Although another objective had been achieved, it was not yet ti for celebration until the Swarm Empress was successfully captured and the ultimate objective completed.
“The radiation levels have decreased. The soldiers’ protective suits are now sufficient to withstand this level of exposure. We must locate the Swarm Empress before the Swarm launches their next assault!”
“It’s not a matter of trying—it’s a necessity. We likely won’t be able to hold back the Swarm’s next wave. We must seize this window of opportunity to capture the target!”
“Continue deploying chanical soldiers and automated defense modules to take over defensive duties. All soldiers should focus on searching for the target—she must still be there!”
The X-576 bombs, modified with the New Ji’s technology, were better adapted to battlefield conditions than their predecessors. They created a short-lived but intense radiation field that rapidly diminished after a few minutes, allowing Ji forces to enter and secure the area.
However, this reduction in radiation did not an complete elimination. While the residual radiation posed no threat to Ji soldiers in protective suits, it remained lethal to ordinary organisms.
Clearly, the smaller combat units previously deployed by the Swarm, though far superior to typical biological fighters, had not transcended the fundantal vulnerabilities of organic life.
Thus, the Ji advisors’ concerns about the Swarm’s next offensive were well-founded. Any units capable of launching an assault in these conditions would undoubtedly be weapons crafted using advanced space-based biotechnology.
In the Ji race’s experience, any Swarm unit produced via their space-based biotechnology was never to be underestimated.
“Traces of Burrowing Worms have been detected outside the radiation zone!” one instrunt operator suddenly reported.
Since the X-576 detonation did not cause significant explosive damage, the tunnels dug by the Burrowing Worms beneath the battlefield remained intact. This indirectly reduced obstacles that blocked their detection, allowing the Ji instrunts to probe further.
At a deeper level than before, the Ji detected occasional movents in the identification zones—movents characteristic of the massive Burrowing Worms.
“No problem, the radiation barrier will prevent them from advancing.”
“The Swarm wouldn’t waste effort. If those worms aren’t useful here, they should have already relocated.”
“You’re concerned?”
“Precisely. Even among seemingly identical Swarm units, there could be vastly different production technologies. Take those giant spiders, for example. We’ve encountered their counterparts on space battlefields. Upon comparison, their appearances were nearly indistinguishable.”
“You’re suggesting that the Burrowing Worms below might also be advanced units created using space-based biotechnology?”
“Exactly. If so, we must quickly reinforce our defenses. Earlier, they were just monts away from breaking through.”
“Indeed. If another wave of attacks cos—even as few as several dozen or just ten to twenty—they could easily breach the remaining distance.”
“We can deploy more explosives to stop them!”
“That’s a last resort. Look here, here, and here. The previous 200 Burrowing Worms have already hollowed out extensive gaps in the subterranean layers. Detonating more explosives now could trigger widespread collapses. The resulting battlefield conditions would be unpredictable and potentially unfavorable to us.”
“What should we do then?”
“It’s a difficult situation. Although we possess large-scale underground combat equipnt, deploying and assembling it in such a short tifra is impractical. The best course of action remains capturing the target during this critical window.”
“My perspective differs slightly from yours,” interjected another Ji advisor, presenting an alternative viewpoint. “I believe those Burrowing Worms are no different from the earlier ones—still the standard versions. I even suspect the Swarm may not use space-based biotechnology to create these Burrowing Worms at all.”
“Oh? How did you arrive at that conclusion?” asked the challenged advisor, unperturbed.
Everyone was brainstorming for the mission’s success, and differing viewpoints could spark innovative ideas. Anticipating the Swarm’s next moves would help avoid being caught off guard and increase the chances of success.
“Consider our recent battlefield footage from the tal bunker’s caras. Among the regular biological units, we observed many combat units based on space biotechnology templates. Their proportion was roughly 3% to 5%, which, while low, translates to a significant number when applied to the Swarm’s vast forces. Moreover, these space-based units included various types: Red Fang Breakers, Wild Boar Beasts, and even the giant spiders.”
The advisor paused, then continued: “This indicates that the Swarm does not deliberately separate units created by different technologies. It’s likely they apply the sa policy to the Burrowing Worms.”
“You an…?”
“Yes. If the Swarm possessed Burrowing Worms crafted using space-based biotechnology, they would have appeared in earlier battles. Under the influence of X-576, their performance would have stood out prominently. But unfortunately, we haven’t observed any such individuals—all the Burrowing Worms were affected by X-576.”
“Perhaps the Swarm intentionally concealed them?”
“That’s possible, but unlikely. Their Empress is under siege—a dire situation. In such circumstances, all nearby forces would rush in en masse. They don’t need to defeat us outright here and now; rescuing the target is their primary goal. Holding back reinforcents at this stage makes little sense. If there had been a few radiation-resistant Burrowing Worms earlier, the target might already have been rescued.”
“Your reasoning holds rit. Based on your estimated ratio, among 200 Burrowing Worms, there should be around 6 to 10 special individuals. Yet none appeared. Perhaps they truly don’t exist.”
“Or perhaps they simply weren’t nearby and only arrived after the initial assault.”
“That possibility can’t be ruled out. I’m rely presenting one viewpoint.”
“Fair enough. But in my view, if we capture the target during this window, any elaborate plans or hidden forces the Swarm might have will beco aningless.”
“But we must also prepare for the possibility of failing to locate the target and entering the next phase of battle!”
“Agreed. So, what’s the plan now?”
“That’s precisely what we need to discuss collectively.”
“…”
While the Ji combat command center debated fervently, the frontline was not idle. Large numbers of chanical soldiers and automated defense modules were transported to the underground battlefield, accompanied by repair robots.
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