Chapter 529: Chapter 257: This Feels Too Weird
Li Changāan was silent for a moment. His gaze swept over the others before he spoke slowly, "I donāt know whatās happening either, but since Command issued the order, there must be an important reason.
All we can do now is wait."
"But just waiting around doing nothing feels too strange!" Sun Yang shook his head. "Captain, do you think the Insect Race suddenly changed its plans? Why else would such a critical mission be canceled?"
"Thereās no point in speculating right now," Li Changāan said calmly. "We canāt act without orders, and we canāt recklessly try to guess Commandās intentions.
For now, we stand down and wait to see what happens."
Shen Qiuyue mused for a moment. "It seems the higher-ups may have uncovered a situation far more complex than we imagined."
Han Ruoxi nodded in agreement. "Yeah, an order this sudden... It probably isnāt just about the Insect Race. Other enemies might be involved."
"Other enemies?" Sun Yang looked at her, surprised. "Are you talking about Alien Martial Artists or the Beastman Race?"
"Itās just a guess," Han Ruoxi said softly. "We know too little. All we can do is wait for more information."
Li Changāan leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting out the window. "Everyone, stay calm. Since weāre on standby, use this time to rest and reset.
Command could issue new orders at any moment."
The others nodded helplessly and returned to their stations.
Though their minds were filled with questions and unease, they knew the current situation was beyond their control. All they could do was wait.
Time ticked by, but a tense atmosphere still hung over the Insect Hunter Squadās quarters.
Sun Yang opened his mouth to speak several times, but seeing Li Changāanās focused expression, he held his tongue.
"Captain, how long do you think this will last?" Han Ruoxi finally couldnāt hold back any longer. "We canāt just keep waiting like this, right?"
Li Changāan looked up at her and said in a heavy voice, "I donāt have any more information right now, but Command never acts without reason.
Once they make a decision, weāll receive further orders."
Han Ruoxi sighed softly and nodded. She still felt uneasy, but she trusted Li Changāanās judgment.
Just then, the communicator beeped again.
Li Changāan answered immediately. This time, Commander Liu Naās voice came through the comms.
"Li Changāan, Command has no new operational orders for now, but weāre analyzing an emergency situation.
Your Insect Hunter Squad must remain on standby, ready to deploy at a momentās notice."
"Whatās the situation?" Li Changāan asked immediately, his brow furrowed.
"I canāt disclose too many details at the moment, but your mission may be subject to a major change.
All squads have ceased operations. We need more comprehensive intel to formulate our next strategy." Liu Naās voice was still calm, but her tone carried a hint of gravity.
"Understood, Commander. Weāll be on standby," Li Changāan replied.
"Stay alert and await further orders," Liu Na said before cutting the connection.
Li Changāan put down the communicator, and the others immediately gathered around him.
"Captain, what did Commander Liu Na say?" Sun Yang asked eagerly.
"She said there are no new orders for now, but we are to remain on standby.
The situation is far more complicated than we anticipated," Li Changāan said, his voice low and steady.
"What in the world is going on?" Han Ruoxiās brow was furrowed. "The mission was suddenly aborted, they canāt disclose the emergency situation... It feels like weāre being kept in the dark."
Shen Qiuyue said calmly, "Perhaps itās to prevent unnecessary panic. The higher-ups have their reasons."
"So we just have to sit on our hands and wait?" Sun Yang asked, scratching his hair impatiently. "This is so frustrating!"
"Thereās nothing we can do," Li Changāan said, shaking his head. "The commander made it clear that all squads have ceased operations.
All we can do now is wait patiently."
Han Ruoxi sighed softly. "It looks like this situation is far more complex than we imagined. Weād better be ready to deal with anything at a momentās notice."
Li Changāan looked at her and nodded. "Youāre right. Everyone, stay sharp and ready. Wait for new mission orders."
ćSome time passed.ć
"Ugh, is it this stuff again for breakfast?" Sun Yang complained, chewing on a nutrition bar.
"Can you keep it down? Everyone knows you hate these," Shen Qiuyue shot him a cold glance. Her hands didnāt stop, though; she finished her own nutrition bar in a few quick bites, looking extremely efficient.
"Come on, arenāt we supposed to be special forces? Canāt we get some decent food? Weāre fighting the Insect Race, what good is a nutrition bar?" Sun Yang slapped his stomach dramatically. "Look at me, Iām practically wasting away!"
"Will you settle down? Weāre all in the same boat. Stop shouting." Li Changāanās voice was quiet, but it carried an undeniable authority. Sun Yang heard him and obediently shut his mouth.
"Captain, do you think weāll have a mission today? It canāt be more training, can it?" Han Ruoxi asked, looking at Li Changāan with wide, innocent eyes, a lazy expression on her face.
"Itching to fight some bugs?" Li Changāan glanced at her while sipping his water, the corner of his mouth twitching into a slight smile. "Donāt be in such a rush. There are plenty of them to go around. Youāll get your chance."
"No, no, no.
Donāt say that, I was just asking!" Han Ruoxi quickly waved her hands in dismissal. "If it comes to a real fight, Iām not charging to the front lines. Iām support. You guys with the big swords and guns are the main force!"