The sky above Planet G-77 was eternally lead-gray, mixed with metallic dust and the faint glow emitted by the thin ionosphere. Across the wasteland, the wreckage of the Shadowrider still hissed, spewing pungent black smoke.
The members of the Third Squad quickly spread out, each seeking cover as they watched their surroundings tensely.
The anticipated tidal-wave assault by Silicon-Based Lifeforms did not come at once. The honeycomb-like holes in the distance were silent, with only scattered earthen-yellow energy glimmers flickering at their openings, seeming chaotic and hesitant.
Neji's Divine Eye pierced through the smoke and thin atmosphere, clearly revealing those enormous beetle-like Silicon-Based Lifeforms. They had fallen into brief confusion, transmitting chaotic fluctuations through their antennae. It seemed the momentary failure of the energy network had caused disagreements and errors in judgment among them.
"What's going on?" Ōtsutsuki Xi crouched behind a protruding metallic rock, his brow tightly furrowed. "Why aren't these silicon bugs charging us?"
Xuan lay beside him, rapidly working the miniature scanner on his wrist. "Captain, their energy network just experienced an abnormal fluctuation. Their coordination was disrupted. But... it doesn't seem to have been caused by our attack."
"Who cares what caused it!" Huang spat impatiently, tightening his grip on his energy battle axe. "They're in disarray. This is the perfect chance to kill our way through and destroy those launch holes!"
"Don't rush!" Captain Xi was experienced enough to suppress Huang's agitation. "Everyone, maintain a defensive formation and advance slowly toward the nearest energy concentration point! Jiqiao, use the portable scanner and find out what kind of structure that damned thing has inside!"
The group moved forward slowly, feeling their way ahead in a fan-shaped formation from the wreckage of the Shadowrider. Beneath their feet was hard, icy metallic soil strewn with sharp fragments, while