The weapon in his hand couldn’t possibly intercept the swarm of drones. Without a moment’s hesitation, Chen Jian swiftly got up and left the cover, rushing towards Liu Hao’s position. While he was still on his way, the active defense module on the Nezha armor, which had almost never been used, had already started! The laser matrix quickly locked onto the drones in the air, and in just a few seconds, the nearest drone had its structure burned through. The out-of-control drone tilted and fell, the bullets from its muzzle spraying aimlessly into the air. "Keep an eye on the exit!" Chen Jian shouted orders, while Liu Hao continuously pressed the trigger, using the fire control system of the heavy machine gun to accurately direct bullets towards the underground entrance. The battery of the unmanned machinery was damaged, soon resulting in a burst at the cave entrance. A chain reaction occurred, and even if those unmanned combat machines wanted to advance, they no longer had the chance. The fire had already sealed their route! "This entrance is secure!" Chen Jian patted Liu Hao’s shoulder. "Move to the designated Position Two!" "The enemy should exit the underground from a farther-out exit!" "Hold the intersection; they have only one fast passage on the south side!" Liu Hao picked up the heavy machine gun. With the help of the exoskeleton, his strength was enhanced, and even carrying a load of over a hundred kilograms, his speed didn’t slow down much. Looking at the battlefield situation map on the smart goggles, Chen Jian ordered again: "Increase the altitude of the drones!" "I need an overall view of the situation!" "The transport aircraft will begin landing in 30 seconds!" "No matter what, we have to hold out for two minutes!" Replies came from various team members over the radio, and as the drones ascended, just as Chen Jian expected, scattered active targets began emerging from the underground entrances in the surrounding area. These Mountain City People were only roughly tactical, but not brainless. They were attempting to attract defensive firepower through close-range, high-density assaults and then launch an attack from afar, executing a pincer maneuver! However, such a strategy was still too rudimentary. The landing site Chen Jian selected wasn’t chosen for nothing. The surrounding tall buildings of the sunken terrain posed challenges for landing, but at the same time, effectively blocked all indirect fire weapon trajectories. Even using mortars for high-angle shooting, the shooting angles and available positions were extremely limited and almost completely covered by the defensive fire points designed by Chen Jian! They couldn’t complete an attack in a short time. But the transport aircraft in the air could complete the landing in a short time! Jiang Yu’s voice came over the radio, and immediately after, the transport aircraft, having completed its circling, dived down at an extreme angle! For a moment, Chen Jian almost thought the plane was about to stall and crash. But at an altitude of fewer than 100 meters from the ground, the plane began to pull up. Subsequently, at an unbelievably smooth angle, the aircraft landed steadily on the overpass. The wings brushed past the lamppost, and after taxiing for over ten seconds, the transport aircraft came to a steady stop. Chen Jian heard Jiang Yu shouting over the radio, and in the next second, the cabin door opened, and the passengers squeezed inside tumbled out. That’s right, tumbled out. This transport aircraft, modified from a bomber, had such a cramped interior space that the combat team guys weren’t "sitting" in; more accurately, they were stuffed in. They carried only the simplest gear, not even wearing bulletproof vests. Once on the ground, everyone quickly pivoted the transport aircraft around on the spot, while Jiang Yu pushed down the control lever again, taking off along its landing route. "Successfully landed! Successfully landed!" Chen Jian heard the voice of the newly arrived squad leader. "Quickly implement the pre-planned deployment!" "Prepare to receive the airdropped equipment!" Yu Qian’s voice was slightly hoarse; clearly, he had been through quite an ordeal in the harsh transport environment. But even so, he quickly led his team to complete the deployment actions, and at this time, the second transport aircraft in the air was also starting the airdrop operation. The sudden warning from Ji Xing came over the radio. Immediately afterward, Chen Jian saw a missile trailing smoke shoot out from the underground passage. That was the first thought that flashed through his mind. At this altitude, no aircraft could escape the lock of an anti-air missile with maneuverability! But in the next second, something astonishing occurred. The missile skinned past the transport aircraft. Subsequently, it flew off to some unknown height. ??? Infrared-guided??? My bomber isn’t a piston engine; it doesn’t produce heat! Chen Jian instantly let out a breath, but he also knew this was a dangerous signal. The enemy still had portable anti-air missiles! Which meant, it was absolutely possible there was more than just one! "Quick deployment, quick retreat!" The pilot’s calm reply came over the radio, far more composed than Chen Jian expected. While Chen Jian was initially amazed at the pilot’s psychological fortitude, he quickly realized that the guy probably had no idea what an anti-air missile was! They weren’t briefed on this during training either! But it was too late to explain now. The hatch had already opened, with supply boxes dragging simple parachutes descending rapidly. The transport aircraft began to ascend again, swiftly flying north to exit the danger zone. Chen Jian exhaled sharply, and at this point, the offensive from the Mountain City people near the landing area grew increasingly fierce. A large number of unmanned machines surged out, and even though the combat effectiveness of the unmanned units at distances over 300 meters wasn’t impressive, the density of their firepower still exerted tremendous pressure on Chen Jian. "Prepare to deploy the nuclear weapon!" "Centering on my position, 12 kilometers north, above the first-class monster, deploy a low-yield tactical nuclear weapon!" The bomber pilot quickly responded, and subsequently, the bomber ascended in a northern circuit, preparing for a bombing escape. He had only one chance. Although the bomber actually carried a total of 4 different yield nuclear weapons, after each deployment, to ensure subsequent suppression, his retreat distance had to be within a minimal range. Otherwise, the squad left in the city could be caught and overwhelmed by the Mountain City People’s counterattack! Chen Jian watched the battlefield situation map on the smart goggles intently, prepared for a plan to shrink the formation and break through in one direction after the nuclear explosion. But just then, he suddenly realized something was off. Those Mountain City People... They were retreating! Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on NovelHub(.)net All the unmanned combat units had already shrunk back into the underground passages, and the active targets that had breached the fire blockade and reached the surface were rapidly retreating as well. Did their radar detect the bomber? If that were the case, they wouldn’t have come out in the first place. The radio communications were being monitored. Chen Jian’s heart skipped a beat. Not just because our communications were in a one-way transparent state of danger. He could finally confirm, these Mountain City People could understand human language! Since they could understand human language, why not even give a chance for dialogue?? Quickly scanning the battlefield situation map, confirming the opponents were starting to retreat, Chen Jian ordered resolutely: "Everyone take cover!" "Mountain City, you can hear me!" "We need to negotiate!" Upon saying this, the radio fell into brief silence. A slightly distorted voice suddenly emerged. "Leave Mountain City immediately..." "You have taken the wrong path... we cannot negotiate." "Do not come again, disturb us!" This was the first dialogue. But Chen Jian felt it might also be the last. He took a deep breath, ordering: "Deploy the nuclear weapon!"