Chapter 26: The Disappearance

In the ensuing period, the defensive positions continued to receive an unceasing supply of weaponry, and both Duncan and Albert were equipped with enough power armor to arm every soldier. Yet, the influx of power armor and other equipment showed no signs of abating.

Outside the fortress, Albert sat on a metal slab, quietly observing the logistics machines scouring the terrain for materials. They were collecting the discarded old weapons and gear that the soldiers had replaced. 

The black spherical devices floated towards the equipment, first conducting a scan to confirm that it did not belong to the weapons either improved or independently manufactured by Qin Mo. Subsequently, they projected beams of light to disassemble the weapons. As the items gradually vanished from the ground, Albert could not discern where the disassembled components went; he speculated that they might have been absorbed into the spheres.

These black orbs soon congregated, forming a long line that directed beams of light towards the barren ground, from which brand-new weapons slowly emerged. 

"Creation printing technology," Albert murmured, watching and analyzing. He endeavored to deduce how materials were disassembled and how the remnants were reconstructed into tangible objects through the beams of light. However, he found it impossible to conjecture, as even the basis for such speculation eluded him. The disassembly and manufacturing processes of the logistics machines appeared abstract, akin to sorcery.

"Are you daydreaming again?" 

The voice of a friend broke through his reverie, and Albert turned to see Duncan approaching. 

"We're merely two hundred meters from the fortress, and the insurgents could appear at any moment. It's perilous for you to sit here in a daze," Duncan remarked, frowning as he settled beside Albert.

Albert lifted his gaze to the sky, where endless darkness stretched above him, interspersed with the massive, serpentine conduits. "If the rebels show up, I will fight them until I am liberated from this ominous abyss."

Duncan remained silent, aware of his friend's slight tendencies toward self-destruction, which only worsened in desperate circumstances, constrained by his responsibility to his soldiers.

Now, everyone on the front lines seemed less eager for Qin Mo to initiate a counteroffensive than Albert, as it would grant him a legitimate reason to die in battle.

"While you were lost in thought, I made contact with the 47th Regiment through the communicator," Duncan shifted the topic. 

Albert's dulled eyes sparked with interest as he inquired, "Has the counteroffensive begun?" 

"No, it's about the expansion of our survivor units," Duncan replied, relaying the information he had gleaned from the communicator. 

The existing regiments would be expanded to a total of ten thousand personnel, with each regiment required to have a full complement of battle-ready soldiers. Furthermore, all regiments would be restructured into a legion, with Qin Mo as its commander.

Duncan reminded Albert that his earlier casual reference to Qin Mo was permissible since he had yet to assume a military rank, but now that he had claimed the title of legion commander and earned everyone's recognition, they must address him by his rank.

Upon hearing this decision, Albert appeared puzzled. "Weapons can be easily manufactured, but what about soldiers? Even combining our two regiments, we barely number ten thousand. Where will we find recruits?"

Just as Duncan prepared to respond, Albert suddenly recalled that over three hundred thousand people resided in the city of Kato. "I understand now; we must recruit soldiers from Kato, correct?" 

"Indeed," Duncan affirmed. "I recently learned that plans are underway to construct a new city in Kato. Upon hearing of the new Kato project, the civilians have resolved to take action to repay the legion commander. They have already been recruited and are set to join various outposts."

"I see," Albert nodded, contemplating.

Though he had never been to Kato or participated in its defense, he knew that the inhabitants of the lower nest possessed combat capabilities. They had food and weapons, but gaining their loyalty would not be a simple task. However, if they could secure that loyalty, it would equate to having a self-sufficient army.

"Excellent," Albert's gaze drifted toward the distance. "I have a feeling that all of this is in preparation for a counteroffensive. After months of preparation, we are finally poised to strike back!"

"Yes," Duncan concurred, sharing his thoughts.

For a time, the two remained silent, gazing out over the metallic expanse before them, until Albert suddenly turned back to the logistics machines and pointed at one, saying, "If I were to be reduced to ashes by that contraption, could you please ask Qin... the legion commander to dispose of my remains in the world outside the Nest?" 

"But we are in the Nest; what could he possibly do...?" 

"He possesses creation magic and various advanced technologies. Surely he can devise a slingshot to launch my ashes out?" 

"Very well. If you fall in battle, I shall see to it." 

Duncan acquiesced to his friend's request.

…

In the dead of night.

Duncan was jolted awake from deep slumber, bleary-eyed as he stared at the two soldiers at the foot of his bed. One was his bodyguard, while the other was Albert's.

"Do you know where our commander has gone?" Albert's bodyguard inquired.

Rubbing his face to shake off the drowsiness, Duncan replied, "I recall Albert was daydreaming outside the fortress at dinner; didn't you go looking for him?" 

"I did, but he was nowhere to be found. We scoured a five-hundred-meter radius around the fortress in our power armor, but we found not a single trace," the guard stammered.

Duncan instantly shook off his grogginess. He hastily donned his clothes and dashed out of the room, heading straight for the armory where the power armor was stored.

Noticing his evident distress, Albert's bodyguard guessed the likely outcome but struggled to believe it. "Surely you don't think our commander has been captured by the enemy?" 

"Of course not; there are always soldiers manning the firing positions around the fortress. If insurgents appeared nearby, they would surely be spotted," Duncan assured as he hurried along.

The guard exhaled a sigh of relief, but Duncan's next words heightened his concern.

"Albert must have left the outpost on his own."

"As for the reason... the enemy has psychics, and anything could transpire beyond the coverage of the psychic suppressors within the fortress." 

"I warned that fool repeatedly not to wander off to secluded places to daydream. Damn it..." 

As he spoke, Duncan entered the armory, moved to the rack where the power armor hung, and began to equip it himself.

"I'll accompany you in the search," the guard offered.

"Are you a scout?" Duncan asked. "You'd only slow me down." 

Once he had donned the power armor, Duncan burst out of the armory, charging alone into the shadows while activating his biological scanning system. 

The scanning radius extended five hundred meters, and upon completion, the results displayed a dense cluster of red dots within the fortress.

Duncan continued to advance, occasionally altering his course and sprinting to different locations, scanning diligently all the while.