From cannon fodder to sweeping across thousands of stars.

Chapter 744 Why are you chasing me? !

The uniquely 'romantic' transformable HCP is one of the solutions to the 'multi-purpose' of this humanoid unit. Both the Federation and the Empire have conducted relevant research before.

Military personnel on both sides hope that this already versatile humanoid unit can be "faster, harder, and stronger."
Therefore, there was once a group of transformable HCPs serving in the combat forces of the Federation and the Empire. Most of these HCPs can change from "standard humanoid" to "air superiority form", "reconnaissance form", and "assault form", and also have the ability to freely enter and exit the atmosphere alone.

However, due to more or less problems in the deformation structure, material strength, maintenance complexity, etc., the adaptability of these deformable HCPs after being equipped by the troops is not very good.

In particular, there are often fatal problems such as the transformation system failing or getting stuck halfway through transformation, which is absolutely unacceptable for a combat equipment.

At the same time, the "multi-purpose" positioning is destined to make these transformable HCPs fall into the awkward position of "having many tricks" but not being proficient in any of them, and it even causes their main job - basic combat capability in human form - to regress significantly.

Some of the weird models even achieved negative optimization of "Vikings are worse than dogs when they land".
So instead of spending more money on transformable HCP, it is much cheaper to develop specialized equipment for different tasks. This also led to the fact that not long after transformable HCP became popular, both parties gradually retired these "delicate but fragile toys".
However, for the Atlas Group, these problems are no longer a problem with the assistance of Saleh, the deacon of the Forerunner think tank.

Moreover, compared with the extreme multi-tasking requirements of the Federation and the Empire that were previously pursued, Amber's needs are obviously simpler - as long as the HCP form combat capability remains unchanged, it can fly at high speeds and enter and exit the atmosphere freely.

This is also to facilitate the HCP forces to respond quickly and complete deployment in the shortest time in the future when the Atlas Group's control area becomes larger and larger.

Therefore, as the latest masterpiece of Atlas' equipment research and development center - HCP Development Department, "Woodwater" is a transformable HCP with dual forms of "efficient combat" and "high-speed maneuverability".

Under normal conditions, it can obtain the ability to fly within the atmosphere and the ability to enter and exit the atmosphere alone through simple deformation. After being equipped with a conventional flight kit, it can even achieve the ability to cruise within the atmosphere for an extremely long time.

As for the "high-speed flight kit" used by Amber, it was developed purely for him personally, giving "Woodworth" the characteristics of a hypersonic aircraft. To be honest, Amber did not expect that this experimental kit would come in handy so soon.
At this moment, Amber was driving the 'Woodwater' madly in the sky, rushing in the direction away from the airdrop fortress group. He kept changing the flight trajectory, trying to get rid of Sartari's pursuit, and gradually increased the altitude in the process to make the flight speed of the machine faster.

Mach 6

Mach 7

"Master, I suggest you increase the altitude, otherwise we won't be able to reach the target quickly enough," Lilith, who had been assisting Amber in monitoring the machine's data, suggested.

"Of course I know that, but once the climb rate goes up, the speed will definitely drop a bit. I'm worried that the chemical boosters won't burn long enough." Amber answered in a low voice, maintaining an anti-overload posture and adopting abdominal breathing, and occasionally glancing at Sartario in the rearview window.

Although for some unknown reason, this giant star dragon did not attack Amber with its 'dragon breath', the distance between the two sides was actually getting closer, which was not good news for Amber.

In this tense atmosphere, Amber also asked: "Lilith, Saleh, why do I always feel that this dragon seems to want to capture me alive? I should have nothing to do with the Star Dragon and the Imperial Family, right?"

Saleh: “It’s a little strange indeed.”

Lilith: "Maybe the Master is the illegitimate son of the old emperor? Oh my god, is the Master going to have an orthopedic plot with the imperial princess?"

"Bullshit, don't you know if I'm a bastard Lilith? I guess you've drilled through the Empire's database during this time?"

Amber complained to Lilith somewhat speechlessly, and then a detail that she had missed before suddenly emerged from her memory.

"Oh, right, when I started the time travel from the 'Final Dogma Zone' in the year 82 of the new calendar, I seemed to see the dragon open its eyes, but at that moment I couldn't tell if it was my illusion. Salih, is the vitality of the Star Dragon so tenacious? Can it live for tens of thousands of years?"

Salih on the other end of the line couldn't help but frown after hearing Amber's words. After thinking for a moment, she spoke:
"After all, the Star Dragon is a 'perfect cosmic creature', so it's normal for it to have an extremely long lifespan. If it wasn't dead when the founding emperor of the Star Dragon Empire picked it up, then it's possible that it really had been hiding underground for so many years."

"Is it really because you looked at me five hundred years ago that you are chasing me now?"

"Maybe this is the Master's personal charm~" Lily joked shamelessly, as if Amber was not in any crisis.

"I don't want this kind of bullshit 'personal charm', asshole!"

Amber complained while glancing at the current altitude and airspeed of the aircraft. After taking another look at Sartarior who was getting closer and closer from behind, he decided to give it a try. After all, who knows what would happen if he fell into the hands of this giant star dragon.

"Lilith, calculate the best climb rate, increase the output power of the subcritical reactor, overload the plasma propulsion array, and abandon all weapons and external electronic warfare and detection units!"

"Understood, Master~"

"Bang bang bang bang."

With the sound of blasting bolts and fixing locks, the red "Woodworth" dropped a lot of debris like a hen laying eggs. The speed of the whole body increased again. While the flight altitude continued to climb, the airspeed also rushed towards the Mach 9 mark.

Amber held the joystick tightly, his palms sweating. He knew that this was a gamble, a gamble with his life at stake.

"Come on, Sartariou, let's see who is the final winner!"

There was a flash of madness in Amber's eyes. He pushed the joystick hard, and the air around the aircraft made a sharp whistle due to high-speed friction.

His eyes kept switching between the front and rear view windows. Every time he looked back, the huge dragon-shaped figure was getting closer.

"Mach 9.2, Mach 9.7"

Lilith stopped playing around at this time, and took on the role of a combat assistant, calmly reporting each piece of data to Amber.

"Master, chemical booster fuel remaining 12%"

"I know there is no other way. I have to fight."

Amber clenched his teeth, feeling the tremendous overload pressure brought by the high-speed flight. Even after his body transformation, the edges of his vision began to blacken at this moment. Through the psychic monitoring of his body, he could find that a large number of capillaries were beginning to rupture.

But Lilith's announcement at this moment was like a "life-threatening" announcement, so he didn't dare to slow down the machine at all.

"Master, Sartharion's speed is increasing. It is expected to catch up with us in 90 seconds."

"No, we need more height and speed"

Amber carefully pulled back the extra joystick in the 'aircraft' mode, and the nose of the 'Woodworth' slowly rose, climbing into the upper atmosphere at a steeper angle.

Soon, the air around the aircraft became thinner, the resistance decreased, and the speed increased again.

"Mach 9.8, Mach 10"

"It's not enough. We have to delay as long as we can! We must give the ground troops enough time to find our 'financial backer', otherwise we'll lose a lot of money on this trip!"
-
While Amber was driving the 'Woodwater' in a thrilling life-and-death race with the star dragon Sarthario in the sky, the battle situation on the ground in Saint-Saunière was also changing rapidly.

Outside the Grand Palace, the 1st Heavy Combined Brigade's 'Frontline Attack Team' was maneuvering along the dilapidated road at the current fastest speed. Heavy multi-legged tanks, MBTs and other armored vehicles were raising dust on the devastated ground, and bionic mechanical feet, tracks and tires were rolling over scattered debris and rubble.

The Star Dragon's previous rampage had turned this area into ruins. The once elite Imperial Guards and fanatical Martyr Corps had also suffered heavy losses. Entire units that had been wiped out could be seen everywhere.

"This scene is even more tragic than I imagined. Fortunately, the boss led the monster away."

After receiving Amber's order, Monton, who came to the 'Frontline Attack Team' in person, looked outside through the sensor lake of the armored command vehicle. Sitting next to him was none other than his good friend, the Chief of Staff of the 1st Heavy Combined Brigade, Telak.

Terrak is troubled by the practice of brigade-level military commanders going to the front line at every turn, but the problem is that this trend is even showing signs of spreading among the Atlas ground combat forces.

As for the source of this trend... ahem.

"The Boss lured the giant star dragon away, but all the risks were also transferred to him."

Telak's fingers kept sliding on the screen of the command terminal. "So we must not disappoint him. We must find the princess, even if it's a corpse, we have to bring it back."

"Of course I know that." Monton nodded, "But I think Boss doesn't want to actually see the corpse of this imperial princess, right?"

"That's true."

"Hey~Terak. You said that this princess of the empire is really dead. Can the witch doctors in our hometown call her soul back?"

"." "But I wonder if this princess can continue to inherit the throne if she comes back to life?"

"."

Telak was immediately speechless by his friend. After a moment, he said, "Sir, please focus on the combat mission first! Be careful that Commander Hogg and Commander Van Fleet will criticize you again! Don't come to me to write a self-criticism for you when the time comes, you bastard!"

Monton blushed at what his friend and chief of staff said, then he smiled awkwardly and turned his attention to the real-time updated tactical map. "But logically speaking, we shouldn't encounter too much resistance ahead. After the giant star dragon's rampage just now, the enemy troops here should have lost their combat capability."

"Don't be careless, Monton. After all, this is Saint-Saunière, the heart of the Star Dragon Empire. The elite troops stationed here may have a fighting spirit far beyond our imagination." Terrak, who has always been calm and rational, reminded.

But as the saying goes, what you fear will come to you. As soon as Terak finished speaking, a warning from a scout came over the communication channel: "'Kindergarten Teacher' to 'Lion's Den', a temporary defense line that is still in operation has been found ahead! Some of the remnants of the Imperial Guard and the Martyrs are gathering!"

The screen in the command vehicle quickly synchronized the image with the sensors of the vanguard unit in front, and saw a group of soldiers from the Imperial Guards and the Martyr Corps who had suffered heavy losses and were almost all injured, but were still moving swiftly, setting up heavy weapons on the temporary position.

Some of them had their exoskeletons mostly damaged, and some even had broken arms, but they still used their intact limbs to hold up their weapons and aimed in the direction of Monton and the others.

"These guys are really tenacious." Terak couldn't help but sigh after seeing this scene, "But that's all. They are already at the end of their strength."

Monton did not respond, but issued a brief order: "Frontline attack team, prepare to engage the enemy. Heavy armored units push forward, and mobile forces will outflank on both wings."

His voice was extremely firm. "Quickly tear through the defense line and hand these poor creatures over to the troops behind. Our goal is to find Her Royal Highness the Princess. Don't linger in the battle."

"understand!"

The forward attack team of the 1st Heavy Combined Brigade quickly split into three groups and stabbed towards the enemy's defense line like a trident. The "Thor's Hammer" hover tanks in the front row began to accelerate as the central attack spearhead, and the highly mobile HCP troops quickly outflanked from both sides to form cross fire.

Facing the fierce attack from Atlas, the response of these remaining soldiers was also very simple.
When more than a dozen anti-armor missiles suddenly rushed up into the sky from the positions and prepared to attack the top, the battle started in an instant with beams of charged particles and fire lines drawn by electromagnetic gun piercing rods.

"Engage the enemy! Engage the enemy! All units attack according to the plan!"

The first to respond was the 'Thor's Hammer' heavy suspension tank's main gun salvo. The heavy particle cannon and electromagnetic reconnection cannon instantly covered this small line of defense, blasting fireballs. The shock wave of the explosion raised dust and debris, and blew away some soldiers on the temporary defense line.

But surprisingly, these survivors of the attack by the star dragon did not collapse, but instead charged forward even more frantically.

"Are they crazy?!"

Terak looked in amazement at the Imperial soldiers who were charging at the heavily armored units almost with their flesh and blood.

Monton narrowed his eyes. "It looks like a unit of the Martyr Corps. Just as we said in the pre-war intelligence meeting, these 'Church Guards' are all crazy. I feel like they are not just simple fanatics. Maybe they have been given mental suggestion."

“Is this the power of religion?”

There was a hint of thought in Terrak's eyes, but he didn't seem to be very worried that his attack would be hindered.

In fact, just as he expected, these imperial units on the temporary defense line were seriously lacking in anti-armor forces and heavy units to hold the line.

The few remaining heavy multi-legged chariots and the 'Apostles' of the Martyr Legion were also the focus of attention in the first round of attacks and had already become a pile of wreckage.

Therefore, the attack on the position was like a massacre, especially those "Chimera" heavy multi-legged tanks, which approached the front line with firm steps, and at the same time madly poured firepower on the position with a large number of loaded weapons.

Those infantrymen of the Martyr Corps who were chanting prayers and attempting suicide attacks were mowed down by heavy multi-barreled electromagnetic machine guns, and had no way of getting close to the attacking forces. But even so, they seemed to be controlled by some force and rushed towards the target regardless of everything. Even if they fell down in the strafing of the "Chimera", the people behind them would not hesitate to step over the bodies of their companions and continue to move forward.

But no matter how fanatical the spirit and faith are, they cannot make up for the gap between flesh and steel.

Under Monton's command, the attack force began to accelerate the attack on the enemy's defense line, which was no longer a big threat. The heavy units rolled over the roadblocks, followed closely by infantry fighting vehicles. The automatic weapon stations on them kept firing at the enemies who were still resisting, turning them into pools of flesh and blood on the broken walls.

The entire attack process was like a whirlwind. In less than ten minutes, this hastily constructed line of defense was completely breached.

The 1st Heavy Combined Brigade's "Frontline Attack Team" broke through the defense line and drove straight in. They quickly ran over the ruins of the Grand Palace's protective wall and arrived at the central area of ​​the Grand Palace.

The situation here is even worse. The sound of the giant star dragon breaking out of the ground, coupled with the "dragon breath" and the subsequent swooping attack, almost completely destroyed all the buildings. The originally magnificent palace complex is now only broken walls and ruins.
"Where should the princess's refuge be?" Terrak asked, looking at the wreckage around him that could no longer be recognized.

Monton also pulled up a three-dimensional map. "According to the intelligence shared by Ms. Natalia, it should be in the special shelter in the underground fortifications in the northwest corner of the palace. Boss also said before that it is reinforced with special materials and can theoretically withstand multiple rounds of nuclear weapons."

"Nuclear weapon. I hope that thing can also withstand 'Dragon Breath'." Terrak muttered softly.

The 'frontline attack team' adjusted its direction and rushed towards the northwest corner of the Grand Palace. Although it encountered sporadic resistance along the way - especially the suicidal attacks of the Martyr Corps, they were quickly defeated in the end.

Finally, the team arrived at a complex of buildings that seemed to have been completely destroyed according to the coordinates on the map.

"The shelter is below." Monton jumped out of the armored command vehicle and pointed to the ground. "The scan shows that there is indeed a large underground facility below."

Telak nodded as he looked at the screen on the detection device panel, then immediately gave an order on the command channel: "Engineering team, prepare to clear the entrance!"

Soon, several "Holy Shields" arrived nearby, and then directly launched heavy particle cannons in scattering mode and bombarded the wreckage twice.

Soon after, the engineering units that followed behind also began to use their own engineering equipment to remove the debris that had been blasted into "sand holes" by the heavy metal particle jets.

Not long after, a heavy metal door emerged from the excavated ground. The Imperial Star Dragon emblem on the door had been burned and distorted.

"Report! This door seems to be stuck." An accompanying engineer said in the communication channel, "The internal communication system has also been damaged, and we can't communicate."

Monton: "Then use explosive equipment, and be careful not to hurt the 'big money man' inside."

The engineers who received the instructions put a circle of directional hot-melt cutting devices along the heavy metal door. After everyone retreated to a safe distance, a series of 'sizzling' sounds of burning metal were heard, and a sufficiently large gap was opened in the heavy metal door.

"Special Operations Team and Medical Platoon, follow me!"

While Terrak was still not able to react, Monton took the lead and drilled into the gap, which immediately made the former very angry. He slapped his thigh and immediately followed.

"Quick! Follow and protect your brigade commander!"

The shelter was dark inside due to the loss of electricity. Only the faint red light of the emergency lights illuminated the messy passage. There were many cracks on the surrounding alloy walls, and bundles of electrical wires and several twisted steel bars hung from the ceiling.

Monton and others went deeper into the passage and soon encountered several injured soldiers of the Princess' Guard. Although the power armor on these soldiers was basically destroyed, they immediately raised their weapons when they saw someone coming.

"Friendly forces! Friendly forces! Be careful not to cause accidental injuries!" Monton, who saw the other party raising their weapons, immediately shouted through the loudspeaker.

"Who are you?!"

"Atlas Group ground combat forces! Sending friend-or-foe identification signature code, pay attention!"

As soon as Monton finished speaking, the prompt "Identification Friend or Foe Verification Passed" appeared on the terminals of the soldiers of the Princess Guard. When they saw the Atlas logo sprayed on the equipment of the approaching team, the tense faces under the tactical visors finally revealed a look of relief.

"Where is Her Royal Highness the Princess?" Monton asked anxiously while directing the medical platoon to check on the soldiers' injuries.

An officer of the Princess Guards, whose chest armor had collapsed a little and whose face was covered in blood when he lifted up his tactical visor, pointed to the depths: "In the central shelter, the protection there is the most stringent."

"How many people are there? What are the casualties?"

"Her Royal Highness the Princess and a dozen important officials are all there, and there is about a platoon of Royal Guards with them." The officer coughed, "When the Star Dragon attacked the Grand Palace, the central shelter was also hit. There were minor injuries in the previous report, but no one died."

After hearing the officer's description, Monton heaved a sigh of relief: "Then please lead the way."

(End of this chapter)