Lunarian, top student, elite among elites, psychic, well-read, skilled in both civil and military pursuits—what did all of that mean when it came to one person? The mechanic didn't really understand, but at least he knew how he should adjust his attitude.
So when the most respected old sergeant major at the outpost straightened up, the others—though they still had reservations about Yu Lian's order to abandon the outpost and evacuate everyone—didn't dare voice their dissatisfaction.
Old Carl and his apprentices pitched in themselves, working so smoothly and expertly they could have been pit crew for a champion race car driver. The old engineer was a man of his word. He'd said it would take forty minutes, but in less than half an hour, he'd gotten all five Panthers back in working order. Even the one missing half its armor plating had a slab of iron from the city wall slapped onto it. It looked a little jury-rigged, but it was better than nothing.
Yu Lian had also managed to handcraft five bio-energy batteries. Once wired to the Panthers' engines, they worked well enough. Everyone present broke into applause, feeling as though they'd witnessed a great magic trick. More importantly, if they were heading for Tulong, they wouldn't have to walk all the way there. The five vehicles could fit all thirty of them if everyone squeezed in.
"If we set off now, we can reach Tulong by noon tomorrow," Ina said.
"Mm... If we head straight across the wasteland, that's right."
The sergeant major heard the hesitation in his voice and realized that they'd been ambushed in the wasteland before.
"Sir, I remember you saying those monsters might be biological weapons?"
"Uh, did I?"
"So there's a chance we'll be attacked again?"
"An attack is inevitable, but it may not be those monsters. Hmm, how should I explain it to you? For example..." Yu Lian was trying to organize his explanation—or rather, his story—when Sergeant Cindy, the communications officer, came rushing over, drenched in sweat. He'd been wrestling with the shorted-out equipment in the communications room, and from his deeply mournful expression, it was clear the machine was done for.
That wasn't really his fault. The blame lay with the communications equipment's manufacturer, Nine-Star. What kind of company that could make a camera phone that exploded had landed a contract to supply military communications equipment? Think about it. Think very carefully.
No wonder Nine-Star would later be acquired by the Alliance's telecom giant, Star Network, and end up making phones for young women. Somehow, the company's fortunes only improved after that.
"Still no contact with Tulong? It's all right, we—"
"No, sir, we—we made contact!" the other man said, sweating profusely.
"Oh, really? Then what's with that face? Tulong hasn't fallen to the enemy, has it?" Yu Lian joked.
He dared to make a joke like that because he knew Tulong's situation all too well. The others, however, couldn't stay so calm, and a commotion broke out. Ina shot Yu Lian an annoyed look and reproached him. "Sir, please be serious. Don't make such tasteless jokes!"
Of course she could tell he was joking. And besides, she really did become more charming when she got angry.
"No, Tulong is fine. But—but the Sandfolk have completed their encirclement! The, the command has ordered us to act according to the situation!"
"...Is that so?" Yu Lian glanced at the timer on his wrist-mounted multipurpose terminal. It was the evening of November 13, 829 Galactic Common Era. In his previous life, the final assault on Tulong Harbor had been scheduled for the sixteenth... An encirclement completed three days early was plausible.
"Also, sir... Actually, you'd better see for yourself." The communications officer was so nervous he couldn't get the words out, so he simply activated his terminal and brought up a holographic map.
"This is the surveillance footage from the command's probes. It's from five minutes ago."
Yu Lian scanned the holographic map and quickly found the location of Outpost 12. But across the vast wasteland between the outpost and Tulong, a considerable number of heat signatures were gathering, clearly heading toward the outpost.
First of all, they weren't Zerg. Even the huge Terrorclaws gave off less heat while moving than a groundhog, so the military probes wouldn't bother marking them.
That meant they were almost certainly Sandfolk.
And since they were gathering here, the main road to Tulong was blocked as well.
"What about now?"
It took Sergeant Cindy two seconds to realize Yu Lian meant the live holographic map. He hurriedly added, "Th-this... We just lost contact with command again."
Nine-Star's lousy machines. Now that I'm back, I won't even let you get acquired. You're done for!
Yu Lian spat, clapped his hands, and began issuing orders. "Everyone, get ready to move out. Bring as much ammunition, energy packs, and medicine as you can! Yes, leave the food behind. Just take a day's worth of rations. Ina, give me two grenades."
Yu Lian set a trap in the food warehouse, then walked outside to the parade ground. He saw the chainsword stuck in one corner and let out a silent sigh. Then he went straight through the ruined gate, past the mountain of piled-up insect corpses, and climbed into the lead Panther.
The five-vehicle convoy carried the thirty survivors of Outpost 12 into the unknown distance ahead... At least, that was how many of them felt, and the mood turned rather melancholy.
Yu Lian didn't share that feeling. If anything, he was a little excited. He studied the holographic map closely and finally settled on a perfect escape route. He figured he could take everyone on a thoroughly reasonable detour—and even pass right by "that place" along the way.
"Sir, where should we go?" Yoyo asked quietly as he drove.
"North."
The Black sergeant shuddered and cautiously glanced at Yu Lian, who was still watching the map with an expressionless face. He gritted his teeth, gripped the spherical steering wheel, and turned it hard to the right.
All the vehicles seemed to hesitate briefly, but after a moment's uncertainty, they followed.
Yu Lian understood their hesitation and was willing to explain—or talk his way out of it.
The rolling mountains to the north had been named after one of the earliest explorers: the great Mount Qililuo. They nearly split the vast wasteland in two. South of the mountains, where Outpost 12 stood, the wasteland was more open and barren. The hills to the north were relatively humid, probably because they lay closer to the inland sea.
They could cross the mountains, travel through the northern hills, and reach Tulong by taking a detour of a day or two.
The problem was that Mount Qililuo had only two known mountain passes, both directly west of the outpost, in the direction of Tulong. The Sandfolk had probably taken control of them already.
As for the mountain ranges directly north or east of the outpost, nobody had ever heard of any pass through them.
But by now, no one really dared to question Yu Lian's decisions.
Yu Lian continued studying the map, trying to fit it to his memories. "A little farther east. See that mountain? The one shaped like a beckoning cat. Drive toward it."
The Black sergeant nodded quickly. After a while, though, he spoke cautiously, still driving with his headset on. "Sir, Sergeant Major... Shilika is asking where we're headed."
As expected, the only one who still felt obliged to speak up—and dared to do so—was Ina, the staff sergeant.
"Tell her I've reviewed all the nearby weather maps from the past few years. There's a hollow in Mount Qililuo where the temperature is higher than the surrounding area, possibly because warm winds come in from the northern hills. There's a very good chance it's an unknown mountain pass." Yu Lian had already come up with his answer.
If there had been a college student with any background in meteorology or geography among them, Yu Lian would probably have been slapped across the face by now. Unfortunately, this motley crew had no such talent. Even Dr. Banks, the most educated among them, had graduated from some fly-by-night vocational college.
Sure enough, Yoyo, driving beside him, looked impressed, though he clearly had no idea what Yu Lian meant.
Just then, far behind them, a deafening boom erupted from the direction of the outpost, and flames shot skyward.
The blast drew everyone's attention, and no one remembered what Yu Lian had just said.
"Sir..."
"At least it proves abandoning the outpost was the right choice. Keep moving."
"Y-yes, sir... Sergeant Major Shilika is calling again."
"Is she asking whether the vehicle's running too hot?"
The Black sergeant was once again stunned beyond words.
What are you stunned about? Even with the air conditioning on, you can't hide how much you're sweating.
"These knockoff bio-electromagnetic units were only installed temporarily, after all! When we reach that hollow, everyone can get out and rest. We need to shake off the tail behind us, and we need them to bring us a few things."
Before you continue