Chapter 213: Grab Some Items

“Last time I did a mission with him, I guessed he had superpowers, but his abilities are more mysterious. He might not even realize it himself.” Wu Bing nodded after hearing that.

Hearing this, Zhou Zheng asked in surprise, “Natural awakening?”

Wu Bing nodded again, “Pretty much. I didn’t see any mutated creatures nearby at the time, but he still avoided their attacks.”

“That impressive?” Zhou Zheng’s plump face was full of astonishment.

The creatures the Company deals with are adept at disguising themselves. Most superhumans can’t even detect them.

In today’s technological environment, creatures that don’t Camouflage well have already been eliminated by the government.

Hank nodded, “If that’s the case, spending some time in the energy mine could accelerate his power growth due to the mine’s radiation.”

The Fat Boss nodded, “That’s why I called you all here this time. You’ve done this type of mission more than once.”

“This task seems easy enough. The mine’s info doesn’t indicate anything special, and the energy mine seems like a regular one.” Zhou Zheng shook his head, speaking with some disappointment.

“Mutated creatures aren’t that easy to find,” Wu Bing chimed in.

“We should still prepare thoroughly, just in case,” the Fat Boss added.

Over the next few days, Yang Bo learned that Wu Bing and the others weren’t on March Planet but handling missions elsewhere, mainly alien-related ones.

At the same time, he learned that if a mutated creature appears in the energy mine, or if some engineer mutates, it would benefit them greatly, as these creatures get sent to the Alliance Research Institute.

“Are we going to run into trouble again? It seems that every time I’m with the Fat Boss, things go south,” Yang Bo wondered.

Meanwhile, Yang Bo practiced using the heavy laser gun on the spaceship’s simulation equipment.

Four days later, Yang Bo saw a desolate planet. Its surface was cratered, and it was about the same size as March Planet.

The mine entrance was in a canyon. The small spaceship descended from space, and a large door opened on the cliffside, allowing them to fly in.

“Boss, how was the energy mine discovered?” Yang Bo asked, curious as to how they found a mine in such a barren place.  Wu Bing replied, “Treasure hunters. These people specialize in locating rare minerals and ores.”

“Once found, the treasure hunters are paid at least 0.2% of the mine’s value. The exact amount depends on the worth of the minerals, with a maximum reward of 10%.”

Zhou Zheng nodded, “That’s right, but the job is extremely dangerous, and some people spend their whole lives without finding anything valuable. There’s just too many planets, and valuable ones are rare.”

“Especially with current technology, most resource planets get discovered first by the Alliance or big companies.”

After the spaceship landed, the Fat Boss said, “Everyone, keep within 100 meters of each other. The interference inside this energy mine is heavy, and it severely impacts wireless communication.”

“Also, the planet’s air is full of toxic gases. If you’re in danger, seek help from your teammates immediately.”

“We’re here to earn money, not to take unnecessary risks. If something goes wrong, retreat immediately, and you’ll still get a hefty compensation.”

The Fat Boss’s meaning was clear. If there’s danger, we should all get out quickly.

Yang Bo wasn’t surprised. The task contract states that if there’s something unmanageable in the mine, the mining company would compensate them for inaccurate mission data.

Hank and Wu Bing started familiarizing themselves with the new mechs. In the ship’s Cargo Bay, two Generation 9 mechs walked around, testing their mobility.

The Fat Boss and Zhou Zheng, dressed in their armor, complained on the communications channel, “This low-quality armor only allows me to use 60% of my powers.”

Since it’s not synchronized armor, its main purpose is like a bulletproof vest back on Earth—just basic defense.

Of course, compared to others, Yang Bo’s gear was the worst. His Heavy-Duty Protective Gear looked more like a spacesuit from Earth, with a transparent helmet.

This Heavy-Duty Protective Gear had almost no defense, mainly providing Yang Bo with a survival environment.

Yang Bo was holding a laser gun. Fortunately, it waas a heavy laser gun, with a maximum powwer output comparable to the minimum power of a mech laser cannon.

Of course, using maximum power required charging, and the laser gun had an intelligent system that prevented accidental fire on teammates.

“Everyone has half a day to get familiar with the equipment. We’ll move out in six hours.”

“Yang Bo, remember, this planet is unsuitable for human survival, and the energy mine has radiation in it. If your protective suit malfunctions, return to the spaceship immediately,” the Fat Boss reminded again over the comms.

“Got it, Boss,” Yang Bo replied on the channel.

The mine looked enormous and well-constructed. This was because the early construction didn’t require any human intervention. Autonomous devices had been deployed to complete the infrastructure.

It’s hard to imagine, but the entire mine only had three engineers. Of course, behind these three were the full resources of the Company and other teams.

Several hours later, the spaceship doors opened. The docking bay wasn’t fit for long-term inhabitation since building a habitat in such a large space was cost-prohibitive.

The ceiling was over 40 meters high, and the room was vast. In the distance, a small spaceship sat idle.

“The spaceship looks fine. It seems the two engineers reached here safely,” confirmed the Fat Boss after inspecting the small ship, reporting back over the comms.

“Everyone, keep an eye on your surroundings. Don’t trust the machines too easily; trust your own eyes.” The Fat Boss and the others headed deeper into the mine, keeping watch.

“The warehouse here looks fine.”

“The power system is running normally.”

“The emergency evacuation system is functioning correctly.”

The Fat Boss’s team inspected the area quickly. They seemed familiar with these kinds of settings.

Meanwhile, Yang Bo stood there, holding his laser gun, looking a bit likee a fool.

There was no helping it. Yang Bo’s Heavy-Duty Protective Gear was the slowest. Wu Bing and Hank’s mechs, with their rocket packs, zipped around at top speed.

While the Fat Boss and Zhou Zheng’s armor wasn’t synchronized, they could still vanish in a blink if they wanted to move fast.

At this moment, Yang Bo felt like a burden.

As they progressed, the Fat Boss and Zhou Zheng were responsible for checking the surroundings, while Hank and Wu Bing kept watch with their mechs.

Yang Bo’s sole task was to keep up and not fall behind.

“Annoying!” The Heavy-Duty Protective Gear felt like it had chained Yang Bo’s feet, making every step a struggle.

“No issues with the passenger elevator.”

“No abnormalities in the freight elevator.”

“Let’s proceed through the passage.” They reached the elevator area, which had both a passenger and a cargo elevator used to transport ore and mining carts.

These mining carts, parked beside the freight elevator, looked like garbage trucks back on Earth.

They had basic intelligent systems. If no ore cart arrived from below, the empty carts wouldn’t enter the elevator.

They proceeded through a side passage, akin to a building’s emergency stairwell, carved directly from the rock.

Occasionally, metal frameworks reinforced the tunnel.

“No issues on the second level.” They arrived at the second floor, quickly scanning for any signs.

They continued level by level until they reached the thirty-second floor.

“Everyone, be careful.” This was where the three engineers lived and also where the ore processing center was located.

The floor was a mess. Intelligent transport vehicles lay overturned, some seemingly out of control, creating a large-scale traffic accident scene.

“Looks like something went wrong at the ore-processing center,” Wu Bing said after just a glance.

“We just don’t know what model of processing equipment they’re using. Some machines are notoriously unsafe,” Zhou Zheng added over the comms.

It seemed the Fat Boss’s team was quite knowledgeable about mines.

“Yang Bo, stay by the elevator,” the Fat Boss said after surveying the area.

“Understood.” Watching the scene of wrecked vehicles and then glancing at his bulky protective suit, Yang Bo knew it would be a hassle to move in.

The two mechs moved about 60-70 meters apart from one another, while the Fat Boss and Zhou Zheng in their armor inspected the surroundings.

“The Fat Boss seems very proficient with intelligent systems. Could his superpower be related to this?” Yang Bo thought, watching them work as he moved forward.

Nearby, a deep mining tunnel had collapsed.

The mining operation had initially carved a path through the tunnel, digging as far as possible. As they dug, the tunnel collapsed behind them.

A section of the tunnel, roughly 100 meters long, was supported by giant metal pillars. The tunnel stood about 20 meters tall and nearly 50 meters wide.

Beyond the 100-meter mark was nothing but collapsed rock.

“Everyone, stay alert. Something feels off.”

“There seem to be signs of sabotage.”

“Could there really be mutated creatures here? If so, we hit the jackpot.”

“If we can catch a mutant creature, this trip will be more than worth it.”

“Keep the comms quiet,” the Fat Boss ordered loudly.

Yang Bo cautiously scanned the area, gripping his laser gun and walking slowly.. He turned his body as he moved, remaining vigilant.

Just after turning around, Yang Bo sensed something was off. He quickly turned his head to look back.

An overturned mining cart caught his eye. The front section, housing the energy equipment and control system, looked warped. The design allowed for manual operation in case the energy interference became too severe.

“Boss, we’ve got a situation,” Yang Bo shouted on the comms after noticing something moving inside the mining cart.

The Fat Boss was about 150 meters away from Yang Bo. Zhou Zheng darted forward like a rubber ball, covering that distance in less than half a second.

“There seems to be something inside that mining cart,” Yang Bo quickly explained, unfazed by Zhou Zheng’s speed.

The others arrived shortly after. Wu Bing, controlling his mech, fired a laser cannon round at the rear canister of the cart.

The shot blasted open a large hole in the canister at the back of the cart.

The blast seemed to disturb something. Immediately, loud banging sounds could be heard from inside the canister, as if something was trying to break out.

Other canisters in nearby carts began to make similar noises, as though something inside was also striking the metal.

“Move back! Pull out!” the Fat Boss shouted loudly upon seeing this.

Yang Bo soon understood why. A massive bug-like head began to emerge from the punctured canister. It tried to squeeze through the opening, but just as it did, a laser shot struck its head.

“Is someone trying to steal the mine?” Wu Bing’s voice came through.

“Definitely. The three engineers here must’ve been bribed.”

The voices over the comms left Yang Bo feeling puzzled.

“Yang Bo, energy mines are a strategic resource for every country. They are extremely important. Being far from any administrative planets makes them prime targets for other countries or corporations.”

“If you try to take a mine by force, it leads to serious diplomatic incidents and conflicts. Instead, they’ll release mutant bugs that eat metal into the mine, eradicating all evidence.”

“Once the bugs devour all the metal in the mine, and with no way to prove ownership, other forces can swoop in and take it,” the Fat Boss explained as they ran.

Suddenly, a loud rumble came from overhead.

“Something’s wrong,” the Fat Boss exclaimed, then vanished in a flash.

“Yang Bo, follow me.” Wu Bing activated his mech’s Jetpack, leaving that message on the comms.

In the blink of an eye, Yang Bo was alone.

“Why does this feel so familiar?” Yang Bo murmured helplessly.

It seemed the Fat Boss had abandoned him again, just like at the Dome Concert.

And when they encountered the pirates during the March Planet migration, the Fat Boss had left him behind again.

Now the communications channel fell into silence, clearly beyond the communication range.

Yang Bo looked back, seeing holes appearing in several of the cart canisters where the bugs were munching through.

“Without a traitor, there’s no way these mutant bugs could’ve gotten inside the mining carts,” Yang Bo finally understood why the Fat Boss had suspected a mole.

As Yang Bo was about to leave, one of the mining carts dumped a pile of rocks with a quail egg-sized energy stone catching his eye, its brightness blinding.

“Holy crap, that’s a high-quality energy stone!” Yang Bo exclaimed, immediately deciding not to leave. He aimed his laser gun and fired at the buugs chewing on the mining cart.

Next, Yang Bo found the area’s control system, removed his gloves, and hacked into the system, releasing electronic pulses to disrupt the controls. These systems included surveillance cameras.

The internal chips of the intelligent surveillance cameras exploded one by one, making it easier for Yang Bo to proceed with his plan.

That energy stone alone was worth at least 1 million credits. Of course, Yang Bo wasn’t going to sell it; its use was too valuable.

That said, further appraisal was needed, as it could be worth several million.

“Good thing I cleared out all the mech storage equipment this time.” Yang Bo ignored the energy stone for now, focusing on heading toward the ore-processing area with his laser gun in hand. Most of thhe energy stone was still encased in dark rock.

If there was such high-quality energy here, what about the rest?  What about the ore-processing area?  Yang Bo continued firing his laser gun at the bugs chewingg through the mining carts.

Yang Bo removed his gloves, shut off the suit’s oxygen system, and took off his helmet.

Holding his breath, the planet’s gravity was heavy, but Yang Bo didn’t feel uncomfortable. As for the toxic air, he simply chose not to breathe it.

Snapping his fingers, Yang Bo noted that despite the low air density, there was still enough to carry sound.

After using a soundwave detector, Yang Bo put his helmet back on and restarted the oxygen system.

He put his gloves back on and fired more laser shots at the various canisters.

One of the still canisters suddenly revealed movement after being hit by Yang Bo’s laser. A bug head began chewing through the canister wall.

“These bugs aren’t too bright,” Yang Bo remarked, firing his laser gun again. The bug was hit, causing an internal explosion that made the canister puff up.

Three minutes later, Yang Bo reached the ore-processing center. It was a massive machine, 12 meters tall, 50 meters long, and 5 meters wide. Mining carts dumped ore into it, where rocks and other materials were sorted and transported away.

Yang Bo removed his gloves and placed his hand on the machine’s system.

In the distance, a beeping sound began, signaling an approaching mining cart. Once it arrived, the cart automatically unloaded its contents.

“Smart. The company used a disguised cart to transport energy stones,” Yang Bo thought, recognizing the cart’s similarity to others.

Yang Bo had manipulated the machine to unload stored energy stones.

“I’ll leave the other materials alone for now,” Yang Bo decided. He knew the machine also contained rare metals, but their value wasn’t high.

“Let me find someplace to count how many energy stones we’ve got. The system says there’s 300 kilograms in here.” Yang Bo glanced around, eager to find a spot to start unloading the stones.