Chương 399: Book 6 - Chapter 60 - Coverage

[What the fuck was that, and where do I get one?] I asked in the group chat once I'd recovered from the shock. [From a Class V catalog,] Benedict grumbled. [You've got a long way to go before you can afford something like that.] [Thank you for your timely intervention,] Wild said politely. [If you hadn't come along that Antithesis probably would have leveled our town.] [It was nothing,] Benedict replied. [You're just lucky the pipsqueak asked me for a favor, and I was already watching the area.] [Pipsqueak?!?] I growled. [Unfortunately, while the ship's weapons can be fired over extreme distances, the ship's sensors are designed for low-range, high-resolution operations,] Benedict explained, ignoring me. [So you'll have to wait for the satellite coverage before you can track the Gene Tender.] [What's the point of that?] I asked, already forgetting my indignation. [You're still what? A day out, and able to hit a target on earth. Wouldn't it be better to have low-resolution, high-range sensors?] [Because, believe it or not, the Subspace Rupture Cannon is a precision weapon. It was used to support samurai strike teams below the surface of Mars. Considering how strong the Antithesis were up there, there weren't that many weapons that were both effective against them and safe to use anywhere near friendly forces,] Benedict said. [You know what, that's fair,] I replied. [I'm already having to watch my fire with my Class III weapons, I can imagine the Class IV and V stuff is something else entirely.] [And those pale in comparison to the Class IV stuff,] Benedict muttered. [How strong were the Antithesis on Mars anyway?] Wild asked. [Let's just say, Fifty Ones weren't exactly uncommon up there. They were commonly used as shock troops, much like how they use Twenty-Threes on Earth,] Benedict replied. [And they couldn't even hold a candle to the Apex models the Antithesis were pumping out. Only our most experienced, elite samurai could deal with those.] [That's… scary,] she whispered.

[That's why we glassed the planet,] Benedict replied. [That's interesting and all,] I said, [but we still have a Gene Tender on the loose, and you said something about satellites being rerouted?] [What makes you think the Gene Tender even survived?] Mud asked. [Shouldn't it have been on the Fifty-One-S when it was struck?] [You forget,] I said. [Even through the Fifty-One was the size of the Strato Carrier, it wasn't a ship; it was a living being. It's possible that it could have carried troops, but from what I've seen, the Antithesis is more on spawning new units than moving the ones they have to new areas.] [It's true,] Benedict agreed. [Besides, we can't take any chances where Gene Tenders are concerned. It may have been destroyed by the blast, but we need to make sure.] This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. [So you managed to convince your contacts to redirect?] I asked again.

[Yes,] Benedict sighed. [They didn't want to risk the satellites at first, but I kindly explained that the entire Earth would be at risk if they didn't. Besides, the ones that put those satellites into orbit in the first place were on their way back, and most of them wouldn't be that impressed to find out their tech was being withheld because some bean counter didn't want to risk the equipment. They'll probably be replacing them all when we get back anyways. They're outdated tech now.] [So… when will they arrive?] I asked. [Evelyn, you're being rude right now,] Nora snapped. [Can't you at least say thank you?] [Sorry for having my priorities in order,] I grumbled. When Wild glanced over at me, I rolled my eyes. [Thanks for doing that, Benedict; it's been a real help,] I said. [So, ETA?] [It's fine, I've known that gremlin for years now. I know what to expect from her,] Benedict sighed. [The satellites should be on station within five minutes. Some should already be in position now.] [Excellent! In that case, I'd better check to see what they say,] I said. [If you'll excuse me.] [Good luck,] Benedict said. [If you need any help, the first of the Mars exploration teams should be arriving within the next twelve hours. Don't hesitate to call for help if you need it.] [I managed so far,] I grumbled. [Right up to the point where I needed to intervene,] Benedict said. [Don't be stubborn, Evelyn; if you run into trouble, do the right thing. This is far too important.] [Fine… I'll call, IF we need it,] I replied. [I still want the first shot at that thing. I owe it for blowing off my arm.] [You didn't even notice when it happened,] Nora snorted. [That's not the point. It's about the principle of the thing,] I replied. [Anyways, talk to you later.] [Good luck,] Benedict managed to mutter before I disconnected.

"Deadbeat! Bandit! Get over here!" I yelled, causing Wild to jump.

"You need something, Boss?" Bandit asked as he ran over.

"The Family's Satellites should be entering the area soon. I want you two to take the data and use the command network to process it and find that fucking Gene Tender," I said.

"Uhhh… I'm pretty sure we don't have access to the Satellite system," said.

"They only gave access to you." I sighed, "Nyx… can you please?" Although it's technically against the rules, I'll explain the situation to them. I'm sure they'll understand, Nyx said.

"Thank you," I replied.

"Please tell me the moment you have something."

"You can count on us!" Bandit declared proudly. Deadbeat just shook her head.

"What about me?" Bob asked as he plodded over.

"You never give me the important jobs." I looked over at the big bear and sighed.

"I didn't trust you with data processing because I have a completely different job in mind for you, Dusty, and Heavy," I said.

"Oh! Special job! What is it? Tell me!" Bob asked, immediately perking up.

"I need you three to organize and lead strike teams back down into the hive and make sure it's crippled. It seems like the few Antithesis that are making it to the surface now are practically falling apart due to Bern and Wild's weapon, so we should take full advantage and make sure they don't get a chance to recover," I said.

"You can take whatever forces you need, but leave at least half our defensive forces in place. I don't want to be caught off guard if they somehow recover."

"Yes! Smashing time!" Bob declared excitedly, cracking his knuckles.

"Don't worry, boss, you can count on me."

"I know. If there's one thing I can count on you for, it's rampant destruction," I said. Bob nodded excitedly before turning back towards the rest of our forces.

"Heavy! Dusty! Come on, we've got smashing to do!" he shouted.

"Are you sure you should be trusting him with planning and organizing?" Deadbeat asked.

"You know he's just going to pull together a group of badgers and rampage through the tunnels, right?"

"At this point, do you think there's anything down there that'll be able to stop him if he does?" I asked in return.

"There's a small chance he might run into another one of those scorpion crabs or something, but hopefully Dusty will be close enough to bail him out if he does."

"You do remember that Dusty damaged the Mauler in order to kill the last one, right?" Deadbeat reminded me.

"Oh, right. We'd better call the Beavers down to do emergency repairs before Bob gets too excited," I said.

"I'll do that while you check the satellite coverage. Find me that Tender, and tell me the instant you do." The Deadbeat and Bandit glanced at each other, then nodded.

"Leave it to us; we won't let you down," Bandit declared.

"I know you won't," I said.

"Dismissed."