The instant Heine entered the cockpit, the craft tilted severely to its side. Heine grabbed a hold of the door and steadied Xiao Yan with his other hand. As the craft leaned, they both hung onto the door at 90 degree angles.
"Liv! Steady the craft!"
Suddenly one of their craft crashed and several emergency pods ejected.
Xiao Yan realizes that the situation is far more dire than he had initially realized. Not only were they dealing with an attack of Surge crafts, but the pilots were encountering blockers as well. Ptole was driving the craft with Liv. Right now, his head drooped down and he showed no reaction to outside stimuli. Liv's mind was under too much of a load as a single pilot. The craft was rapidly approaching the ground, the mountains stretching ahead. If they crashed, they would slam right into them.
The craft attempted to recover its flight path, but Liv couldn't hold it steady for long. Heine brought Xiao into the cockpit. They removed the pilot's connector and Heine took his place. Instantly they gained altitude and passed safely over the mountains.
At the moment, the craft Luther was on was rapidly falling from the sky, their pilots also taken with the blocker invasion.
Luther's eyes widened, the tumultuous sway of the craft was spiking his adrenaline. He silently lamented that, although he had made it off of the base, he would not return to the Shire.
"Colonel! Please be prepared to enter the security pod!"
As they crashed into a rocky terrain, an explosion sounded. Luther and the other researchers were ejected rom the cabin.
Xiao Yan watched it unfold, his heart tightening.
"Colonel Luther - -"
"As long as we can make it through this, we can still rescue them." Heine reminded Xiao calmly.
Seeing the Surge's blockers ability and strength, as they succeeding in downing their craft, Xiao was not confident they wouldn't be destroyed.
"Xiao! Take over for Liv! Link to the craft!"
Heine's order was stern and decisive.
"Boss it is too dangerous. If Xiao Yan is invaded with the research data he just gathered.."
"No one can invade his mind while I am here."
He speaks as if the statement is an absolute truth.
Xiao pushed away Liv without hesitation. Every moment wasted meant more comrades were lost.
His brain and Heine's connected through the terminal, instantly controlling the crafts engines. They communicated as if one brain. Xiao Yan can feel the power and strength of Heine's mind aggressively extend through him.
Linking to another's brain was a new experience for Xiao Yan. With no words he is able to effortlessly understand Heine's thoughts and ideas. Heine's rapid thinking is directly in line with his own.
They agree to unify their offensive and defensive tactics to ward off the enemy.
Xiao's thinking quickly expands and spread through the systems of the other craft. He gained altitude and avoided the mountains. Within seconds their craft pulled into a line. Xiao Yan, under Heine's guidance, fires a tracking missile toward the Surge, instantly two of the enemy's craft crashed, exploding on impact.
As expected, the Surge attempted to invade Xiao's brain. His thoughts became tangled and it affects the other craft; the entire queue's flight path becomes erratic. Xiao felt his connection to the system being interrupted and interfered. Then the invader reversed course and headed into the outer edge of Xiao's thoughts, prepared to push through his defenses and burrow deeper.
Suddenly all the forces affecting his thinking were instantaneously ripped away and he felt an impenetrable blockade wrap around his mind, isolating him from all distractions.
It is Heine!
Xiao Yan took a deep steadying breath. Now that he didn't have to worry about any blockers, he could fully concentrate on flying.
His thoughts are now detached of all fetters, like a butterfly breaking out its cocoon. Xiao is in full control of the system, he manipulated the craft and ferociously split through the sky. Inside the cabin, Mark tightened his grip on his safety device and cursed viciously. "Motherfuck--- I'm going to vomit!"
The enemy locked onto Xiao Yan and launched a tracking missile toward them. While it was locked on, Xiao deployed several aircraft to intercept and shoot down the missile. They also take out the hostile aircraft.
Heine and Xiao cooperate as one complete mind. As Xiao controls the flight trajectory, Heine handles the weapons. There is no need for words, Xiao knows how to maneuver all of the craft into an offensive matrix and Heine's every shot has the impact of thousands with deadly accuracy.
Less than a minute later, three aircraft were shot down by them.
Liv looked out the window has sparks flew and the air trembled. She sighed, "Could anyone defeat them?"
Xiao Yan avoids the debris and pierces though the enemy fire. The remaining Surge craft all concentrate their efforts on Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan crowds them together, pushing them to desperate measures until one craft crashed into the rocks in panic.
The enemy broke into chaos and Xiao Yan, who had started at a disadvantage, begins a vengeful attack. He dominates the sky in arrogant curves, spiraling through the air. Soon the other craft scattered.
Xiao and Heine do not give them the opportunity to retreat. They shoot off several missiles, leaving nothing but dust in the sky.
All of the surviving Special Forces witnessed their attack. If they searched all through the Shire they could not find so perfect a match. Heine and Xiao's combined attacks were seamless.
To just survive such a Surge attack was incredible, they never imagined they would see such powerful counterattack!
Heine and Xiao disconnected from the craft. Now they have to locate Luther's safety pod. He had a sample of the comet with him; a perfect piece of fat for the Surge to find.
"Boss!" What should we do? We have our people devoting their time looking for the Colonel." Liv expressed her concerned at the situation.
They must send the researchers back to the Shire. The more that they delay the more likely another attack is to occur. However, Luther's identity was special. If they couldn't bring him back alive, the mission might as well be a failure.
Heine gave an order. Other than his craft, the others should withdraw and continue to the Shire.
Liv raised her safety device and returned to the cockpit. At the moment Xiao was still connected to Heine through the terminal.
"Colonel, should we put Xiao Yan on the other craft and send him back to the Shire? We don't need him to look for the Colonel."
"He must stay with us." Heine replied coldly.
Liv looked over at Xiao Yan worried. Xiao Yan looked at Liv and smiled calmly. "Is there a safer place in the world than by Colonel Burton's side?"
Liv understood Heine's reasoning. If the Surge attacks again, their goal will be the craft returning to the Shire. They wouldn't expect Xiao to stay with the search and rescue team.
Liv returned to the cabin, leaving only Heine and Xiao in the cockpit.
The unconscious Ptole was sent to another aircraft. Xiao Yan hoped that the guy could safely return to the Shire.
This is the first time he has truly fought side by side with Heine. His thoughts are still immersed in the feeling of their minds merging. Without thinking he reached out and touched Heine's fingers. As soon as his skin made contact, Xiao felt stupid. As he went to withdraw, Heine clasped his hand and threaded his fingers between Xiao's. His grip was so firm that Xiao's felt his bones bruise. He knew that Heine was barely applying any force, otherwise they would be broken. Although pained, Xiao did not attempt to break free. He inexplicably felt connected to Heine's strength. Because they were still connected through the system, they were more sensitive to each other than usual. It seemed Heine sensed Xiao's pain. He quietly released his grip but couldn't bear to break the contact completely.
Without hesitating, Xiao reached back for Heine's hand. For the first time, he felt the caution that Heine employed when touching him.
If you are afraid of hurting me then just stay still and I will come to you.
With this understanding in mind, Xiao reached and covered the back of Heine's hand with his palm. This cold Colonel who always had his hands behind his back sat still, motionlessly supporting Xiao Yan's palm.
They finally reached the place where Colonel Luther's pod fell.
The enemy craft is above the safety pod. Two killers drop down on lines and use some type of device to break into the cabin. Once the hatch was opened, Xiao had no doubt they would take Luther's head off.
The surge noticed they were close and launched two tracking missiles. Xiao Yan worked with Heine and they used a spiral flight path to evade and shoot down the missile. However their own armory was dangerously low, thanks to their previous encounter. They had only one missile left.
Xiao and Heine made the same decision and reached an understanding. Heine's order rang through the cabin and the special forces jumped out of the cabin door instantly. Xiao and Heine ejected from the cockpit. While they were being fired at by tracking missiles, they launched their last and hit the enemy's aircraft. They clearly did not anticipate that Hein and Xiao Yan would lock onto their trajectory before launching it. It was too late and their engine took a hit and crashed to the ground
Catapulting from such a high altitude ripped the sanity from Xiao Yan. A figure glides close and grabbed him as he tumbled clumsily through the air.
Heine pulled out Xiao's injection gun and administered the x-2 into his body before they hit the ground. It was instantly effective.
Heine completely lost his balance when he landed on the ground with Xiao Yan. He quickly turned to take the hit and the sound of heavy friction grated through the air as Xiao Yan crashed heavily onto Heine's body. His legs slam against the ground to reduce their speed and eventually they stop.
The combat uniform absorbed some of the injury from being locked between Xiao's body and the ground, but Xiao knew that Heine had suffered the damage for his sake. The moment that he and Heine look at each other, he couldn't see any pain in his gaze. He felt like he was wrapped in Heine's power, the force squeezing his lungs and stealing his breath.
Heine released his grip and Xiao got to his feet. Once again, Heine Burton saved him.
"When we get back to the Shire, you need to start training in the air."
This is Heine's evaluation of the event.
Xiao's is quite different. He was injected with the x-2, Heine didn't have to worry about him being injured on the landing, but he still...
"Keep up with me!"
Heine ran ahead and Xiao understood that they couldn't waste any time. Once the assassins opened the pod they would take Luther's head. Xiao has never run so fast in his life. The wind zipped past his ear and dragged against him. His eyes were on Heine, his hair pulled behind him and his back flexed with tension as he hit his top speed.
The cabin was right in front of them. They heard the loud noise of the door being pried open and then the Surge killer raised his blade, prepared to slice into Colonel Luther.
At this time Luther watched the cold gleam of metal in front of him. He is armed and grips the trigger, ready to destroy his own brain matter. Luther's finger is steady, his eyes stare straight at the Surge assassin; ready for his death.
He has spent the last 15 years of his life at the Antarctic base and everything he has done has been for the sake of the Shire. To him, losing his brain to the enemy would make his life's work meaningless.
The killer's blade gathers and scatters the light, a steely chill moves across Luther's eyes. Suddenly the blade begins its silver arc and red splatters outward. Behind the killer, Heine's blades slices through his neck, neatly killing him without any hesitation.
As Luther stands terrified, another killer moves toward him and his hand grazes his neck. His fingers tighten on the gun. Heine has already stopped 3 of the killers. He knows Colonel Burton is a legend within the task force, and Luther wanted nothing more than to return to the Shire, even if Heine has nothing but his brain to bring back. Still, he dare not take any risks. His finger tightens on the trigger, when suddenly someone moves his arm and another hand reaches in to fiercely twist the wrist of the killer. He hears a loud crunch as the bones shatter. Then Luther is lifted onto someone's back, except they don't have a Special Forces blade on their back. He is pressed against the wireless terminal carried by tech soldiers.
"Colonel Luther, your guns should be aimed at the enemy, not yourself."
"Xiao Yan?" Luther's eyes widen stunned. Seeing his dynamic fighting did not fit with his view of a technical soldier.
Xiao Yan removed a dagger from his waist and used it to block the swinging blade of the Surge member. He rotates his body and he stomps down on the killer's right foot. His knee sank into their side, as they lost their balance Xiao stabs the dagger directly into the killer's shoulders. As they take a moment to heal, Xiao backhandedly grabs their blade. He completes his onslaught in less than a second. Each movement was stern, calculated and decisive.
Luther couldn't even react to Xiao's rapid attack.
The killer didn't expect Xiao to have such agility or skill. He moved back several steps and Xiao Yan backs up as well. His retreat surprises the killer, since Xiao has the advantage.
Xiao's lips pull into a smile. He measures carefully the distance he needs between him and the Surge member. Just as the killer yanked the dagger from his shoulders, Xiao Yan pulled the gun from his waist. Right when the assassin successfully avoided the bullet, the temperature suddenly plummeted. A popping sound of ice crystals pierced the air. Although the killer had dodged Xiao's shot, he was still in the impact area of the condensate bomb. Half his body was frozen solid.
"The cold... the condensing gun..." Luther was stunned. He had not heard of a successful prototype being developed, much less put into practice.
Suddenly Heine jumped up and his body bounded through the air. In his hands is the fully assembled sniper rifle. It was designed for ground use. As he aims below him, the force of the condensate blast pushes him further into the air. The three killers following Heine did not expect the attack and their bodies were suddenly frozen, while Heine landed a safe distance away
Xiao Yan exhaled shakily. Heine's move was too risky. Had anything gone wrong with the gun he could have frozen himself!
Liv and Mark make their way to them. Upon seeing that they are all well, Liv lets out a long relieved breath.
" Xiao Yan, did you inject yourself with an X virus?" Luther asked him. In his mind, Xiao Yan's skill has only one explanation.
Xiao Yan was about to answer, but Hein spoke instead. "It is the latest development of the Central Academy of Pharmacy, the effect only lasts a short time, and then it is fully metabolized."
"Ah such revolutionary progress. It can be applied to study and improve the x-virus." Luther is excited at the prospect and cannot help but explore the options.
Even so the Colonel looks over at Xiao with a discerning gaze. No matter what performance enhancements the Shire's pharmacy can create, it doesn't explain the level of Xiao's skill. His clean strikes are no different than that of the Special Forces.
This young man not only has an amazing brain and interface rate, he even has such battle skills.
It is too amazing.
As Luther contemplates the situation, he has to admit that it has been many years since he has been to the Shire. Maybe...
"Boss!" We have lost sight of the craft." Liv said with an anxious expression. The issue isn't the craft itself. The problem is it means soon more enemies will follow, and they are stranded in the wilderness.
Not to mention the zombies. They see them begin to advance. Their expressions twisted, and the sheer violent hunger and killing intent in their reddened their eyes made Luther stumble backwards. He has not seen a zombie in more than 15 years. Appearance wise they are far more terrifying than the Surge killers.
Beside him, Xiao is completely calm.
"Xiao Yan." Heine only has to call out Xiao Yan's name.
He took down his wireless terminal, input their location and sent the distress signal.
"I have already contacted Colonel Shen Bing of the No. 2 base. His aircraft will arrive in 10 minutes!"
Everyone takes the front line, resolving the wandering zombies in less than ten minutes. Such a task was not difficult for Heine's team.
"Protect Colonel Luther." This is Heine's order.
The effectiveness of x-2 gradually faded and Xiao Yan's body became drowsy.
Heine's cold voice blew through Xiao's ear. "Hold on a little longer. I promise you a good night's sleep if you can make it ten more minutes.
Xiao Yan took the initiative.
The number of zombies they had to deal with was not as large as in a city, but dozens came rushing out, fraying Luther's nerves. His fingers tremble as he held tightly to his gun.
Xiao Yan sighed and kindly reminded him. "Colonel Luther, your gun will not work on the zombies.
Luther's shoulder shook and Xiao Yan handed his condensation gun to him. "Be careful to not freeze our people."
"What about you?" Luther asked worriedly.
"Do it just like this one." Xiao Yan nudged the killer with his tiptoe.
As the zombies move closer, Luther readied the condensation gun for the first time. His astounding powers of memory and observation allow him to properly judge the distance and scope of the weapon. As the bullet slammed into the zombie's chest, the surrounding zombies froze as well. The feeling of being able to personally use such a high grade and powerful weapon was beyond his imagination. The gun has little recoil and works rapidly and accurately. The calibrations, Xiao has performed, have resulted in a highly operational standard of weaponry, fitted perfectly for combat.
Luther gets the feel for the weapon and fires off two more shots. The zombies rushing at him become a wall of ice. With no tolerance for the cold, the other zombies attack from the other side, bypassing the wall. Luther did not continue to fire the gun, he knows how scarce the condensing agent is.
In a mere second Heine lifted his blade and takes over a dozen zombie heads. The other Special Forces demonstrated their skills. There was no time for idleness. They are kept busy waiting for Colonel Shen Bing's craft.
Xiao Yan stood by Luther. The Special Forces do their best to herd the zombies away from Luther and Xiao Yan.
Two zombies became like fish escaping a net. They headed straight for Xiao Yan and Luther. Heine's eyes glanced over at Xiao Yan. Luther assumed he would hurry over, he didn't expect him to sweep his blade the opposite direction to deal with another zombie.
The zombie opened its mouth and attempted to bite Luther's shoulder. Xiao pushed him aside and lifted his leg. He pressed the palm of his hand against he back of the zombies' neck and slammed it against his knee. Luther's shuddered at the sight. The zombie resembled a puppet with cut lines. The second zombie rushes behind Xiao Yan.
"Be careful!" Luther horrified.
Xiao Yan raised his arm and elbowed the zombie through the chin. Then he turned around and neatly twisted the head of the zombie creeping behind him.
Luther stared blankly, processing the events that just unfolded in front of him. With the x-2 still active, Xiao Yan was simply too quick for him to track the attack. After he finished dispatching the zombies, Luther had to admit that the techs must have to greatly improve their fighting ability to reach such a level as Xiao Yan.
Finally, Shen Bing's aircraft arrived.
Xiao Yan looked at the time. 8 minutes had passed. It seems Shen Bing's efficiency was higher than Xiao's expectations.
******I love the changeswe see in this chapter with the MC. Sonow Xiao is protective over Heine. Btw, Itold a reader that there was an amazing scene coming up in the next couplechapters. Making then wait was meanenough...I also lied. It is in the next chapter! Or Not...Apparently I can't be trusted.**********