Chapter 178: The Aerial Gunship
Kai smiled as soon as he managed to drop the flying vessel.
He couldn’t help but glance at the Appraisal Result once again.
[ You have discovered Aerial Gunship: "Impulse" ]
[ Grade: Advanced War Machine ]
[ Status: Incapacitated ]
[ Description: A twin‑rotor aerial gunship designed for both transport and heavy assault. Equipped with a machine gun, side‑mounted plasma cannons, and deployment hatches. ]
[ Note: Current condition is disabled due to rotor damage and system overload. ]
’So our UFO is called Impulse...’ Kai thought.
It was definitely a vessel that Kai wanted to have for himself!
At this time, Mei finally dropped her camouflage, stepping out of the haze with her rifle leaning on her shoulder.
"You... you actually captured it."
Kai exhaled... His body was trembling slightly from exhaustion. His Spirit Points were gone, drained by the repeated use of Spirit Pulse and Specter Step. He could no longer rely on his Gene Skills.
But he recalled something and studied the vessel. "It’s not over. There are still Sentinels inside."
Mei stiffened. "Inside?"
Kai nodded grimly. "The hatches were sealed when Atom hit them, but that doesn’t mean the cargo is empty. They’ll try to break out."
As if on cue, the vessel shuddered.
Then, Metallic thuds echoed from within, followed by the grinding of gears...
The captured Aerial Gunship seemed as if it were alive.
Kai turned to look behind and raised his voice.
"Atom! Delay them a bit! Don’t let them breach the shelter walls! We need to change the energy cells quick..."
The A‑Grade Sentinel obeyed instantly.
Its heavy rifle clanked as it reloaded another block of metal.
With a swift movement, Atom positioned itself near the vessel’s underside, where the hatches strained against their bent frames.
It didn’t take that long before he started dealing with the Sentinels.
BOOM!
The first block smashed into the hatch, denting it further and forcing the mechanism to jam. Sparks flew as the internal gears tried to force it open.
BOOM!
Another shot followed... This time, it was angled to ricochet inside the half‑open hatch! The impact reverberated through the vessel, and it immediately silenced the grinding noise.
Mei covered Kai’s flank with her Plasma Rifle as Kai changed his Energy Cell...
"If they break through, we’ll be ready."
Kai nodded. "Or maybe Atom can already deal with this... As you can see, if we fire plasma inside, we can risk destroying the vessel’s systems. I really want it intact."
"Ahhh... You’re right." Mei agreed as she saw the gunship tremble again.
A panel on its side buckled outward, and a Sentinel arm clawed through the gap.
Soon, its plasma weapon glowed faintly as it tried to pull itself free.
Atom reacted instantly! Dropping its heavy rifle, it charged forward.
Its gears whined as it grabbed the protruding arm and twisted.
Crash!
The Sentinel made them static noise before Atom ripped it clean off, and as its head popped out, Atom grabbed and crushed it before shoving the unit back inside.
CRASH!
[ Enemy Unit Destroyed: Sentinel (D) ]
[ +150 Experience Points ]
The hatch slammed shut again with sparks raining down.
Mei’s eyes widened. "Wow..."
Kai smiled, "Y-yeah... That’s impressive."
Inside the vessel, muffled impacts continued.
Soon, the hatch could no longer hold it, and it was thrown open!
At this time, Kai and the others were already with their Plasma Rifles, ready to deal with the remaining Sentinels...
However, Kai raised his hand as he didn’t want to fire at will with the gunship so close. At the very least, he wanted that as the last option if Atom failed to deal with the Sentinels.
Soon, four Sentinels spilled out, with their optics glowing red as a sign that they were in combat mode.
Once again, Kai’s hand shot up, reminding his team...
"Hold fire! Don’t damage the vessel!"
The defenders hesitated as they were also scared of the Sentinels, but they followed Kai... However, Atom didn’t.
The A‑Grade Sentinel charged forward, faster than the enemy units could react.
Its gears whined as it slammed into the first Sentinel, wrenching the plasma rifle from its grip!
It was a pity that the Rifle would no longer be usable, but it didn’t matter at this moment...
With a twist of its mechanical arms, Atom snapped the weapon in half and hurled the shards aside.
The second Sentinel fired, but Atom ducked low as it closed the distance.
It seized the barrel of the rifle, forcing the weapon upward.
Fwoosh~
The plasma bolt scorched the sky harmlessly before Atom tore the rifle free and smashed it across the unit’s head, sending sparks flying.
The third and fourth Sentinels tried to flank, but Atom turned sharply. It dropped the broken rifle and reached down, retrieving a blade from its own storage compartment!
It was a heavy combat knife forged for close‑quarters combat.
The blade glinted as Atom waved it!
CLANG!
The third Sentinel’s weapon was sliced clean in two... Then, Atom drove the blade into its chest, twisting until the unit collapsed in a heap of sparking wires.
The fourth Sentinel charged, swinging its rifle like a club!
Atom parried with the blade, as steel met alloy. With a swift counter, Atom slashed across its arm, severing the limb.
The disarmed unit backed off, before Atom plunged the blade into its core.
One by one, the four Sentinels fell with their bodies scattered across the dirt.
Soon, Atom stood over them, blade dripping with... oil.
Silence followed before the crowd cheered!
"Atom! Atom! Atom!"
"You’re the best!"
"Strongest Sentinel! Atom!"
Kai lowered his hand and finally relaxed.
He already confirmed with his Keen Senses that there were no more enemies inside the Impulse.
"It’s done. The vessel is ours."
Mei heaved a sigh of relief after hearing the confirmation.
"Captured... with minimal damage."
Unfortunately, two freed slaves lay motionless near the barricades... Their sacrifice was undeniable.
Kai bowed his head. "Two confirmed dead. They fought bravely."
Mei placed a hand on his shoulder. "We need to at least give them a proper burial..."
"That’s right." Kai agreed as he looked at the Aerial Gunship.
’You’re not empty, are you?’ Kai thought as he recalled his Breathrough Requirements.