designated base, and the leftover mecha operators would be tasked to hold the mecha operators from the other bases back. This would prevent the other bases from helping the designated base.”

“Based on this, we can tell what Hailiya’s plan is. They would choose the weakest base to attack and once this base falls, they would then join the mecha operators at the next weakest base and continue their attacks. The difference in power allowed for such situations to occur. All the bases in some areas got annihilated while for others, one or two bases were left behind. However, these bases are now surrounded by enemies on all sides. Without any external help, it will just be a matter of time before they fall into our enemy’s hand.” Li Lanfeng told everyone his observation.

“The bases around us are also in this kind of situation. I don’t believe that the bases in other areas are totally undamaged.” Li Lanfeng looked at Ling Lan. “Plus, regiment commander told us that there is a strong mecha clan attacking us. The mecha operators in this mecha clans are all elite ace and above. Their regiment commander is an imperial operator but he suppressed his ability and used an ace mecha, hoping to use this method to fool everyone. This kind of mecha clan should be an elite ace mecha clan of the country. They wouldn’t appear on a small battlefield.” Li Lanfeng was serious. “Hailiya had been planning for this battle for a long time for them to send an imperial operator to attack a small base like us. This meant that they have probably sent imperial operators to attack the other bases too. There might even be more imperial operators sent to the other bases.”

If 250 Ace Mecha Clan hadn’t come to Base 013 and Ling Lan was not an imperial operator, this base would have fallen just like the other bases.

“Are you saying that the bases in the other areas had probably been destroyed?” Han Jijyun knew Li Lanfeng was right but he just couldn’t accept this fact.

Li Lanfeng said firmly, “Not probably. They must have been destroyed already. The Federation was not prepared for this battle, so we never had any chance to turn the tides around.”

“Thus, we can only plan our actions based on the assumption that our four bases are the only survivors of this battle.” Li Lanfeng wouldn’t place his hopes on uncertain things.

“Are you making plans in the case that we need to survive for a month while waiting for reinforcements from the Federation?” Han Jijyun was good with schemes too but he was less pessimistic than Li Lanfeng. When he heard what Li Lanfeng said, he understood why Li Lanfeng did what he did.

“One month is enough for the Federation to break through Hailiya’s blockade. Our hardest mission is to survive this one month.” Li Lanfeng frowned. “As time goes by, the danger around us will get greater.” Li Lanfeng hoped that he was just being too pessimistic. The longer other bases stood their ground, the longer they would be safer.

“One month...” Han Jijyun muttered to himself. If the other bases all survived, it wouldn’t be hard for them to survive this one month. However, If Li Lanfeng was right and only the four bases survived, they might not even be able to last a single day longer.

Ling Lan listened to the conversation between Li Lanfeng and Han Jijyun while talking to Little Four in her mindscape. Little Four was already controlling the other three bases in the area. The moment Li Lanfeng explained Hailiya’s plan, she asked Little Four to control the other three bases’ mainframes. If the commanding officers of the other three bases had the foresight and ability, Ling Lan was willing to work with them. She would reveal her trump card, Little Four. But, if she met another commanding officer like Du Mingyi, she would let this commanding officer accompany Du Mingyi.

Ling Lan was not working alone now. She was responsible for the life of everyone in Base 013. She couldn’t afford to be hesitant or soft-hearted. This was who Ling Lan was. When she should be vicious, she would be vicious.

“Jijyun, contact the commanding officers of Base 012, 014, and 015. I want to have a video conference with them in five minutes.” Ling Lan made her decision so she quickly gave an order to Han Jijyun.

“Yes, regiment commander.” Han Jijyun received the order and went to carry it out.

“Lanfeng, thank you,” Ling Lan turned and said to Li Lanfeng.

“Why are you thanking me?” Li Lanfeng raised his eyebrows.

“Han Jijyun is an optimistic person. He always thinks on the bright side. It’s fine most of the time but on the battlefield... this trait is his weakness.” Ling Lan grew up with her friends so she knew what all their weaknesses were.

“Actually, that’s not a bad thing. It’s better than being too pessimistic like me.” Li Lanfeng mocked himself. “However, as an adviser, I must think about the worst-case scenario. If not, there would be loopholes in the plans. I just want him to know this. Even if he couldn’t accept it, he mustn’t forget this point.”

“Since you know it, why don’t you self-reflect?” Ling Lan asked him back.

Li Lanfeng was stunned. ‘Weren’t we talking about Han Jijyun? When did I become the main character?’

“Since you know that you are pessimistic, why not try to think in an optimistic direction?” Ling Lan patted Li Lanfeng’s shoulder and said sincerely, “Don’t reprimand others but ignore your own flaws.” Ling Lan finished speaking and walked towards her office. She was going to wait for Han Jijyun to contact the other three commanding officers for a conference with them.

Li Lanfeng looked at Ling Lan’s back thoughtfully? ‘Does his Rabbit dislike my pessimistic side?’

At Hailiya’s side, a badly injured He’er Li laid on a bed. He looked worse for wear. Luckily, his cockpit was specially designed for top-tier mecha operators. If not, those three shots would have blasted his cockpit opened, killing him instantly.

A few officers just stood beside his bed. One of them was recording He’er Li’s accounts of what he saw with his communicator.

“Senior Colonel He’er Li, please confirm what you said is true.” The person aimed his communicator at He’er Li.

He’er Li said coldly, “Yes, I confirmed what I said is true.”

“Thank you for your cooperation. Senior Colonel He’er Li, have a good rest.” The officers left. A few moments after he left, the door of He’er Li’s ward opened again.

“Hey, He’er Li. I didn’t expect you to fail your mission. I’m in disbelief.” A frivolous voice was heard.

He’er Li looked up, and upon seeing what he saw, veins started popping up on his forehead. “Mo Li’er, what are you doing here?”

“I came to look at my old friend. Why are you looking so lonely?” Mo Li’er’s words were infuriating. He’er Li almost died from anger.

He’er Li kept a stern face. He didn’t want to talk to this person.

“Everyone from God-Killers succeeded in their missions except for you. They want me to ask you what had happened on your end.” Mo Li’er retracted his irritating expression and turned serious.

He’er Li kept silent for a few seconds. “There is an imperial operator in Base 013.”

“An imperial operator?” Mo Li’er was dumbfounded. “Didn’t they say that Base 013 is the weakest base on the frontline?” This was why they sent the weakest person among them, He’er Li, there.

“We were fooled. Not only do they have an imperial operator, they also have more than a hundred elite ace.” He’er Li told Mo Li’er everything he knew. He didn’t even tell the officer some of this information.

“Base 013 is an interesting base.” Mo Li’er touched his chin and smiled.

He’er Li said coldly, “Base 013 is my mission. I’ll take care of them.” This was his pride as an imperial operator. If he didn’t go back and finish his mission, he wouldn’t have the face to go back to God-Killers anymore.

“Then, you should recuperate quickly and come back as soon as possible. We only have one month. After we destroy all the other bases and Base 013 is still there, I’m sorry, even if you haven’t healed by then, we will take care of it.” Mo Li’er shrugged. He didn’t care about this but his superiors told him that they must take over Planet Haijiao in one month. If He’er Li wasn’t ready for battle then, they would have to help him destroy this base that humiliated the God-Killers’ reputation.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be on time,” He’er Li replied indifferently.

“I hope so. Since I know the truth, I’ll go back now.” Mo Li’er disappeared.

“013, I will personally take revenge for this humiliation you gave me.” He’er Li grabbed the bedsheet tightly. He didn’t want to see the doubting gazes by anyone else anymore. It was as though his imperial status was fake.