May 6, Pacific Time: 16:36.
The Titan operation within Earth's atmosphere had continued for nearly seven hours. During this time, Quan Ling and her Titan mech unit had successfully eliminated seven giant beasts, making the area surrounding the forward base considerably safer.
A team from the Biology Division had also been deployed to collect samples from the carcasses of these creatures. Quan Ling's actions and the activity of the Titan mechs had even awakened a dormant Godzilla in South Asia. This Godzilla was currently heading toward the forward base at a steady pace of 60 km/h and was expected to arrive at the space gate's shield perimeter by 18:17.
The Titan unit, anticipating this arrival, returned to the forward base for resupply and repairs, preparing to confront the incoming Godzilla.
Meanwhile, the boarding operation beyond the atmosphere had already concluded. The Leviathan, along with three Paris-class frigates, had fully surrounded the exiled fleet and deployed additional forces, securing complete control over the fleet.
A transport team consisting of the Silver Gull, Pelican, and Luna-class transport shuttles was shuttling back and forth between the surface and the exiled fleet, bringing human survivors and alien captives to the forward base for containment.
Human survivors were accommodated in barracks-style units with comfortable beds and hot showers, allowing them a brief reprieve from their fears and even a chance to enjoy the rare luxury of a refreshing shower. Nutritious meals and a variety of drinks were also provided, helping them momentarily forget about their anxieties.
In contrast, the Exif and Bilusaludo—regarded as aliens—were denied these comforts, yet still given a safe place to stay. Regardless of whether Atlas would later classify them as expendable D-grade personnel, they needn't worry about safety or starvation for the time being.
Elsewhere, the joint reconnaissance units had located a fortress city made of nanometal. According to Intel, this nanometal contained Godzilla's cellular structure and could consume conscious beings, making it an extremely dangerous "anomaly." The forward base dispatched a research team to this fortress to extract samples and conduct analyses, while over two hundred reconnaissance members provided security for the researchers against potential threats.
Another joint reconnaissance unit was still following traces left by the local humanoids, the Vultures, aiming to reach a secluded settlement hidden in the depths of the jungle.
Within the metal forest, the sound of magnetic boots on a hard surface echoed.
At the front of the formation marched six veteran Thousand Sons, their towering forms clad in Titan III power armor, each standing about 2.6 meters tall. Maintaining a distance of 10 to 15 meters between each other, they moved forward cautiously, prepared to cover and support one another if needed.
Behind them, the investigators, advance team, AECS troops, and four androids received protection from the Thousand Sons. If attacked, the Thousand Sons could immediately deploy psychic shields to protect the entire team and launch a swift counterattack.
The Vultures' technology level was primitive, comparable to Earth's Stone Age. However, they had adapted to Earth's harsh atmosphere and possessed limited telepathic abilities. While their weapons—spears and arrows crafted from local plants and nanometal—had some armor-piercing qualities, they were not a serious threat.
The joint reconnaissance unit maintained a high level of caution out of adherence to Atlas protocols, treating every situation seriously without underestimating potential dangers.
In the middle and rear of the formation, the advance team and AECS troops wore advanced combat suits (nano suits) and Mackpo power armor, filtering the toxic atmosphere. Investigators were equipped with fully sealed bulletproof suits and respirators, which could be removed safely after a dose of Compound No. 5.
Following the Thousand Sons were four androids, fully outfitted to "blend in" despite their lack of need for respiratory protection. Occasionally, they would stop to analyze and sample unique local plants or insects, which somewhat slowed the mission's progress.
Navigating the dense jungle to locate the hidden Vulture settlement required significant effort from even the most experienced soldiers.
"Roar!"
Suddenly, a dozen beasts resembling a cross between wolves and tigers, with metallic spikes on their skin, charged toward the squad from both sides, snarling and growling.
Bang! Bang! Boom! Boom!
A few precise shots from the bolters rang out, and explosive rounds loaded with metallic hydrogen shredded the beasts. The six Thousand Sons quickly dispatched them.
Having detected the creatures long before they attacked, the Thousand Sons had waited just a moment longer, allowing the androids extra time to gather samples. After ensuring the area was safe, the androids approached one of the fallen beasts, drawing hardlight blades to extract tissue and bone samples.
Earth's ecosystem, having adapted to Godzilla's influence, was even more terrifying than that of Pandora. But this hostile environment provided Atlas with invaluable materials for developing bioweapons. These samples could lead to the creation of sturdier Hellhounds, capable of completing reconnaissance missions with a higher survival rate, or could be used to reinforce the skin, muscle, and bones of clones, reducing the need for additional gear.
Suddenly, the team noticed a few figures moving swiftly across a large tree about 300 meters away from the sampling androids.
These movements did not escape the Thousand Sons' keen senses. Despite the metal forest's limited visibility and the electromagnetic interference in the fog, the Thousand Sons could still clearly detect the figures, particularly since they could also rely on their psychic abilities.
The lead Thousand Son marked the area on the shared map and said over the communication channel, "Brothers, we'll act as bait. You handle the cover and surround them."
With a gesture, he led the five others forward in a charge. The advance team climbed the trees, using the sturdy branches as platforms to follow the Thousand Sons, while the two AECS platoons spread out, preparing to encircle the hidden Vultures.
The investigators stayed back to guard the androids until the sampling was complete and they could regroup with the main force.
The Thousand Sons soon entered a mist-filled hollow, where they encountered numerous large, snake-like creatures or perhaps plant organisms with snake-like features.
"Pathetic."
Recognizing the Vultures' intent to use the serpentine creatures as a distraction, the lead Thousand Son scoffed.
He boldly entered the hollow, the other five close behind. Though the dense fog severely limited visibility for ordinary humans, the Thousand Sons saw everything clearly.
The pulse scanner in their Titan III armor highlighted every detail on their helmet displays.
As they moved deeper into the hollow, the snakes suddenly lunged, hissing and striking at the Thousand Sons.
Rather than draw his weapon, the lead Thousand Son raised his left hand, palm facing the snakes on the left.
Blue "lightning" crackled from his hand, leaping out with a sharp hiss as it struck the nearest snake, and in an instant, the lightning chained through the serpentine creatures, charring both the snakes and the thick, tentacle-like vines.
The other five Thousand Sons opted for a more direct approach, smashing and tearing apart the creatures with their fists.
Despite being ranked lower in hand-to-hand combat among the Astartes, the Thousand Sons dispatched these serpents with ease.
In a matter of minutes, only the six Thousand Sons remained standing amidst the carnage. The serpents lay in pieces, either charred by psychic lightning or torn apart by raw strength.
From their hiding spots, the Vultures watched in shock. They had known the Thousand Sons were formidable, but not to this extent.
"Come out. Don't make me repeat myself."
Using his psychic abilities, the lead Thousand Son looked toward the nearby trees and commanded.
At this, the other five Thousand Sons raised their bolters, aiming toward the treetops.
The Vultures were even more stunned—they could understand the Thousand Son's words. A Vulture woman of standard height and strong build glared at the lead Thousand Son, hesitating before finally leaping down from a branch.
Upon landing, she immediately drew her bow, arrow aimed at the lead Thousand Son. The remaining Vultures followed suit, leaping down to stand at the hollow's edge with bows and spears at the ready.
"Drop your weapons!" "Hands up!"
Just then, the AECS and advance team, executing their plan, completed the encirclement of the Vultures.
Panicked, the Vultures faltered. The woman who had jumped down first bit her lip in frustration, her finger twitching on the bowstring, seemingly ready to fire at the Thousand Son.
"I wouldn't advise that."
The lead Thousand Son, sensing her intention, raised his left hand, palm facing her, and said with calm authority, "We are human, and so are you. The wisest choice is to lower your weapons and take us to your home. You saw what just happened. If you fight, do you think you'll win? Use your head."
The Vulture woman, unwilling to accept defeat, shut her eyes tightly.
Finally, she sighed, released her bow, and raised her hands in surrender. The other Vultures followed suit.
Confirming that they had fully surrendered, the lead Thousand Son turned on his comms and reported, "Captain, we're ready to secure them."
"Understood."
Half of the AECS troops moved in, binding the Vultures with single-use restraints.
The lead Thousand Son approached the Vulture woman, speaking kindly, "Take us to your village. I understand you're only trying to protect your home and family from what seems like an invasion. Rest assured, we're here to offer protection and shield you from the titan threat."
As he spoke, he used his psychic abilities to project images of human life from the Prime Universe and the multiverse into her mind
. He focused intently, careful not to overwhelm her mind.
The Vulture woman immediately understood his intentions through the images, realizing his words were genuine. Nodding, she pointed southwest and communicated telepathically, "Our home lies just ahead."
"Thank you for your cooperation."
The lead Thousand Son prepared to report to the forward base that they had located the Vulture settlement. But before he could switch channels, he felt the ground begin to… tremble?
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