Chapter 2: Escape (1/2)
Chapter 2: Escape
Translator: OneshotwonderEditor: Tehrn
The Zergs had overrun the base. Although they lacked intelligence, their talons could tear through steel plating with ease so Wang Tong wouldn’t stand a chance.
”The Confederation promised me a Zerg-free planet! Where the heck are the Confederation troops!?”
”Master, we are under attack! We are under attack! Please leave this area immediately.” Charcoal uttered the words in the quickest speed his CPU allowed. He was programmed to do so to stress the urgency of the situation.
Wang Tong had been rendered useless by the mounting pressure. He had just graduated from middle school and was sent here because of a conscience-deprived old fox. Most teenagers his age were enjoying their colorful youth on earth right now, instead of having to deal with a Zerg invasion on a desolate planet far away.
”I should calm down... What would I do in a situation like this if I were on Earth?” Wang Tong said to himself.
”911!” the answer was obvious.
”But what about here? ... Bah, I'm wasting my time, of course, I should call for help!”
Wang Tong rushed toward the telecom screen hopefully. He fumbled his finger all over the phone pad, “Ding…” it connected.
”Help, Help me! Zergs, many, many Zergs! It is-”
The screen had turned to static before the attractive receptionist was able to utter a single word to Wang Tong, the signal had been interrupted.
Wang Tong stared at the screen helplessly. He wanted to cry but felt like he didn't even have the time to do so.
The telecom was a part of the planetary electronic communication system on Norton. Jamming its signal required a massive amount of energy in the form of electromagnetic waves; however, one type of Zerg was able to do precisely that.
At first sight, this kind of Zerg seemed to be harmless, but they could emit electromagnetic waves so strong that they would paralyze any electronic communication system. Insufficient electronic counter measurements on Norton had now let the Zergs gain the upper hand.
On the CCTV screen, Wang Tong saw a piece of heavy equipment, which weighed easily over a few tons, was thrown into the air by the Zergs. When it thudded to the ground, a group of eight-legged Zergs advanced in. Some gouged the headlights with their claws; some penetrated the heavy metal with their fangs, some gnawed the rubber with their teeth and some ripped mechanical joints apart with their powerful grip. The piece of equipment was quickly reduced to a pile of twisted, gnarled junk. Wang Tong stared at what was left of the machine and touched his tender and soft cheek.
He didn’t want to die here, he wanted to fight back. A light bulb moment suddenly came to Wang Tong. ”Charcoal, where can I find any weapons?”
Charcoal shook his head powerlessly: ”Master, the base does not stock any weapons. If there is an emergency, we will radio the headquarters, and they will send a squad of METAL troops here.”
”I know that already!” Wang Tong suddenly yelled at Charcoal. He would have contacted the HQ if the telecom signal hadn't been compromised. Wang Tong’s despair returned, and his fear grew stronger with every passing moment. He was still young and would grow up to be the future of the Confederation, at least that's what the confederation had been telling him, so he didn’t want to die here.
”If only I had been 'Mind Opened' and had a METAL suit, but now...” He looked at the Zergs crawling all over the CCTV screen. He swallowed and decided to give up the idea of going commando on hundreds of Zergs. ”If I can't fight, at least I can run away.”
The Zerg army was tearing apart the defense layers one by one, like peeling an onion.
Sirens screamed in every corner of the sky. The Zerg army was attacking multiple fronts. The focus of their attack was Norton's main base.
The Zergs had left Norton alone until now. Not a single Zerg had ever been spotted near Norton, so it was evident now that the silence before this attack had been a deception. The defense force was caught off guard, although the troops on the ground were trying their best to hold their line, the sheer number of Zergs was overwhelming. Most of the defense forces had been mobilized to the headquarters, leaving the other parts of the planet almost defenseless.
Lieutenant Eisle had to give the order to pull back. If they didn't pull out right now, everyone would be dead in a matter of a few moments. This was a well-prepared surprise attack, a Zerg's conspiracy.
High up in Norton's orbital space, four monstrous space hives continuously burst out showers of bug sacks towards Norton, rendering the ground defense useless.
Meanwhile, on planet Earth, the high councils were having a heated debate.