62: Extracting residual energy to break the deadlock, pre-battle simulation to devise a brilliant strategy

Chapter 64: Breaking the Deadlock with Residual Energy Extraction, Strategic Maneuvers Set During Pre-Battle Deduction

In the laboratory of the Scientific Research Zone, the hum of instruments continued throughout the night.

The task of extracting residual energy from the third-level crystal core was a hundred times more difficult than expected. The energy clinging to the remains of the Mutants was as weak as a candle in the wind, threatening to dissipate at the slightest lapse in attention. The researchers, clad in sterile protective suits, had eyes red from exhaustion, yet their hands remained as steady as rocks as they carefully operated the precision extraction equipment.

Lin Zhou stood guard outside the lab, a small pile of cigarette butts accumulating at his feet. Every ten minutes, he would ask about the progress, his voice tinged with an ill-concealed anxiety.

“Commander, the energy extraction rate has stabilized at 0.3%!” Finally, the Research Team Leader pushed open the lab door, his face wearing a weary but excited expression. “We successfully sealed the energy into specialized energy canisters. Although the total amount is minimal, it's enough to produce three small-scale Energy Suppressors!”

Lin Zhou abruptly crushed his cigarette butt and strode into the lab. There, three palm-sized silver instruments sat quietly on the workbench. Their surfaces flickered with a faint purple light, the unmistakable energy signature of a third-level crystal core.

“What can these three suppressors do?” Lin Zhou asked.

“In the short term,” the Research Team Leader pointed at the devices, “they can create an energy interference field with a ten-meter radius. Within that range, the viral activity of Mutants will be suppressed, their evolution will stall, and even their mobility will drop by 30%. However, the drawback is obvious—the energy depletes too quickly. Each unit can only operate for half an hour.”

Half an hour might seem brief, but it was enough to tear a critical opening on the battlefield.

Lin Zhou’s eyes lit up. He immediately summoned all the squad captains to the command center to begin the pre-battle deduction.

On the tactical sand table, Dawn City, the hill defense line, and the Serpent Skeleton Research Institute's Valley Base were clearly marked. Small red flags represented the Skeleton Serpent's Mutant deployment points, while small blue flags marked Dawn City's defensive positions.

“At midnight three days from now, the Serpent Skeleton Research Institute will deploy Mutants along three routes,” Lin Zhou pointed to the sand table. “As for Jincheng and Yucheng, we have already dispatched Reconnaissance Squads. Once any movement is detected, they will immediately use interference shells to intercept and warn the local survivors to take shelter. Our main battlefield remains the hilly terrain outside Dawn City.”

He raised his hand and placed models of the three Energy Suppressors at three key locations along the hill defense line. “Wang Hu, your armor squad will split into three groups. Each group will carry one suppressor and garrison these three heights. When the Mutants approach, activate the suppressors to first weaken their combat effectiveness, then concentrate fire using sonic weapons. Remember, the suppressor's energy only lasts for half an hour. You must repel the first wave of the offensive within that time!”

“Understood!” Wang Hu nodded forcefully. “I guarantee we won't yield an inch of ground!”

“Chen Hao.” Lin Zhou turned to Chen Hao. “Your Reconnaissance Squad will split into air and ground groups. The air group will pilot Nightingale reconnaissance planes to monitor the Skeleton Serpent's aircraft. Once spotted, use electromagnetic pulse shells to force them down; we cannot allow more Mutants to reach the ground. The ground group will lie in wait in the dense forests of the hills, responsible for clearing out high-threat Mutants that slip through, especially the Scale-Wing Species—they can glide at low altitudes and easily breach the defense line.”

Chen Hao replied in a low voice, “Rest assured, every one of my men is a sharpshooter.”

Lin Zhou then looked at the Logistics Minister. “The militia will be split into two groups. One will assist with city defense, repairing walls and transporting ammunition; the other will guard the underground shelters to protect the elderly, weak, women, and children. Additionally, prepare sufficient first-aid supplies and backup weapons; casualties could occur at any time on the battlefield.”

“Everything has been arranged!” the Logistics Minister responded.

The deduction continued into the late night. Everyone repeatedly simulated various possible emergencies on the sand table—what if the Mutants broke the line? What if the suppressors ran out of energy early? What if the Men in Black from the Serpent Skeleton Research Institute launched a surprise attack?

Every crisis had a corresponding emergency plan.

The sky outside gradually brightened. The dawn light filtered through the windows, spilling onto the walls of the command center and illuminating several bright red characters: Dawn City, the Hope of Humanity.

Just then, a scout ran in hurriedly, his expression grim. “Commander! News from Jincheng—the Serpent Skeleton Research Institute's aircraft have launched early! The Mutant larvae they deployed have already begun moving toward the survivor settlements in Jincheng!”

Lin Zhou’s heart sank.

Early! The Serpent Skeleton Research Institute had actually launched their attack ahead of schedule!

“Immediately notify the Reconnaissance Squad in Jincheng to activate the emergency plan!” Lin Zhou decided instantly. “Also, put our anti-aircraft units on Level 1 alert, turn on all Radars, and monitor the airspace closely! If the Skeleton Serpent can attack Jincheng early, they might attack us early too!”

“Yes!”

Alarms blared through Dawn City once again.

Soldiers on the city walls immediately took up their combat positions. The muzzles of heavy machine guns slowly rose, aiming at the distant sky. The helmets of the Bone Armor Power Armor glowed red, and sonic weapons were tuned to their optimal state.

On the three heights of the hilly terrain, Wang Hu’s armor squad was already battle-ready. The three Energy Suppressors were firmly fixed in the center of the positions, ready to be activated at any moment.

Chen Hao’s Nightingale reconnaissance planes roared into the sky, circling Dawn City's airspace. On the Radar screens, dense clusters of light points flickered continuously.

The survivors of Dawn City also sprang into action. Able-bodied laborers picked up weapons to guard the gaps in the city walls; the elderly took children into the underground shelters; volunteers pushed carts to deliver crates of ammunition to the front lines.

The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder and the tension of anticipation.

From the direction of Jincheng, the sounds of gunfire and the roars of Mutants drifted faintly into Dawn City on the wind.

Lin Zhou stood on the city wall, looking at the distant horizon, gripping his energy submachine pistol tightly.

He knew there was no retreat in this battle.

Either they would hold Dawn City and protect the hope of humanity,

Or they would fall into the abyss, completely consumed by the mad experiments of the Serpent Skeleton Research Institute.

In the distant sky, a faint black dot was rapidly approaching the direction of Dawn City.

The battle was on the verge of breaking out.