Private's Rescue

(This chapter is 4,500 words; two chapters combined.)

In his view, this robot should have answered him.

Yet there was no response at all...

Mu Fan asked several more times, but still received no reply.

The only sound by his ears was the jolting rattle of the transport vehicle traveling over the uneven road.

When he looked back at the quiet passageway behind him, separated by thick steel plating, Mu Fan suddenly felt as if he had entered a prison.

There was even a camera above the partition between the cargo compartment and the cab, diligently monitoring everything.

Mu Fan believed that any unusual movement from him would be transmitted in real time to the intelligence center of the 149th Division.

With his back to the camera, Mu Fan walked to the very end of the compartment and looked through the viewing port in the heavy door at the rolling dust cloud behind them.

"Black, I have a feeling the thing being escorted isn't those supplies. It's me."

As he spoke softly, Mu Fan casually pulled out a pack of Compressed Biscuits, tore it open, and swallowed some. He had spent two days sitting silently in the vehicle without any communication. His first mission was boring beyond belief.

"Hmph, showing off before an expert. Don't worry. Go back over there and press your wrist against the communication window. Grandpa Black is best at handling situations like this."

Black gave a cold laugh and told Mu Fan.

So, under the camera's surveillance, Mu Fan acted as if nothing had happened and returned once more, resting his wrist against the communication window.

"Is our line secure?"

"This is my first mission. I don't want to mess it up."

His voice sounded somewhat frustrated.

149th Division Headquarters, Intelligence Center.

Major Gerry was