Bugs

"Has anyone seen what it is?"

"No."

"Angulo, report the situation."

"Captain, the magnetic field reaction has disappeared. The opponent seems to have Optical Camouflage, but there's no thermal reaction."

"Send two people to check!" Hasmu shook his head and pointed to two team members.

Without a word, the two team members nodded and prepared to step out of the line.

"Wait, Captain, there's another large-scale biological reaction ahead!"

"Bats again?"

"No! They're coming from the ground... wait, on the walls too." Angulo suddenly looked up, "And on the top! Watch out, they're coming!"

"Check equipment! Defensive formation! Fire two more flares!" Hasmu roared. The team members quickly checked their weapons, replaced their power sources, and then used makeshift cover to aim ahead.

Two flares were launched into the air, illuminating the previously dim space once again. Wisps of white smoke rose from the ground, accompanied by a burnt smell. Even though the helmet had an integrated gas mask, the smell couldn't be completely blocked out, making one feel nauseous.

As the rustling sounds drew closer, the team members finally saw the approaching enemy.

This is a strange insect, about forty centimeters long, somewhat like a spider, with four pairs of thick Walking Leg, the first two pairs of which have Walking Leg mutated into bayonet-like shapes.

Their exteriors are covered with a metallic exoskeleton that is exceptionally sharp; judging from their design, it's clear that these insects are very adept at stabbing.

Hasmu looked at the 30-40 centimeter-long spiked legs and realized that these creatures were even more dangerous. If they got close, the protective suits worn by the team members might not be able to withstand such an attack.

Furthermore, the smaller insects are more agile, not only able to move swiftly and effortlessly on slippery rock faces, but also possessing remarkable jumping ability due to their multi-segmented Walking Leg.

Even more terrifying is that they have half-length membranous wings attached between their Walking Leg, giving them the ability to glide short distances after jumping. This makes their movements even more unpredictable and erratic.

"Attack!" Hasmu didn't wait for them to get too close; he gave the order to fire from 300 meters away, and red beams of light flew everywhere.

But soon, the guard team discovered something even more terrifying.

These insects can actually dodge bullets?

Their body structure gives them the ability to move quickly and laterally over short distances, and they have two pairs of eyes on their heads, totaling four, for advanced dynamic vision.

Although their sheer numbers and the confined terrain meant they were constantly being hit, they were far more troublesome than the bats that had been easy targets.

The 300-meter line was rapidly advanced, and in just half a minute, the insects were within 50 meters of the squad.

"Kones, still can't contact the spaceship?" Hasmu roared. Ever since the attack by the bat creatures, he had ordered the communications officer to call for help, but unfortunately, they were too deep underground, and there was also interference from an unknown magnetic field, rendering their communication equipment useless.

Signalman Kones shook his head in despair.

"Damn it!" Hasmu cursed. "Get the flamethrowers! Spray out all the fuel! Everyone, maintain formation and retreat. As many as you can get away, that's what you'll get!"

Two more pillars of fire shot out, and the elite squad fought and retreated. The oxygen in the air was being consumed rapidly, and Hasmu was already feeling some difficulty breathing.

"Get on the oxygen tank, save your own life!"

As soon as Hasmu finished speaking, Angulo, standing beside him, pointed at the instrument screen with a trembling face and said desperately, "Captain, they... they're everywhere! We're surrounded..."

Hasmu, who was firing, turned his head and saw that, sure enough, the instrument showed that their squad was surrounded by a dense array of red dots, with no way out at all.

"Damn it, this is a trap!" Hasmu finally realized.

"Seneva, take a dozen or so men and clear a path from the back to cover Kones's escape!"

"Yes, Captain!" A tall Riken accepted the order and selected about ten men to run to the rear.

"Kones!"

"Captain?"

"Protect us all and report back to the captain and the others. If we die, avenge us!"

"Yes, Captain!" Kones, carrying his communication equipment, sang with a hint of tears in his voice, but he still saluted firmly before turning and leaving.

"Ah!" came a scream.

Because Seneva and his dozen or so men had turned to the rear, the area he had been responsible for was now under firepower, and several insects quickly rushed in. One of them leaped, its spiked leg piercing directly into one of the team members' masks.

After screaming in agony, the team member's body went limp and convulsed. He couldn't get up for a long time, and blood gradually seeped from the damaged mask.

A teammate next to him lunged forward, pulled the insect off, and then pulled out a tactical knife strapped to his leg, pinning the insect to the ground.

"Emir! Emir!" he called out repeatedly, shaking his teammate vigorously. Unfortunately, his teammate did not respond.

Ignoring the toxins in the outside air, he pressed a few times next to Emir's helmet, causing the damaged visor to fall off, revealing a blue face with unseeing eyes.

A gruesome wound pierced from the side of his nose to the back of his head; even with the advanced technology of the Riken Race, such an injury should be fatal.

This was the first combat casualty in the guard squad, but it certainly wouldn't be the last, and everyone felt somewhat heavy-hearted. Although as an elite guard, they were already prepared to die in battle, they still felt a bit apprehensive when the moment came.

"Damn it!" Hasmu cursed, roaring, "Throw grenades! Let the bugs see these cute little gadgets!"

Because this place is deep underground, the previous stun grenades had already caused a huge commotion. Therefore, unless he was prepared to die, Hasmu would absolutely not use grenades until the very last moment.

As they retreated, the passageway narrowed rapidly, reducing the area they needed to defend. Therefore, although he had shouted for the captain to avenge them, he was actually still clinging to a sliver of hope of escape.

But now, he witnessed the insects' lethality firsthand. And, due to the rate of fire of the guns and the insects' agility, these insects had already advanced to within 5 meters. Hasmu realized that they were truly unlikely to escape unscathed.

Therefore, the order to fight to the death was given.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

A series of explosions rang out, sending debris flying everywhere.

Because of their density and unpredictable trajectory, these pebbles actually caused more damage to the insects than the grenades themselves.

But it was too late; the visual obstruction caused by the grenade also affected the elite guards.

"Ah!"

"Ah!"

... Before the smoke and dust had even cleared, several screams rang out.