The Legendary Mechanic, page 180
Serpent Braid welcomed these kinds of blood-boiling fights, yet as he was about to join the fray, Cesoly’s voice suddenly sounded over the communicator.
“Boss! This ship’s approaching the patrol zone, and we don’t have much time left. Be careful of spending too much time on strong enemies, and go straight for the control room!”
Serpent Braid frowned, but he still managed to calm himself down and gave out the necessary command. “Concentrate fire!”
The lackeys then went all out with their attacks, putting Han Xiao under even more pressure.
Serpent Braid lifted his hammer and wanted to use this opportunity to circle around Han Xiao.
Once he captured the main control room, he would be able to shut off the ship’s shields, allowing the scavengers outside to directly destroy the ship. Once that was done, the ship’s personnel would most likely surrender as it was either that or utter destruction.
Han Xiao was pinned down by heavy fire and could not get out quickly. However, his eyes flashed, and four Sonic Spheres flew out, blocking Serpent Braid’s path while they gave off faint shockwaves in the air.
To protect the control room, Han Xiao had to basically plant himself in front of the door, and this meant that he could not counterattack. Yet, Han Xiao did not panic—he knew that Kerlodd and the players were already on their way. It was only a matter of time before his helpers arrived, and he would then be able to take care of Serpent Braid himself.
Serpent Braid was not a pushover, and Han Xiao could not just ignore him. However, turning his full attention onto Serpent Braid would mean leaving the path open to the other scavengers. The only other option was to activate that ability, but it had a seven-day cooldown period.
The current situation was not that desperate yet, so Han Xiao did not want to reveal this trump card. He decided to keep on delaying the enemies while waiting for reinforcements.
The control system of his machinery was directly connected to his nerves, and this allowed him to fight on multiple fronts at once.
The Sonic Spheres and the Compounded Magnetic Chain Split Blades danced through the air like butterflies. They were like a group of annoying wasps to Serpent Braid, as not only did they hurt a lot, Serpent Braid could not seem to get his hands on them. He had also tried to just rush through; however, he was blocked by Han Xiao despite the heavy fire from the scavengers.
Serpent Braid was furious, and he swung his hammer around, finally destroying a couple of the machines.
Boom boom boom!
Time ticked by, and Amphiptere’s durability was constantly going down. Han Xiao did not really mind this as he had made sure to bring along enough spare parts and repair materials. He planted himself in front of the scavengers and entered full defensive mode. With Amphiptere’s defensive capabilities, he was like an immovable steel wall.
“Boss, time is running out. We can’t take over the main control room!” Cesoly’s voice sounded once again.
“Shut up!”
Serpent Braid got even angrier, and he bashed his hammer all over the place. When he saw that Han Xiao’s suit seemed to be getting more and more damaged, he started to think that he was close to beating his opponent.
“Boss, calm down. Our objective is the Godoran. We don’t have much time left, and the ship’s loot isn’t worth it anymore. Let’s give up on the control room and go look for the Godoran instead. We will be able to earn much more money from our client if we can hand him the Godoran!”
“Aren’t Beast Hoof and his men looking for the target‽”
“They have already searched half the ship, but they still couldn’t find the Godoran. The ship is too big, and they don’t have enough men!”
Serpent Braid furiously cursed before picking up his hammer and backing off. “Let’s go. Don’t mind the control room anymore. We will go capture the Godoran!”
The scavengers hurriedly retreated, and Serpent Braid had to give up on the control room that was right in front of his eyes.
Han Xiao then finally realized the scavengers’ goal.
The scavengers’ target is Kerlodd?
Han Xiao felt like there had to be more behind this!
“Send out the message. The plan has changed. Everyone is to now give up on all other tasks and look for the Godoran. Cesoly, take the hostages back to our ship. These hostages will still be worth some cash. Everyone else, look for the target!”
Seeing that their chance of capturing Short Horn Star was close to none, the scavengers decided to change their strategy and go for their target instead. Once they have gotten hold of the target, they could then escape with the scavenger ship that was still flying right by Short Horn Star.
After giving out his orders, Serpent Braid glared at Han Xiao, as if telling Han Xiao that he was letting him go this time.
At that moment, the other side of the passageway exploded in a burst of yellow, and the shadow of a spear danced through the air as it pierced through multiple scavengers. The scavengers that got hit all fell on the ground.
Kerlodd had finally arrived. He held the Godoran battle spear in one hand while holding a golden energy shield on the other, standing in the scavengers’ path.
With Han Xiao behind them, the scavengers were pincered between the two.
“Godoran!” Serpent Braid could not have been happier. He never would have expected the prey to show up all by himself.
Serpent Braid quickly took stock of the situation, and as if realizing something, he turned back to look at Han Xiao. “So, you’re with the Godoran. Do you think just you two are enough to take us on? I will have to thank you first for handing me my target on a platter!”
This development was just what Serpent Braid wanted. He no longer had to waste time searching through the ship—all he had to do was defeat the Godoran and take him with them.
Serpent Braid roared and ran to Kerlodd with his war hammer in hand.
Boom!
Kerlodd held up his shield to block. However, he appeared incapable of withstanding Serpent Braid’s brute force and had to take a few steps back after the impact.
Just as Serpent Braid was about to follow up with another blow, over a dozen players suddenly appeared behind Kerlodd. They were all filled with energy, and it was obvious that they were all battle-ready Supers. The scavengers suddenly lost their numerical advantage as that number of Super could easily destroy them!
Serpent Braid’s expression underwent a drastic change, as the rage was suddenly replaced with shock and despair.
How were there so many Supers travelling on this low-level spaceship‽
The scavengers had already made a rough estimate of the Short Horn Star’s fighting strength before they made the ambush, and there should only have been a couple of grade C Supers on-board. This was because any of the stronger Supers would usually either travel using their own ship. Even if they wanted to save money, they still would not go for this cheap civilian transport. A ship like the Short Horn Star was like a public bus while the more expensive travel agencies were like high-speed railways.
The Green Knight was already surprising enough, let alone the sudden appearance of this group of grade C Supers.
Which rock did these Supers even spring out from? They’re even teaming up!
What a disaster!
Han Xiao chuckled and said, “I also have helpers.”
However, the smile disappeared from his face the next instance, and he said in a cold voice, “Go!”
Han Xiao and Kerlodd’s group rushed toward the scavengers, who were stuck in the passageway, and began the one-sided massacre.
The situation suddenly turned around!
Cr*p! Boss is screwed! Cesoly shuddered, as if a gust of cold wind went up his spine. He was currently taking the group of the hostages back to the scavengers’ ship.
What do we do now? We can’t save the boss. Let’s return to our ship first!
Cesoly felt that things had gotten way out of control, and he was also extremely worried. His only concern at that moment was getting back onto his ship safely. He also was not exactly betraying his boss as his original order was to escort the hostages back onto their ship.
However, the thought of reinforcing Serpent Braid not once crossed his mind. Scavengers were a selfish bunch, and loyalty was basically non-existent among them. The only thing that Cesoly cared about was getting himself out of harm’s way.
“The boss wants me to take the hostages back to our ship. Move faster…” Cesoly tried to hurry his underlings along.
Just as he was getting to the middle of his sentence, he suddenly stopped and stared at the corner of the main hall.
In the corner that had been empty just a few moments ago now stood over a dozen people. Hao Tian, Sleepy Winter, Rainy Kim, Bun-hit-dog, and several other players who had promised each other to play some Galaxy after finishing dinner had come online together.
The players were flabbergasted as they took in the drastically different surroundings.
Hey hey hey! What’s the situation‽ Why have the passengers been taken hostage? Who are those people pointing their guns at us? Why is the spaceship shaking nonstop? There are even sounds of gunshot from far away. Are we under attack‽
The scavengers in the main hall all had their tongues tied to the back of their throats as they stared at the newcomers.
They had already carefully checked all the rooms when capturing the passengers. Where did these people come from? Were they ghosts‽
The two sides stared at each other with widened eyes for a moment.
As more and more of the scavengers pointed their guns at the players, Hao Tian and the others finally understood the situation.
What were they still waiting for? Kill!
Energy burst forth from the group of players as they released their abilities, crushing the scavengers under their feet in a matter of seconds.
Cesoly completely lost his cool.
“How despicable! You would even resort to ambushing‽”
Chapter 326. The Secret Buyer |
Frenzied Sword and a group of other players stood guard at the door to the launch bay for the escape pods while chatting with each other out of boredom.
“Everyone else is fighting while we’re just sitting here doing nothing. It’s not fair,” complained Perfumed Bear. He was part of Fried Eggplants with Fish’s trio, and he was a cute little kid.
“Our mission is also very important. We’re guarding the escape path…” Frenzied Sword tried to console the group, but then he also said in a depressed manner, “But it does kinda suck…”
Sun Eggplant scratched the back of his head and said to Frenzied Sword, “I don’t think that we have properly met before. The dark horse of the Pro League and China’s number one Mechanical Pugilist—that’s quite a name you’ve got.”
Frenzied Sword was feeling a bit embarrassed and humbly replied, “You don’t have to praise me that much. I just got lucky.”
The big names in the esports scene were always interested in meeting the new blood. As long as they had the results to back themself up, it did not matter if they were only a newcomer. The group of people seemed to get along quite well.
After a few more lines back and forth, Dancing Fish Dragon, who had remained silent for the most part, said, “Are you interested in signing with Fried Eggplants with Fish?”
Frenzied Sword hurriedly gestured with his hands, “I really like Fried Eggplants with Fish, but Rivervale has been good to me. They are even in the process of building a new team around me.”
“Oh…” Dancing Fish Dragon replied and went back to not saying anything again.
After chatting for a while more, the sound of footsteps suddenly arose from the far side of the launch bay. Frenzied Sword and the others immediately stopped talking and looked toward the source the footsteps.
Lerden showed up, and he frowned at the players. “You aren’t scavengers. Who are you lot?”
“Who are you?” retorted Frenzied Sword.
Lerden did not answer the question. He could tell that the players were not scavengers from their gear, and he suddenly felt alarmed as he did not know whether they were friend or foe or why they were guarding the escape pods.
“Are you… passengers?” Lerden’s eyes flashed.
“Uh, sort of.”
“Are you also trying to escape?” Lerden pointed at the dozen ships and said in a deep voice, “If you’re willing to pay, I promise to protect you on your way.”
Even when at death’s door, Lerden did not stop thinking about making more money.
“We aren’t trying to escape. Black… cough cough . Someone told us to watch over here. The others are currently fighting the scavengers back on the ship, and things are looking good. Why would we run?”
There are still people fighting back? Lerden’s eyes gave away his surprise, and he asked, “How many more companions do you have?”
“About thirty or forty.”
Lerden had thought that the main control room was certainly lost without him defending it. However, the sound of fighting and what this group of people had just told him clearly proved otherwise. He finally realized that he was not the only one trying to fight back against the scavengers.
These people seemed quite capable, and the situation at the main control room seemed to be under control. So, there was no reason to escape anymore.
I can still go back to help now and earn some money from the captain.
Lerden had a change of mind and gave up on running away. He said in a deep voice, “I’m a mercenary. My code name is The Green Knight. Where are your friends fighting? I can lend them some help.”
Frenzied Sword and the other players looked back and forth between themselves for a moment before they decided to point out where the others were engaging in combat with the scavengers.
After getting this information, Lerden turned and was determined to kill his way back.
…
Following the last anguished scream, Serpent Braid became the last scavenger standing in the passageway. His shaky form and his body full of wounds, along with his uneven breaths, made him look like a beast on its last leg.
Kerlodd fought alongside the players and had cleared away the other scavengers. Serpent Braid realized that the situation was getting bad and decided to break away from the fight. However, Han Xiao never gave him a chance.
In a one-on-one, Han Xiao completely suppressed Serpent Braid. Han Xiao might as well have just hung him up and beaten him with a stick. Serpent Braid’s health was already nearing zero, and he could barely hold up his hammer.
“Still want to struggle?” Han Xiao’s voice sounded over his suit’s communicator while the Sonic Spheres span behind his back. “Keep fighting, and you’re dead for sure. A scavenger leader like you will definitely have a decent bounty on your head. Let go of your weapon, and I will let you go to jail peacefully. There’s no point in losing one or more body parts now.”
The scavengers’ mission to capture Kerlodd had piqued Han Xiao’s interest. The Godorans’ influence in the Colton Star Cluster was considerably big, and although a random Godoran would not be worth that much, Han Xiao believed that there must have been some hidden motive behind this.
Clank!
Serpent Braid let of the hammer and allowed it to fall to the floor. The sudden change in weight caused him to lose balance, and he also crashed to the ground. He was out of breath, and his expression looked deathly. Serpent Braid felt that this should be enough to show his surrender.
Although Serpent Braid was often a hot-headed person, he was no fool. At least he would still be alive in jail.
Serpent Braid was thoroughly tied up. However, even while in a sitting position, the man’s upper body was over two meters high. A thought suddenly occurred to Han Xiao when he saw this.
It seems like this fellow is a hybrid between a Stone Giant and a human. With that huge of a different in body size, it would be to be his human parent… regardless of their gender…
Han Xiao instantly pressed on the brakes in case he accidentally thought up some horrifying scenes.
Aren’t these people a bit too free… It’s not like it’s a same-sex relationship… They’re not even the same species!
Hmm… but who am I to assume that the reproduction part involved true love and not some weird fetish?
This world is too scary…
Han Xiao calmed himself down and threw away all the nonsensical thoughts from his mind. “Tell me, who hired you? Why are you trying to kidnap the Godoran?”
Serpent Braid let out an angry snort before saying, “Don’t even think that I will tell you that. Those in our line of work do not sell out our clients!”
Han Xiao smiled coldly and threatened, “Although we can get a bounty for turning you in, that doesn’t mean that we have to turn everything in completely. Give me the information before I start taking parts off of you.”
“My client is DarkStar,” Serpent Braid answered almost instantly.
Han Xiao smirked. A scavenger talking about loyalty. Ha ha.
Kerlodd, who stood to the side, immediately turned serious. “DarkStar‽”
After Kerlodd’s reaction, Han Xiao finally remembered that DarkStar and Godora were sworn enemies.
Serpent Braid started to explain everything from the beginning.
“DarkStar has been buying pure blooded Godorans in secret… for a blood sacrifice or something. The starting prices for captured Godorans were very high. We thought that it was a godly opportunity when we found a Godoran aboard a low-end commercial space ship, so we contacted DarkStar to make some good money. We agreed on a deal, and our job was to capture the Godoran… That’s pretty much it.”
Pure-blooded Godorans were very high up the hierarchy, and most of the Godoran Observers would travel around in their own spaceships. Kerlodd was truly unlucky to have been found by a random group of scavengers who were then hired by DarkStar. Han Xiao wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. So, obviously, the enemies were not on the hunt for some ‘natives’ like themselves.
