Chapter 5

Yes, the memories belonging to this body are gradually resurfacing. A sudden influx of too many memories from another person would cause even someone as mentally strong as Yu Lian to momentarily lose focus. However, it does resemble a stress response to brain trauma, which is why everyone is so tense.

"Then do you remember how you got injured? What happened before that?" Ina asked anxiously.

"I... well, I went to save a soldier who was half-swallowed by a sinkhole, and then I was ambushed," Yu Lian said slowly.

Ina let out a sigh of relief but then added with lingering fear, "That thing was terrifying. It tore through your power armor's back in an instant. If it weren't for the lieutenant throwing a concussion grenade, you would have... It was really too dangerous!"

Indeed! How could it not be dangerous? The thing that bit the unlucky soldier's lower half was clearly a tank bug hiding in a sand pit. As for the one that ambushed me, it must have been a thorn snake king! Even with the substandard armor of the AS40, ordinary spiky snakes and jump bugs don't have the power to penetrate it in one hit.

So, the pain I felt all over my body, including the sensation that my spine was broken, was probably not just from the ambush but also from the explosion of the grenade you threw, right?

Thinking of this, Yu Lian couldn't help but look at Lieutenant Monteson with a rather unfriendly gaze. The latter quickly put on a somewhat unnatural smile.

Your image as a tough and brave swordsman just a few minutes ago has collapsed.

Moreover, although I knew that calling someone a "sub-lieutenant" meant they were a high-achieving graduate from the elite bureaucracy group's military academy, I didn't expect it to be this high. The so-called Central Defense University is the top military academy in the country, arguably even harder to get into than the top universities of the previous generation, or the generation before that. It attracts only the most talented and well-rounded elites.

Since the military academy's headquarters is located in the lunar city of Guanghan, its graduates are jokingly referred to as "Lunarians" in the military, and they are the elite talents that any military institution eagerly seeks.

The Strategic Research Department, in particular, is the most elite and hardest-to-enter discipline of this top university. Its graduates are known as the "cradle of admirals."

Yes, although they are all part of the so-called "elite bureaucracy group," there is still a hierarchy within this group. Graduates from other military academies or departments might advance through the ranks like riding an elevator, but those from the Strategic Research Department can leap through star gates. The average rank of graduates from other military academies at retirement is colonel, but those from here are expected to be generals by the age of forty, or they wouldn't feel comfortable attending their alumni gatherings.

Moreover, the 830th? Could it be the 830th of the future?

Additionally, the sand people's army besieging Turong Port? Commander Bonaparte?

Yes, it should be the "Turong Port" incident that made it into the history books of the future, which occurred in November 829 of the Galactic Common Era. It served as the catalyst for a series of events that ultimately led to the Blue Star Commonwealth losing control over the star gates and the Andromeda colonies.

As for Commander Bonaparte... A tall, upright, and handsome figure quickly came to mind in Yu Lian's memory.

Lieutenant Colonel Eleanor Bonaparte, born into a famous military family that has produced six generals and one marshal over three generations, is also a graduate of the Strategic Research Department. When Yu Lian first entered the academy, Eleanor was in her final year and later graduated with the highest overall score.

With her impeccable academic credentials, abilities, and connections, her future was predictable. She has been a lieutenant colonel for more than three years, and no one doubts that she will become a general before the age of thirty—such a feat has happened in history, but only during wartime.

Now, Eleanor is in Turong City, serving as the chief of staff of the New Jade Gate Garrison, which means she is also besieged by the sand people's army.

Hmm, it seems our relationship is quite good. When I first arrived, she even treated me to a carbon-roasted gopher...

Yu Lian suddenly recalled too much, and his head hurt even more. He wanted to sort through the mixed memories to extract more information, but he didn't have the time or energy to do so now.

"We shouldn't stay here for long!" Yu Lian said solemnly.

You just said that a moment ago. Lieutenant Monteson wanted to say this.

"I mean..."

"Lieutenant! Look down the mountain!" The soldier on guard at the door shouted loudly.

"Quiet!" Yu Lian whispered sternly.

The soldier trembled and didn't speak again.

Everyone present couldn't help but look at Lieutenant Monteson, but the latter just calmly spread his hands, with a resigned and determined expression, as if to say, "See? This is how Lunarians operate."

Yu Lian, however, didn't have the time to care about everyone's reactions. He dragged his newly repaired lower half and crawled to the cave entrance. He saw dozens of bugs gathering in the plain below. Their claws were scraping the ground, clearly searching for something, and they were slowly moving in their direction.

Although there were only dozens of them, their presence was much more intimidating than the previous pack of jump bugs.

Indeed... Yu Lian pursed his lips.

Those are terror claws, also known as warrior bugs, which can engage in combat with fully armed and trained mobile infantry—specifically, elite marines from the Empire or the Alliance, not the mediocre Commonwealth garrison troops.

As for the thorn snake king, it must be hiding among the warrior bugs. It is a lord bug that has evolved a certain level of intelligence, though it is still single-minded. It can serve as a squad leader for the bug army.

Look at how they are using their tentacles to feel the ground like dogs. It's only a matter of time before they find us.

In fact, these bugs have senses that are far superior to dogs, both in smell and hearing.

Is it really necessary? Such a large force? Just to avenge a single arrow? I haven't heard of bugs having any sense of camaraderie.

Oh? Perhaps... Yu Lian looked at Ina, who had a serious expression, and instantly guessed something.

For the bug swarm, someone like Miss Sergeant is like a glowing, mobile gold block.

So, the bugs are actually after Ina? Yu Lian looked at the sergeant, deciding not to tell her for now. Mentioning future events casually would likely get him labeled as a lunatic. Yu Lian had already suffered from similar mistakes in his previous life.

The memories of this body are still a bit chaotic, and everything else can only be postponed. We must deal with these hunters first.

"Has Sergeant Baka and Sergeant You You returned?"

"They're here, they're here, sir." The black sergeant, who had returned at some point, ran over eagerly.

"What's the situation?"

"There is indeed a small path leading to the back of the mountain. It's just not easy to navigate."

"It's passable, though." Sergeant Baka said in a deep voice. Unlike his fierce battle form, the bear man sergeant was calm and reserved.

Good, if he can manage it, everyone else should be fine too. Yu Lian thought and then asked, "Sir, how many concussion grenades do we have left?"

Concussion grenades, as the name suggests, are used to "concuss." They are not serious weapons, but they are excellent for dealing with the unruly sand people of New Jade Gate.

However, can they be used against the large bugs below, which seem even more formidable? The lieutenant was skeptical but still looked at Ina.

"I have three, the lieutenant has two, and Lieutenant Russo has five unused. As for you..." the sergeant said.

Concussion grenades are quite large, and only the armored units present are carrying them. It would be inhumane to make the unarmored soldiers carry such heavy items.

"Enough." Yu Lian calculated: "Go get the stretcher and the batteries from my broken armor!"

"What are you going to do? Make a booby trap? Why not use regular grenades?"

"The 20-type infantry grenades we carry are designed to intimidate the unarmored sand people. Their power is mediocre and probably won't even collapse this cave, let alone penetrate the hard shells of those large bugs. You've seen how tough they are, right? However, with the power armor's batteries and a certain amount of concussion grenades, I can create an impact bomb! It should be able to cause internal damage to their soft tissues under the shells."

"The principle seems sound... but can you do it? Aren't you from the Strategic Research Department?"

"Um, sir, the Strategic Research Department teaches a little of everything but doesn't specialize in anything. That's how you become a leader!" Yu Lian answered matter-of-factly.

Lieutenant Monteson, who was more than twice Yu Lian's age, felt a bit hurt. Thinking that he would have to call Yu Lian "sir" in just a few years after graduation, he wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or even more depressed.

"Didn't I hear that the Defense University only taught you elite bureaucrats to use imperial crystal knives to cut Andean beef from the Alliance, dipped in starfish sauce? I didn't hear that they taught you to make bombs."

Lieutenant Monteson's face turned pale, and he quickly made eye contact with the sergeant, but she didn't notice and continued, "Sub-lieutenant, did you learn this from somewhere else?"

It was you, and from those militia training videos you starred in. Yu Lian muttered to himself.

Fortunately, she didn't press the issue, and Yu Lian just gave an awkward laugh and moved on. He opened the safety on all the concussion grenades, tied them together, and started working on the batteries. His movements were so熟练 that he looked like a seasoned criminal who frequently uses homemade bombs to rob banks and hijack spaceships. Everyone was momentarily stunned, feeling that this person's style was increasingly different from what they imagined a "Lunarian" to be.

"Even so, the explosion range is limited. We'll have to wait until they enter the cave to detonate it. Even if we don't kill them, the cave-in will bury them!"

Lieutenant Monteson felt that, even though he still needed Yu Lian's help, he needed to say something to maintain his authority as a commander. "Sub-lieutenant, although your skills are impressive, isn't this a bit excessive? We're hiding in this cave, and those creatures might not..."

Before he could finish, a sharp cry came from the bug swarm below, and the monstrous bugs, with their sharp teeth and claws, turned in unison and charged towards them at a speed exceeding 50 kilometers per hour.