Volume 8: The Fourth Impact Chapter 2 If you behave yourself, Senior Xie will take you to see the goldfish
With Mason's help, the besieged Conqueror rookie successfully escaped the pursuit of the Black Lantern Corps' dead, but in fact these awakened dead were obviously not the real elite.
The fact that there is not even a well-known leading hero among them is very telling.
It can be seen from the military uniforms and standard weapons on these dead people that these should be the creations of ordinary soldiers who died in the war during the previous conflicts in this world and were resurrected.
However, due to the strengthening and immortal characteristics of the Black Lantern Ring, these guys became several times more difficult to deal with. The power from one of the most intense emotions in the emotional spectrum can only be countered by the same emotional power. Unfortunately, the conquerors obviously did not have the luxury to equip a group of cannon fodder who were destined to be wiped out with lantern rings.
After witnessing the power of this world's defense force with his own eyes, Mason officially determined that this action itself was meaningless, and that this miserable chaos was exactly what the conqueror wanted to see.
Of course, this is not just a way to entertain myself by giving away a few heads when I have nothing better to do.
Mason guessed that this was just a distraction tactic, using a large number of cannon fodder to attract attention while buying time for the real main force hidden among them. It was a very traditional but very effective strategy, and there was nothing wrong with it except that it was a little cold-blooded.
"Keep going, don't stop!"
Mason led the way leisurely in front, as if he was playing an RTS strategy game, commanding these embarrassed guys who should have died to struggle forward in the dark.
He himself was not in a hurry at all, and even had the leisure to command these rookies to launch a counterattack.
"Pyro, attack from the left rear, Rogue, absorb Iceman's power! You two, pay attention to covering the flanks, Colossus and Psylocke lead the way, another group of Black Lantern dead are surrounding us, about a dozen of them.
What is Storm doing hiding on the ground?
Your little electric arc can't hurt these dead who can be resurrected infinitely. These guys have no air power. Is your storm shield afraid of bullets?
Now take to the air and call down a mini-rainfall to complement Iceman's freeze!
How did you pass the graduation examination?
Can't you even do this simplest kind of power coordination?"
Under his stern rebuke, the flustered rookies immediately followed the instructions. Perhaps because they were clones and had the obedience program written into their genes, these guys' execution ability was quite good.
With the space to perform, they quickly launched a very brilliant counterattack, easily breaking through the last few lines of siege and escaping from the coverage of the black lantern ring.
But the black mud was still extending as if it was chasing the last living thing, attracted by the fresh vitality and chasing even more hideously. However, without the interference of the dead, the Storm Girl was able to take the time to accumulate strength to set off a big storm and sweep her teammates through quickly.
They broke through in the air and reached Mason .
Mason, wearing a hood and a mask from the Star Society, stood beside a small river. The flowing water gathered beside him and turned into a flying green dragon, spinning and looking like a master.
After these rookies landed, they understood what Mason was wearing as soon as they saw him. Psylocke, who was serving as the temporary team leader, said:
"Will the stars take action in this world as well?"
"You rude fellows! Is this how you talk to the noble and powerful A-class personnel who just saved your life?"
Mason snorted, and with a pinch of his fingers, a golden identity card jumped into his hand.
This thing is the symbol of the Star Club membership that cannot be faked. When the rookies saw it, they completely let down their last bit of vigilance.
"Hail, sir."
Psylocke immediately stood up straight and gave Mason a conqueror's salute.
Although the Star Society and the Conquerors belong to different organizations, Class A Pioneers also have temporary military ranks equivalent to Senior Conquerors, and are indeed superiors to these rookies who have never seen the world.
In addition, Mason's identity just now gave them the illusion that he was one of them.
Well, strictly speaking it's not an illusion, Mason is indeed one of their own, especially after the war in Gotham world, he has probably become the most famous of all the clones born in the Weapon X project.
Its information has already been placed on the desks of all the powerful members of the Hope Council.
"Please introduce yourself."
The captain snorted and waved his hand in the arrogant manner of the A-level members in his memory. The water surrounding him transformed into several lifelike phoenixes, fully demonstrating Mason's superb mutant ability manipulation.
The "legendary aura" that came from the completion of the Isu bloodline weighed heavily on these rookies in front of them, creating a kind of "deterrent" effect.
They sat on the ground, gasping for breath and trying to calm their minds, but it was difficult for them to even look up at Mason.
At the captain's request, the temporary captain, rookie Psylocke, introduced:
"We are privates from the First Sequence of Conquerors, belonging to the 37th Red Tank Commando. This is our first time to carry out an official combat mission..."
"I didn't ask you that!"
Mason snapped his fingers and said:
"I have no interest in the internal affairs of the Conquerors, and your secret mission has nothing to do with me. I have my own pioneering mission to perform. Children, I hope you understand the current situation.
I risked being exposed to save you not because of your status as conquerors!"
Psylocke was still a little confused as it was her first time to act. The Iceman next to her suddenly understood after observing Mason's ability to control water. He coughed and explained in a gentle voice:
"We were born at the 27th branch base of the Weapon X project, sir. Our birth number is 248th sequence 014th batch, and we have no special code.
In fact, all mutant clones born after the first sequence of the Conquerors was officially established were named after the original gene."
"Yes, this is what I want to hear, and this is why I rescued you, my brothers and sisters."
Mason finally let out a huff of laughter.
He dispersed the water control beside him, threw a few bottles of medicine to the rookies in front of him, and said:
"My life trajectory is slightly different from yours. In an unspeakable accident, I was forced to join the Star Society and work under the Swordsman. I learned about your existence from the Mutant Utopia but had no way to contact you.
I'm curious, if all of you clones that were born later use the code names of your original genes, how do you recognize each other?
From what I understand, each batch of Weapon X clones will replicate a full X-Men and Brotherhood of Mutants team, right?"
"We use the appearance sequence number instead, sir."
The little rascal, who looked only fifteen or sixteen years old, blinked and replied:
“In fact, in the first sequence of Conquerors, our appearance sequence numbers are our real names, and our nicknames are just pseudonyms.
However, the earliest serial number we have seen since its creation is only 076, which is our commando captain Red Tank. A serial number like yours, 003, is simply a legend."
"Hehehe... Of course I am a legend! A genuine legend.
That is, I went astray and joined the Star Club and became an A-level member. If I had chosen the same career path as you, I might have been a conqueror commander now."
Mason responded to the rookies' inquiries with a strange smile.
In the brief conversation, he had basically figured out the internal structure of the First Conqueror Sequence. The so-called First Conqueror Sequence should refer to the first conquest corps established when the Council of Hope was first established. It was originally an external violence organization formed by clones of the Weapon X project in Mason's hometown.
If Mason had not encountered an accident, he, who grew up in his hometown, would most likely have joined them and died quietly in the conquest of an unknown world.
"Don't move, your leg is broken, poor little fellow."
Mason squatted down and held down the pale Storm's left leg, then gestured to the "youth version" of Miss Anna next to him to help pull off the injured person's black stockings.
While he was skillfully performing first aid to improve his proficiency, he asked the frightened little ones beside him:
"Tell me, why did you rashly come here to get killed this time?"
"Uh, sir, this is a military secret."
Temporary captain Psylocke leaned on her samurai sword and said in a low voice with some embarrassment:
"Although we thank you for saving our lives, we have a discipline. We cannot tell you the goal of this operation, and we have to set off immediately to the assembly point."
"Is that how hard you work?"
Mason asked in surprise:
"You can't be relocated in your current situation. In fact, I don't think you can even get past the nearby black light defense zone. If you get trapped again, no one will save you.
I understand that it takes courage to carry out the mission, but courage does not mean committing suicide."
"You have to go, my lord! You are not a conqueror, you do not understand our system."
The more irritable Fire Man complained while holding a cigarette:
"If we failed to reach the assembly area after 30 minutes, we would be deemed 'deserters' and executed.
There have been many such incidents in the past. The first lesson we had when we joined the Conquerors was to watch the execution of the last batch of deserters. I have to say that it is still fresh in our memory. "
"Well, militarized management, I get it."
Mason nodded and asked no more questions.
With his superb first aid skills, Storm's serious injuries were quickly healed. With the help of Psylocke, the "youthful" girl stood up and thanked Mason very sincerely. However, they were just a group of penniless recruits and could not give anything decent as a thank you gift.
But the captain obviously doesn't really need it.
He waited there for a few minutes, and another team led by Barbara soon appeared in sight in the dark.
They arrived in an Octant transport covered in optical camouflage.
"Sweetheart!"
As soon as the black hatch opened, Harley, who was dressed as a Gothic vampire, was the first to jump out amid the barking of the dog. She pounced on Mason and rubbed against him sweetly. Next to her, Quinn was also dressed as a vampire from this world. They both had blood-colored contact lenses on, making them look like a pair of vampire twins.
"Come down! Everyone, come down, quickly!"
Batgirl and Catwoman had both changed into the classic attire of high-ranking members of the Star Society in advance. Amid Selina's whip-wielding and scolding, a group of dusty Conqueror rookies were driven off the troop transport.
These guys are much more miserable than the ones Mason rescued.
Except for a few people with self-healing abilities who could still walk on their own, everyone else limped down carrying the seriously injured on stretchers.
"After these unlucky guys escaped from the Black Lantern Ring's territory, they encountered the Cadmus Project replica super soldiers led by Golden Bomber. Nearly half of them were killed. We only had time to save these."
Barbara reported to Mason:
“According to your order, we have not clashed with the forces of this world, but the locals are indeed quite strong. The Golden Pioneers of this world have combat power comparable to that of second-tier classic heroes.
I feel like he's almost as good as Green Arrow."
"To be able to persist in a long conflict, one must have abundant martial virtues."
Mason observed the defeated army in front of him. After a few seconds, he turned to Psylocke beside him and said:
"Is your commander among these people?"
"No, I just asked, and the team leader who was supposed to lead us to the designated location has been killed in the battle."
Rookie Psylocke sighed and said:
"I will automatically take over the position of commander now that I have the highest rank. Thank you for your help, my lord, but we must set off now."
"How far do you want to go with a bunch of rookies?"
Mason sneered:
"Didn't you hear the information reported by my team members? The Sky Eye of this world has already noticed you. If my guess is correct, there will be pursuers coming soon.
And because of your stupidity and incompetence, my pioneering actions are also at risk of being exposed ! I really regret saving you, the younger generation."
Being scolded, Psylocke lowered her head, feeling aggrieved but unable to utter a word.
But she couldn't refute it, their performance was indeed too poor.
However, her interesting reaction comes from the Weapon X project's "personality tweaks" to multiple batches of clones. This preset small change in personality is conducive to the rapid growth of clones.
But just like a random draw, sometimes you do get some embarrassing characteristics.
For example, a rational irritable person, a dull-witted person, and a blind sharpshooter. This combination sounds strange, but it is indeed full of contradictions when you look into it carefully.
The personality of this young version of Psylocke should be that of a "strong-willed punching bag". She was in tears after being scolded by Mason but she tried hard not to cry out loud.
"Captain, scolding them now is useless. Since they are your fellow villagers, why not give them a hand?"
Catwoman naturally performed a duet with Mason and said:
"Anyway, our pioneering operation will also be carried out nearby, and maybe our goal will overlap with theirs. Don't cry, little sister. It's understandable that the first operation ended up like this.
The first time for anything is always difficult and terrible. No matter how much preparation you have made, you are bound to be flustered when the real thing comes.
Come, tell me where you are going. If it’s on the way, I can give you a ride.”
Behind Catwoman, Mason was holding a glowing Isu golden apple in his hand. To Mason, this thing was like a toy and he could play with it as he pleased.
Under the influence of its psychic power, the psychological defenses of the red-eyed Psylocke loosened a little. Then, considering that they really couldn't reach the rendezvous point within the specified time based on their current situation, she gritted her teeth and stomped her feet, and told Catwoman the mission of her team, as she was comforted by the "big sister" gesture of Catwoman's whispered consolation.
"What? Say it again!"
Mason narrowed his eyes and looked at the rookie Psylocke beside him. He asked:
"Where are you going? Who are you going to kill? Wonder Woman? Just you? You are actually kidding, right?"
"I also think this mission is outrageous, but this is the order given by our superiors."
Psylocke wiped her tears and explained to the powerful "senior" very seriously:
“Our first phase order is to break through all obstacles and head to Paradise Island. In addition to us new recruits, there is also an elite force composed entirely of veterans who have been lurking in advance.
Our mission is to create opportunities for them to assassinate.
Not just us, all clones of the entire 248th sequence batch 014 have been dispatched and randomly assigned to various parts of the world as bait under the leadership of veterans.
But now we are unable to complete the tactical goal within the specified time, so we can only ask for your help, sir, to use your vehicle to reach the target area of the first phase. "
“Isn’t this actually a screening?”
Barbara couldn't help but say:
"They don't really care how many of you survive. They just want the information confusion caused by the interference."
"That's how conquerors work."
Psylocke lowered her head and said:
"Only recruits who survive the first three operations can be promoted to veterans, and our clear position in the First Conqueror Sequence is 'expendable personnel'."
“This is too tragic.”
Harley felt a little bit uncomfortable, she said sharply:
"But if we let little sweetheart go, she will definitely pass the test smoothly and become a powerful figure soon!"
"Thank you for your weird confidence in me in these weird places."
Mason stroked his chin and patted the little cutie's head. He glanced at the cold night and quickly made a decision.
“Get in the car!”
The captain waved his hand and said:
"We will take you to the mission site and take you to Paradise Island for a tour, but the premise is that you cannot expose our existence! Little Psylocke, we also have our own secret operations."
He said to Psylocke, who was bowing her head beside him and being bullied:
"You should be able to meet this insignificant request from your senior, right? My incompetent junior."
