BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM

Chapter 1162: Planning the Assault (3)



"I don't think you have to worry, Mira. Your ability to shift between forms makes you unpredictable, at least in battle. Besides, you can use the different forms for various purposes that go outside of the fighting range. You can use a dog's hearing to find people. You would also basically be a moving alarm. You can take the form of a bird for stealth reconnaissance or use that of a bug for stealthy infiltration. You can change form while fighting; you can sneak attack them. You can do a lot of things thanks to replication."

He paused.

"As for June. He insisted on coming with us. I tried to make him desist, but he was hell-bent on coming."

"Is he crazy? June is going to join a fight he should in no way take part in. I get he had been with you the longest and joined your battles the most, but based on how things are, how strong the enemy is, and how fast they are growing, he should understand the best and safest thing to do would be to stay behind."

Mira frowned, clearly worried. She brushed her hair back, a nervous habit.

"I don't get why he's doing this," she said, shaking her head.

"Well," Erik said. "You said it yourself. He was the one who was with me the longest. Besides, if things remained as they had been for centuries, June would have been considered powerful."

Indeed, for centuries, having June's stats would have made anyone into a respected figure. The problem was that with the blackguards creating the technique to get more than one brain crystal power, anyone without one would inevitably be considered weak, with the difference that June couldn't even make neural links, meaning he had essentially no way to escape his situation.

"Anyway, don't worry. I will make sure he has as many brain crystal items as possible." Everyone nodded. It wasn't just Erik that was worried about the clone; even the others were. "Anyway, I forgot to mention this: based on the reports, there are at least six Vindicators, possibly more. They should be positioned in pairs throughout these three defensive zones." The display highlighted different sections of the fortress.

"Our priority is preventing them from getting together. During the Maynard Island battle, we saw how dangerous their coordination could be. This time, we keep them split up, especially considering they are six people and not just three. This means finding a pair and eliminating it on the spot." He turned to Amber.

"You and Mira will act melee, while Emily helps you from a distance. You need to keep them occupied. At best, Emily will kill the pairs. At worst, you will be forced to release the gas and teleport away."

"But they'll be expecting an attack on the Vindicators. What if they immediately group up?"

"They can't," Erik said. "A pair should be leading the defenses, another should be guarding the generators, and another should be patrolling around. The only ones who might group up are the two roaming guys. The others can't leave their position unless the division commander says otherwise."

"There might still be more than six, Erik," Mira said.

"In that case, I will act personally, if I can, of course. In case I can't help you, run."

The four remained silent for a bit. What Erik was asking them to do was a lot, and it wasn't simple either. The three women understood they might really lose their lives now.

Of course, if they decided not to join the battle, Erik would simply ask Amber to teleport a small contingent of Chimaeric Demons inside, but at that point, he would be the one tasked to fight against the Vindicators and the division commander, and in a battle of brain crystal power, nothing ensured his victory.

Besides, things would be more complicated. Maybe if he fought with many Chimaeric Demons, he might be able to end the fights quickly, but nothing assured that. Based on how things were, he would do most of the things alone, and that would make them lose time.

"When is the attack going to start?" Amber asked.

"We strike at dawn," Erik pulled up a timeline. "The Chimaeric Demons will begin raising their undead forces an hour before sunrise. By first light, we'll have armies emerging from every tunnel. That's when we move."

Erik manipulated the hologram to show a time-lapse of their planned assault. "At exactly 0500, the first wave begins. The Chimaeric Demons activate their undead forces in the lower tunnels. Each clone has specific targets."

The display showed hundreds of points lighting up beneath the fortress. "When the blackguards respond to the threat, a group of Chimaeric Demons will take flight. They will provide feedback about key targets. Priority is locating their anti-aircraft defenses."

"What if we can't find the barrier masters?" Mira asked. "The plan hinges on our ability to destroy the barrier generators and kill the barrier masters. If we fail, the Chimaeric Demons will never be able to enter the fortress city."

"I'll assist if possible, but it depends on the situation. If I can't help directly, we still have some time before we lose all our undead forces. We can use that window strategically. We might change targets."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Wouldn't it be better to bring the clones inside?" Emily asked.

"I can't." Amber had a serious look. "Bringing five people in is doable, and it will allow us for

a covert operation while there is chaos outside. I can't bring too many people, or I won't be able to fight later."

"Yes, that is why I didn't tell you to do this earlier," Erik said. "The Chimaeric Demons are strong, but have basically no chance against a ranged fighter, especially considering they might have two brain crystal powers."

He paused.

"Anyway, by 0515, if everything goes well, we should have been able to find the barrier masters and deal with them."

Erik sighed and then zoomed in on the central command structure. "If everything goes well, the next target would be the generators. If everything goes well, by 0530, we should have their outer defenses in disarray. That's when the main assault force will flood the place. "

"15 minutes seems tight."

"I know," Erik said. "Our best hope is for Emily and Mira to find them quickly. The clones will help, as I mentioned, but they won't be able to tell us much from outside the barrier." Erik turned to Emily.

"Of course, I don't need to tell you how careful you need to be when you see the barrier

masters, right?"

The woman nodded.

"Act based on the situation, and try not to be discovered. Since you insist on not using the places we wanted you to take, I'll give you a list of viable alternative positions you might take aside from those you chose."

The hologram showed Emily's firing positions, selected for maximum coverage. "I'll need to switch positions at least four times," Emily said. "They will for sure send troops into my position, and they might have countersnipers looking for me."

"Try to take them out before they find you."

"Easy for you to say."

Erik sighed. "Anyway, there are multiple backup positions here, here, and here," Erik highlighted several ridges and buildings. "Mira and Amber will provide cover during your relocations. If I'm there, I will help you too."

Amber's face took on a pensive look, and she bit her lower lip. What she thought was simple. In this plan, a lot hinged on Erik's help. He had to help with the vindicators, the barrier

masters, the generators.

But it was counterproductive. If Erik decided she, Mira, and Emily would need to get inside, then the best thing to do would be to simply do what he had to. In all of this, there was no mention of the planes; of course, if everything went well, the enemy wouldn't even find out they would enter, and in theory at least, the planes would be safe.

But the battle against the Vindicators was for sure going to stir things. What would happen if the Division Commander appeared?

Erik noticed her expression and paused, giving her a moment to voice any concerns she might

have.

"I think you should just focus on finding the division commander," Amber said. "If he appears, we won't be able to do much."

"Are you sure you can do all of this alone? There won't be backup until you kill the barrier masters, destroy the generators, or you warp everyone away."

"Yeah, don't worry."

"Anyway, what do we know about the division commander?" Amber asked, leaning forward

with a look of concern.

"Unfortunately, very little," Erik said with a frown. "These blackguards are experts at concealment. They've stayed hidden for years."

"Nothing at all?" Mira asked. "Not even a name or physical description?"

Erik shook his head. "We have some vague reports of their combat abilities, but nothing

concrete. They could be a master of deception, a powerful fighter, or both. We need to be prepared for anything."