28: The Glimmer of Light and the Phantom Crisis Beneath the Ice Crevice

The "arctic shadow" reconnaissance squad advanced cautiously across the vast ice field. The phantom tank activated its camouflage, moving through the ice ridges like an invisible ghost. Four Rocket Troopers kept watch from high above, while the Engineer monitored sub-ice energy signals using the equipment on the multifunction infantry vehicle.

Their mission was to scout Area B-7—a peripheral zone where energy signals from the Under-ice Ruins were relatively strong. Remote scanning showed a simple structure here with low risk.

"Reporting to Commander: we have reached the edge of Area B-7. The surface is normal. Sub-ice energy signals are stable, but the intensity is 15% higher than expected," reported the squad leader, a Rocket Trooper codenamed Falcon One.

"Proceed further, and stay safe. The phantom tank should remain in stealth and prioritize scanning," Sun Zheng commanded remotely from the Command Center.

The phantom tank's advanced sensors began a detailed scan of the ice. A 3D model gradually formed on the Command Center screen, showing intact metal pipes and platforms dozens of meters beneath the ice. The style matched the main ruins, but on a much smaller scale, appearing to be a peripheral facility.

"No signs of life or defense systems detected," Falcon One reported.

Everything seemed calm. Sun Zheng breathed a small sigh of relief; it appeared the peripheral area was indeed relatively safe.

But just as the phantom tank was moving slowly along an ice ridge, the driver suddenly reported, "Commander, there's a large ice crevice ahead! Deep inside the crack... there's a faint energy glow!"

Sun Zheng immediately switched the view. A massive, bottomless ice crevice appeared ahead, at least a dozen meters wide, looking like a scar on the earth. Deep within the crack, a faint, eerie blue light flickered, sharing the same energy source as the Under-ice Ruins.

"There's something down there!" Sun Zheng's spirits lifted. This could be the first opportunity to uncover the secrets beneath the ice!

"Falcon One, send a trooper for a low-altitude reconnaissance of the crack. Stay safe. The phantom tank should find a path to the edge of the crevice."

"Understood!"

A Rocket Trooper lowered his altitude and cautiously approached the edge of the ice crevice, his searchlight beam cutting into the abyss. The light revealed strange, crystal-like luminescent minerals clinging to the ice walls; the eerie blue glow was emanating from deep within these minerals.

"Commander, unknown energy minerals discovered. No signs of artificial structures or activity found."

Were they natural minerals or byproducts of the ruins? Sun Zheng decided to take a sample.

"Engineer, prepare the rappelling equipment to collect a sample. The phantom tank and the others, stay on alert."

The Engineer took out the equipment from the infantry vehicle and began setting up Anchor Points by the ice crevice. Just then, something unexpected happened!

"Warning! High-speed moving target detected! It's coming up from the crack!" The phantom tank's sensors suddenly blared a piercing alarm!

Almost simultaneously, a dark shadow burst out of the ice crevice like a bolt of lightning, lunging straight for the trooper conducting the low-altitude reconnaissance!

It was a... creature? About the size of a small car, it looked like a hybrid of a scorpion and a beetle magnified a thousand times. It was covered in a dark blue carapace, with a tail tipped with a glinting, lethal stinger! Its compound eyes gleamed coldly, and its speed was terrifyingly fast!

"Enemy attack! Fire!" Falcon One roared!

The ambushed trooper reacted instantly, twisting his body to dodge while firing a shoulder-mounted missile! But the creature was too fast! The stinger shot out like a harpoon, instantly piercing the trooper's jetpack!

"Boom!" The jetpack exploded, and the trooper fell into the abyss of the ice crevice with a scream.

"No!" Sun Zheng's heart tightened.

At the same time, the phantom tank deactivated its camouflage, and its electromagnetic sniper cannon roared, hitting the creature's back carapace!

"Bang!" The carapace shattered, and blue blood splattered. The creature let out a shrill screech, its movements faltering.

Before anyone could catch their breath, a dense, skin-crawling sound of scuttling echoed from beneath the ice crevice! More dark shadows were rapidly climbing up the ice walls!

"There's more than one! It's a nest! Retreat! Retreat now!" Falcon One made a split-second decision.

The phantom tank fired continuously, suppressing the few creatures that had climbed up. The Engineer abandoned the rappelling and quickly packed the equipment, jumping back into the infantry vehicle.

"Falcon One, you guys retreat first! I'll cover the rear!" the phantom tank driver shouted. He knew his tank was the only unit capable of effectively damaging these creatures.

"No! We leave together!"

"Don't argue! They're too fast; without cover, no one makes it out!" The phantom tank reversed while shooting, drawing the monsters' attention.

Sun Zheng watched the tragic scene on the screen, his heart burning with anxiety but powerless to help. For the first time, he felt the deep helplessness of remote command.

Finally, under the desperate cover of the phantom tank, Falcon One, the two remaining troopers, and the Engineer successfully escaped and retreated toward Forward Base Alpha. After killing three monsters, the phantom tank was overwhelmed by the endless swarm, and its signal finally vanished at the edge of the ice crevice.

Only Falcon One's heavy breathing and the faint, distant screeches of the monsters remained in the communication channel.

The first close encounter with the sub-ice world ended at the cost of a precious phantom tank and a Rocket Trooper.

Sun Zheng slumped in his command chair, staring at the screen where Area B-7 had returned to a dead silence. That ice crevice was like a demon's maw, silently mocking his recklessness.

Buried beneath the ice were not just ancient ruins, but active and lethal dangers.