60: Tiger in a Cage and Greedy Wolf

"Your Excellency! General Xing Zhan!"

Bachm wore a fawning expression as he practically jogged onto the bridge of the slaughterer. He clutched that 'ore sample' to his chest and held a forged emergency report he'd prepared overnight, his face plastered with an extremely sycophantic smile.

In the center of the bridge, Xing Zhan was focused entirely on wiping his massive High-Frequency Battle-Axe with a piece of soft silk. A chilling light flowed across the blade, seemingly capable of freezing a person's soul. He didn't even bother to lift an eyelid at Bachm's arrival.

"What is it, Steward?" Xing Zhan's voice held no warmth, filled with condescending contempt. "If you're here to complain about the poor texture of the synthetic meat in the canteen, you can get out now."

"No, no, no, of course not!" Bachm waved his hands hurriedly, stepping forward to respectfully present the ore and the report together. "General, a monumental achievement! I've discovered the main force of a group of riot leaders; they're holed up in an abandoned mine in Sector C!"

He spoke with spittle flying everywhere: "These small fry seem to be secretly mining a high-energy ore, intending to use it as capital for their riot! General, this is a perfect opportunity for you to settle the matter in one stroke and completely purge the dregs of the mining area! I am willing to lead the vanguard for you and sweep away this trash that isn't worth your personal intervention!"

"Oh?" Xing Zhan finally stopped his movements and looked up, but his bloodthirsty eyes were filled with mockery. "Steward Bachm, are you saying that you can't even handle a few mere Mine Slaves and need me to deal with these 'small fry' for you?"

"No! Absolutely not!" Bachm was so terrified that cold sweat broke out. "The General's divine might is peerless; dealing with these ants would be... it would be a waste of your divine power! I mean, this credit should rightfully be yours!"

Seeing that direct flattery was ineffective, Bachm immediately threw out the core argument he had prepared.

"General, please look at this geological report." He pointed at the structural diagram on the report, speaking with an 'earnest' expression. "The geological structure of that abandoned mine is extremely unstable. Based on my professional judgment, if your fleet's heavy firepower is used, it's highly likely to trigger an uncontrollable large-scale collapse. At that time... if the ore vein is damaged, it would be a huge loss for the company!"

He paused, adding in a tone he thought was clever: "Therefore, I have a small, humble suggestion. I will lead my personal guard and use conventional weapons to go in and clear them out. You and your elite troops only need to oversee the perimeter, forming a strategic deterrent and sealing off all their exits! This way, you can claim the credit without shedding a drop of blood while avoiding using a cannon to kill a mosquito. What do you think?"

These words hit Xing Zhan exactly where it mattered.

He already looked down on these internal security missions. Compared to capturing a few insignificant Mine Slaves, he craved a real battle that could make his blood boil. Bachm's proposal was practically tailor-made for his laziness and arrogance.

However, his long military career kept a sliver of suspicion alive. He didn't agree immediately, instead staring fixedly at Bachm with eyes as sharp as a hawk's, as if trying to see through all the secrets in his heart.

"With that group of useless trash under you?"

"They... they are familiar with the terrain!" Under Xing Zhan's pressure, Bachm felt like his breathing was about to stop, his shirt instantly soaked with cold sweat. "And... and they're just a motley crew; we're enough to handle them!"

Just as Bachm was about to break, the bridge's public communication channel suddenly rang out.

"Reporting to the General, external sensors have detected a slight energy reaction at Exploration Point No. 7 in Sector C, matching the characteristics of small-scale equipment operation."

This corroboration from an 'objective third party' became the final straw that broke the camel's back.

Xing Zhan's suspicion was completely dispelled. In his eyes, this was just this idiot Bachm being eager to perform and wanting to snatch a bit of insignificant credit.

"Hmph, suit yourself." He waved his hand arrogantly, picked up the silk again, and resumed wiping his battle-axe. "Don't screw it up, you waste."

"Yes! Yes! I guarantee the mission will be completed!"

Bachm felt as if he had been granted a grand pardon, scuttling out of the bridge on all fours.

Twenty minutes later, at the mining area spaceport.

Bachm had assembled all of his personal guards—a full fifty well-equipped soldiers. This was the core force he used to control the mining area.

"Brothers!" Standing atop an armored transport vehicle, he delivered a passionate mobilization speech. "A monumental achievement is right before our eyes! A super-rich ore deposit has been found in Sector C! As long as we take down that group of reckless rioters, I guarantee everyone will receive a reward large enough for you to squander for the rest of your lives! Then, we'll leave this hellhole and go enjoy life in the Central Star Sector!"

"Roar!" The guards' greed was completely ignited, their eyes flashing with a thirst for wealth.

"Move out!"

Three of the mining area's finest armored transport vehicles formed a grand convoy. Carrying Bachm and all his assets, they roared away from the base, heading toward the 'gluttonous feast' of his dreams.

In the temporary command center in the rear, Chen Feng quietly watched Bachm's convoy completely disappear into the entrance of Sector C through an inconspicuous corner monitor.

The corner of his mouth curled into a cold arc.

He picked up the communicator and issued the pre-planned command to Reno on the other end.

"Close the door and release the dogs."

"Operation begin!"