Chapter 423: Rita
Under the arrangements of UDF high command, Maine's squad met with the legendary warrior known as the "Full Metal Bitch," Rita Vrataski, in a briefing room.
Rita, dressed in standard UDF combat gear, stood tall and straight, her sharp gaze sweeping over the members of Maine's squad and their unconventional equipment.
"General Briggs said you could help us win this war," Rita began directly, her tone carrying clear skepticism. "But I haven't seen your kind of equipment on any troop roster."
Maine's synthesized voice replied steadily, "We employ independently developed technology. Our combat record can prove our value."
"The combat record is indeed impressive." Rita's gaze landed on Cage. "Especially you, Private. According to reports, your performance in recent battles has been like that of a completely different person."
Cage stood at attention. "It was all learned under the guidance of Captain Maine and my teammates."
Rita's eyes turned to Dorio. "I heard your combat skills are very strong."
Dorio nodded slightly. "Need verification?"
On the training ground, Dorio and Rita stood opposite each other.
Rita was the first to strike. Her movements were swift and precise, clearly the result of battle-hardened techniques forged through a thousand refinements.
Dorio parried and evaded steadily, each of her counterattacks perfectly timed.
The two moved rapidly across the field, the impact of their blows producing muffled thuds.
"Your strength is superhuman," Rita said, panting after an exchange.
"Your technique is exquisite," Dorio replied.
The sparring lasted for five minutes, ultimately ending in a draw.
Rita wiped the sweat from her forehead, and the skepticism in her gaze when looking at the members of Maine's squad lessened, replaced by a measure of recognition.
"Now, can you tell me your true purpose?" Rita asked.
Maine considered for a moment and decided to reveal limited information. "We need to capture a specific Mimic individual, designated as an Alpha."
Rita's pupils contracted slightly. "You know about Alphas too?" She fell silent for a moment, as if having made a decision. "Looks like it's time to share some intelligence."
In Rita's narrative, she had once been killed in action during a previous campaign and was drenched in the blood of an Alpha, subsequently gaining the ability to loop time.
She utilized this ability to relive the same day repeatedly, accumulating vast combat experience until she was given a blood transfusion after a severe injury, which caused her to lose the ability to reset time.
"The blood of an Alpha is the key," Rita explained. "But once you receive external blood, this ability disappears. I am now just an ordinary person who remembers everything."
Cage looked at Rita in shock. "So you know..."
"I know every loop, I know every death." A trace of pain flashed in Rita's eyes. "But now I can only watch time pass, powerless."
Maine integrated the newly acquired information. "In other words, the ability to reset time can be transferred, and it can also be stripped away."
"Based on my previous explorations," Rita walked to the tactical map and pointed to the location of Paris, "the core of the Mimics, the 'Omega,' is very likely hidden somewhere beneath the Louvre. Alphas are its guardians and the carriers of the reset ability."
Dorio raised a question. "Why didn't you provide this intelligence to UDF high command before?"
"I tried," Rita smiled bitterly. "But without the looping ability, I couldn't possibly break through the Mimic defenses to reach Paris. Furthermore, this story was too far-fetched; high command didn't believe it."
Maine's crimson optical lenses moved across the map, rapidly calculating various possibilities. After a moment, he made a decision:
"We are changing our strategy. We will no longer be limited to defending and testing in the beachhead area. Utilizing the infinite opportunities provided by the loop, we will push inland. The target is Paris."
He turned to his squad members. "The new operational plan is divided into three stages. Stage one: quickly establish an advantage at the beachhead and ensure Cage's survival. Stage two: push toward Paris, gathering intelligence along the way and testing the Mimics' defensive strength. Stage three: locate and penetrate the Louvre area."
Rita stared at Maine. "Can you really do it?"
"We have the trial-and-error opportunities provided by the loop, we have technological equipment beyond this era, and now we have your intelligence," Maine replied. "The only question is: are you willing to join?"
Rita looked at Cage, then at the members of Maine's squad, and finally nodded firmly. "I will provide everything I know. It's time to end this war."
Cage took a deep breath, feeling the heavy weight of responsibility on his shoulders. Now he wasn't just fighting for himself, but so that humanity could win this war.
Dorio checked her gauntlets. "The urban combat environment in Paris will be more complex; we need to adjust our tactics."
Rebecca excitedly wiped her plasma bombardment cannon. "Finally, I can go somewhere else to blow things up."
Pilar and Lucy began organizing their gear, preparing for the long march.
David asked Rita in detail about the Mimic defenses in the Paris area from her memory.
Maine looked at the newly marked map, knowing they were about to embark on a journey filled with unknowns. But with Rita's intelligence and help, they truly saw the dawn of breaking the loop for the first time.
Hunting the Alphas, finding the Omega, and ending this endless time cycle—this was their next goal.
After thorough preparation, Maine's squad began their push toward Paris.
The two Iron Guards served as the vanguard, followed closely by the squad members in modified UDF armored vehicles, with Cage and Rita also in the convoy.
Rebecca's plasma bombardment cannon was mounted on top of one of the vehicles.
"Maintain formation, watch for ambush points along the way," Maine's voice echoed through the convoy's communication channel.
The route they chose was based on Rita's memories and data from Lucy's automata reconnaissance, attempting to avoid areas heavily garrisoned by Mimics.
However, the Mimic resistance remained fierce.
Not long after leaving the beachhead area, the convoy encountered the first wave of organized ambushes.
Dozens of Mimics surged from the ruins on both sides of the road, attempting to cut off the convoy.
"Leave the left side to me," Valerie's voice was calm.
The bolter on the neural-linked Iron Guard fired precise bursts, clearing the Mimics attempting to approach one by one.
The Mimics on the right flank were suppressed by the autocannon fire from Jackie's Iron Guard.
Rebecca's plasma cannon let out a roar, a stream of blazing white energy evaporating the roadblock ahead along with the Mimics behind it.
"Roadblock cleared, keep moving!" she reported.
The closer they got to Paris, the more intense the resistance became.
Mimics began using more complex tactics, including setting traps and organizing simultaneous attacks from multiple directions.
"They are learning our travel patterns," Rita observed the battle. "The Omega is adjusting its defensive strategy."