David proposed a new idea: "Since each reset is directly related to Cage's death, perhaps we should change this node first."
If we help him survive this cycle, the time anchor might change, which could extend the duration of a single cycle or alter the cycle's mechanism.
Falco analyzed from a tactical perspective: "Helping Cage survive is indeed more practical. We can use the known battlefield information to intervene before he encounters Alpha. This will both build trust and buy more time for subsequent operations."
Sasha put down the data panel: "I agree with David. Under the current conditions, it's unrealistic to try to complete the capture device within this cycle. We should execute the objective in stages."
Maine listened to the team's discussion and quickly weighed the various options.
He noticed that most team members preferred a more conservative, phased approach, which aligned with his assessment of the actual battlefield situation.
"The plan has been adjusted as follows," Maine finally decided. "In the next cycle, the primary objective will still be to contact Cage, but the focus will shift to ensuring his survival in the Alpha attack."
Dorio and I will approach and protect him, Rebecca will provide fire support, and the rest of you will remain on guard.
He looked at the technical team: "Pilar, you guys use this loop to familiarize yourselves with the device's structure and try to collect some basic materials, but don't force yourselves to complete the assembly. We need to verify what effect helping Cage survive will have on the loop."
"If Cage survives the original death point, we might have more time to operate, and then we can focus all our efforts on manufacturing the capture device." Maine looked around at his team members. "This plan is more in line with our current capabilities."
Dorio nodded: "It's safer to ensure the survival of key nodes first, and then pursue bigger goals."
Rebecca was slightly disappointed, but admitted, "Well, at least I can beat up those iron octopuses to vent my anger."
Sasha and Lucy have begun compiling a list of the materials needed in preparation for the next cycle.
The team members clarified the new task priorities.
Instead of rushing things, they adopted a more gradual approach.
First, ensure Cage's survival, observe the changes in the loop mechanism, and then gradually advance the plan to capture Alpha.
——
The fifth cycle began. As soon as the landing craft's ramps landed, Maine's team did not immediately engage in beach combat as before, but instead quickly proceeded according to the pre-arranged plan.
The two Iron Guards deployed in place, using their fierce firepower to temporarily suppress the frontal mimics offensive, creating a brief window of opportunity for the rest of the squad to act.
"According to the timeline, Cage will appear near the third bunker group on the right flank in four minutes and thirty seconds." Falco gave the precise time in the squad channel. His perception system overlaid the real-time battlefield map transmitted back by Lucy's Titan, marking the optimal path.
"Move out," Maine ordered.
His group, consisting of Dorio, David, and Lucy, immediately broke away from the main battle line and moved quickly along a pre-planned, relatively concealed route.
Rebecca stayed near the Iron Guard to provide long-range fire support, while PiLS and Kiwi were responsible for monitoring global communications and sensor data.
They traversed the burning wreckage and shell craters, avoiding the main combat zone, and arrived ahead of time behind an abandoned bunker made of concrete debris and sandbags.
This is the very place where Cage initially fell into confusion and fear during the previous loops.
"The target is expected to arrive in forty seconds," Falco's voice came again.
Maine made a gesture, and Dorio and David hid on either side of the bunker, while Lucy's quadruped silently lurked behind the broken wall higher up, the camera locked on the predicted path of approach.
Maine himself stood at the entrance to the bunker, his massive, dark red body appearing and disappearing in the smoke.
Time ticked by, and the sounds of gunfire, explosions, and screams continued in the distance.
Finally, a young soldier wearing ill-fitting combat uniform and with a terrified expression staggered into the relatively quiet bunker area.
It was William Cage.
He glanced back as he frantically changed the magazine in his rifle, his movements clumsy.
As he turned around, preparing to find the next hiding place, he suddenly froze.
Maine's imposing metallic body stood before him, his crimson optical lens silently watching him.
Cage was so startled he almost jumped up, nearly dropping the rifle from his hand.
Almost simultaneously, Dorio silently stepped out from the left and blocked their path.
David also appeared from the right. Although he wasn't wearing heavy armor, his calm, scrutinizing gaze and demeanor, which was different from that of ordinary soldiers, made Cage uneasy.
"Who...who are you?" Cage's voice trembled with fear as he raised his rifle, but the muzzle shook violently.
Maine's synthesized voice rang out smoothly, piercing directly through the clamor of the battlefield: "William Cage, lay down your weapons, we are not your enemies."
"How should I know…" Before Cage could finish speaking, he felt something cold and hard gently touch his back.
He turned around abruptly and saw that Lucy's quadruped machine had silently moved behind him at some point, its gun muzzle slightly lowered, but it was full of threat.
"We know about you," Maine continued, taking a step closer. "You know things. For example, this isn't the first time."
These words struck Cage like a bolt of lightning.
The fear on his face was instantly replaced by astonishment and disbelief; his lips moved, but no sound came out.
He did remember some fragments—the pain of death, the blue blood, and then everything starting over.
He always thought it was a hallucination from his near-death experience or that he had gone mad.
"You...you also..." he stammered, his rifle drooping unconsciously in his hand.
"Come with us, it's not safe here." Maine didn't answer directly, but commanded in an unquestionable tone, "If you want to know what happened, if you want to live."
David and Lucy quickly approached and stood on either side of him, forming a protective stance and preventing him from escaping.
Cage offered almost no resistance; he was completely stunned by Maine's words.
"Let's go." Maine turned around and led the way in the opposite direction from the main battlefield, which was the route leading to the abandoned radar station.
Dorio followed closely behind, while David and Lucy "escorted" the dazed Cage as they caught up.
The quadruped Titans brought up the rear, vigilantly scanning their surroundings.
Along the way, Cage would occasionally glance at the strange group with a look of surprise and uncertainty.
They were silent and efficient, equipped with weapons he had never seen before, especially the "giant" in the lead, whose movements were accompanied by a subtle metallic scraping sound, exuding an inhuman sense of power.
They seemed to have an intimate knowledge of the battlefield, always managing to avoid the small, swarming units and stray bullets in advance.
"Where...are we going?" Cage couldn't help but whisper to David beside him.
"A relatively safe place," David replied succinctly, but in a relatively calm tone. "We'll see when we get there."
Cage stopped asking questions, his inner confusion intertwined with a faint glimmer of hope.
This group knows about cycles; they seem incredibly powerful, and they might actually be able to help him escape this hell.
The team successfully arrived at the radar station.
Valerie and Jackie, piloting the Iron Guard, had already returned, their massive machines hovering in the shadow of the building.
Rebecca, Pilar, and others are also in place.
When Cage was led inside the radar station and saw the other team members, especially the two visually striking Iron Guards, he once again felt intense fear and bewilderment.
He stood in the middle of the empty field, surrounded by a group of well-equipped, aloof strangers, feeling like a lamb that had strayed into a pack of wolves.
Maine turned around, and the optical lens focused again on Cage's pale face.
"Now," Maine's synthesized voice echoed in the empty building, "we can talk. About this cycle, about you, and how we can get you through today."