64: Iron Dome

Following Chen Feng's command, the entire Mining Area No. 7 base began to slowly awaken, like a slumbering steel behemoth.

“'Iron Dome' Protocol, authorization code 734-Alpha, confirm execution.” Chen Feng spoke into the microphone on the main console in a voice devoid of emotion.

“Authorization confirmed. Protocol initiated.”

A cold, synthesized electronic voice responded.

Throughout the base, harsh alarms did not sound; instead, a dull, heart-pounding roar served as the prelude. At the base's perimeter, physical armored gates several meters thick descended slowly with a momentum that could crush anything, completely isolating the base from the outside world. Immediately following this, a pale blue energy shield enveloped the entire base like an inverted giant bowl; although it was only maintained at minimum alert power, it was sufficient to repel any small-scale spying or sudden raids.

Inside the command room, Reno watched the main screen as all conventional external communication channels turned red, symbolizing disconnection. Only a secret channel disguised as a geological survey signal remained, monitoring the movements of Xing Zhan's troops one-way.

“Is everything arranged?” Chen Feng turned and asked.

“Everything is arranged.” Reno nodded, his face bearing a murderous aura never seen before. “The newly refitted hundred-man company has been divided into ten squads. I will have them 'visit' every name on the list you provided, one by one.”

“Very well, go then.” Chen Feng said, “Before dawn, I want a 'clean' base.”

“Guaranteed to complete the mission.”

Reno turned and left, carrying a cold murderous intent.

The purge operation had begun.

The entire process was smoother than imagined. Most of Bachm's spies and loyalists were merely cowards who bullied the weak but feared the strong. In the face of absolute power, they couldn't even organize a decent resistance.

In the Block B Dormitory Area, the third squad kicked open a Supervisor's door.

“Who is it! Looking for death in the middle of the night...”

The Supervisor sat up from his bed grumbling, but before he could finish, a cold gun barrel was already pressed against his forehead.

“Us. Come with us for a trip.”

The anger on the Supervisor's face instantly turned into pale terror.

“Heroes, spare my life! Spare my life!”

The entire process was quiet, rapid, and efficient. The people on the list were dragged from their dreams one after another, cleared away like pulling up radishes.

However, in the Power Reactor Control Room, the operation encountered the most stubborn resistance.

“Don't come any closer! If you come any closer, we'll detonate the reactor! We'll make the whole base be buried with us!”

The three guards responsible for security were all Bachm's most loyal confidants. Relying on the sturdy control room door and the heavy weapons inside, they fought back from their cornered position.

A squad leader reported anxiously to Reno over his headset: “Captain! They're lunatics! We can't force our way in!”

“Received, I'm on my way.”

Reno soon arrived at the scene. Looking at the immobile alloy door, he did not order a frontal assault.

“Bring that pilot over here.” Reno said coldly.

Soon, the ace pilot Drake, tied up securely, was brought over.

“Reno? What do you want?” Drake struggled, his eyes full of disdain.

“I don't want much.” Reno took a megaphone and held it to Drake's mouth. “Shout to the people inside. Tell them how Bachm abandoned them and ran away. Tell them that Xing Zhan can't even save himself. Tell them to surrender.”

“Why should I...”

Reno pulled out his gun, pressed it against Drake's knee, and said calmly: “Or I can shatter your leg first and find someone else to shout. Your choice.”

Drake looked into Reno's emotionless eyes and shuddered. He finally yielded, shouting Reno's words into the megaphone with a tone of humiliation and anger.

“...Bachm that coward ran away long ago! You're still selling your lives for him? Idiots! Lord Xing Zhan can't even save himself! Surrender now!”

Inside the control room, the three guards were indeed severely shaken.

“Is... is what he's saying true?”

“Boss... what do we do?”

“Shut up! This is an enemy trick!” The lead guard was still being stubborn, but his trembling voice betrayed him.

Just as one of the guards looked toward the door hesitantly, a dark shadow dropped silently from the ventilation duct above their heads like a ghost.

It was A Yong.

He didn't even draw his gun; in the blink of an eye, three dull thuds sounded, and the battle was over.

When Reno led his men through the door, he only saw A Yong tossing the three unconscious guards into a corner like sacks of flour.

“Done.” A Yong clapped his hands and said easily.

The purge operation concluded.

Base Broadcasting Room.

Chen Feng stood before the microphone and pressed the button for base-wide broadcasting.

“Everyone in Mining Area No. 7, please listen to me.”

His voice traveled through the broadcast to every corner of the base, reaching the ears of everyone who was anxious due to this sudden upheaval.

“My name is Chen Feng. Like you, I was once a Mine Slave. Just now, Bachm and the old era he represented—an era that knew only oppression and plunder—has come to an end.”

He did not preach hatred, nor did he incite violence.

“I will not promise an illusory paradise. But I guarantee you that from today, a new era begins. An era where labor is exchanged for harvest, an era of dignity and having enough to eat.”

“As the first gift of this new era, starting tomorrow, the food ration standards for everyone will be tripled.”

After a brief silence, the entire base—from the miner dormitories to the administrative building—erupted in deafening cheers that seemed ready to blow off the roof!

Inside the command room, the cheers gradually subsided.

Reno watched the screen as several reconnaissance drones sent by Xing Zhan's troops due to the communication blackout were accurately shot down by the base's perimeter automated turrets, his brow furrowed.

“Although we've controlled the base, we're like a tortoise hiding in its shell.” He said in a heavy voice, “Xing Zhan's troops could launch a general offensive at any time.”

Chen Feng smiled and walked to the main console, pulling up the asset overview for the entire base, which listed a dense series of data on weapons, energy, vehicles, and mineral reserves.

“No, we are not tortoises.” He looked at the list, his eyes flashing with excitement, “We are wasps that have taken over the hive. Now, let's take stock of our new family property and see how many 'stingers' are available for use.”