Book 10: Chapter 9: Bobby’s Thoughts

“Zzzzzww…” A blinding flash of sparks erupted in the dark cosmic void. One red and one blue mecha swished past each other.

“Haha, this kid…” Huobiao glanced down at the shattered shield fragment in his hand, a cruel smirk spreading across his face. His battle spirit burned fiercely within him.

The hexagonal shield Huobiao held was an APB Force Field Shield equipped with reinforcement modules. Its defensive capabilities were formidable. According to his Ordnance Officer, at maximum power, it could even block a direct hit from the main cannon of a standard starship.

But just moments ago during their clash, that very shield had been cleanly sliced in two by Bobby’s Arc Light Magnetic Shock Blade. Had Huobiao not possessed rich combat experience and dodged swiftly, his Bingren mecha might have sustained damage.During that brief exchange, Bobby had somehow circumvented the shield’s AP Force Field in an eerie way. His Arc Light Magnetic Shock Blade seemed utterly unaffected by the field, striking the shield material itself directly.Being a Second Order elite Apostle, Huobiao saw it clearly: the shield failed because Bobby exploited his special ability, forcing a crack open in the AP Force Field.This was one of the abilities Shattered Starry Sky had replaced for Bobby – Bio-Particle State!Bobby’s true form was that of a Wind Element. Essentially, it was a natural phenomenon born from tiny air particles in convection currents. The vacuum of space has no atmosphere, hence no temperature-driven air currents. Yet, Bobby’s ability to particle-shift his own form had been transformed and replaced.While an AP Force Field could repel particle impacts, it couldn’t withstand biological incursion. Earlier, Bobby transformed his Bingren mecha’s right arm into biological particles, using the ionosphere generated on its surface to break open the AP Force Field.Even though the arm retained its shape, Huobiao’s sharp instincts detected the fundamental difference. That’s why he remarked on Bobby’s innate talents being uniquely suited to this world.”AP Fields and AB Fields can’t be used simultaneously. Unless I activate my own MT ability to overlay the two fields, this kid can crack the defenses of every one of us,” Huobiao’s eyes darted as thoughts raced in his mind.”Forget it. The team’s future isn’t clear yet. Better to keep an ace in the hole!” Seeing Balin and the other two speeding towards them, Huobiao made his decision instantly. Suppressing his surging battle lust, he steered his Bingren sharply to the right and plunged directly into the nearby Asteroid Belt.”Huh?” Seeing his move, Balin and the other two, who were about to flank Huobiao with Bobby, were stunned.”Don’t chase!” Qin Lun’s voice rang in their comms. But before the words faded, Bobby was already hot on Huobiao’s tail, charging into the Asteroid Belt after him.”This guy…” Watching Bobby disappear, a wave of irritation washed over the team. “What now?””Go in. Slow down and stay sharp!” Qin Lun quickly adapted his orders.While they were becoming familiar with the Bingren mecha, operating in the vastness of space was different from solid ground. The Apostles were still in an adapting phase. Losing one member right at the start would put the whole mission at risk. They had to cover Bobby. The planned ambush was completely lost.”Everyone, be cautious. My earlier judgment of Huobiao was probably wrong. He’s too calm. He might be luring us into a trap,” Qin Lun stated coolly.”Robin, they’re coming!” Even as Qin Lun warned his team, deep within the Asteroid Belt, Robin and her group made final preparations.Both leaders had opted for an ambush tactic, surprisingly choosing the same location. The difference lay in the execution.In Qin Lun’s team, Bobby, driven by youthful exuberance and a desire to shine, played the lone hero, tossing teamwork aside.While this annoyed Balin and the others, it was understandable. Given the offensive abilities Bobby had gained through exchange, eliminating one enemy swiftly could shift the balance.In Robin’s team, Huobiao was the deliberate bait. He appeared hot-headed but was a highly rational Apostle, a dedicated team MT. Lack of deeper intel led to Qin Lun’s miscalculation.”This is bad… I’m definitely getting chewed out when we get back,” Bobby muttered. After several acceleration bursts failed to close the gap with the fleeing Huobiao, his young face scrunched up in worry. He slowed down, converging with his three comrades catching up.Bobby was young but savvy. His seeming recklessness had purpose. He was the youngest in the group, a First-Rank Apostle, often overlooked.Having only just advanced to First-Rank, his Apostle Skill system was incomplete. The only exchange ability he’d gained was this one – the Bio-Particle State capable of nullifying AP Fields. It seemed potent at first glance, but its effectiveness was limited to the first few strikes in close combat. Once an enemy figured it out, its usefulness plummeted.So Bobby had pushed himself hard, desperate for a win. Even if he got blasted apart later, pulling off one takedown would prove his worth. But now, not only had he failed to secure a victory, he’d also led his team into danger. Exactly the opposite of what he intended.”Attack!” Unlike their cautious approach, Robin saw Bobby slowing down. She knew she couldn’t delay any further. Despite only four enemy mecha being visible in the trap (Qin Lun’s silver-gray Bingren was absent), she signaled to strike.The Apostles were still novices with the Bingren. Taking out four here would cripple Qin Lun’s chances.Huobiao, fleeing ahead, received Robin’s command. He spun his mecha around, blocking the path of the four pursuers. Simultaneously, four other mecha materialized – to their left, right, above, and below. Though it was their first attempt at coordinated maneuvers in space, Robin’s five-person, three-dimensional ambush formation formed impressively quickly.”The encirclement is loose. Break out! Bobby, spearhead the charge!” Balin and the others heard Qin Lun’s order crisply over the comms.Two fierce lights flashed in the eyes of Bobby’s crimson mecha. Casting concern for his own safety aside, he surged forward trailing a brilliant wake of light, wielding the Arc Light Magnetic Shock Blade, charging straight at Huobiao. The young girl understood what needed to be done. Since she’d dragged everyone into danger, she should be the first to Sacrifice if needed.In the silent darkness, several blinding beams of light shattered against the AP Force Field projecting before Bobby’s mecha, scattering like Firecracker bursts. However, this concentrated fire caused the force field to flicker violently before shattering like glass. The following beams connected directly with her Bingren.”Sigh…” Bobby made a sour face as her mecha came to a halt. These low-energy lasers couldn’t possibly damage the Bingren. But by their earlier agreement, she was already “killed”.Truthfully, with Bobby’s maneuverability, she could have dodged those beams. But as the vanguard, dodging would throw her comrades behind her into disarray, likely causing greater casualties. Better she take the hit alone, hoping her Sacrifice might allow the other three to break the encirclement and perhaps take Huobiao down along the way.”Huobiao! Clear the path! Let them through!” Robin immediately altered the plan.”Heh heh!” Huobiao grinned at the three charging towards him. With a swift flick, he dodged aside onto the shadowed side of a large asteroid, rendering Bobby’s Sacrifice entirely pointless.After just this short test in the Star Void, the Apostles had already grasped the immense maneuverability of the Bingren mechs. Both Robin and Qin Lun, almost simultaneously, realized their own deep lack of understanding regarding mecha tactics.The ambush was sound, giving them the initiative. But given the Bingren’s astonishing mobility, a three-dimensional encircle with just five units felt foolishly naive. It simply couldn’t hold. Their combat now resembled swarms of erratic fireflies. Without overwhelming numerical superiority, any attempt to encircle was futile. At best, they had only the advantage of striking first.”Captain, their comprehension is frightening!” Fuyutsuki declared with sincere admiration, gazing at the dazzling aerial ballet on the holographic projection. “For their first exercise, they’ve already grasped the core mobility advantage of the Full-Bio-Mechanism and instinctively begun exploiting it.””Hahaha…” Marx stroked the scar on his cheek, his laughter hearty and booming, his bushy beard shaking. “Fuyutsuki, don’t envy the Descendant Apostles. They are different from us.””I know, Captain,” Fuyutsuki’s beautiful face held a trace of self-mockery. “But seeing these ‘darlings of the gods’, blessed beyond measure… one can’t help but reflect.””Darlings of the gods? Where did you get such an idea?” Marx’s eyes held a strange glint as he shook his head. “When I was young, I met an Apostle.He told me that Apostles are soldiers forged solely for combat. Apart from brief respites, they fight their entire lives. By our time reckoning, virtually no Apostle lives beyond ten standard stellar years. Their lives are like shooting stars—brilliant and heartbreakingly brief.””Captain, you encountered an Apostle before?” Fuyutsuki asked with interest.”Heh!” Marx chuckled but didn’t pursue the topic. “Look. It seems their fight is reaching its conclusion.””Hmm,” Fuyutsuki scribbled rapidly on her Optical Computer pad. “They remain very clumsy with APB Field usage. Our subsequent sim training must focus heavily here.” She suddenly paused, brow furrowing. “Huh? Why are there only nine mechs visible in the projection, including the ‘destroyed’ one? Where’s the other Apostle?””Right here!” Captain Marx deftly manipulated the projection, zooming in on a specific segment. “See that small asteroid?””Oh! His camouflage? Intriguing! Almost impossible to spot if you aren’t looking carefully!” Fuyutsuki widened her beautiful eyes, then raised a hand to her mouth, stifling a laugh. “What’s he doing? The fight’s nearly over, and he hasn’t found a chance to strike!””Can’t blame him,” Captain Marx replied with a wry shake of his head. “That Apostle likely possesses exceptional concealment abilities, possibly a latent talent generating green plant-like camouflage over his mech to mask its thermal signature from others.But I’ve tracked him since the start. He seems patient, waiting for the perfect moment. Just had rotten luck. His comrades fell into trouble too quickly. No decisive opportunity presented itself. So he waits… and waits… until the battle’s end approaches! Now, perhaps he’s trying to eliminate one enemy just to salvage some scrap of dignity for his side.”As Marx and Fuyutsuki conversed, the scene on the monitoring projection suddenly underwent a dramatic, unforeseen shift. A development neither could have anticipated erupted violently onto the silent Star Void battlefield.