Chapter 783: Successful Evacuation
"And now, the appearance of the 'roller' variant means..." Valerie followed the logical deduction.
"It means the Hive Mind has 'noticed' these wayward, mutated 'children'," Dr. Hanson affirmed. "The Swarm isn't simply devouring them; it is 'recovering' and 'integrating' them."
"It is selectively absorbing the genetic expressions with potential environmental adaptability advantages that arose during this chaotic mutation. Through the will of the Hive Mind, it is 'standardizing' and reshaping them, thereby creating... 'integrated variants' that possess the Swarm's fundamental traits, a certain adaptability from the human hosts, and new mutational advantages."
"This isn't an accidental combination of two threats. This is the Swarm actively conducting a field genetic sampling and 'combat testing' of unknown scale."
A brief, dead silence fell over the comms channel, save for the faint crackle of static.
This deduction was far more chilling than a simple genetic hybrid—it revealed the terrifying, highly purposeful evolutionary logic behind the Swarm's behavior.
"This intelligence is of immense value, Doctor," Valerie finally spoke. "Please package the complete data and analysis models. This confirms that the source and evolutionary pattern of the threat are far more centralized and directed than anticipated."
She rapidly sent this paradigm-shifting analytical conclusion, along with Dr. Hanson's raw data, to Ryo under the highest encryption level.
The core of the message was distilled into a single sentence: "The infected are an out-of-control Swarm subspecies, currently being actively recovered and integrated by the Hive Mind; the new variants are products of directed evolution, not accidental hybridization."
Seconds later, Valerie's encrypted channel received a microscopic data pulse. Once decoded, it was a direct, updated directive from Ryo: "Revise subsequent operational priorities. Primary objective: Ensure your own safety and the security of your embedded position."
"Secondary objective: Assist Raynor's team in completing the civilian evacuation; maintain the validity of your current identity."
"Only under the premise of absolute safety and non-exposure of our intentions should you attempt to acquire live subjects or high-integrity tissue samples of the 'integrated variants'."
"Repeat: Preservation is paramount; collection is secondary. Do not undertake superfluous actions."
The directive was unmistakable, completely overriding any radical plans that might have arisen based on the "hybrid threat" hypothesis.
Ryo's judgment clearly deemed that exposing any unconventional methods or engaging in a direct "test" against the Swarm right now was not worth the risk.
Valerie drew in a breath of the bone-chilling air, setting "evacuation" and "concealment" as the core of her current logic. Sample collection was downgraded to an optional task triggered only under stringent conditions.
The darkest hour before dawn arrived hand-in-hand with the infected's most frenzied assault.
The entire defensive line at the evacuation point bore the heaviest pressure since the battle began. The batteries for the energy weapons were nearly depleted. The roar of solid projectile weapons became the primary melody of the battlefield, and the smell of cordite and blood in the air was thick enough to solidify.
"All units, contract to the final defensive perimeter! Hold the factory buildings! The transports are making their final approach!" Raynor's hoarse voice echoed across all channels, set against a backdrop of continuous explosions and the crashing of collapsing structures.
Valerie directed the Skitarii and the security teams in a fighting retreat, coordinating with the Raiders to firmly choke off the critical choke points leading to the core landing pads. Her commands became extremely concise, all actions revolving around two goals: "delay" and "evacuate."
"Team B, report feasibility of sample collection," she asked during a lull in the fierce firefight.
"Given current combat intensity and engagement distance, live capture cannot be executed safely. We can attempt a rapid collection of new variant remains at the front line after repelling the current wave," the Team B commander assessed calmly.
"Approved. Execute rapid remains collection under the absolute premise of your own safety. Team A, provide cover."
The battle raged in a brutal tug-of-war. Thanks to the unwavering discipline of the Skitarii and the previously repaired CMC powered armors bolstering the resilience of a few key points, the final defensive perimeter, though teetering, was never completely overrun.
When the first pale light of dawn struggled to pierce the darkness, illuminating the ice field strewn with corpses and slime, the final heavy transport ship finally broadcasted its "full capacity" signal, its engines roaring as they redlined.
"All ground forces, rearguard echelons board in sequence! Move!" Raynor bellowed.
Valerie ordered the Skitarii and security teams to evacuate first in an orderly fashion. She and Team A remained until the very end, alongside Raynor, Tychus, and a handful of the most elite Raiders, using their last remaining ammunition to sweep the scattered infected that had closed in.
"Time to go, corporate lady! Ain't nothin' left to stick around for in this hellhole!" Tychus roared as he used an empty arc projector to smash the skull of a leaping infected.
Valerie calmly fired the last few energy bolts from her laser pistol, dropping an agile variant attempting to close in on their flank. She glanced at the brief confirmation Team B sent over the encrypted link—"Samples acquired"—and replied, "Evacuate."
The group fought as they retreated, finally charging up the open ramp of the transport ship. The heavy hatch sealed shut behind them, cutting off the countless clawing hands and roars outside. The transport shuddered violently as it tore free of the planet's gravity, climbing toward the fleet waiting in orbit.
Through the viewport, the pale surface of Meinhoff's North Pole grew smaller and smaller. The ruined processing plant remained surrounded by layers of writhing black shapes.
The cabin was packed to the brim, filled with exhausted, mostly wounded soldiers and terrified civilians. Yet, a heavy silence settled over everyone, replacing the previous panicked clamor—they had survived, at least for now.
Raynor leaned against the bulkhead, his face a mix of grease and bloodstains. He looked across at Valerie, who sat silently checking her data-slate.
"This time... we owe it to your people, and that 'timely' repaired gear," his voice was hoarse and devoid of much emotion, but his words carried significant weight.
Valerie looked up, her face bearing that same professional calm. "Just doing our job, Commander Raynor. I am glad the majority were able to evacuate." She paused, then added, "Regarding the new discoveries connecting the infected to the Swarm, Dr. Hanson should have already synchronized her preliminary report with you."
"For the upcoming voyage, we may need to re-evaluate our destination."
Raynor nodded, his gaze looking out the viewport at the endless starry sky, profound worry mingling with his exhaustion. "Yeah... if those things really are a new trick the Swarm cooked up, then I'm afraid there ain't a truly safe place left in this damned sector."
Valerie didn't reply, merely returning her gaze to her data-slate. A brief status confirmation from Ryo was flashing on the screen: "Received. Mission baseline achieved. Maintain observation."
The transport ship adjusted its attitude, converging with the assembled fleet. Meinhoff, a dying planet, along with the unsettling "evolutionary experiment" of the Swarm upon it, was gradually left behind.
But for the people aboard the Hyperion, and for the observer hidden in the deeper darkness, the curtain had perhaps just been drawn on a much larger storm.