Chapter 258: Material for Evolution (2/2)

As humans spent more time with Zergs on the battlefield and in the lab, they started to peel off and reveal the complex layers of the Zerg's social structure. Based on the Zergs’ high skill to adapt, one could even argue that the Zergs’ social composition had mimicked that of the humans. They might consider the humans' way more advantageous in the solar system, and felt the revolutionary pressure of natural selection.

Ma Sa said something; it was a request that Li Shiming could neither accept nor refuse. After a while, Li Shiming said in his seemingly placid voice, ”This is a matter of great importance to both the Confederation and my family. Please allow me a few days to consider it.”

”Yes, make sure you send the message in an encrypted channel when you reach your decision. Remember, time is of the essence.”

Li Shiming nodded, his expression holding the fragile edge of a calm that threatened to explode.

Wang Tong's team had quickly found an entrance. Although Goldie wasn't entirely sure if there was a Encephalon Zerg at the end of the tunnel, the odds were looking pretty good.

Wang Tong probed the cave with his soul energy and registered that the size of the cave system was similar to that in which he had killed the Zerg Queen. He held back the team and decided to venture down by himself.

”Lieutenant, let me go in first. I can feel something is in there.”

”It's too dangerous to go by yourself. I will go with you. Third, you can give orders in my stead. Overbite, report to the HQ right now, 'possible hostile forces, we are investigating the situation right now.' ” Jansining commanded.

”Lieutenant, let me go with him” Ma Xiaoru pleaded. Although Jansining knew Ma Xiaoru possessed incredible power, he could not afford to expose her to this much danger.

”I can run much faster by myself. Why don't you stay here and wait for my message? I will be careful not to disturb the Zergs while I scout out the Encephalon's whereabouts.”

Jansining couldn't bring himself to agree to Wang tong's request. However, pragmatism came over him, and he conceded that anyone except Ma Xiaoru would be a hindrance rather than help to Wang Tong. Meanwhile, the same pragmatism had refused him to let Ma Xiaoru enter that cave.

”Go, but be careful. We want a living brother, not a dead hero. Do you hear me?” Jansining said with a solemn face.

”Yes, Sir!” Wang Tong saluted confidently.

”Wang Tong!” Ma Xiaoru called out to Wang Tong who had already half stepped into the entrance. Wang Tong turned back and asked, ”What's up?”

”Be careful!”

The tenderness in Ma Xiaoru's voice sounded familiar to Wang Tong for a second; The words were a thin thread leading into Wang Tong's memory. But, before he could tug on it and drag out the old Ma Xiaoru with all her affection, the thread snapped. He realized that Ma Xiaoru cared about him just like she cared about other comrades.

”Don't worry about me. I have more than nine lives. Be careful out here too; it could be a trap.” Wang Tong let out a laugh and disappeared into the tunnel.

The cave turned pitch dark soon after Wang Tong entered. Wang Tong could have turned on the illumination unit on his METAL, but he had something better—his eyes burned with a golden luster in the darkness.

Wang Tong's night vision would not give away his location like the illuminating unit would, so he slipped like a shadow in the darkness. He had learned many tricks to cover his tracks while sneaking about on Norton, and even his breath was controlled to minimize the chance of being detected.

”Goldie 2, what's the surrounding like?” Wang Tong asked.

”Master, no unusual life signals so far.”

”Balls! Was I wrong about this? They wouldn't have built this big cave system for no reason, eh?”

Wang Tong pressed on, believing in his intuition. The complexity of the cave was a tell-tale sign that something big was hidden in its bowel. Zergs were intelligent, but they were predictable nonetheless, if one knew where to look.

As Wang Tong went further, he noticed that the cave was even more massive and more intricate than the one he was in last time. He doubted that the GBD would be able to penetrate this far and kill whatever was hidden at the bottom.

A few moments had passed, yet Wang Tong still had found nothing. Recognition dawned on his face as he realized there were only two possibilities to this strange development: The Zergs had already moved away, or it was a trap.