Free Web NovelChapter 42: Chapter 42: Rescued
He Hanshi’s estimated rescue time was spot on. A few minutes later, just after Shi Lan had recalled Xiao Du, she heard the sound of an elevator descending. Unsure of who was arriving, she cautiously backed away toward the hallway. If something went wrong, she’d at least have an escape route.
The elevator doors opened with another DING. Both sides, on high alert, silently raised their guns, only to lower them upon recognizing one another.
The B-Team captain asked, "Are you Miss Shi Lan?"
Shi Lan nodded.
The B-Team captain gave her a quick look-over. The gun in her hands was a model that had been phased out over a decade ago, and her mask was just as old. ’She must have scavenged these on Garbage Star,’ he thought. A mix of admiration and surprise showed in his eyes as he asked with concern, "Are you injured?"
Shi Lan shook her head. "I’m fine."
She had managed to get through her time on Garbage Star with some close calls but no major injuries. However, she had been tied up by the man in the black trench coat for quite a while, leaving ligature marks on her arms and legs.
The B-Team captain’s gaze fell on her wrist, where she gripped the gun. He didn’t know the full extent of what she had endured, but to have survived on a planet swarming with the Insect Clan was nothing short of a miracle.
He pulled a brand-new protective suit from his Space Bag. "Miss Shi Lan, please change into this. That mask of yours isn’t quite up to filtering out the toxic fog."
Shi Lan nodded, accepted the suit, and quickly slipped it on over her clothes before swapping out her mask.
The air in the underground base was filtered and breathable. It was only after she removed her mask that she caught a whiff of the potent odor clinging to her—a strange mix of sweet and foul that she herself found repulsive. ’Thankfully, they’re all wearing masks, so they probably can’t smell it too clearly.’
Despite this, a blush crept up Shi Lan’s grimy cheeks. She quickly donned the new mask, trying to fool herself into thinking the smell wasn’t that strong.
Fortunately, none of the B-Team soldiers showed any strange reaction. They naturally formed a protective circle around Shi Lan, and after exiting the underground base, they regrouped with the other team members who had been standing guard outside.
Once everyone was assembled, the B-Team captain invited Shi Lan to sit inside his Mecha.
Shi Lan hesitated, and the B-Team captain looked at her, puzzled.
She explained, a little embarrassed, "I’m... a bit smelly. I might get your Mecha dirty."
The B-Team captain chuckled. "Don’t worry about it. As long as you’re safe, that’s what matters. A Mecha is easy to clean."
"Thank you."
Hearing that, she stopped hesitating and climbed into the Mecha. freewebnσvel.cøm
This was Shi Lan’s first time inside a Mecha. It felt like playing a holographic robot game. Her viewpoint was elevated, as if she were standing on a mountain peak, granting her a vast field of vision. She could see for a kilometer in any direction, and even the distant exchange of cannon fire was perfectly clear.
"Are there still people over there?"
She asked the B-Team captain, who nodded. "Yes. Our captain is leading A-Team over there to draw the Insect Clan’s attention. They can start pulling back once we get there."
"Oh, I see."
Shi Lan understood. The B-Team captain promptly reported the successful rescue to Bai Feng, who was thrilled by the news. He hadn’t failed to meet the Major General’s expectations.
"By the way, the girl’s all in one piece, right? No missing arms or legs? If we bring her back disabled, I’m afraid the Major General will have my head."
The B-Team captain’s comms were still open, and Shi Lan heard every word clearly. He coughed a few times, frantically shutting it off before stammering, "I—Our captain, uh, he... he’s always joking around."
Shi Lan let out a small laugh and didn’t press the issue.
’It’s true,’ she thought. ’It’s incredible that I survived.’ In the original story, the previous owner of this body had been found with only her head remaining. Yet here she was, completely unharmed.
’So, the plot really can be changed. That means I can definitely cure He Hanshi and the others.’
Meanwhile, Bai Feng was wondering why the B-Team captain hadn’t replied, but he decided it was best to focus on "welcoming" the Insect Clan before him.
As long as their ammunition held out, dealing with this many members of the Insect Clan was still manageable.
Soon, the two teams officially converged.
The B-Team captain and his men escorted Shi Lan onto a Teleportation Spaceship first. The ship launched smoothly, departing from Garbage Star.
Seeing them off, Bai Feng began preparations for A-Team’s withdrawal. He released a cloud of insect-disorienting mist, which would slow the Insect Clan for a good ten seconds or so. Seizing the opportunity, all of A-Team boarded their Teleportation Spaceship. As they departed, they left behind a few "explosive snacks" for the insects before making a stylish exit.
「 」
"Reporting to the Major General, Miss Shi Lan has been rescued. She’s heading to a Treatment Pod for an examination now."
The moment he was back on the Border Defense Star, Bai Feng immediately reported the situation to He Hanshi. Hearing that Shi Lan was being examined, He Hanshi’s heart clenched. "Is she all right? Was she badly hurt?"
Speaking of which, Bai Feng found it incredible. "Major General, can you even imagine? A lone woman, on Garbage Star for that long, and besides inhaling a bit of toxic fog, she’s completely unscathed."
"Oh, aside from some ligature marks."
"I have no idea how she managed to evade the Insect Clan and hide away in that abandoned base..."
Bai Feng was still rambling, but He Hanshi had already stopped listening. "Understood. For now, just take good care of her."
With that, he immediately ended the call and contacted Levito. After clarifying Shi Lan’s condition, he asked, "Are there any results from the investigation into the incident with the spaceship’s Energy Stone?"
"Shi Lan was kidnapped. That man is highly suspicious. We need a thorough background check on him."
Levito breathed a sigh of relief upon learning of Shi Lan’s rescue. He was already on his way to the Border Defense Star.
"Major General, I’ve already asked Admiral Lu to handle it. His department has more personnel, and he has more experience with these situations." ƒгeewebnovёl.com
"Fine."
He Hanshi nodded. "Then once Shi Lan has recovered, you will personally escort her back to Black Star."
"Understood."
This time, Levito wouldn’t dare let his guard down again.
He had already been flying in the direction of Garbage Star, and since the Border Defense Star was in roughly the same sector, Levito arrived at his destination just a few minutes later.
As one of He Hanshi’s subordinates, he was also a member of the border defense forces; it was just a coincidence that he had been on leave for a few days.
Seeing him arrive, the soldiers on the Border Defense Star were surprised. "Levito!" one of them exclaimed, clapping him on the shoulder. "Aren’t you on leave? What brings you back?"
Levito was in no mood for banter. He asked urgently, "Where’s the woman they rescued today?"
"Huh? You know her, too?"
A new woman had suddenly arrived on the Border Defense Star, and all the single men were buzzing around like bees to a flower. If Bai Feng hadn’t stopped them, they would have all swarmed over to get acquainted.
Seeing Levito’s worried and stern expression, they didn’t beat around the bush. "She’s in a Treatment Pod in the medical wing."
Hearing this, Levito immediately took off toward the medical wing.
Bai Feng was also waiting outside the Treatment Pod room. ’After all, this is the first direct order the Major General has given me in two years,’ he mused. ’This woman must be someone special to him.’
’Even with a dirty face, it’s obvious she’s beautiful. And on top of that, she has the courage and resourcefulness to survive on Garbage Star. If the Major General wasn’t interested, I’d definitely throw my hat in the ring.’
’But after all these years, the Major General’s stone heart is finally showing a crack of emotion. And now with his spiritual power collapsing... it’s better if I don’t try to steal the one he loves.’
Bai Feng shook his head with a tinge of regret. Just as he was lost in these thoughts, Levito came running up.
Before Bai Feng could even ask what was going on, Levito asked in a frantic rush, "How is Miss Shi Lan?"
