Chapter 20: The Qingniao 37

Chen Wuling led Tian Xiao to the designated area where the patrol craft, Qingniao, was parked, a sleek, cutting-edge machine reserved for the security team.

The Qingniao 37, from now on, would be Tian Xiao's assigned vehicle.

Among the key skills of security personnel, besides mastering the use of personal chips and precise shooting, another essential competency was the ability to operate and maintain patrol craft, especially the Qingniao series.

When it came to precision shooting, one could argue that the patrol craft played an even more crucial role.

With his previous experience as a security officer, Tian Xiao understood this more clearly than Chen Wuling. Among the various skills security officers were required to master, managing a patrol craft was paramount.

Especially during shift rotations, security officers had to act based on real-time directions from the monitoring center. In the event of an emergency, they needed to possess quick decision-making skills to protect the headquarters from threats, and to ensure the safety of miners and the company's assets.

As Chen Wuling explained the importance of the patrol craft, detailing the machine's capabilities and its role in tactical operations, Tian Xiao listened attentively, fully aware of the underlying significance.

"Every time the machine's cannon or the six-barrel Gatling gun fires, you need approval," Chen Wuling continued, his tone serious. "You can't just open fire randomly. If someone gets hurt, you're entirely responsible. Even if there's no injury, you'll still be held accountable for the ammo and explosives used."

Chen Wuling then added, "Normally, firing won't be necessary unless it's an absolute emergency."

He looked at Tian Xiao, a knowing glint in his eyes as he continued, "By the way, you should know this: a single grenade costs five hundred credits. The Qingniao can hold forty rounds, while the Gatling can carry twenty thousand rounds, firing two hundred and forty rounds per second. For low-level beasts and insectoids, the Gatling is usually enough. The grenades are for more severe situations."

Tian Xiao, ever the attentive learner, responded in the right way. "What exactly constitutes an 'emergency' situation?"

Chen Wuling nodded in approval at Tian Xiao's perfect timing, pleased with his response. "Well, there are several types of threats: mutated beasts, mutant insectoids, high-level insectoids... and sometimes, even bold space pirates. When that happens, we need to unleash all our firepower."

Tian Xiao, already familiar with most of this, still played along, as any effective security officer would. "I've heard of mutated beasts and insectoids—though the probability of encountering them is low. But Chen Ge, the high-level insectoids... I thought they had been wiped out by the Earth Defense Forces during the New Era. Have we really encountered high-level insectoids?"

Chen Wuling's expression grew serious, his smile fading as he thought back to a particular incident. He took out a cigarette, lit it, and sighed. "I thought the same way you do. I was certain the high-level insectoids were all wiped out. But... until one day…"

He paused for a moment, locking eyes with Tian Xiao. "Once, while we were escorting a supply ship back to the Tianma Star System headquarters, we were ambushed by a group of high-temperature corrosive insectoids. The transport ship exploded instantly, the entire fleet's cargo was lost, and a third of our security team perished. The rest had to escape by piloting their own ships…"

Tian Xiao listened carefully, though he already knew where this story was heading.

High-temperature corrosive insectoids. They were a small-sized F-class insectoid species, highly stealthy, with the ability to fly faster than most spacecraft. They usually took shelter in corroded asteroid nests, attacking their enemies by spewing high-temperature corrosive liquid. Upon their death, they would self-destruct, releasing a devastating burst of high-temperature corrosive energy, capable of melting through normal warships and dissolving ordinary craft in seconds.

Chen Wuling grew somber as he continued, "After the incident, the Earth Defense Forces responded quickly, but they couldn't recover the cargo or the remains of the crew. Even the food on the transport ship disappeared, and we never found the insectoids that did this. Based on our calculations, they could have multiplied and spread out. If we don't stay vigilant, they could pose a serious threat to the Flywing Corporation's shipping lanes. That's why we can never afford to let our guard down."

Tian Xiao quietly nodded, absorbing every detail.

Chen Wuling clapped him on the shoulder. "You don't need to panic, though. Insectoids are sly. They know the Earth Defense Forces are formidable, so they usually avoid attacking the same place twice. They might have already left for some distant corner of the universe. But still, after that disaster, the company made it a rule for every new security officer to receive a monthly supply of training ammunition for six months to improve our combat readiness."

He grinned, adding, "Every month, you get twenty grenades and twenty thousand rounds of ammunition. So don't worry about the cost—just practice. It's all covered by the company."

With that, the two of them boarded the Qingniao.

Compared to the mining craft Tian Xiao had used before, the Qingniao was far more impressive. Its sleek design, combined with its subtle but menacing armament—cannon and Gatling gun—exuded power and efficiency.

The Qingniao was part of the H5 series of craft, known for its superior speed, shell strength, energy efficiency, and computational capacity. Tian Xiao, who had spent over a year handling machines like these, knew them inside and out. He quickly checked the fuel levels and ammo stock before establishing a link with Chen Wuling.

A split-screen appeared on the dashboard, and Chen Wuling smiled, his approval evident. "You're adapting well. From now on, I'll be the captain, and you'll be my wingman. As we go on patrol, I'll explain the finer details of our operations."

"Yes, sir," Tian Xiao replied, following the command to form the proper formation.

With that, Chen Wuling lit the ignition. Both Qingniao craft roared to life, their engines flaring with blue flames as they took off, slicing through the sky.

The Qingniao's interior was spacious, its speed twice that of mining craft, with a computational capability ten times superior to the Qinglong model.

Despite this, Tian Xiao still let the Qinglong AI take control. It wasn't that he couldn't manage the craft himself—it was simply that he was accustomed to the AI's assistance. However, he was determined to upgrade the Qinglong's capabilities soon.

Looking over at Tian Xiao, Chen Wuling's expression grew serious. "The planetary environment beyond the base is managed by the tower and the monitoring center. Our primary task is to patrol areas marked in red. These regions are usually hotspots for aggressive beasts and insectoids... our mission is to eliminate any threats we encounter. You understand why."

Tian Xiao nodded, his response crisp. "Beasts and insectoids reproduce rapidly. If left unchecked, they'll pose a serious threat to the base and all its workers."

Chen Wuling smiled with approval. "Exactly. These creatures are cunning. As soon as they hear the patrol craft, they hide. The planet's surface is riddled with deep craters, and the terrain is complicated. A single lapse in attention could cause us to lose track of them. Grenades alone won't penetrate those deep layers of rock, and they could end up destroying the terrain. Sometimes, we'll need to leave the craft and search on foot. But right now, your primary task is to familiarize yourself with the fire control systems for the cannon and Gatling gun. Let's start by doing some target practice."

With that, Chen Wuling executed a breathtaking cobra maneuver in the air, shooting off toward the distance.