Chapter 20 (1/2)

Toot! A horn sounded from the distance. Anyone who came to planet Alpha for the first time would think that this was a pleasing sound. However, for the 106th Division soldiers who had been fighting for a few days there, the sound instantly got on their nerves because they knew that it signaled the attack of the insectoids.

“There it is!” Qin Hao had quickly found the source of the horn sound using his enhanced vision. It came from a relatively small insectoid, about 50 or 60 centimeters long with a horn-like organ that could emit a clarion sound on its head.

Toot!

Toot!

Horns sounded around High Ground Z3 following the first call. Apparently, the insectoids were starting to attack.

The insectoids’ shrieks filled the air as all giant beetles charged toward High Ground Z3.

Gauss Cannons started to bombard the battlefield, blasting hundreds of giant beetles into pieces. But as soon as these giant beetles fell, more came from behind, stepping on their corpses as they charged forward. There were more giant beetles than the Gauss Cannons could kill.

As the insectoids came within shooting range, the 106th Mechanized Infantry Division soldiers started to fire their electromagnetic rifles. The heavy rain of bullets blew the giant beetles into pieces.

“The eastern front has been overwhelmed! Requesting for reinforcements!”

“The southeastern front has been overwhelmed! Requesting for reinforcements!”

…

Since Qin Hao was a bodyguard, he was staying in the command center with James and listening to the calls for help.

As the battle raged on, almost every battlefront was struggling to hold the line. The giant beetles were vulnerable to firepower from the Federation Army, but they were starting to overwhelm the humans with their sheer number.

“A large number of giant commander beetles are coming from the southeast, Commander! We can’t stop them!” James’ adjutant had to shout to be heard in front of James because of the ear-shattering shrieks and loud firepower.

“Abandon position and fall back to the second line of defense. Activate the land mines between the first and second lines of defense!” James ordered. He knew how tough the giant commander beetles were, and the rudimentary outer defensive wall was not going to hold up. If his soldiers held on to the first line of defense, it would only cause great casualties on his side.

Right then, James could sacrifice space for a time. Once air reinforcements arrived, he could recapture the lost ground again. All he needed to do was preserve his strength.

At that moment, the command center’s bunker shook violently.

“A large number of plasma worms have been detected in the northwest, Sir!” the adjutant shouted.