Chapter 426: Paris Night Battle
The squad began their advance according to the deployment of the final plan.
Instead of pushing forward steadily as usual, they drove straight into the weakest link of the Mimic defense line along a precisely calculated route.
"Three on the left flank, cleared."
"Right flank secure, keep moving."
The squad members' communications were concise and efficient.
Dorio and Rita wove through the battlefield like cheetahs under the fire cover of the Iron Guards. Any Mimic attempting to approach was instantly dispatched by volkite gauntlets or precise shooting.
Cage followed closely behind; the exoskeleton allowed him to easily keep up with this high-speed advance.
Rebecca stood on the shoulder platform of an Iron Guard, her plasma bombardment cannon on standby.
"Obstacle ahead, clearing it now," she reported calmly. A stream of plasma accurately struck a cluster of Mimics attempting to set up a roadblock in the distance.
The capture device operated by Pilar and Lucy was heavily protected in the center of the formation. Sasha and Kiwi continuously monitored the surrounding electromagnetic environment: "No anomalous communications detected. The Mimics have not yet organized an effective resistance."
Relying on their familiarity with every loop, they avoided all major ambush points and crossed the beachhead area at astonishing speed.
In less than twenty minutes, the squad had broken through the Mimics' outer perimeter and was speeding towards Paris.
After entering the Paris urban area, the tempo of the battle abruptly accelerated.
The narrow streets restricted the mobility of the Iron Guards, but became a stage for Dorio and Rita to shine.
"Building on the left, second-floor window." Just as Falco's warning rang out, Dorio had already breached the building, followed by the explosive sounds of her volkite gauntlets.
"Passage on the right, needs a breakthrough." As soon as Rita's voice fell, Rebecca's plasma cannon precisely melted the obstacle blocking the way.
The coordination among the squad members had reached a state of perfection.
The Iron Guards piloted by Valerie and Jackie were no longer isolated fire points, but mobile fortresses seamlessly integrated with the entire squad.
Every shot they fired perfectly filled the gaps in their teammates' firepower.
"The square ahead needs clearing," Maine observed the tactical map. "Rebecca, prepare for a targeted demolition."
Rebecca leaped down from the Iron Guard platform and sprinted to the center of the square.
She expertly planted the explosives and quickly retreated to a covered position: "Demolition ready."
With a loud bang, a gap was blown into the Mimic cluster in the center of the square.
"Passage open, keep moving," Maine ordered.
The squad moved rapidly through the streets and alleys of Paris like a precise machine of war.
Any resistance from the Mimics was quickly dismantled by their flawless teamwork.
The close-quarters assaults of Dorio and Rita, the long-range firepower of Rebecca, the heavy suppression of the Iron Guards, and the electronic jamming of the technical team—all elements blended together perfectly.
"Five hundred meters to the Louvre," Rita reported, her breathing slightly ragged, but her eyes full of determination.
Maine's gaze swept over the entire squad.
Tempered by dozens of loops, this team had reached an unprecedented level of combat prowess.
Every member clearly knew their responsibilities; every movement had been forged through a thousand refinements.
"Maintain formation," Maine's voice remained steady. "The final target is just ahead."
The squad continued to push forward; the Mimics along the way fell before them like waves of wheat.
This time, there were no accidents, no mistakes. They were advancing toward the ultimate goal with the highest efficiency.
Rebecca climbed back onto the Iron Guard's platform, her plasma cannon beginning to charge once more. "Let's show them what 'professional' looks like."
Dorio and Rita exchanged a glance, and the two lunged toward opposite sides of the street to clear the final obstacles for the team.
Cage followed closely behind, his shooting precise and lethal. There was absolutely no trace left of the panicked recruit he once was.
The streets of Paris rapidly receded beneath their feet, and the outline of the Louvre grew clearer and clearer.
This time, they were ready.
The squad arrived at the entrance to the Louvre's underground reservoir once again.
The deep, dark passage extended downward, the air thick with a heavy aura of energy and the putrid stench of organic matter.
Maine raised a hand to signal a halt, and all members immediately deployed their formation according to the predetermined plan.
"Deploy formation," Maine's synthesized voice echoed in the darkness. "Iron Guards, establish a defensive fireline. Close-quarters group, prepare to clear. Technical group, follow up."
The two Iron Guards stepped forward with heavy strides, taking up advantageous positions on either side of the passage.
The neural-linked Iron Guard piloted by Valerie was the first to activate its shoulder-mounted heavy bolter, while Jackie's standard Iron Guard deployed its autocannon array.
Their massive chassis almost completely filled the tunnel entrance, forming an indestructible metal bulwark.
"Fire network in place," Valerie's voice came from inside the Iron Guard.
"Sensors show a massive number of biological signals approaching," Falco warned. "Contact expected in ten seconds."
Dorio and Rita stood guard on either side of the Iron Guards. They had regulated their breathing, their gauntlets and weapons in optimal combat condition.
Cage stood slightly behind, his weapon pointed steadily deep into the passage.
"First wave incoming," Jackie reported.
A dense swarm of Mimics suddenly poured out of the darkness, their twisted metallic tentacles glinting coldly in the dim light.
The Iron Guards' fire network activated instantly, bolter rounds and autocannon shells sweeping through the passage like a storm of steel.
The Mimics at the very front were blown to pieces under the concentrated fire, but their kin behind them continued to surge forward relentlessly.
"Three breaking through on the left!" Valerie warned just in time.
Dorio moved in response. Her figure was as fast as lightning, her volkite gauntlets tracing three blazing white arcs in the darkness.
The three Mimics that had luckily slipped past the fire network were instantly ignited, twisting and disintegrating in the pale flames.
"Two on the right!" Jackie reported immediately after.
Rita was already poised to strike. Her precise bursts, coupled with agile tactical maneuvers, executed a clean wipeout in the narrow space: "Right flank cleared."
Cage watched the battlefield nervously, ready to support any direction where a breach might occur.
His exoskeleton emitted a faint hum, the sign of the system running at full power.
"Second wave arriving soon, larger numbers." Falco's warning caused everyone to brace themselves.
Dense crawling sounds echoed from deep within the passage. The number of Mimics this time had noticeably increased.
They seemed to have changed their tactics, utilizing the walls and ceiling to advance via multiple routes.
"Adjust firing angles," Valerie ordered calmly, and the Iron Guards' weapon systems tilted up slightly.
The new round of engagement was even more intense.
The shockwaves generated by the bolter rounds exploding in the narrow space made the entire passage vibrate.
Mimic remains continued to pile up, but their offensive didn't weaken in the slightest.
"Attention! Alpha individuals have appeared!" Lucy's voice suddenly rang out. "Multiple high-energy signals detected!"
Several points of deep blue light lit up deep within the passage as the Alpha individuals began to reveal themselves.
They were far more agile than ordinary Mimics, and their energy shields were even stronger.
"Prioritize clearing the Alphas!" Maine ordered. "Rebecca, prepare long-range support!"
Rebecca's plasma bombardment cannon was already fully charged, but she needed a clear line of fire: "Give me a two-second window!"
Dorio and Rita understood simultaneously. They suddenly pushed forward, creating precious firing space for Rebecca.
"Fire!"
The plasma stream howled past, accurately hitting an Alpha.
The deep blue light flickered violently in the intense heat before annihilating.
"Target hit!" Rebecca reported. "But there are more!"
The battle entered a white-hot phase.
The Iron Guards continued to pour out firepower, while Dorio and Rita roamed the edges of the fire network, eliminating any enemies attempting to break through.
Cage was tasked with protecting the safety of the technical team. His shooting was becoming increasingly precise; he was now fully capable of holding his own.
"Advance speed is too slow," Maine observed the situation. "We need to change our strategy."
Just as he was about to adjust their tactics, an anomalous energy fluctuation suddenly emanated from deep within the passage.
As if receiving a command, all the Mimics abruptly altered their attack patterns.
"Detected a massive energy source approaching!" Pilar exclaimed. "It's the Omega! It's coming out!"
(End of Chapter)