Chapter 418: Contacting Cage
David proposed a new line of thinking: "Since every reset is directly related to Cage's death, perhaps we should change this node first. If we help him survive this round of the loop, the time anchor might change, which could potentially extend the duration of a single loop or alter the mechanism of the loop itself."
Falco analyzed from a tactical perspective: "Helping Cage survive is indeed more practical. We can utilize known battlefield information to intervene before he encounters an Alpha. This both establishes trust and gains more time for subsequent actions."
Pilar put down his dataslate: "I agree with David. Under current conditions, trying to complete the capture device within this round of the loop is unrealistic. We should execute our goals in stages."
Maine listened to the team's discussion, rapidly weighing the various plans. He noticed that most members leaned towards the more stable staged approach, which matched his own judgment of the actual situation on the battlefield.
"The plan is adjusted as follows," Maine finally decided. "For the next loop, the primary objective remains contacting Cage, but the focus shifts to ensuring he survives the Alpha attack. Dorio and I will be responsible for approaching and protecting him, Rebecca will provide fire support, and the others will maintain vigilance."
He looked at the technical team: "Pilar, you guys use this loop to familiarize yourselves with the device structure and try to collect some basic materials, but don't force the completion of assembly. We first need to verify what effect helping Cage survive will have on the loop."
"If Cage can survive past his original death node, we might obtain a longer window for action, at which point we will commit fully to manufacturing the capture device." Maine looked around at his squad members. "This plan is more in line with our current actual capabilities."
Dorio nodded: "Ensuring survival at the critical node first before plotting for larger goals is indeed more secure."
Although Rebecca was slightly disappointed, she admitted: "Fine, at least I can vent some frustration on those metal octopuses first."
Pilar and Lucy had already begun organizing a list of required materials to prepare for the subsequent loops. The squad members had clarified their new mission priorities. They were not rushing for quick results but instead adopted a more step-by-step strategy: ensure Cage's survival first, observe the changes in the loop mechanism, and then gradually advance the plan to capture an Alpha.
The fifth loop began. As the ramp of the landing craft dropped, Maine's squad did not immediately throw themselves into the beach battle as before, but instead moved rapidly according to the predetermined plan.
The two Iron Guards deployed on the spot, using fierce firepower to temporarily suppress the frontal Mimic offensive, creating a short window of action for the other squad members.
"According to the timeline, Cage will appear near the third bunker cluster on the right flank in four minutes and thirty seconds." Falco reported the time precisely in the squad channel, his perception system overlaid with the real-time battlefield map transmitted back by Lucy's automaton, marking the optimal path.
"Move out," Maine ordered.
The group consisting of him, Dorio, David, and Lucy immediately broke away from the main battle line, moving rapidly along a pre-planned, relatively hidden route. Rebecca remained near the Iron Guards to provide long-range fire support, while Pilar, Sasha, and Kiwi were responsible for monitoring global communications and sensor data.
They passed through the burning wreckage of vehicles and craters, avoiding the main engagement areas, and arrived early behind an abandoned bunker composed of concrete fragments and sandbags. This was the exact location where Cage had initially fallen into chaos and terror during several previous loops.
"Target estimated to arrive in forty seconds," Falco's voice came again.
Maine made a gesture. Dorio and David hid on either side of the bunker respectively, while Lucy's quadrupedal automaton lurked silently behind a broken wall further up, its lenses locked onto the predicted approach. Maine himself stood at the entrance of the bunker, his massive dark-red body looming faintly in the smoke.
Time passed second by second, with the sounds of gunfire, explosions, and screams continuing unabated in the distance. Finally, a young soldier wearing an ill-fitting combat suit and a face full of terror stumbled into this relatively quiet bunker area.
It was William Cage.
He was looking back while hurriedly and clumsily changing the magazine of the rifle in his hand. When he turned around, preparing to find the next hiding spot, he suddenly froze.
Maine's oppressive metallic body stood right before him, crimson optical lenses silently watching him. Cage was so startled he nearly jumped, and the rifle in his hand almost slipped. Almost simultaneously, Dorio stepped out silently from the left, blocking his path. David also appeared from the right. Though not wearing heavy armor, his calm, scrutinizing gaze and an aura different from an ordinary soldier also made Cage feel uneasy.
"Who... who are you?" Cage's voice trembled with fear. He raised his rifle, but the muzzle was shaking violently.
Maine's synthesized voice rang out steadily, piercing through the clamor of the battlefield: "William Cage, put down your weapon. We are not your enemies."
"How do I know—" Before Cage could finish, he felt something cold and hard gently touch his back. He spun around to see Lucy's quadrupedal automaton had somehow moved silently behind him, its muzzle lowered slightly but full of threat.
"We know about you," Maine continued, taking a step forward. "And the things you know. For instance, that this isn't the first time."
These words hit Cage like a bolt of lightning. The fear on his face was instantly replaced by shock and disbelief. His lips moved, but no sound came out. He did remember fragments—the agony of death, the blue blood, and then everything starting over. He had always thought it was a near-death hallucination or that he was going insane.
"You... you also..." he stammered, the rifle in his hands unconsciously dipping down.
"Follow us, it isn't safe here," Maine ordered in a tone that brooked no argument, without answering directly. "If you want to understand what's happening, and if you want to live."
David and Lucy quickly closed in, standing on either side of him in a protective stance, also preventing him from running. Cage offered almost no resistance; he was completely stunned by Maine's words.
"Go." Maine turned, leading the way in the direction opposite to the main battlefield, towards the route leading to the abandoned radar station. Dorio followed closely behind, while David and Lucy "escorted" the dazed Cage. The quadrupedal automaton brought up the rear, warily scanning the surroundings.
Along the way, Cage occasionally cast uncertain and suspicious glances at this strange squad. They were silent and efficient, equipped with weapons he had never seen before—especially the "giant" in the lead, who moved with the faint sound of metal friction and was filled with an inhuman sense of power. They seemed to know the battlefield like the back of their hands, always able to avoid Mimic patrols and stray bullets in advance.
"Where... are we going?" Cage couldn't help but ask David in a low voice.
"A relatively safe place," David replied concisely, but his tone was somewhat peaceful. "We'll talk when we get there."
Cage stopped asking, his heart a mixture of confusion and a faint glimmer of hope. These people knew about the loop, they appeared incredibly powerful, and perhaps they really could help him escape this hell.
The squad arrived smoothly at the radar station. The Iron Guards piloted by Valerie and Jackie had returned a step ahead, their massive frames parked in the shadows of the building. Rebecca, Pilar, and the others were also in place.
When Cage was led into the interior of the radar station and saw the other squad members—especially those two visually striking Iron Guards—he felt a strong sense of dread and helplessness once again. Standing in the middle of the empty space, surrounded by a group of well-equipped, cold-mannered strangers, he felt like a small lamb that had wandered into a wolf pack.
Maine turned around, his optical lenses focusing once again on Cage's pale face.
"Now," Maine's synthesized voice echoed within the empty building, "we can talk. About this loop, about you, and how we're going to get you through today."