The technological gap between them and the enemy was immense. Every move was a struggle.
Everyone was on edge as they searched for yellow horse-tooth corn, constantly guarding against surprise attacks from an unknown enemy. Yet something still went wrong.
Gen Asagiri fell behind and was captured.
It all began with a routine patrol.
To determine how far the nearby corn plants extended, Gen joined Chrome and the others to finish surveying the woodland's edge. Once the patrol was over, everyone immediately headed back to shore to board the ship and rejoin the team. Only Gen lingered a little longer.
That brief delay gave Stanley and his men, who had long been lying in wait and watching from a distance, the opening they needed.
By the time Gen realized what was happening, escape was already impossible.
Faced with a fully armed enemy squad carrying firearms, he was unarmed and had no chance of resisting. He could only watch helplessly as they restrained him and escorted him straight back to their base.
When Chrome looked back and discovered Gen was missing, everyone doubled back to search. But there was no trace of him left in the woods, only scattered patches of flower petals.
Inside the cold base, the atmosphere was deathly still and oppressive.
Precision instruments hummed without pause, and the metal walls gleamed with a cold, white sheen.
When Gen Asagiri was brought into the hall, he deliberately put on a frightened, timid appearance.
I refuse to believe these people would actually kill me.
If all else fails, I'll take a gamble.
Seated at the head of the room, Xeno looked gentle and refined. He lacked the sharpness one would expect of a leader, instead adopting the manner of a welcoming host.
He quietly studied Gen, in no hurry to