20: rescue mission

The fleet, which had been silently orbiting outside Blue Star's atmosphere, finally began to slowly activate, its engines emitting a low, powerful hum.

“Checking target Galaxy coordinates... Check complete. All departments, please note, preparing for hyperspace jump... 3... 2... 1... Initiating jump.”

As the command was issued, the entire fleet began to shimmer with brilliant light, vanishing from Blue Star's vicinity in the blink of an eye. Xia Quan's eyes revealed an unconcealable fervor as he watched the fleet disappear without a trace.

Sitting in the Command Room, Li Yang's gaze was fixed on the starry, dreamlike environment outside the ship's window, and he couldn't help but become deeply engrossed. Was this the enchanting, peculiar environment during a space jump? “Captain Li Yang, it will take about half an hour to reach the target Galaxy.”

“Half an hour? That’s quite fast. Let’s go check the cabin.”

Li Yang got up and walked towards the cabin. Upon arriving, Li Yang didn't intend to send the entire fleet down rashly, as this mission was a rescue operation. Instead, he planned to rely on the combat aircraft before him to execute the mission.

The Imperial planetary combat aircraft before him had a perfectly streamlined silhouette, as if meticulously sculpted by wind and light. Its smooth lines extended from its rounded, exquisite head all the way to its slightly upturned tail.

The wings resembled giant, translucent crystal ribs, thin yet incredibly tough, elegantly stretching out from both sides of the fuselage like unfurled wings.

The head of the aircraft was a multifaceted rhombic structure, with each face embedded with a sphere emitting a soft glow. Relying on these spheres, even without a viewport, the pilot could clearly observe the surroundings on a light screen.

Looking at the technologically advanced combat aircraft, Li Yang decided to dispatch ten of them, along with two transport landing craft, and two Imperial Squads.

After all, it was just a rescue mission, not a combat one, so these personnel and weapons should be more than sufficient.

Half an hour passed in a flash, and the fleet successfully exited the space tunnel, arriving at the target Galaxy.

Looking at the 7 planets displayed on the light screen, Li Yang carefully cross-referenced the mission coordinates, then directed the fleet to approach a massive planet that was entirely green.

“Is this the target planet? It looks much larger than Blue Star.”

According to the scan report from the main ship, the entire planet's surface area was approximately 1.02 billion square kilometers, of which about 38% was vast oceans and 62% was extensive land, with clear signs of civilization.

Li Yang nodded slightly, looking at the detailed data. It seemed they hadn't found the wrong planet; this was the one.

“Pal, have the fleet conduct a comprehensive scan of this planet to ensure the target personnel are found. It won't be easy to find them by human search on such a large planet. Also, try to contact the target personnel.”

“Yes!”

In a short while, the entire planet was scanned. Looking at the data and images sent from the main ship, Li Yang saw several people in battle armor standing on a mountaintop in the images, while not far from them, a person with animal features was confronting them.

“Beastmen? As expected of a xuanhuan civilization.”

“The mission's target personnel have been found... Pal, have the rescue team act immediately to complete the mission as quickly as possible.”

“Yes!”

The hatch slowly opened, and combat aircraft and transport landing craft began to rapidly advance towards the target location on the planet... Meanwhile, on the other side of this planet, the Explorer Squad standing on the mountaintop was fully focused and on high alert, staring at the animal before them.

“How could an animal appear at such a high altitude?”

“It looks like one of those Monster Beasts. Could it be sent by that Magical Beast Empire?”

Just as the few of them were pondering, the animal, referred to as a Monster Beast, slowly stood up. Its body began to twist and deform, and in a short while, it transformed into a human form, though it still retained significant animalistic features on its body.

“Judging by your attire, you must be the criminals that the Forest Empire has been searching for for a long time, correct?”

“What? What do you want?”

Owen stepped forward, unafraid, and asked. In a month's time, they had already collected language data from the Five Great Empires, and with the aid of their helmets, communication was seamless.

“Hmph, I am a general from the Beast King Empire, a practitioner of both martial arts and magic, and have now reached the 7th level. I advise you to obediently come back with me. After all, the bounty from the Forest Empire for live captives is much higher than for corpses, and I wouldn't want to accidentally kill you.”

Looking at this arrogant and impressive Beastman General, the few of them dared not relax their guard. On this planet, strength was divided into 9 levels, and level 7 was already considered quite high. If their battle armor was fully energized, let alone a level 7, even a level 9 standing before them would not be a threat.

But unfortunately, their battle armor's energy was depleted. Although the material of the battle armor itself could withstand attacks for a while, they lacked effective offensive means, and a stalemate like this was not a long-term solution.

“Everyone, let's stall for as long as we can. If we really can't hold on, we'll surrender first. The Xili Empire has already sent people to rescue us. As long as we're alive, that's a victory!”

Owen said to the people in the Squad.

Meanwhile, on the other side, looking at the few people in strange battle armor, speaking words he couldn't understand at all, the Beastman General couldn't help but frown slightly.

“No wonder the Forest Empire considers them heretics and hunts them. These actions are indeed heretical, but to dare to ignore me, they are truly a bunch of ill-mannered fellows.”

With that, raging flames instantly ignited in the Beastman General's hand, and he charged rapidly towards the few of them. Seeing the pouncing Beastman General, the few of them quickly adopted defensive stances.

“Command Center, this is the rescue operation team. Target personnel have been located. Unknown dangerous creatures are approaching target personnel. Requesting permission to fire!”

“Approved.”

Just as the Beastman was about to close in on the Explorer Squad, a dazzling laser suddenly struck, shooting directly towards the Beastman General.

With a splat, the laser instantly pierced through the Beastman's head, shattering its entire upper body. The remaining torso collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

The general, who had appeared so formidable and impressive, claiming to be a dual practitioner of martial arts and magic from the Beast King Empire, died so inexplicably. He probably didn't even understand how he met his demise until his last breath.

The Explorer Squad was also stunned by this sudden scene, but after regaining their senses, they realized that the attack just now was from a laser weapon, a high-tech weapon that could never exist on this planet.

Which meant... They quickly looked up at the sky, only to see Imperial combat aircraft circling in the air, and two transport landing craft slowly descending towards their location.

“Phew, it seems the Xili Empire's people have arrived. We’re finally saved.”

Owen let out a deep sigh, his face filled with excitement. The others were the same, wishing the transport landing craft could land instantly. They didn't want to stay on this wretched planet for another moment.

As the transport landing craft landed smoothly, its hatch slowly opened, and an Imperial Squad appeared before them.

Looking at the standard issue weapons and equipment on these Imperial Soldiers, the Explorer Squad was incredibly envious. How great would it be if they could also have such equipment? “You are the Explorer Squad, right?”

One of the Imperial Soldiers walked up to Owen and asked.

“Yes, that’s us. Thank you so much for your help just now.”

“Minor issue. Let's go, come back with us. The Captain is still waiting for you.”

Before the Explorer Squad could say anything more, they were escorted by the Imperial Soldiers into the transport landing craft. The hatch closed, and the rescue operation team successfully completed its mission.

“Command Center, this is the rescue operation team. Target personnel have been successfully located. Mission successfully completed. Requesting return.”

“Received. Permission to return.”