Why do I feel like I've been tricked, the officer seemed to ask that confirmation question unconsciously, but the moment I shook my head, he directly stamped it.
If there's something to say, it will be long; if not, it will be short. Three days passed in a blink, unlike the time we met with Xiu Yi and the others. This time, reporting was an order, so the big guy dared not delay, arriving ten minutes early in room 503 on the first floor of the Black Science Base, made self-introductions with relevant personnel, confirmed identity, and quickly boarded the hovering car, navigating the mega structure to the top.
Every time he takes such a flying car, Zhang Xiaobo loves to look around... This offers a panoramic view of the entire city, nothing seems to have changed nearby after years of absence, feeling the ground scenery getting smaller, his heart was exceptionally excited.
Once the hovering car slowly stopped, he followed the staff through several twists and turns, quickly arriving at the training room of the former super soldiers.
"I've been here before." Zhang Xiaobo said blankly.
"Is there a problem, sir?"
"Weren't we supposed to go on a mission? Why are we here?"
The staff shook her head with a faint smile, not explaining anything; her only responsibility was to bring people, and the rest was not her concern.
Not long after, he saw a few familiar faces - super soldiers.
Unlike before, the Federation is now teeming with talent, yet even once-glorious super soldiers, only three remain at the Black Science Base.
These three are Dovir and the Haier Brothers.
The individuals opposite also clearly recognized Zhang Xiaobo, having cooperated frequently in the past. Upon seeing him, they showed a hint of surprise and silently nodded to each other as a greeting.
He finally found himself in some room in the Black Science Base and then saw the officer who sought him days ago.
"Comrade Zhang Xiaobo, welcome back." The man maintained an unchanged smile on his face.
"Haha, you're too kind; it's just that I'm unsure about what mission we're executing?"
"Since you're here, it's necessary to disclose the truth to you. I believe you're well aware of the confidentiality laws."
"Ah, of course…" The big guy wanted to say, of course, he forgot them completely.
The officer naturally misunderstood his meaning, speaking calmly: "About a month ago, our forces detected signs of unknown civilization activity at 1.26 seconds, 35 degrees in the eastern nebula of Rekart. They are currently rapidly approaching Rekart's coordinates, fairly sizeable. Observations are needed, and you should understand the subsequent mission."
"Are we to assist Rekart, or possibly stand by, waiting for deployment?"
"As you stated. Of course, you can opt-out now since you're someone with a family, and choice is everyone's freedom."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaobo's face grew serious, changing from his usual demeanor. If he had known it was such a dangerous mission, he wouldn't have gone. He sternly addressed the major officer: "Why wasn't this mentioned earlier?"
"Because I don't want you to give up."
"But you just said…"
"Indeed, as I said, choice is everyone's freedom. However, the immediate challenge is one the entire human race faces— when the water is dry, there won't be fish; when the forest is gone, there naturally won't be birds."
Zhang Xiaobo could fully comprehend this sentiment; if home were gone, he, his wife and children wouldn't be spared from disaster either. He knew well that this operation was unlike any previous ones, yet upon reflection, he thought, haven't I experienced everything? I've battled the bizarre and traversed parallel dimensions with a group before. But when he thought of his wife and children, Zhang Xiaobo couldn't shake off his doubts…
"Alas!"
He sighed deeply towards the heavens, then stomped his foot, "I came all this way, damn it, I'm in!"
"Haha, that's the spirit of a fine soldier; feel free to request any mech configuration, and we'll prepare in advance."
"Mech configuration? What if I say I want a super soldier?"
"That could be considered as well."
"Really? Even super soldiers can be considered?" Zhang Xiaobo never imagined this unassuming major officer had such large authority, "Who exactly are you?"
"Me?" The major officer pointed at his nose, chuckling softly, shrugged and said: "I belong to the Military Department's Special Task Force; you can call me Mr. K, specific titles are confidential."
"Special Task Force, isn't it under the supervision of General Greedy Wolf, with someone named Angelina?"
"Angelina is my direct superior. How? You know her."
"I know her, but we're not close." The big guy had shared a meal with Angelina, of course, Feng Yi was present. If this department had substantial authority, he believed it, but about super soldiers, he couldn't believe it, not even at gunpoint.
At this moment, the big guy suddenly realized something, "Why am I the only one around, no one else?"
"No."
"Then, this operation…"
"You're the only one invited."
"Ah? Just me, why?" A giant question mark floated before Zhang Xiaobo's eyes.
The officer could perceive his inner confusion, shook his head and said: "Besides you, there's no one else who meets the criteria; possibly, three others will join you in executing the mission."
"You don't mean Dovir and the Haier Brothers, do you?"
"Exactly."
Another massive question mark loomed before him—what about the other super soldiers? When Zhang Xiaobo posed this question, he received the major officer's rebuttal: "Who else do you think there is?"
"Who else…?"
The major officer seemed to lament, telling Zhang Xiaobo there's no one left to deploy.
Indeed, that was the situation, Sky Shadow had retired from the army, Ophelia was severely injured by Dilia in battle years ago and could never pilot a mobile soldier again; the sniper Mu Tou was in Saudi, Roland wasn't from the Federation initially, Hugo suffered leg injuries and couldn't properly pilot mechs anymore, despite the success of cloning, there were risks involved, should he continue piloting mechas, the issue would be similar to Sky Shadow's past, Cangmu Kuang Qi fared even worse, failing before setting out, her super soldier being seized by Saudi before it even launched.
Among the three left, only Dovir and the Haier Brothers remained, thus the big guy encountered these three in the Black Science Base.
"What about Elvis?"
"You mean the special Red Cloak of the Normandy fleet?"
"Similar to your situation, though he didn't come."
Standing in place, Zhang Xiaobo's gaze was lost. Yet, one couldn't blame anyone; once they fought on battlefields for their country, charged at the frontlines, now they have homes and careers, their choices were expected.
However, what he couldn't come to terms with was, has the talent pool dwindled to this level? Besides Dovir and the Haier Brothers, there's only him left?
The big guy's eyes grew a bit sore; for some reason, memories of the super soldiers he battled alongside and that fiery era sprang to mind, leaving him internally distraught.
If one says he misses the past, misses the battlefield, isn't it the people from the past he misses? Now, as time flies, even returning to where he once struggled, he can't see the people from those days.
Even as an ordinary person, his mind spawned a phrase—this is simply the sorrow of an era! Has the Yate Federation reached such a level of talent abundance, with such a severe shortage? Does the change in future developments mean that even a Red Cloak can't be found?
When he asked this question, the major officer affirmed there were, but not many; those Red Cloaks in the army had not seen battle and lacked real combat experience, naturally couldn't compare with you, Zhang Xiaobo, and the other three.
"Haven't you piloted a mech in years? Having rusty skills? Come on, let's prepare and start with your recovery training, shall we?"
What? It starts now, though he hasn't piloted a mech in years, don't forget there's a company named Galactic Warfare, a sewer company where he PK kills every night.
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