Admiral, Your Wife Is Gone ABO - Chapter 50
They had previously agreed to meet in a small tree hollow, a relatively safe spot with no Zerg patrols nearby.
Luo Le had been waiting there with the little girl for three hours, but no one had returned, and he couldn’t contact them.
He wanted to go look for them, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave the little girl alone.
He could only continue waiting.
About half an hour later, the virtual curtain was lifted.
Luo Le quickly draped a virtual cloth over himself and the girl, peeking through a gap.
It was Huo Lanjing’s subordinates.
Luo Le sighed in relief and pulled back the cloth.
He realized there were only three soldiers present. He set the little girl down, stood up, and looked at them. Where are they… and the Admiral?
The soldier at the front glanced at Luo Le, recognizing him as the Mecha pilot who often accompanied Admiral Zhou Wei.
Someone you couldn’t afford to offend.
The soldier’s gaze darted away. They’ve already left ahead of us.
An evasive answer.
Luo Le frowned. Where did the Admiral go?
Another soldier stepped forward. Sir, please return with us. The Admiral will be fine.
Luo Le advanced, his gaze fixed on the soldier, and repeated in a low voice, Where is he?
The lead soldier took a step forward, trying to reassure him. Sir, we can’t stay here any longer. Let’s get out of here.
Seeing the soldiers’ behavior, Luo Le knew Huo Lanjing must still be inside.
The soldiers watched as Luo Le turned and picked up a little girl, then walked toward them.
Take her back first. Make sure she gets there safely.
What about you, Sir?
I have some business to attend to. We can’t stay here any longer. Go now.
With that, Luo Le lifted the virtual curtain and stepped outside.
A chorus of urgent Zerg roars erupted as the soldiers watched a swarm of insects pursue his retreating figure.
The lead soldier tore his gaze away, gritting his teeth. Move out.
With that, the group hurried toward the exit.
The Zerg around him moved with frantic urgency, searching under orders.
Luo Le walked toward the Research Building, desperately trying to shrink his presence, terrified of being discovered.
He had killed a Slug wearing a white lab coat and used a holographic device to disguise himself as it.
Learning from his previous experience, he had smeared the Slug’s mucus all over himself to mask his scent.
The only thing here that could pose a threat to the Empire now was the Transformed Species slumbering within the Research Building.
These creatures carried both Zerg and Imperial genes. Given the Zerg’s generally low intelligence, the combination…
If these hybrids were subjected to another transformation surgery, they would become nearly impossible to defend against.
Huo Lanjing undoubtedly understood this, making the Research Building his most likely destination.
There were no Zerg guarding the entrance. Luo Le quickly swiped the Slug’s card and slipped inside.
He had observed this particular Slug frequently during his time here, making him familiar with its temperament and routines.
Halt.
A raspy voice echoed from behind. Luo Le froze, then slowly turned to face a massive Zerg covered in strange markings.
He had never seen this creature before.
Luo Le’s heart leaped. Unsure of the situation, he dared not speak.
You’ve met the Executive, why haven’t you submitted?
Another Zerg emerged from behind the first, bearing a different mark. Its voice was as cold as a machine.
Executive?
Luo Le’s feet shifted toward the window. What terrible luck! To run into an Executive the moment I arrive.
He had studied the Zerg language, but he knew nothing of their customs.
Why aren’t you answering?
The second Zerg brandished a sharp weapon, as if about to pounce.
Luo Le stared directly at the Executive, clutching the bottle in his bag and twisting the cap with trembling hands.
Good thing there’s no one else around. If they attack, I’ll throw this Zerg-repelling medicine and buy myself some time to escape.
The Zerg raised its weapon menacingly, ready to strike.
Suddenly, the Executive made a gesture to stop.
Executive?
Withdraw.
The Executive’s voice was rough and hoarse.
The Zerg responded with a curt Understood and retreated.
Luo Le’s relief was short-lived. The Executive began walking toward him, and his heart leaped into his throat again.
Then, the Executive strode past him, stirring a gust of wind.
Watching the Executive’s retreating figure, Luo Le exhaled in relief. Thank goodness he didn’t cause trouble. He quickly ducked back into the Slug’s tiny shelter.
He went inside to restock the medications on a small cart, then exited again.
Luo Le relied on his memory to navigate toward the operating room.
This time, there were no Zerg guarding the entrance, perhaps they had gone to search for them.
Just as he was about to open the door, he suddenly heard an angry voice from inside.
Why are you so stubborn? You’re different from other Zerg. You’re intelligent. Just become an Imperial already!
It was the voice of Li Family’s Omega.
Luo Le froze, pressing his ear against the door.
A long silence hung in the room before the raspy voice finally spoke, Remember your place.
The tone carried a veiled warning.
Luo Le strained to hear more clearly, shifting his position.
Who’s there?
He’d been discovered.
Luo Le quickly pushed the cart forward. Click, the door swung open.
The Lizard stood there, his face contorted with fury. Who’s there? What are you doing here?
Luo Le turned back, mimicking the Slug’s usual response. General, I was just passing by.
Five meters ahead of this operating room, another one was lit up.
The Lizard glanced at the medications on the cart. Go back. You’re not allowed near this area without my permission.
Luo Le glanced at the illuminated sign ahead, his expression troubled. Very well.
As he passed Lizard, he caught a glimpse of the Executive sitting inside.
His authority must be even greater than Lizard’s, Luo Le thought. I need to be careful not to draw his attention.
Slug had always slept in the office, one of the reasons Luo Le had chosen him in the first place—it was so convenient.
The next morning, Luo Le noticed the Zerg hurrying upstairs at a brisk pace.
He grabbed one of them. What’s happening?
Sir, have you forgotten? Today is the day the second batch of experimental subjects awakens.
Oh, right, I forgot. Hurry along.
The Zerg acknowledged with a Yes, sir and hurried off.
Luo Le quickly closed the door and followed.
Following the crowd, Luo Le reached the rooftop.
The area was densely packed with glass domes, each containing a naked figure suspended in a clear liquid.
They must be Zerg, Luo Le thought.
Luo Le frowned slightly. He had only ever seen Imperials transformed into Zerg, never Zerg transformed into Imperials.
He had found it strange before, but now he realized there must be many more like this in the Research Building.
Though infiltrating the Empire was difficult, with so many attempts, some were bound to succeed.
At the center of the platform stood the Executive, with Lizard to his left.
A countdown timer ticked above them.
The area below the stage was swarming with Zerg.
With only three minutes remaining on the countdown, Lizard began to speak.
Due to technical issues, our first batch of experimental subjects failed to awaken. With advancements in our technology, we created a second batch. After thirteen years of slumber, they are about to awaken. Our third and fourth batches will follow suit within the next three months. We are now ready to proceed with the next phase of our plan.
Luo Le’s expression darkened. Just as I suspected, there are many more.
He counted the second batch consisted of one hundred and fifty experimental subjects.
Lizard stepped down from the stage and slowly walked to each glass chamber.
Let’s begin the countdown ten, nine… two, one. Drain the fluid.
The transparent fluid was drained from all the chambers.
In order, number one.
The first glass chamber opened, and the figure inside opened their eyes and slowly stepped out.
The figure knelt before Lizard. Sanlin Army, Unit 06. All systems nominal.
Lizard nodded approvingly, his eyes disappearing behind his wide grin.
The figure looked indistinguishable from an Imperial soldier, even performing the Empire’s military salute. It seemed this batch, unlike the children, was more akin to a military unit.
Luo Le silently activated his Smart Brain to record. He needed to memorize the faces of all one hundred and fifty subjects. For now, this was the only course of action available to him.
Ugh…
A muffled groan echoed through the air. Luo Le turned sharply to see the Executive standing behind the Lizard, bl00d gushing from his neck.
His face twisted in disbelief as he collapsed to the ground. Clutching his throat, he pointed weakly at the figure before him, gasping, You… you…
He couldn’t utter anything beyond that.
Everyone froze, afraid to speak. The Executive held absolute authority here, like an emperor no one dared question him.
The Executive stepped forward. Li Qian betrayed the Zerg. He deserved to die.
This time, the crowd didn’t hold back. They began to murmur, arguing that Li Qian, who so deeply hated the Imperials, would never work for them.
Yet the one who had killed Li Qian was the Executive himself. How could they possibly suspect him?
He’s a fake Executive! The real Executive’s Life Lamp has already gone out!
The Zerg who had threatened Luo Le yesterday suddenly charged forward, pointing at the ‘Executive’ and shouting.
Instantly, every Zerg shifted into battle stance. The Life Lamp never lied.
And this ‘Executive’ was far too suspicious.
Luo Le glanced up at the Executive. Could it be Huo Lanjing?
In the next moment, a familiar black mecha materialized before them.
The mecha, crafted by Luo Le himself, confirmed his suspicions it was indeed Huo Lanjing.
He scanned the surroundings, his heart sinking. There were no Imperial soldiers in sight.
The Zerg took a step back, lowered its head, and called out, Feng.
As soon as the word left its mouth, a Zerg marked with blue sigils descended from the sky.
Its body was hard and sharp, like a living war machine.
Kill him! Avenge the Executive!
The blue-sigiled Zerg lifted its head at the command and charged toward Huo Lanjing.
The black mecha soared into the sky, and in the next moment, its massive form crashed down upon the glass domes.
Shattered glass rained across the floor.
What are you waiting for? Hurry and rescue the experimental subjects! the Zerg barked.
The Zerg immediately snapped to attention, rushing forward to drag the prone figures from the ground.
Before they could retreat, a burning piece of clothing fell into the liquid.
Flames erupted as the fire touched the liquid on the floor.
Boom!
An explosion rocked the room, the air thick with heat and the acrid smell of gasoline. Luo Le couldn’t escape in time the blast sent him flying backward, his back slamming against the wall before he crashed to the ground.
Luo Le pushed himself up, his body scorched by the searing heat.
Burning… so hot…
The pain was unbearable, worse than any physical agony, as if the fire were burning straight into his bones.