Escaping Is Always Useful

Moonfolk, top students, the best of the best, psionics, learned in both civil and martial arts, what does it mean for all these to appear in one person? Mr. Mechanic didn't quite understand, but at least he understood how to correct his attitude.

Thus, when the most respected old Sergeant Major in the outpost corrected her attitude, the others, even if they still had thoughts about Yu Lian's order to abandon the outpost and transfer everyone, dared not express their dissatisfaction anymore.

Old Karl personally led his disciples and followers into action. Their movements were so swift and practiced that they could have been pit crew for a champion race car driver. This old engineer was as good as his word; he said 40 minutes, and in less than half an hour, he had all five Black Panther Vehicles ready. Even the one with half its armor plating missing had a slab of city wall armor crudely bolted onto it. Though it looked a bit makeshift, it was better than nothing.

Yu Lian, for his part, had managed to craft five bio-energy batteries by hand. When connected to the Black Panther Vehicles' engines, they ran reasonably well. Everyone present applauded, feeling as though they were witnessing a grand magic show. More importantly, if they needed to get to Tulon, they wouldn't have to travel on foot. The five vehicles could squeeze in all 30 people.

"If we leave now, we can reach Tulon by noon tomorrow," Ina said.

"Mmm... heading straight across the Great Wasteland, that's true."

The Sergeant Major heard the hesitation in his voice and realized that they had been ambushed in the Great Wasteland before.

"Officer, I recall you mentioning that those monsters might be Bioweapons?"

"Uh, did I say that?"

"So, we might still be attacked?"

"An attack is inevitable, but it might not be those monsters. Hmm, how should I explain it to you? For example..." Yu Lian was still organizing his thoughts (or rather, his excuses) when Communications Sergeant Cindy, sweating profusely, rushed over. He had been wrestling with a short-circuited machine in the communications room, but judging by his crestfallen expression, the machine was clearly done for.

It wasn't entirely his fault. Ultimately, it was the fault of the manufacturer, Nine Stars Company. A company that could make camera phones that exploded actually got a contract for military communication equipment? You taste that! You taste it carefully!

No wonder Nine Stars would later be acquired by the alliance's telecommunications giant, Starry Sky Network, and then exclusively produce phones for young women. They ended up living more comfortably.

"Still no contact with Tulon? That's fine, we..."

"No, Officer, uh, we made contact!" the man said, his forehead covered in sweat.

"Oh, really? Then why the long face? Tulon hasn't been captured by the enemy, has it?" Yu Lian chuckled.

He dared to make such a joke because he knew the situation in Tulon all too well. But the others couldn't be so nonchalant; they gasped in surprise. Ina shot Yu Lian a displeased look, chiding, "Officer, please be more composed and refrain from making such morbid jokes!"

She could tell he was joking, of course. Besides, she had to admit, she looked even more charming when she was stern.

"No, Tulon, Tulon is fine. But, but the Sandfolk's siege is complete! The, the Command has told us to act as we see fit!"

"...Is that so?" Yu Lian glanced at the timer on his personal multi-purpose terminal, confirming that it was indeed the evening of November 13th, Galactic Common Year 829. The final assault on Tulon Port in his past life should have been on the 16th... it was plausible that the encirclement was completed three days early.

"Also, Officer, never mind, you should see for yourself." The communications soldier was too nervous to properly articulate anything, so he simply opened his own terminal and projected a holographic map.

"This is the probe monitoring footage that Command sent over just five minutes ago."

Yu Lian scanned the holographic map and quickly located the position of Outpost 12. However, on the vast wasteland between the outpost and Tulon, a considerable number of heat sources were gathering, clearly heading towards the outpost.

Firstly, these were not Xenomorphs. Even the massive Raptors, when moving, had heat signatures lower than that of a groundhog, and the existing military probes wouldn't specifically flag them.

So, it was most likely the Sandfolk.

Secondly, since they were gathering here, their escape route to Tulon was blocked.

"What about now?"

It took Sergeant Cindy a couple of seconds to realize Yu Lian was asking about the real-time holographic map. He quickly added, "Th-this... contact with Command was lost again just now."

Nine Stars' damn machines, now that I'm back, you won't even be allowed to be acquired, I'll make sure you go bust!

Yu Lian spat, then clapped his hands and began to give orders: "Everyone, prepare to move out. Bring as much ammunition, energy packs, and medicine as possible! Yes, no need to bring food, just a day's rations. Ina, give me two Grenades."

Yu Lian set a trap in the food storage area and walked out into the drill ground. He saw the Chainsaw Sword stuck in a corner of the drill ground, let out a silent sigh, and then walked straight out of the dilapidated gate, past the piles of Xenomorph corpses, before jumping onto the foremost Black Panther Vehicle.

The convoy of five vehicles, carrying the remaining thirty survivors of Outpost 12, set off onto the unknown, vast road ahead... At least, that's how many people felt, and the atmosphere was a bit somber.

Yu Lian, however, had no such sentiment; he was even feeling a little excited. He carefully observed the holographic map, finally determining a perfect escape route. He felt that he could not only lead everyone on a detour but also pass through "there" at just the right time.

"Officer, where are we going now?" Youyou, who was driving, asked softly.

"North."

The Black sergeant shivered and cautiously observed Yu Lian, who was still looking at the map with a blank expression. He gritted his teeth and forcefully turned the steering wheel to the right.

All the vehicles seemed to pause briefly, but after a moment's hesitation, they still followed.

Yu Lian understood their hesitation and was willing to explain (or rather, deceive).

The rolling mountains to the north were named Mount Qiluo by the earliest explorers, almost cutting the vast wasteland into two parts. The southern side of the mountain, where Outpost 12 was located, was relatively more open and barren; the hilly terrain to the north, perhaps due to its proximity to the inland sea, was more humid.

Passing through this great mountain and navigating the hills to the north, taking an extra day or two, would also allow them to reach Tulon.

However, there were currently only two mountain passes in Mount Qiluo, both to the west of the outpost, which was the direction of Tulon, and they should now be controlled by the Sandfolk.

As for the mountain ranges to the north or east of the outpost, there were really no known passages.

But by now, they no longer dared to question Yu Lian's decision.

Yu Lian continued to study the map closely, trying to combine it with his past memories: "A bit to the east. See that mountain? The one shaped like a lucky cat. Drive in that direction."

The Black sergeant quickly nodded in agreement. After a while, however, while driving with headphones on, he cautiously said, "Officer, Ina... Sergeant Major Sirica is asking about our destination."

As expected, the only one still fulfilling her duty and daring to speak up at this point was Ina, the Staff Sergeant.

"Tell her that I've just reviewed all the nearby meteorological map data from the past few years and determined that there's a mountain hollow in Mount Qiluo where the temperature is slightly higher than the surrounding area, possibly due to warm winds from the northern hills. It's highly likely to be an unknown mountain pass." Yu Lian replied, having already thought of his answer.

If there had been any university students majoring in meteorology or geography present, they would have probably slapped him across the face. Unfortunately, this ragtag group lacked such talent; even the most educated, Dr. Banks, was a graduate of a diploma mill.

As it was, Sergeant Youyou, driving nearby, immediately showed an expression of admiration for something he didn't understand.

At this moment, the supply station, which had long been left far behind by everyone, suddenly erupted in towering flames with a deafening roar.

Such a commotion successfully captured everyone's attention, and no one remembered Yu Lian's earlier words.

"Sir..."

"At least it proves our decision to abandon the supply station was correct. Let's keep moving."

"Y-yes... Sir, Sergeant Major Sirica has contacted us again."

"Is she asking if the vehicle's temperature is too high?"

The Black sergeant once again showed his utterly astonished expression.

What are you so shocked about! Even with the air conditioning on, you're still drenched in sweat.

"It's a makeshift bio-electromagnetic system, after all! Once we reach that mountain hollow, everyone will disembark to rest. We need to shake off any pursuers and have them send us some supplies."