The soldiers of the First Military District set foot on this new star, perilously close to a black hole, for the first time, fully armed.
Their first impression upon landing was desolation.
The planet was rugged, littered with jagged rocks, and choked with wild vegetation. Everywhere looked like primeval forest.
Shadows flickered in the dark—unidentified creatures darting past. Everyone was on high alert, their nerves stretched taut.
"All squads, report status."
"Report, First Squad is clear. No contacts."
"Second Squad, detected five star-beasts. Eliminated."
"Third Squad, scanning the western hills. No contacts for now."
"Fourth Squad—"
Jiang Ya, the overall commander of the new star exploration mission, marked the searched areas green on her electronic map. The planet wasn't large; based on past experience, the operation should wrap up in about three days.
Every time the Federation explored a new star, they made thorough preparations in advance. This time was no exception.
The application and approval process for the warships, weapons, and supplies alone took two days. Then came the personnel reassignments and retrofitting of mechas across various departments of the First Military District…
"If this planet checks out, it'll be the Twenty-Sixth planet under the First Military District, right? Wonder what they'll name it," someone mused.
Members of the Third Squad were scanning the surroundings with infrared detectors.
"Who knows? But those naming guys always come up with pretty good names!"
"Look closely—the soil seems pretty fertile. If it weren't so close to that black hole, it might actually be habitable."
"Think we could send robots here to farm?"
"What, and have it all wrecked when a star-beast swarm hits?"
"Yeah… too bad."
"Attention, all personnel are forbidden from leaving their mechas on this new star. The presence of Zerg cannot be ruled out at this time. Strictly monitor all mecha data. If anything seems off, return immediately for scanning and decontamination."
"Affirmative!"
"Affirmative!"
"Copy!"
Jiang Ya monitored the desolate surface through drone cameras, scouting ahead for the soldiers.
Most star-beasts could be detected, but Zerg were different. Some were so small they darted away too fast, easily missed by machines. Caution was always the top priority.
One drone arrived over a river to scan the waterway. Jiang Ya suddenly noticed an infrared signature downstream?
She zoomed in, then again… That looked like a person? Wearing a First Military District combat uniform!?
There was no mecha nearby. The figure was completely exposed, squatting by the river doing something unknown.
Hadn't she just ordered no one to leave their mechas? She pressed the communication button:
"Is everyone following the designated route? Has anyone left their mecha or strayed? Squad leaders, immediately check and report!"
"Report, First Squad, no stragglers!"
"Second Squad, all members together. Proceeding as planned."
"Third Squad… all engaged in combat. No stragglers!"
"Fourth Squad, all four together. Mecha is normal."
All squad rosters were complete. Jiang Ya's voice turned cold and sharp as she stared at the screen.
"Be on alert. The drone has spotted a… ‘humanoid entity’ wearing a First Military District combat uniform at the northern river downstream.
It could be a star-beast or Zerg in disguise. I'm sharing the video feed now. Personnel nearby, proceed with caution."
"Roger!"
"Roger!"
"Understood!"
The moment Jiang Ya finished speaking, a small video window appeared in the upper right corner of each soldier's mecha interface. Those not engaged in combat could adjust the window size.
The Third Squad had just finished neutralizing a mutated banyan tree.
Two rocket launchers had torn through the tree, its branches no longer twitching. The trunk was reduced to a stump. After the squad cleared away the stump as well, they finally had time to look at the video feed shared by the commander.
"What the hell would dare impersonate one of our First Military District soldiers…"
Under Jiang Ya's control, the drone closed in on the "humanoid" by the downstream river. The military-grade lens focused, sharpening the video.
Everyone saw clearly that the "thing" wore a genuine First Military District combat uniform. But it was definitely none of the soldiers on this mission.
Its hair was far longer than any active-duty soldier's—nearly reaching the shoulders from behind—unkempt and tangled like a wild man's.
It was sitting by the river, washing its hands? No, it seemed to be skinning some prey.
A stripped carcass lay nearby, bare and unrecognizable. Maybe some kind of small star-beast?
"Human?"
"How could there be a human on a desolate star?"
"Maybe a soldier lost in a previous battle!?"
Li Hao, leader of the First Squad, said excitedly.
This place was so close to the black hole! And this planet hadn't rotated into view for months—so it had simply gone undiscovered?
Doyle, leader of the Second Squad, was more cautious:
"Could also be a star-beast's camouflage? Or some kind of humanoid creature?"
“I’m closest to the drone’s coordinates, Commander. Let me take a team to check it out.”
“Fine, but be careful.”
Doyle’s team members watched the video feed, finding it hard to believe.
“There’s no mech with him, and his hair is so long... how long do you think he’s been here?”
His behavior didn’t seem animal-like at all. They’d never seen any Star Beast squat by a river to skin prey with its bare hands...
The military uniform was too faded to pinpoint which battle he had gone missing in, but hope began to stir in everyone’s hearts.
This planet had air, water, and food—humans could survive here!
Jiang Ya, who had been studying the video closely, was now leaning toward believing he was human.
But this planet was so close to the black hole. How had he survived the Star Beast tides? How terrifying must his combat ability be? And without a mech, was that even possible?
With permission from command, Doyle led his squad toward the river.
As they got closer, the figure on the monitor grew more familiar... but Doyle didn’t dare speak the name lingering in his mind. He simply slammed the throttle forward.
“Second Squad, full speed!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Sir!” “Yes!”
Rounding a rock wall, the entire Second Squad finally laid eyes on the figure by the river.
The man seemed to have just finished dressing his kill, standing up slowly. He slipped for a moment, but spread his arms to keep his balance and didn’t fall into the water.
That silhouette felt unbearably familiar to every one of them. Rookie striker Zhou Dai couldn’t hold back and took a step forward.
“Captain? He looks like...”
The solitary figure by the river seemed to sense something. He froze, then turned back sharply—just as the drone captured his face.
Everyone staring at the screen gasped in unison.
“QI CHENGYAN!!!”
