Chapter 425: The Road to Paris
The eighteenth loop began.
Maine stood inside the landing craft, his optical lenses streaming with data optimized through sixteen loops.
"Objective for this loop: test the stealth infiltration plan," his synthesized voice rang out in the encrypted channel. "Everyone switch to silent mode, prioritize avoiding engagements."
Equipped with suppressed weapons and optical camouflage, the squad detoured and advanced along the underground pipe network system under Rita's guidance.
Lucy's quadrupedal automaton served as the vanguard; its specially tuned sensors could detect the Mimics' energy signals hundreds of meters in advance.
They passed through the ruins like shadows, silently clearing lone Mimics with melee weapons only when absolutely necessary.
This attempt successfully got them to the outskirts of Paris, but they were ultimately exposed on the perimeter of the Louvre due to the excessively high patrol density.
Before the reset, they recorded the locations of twenty-seven newly added outposts.
In the nineteenth loop, the tactics were completely opposite.
"Test extreme firepower breakthrough," Maine ordered.
The two Iron Guards were equipped with extra armor and ammunition mounts provided by the UDF, and Rebecca's plasma bombardment cannon was in an overloaded state.
They forcefully pushed along the main road, destroying all obstacles with overwhelming firepower.
This time they successfully charged into the Louvre square, but the Iron Guards were severely damaged due to continuous high-intensity combat and were ultimately overwhelmed at the entrance by an endless stream of Mimics.
Data records showed that the Mimics would undergo tactical reorganization after sustaining forty percent combat losses.
The twentieth loop focused on trap tactics.
Pilar and Kiwi utilized UDF explosives and homemade electromagnetic jamming devices to set up multi-layered ambush zones along the advance route.
Sasha successfully lured three batches of Mimics into the trap zones through reverse analysis of the Mimic communication patterns.
This attempt drastically reduced the squad's frequency of enemy encounters, but setting the traps took too long, resulting in a failure to break through the core area before massive reinforcements arrived.
In the twenty-first loop, David's experimental plan was tested.
Using Mimic pheromone samples collected in previous loops, he created a biological agent that simulated the Alpha's signal.
When the squad released these pheromones, ordinary Mimics were observed to experience a state of confusion lasting about 1.7 seconds, but it was ineffective against Alphas.
This discovery provided a new tactical idea for breaking through densely defended areas.
Lucy's quadrupedal automaton undertook the highest-risk missions in these loops.
It "died in action" seventeen times during reconnaissance, but transmitted back precious structural data: the layout of the ventilation ducts in the underground reservoir, the patrol patterns of the Alpha individuals, and the periodic characteristics of the Omega's energy pulses.
Every "death" made the next infiltration route more precise.
Cage and Rita honed near-perfect synergy through countless side-by-side battles.
Cage's exoskeleton operation had reached a state of perfection; he could execute fluid sequences of tactical evasions and precise shooting in complex environments.
Rita perfectly combined the technological advantages of Maine's squad with her own combat experience. Once, during an ambush, she completed a flanking maneuver based solely on a single hand gesture from Dorio.
The capture device underwent nine major improvements.
Pilar's team optimized the coolant injection mode, shortening the activation time to 0.3 seconds; Lucy improved the targeting system, increasing the capture net's deployment accuracy to ninety-five percent; Sasha and Kiwi installed an anti-jamming module to the device, effectively resisting the Alpha's energy pulse interference.
In the twenty-fifth loop test, the device successfully immobilized an Alpha in a live combat environment for five seconds. Although it was ultimately rescued by other Alphas, it proved the feasibility of the plan.
After systematic testing and data analysis, Maine announced before the start of the twenty-seventh loop: "The 'Final Plan' is confirmed. We will adopt mixed tactics: stealth into the core area in the early stage, use pheromone jamming to create a breakthrough in the mid-stage, and execute the capture with the enhanced capture device in the late stage. Everyone, configure your equipment according to Tactical Manual B-7."
Rebecca checked her plasma cannon mounting system, which had been optimized twenty-seven times: "Finally, no more trial and error."
Dorio adjusted the volkite generator frequency on her gauntlets: "This data was all bought with lives."
Cage and Rita exchanged a glance, seeing the same determination in each other's eyes.
Maine stood inside the temporary command center. All squad members were in position, and everyone's equipment had undergone a final check.
The capture device was secured onto a modified transport platform, undergoing final system diagnostics by Pilar and Lucy.
"Final plan confirmed," Maine's synthesized voice echoed in the room. "Mission objective: breach the Louvre's underground reservoir, locate and control the target."
He brought up the tactical hologram and began assigning specific tasks:
"Valerie, Jackie, the Iron Guards will act as the assault vanguard, responsible for frontal breakthrough and fire suppression."
"Rebecca, take the high ground and provide long-range heavy fire support. Focus on eliminating Alpha individuals."
"Dorio, Rita, form the close-quarters assault group to clear passage obstacles and protect the technical team."
"Cage, coordinate your combat with Dorio and Rita; you are responsible for flank security."
"Pilar, Lucy, operate the capture device. You must complete the launch at the optimal moment."
"Sasha, Kiwi, monitor Mimic communications throughout the entire process and implement electronic jamming."
"Falco, coordinate battlefield information and provide real-time tactical advice."
"David, monitor biological signal changes and confirm the Omega's location."
Just as the squad members were about to set out, the cross-dimensional communication terminal suddenly lit up.
Ryo's synthesized voice came through the encrypted channel, his tone more urgent than before: "Based on the data you transmitted back, the analysis results confirm: Alpha individuals are merely the execution nodes for the time reset; the true core of the control system is the Omega."
A new data model was uploaded into the encrypted channel, displaying the energy connection patterns between the Alphas and the Omega.
"Revising final directives: Priority target is changed to capturing the Omega. If conditions permit, simultaneously capture an Alpha sample. The Omega's control system holds irreplaceable research value for understanding the nature of spacetime."
Ryo paused for a moment before adding, "The Omega very likely possesses an advanced self-preservation mechanism. It is anticipated that when directly threatened, it will activate extreme countermeasures. Be prepared to handle any contingencies."
After the communication ended, the members of Maine's squad exchanged a tacit glance.
Maine's optical lenses swept over each squad member.
"Directives have been updated. Our primary target is now the Omega," his voice was steady as usual. "This means we need to penetrate deep into the core area of the reservoir and complete the capture before a global reset can be triggered."
Dorio checked the energy readings of her gauntlets: "The defense in the core area will be much tighter."
Rebecca let out a cold laugh: "Perfect time to try out my newly modified plasma ammunition."
Pilar and Lucy quickly adjusted the parameters of the capture device: "Recalibrating energy output. We need a stronger containment field to control the Omega."
Maine looked at the ready squad members, confirming one last time: "Is everyone clear on their tasks?"
"Iron Guards in position."
"Long-range firepower ready."
"Close-quarters group ready."
"Technical team diagnostics complete."
"Electronic warfare systems online."
"Battlefield monitoring systems operational."
"Move out," Maine issued the command. "Remember, we might only have one chance."
(End of Chapter)