Chapter 399: Hitching a Ride

Chapter 399: Chapter 399: Hitching a Ride

Long Ming and Jing Chuan ran toward their squad’s dock.

They quickly reached the dock and ran right into Zhihan, who had stayed behind.

"Long Ming, Jing Chuan, you’re back!"

Zhihan said, her face lighting up at the sight of them.

"Zhihan, what’s the situation?"

Long Ming asked in a grave voice.

"I’m not entirely sure, but someone in the Forty-Second Legion group chat said the front line is in crisis. The situation is not looking good at all. The higher-ups are afraid the Insect Race will launch a counter-attack, so they’ve issued an emergency resource-gathering mission to all logistics personnel."

Zhihan explained to Long Ming.

"Are we a logistics squad?"

Long Ming asked curiously.

"The entire Forty-Second Legion is more or less a logistics unit," Jing Chuan explained to Long Ming. "Our combat strength is lacking."

"Oh. Have Luoxue and the others returned?"

Long Ming immediately asked.

"I just received a message from Luoxue. They were requisitioned in the middle of their operation and sent directly to Guangxiao Planet for the emergency resource-gathering mission."

Zhihan said to Jing Chuan and Long Ming.

"They’ve gone to the front line? We should leave immediately and rendezvous with them,"

Long Ming said to Zhihan and Jing Chuan.

"Uhh, about that... I’m afraid we can’t."

Jing Chuan replied awkwardly.

"Why not?"

Long Ming looked at Jing Chuan in confusion.

"We only have one transport ship," Jing Chuan explained to Long Ming. "Luoxue and the others took it, so we have no way of getting there."

"What about the mission?"

Long Ming pressed.

"As long as Luoxue and the others are there, our squad is officially counted as participating in the mission. The whole team doesn’t need to go. Besides, the ship couldn’t fit all of us anyway,"

Zhihan patiently explained to Long Ming.

Long Ming’s brow furrowed as he asked.

"How far is Guangxiao Planet from the front line?"

"It’s very close. The entire front line is set up to protect Guangxiao Planet."

"So that means it’s the most dangerous place?"

"You could say that. It’s also why the largest number of personnel have been deployed there—after all, it’s the planet with the most abundant resources,"

Zhihan explained to Long Ming.

"This won’t do. I have to find a ship."

Long Ming said to Zhihan and Jing Chuan.

"But we don’t have a ship, and every other squad needs theirs, too. Where are we supposed to find a ship?"

Jing Chuan was at a loss.

Hearing Jing Chuan’s words, Long Ming’s expression turned grim as he looked around.

Just then, he saw Li Yao and her two sisters hurrying past.

"Jing Chuan, you two wait here. I’ll figure something out."

With that, Long Ming took off after Li Yao and her sisters.

"Hey, wait! Long Ming!"

Jing Chuan shouted after the departing Long Ming.

But Long Ming didn’t stop and continued to chase after Li Yao and her sisters.

Soon, Long Ming caught up to Li Yao and her sisters and called out.

"Wait up."

Li Yao and her companions stopped at Long Ming’s shout, turning to look at him in surprise.

"Hey handsome, are you looking for us?"

Fenma asked excitedly.

"Yes. I wanted to ask, which planet are you heading to as reinforcements?"

Long Ming asked politely.

"We’re going to Guangxiao Planet. Is there a problem?"

Li Yao asked, looking at Long Ming with a puzzled expression.

"That’s great! Could you give me a lift?"

Long Ming’s face lit up, and he quickly made his request.

"What are you going to Guangxiao Planet for? Shouldn’t you be with your own squad?"

Li Yao eyed Long Ming with great confusion.

"It’s like this: my squad was requisitioned while they were in the mining sector, so now our team is without a ship. I was hoping to catch a ride on your vessel to go and support them,"

Long Ming immediately explained to Li Yao.

"He has such a strong sense of duty! Most people would do anything to get out of a mission, but you’re actively trying to get into one. Li Yao, let’s give him a ride!"

Fenma was even more impressed after hearing Long Ming’s explanation and quickly spoke up for him.

Li Yao thought for a few seconds before replying.

"No problem. The cargo hold will be empty on the way there, so one extra person won’t make a difference. However, I can’t be sure our operational zones are the same, so I can’t promise we can take you to a specific area!"

"You don’t have to. Just getting me to Guangxiao Planet is enough."

"Alright. My ship is parked at Docking Bay 482. Meet us there when you’re ready!"

"Thank you."

Long Ming quickly thanked Li Yao.

Li Yao didn’t say much and left in a hurry with her sisters.

Long Ming glanced around, then ran toward the mech refitting area.

He soon arrived at the refitting area, which was filled with rows of mechanical platforms.

Officer after officer summoned their Mechanical Gods to be disassembled, then stepped onto the platforms to integrate with new ones.

A closer look would reveal that the officers here to switch their Mechanical Gods were all at least at the rank of Captain, with the majority being field-grade officers.

Long Ming found an empty mechanical platform and ran over to it.

Once at the platform, he raised his wristband and tapped it, retrieving the Gale from its secure storage.

CLANK!

A series of mechanical arms extended down and began the disassembly process.

Long Ming immediately stepped forward to begin the integration.

...

「Docking Bay 482.」

A small transport ship, over five hundred meters long and shaped like a bird, was parked here.

Soldiers piloting Excavator-class mechs were boarding the transport ship in an orderly fashion.

Li Yao and her sisters had changed into second-generation mechanical exoskeletons and were standing guard at the cargo bay entrance, weapons in hand.

Fenma kept looking around restlessly.

"That’s strange. How come Long Ming isn’t here yet?"

"Calm down. We still have some time before we leave,"

Li Yao said calmly.

Just then, a whooshing sound echoed from the distance.

Li Yao and the others all turned their heads to look, only to see a Gale flying towards them.

"Whoa, a Third Generation Mechanical God! And it’s a custom model, too. I wish I could have one."

An Yue said enviously.

"In your dreams. A custom model costs at least ten million Star Coins, not to mention we don’t even have the connections to buy one. The big corporations won’t sell Mechanical Gods to low-ranking officers. In their eyes, only high-ranking officers are worth courting,"

Li Yao replied with a sigh.

"Hmph. Those capitalists are disgusting."

An Yue muttered irritably.

At this moment, Fenma spoke in astonishment.

"Li Yao, I think that Mechanical God is heading for us."

"’Is a superior officer looking for us? No, that can’t be it. I’ve never seen this Mechanical God before.’"

A puzzled look crossed Li Yao’s face.

Just then, Long Ming landed the Gale in front of Li Yao and her sisters.

"Sir!"

Li Yao and her sisters saluted Long Ming.

Long Ming froze for a second, then spoke awkwardly.

"I’m not a superior officer. Sorry to keep you waiting."

"You’re Long Ming?"

Li Yao and her sisters were all stunned when they heard his voice.

"Yeah, is there a problem?"

"You have a custom Third Generation Mechanical God?!"

"Yeah, I got lucky."

Long Ming replied with a chuckle.

"It takes more than luck to get one of these. It seems you’re quite capable."

Li Yao took a deep breath and replied.

"Not at all," Long Ming said with a slight cough. "So, can we depart now?"

"Let’s go. Time to board the ship."

Li Yao nodded.

"Alright."

Long Ming followed Li Yao and the others into the ship’s cargo bay.

The soldiers inside were also stunned to see Long Ming and began to murmur among themselves.

"My God, am I seeing things?"

"A Third Generation Mechanical God?"

"Why is a high-ranking officer on a mission with us?"

"Shouldn’t superior officers be fighting on the front lines?"

...

"Quiet down! This is Mr. Long Ming. He’s just hitching a ride with us to Guangxiao Planet and will be leaving once we arrive,"

Li Yao announced to everyone.

"Yes, ma’am!"

Instantly, everyone fell silent.