Crisis (Part 1)

——June 18, 2043, 4:13 AM——

It is now 4:13:13 AM. The operation has been ongoing for a full 43 minutes, and this brutal confrontation is finally drawing to a close.

In the fierce wind, a storm engulfs all of Hong Kong, with faint glimmers of light in the distance dotting the boundless night sky.

At this moment, six Jaegers of various models stand beneath the dark clouds, chests puffed out, bracing themselves for the storm's baptism. They have surrounded the heavily injured 'Gecko', and from Hong Kong's Kwun Tong district to the southern areas, the Chinese Navy and Air Force are also closing in with watchful eyes—

Nothing can escape this inescapable net. Rosen's confidence overflows within him. He can't help but think: even an angel would fall here.

The 'Gecko' doesn't seem to have any intention of escaping either. Ever since its large mouth was newly opened by Kunlun, a continuous stream of dirty, viscous blue acid has been seeping from the wound on its jaw, as if it would never run out. The ground of the dock has been almost completely corroded. It gasps for air with great effort, glaring fiercely at Kunlun as if it were staring at its mortal enemy.

At this moment, Sun Zheng Tang is observing every movement on the ground with binoculars.

"Haha, that beast still holds a grudge against you," Sun Zheng Tang laughs. "Looks like you're in for it later."

"Hehe, don't forget, it's not me in the cockpit right now," Rosen chuckles.

Indeed, Rosen and Sun Zheng Tang are currently circling hundreds of meters above in a helicopter. Although the storm is shaking the aircraft violently, it's still much safer than being on the ground.

"All units, attention."

Just then, Lin Yin's resolute voice comes through the communicators of all six Jaegers simultaneously. Rosen immediately drops his smile and looks down at the entire scene—

The time for jokes is over.

"Later, Kunlun and I will restrain the Kaiju, and you will attack when you see an opportunity," Lin Yin pauses. "Be careful not to friendly fire."

"Understood." "Received."

Rosen hears everyone's unified response in his mind.

"Now, let's end this..." Lin Yin's voice is gradually drowned out by the sound of Shandong's advancing footsteps.

The operation begins!

As Lin Yin said, she took the lead. The crimson Shandong lunges at the 'Gecko' first, and Kunlun immediately follows from another direction. The two giant Jaegers almost completely seal off the Kaiju's escape route!

The 'Gecko' retreats with a roar. Just then, it begins to emit a multicolored glow, and its hind legs gradually disappear into the air!

"It's trying to go invisible again!" Su Luoxia shouts urgently.

"Don't panic!" Lin Yin says sternly. "I have a way!"

Shandong swings its left hand—the 'God Binding Silk', which left a deep impression on Rosen, is instantly thrown out!

Observing at this close range, Rosen discovers that the tip of the 'God Binding Silk' is equipped with a three-clawed hook. The long rope flies out for hundreds of meters, tightly wrapping around the Gecko's forelimb!

However, before everyone can rejoice, an unexpected scene unfolds—the Kaiju spits out a large mouthful of acidic substance from its mouth. The metallic 'God Binding Silk' is instantly snapped into two pieces!

Freed from restraint, the 'Gecko' immediately enters stealth mode, disappearing from everyone's sight.

"Where did it go?!"

The raging storm perfectly conceals the Kaiju, leaving everyone in a daze—but Rosen feels like laughing.

The fragment of the 'God Binding Silk' is still hooked onto the Kaiju.

At this moment, the fragment is suspended ten meters above the ground, slowly moving towards the shallow waters to the west.

Rosen leans down, picks up a nearby crane, rushes forward, and swings it with a single motion. The crane and the scales on the 'Gecko's' head shatter simultaneously!

Forced out of stealth time and time again, the 'Gecko' is finally completely enraged.

This Generation 8 Kaiju roars to the heavens. It completely ignores the other Jaegers around it, angrily slams Kunlun to the ground, and then uses its weight advantage to pin Kunlun firmly beneath it.

The ground is on the verge of collapse under the crushing weight of the Jaeger and the Kaiju. Fire hydrants are sent flying far away, various pipes are uprooted from the ground, and sewage and natural gas erupt from the breaches—Rosen will now have to pay the price for his underestimation and recklessness.

"ROAR!!"

As the other Jaegers attempt to provide support, the 'Gecko' opens its gaping maw and sweeps across, its blue acid mixed with rainwater washing over the ground. The surrounding Jaegers dare not approach for the moment!

Among them, only Shandong charges forward!

"Dangerous!" Lin Yin ignores her left arm, which is splashed with acid, and forces her way into the area covered by the acidic substance.

Under the rapid corrosion of the strong acid, Shandong's left hand can no longer be raised. So, Lin Yin grits her teeth, lowers her stance, and uses her body to shove the 'Gecko' that was riding on Kunlun away!

Shandong weighs 8,000 tons, and the kinetic energy contained within its chassis is no joke—

The 'Gecko' is hit again, its side almost completely caved in. This Kaiju has reached its limit. The lights in its chameleon-like eyes flicker. It first looks at Kunlun, then glances at Shandong.

Rosen suddenly feels as if he can understand the 'Gecko's' expression.

It's choosing a target for mutual destruction. Rosen thinks, although it desperately wants to kill Kunlun, its master behind it: the 'Precursors', those behind-the-scenes manipulators, want Shandong dead even more.

Wait… Rosen is stunned. Why can he see through the Kaiju's thoughts?