Regardless, the camp was now completely empty. When Zhu Yuan arrived later, her safety would be absolutely guaranteed.
While Andrew fought Li Long's unit, An led the Silver Squad in destroying all the laboratory's research materials and data.
After removing the personal information of Anby and the others from the intel prepared for Zhu Yuan, Andrew led the entire Silver Squad away from the facility.
Before leaving, he placed the collected intel booklet at the main entrance of the research institute. To make sure it wouldn't be missed, Andrew thoughtfully drew a red arrow pointing to it.
Satisfied with his handiwork, Andrew dusted off his hands and led Anby and the others outside.
However, Soldier 11, who had been released from a treatment pod, showed no signs of waking up. According to An, she was in a deep sleep due to extreme exhaustion from training.
So, two squad members supported Soldier 11, one on each side, and the group nonchalantly began their journey back to Sixth Street.
They hadn't taken more than a few steps when Andrew suddenly realized something and turned to look back at the twelve identical faces of the Silver Squad.
"I have a feeling that if we go back just like this, especially in these military uniforms, we won't just fail to blend in—we'll be front-page news by tomorrow."
Belle, who had climbed back onto Andrew's shoulder, said instinctively after also seeing the Silver Squad.
Andrew, realizing the same problem, agreed it wouldn't work.
After a moment's thought, his eyes fell on some large burlap sacks left behind by Li Long's retreating unit, and an idea suddenly struck him.
He used a small knife to cut two eyeholes in the sacks, and in just a moment, a set of super-simple cloaks was complete.
He found a large sack for each person, covering them from head to toe. Seeing the group transformed into a cloaked brigade, Andrew felt a strong sense of déjà vu.
If each of them painted an 'F' on their head and held a torch, the resemblance would be perfect.
The glory of the FFF Inquisition enveloped them all. It was such an ancient meme that he doubted anyone would even get the reference nowadays.
"Andrew, with this method... compared to a clone unit, you guys now look more like a cult. A really poor one at that."
Hearing this, Andrew felt compelled to defend the honor of his glorious FFF Inquisition.
"What are you talking about? How is this a cult? Just tell me, does this hide their identities or not? Can people tell who they are?"
Feeling his idea was absolutely perfect, Andrew declared with righteous confidence:
"Once we get to Random Play, they can take off the cloaks. Sixth Street is full of colorful characters; nobody will bat an eye at a bunch of people looking alike."
Although she felt that this so-called 'land of colorful characters' wasn't exactly a compliment, Belle thought back to the other shop owners on Sixth Street and could only nod in agreement.
Based on her interactions over the past few years, calling the other shop owners 'martially proficient' would be an understatement. 'Colorful characters' was being modest.
Once they reached Sixth Street, it was highly likely that no one would actually care.
And so, the group proceeded towards New Eridu, every single one of them with a burlap sack over their head, carrying an equally-sacked person between them.
From a distance, the cult-like atmosphere was overwhelming, causing everyone they encountered along the way to flee at the sight, terrified of becoming the next person to be carried off in a sack.
——————
Less than ten minutes after Andrew's group had departed, Zhu Yuan arrived, driving at high speed with Qingyi.
Just as Andrew had expected, no one had come with her except for Qingyi.
Despite her repeated requests, Bringer had only agreed to let Zhu Yuan go and scout ahead. But if the intel proved correct, Public Security support would arrive immediately.
Upon seeing that there was actually a camp at the target location, Zhu Yuan immediately became extremely vigilant.
"Senior Qingyi, what's our next move?"
Qingyi, sitting in the passenger seat, waved her hand and said with a mature look:
"Come now, little Zhu Yuan. This operation was initiated at your suggestion, so I should be the one taking orders from you."
Hearing this, Zhu Yuan hesitated for a moment, but her strong mentality allowed her to immediately and firmly accept the command Qingyi had handed over.
"In that case, Senior Qingyi, this mission is primarily reconnaissance. You wait here for backup, and I'll go confirm if the intel is accurate and then return."
Although Zhu Yuan was still just a rookie in Public Security, brute force had never been her style.
"If the intel is correct, I'll immediately contact you, Senior Qingyi, to call for Public Security reinforcements."
"Now, now."
Qingyi shook her head and said with a sigh:
"It wouldn't be right for a senior to hide in the car while the rookie does the scouting. I'm going with you."
"But..."
"Besides, as an intelligent android, isn't having me around the easiest way to stay in contact at all times?"
With that, Qingyi pushed open the car door and got out first. Seeing that Qingyi had made up her mind, Zhu Yuan didn't try to persuade her further.
For the next stretch, the two cautiously made their way toward the camp. Strangely, even when they were right in front of it, there was no sound or movement coming from within.
No one was on guard duty, no one was walking around. The empty camp left the two of them baffled.
Seeing no one around, Qingyi and Zhu Yuan grew bolder and began checking the various tents.
"Senior, the stove is still warm. They can't have been gone long."
Without further hesitation, the two immediately ran towards the most conspicuous structure on the far side: the research institute's main gate.
As they advanced, the camp around them grew increasingly chaotic the closer they got.
Bullet holes, slash marks, blast craters, and occasional indentations that looked as if a heavy hammer had smashed into the ground.
The mounting signs of battle indicated that the personnel's departure from the camp was no whim. Discarded equipment scattered everywhere suggested a fierce struggle had taken place.
But aside from military equipment, there were no traces left by anyone else.
It was as if, despite such a violent battle, their opponent had escaped completely unscathed.
And there, by a high wall, a completely wrecked mecha lay abandoned.
The continuously sparking components and armor that had clearly been torn off spoke to the ferocity of the fight, but what shocked the two of them most was a particular sword wound.
A single vertical slash had cleaved the torn torso in two. The smooth cut surface indicated that this massive gash was the result of a single strike.
"A 'Guardian II-Type,' a military heavy autonomous mecha. For Public Security, this thing is basically a superweapon."
The two looked at each other, somewhat dumbfounded. Such a valuable mecha, even as wreckage, should have significant salvage value, yet it was just casually abandoned here.
Zhu Yuan stared at the massive slash on the mecha. Such a sharp, clean strike reminded her of a university classmate.
But it couldn't possibly be her. The slash mark bore none of her characteristic ice residue.
Besides, given her status, she would have no need to file an anonymous tip. Not to mention, based on the decoded voice, the informant was confirmed to be male.
"It's empty inside. All the loaded ammunition has been ejected and taken."
Qingyi finished her careful inspection. The empty ammunition bay confirmed for them that the people stationed here had indeed all withdrawn.
______
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