The squad leader misunderstood Chen Gu's request to see the ship's captain as an attempt to leverage connections for special privileges.
He looked around; the warriors were all tensely occupied. Outside in the Star Sea, the chase had finally begun.
Space Wolves, with body lengths of two hundred meters, were much smaller than the main battleships of the human Star Nations, but they were extremely agile, swift, and ferocious in the Star Sea. Their massive, fang-like mouthparts and wolf-claw-shaped insectile legs could easily tear through ordinary steel armor. Once they got close, they would cause immense trouble for the fleet.
Furthermore, from a distance, they possessed an ovary-shaped organ on their backs that could emit a "biotic energy plasma jet," with massive destructive power, habitually referred to as the "Acid Energy Cannon."
The Space Wolves, holding an advantageous position, initiated the attack. Dozens at the forefront arched their bodies and began their Acid Energy Cannon barrage.
Accompanied by several violent tremors and roars, the transport ship was hit, and its dense turret arrays began to retaliate.
The Space Wolves bringing up the rear were continuously hit; human energy cannons inflicted similarly massive damage. Often, a single shot could rip a two-hundred-meter insect in half, and then, under the forces of space, the insect's body would be rapidly torn to shreds.
But the Space Wolves were too numerous, and more and more Acid Energy Cannon blasts bombarded the transport ship. Chen Gu heard over the communications channel that the warship's hull had suffered severe damage, and the damage control teams were overwhelmed. This update is available on novel·fire·net
Space fighters and Star Armors were already preparing to deploy to relieve the pressure of the attacks on the mothership.
Chen Gu noticed that the transport ship was still accelerating on its original retreat course, and he grew increasingly anxious. He quickly pondered: What methods are there to meet the captain or to warn the military about the insects' schemes?
The answer was clear: Idol Actor!
The game "Infinite" was used as a teaching and training tool by the militaries of various major Star Nations, so Chen Gu was certain that there should also be game pods on this transport ship.
He rushed out. At this time, no one paid any mind to a "hitchhiking" passenger. Along the way, he repeatedly collided with warriors rushing past. They were all too hurried to even exchange apologies before scrambling up and continuing forward, each focused on their own mission.
Chen Gu finally found dozens of game pods in a spacious compartment. He quickly dived into one and immediately activated it.
Bai Xianya counted on her fingers and then pursed her lips in resignation. His Excellency, Idol Actor, the respected director of the 745 Tactical Research Institute, had once again "disappeared" without explanation for nearly a month.
She had initially thought that after their frank discussion last time, Idol Actor would genuinely consider his public identity.
Yet, she hadn't expected him to pull the "ostrich strategy" again—that old fox had hidden himself away!
Bai Xianya exhaled deeply. During their time working together, even though Idol Actor often tormented her with his "disappearances," strictly speaking, their achievements were remarkable!
For frontline combat personnel, tactical proficiency generally wasn't very high. The comprehensive tactical manuals compiled by the research institute were extremely helpful to them. The latest comprehensive statistical results were in, showing that personnel losses had been reduced by nearly thirty percent!
Bai Xianya no longer harbored such strong grievances against Idol Actor, but every time the old fellow played his disappearing act, she still felt quite helpless.
Could the prospect of revealing his identity have scared the old geezer into hiding? Bai Xianya grimaced. Just then, a rapid succession of beeps suddenly sounded.
Bai Xianya was startled. The old man's online?
She immediately entered her game pod. Indeed, it was Idol Actor. However, unlike before, this time the alert tones weren't because Idol Actor was replying to her messages, but because he was sending incessant call requests from within the game!
And it was a video call.
Bai Xianya found herself hesitating. Does this mean I'm about to "meet" the cranky old man? Is the mysterious Idol Actor finally going to reveal his identity? Why am I feeling a little nervous...?
BEEP, BEEP, BEEP... The alert tones kept urging her. Bai Xianya quickly sent a message to her uncle, took a deep breath, tidied her appearance, and lightly touched the button. The call connected.
"I have a very urgent matter to report to the military headquarters immediately..." Chen Gu got straight to the point, but then he saw "Army Makeup Reflection" staring blankly, unresponsive.
Chen Gu grew anxious. Sure, a dazed beauty is cute, but at such a critical moment, can we drop the cutesy act?! Seriously, lady!
"Hello, hello, hello!" Chen Gu called out a few times. Bai Xianya abruptly snapped back to her senses. "Tell me honestly, who paid you to use this game account and say these things to me? Is Idol Actor really that timid? What on earth is he worried about?"
Chen Gu was about to lose it. I really have vital military intelligence to report! Can we please get to the point?
"You—" Chen Gu gritted his teeth. "Accounts in 'Infinite' are bound to personal identities. A person might be able to apply for multiple accounts, but using someone else's account would never pass the game's verification!"
Chen Gu took a deep breath and said, "I am Idol Actor. So now you understand why I'm reluctant to reveal my identity, don't you?"
Bai Xianya shrieked, "You—you're so young? Not some old coot, but a fresh-faced kid?"
Such audacious words! Chen Gu roared internally.
His expression turned serious. "Let's not worry about that for now. I am a special agent from the Bureau of Mystic Security's Wuzhaoyin City branch. You can verify my identity immediately. I'm currently on a military transport ship, and we're encountering a large number of the Alien Insect Race. I suspect they're plotting a major conspiracy!"
At the mention of the Alien Insect Race, Bai Xianya instantly reverted to her persona as a strong military woman, her eyes shining with a resolute light. "The transport ship's designation?"
Chen Gu provided the designation and shared his assessment. Bai Xianya immediately said, "Give me one minute!"
Then Bai Xianya logged off.
Chen Gu lay in the game pod, completely bewildered. What now? I've done everything I can. My only hope is the Central Operations Room.
After a minute, someone "knocked" on Chen Gu's game pod. He opened it and got up to see a middle-aged military officer with the rank of Major standing outside with a few soldiers. The officer saluted him. "Your Excellency, I am Major Andrew Buffetos, captain of this transport ship. I have received orders from the Central Operations Room requesting you to assume command of this entire transport ship!"
Chen Gu hadn't expected "Army Makeup Reflection" to be so incredibly effective, managing to get him command of the transport ship just like that.
He quickly exited the pod and said, "To the command deck."