Ch. 761Missile Decoys and Signal Intrusion, Hunters and Prey, Reunion
Key plot points and events
- Mary I and Taloy launch 112 missiles at Greenfield’s position. Taloy’s mechanical fleet intercepts every one, demonstrating the strength of his technology.
- The missile attack serves as a distraction. While Taloy focuses on the interceptions, a tiny bionic fish attaches itself to his mothership and sends a robot inside to decode the fleet’s signal. Four-Armed Palu and Alpha Wolf prepare to spoof it.
- Taloy detects the intrusion because he has uploaded his consciousness into the fleet. Rather than immediately stopping the operation, he decides to observe the intruders’ plan.
- The attack buys Greenfield time to escape. Two hours later, Yu Yuan arrives with Miemie, and Greenfield’s submarine-capable cruise ship surfaces to meet them.
- Greenfield greets Yu Yuan with a joking offer of a discount on information. Miemie appears to laugh at her, turning the reunion into a brief comic moment.
- Greenfield warns Yu Yuan that her attackers are Mary I of the Land of Blood and Taloy of Mechanical Supremacy. Yu Yuan recognizes Mary I as the infamous “Bloody Mary,” an ancient figure tied to the Blood Clan’s history, but remains confident in his own allies’ strength.
Character developments and interactions
- Taloy is revealed as a formidable, highly integrated mechanical player whose fleet functions like an extension of himself. His confidence turns into curiosity when he recognizes that the intrusion may be an interesting challenge.
- Palu and Alpha Wolf demonstrate technical skill and coordination, using a decoy attack to conceal their signal-intrusion attempt.
- Greenfield is resourceful under pressure, using the delay to prepare to abandon ship if necessary. Her reunion with Yu Yuan mixes gratitude with her usual business-minded teasing.
- Yu Yuan responds calmly to the news of powerful enemies. He treats Mary I’s long history as no guarantee of victory and trusts the strength of Hogg and Xiao Xi.
- Miemie shows an unexpected playful side, apparently laughing at Greenfield during the reunion.
Significant themes
- Deception and counter-deception: The missile barrage is a distraction for a covert intrusion, while Taloy’s awareness undermines the attackers’ assumption that their operation is hidden.
- Technology and control: Taloy’s consciousness-linked fleet illustrates how deeply a player can merge with their creations.
- Age versus strength: Yu Yuan rejects the idea that Mary I’s long history makes her unbeatable.
- Relief and camaraderie: The tense escape gives way briefly to humor and reunion before the threat of the powerful pursuers returns.