Chapter 33: A Temporary Order

For the two pilots controlling the Qingniao (Green Bird), eliminating the Lizard Claw Bugs lurking behind the asteroids from a distance posed no difficulty at all.

The unmanned drone silently took up an advantageous position, helping to lock onto the Lizard Claw Bugs' location.

The machine guns and grenade launchers paved the way;The asteroids exploded;A hail of gunfire...

Under the calculation of the chip, everything was seamlessly coordinated.

Twelve Lizard Claw Bugs were eliminated.

Tian Xiao casually collected the bodies of the Lizard Claw Bugs he had killed.

The Qingniao rejoined the formation.

The three captains aboard the supply transport vessel, along with a group of crew members, stood in stunned silence, exchanging confused glances.

What just happened?

Is that it?

The ship was eerily quiet.

The formation resumed its journey.

Zhang Lian hesitated for a moment, then decided to contact the two Qingniao captains:

"Number 28, this is Feiying 3; Captain Zhang Lian here."

"Captain, this is Number 28, Chen Wuling."

"You did well just now."

"It's my duty to escort the transport ship."

Chen Wuling responded happily, his tone formal.

Zhang Lian, curious, asked:

"Captain Zhang is curious—how did you discover those Lizard Claw Bugs?"

"Reporting, Captain, it was the drone."

Chen Wuling answered.

"A drone," Zhang Lian murmured, suddenly understanding.

The rest of the crew inside the ship relaxed as well.

"Noted."

Zhang Lian gave orders to his subordinates and then complimented Chen Wuling:"Well done. Your vigilance and decisive action really protected the transport ship's safety. I'll personally recommend you for a commendation. Please stay humble and continue to perform well."

"Oh, and! The ammunition you expended needs to be replenished. Go back to the transport ship to resupply; I've already arranged it with the logistics team."

"Yes, sir."

The communication ended.

The two pilots then entered Feiying 3 along with the transport vessel.

The interior of Feiying 3 was vast.

As a transport vessel, 80% of its space was used for storing various resources. All incoming raw ores were placed in standard storage compartments.

The Qingniao was directed to a side docking area, where it quickly replenished its expended ammunition. Then, a person who appeared to be a supervisor approached with a smile.

"Haha…"

"Leader Lin," Chen Wuling greeted him, shaking hands.

"Long time no see."

"It's been a while, indeed. I heard you just gave us a lesson by eliminating twelve Lizard Claw Bugs. Bloody work, but don't take them back with you. I'll buy them for fifty thousand each."

Tian Xiao, who recognized the person, remained silent, smiling faintly behind Chen Wuling.

The man was the logistics staff of Feiying 3—a minor character who had recently been promoted to group leader. He was clearly after those twelve Lizard Claw Bugs.

The Lizard Claw Bugs weren't valuable on the frontlines, but when transported to the rear, they could be used to make delicacies or turned into artwork. Each one could sell for at least three hundred thousand.

A massive profit!

"Fifty thousand? That won't do."

"Make it a hundred thousand each, and I'll keep them for the brothers," Chen Wuling bargained.

Leader Lin haggled, "You didn't recover all the scraps. I'm at a loss here. How about I pay for ten of them... rounding it off to a million."

"One million is fine, but you need to throw in ten crates of strong liquor," Chen Wuling continued negotiating.

After some back and forth, the deal was struck—twelve Lizard Claw Bugs for one million, plus ten crates of liquor.

Tian Xiao didn't interfere.

After all, he had already ensured that the pancreas of the Lizard Claw Bugs had been removed and safely stored by Qinglong.

It was best to stop while ahead.

Tian Xiao took a quick look around the interior of Feiying 3. By the time he turned his attention back to the situation, Chen Wuling had completed the transaction with Leader Lin.

The two boarded the ship.

The mission continued.

In the following days, communication on both the transport vessel and the Feiying 3 became more frequent, and occasionally, they would chat for a moment.

Clearly, Chen Wuling and Tian Xiao's efficient and ruthless tactics in aerial combat had earned them the respect of everyone.

In any place, people tend to smile upon those who are strong or valuable.

And this place was no exception.

Back at the base, Luo Fei, Wu Hao, and the others received a transmission from Captain Zhang Lian of the supply transport vessel, informing them that Chen Wuling and Tian Xiao had just earned the base's security team some face.

Luo Fei chuckled with joy:

"Hahahaha… These two, handling the asteroid collision event, made over two million. Now, they're escorting a convoy and making another five hundred thousand. I'm starting to envy them!"

"Yeah…" Wu Hao replied with a strained smile.

The vice leader of the security team was envious, even jealous.

Since the Lizard Claw Bugs had been dealt with, subsequent escort missions were smooth and uneventful.

After two days and nights of loading and transporting, the supply transport vessel was fully loaded and ready to set off.

Per protocol, Luo Fei and Wu Hao were to personally lead the team to escort Feiying 3 to the nearest jump point.

Just as they were leaving the base, an urgent transmission from the headquarters of Feiying Corporation arrived in Luo Fei's hands.

After reading the message, Luo Fei's face darkened.

The higher-ups at Feiying Corporation had issued an order:

Given the possibility that Lizard Claw Bugs might still be hiding near the base, the security team's leader and deputy leader could not both leave. Therefore, the headquarters decided that Wu Hao would remain at the base to command and continue overseeing security.

Luo Fei was to proceed as planned and lead the escort mission with Feiying 3.

Luo Fei shot a glance at Wu Hao.

This was definitely Wu Hao's doing!

Wu Hao, with a calm expression, stepped back a pace and said, "I also received the temporary order from headquarters. I won't be participating in the escort mission this time. Safe travels, Leader."

Luo Fei stood still, staring at Wu Hao with an ugly expression for a long time, then said, each word deliberate:"Since that's the case, then I'll trouble the deputy leader to stay behind and command. As for the escort mission, I'll assign Chen Wuling's team. I hope everything is in order by the time I return."

Wu Hao paused for a moment, then replied coldly, "The escort team has already been decided, but Chen Wuling's team has two new recruits, and one of them is useless. I'm afraid they won't be able to handle the escort mission."

"Well, since the headquarters has decided to pull one of the core members, I, as the security team leader, naturally have to temporarily replace him to ensure the escort team's strength. This is within my rights," Luo Fei raised his voice."As for the new recruits, I believe Captain Zhang won't mind, especially after Chen Wuling's team just proved their worth."

Wu Hao fell silent, his face twitching slightly.

He had been scheming to stay behind to deal with Chen Wuling and the new recruits that had joined Luo Fei.

But to his surprise, Luo Fei had taken both of them with him.

With them gone, his presence had no real meaning.

Could he go after Luo Fei's other men?

That would not be enough to seriously harm Luo Fei. In fact, it would likely lead to an all-out confrontation between their forces.

Going against the leader, even with backing from headquarters, would be hard to explain.