The K2N9 units were packaged by the Ji fleet and thrown down from near orbit, much like how unmanned fighter drones dropped B5 bombs. The warships’ precision in tossing was highly accurate. Moreover, these large drop pods were equipped with propulsion systems capable of positional adjustnts.
At the target location, ten fully staffed elite squads of special forces had been waiting for so ti. They would pair up to jointly operate a single K2N9, tasked with investigating the condition of the Swarm Empress.
Over the years, there hadn’t been many wars within the Interstellar Technological Confederation. Even when conflicts arose between allies due to internal disagreents, they typically ended quickly once the Ji race intervened.
Thus, vehicles like the K2N9 held little practical value for the Ji race in the past. However, to account for unforeseen variables, the strategists still brought so along.
Fortunately, their foresight wasn’t wasted; the K2N9s were proving useful sooner than expected.
Due to its lack of practical applications, the K2N9 design was sowhat outdated for the Ji race. Although labeled as elites, even Ji soldiers couldn’t be expected to master every piece of equipnt. Luckily, the K2N9 supported auxiliary driving systems, leaving the challenge of operating this behemoth to the elite soldiers.
Outdated only by Ji standards, the K2N9 remained an advanced and incomprehensible piece of technology for other civilizations.
True to their reputation as elite special forces, at least in terms of boarding speed, the ten elite squads managed to board the five descending K2N9s within just over a minute.
Ti was tight. They needed to reach the target position before the Swarm and assess the situation. If the target was severely injured, they would need to retrieve her promptly for dical treatnt.
“Rumble!” Despite Ji technology, it was impossible to completely silence the thunderous noise generated by the K2N9 during operation. The ride quality inside was abysmal for the Ji soldiers.
“*&@! Couldn’t those researchers consider our comfort? This thing doesn’t feel like it’s made for people. Is it really that hard to add a soundproof layer given our level of technology?”
“Stop complaining. The people who designed this thing have been dead for tens of thousands of years.”
“Heh, I know that guy. He was a retro master who believed machines lost their soul without sound. Their roaring engines are what make the blood pump.”
“Bullshit, I bet he never rode in his own creations.”
“That’s not certain. So people genuinely enjoy it. I know those street racers who love installing electronic blow-off valves to mimic the sound of ancient fossil fuel vehicles starting.”
“That sound is pretty exhilarating.”
“…”
Casual chatter before a mission was an essential way to ease tension. Unfortunately, five hundred ters was too short a distance, and the K2N9 moved swiftly. Before the soldiers could exchange more than a few words, their personal terminals alerted them of their imminent arrival at the target position.
In an instant, everyone shifted from relaxed banter to serious focus. This was no drill; any mistake could cost them their lives. Too many had already died in this war, and they didn’t want to join that list.
“Ten ters to the target!”
“Five ters!”
Though close, the intervening soil layers prevented them from detecting the Swarm Empress.
“Be careful. The new signal hasn’t moved in five minutes.” The beacon indicating the Swarm Empress’s position hadn’t moved since the B5 bomb detonated.
This was unusual. Though their actions had been swift, the K2N9s took considerable ti to travel from near orbit to the surface, even with autonomous acceleration.
Had no one attempted to rescue their Empress during this ti? Or was this a trap?
“All instrunts show no dangerous items or energy readings.”
“Everyone get into position. Approach with caution!”
The K2N9 had firing ports, each occupied by a soldier. However, this proved useless since the K2N9 was surrounded by compacted soil, leaving the soldiers to stare blankly.
“Three ters to the target!”
“Two ters!”
“Careful, don’t crush the target!” If the Swarm Empress was alive and they ended up killing her, they might as well commit suicide on the spot. Otherwise, their superiors would surely prepare a “rich and varied” punishnt package to make them truly appreciate life’s hardships.
Unfortunately, the environnt here was particularly challenging. The previous explosion had compacted the soil layers so thoroughly that the original Swarm tunnels had vanished. Without sufficient space to maneuver outside, they couldn’t even leave the K2N9.
“The beacon is right ahead!”
“Can’t see anything. Can we move forward?”
“No! Too close.”
“Perhaps the Swarm Empress’s personal armor can withstand the K2N9’s weight.”
“No, we can’t take risks. Did the instrunts detect any biological responses?”
“Maybe the Empress’s gear can shield all signals. Our instrunts aren’t responding, but there’s a humanoid bio-signal twenty ters above us to the right.”
“That could be the Empress’s guard. What’s her na again?”
“Tella!”
“Yes, should we check it out?”
“Don’t ddle. Let the K2N9 clear an area for us to operate around its current position. We’ll dig out the Swarm Empress!”
Suddenly, several chanical arms extended from both sides of the K2N9. They worked rapidly, like tireless shovels, quickly clearing surrounding debris and soil behind them.
“Alright, Squad One follows . Other teams handle reconnaissance and security!”
The cleared area was narrow, with only enough room for one person to pass sideways along the K2N9’s flanks. Ahead lay a small square space where four people could stand simultaneously.
“Careful. Though the target is our enemy, she’s far more valuable than us.”
In the confined space ahead, two Ji soldiers carefully used specialized tools to clear the soil in front of them while their teammates quickly transported the dirt to the rear.
Before they had cleared much debris, a violent tremor approached rapidly from afar.
“Watch out, get back inside!”
One K2N9 continued digging while the other four dispersed within a fifty-ter radius to provide vigilance and defense. Due to environntal constraints, they relied on instrunts to monitor their surroundings.
“Based on the characteristics and paraters, it’s a Swarm Burrowing Worm!”
“It’s heading toward us! Move out of the way!”
The Ji soldiers had witnessed the prowess of Burrowing Worms before. Though classified as auxiliary units, their offensive capabilities were formidable in certain environnts — like now.
With obstructed vision and no operational space, the Ji soldiers could only huddle inside the K2N9, entrusting their fate to this tal behemoth. Fortunately, the K2N9 perford admirably, narrowly avoiding the path of the approaching Burrowing Worm at the last mont.
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