46: The Fangs and Shadow Project of the Red Wall

The reality that the "voyager" had become a space tomb cast a heavy and murderous atmosphere over the Expeditionary Fleet. The initial rescue mission had ended, replaced by a more naked pursuit of survival and conquest. Mars, this planet occupied by the Scrin, would become the new battlefield for a direct confrontation between humanity and alien forces.

Sun Zheng quickly communicated the new three-stage strategy to units at all levels. The air of sorrow throughout the army was swept away, replaced by the resolve of breaking the cauldron.

The construction of the "Crimson Bulwark" entered a state of frantic acceleration. More prefabricated modules were air-dropped from "lü ou ii" and "seagull three." Engineers worked day and night, braving the Martian gales and low-gravity environment.

Within a few days, a small but fully functional forward base began to take shape:

The core area consisted of the "fortress one" battle fortress and two prism tanks, forming a mobile strike force.

On the periphery stood six prism towers and four patriot missile silos, forming a dense fixed defensive fire network.

A simple command post, Barracks, and repair shop were set up in the center of the base.

They even utilized the natural cover of a massive piece of wreckage to open up a small underground warehouse and shelter.

Sun Zheng officially named this frontline base "Crimson Bulwark," signifying the first nail driven by human civilization into the red planet—a nail that would never retreat.

At the same time, reconnaissance of the Scrin ground base was put on the agenda. That area shrouded under the interference field was like a malignant tumor; its true nature had to be determined as soon as possible. Sun Zheng named this task "Project Shadow."

Given the previous lesson with the "wasp" drones in the sub-ice tunnels, this reconnaissance had to be more cautious and stealthy. Sun Zheng deployed the most elite special units in his hands—Chrono Legionnaires and Spies.

The core of "Project Shadow": a two-man reconnaissance team consisting of an experienced Chrono Legionnaire (codenamed "Ghost") and a Spy (codenamed "Chameleon"), utilizing Chronosphere Teleportation for precision insertion to conduct short-duration, high-risk close-range reconnaissance at the edge of the interference zone.

Objectives: Determine the scale of the Scrin base, troop deployment, locations of key buildings—especially energy sources and the Command Center—and collect environmental samples if possible.

Before the operation, "Ghost" and "Chameleon" underwent the highest-level equipment checks and mission briefings on "seagull one." Sun Zheng personally saw them off.

"Remember, your mission is to be the eyes and ears, not the fists. Obtaining intelligence is the first priority. Once exposed, immediately activate the Chrono Beacon to evacuate. Do not stay to fight!" Sun Zheng exhorted them solemnly.

"Understood, Commander! Mission will be accomplished!" "Ghost" nodded steadily, his gaze sharp beneath the heavy space-time armor. "Chameleon" gave a silent salute, his camouflage device already adjusted to the mode best suited for the Martian surface environment.

The operation time was selected during the Martian "night," taking advantage of the darkness and the Scrin's likely period of low activity.

"Chronosphere, coordinates set: southeast edge of the interference zone, marker point S-7. Energy output stable, prepare for teleportation!"

The teleporter on "seagull one" lit up once again with a ghostly blue light.

"Teleport!"

With a flash of light, "Ghost" and "Chameleon" vanished from the bridge.

A few seconds later, tens of kilometers away at the edge of the interference zone, behind a jagged Martian rock, the space fluctuated imperceptibly, and the two arrived safely.

"Shadow Team is in position. Environment is secure, beginning reconnaissance procedures," Ghost's calm voice was transmitted back via encrypted Chrono communication.

"Chameleon" immediately activated his optical camouflage, his form almost completely blending into the reddish-brown rock background as he crept forward like a phantom. Sensors began scanning the energy field and life signs ahead.

"Ghost" remained in place, his space-time launcher on standby, ready at any moment to deal with emergencies or an urgent evacuation.

Time passed minute by minute. The Command Center was silent; everyone held their breath, waiting for the reconnaissance results.

Ten minutes later, Chameleon's voice came through, carrying suppressed shock:

"Commander... I see them... there are too many of them!"

"The interior of the interference field is a massive nest! There are purple crystal structures everywhere... a large number of 'Reapers' and 'Phase Walkers' are active... there's a huge energy vortex in the central area, that should be the location of the 'overseer' crystal... Wait! What is that?!"

Chameleon's voice suddenly became urgent:

"There's a deep pit beneath the energy vortex... something seems to be incubating inside?! I see... giant eggs?! Or some kind of construct?!"

Just then, a piercing alarm sounded on Chameleon's sensors!

"Not good! I've been scanned by an anti-stealth detector! They've found me!"

"Shadow Team, evacuate immediately!" Sun Zheng roared!

"Ghost" immediately activated the Chrono Beacon! Blue light began to envelop the two of them!

But at that very instant, a thick Phase Beam shot from deep within the interference zone, accurately blasting toward Chameleon's position!

Boom—!