Colonial Suit

The relic planet, a plain covered in ice and snow.

Hark raised his head and glanced at the sky above.

"The old geezer has made his move."

"Why?" Rainbow asked beside him. Her fitted combat suit accentuated her graceful figure. She glanced at the smart device in her hand, her brow furrowing slightly.

"I haven't received any special announcements. Why would he act like this without informing us?"

"Of course, it's to guard against us, you idiot," Sivina said coldly, glancing at Rainbow with disdain. "First Black and White, and now a personal appearance. It seems the higher-ups don't trust us very much. I really can't understand, if that's the case, why did they ask us to carry out this mission? Hark, are you really that disliked by the higher-ups?"

"Hehe..." Hark chuckled, scratching his nose somewhat awkwardly.

His relationship with the mercenary higher-ups wasn't that good. But that was mainly because of his vindictive personality. What did that have to do with official missions? Actually, Hark knew that the main reason he was being watched by the higher-ups wasn't him, but Bloodshot.

He was Bloodshot's guarantor, and Bloodshot was the most important core of this mission. Of course, the higher-ups would both win him over and be wary of him. After all, their purpose was too utilitarian. They wanted to control this ancient Krodel relic through Bloodshot. But they forgot that, when it came down to it, Bloodshot was the rightful heir to this relic. And they were just a bunch of despicable coveters.

So, in this mission, the mercenary forces were downright 'bad guys', and he was an accomplice of a 'bad guy'.

No one would think it shouldn't be so.

This was the cruel reality. In this cold universe, any justice was false. Strength, only strength, was the most real thing. Bloodshot might be innocent, but his Krodel heir status was his original sin. And in order to obtain the ancient Krodel's legacy, which almost dominated the universe, even if they knew the means were despicable, the mercenary headquarters would not hesitate in the slightest. As for Bloodshot, the person involved, he was completely ignored.

Compared to absolute power, what was a tiny comet-level being?

So it was only natural for the mercenary headquarters to make such arrangements. They needed to rely on Bloodshot, but also guard against him. All sorts of factors combined to put him on the control list as well. Of course, Hark knew that this was just a formality of surveillance. Unless he betrayed the headquarters, no one would make things difficult for him.

What the headquarters needed was the inheritance of the relic, not to force their main force warrior to rebel.

But he wouldn't, so what about Bloodshot?

Looking at the blood flowers dancing overhead, Hark's eyes narrowed.

He could feel Bloodshot's disgust for this mission. He also knew that Bloodshot wasn't completely ignorant of the mercenary headquarters' arrangements. He was only willing to lie low because of the disparity in power. However, based on Hark's understanding of Bloodshot, he didn't think he would continue to lie low. It might even have the opposite effect.

Because of his good relationship with Bloodshot, Hark could be said to be the person who understood Bloodshot the most, apart from Bloodshot's companions. So the more this was the case, the more he felt that the headquarters' plan was too taken for granted. In other words, stupid.

Would anyone remain indifferent knowing they were being used?

Would anyone have no complaints knowing they were being used?

Well, the universe was vast and full of wonders. Maybe these assumptions would hold true. But Hark never thought that this person would be Bloodshot.

The reason was that he understood Bloodshot too well.

Bloodshot, rather than being a genius-level cosmic warrior, was more like a terrifying and dangerous beast.

His nerves seemed to have a natural, keen intuition and resistance to any danger. In normal times, he might be as rational and harmless as an ordinary person, but once it involved his own safety, he would definitely be more cruel and terrible than any known creature. So-called reason and weighing would never appear in his mind. The only choice he could make was the absolute priority of survival.

To that end, even if he had to punch himself, Hark believed Bloodshot would not hesitate.

All this was because of his sense of crisis from the apocalypse.

Hark didn't know what kind of environment could nurture Bloodshot's personality, but he knew that the mercenary headquarters' plan was likely to miscalculate this time. Bloodshot was not a puppet. He would not follow the script set by the headquarters, especially knowing his identity. And this time, the headquarters' plan was not only to obtain the relic inheritance, but also likely to damage Bloodshot's interests or even safety.

If it was just interests, it could be resolved through an exchange of benefits to gain Bloodshot's understanding, but if it involved safety...

Shaking his head, Hark refused to think any further. Because he knew that this was beyond his imagination. Bloodshot's danger was something he deeply dreaded. No one wanted to create such an enemy, not even Hark.

I just hope the old guys above aren't too stupid.

Hark thought silently, raised his head, and gave Sivina a smile.

"Don't worry," he said, his voice as gentle as lake water. "I'll arrange everything."

"Ah! ..." Sivina's face immediately turned red, and she even shyly avoided Hark's gaze.

How many times had she seen Hark like this since she met him? Every time she saw him, he was either punching and kicking or saying mean things. Sivina had already gotten used to Hark's coldness. Now, suddenly seeing Hark's gentleness, she felt as if she were drunk.

On the other hand, Rainbow sneered in disdain.

"Who's the idiot?" she snorted at Sivina, then turned to look at Hark. "Hark, what are your plans? Tell us as soon as possible. Kid has already gone in ahead of time, we can't abandon him. And the old geezer has personally made his move. I don't think you have many more options. Either go in immediately and seize the opportunity, or wait for the old geezer's anger."

"And ..." Rainbow's gaze turned sharp, and she said seriously. "If you give up on Kid, then from now on, we won't be friends either."

As a fellow planet-level, Rainbow could see the current situation at a glance. So she spoke without reservation.

The universe was cruel and realistic, and examples of abandoning companions for the sake of profit were all too common. Rainbow had to say things first.

Looking at her suddenly serious expression, Hark couldn't help but smile wryly. He shook his head repeatedly.

"What are you talking about? How could I abandon Kid? But it's unlikely that I'll go in immediately. Because I know that the people entering the relic at this time won't be pioneers, but downright cannon fodder."

"Rainbow ..." Hark looked at Rainbow seriously, reached out and patted her shoulder. "I know you care about Kid, but I've already told him, he'll definitely be able to take care of himself. And now ... what we need is patience."

"Someone will do the work of scouting the way for us."

He said, then instructed the attendant.

"Pass the order, the entrance has been opened. All the vanguard teams that landed in the first wave, immediately concentrate at the entrance. And quickly enter to seize the opportunity."

"Yes!" The attendant agreed, and then began to transmit the order.

Only then did Hark raise his head and look again at the snowy sky. "Is this the result you want? Old geezer? If so, you will get a satisfactory answer. If ..."

"You can afford this price."