Lin Xiaohe had no idea she’d become the unfortunate lightning rod for the Fifth Star Ring’s public anger.
Right now, she was still puzzled—why wasn’t the command center replying to her?
She looked up at the sky. This juvenile Starseed Bird was a picky eater, too.
Its favorite snack was mech hands, and it was currently using its claws to snap them off one by one.
The group dodged left and right, as if playing a massive game of cat and mouse with the creature.
Aber, lacking sufficient strength, was the first to have both his mech’s hands broken off. His mech, losing balance, wobbled precariously in the air.
Lin Xiaohe scratched her head, a little anxious.
Xinbao told her that the flight wing near the insurgent base had already taken off and was heading their way.
If Lin Xiaohe didn’t rescue these unlucky souls soon, time would run out.
Lin Xiaohe urged the command center: [Reporting to Commander, requesting instructions: Are we to proceed with the rescue of Team C and the examinees?]
The conflict was intensifying, and the Special Forces Guidance Team was swamped.
Amidst the chaos, the team leader saw Lin Xiaohe’s message and was quite moved.
Now this was a student worthy of the Central Military Academy—responsible, committed, and courageous!
Considering all factors, the team leader replied: [Rescue mission feasibility is zero. Abort rescue. Lieutenant Lin, ensure your own safety. Look forward to your return to the unit.]
Alright then.
No official mission meant she could do a little freelance work.
Lin Xiaohe perked up and announced in the team channel: “Star coins are precious, but life is more valuable. For just 500,000 star coins, you can save your own life. 500,000 star coins, only 500,000 star coins—you can’t get a better deal, you can’t go wrong! Interested parties, please scan the payment QR code.”
The moment the message went out, the mechs, already struggling to evade, froze for a split second. Then, with a sickening creak and crunch, another poor soul lost both hands of their mech.
That poor soul, Wesley, was on the verge of a breakdown. “Lin Xiaohe, you lunatic! Now’s not the time for your money-grubbing scams!”
Lin Xiaohe said calmly, “Military cadet Wesley, please watch your language. To preserve evidence proving the 500,000 is my lawfully obtained income, I have activated full video recording mode.”
“Lawfully obtained my *ss!” Wesley knew he was about to die, so he wasn’t afraid of being recorded. “You’re a Second Lieutenant! You have the duty and obligation to rescue fellow soldiers!”
Lin Xiaohe replied regretfully, “According to the command center’s assessment, the probability of rescuing you from the Starseed Bird’s beak is zero. Hence, no rescue.”
The group’s hearts ached. They could understand, but the bitterness was hard to swallow.
Lin Xiaohe complained, “What’s wrong with you people? You’d rather die than spend 500,000 star coins?”
The team leader glanced at his mech’s energy levels. Only 20% left.
He gave a faint, bitter smile. “Xiaohe, you should go. I’ve transferred 500,000 and a contact account to you. If you manage to get out alive, please send the following message to her. ‘Medusa, I love you. If there’s a next life, I’ll definitely marry you!'”
The other special forces soldiers also realized that once the Starseed Bird devoured their mechs, not even their final messages would be preserved.
With the insurgent base controlling airspace communications, they couldn’t connect to the command center either.
They all assumed Lin Xiaohe’s earlier talk about the command center was just made up.
“Well, Lieutenant Lin, I don’t know what your game is, but I’ve also transferred 500,000 and my dad’s contact info. You have to survive, or else my dad won’t even hear my last words. Dad, Mom, maybe have another kid—your son is checking out early!”
Lin Xiaohe’s account pinged with notification after notification of incoming transfers.
Aber choked back sobs. “Mom, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things. In my heart, you and Dad are the best parents in the world. I was just jealous that my classmates’ families were richer than us, but I know you gave me the best of everything.”
Examinee Corry wiped his tears. “Brother, I’m entrusting the family to your care. Remember to burn my figurines on the cabinet for me. As for the mech models, you can have them all.”
Special Forces soldier Barnett injected himself with a mental energy supplement, speaking weakly, “Honey, I’ve served for thirteen years. My death benefits should be around three million. In the storage compartment of our home cleaning robot, there’s an unregistered savings card with my secret stash—570,000. Take care of our son.”
He paused, then continued, “I know that jerk Rio has always had a crush on you. To hell with him and the black hole he crawled out of. Even though he’s no match for me, if… if things get too hard for you… then accept his pursuit. That jerk will love you well in my place.”
Lin Xiaohe opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but seeing how sincerely heartfelt and desperate everyone was to pour out their hearts, she closed it.
The Starseed Bird seemed to be getting bored with the game, its movements becoming sharper and more aggressive.
Barnett, who had just finished his message, had his mech’s right leg violently ripped off by the bird. Blue energy fluid sprayed continuously from the broken point.
Everyone sped up their final messages, their words becoming more concise. Finally, only Wesley was left.
He had nearly been hit by the Starseed Bird; an examinee from the Fourth Star Ring had blocked the attack for him, at the cost of having his own energy compartment pierced.
This was the first time Wesley had been so close to death.
Fine cold sweat beaded on his forehead. His pupils dilated instantly, his eyes filled with terror and panic.
It turned out he wasn’t as brave and fearless as he’d imagined himself to be. Every past fight had been fierce because he’d always known someone had his back.
In a real war zone, accidents were everywhere, and the backup he’d always taken for granted wasn’t so reliable after all.
His identity wasn’t that crucial on the battlefield—maybe slightly more important than an ordinary soldier, but absolutely not enough for the Federation to abandon the outcome of an entire planet just to rescue him.
Wesley’s psychological defenses completely crumbled. He transferred one million star coins to Lin Xiaohe. “Tell my mom I love her. And I’m sorry I always hid from her that my dad has three mistresses and two illegitimate kids. Mom, the reason I don’t like my ‘little brother’ is because he’s actually Dad’s illegitimate son. My real little brother died right after birth.”
Wesley’s expression was twisted, his voice hysterical. “Lin Xiaohe, I gave you an extra 500,000. You must tell my mom my last words! You must!”
Lin Xiaohe was numb from all the incoming payments. She double-checked: “Are you sure?”
Wesley was resolute: “Sure!”
The others chimed in: “Sure!”
“Alright then. Consider it done.” Lin Xiaohe was a person of integrity.
Since she’d accepted the money, she would naturally follow through.
On Gonggong Star, Xinbao couldn’t connect to other planets, so Lin Xiaohe simply sent the file—along with the contact information—to the Guidance Team, thoughtfully attaching everything.
The team leader was so moved he was practically in tears. He swiftly arranged for personnel to handle the matter.
When the Military Publicity Office got wind of it, they immediately requested the video footage.
The public relations crisis caused by the alleged complete loss of the examinees was huge; they needed this video to divert public attention.
Having sent the files, Lin Xiaohe washed her hands of it.
Her top priority now was to kill this damned Starseed Bird!
(Feeling so hot I might get heatstroke, drowsy…)
