Age of Cosmic Exploration, 3

by Zhttty

  "For life or for death!"

  Came Ebon’s lonely echo before it was drowned out by the artillery sound of his rail cannon!

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  Chapter149 Unexpectedly Strong! Black Star Troopers!

  The Black Star slogan hadn’t really caught on with the troopers because it wasn’t that impressive, and because it too steeped in the Black Star Unit’s history.

  After all, the slogan had been the Black Stars’ for almost 50 years!

  This was pretty much the Black Stars’ death march slogan. When Ying wailed the slogan, it meant that he was already prepared to not return alive!

  As Ebon’s rail cannon went roaring away, Ying knelt down to use his angled leg as support for his rifle. Then he began to snipe the bigger monsters among the crowd… In a matter of seconds, the area was dripping with monster blood and guts.

  The Gaussian rail gun was doing its work. It had a firing speed of 30,000 shots per second, and the bullets had an initial velocity that could reach up to a maximum of several thousand kilometers per second. Basically, the bullet would find itself outside of the ozone layer a second after it was fired. Its power couldn’t be underestimated!

  Despite the monsters’ scary appearance, they were nothing compared to the raw power of the 4th revolution weaponry. Their exoskeletons might look tough, but they were anything but when faced with these reinforced weapons.

  Ying’s shot took down a 6-meter-tall creature, and Ebon followed it up by annihilating the smaller underlings around it. In just a blink of an eye, a sizable gang of monsters became nothing more than a heap of fleshy mess!

  Only then did the Survivors and Ren Tao begin to come to. They too lifted their guns and shot at the adversaries. Without surprise, the monsters fell under the bullets like paper mache. Even Ying’s team was shocked at how fragile these creatures were.

  There was a chance that they would live! However, before they could relax, a visible layer of electricity appeared around the bigger monsters. The layer rendered all of their bullets useless.

  "Damn, electromagnetic shield! Looks like the big creatures aren’t for aggressive purposes!" Ying yelled. He turned to realize that his team had already spread out to deal with the onslaught. The creator’s particle isolator in their combat suits had only a 1 meter radius. In other words, they had to get close to communicate with one another.

  Shaking his head, he pulled out his sawblade and rushed headfirst towards the bigger creatures that were at the enemies' backline.

  As Ying rushed forward, the framework in his combat suit sensed his motion as well as rise in adrenaline to activate a supermagnetic growth field. Originally meant to promote plant growth, this technology’s actual usage was to desensitize g-force!

  Yes, g-force!

  When an organism achieves sudden acceleration, g-force will be formed. G-force is created due to the density difference between cellular fluids and rigid cell structure. Therefore, under extreme acceleration, the density of the cellular fluids will get so overwhelming that the body will implode from within. This is the reason why g-force can be a valid cause of death.

  For mankind in the 3rd revolution, g-force was a mystery. In fact, many countries were investing into g-force technology when Earth was still around. However, the research went nowhere. There was no way to prevent the damage caused by g-force when the human body reaches the acceleration of several thousand meters per second.

  That problem was solved in the 4th revolution though. The technology to manipulate the human body at a cellular level had arrived!

  One such technology was the electromagnetic growth field. Electromagnetic waves could be used to get into humans' deep tissue. Other than increasing plant growth rate, the technology could be used to counter g-force during acceleration.

  The technology was used to push not only the solid parts of the human body, like bones, but also the fluids forward during acceleration. The forward motion was found out to be the most effective direction to offset g-force!

  This was why mankind could survive piloting the combat jet even though it could reach up to several hundred kilometers of acceleration per second!

  The technology was replicated in the Black Star troopers' space armor. During particle flux acceleration, the Space Armor Prototype 1 would use its electromagnetic growth field to offset the increasing g-force. With these devices in place, the space armor could allow its wearer to reach up to 200 meters acceleration per second!

  Not only that, the electromagnetic growth field has another important use. Due to the difference in the weight of the electromagnetic and gravity fields, time flows differently. This has seen real world experimentation in the twentieth century.

  Like how the growth field can speed up a plant’s growth, it can make a human’s response rate go faster. The increase is, however, dependent on personal ability.

  As a Homo Evolutis, Ying’s reflexes had seen a tremendous increase under the effect of the electromagnetic growth field!

  As he leaped forward, the internal AI of the space armor activated the particle flux to support Ying’s running start. He found himself several hundred meters away from where he was just seconds ago, and he was still accelerating. He zipped down a straight line about 8 seconds before jumping upwards, his sawblade glinting in the moonlight.

  His blood curdling, Ebon whipped his rail gun away and rushed towards Ying, brandishing his own sawblade.

  The other Survivors were glued to their feet. They were firing their guns in an area around them aimlessly. During Ebon’s mid-acceleration, a group of 1-meter-tall monsters leaped into the air, covering the area above Ebon’s head with their writhing mass before dropping down and smothering him.

  "We’re totally done for! These monsters are endless, and our bullets are useless against their electromagnetic shields…"

  The 5 Survivors unconsciously moved to gather around Ren Tao. In their heart, they knew that both Ying and Ebon were a lost cause, so in a desperate bid for survival, they placed their bets on the sole remaining skilled Homo Evolutis, Ren Tao.

  Their close proximity caused Ren Tao to hear the person’s despairing exclamation. "Move out of the way! Have you guys gone through several months or several days of training? Such shame! Those are your families down there! I’d die before I let any harm come to my sister! Get out of my way, you’re blocking my blade!"

  Ren Tao lifted his sawblade and tore through the monster crowd. The space armor gave him the boost he needed, so he reached Ebon’s side in 7 seconds! He then unleashed a side that no one had seen before. As a Thinker, Ren Tao had spent most of his time on the battlefield strategizing, so it came as a shock for everyone when they saw their strategist tear through the mass of fleshy monsters.

  As the bodies of the monsters fell, Ren Tao’s brain started calculating. With the combined power of all the Homo Evolutis and the space armors’ aid, it was fully possible that they could live to see another day!

  Suddenly, the ground shook. Ebon emerged from underneath the a monster mountain with his eyes blazing. Swinging his sawblade, he rampaged through the battlefield. Like a steamroller, he rammed a bloody trail through enemy ranks. An alien darted towards him, baring its claws, but he cleaved it perfectly in half.

  Like the God of war, Ebon was showcasing his might on the battlefield!

  In his rampage, a few aliens managed to claw at Ebon, but those barely slowed him down. Ren Tao observed that the space armor not only increased their reflexes and offset the g-force, the armor was interlaced with special alloys created by the alien plant. That gave it a shell that was indestructible by the aliens’ standard!

  Since this was the Black Star troopers’ first actual combat, Ren Tao was pleasantly surprised at how unstoppable they were!

  At that moment, an electromagnetic shielded alien was cut in half, revealing a perfectly unscathed Ying standing above its dying body.


  Ren Tao’s voice rang out as he riddled an alien that appeared before him with bullets… "We can win! The backup will bring about 10 skilled Homo Evolutis and 100 Survivors… With that support, we can absolutely win this!"

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  Chapter150 Time for War!

  Yao Yuan had been stewing in fear and anxiety for minutes before Liu Bai arrived bearing news. Other than the few Diviners onboard, whose danger senses had been singing for the past few days, the rest of the public mulled about without a concern in the world.

  Only after Liu Bai clambered onto the Hope with a completely out-cold Zhang Heng on his back did Yao Yuan know that they were struck with an ambush!

  "Damn! How many enemy aliens were there? Where’s the rest of the unit?" Yao Yuan screamed at Liu Bai with bloodshot eyes.

  Liu Bai answered calmly, "I left too early to tell how many enemies were there in total… Plus, I had to leave on my own because Zhang Heng was not looking so well."

  Yao Yuan turned to Zhang Heng immediately. The boy had lost consciousness and was fidgeting all over like he was suffering from epilepsy. Yao Yuan collected himself quickly because he knew Liu Bai had made the right choice under the circumstances. Returning to the Hope allowed him to both rescue an important member of the ship and to bring back updates from the front lines… Information was everything in a situation where creator’s particles had been deployed.

  "Liu Bai, you’re off medical duty; leave Zhang Heng to the medical unit. Help me prepare for combat."

  Yao Yuan retrieved from his pocket a red communicator. A sharp siren wailed through the Hope’s fifth floor when he pressed a button on it.

  "The Hope is under attack! All Black Star troopers and the Hope Defense Unit, please prepare for combat! I repeat. The Hope is under attack! All Black Star troopers and the Hope Defense Unit please prepare for combat! This is not a drill, I repeat, this is not a drill!"

  The announcement followed the siren. According to protocol, all military personnel had to gather at the Hope’s training field to wait for orders within 5 minutes of the announcement. Whether one was resting or eating, it made no difference; an order was an order.

  Yao Yuan arrived at the field in less than 5 minutes. All 140 plus Black Star Troopers were already there. This was an elite unit composed of purely Homo Evolutis. Thanks to the increase in Homo Evolutis brought upon by the second fever, Yao Yuan decided to limit the Black Star Troopers to a small yet elite unit. Everyone was armed with Gaussian rifles, electromagnetic sawblades, and Space Armor Prototype 1s. Few among them were also pilots for Space Combat Jet Prototype 003.

  The Hope Defense Unit, on the other hand, had about 3,600 members. Armed with reinforced space combat suits, Gaussian rifles, and charged bayonets, this was a unit that was meant to win via overwhelming numbers. Every platoon was fitted with 1 mini Gaussian Gatling cannon, every company 2 mini Gaussian cannons, and every battalion 2 to 3 medium Gaussian cannons. These 2 were the main military units that made up the Hope’s army.

  Yao Yuan wasted no time to address the gathered men and women. "Mobilize all 3 main units within the Black Star Troopers now. Use the shuttles to get aboveground and help exterminate all enemies in sight. Secure the perimeter and wait for further orders… Ol’ Wong, you’ll be leading the teams, go now!"

  Guang Zhen saluted. "Yes, Sir!" With the rest of the Black Star Troopers, they rushed towards the shuttle hangar.

  Yao Yuan then trained his attention at the remaining 3,600 soldiers. "This ship is currently under alien attack. Right above us, our dispatch unit was ambushed. They might be dead by now, so I’ll skip the sentimentalities. With the Black Star Troopers forging the path for us, we’re going to arrive to clean up the rest. I’ll be personally leading your party for this mission!

  "Combat Battalion A, Battalions 1, 2, and 3, fall out!" Yao Yuan ordered.

  About 1,500 soldiers shifted into position in an orderly fashion.

  Yao Yuan continued, "Your battalions will be armed with standard space combat gear. Follow closely behind the Black Star Troopers. Aid them in securing the perimeter. Go now."

  "Sir, yes, Sir!" The 3 battalion commanders and 3 second lieutenants saluted in unison. Then they ran to catch up with the troopers.

  "Support Battalion B, Battalion 4, 5, and 6, fall out!" Yao Yuan yelled.

  Another 1,500 soldiers shifted into position. Yao Yuan added, "Your mission will be to help the troopers and combat battalion A secure the perimeter. In about 10 minutes, your battalion will arrive at the battlefield with long-ranged weapons to provide cover."

  "Sir, yes, Sir!" the 3 battalion commanders replied.

  Yao Yuan turned to the last 600 plus soldiers. "Scrapper Battalion C, your task will start after the combat has reached its mid-point. Head out after 30 minutes and start building battlefield modifications around the temporary base. I’ll allow the usage of heavy duty transport vehicles and large creator’s particles isolators as well as large high-energy electromagnetic batteries."

  The battalion commanders replied, "Sir, yes, Sir!"

  While all of this were going on, the Guang Zhen-led troopers had already arrived at the battlefield. They were stunned by the scene that unfolded before their eyes the moment the shuttle window opened to the surface.

  The field was littered with so many alien bodies that their blood had pooled into a green-colored stream. Chipped exoskeletons and meat hunks dotted the landscape. There were heaps after heaps of alien carcasses!

  Ebon’s almost 3 meters tall space armor stood out like a sore thumb amidst the grotesque scene. He was still crashing through the battlefield. Every enemy that stood in his path was shredded down. A gang of aliens tried stopping him by forming a flesh wall, but he rammed through it with ease like he was a human tank!

  "Tank? You’re underestimating the power of Space Armor Prototype 1."

  The word "tank" triggered a memory in Guang Zhen’s mind. He remembered arguing with Bo Li. This was during a discussion on possible vehicular addition to the Hope’s military. Since the Hope no longer needed to worry about overload during warp, the Barracks could afford to consider engineering armored vehicles, like tanks.

  Bo Li said, in her condescending tone, "Just in terms of technology, the space armor is more advanced than the combat jet. So why would we want a tank? A tank will be useless with the presence of the creator’s particle. It will be nothing more than an empty tin can! We should focus our efforts on high-mobility, high-compatibility, high-speed, and high-defense body armor!

  "Furthermore, a normal vehicle, like a tank, wouldn’t showcase the power of the Homo Evolutis. Yes, a tank might be able to rival 2 enemies, but the space armor’s better than that. According to its wearer’s ability, it’ll be able to adapt and improve its wearer’s combat capability. It is the perfect technology to showcase the value of the Homo Evolutis."

  Guang Zhen was a veteran soldier, so even though he might not want to admit it, he knew the importance of the space armor. However, his mind was set in the times of World War 1, where tanks were the undisputed kings of the battlefield. After being shut down by Bo Li, he even went into a slight depression.

  At that moment he finally accepted the strength of the space armor, especially when it was worn by the Homo Evolutis. Armed with so many pieces of 4th revolution technology, if pitted against a tank, Guang Zhen believed the armored Homo Evolutis could easily flip the tank over like it was made of paper.

  Guang Zhen spotted a safe spot among the sea of bodies. 5 Survivors were camped around the spot, firing around them while Ying, Ebon, and Ren Tao were slashing through enemy ranks with their sawblades. Naturally, he also spotted the bigger aliens who had electromagnetic shields that protected them from bullets.

  Noticing this, Guang Zhen narrowed his eyes. There was a lethal glint in them.

  Guang Zhen had many differences with Yao Yuan in terms of policies. H
e was, by all accounts, a by-the-rules soldier. The thought that flashed through his mind then was to execute the 5 shameless Survivors where they stood.

  Before he could do anything and before the shuttles could properly land, about 1,000 2-meters-tall alien creatures burst out from underneath the ground. They were different from the giant electromagnetic shielded creatures and the small alien foot soldiers because they had a 1-meter-long shafts that protruded from their chests. And they were all trained at the 2 shuttles.

  Then electricity started swirling around the shafts. Numerous metallic pieces shot out of the shafts with unexpected speed, and before anyone could react, two transport shuttles blew up in mid-air…

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