Planet of Sand and Oasis of Iron

Chapter 63 63. It will definitely not be wrong to take the initiative to join this big stage!

The ground crew brought by the other party were very professional.

Compared to Lin Shenxue who came from the vision and could only simply read the results of the program self-test from the interface, their equipment was more comprehensive.

After just a few quick checks, I was able to find out that something was wrong.

For example, damage to the load-bearing joints, high-speed evasive nozzles, some armored steel structures, power components, and hand precision mechanisms, etc...

On the surface, the old machine's indicators appeared fine, and its cooling structure was functioning normally. However, if it were actually driven out like this, the various conditions on the sand would likely give Sefer a sudden surprise.

"It's more serious than I imagined, and this model isn't advanced enough. I'm not even going to let you buy a top-tier machine from the mercenary system, it's got to be at least second-tier. Going out with a machine like this is very likely to get shot down."

Cypher shrugged nonchalantly. "The mechas are different from each other. The model is a bit older because we're still in the startup phase and funds are tight. There's nothing we can do about it."

He pointed to the arm of the machine. "So this weapon can be mounted on the machine?"

"Of course you can... but your machine is currently only equipped with light weapons, right? It's easy to cause problems when using weapons like this..."

Cypher took her assessment report. "Let's not talk about the railgun for now. The biggest energy drain is the electric whip, which needs to be preheated. So, why don't I just not use it?"

"It's feasible, but this will result in insufficient firepower for the mounted weapons. It's better to say that your machine itself is..."

"In that case, the most we can do is find more opportunities."

"Is that really all right? The large melee weapons used by the mecha are powerful, but they'll take longer to recover."

"Of course, it's not a big problem."

Seeing his determination, the green-haired girl could only sigh: "Yes, this is the weight and value changes after assembly."

Then he directed the ground crew to help complete the work of assembling the bracket. After confirming the value with his head down, Seifer thought about it in his mind.

The thrust-to-weight ratio is definitely affected, as older engines have a limited output, especially since this thing mounted on the left shoulder mount is quite large.

If we hadn't seen the launching mechanism, I guess everyone would think it was some kind of live ammunition launcher, a single-shot sniper with a scope that could kill in seconds.

It also looks a bit awkward mounted on the shoulder, much more odd than mounting an energy launcher or multiple rockets.

The busy modification lasted from sunrise to zenith, and the temperature inside the vehicle was also rising. The ground crew had to power themselves before they could continue working.

The green-haired girl wandered around the maintenance room for a while before suddenly coming over again. "Red Crossbow... No, guest, your mobile suit hasn't been properly maintained since its launch. How about taking this opportunity to give it a full overhaul?"

"How much?" Cypher asked.

She smiled and said, "Maintenance itself is free, but I think you're someone who takes good care of your equipment and your subordinates, so I have a special coating here that's resistant to wind and sand and extreme temperatures. You can choose any color, pattern, or style you like."

"So...how much?"

The girl reported a number with a smile. After hearing it, Sefer thought for a long time, suddenly went to the warehouse for a while, and came back with a piece of ore brick.

"Happy cooperation!"
-
The sunlight slowly slanted, and the shadows on the endless sand dunes grew from nothing to something, and from narrow to diffuse, making all the shadows blurred in the dim light.

The ground crew that had completed their work had already left. Cypher folded his arms, looking at the pure white-painted aircraft in front of him, and silently sighed that in this regard, people with expertise were efficient.

But now is not the time to be sentimental. In the main control cabin, Seifer informed the only two people on board that they were ready to return home. Finally, he contacted Laika and said that he was going to sail in silence.

"Switch the communication to internal mode?... I understand. Red Crossbow, the battle in the city is more dangerous than you think. It is recommended to make self-preservation the primary goal." Leica was quite worried. She emphasized again that mercenaries are not a profession that risks life to earn glory. She ended the communication only after Seifer expressed that he really would not take risks.

Yet both knew that such a commitment could easily change depending on the current situation—it was just the best they could do.

The exterior is so strange that it is difficult to tell at first glance whether it is the front or the rear mobile base. It is activated when the last ray of light no longer shines.

All communications were shut down. Cypher simulated taking a deep breath, maneuvering and directing the vehicle to draw an arc on the ground, crushing the glowing sand and heading towards the edge node city.

Only slight bumps could be felt inside the car, and the scene outside was as desolate as ever. Apart from the yellow sand that gradually whistled and covered the sky, the only sound was the movement of the car.

In this kind of environment, it is easy for people to feel that they are abandoned in the wilderness, and no matter how loud they shout, there will be no response.

The vehicle continued to operate, and Cypher listened carefully. The radio contained the whistling of wind, the rustling of sand against the armor, and noisy radio waves.

The noisy, continuous, almost noise-like radio waves formed a virtual wall surrounding the entire area in Cypher's eyes, and his car was driving in the "wall".

The signal shielding capability is very strong, and coupled with the interference to various communication base stations, the edge node city is indeed in a situation where there is no one to seek help.

The other party chose the time very well, but how should I put it - it was a bit hasty.

The helpers who received the communication will probably not arrive until tomorrow night at the earliest. Seifer and the others had defeated a bunch of people before, so they can't possibly replenish their supplies so quickly, right?
While thinking, Seifer received a clear message in the 'wall' where almost all frequency bands were unavailable.

"This is the business community: I/O companies are issuing tasks."

'All independent mercenaries, support and protect the edge node city until reinforcements arrive.'

'This mission will provide a reward of 200,000 for mercenaries with independent mercenary licenses, and additional rewards will increase based on the number of enemies shot down.'

"The independent mercenary support system is automatically sent to all mercenaries. This system exists for the continuation of all humanity. I hope you will shine."

Seifer didn't click to confirm, but just thought - this support system has a very strong anti-interference ability.

After passing through the 'wall' and entering the control zone of the Edge Node City, the first thing Seifer heard was not the sound of the communication gradually changing from a chaotic noise to an ups and downs.

Rather, it was a distant sound, but it completely penetrated the wind, sand, and the roar of the car body in the radio.

There were sounds of artillery fire, the sounds of close combat bullets and rockets cutting through the wind and sand, and continuous artillery fire... The edge node city was now truly in chaos.

After slightly adjusting the angle, Seifer decided to go around to the back of the battlefield and look vigilantly in the direction of the battlefield - strictly speaking, diagonally upwards.

Two parabolic shells fell towards his car one after another.

It had already fallen when we saw it, but either the paint had taken effect or the strong wind had disrupted the accuracy of the shells, and they shot across, creating holes and raising shiny sand on the other side of the vehicle.

At this point, the alarm in the car sounded, indicating that the bomb had nearly been lost.

In Seifer's eyes, the 3D graphic of the car showed the landing point not far away. He immediately turned the car slightly and reduced the speed a little.

How could others see him in such a strong sandstorm? Was it human observation or an observation tower? How many units did they have?
——It doesn’t matter.

The armor plate in front of the vehicle unfolded, and the 203mm main gun extended its barrel without fear of wind and sand. At the same time, the sighting system of the Safe vehicle also successfully captured the spots of light in the desert.

Even if the vehicle had not moved before, the reaction force of the firing would compress the sand under the vehicle and make it glow, as obvious as ripples in the sea!
(End of this chapter)