Chapter 49: 41. Pig Cook’s Play
Translator: 549690339
Sergeant Piggs arranged for Noland Lee to stay at the rear of the unit but did not give him any weapons.
He confiscated Noland Lee’s issued gun and engineering hammer, and even took away the rune staff hanging from his waist.
Noland Lee might be able to deal with the skeleton warriors barehanded, but if he encounters a walking dead covered in pus, his only option would be to run as far away as possible.
Despite Noland Lee’s dire situation, Sergeant Piggs still planned to take advantage of him, even going so far as to put him at the very back of the team, in an attempt to use the biochemical bait on his body to attract the undead.
Noland sensed the tangible malice.
Sergeant Piggs, an investigator of Intelligence Officer 2, not only coerced Private Second Class Koben into sacrificing himself using words and authority but also wanted to kill the Sin Soldier using the undead’s power.
Other members of Mars Squad saw through Sergeant Piggs’ scheme as well.
While they fought the undead at the front and cleared the path to the front line, they occasionally glanced back at the unarmed Noland Lee in frustration. “Sergeant Piggs, let me cover the rear!” Sergeant Mike Adams shouted back.
“I can cover the rear too!” Private Second Class Comi also shouted.
The other two privates, Isaac and Kovin, also followed suit and suggested to their temporary chief officer.
Mars Squad could not afford to lose any more members.
Private Second Class Jack was killed in the stairwell on the first underground level. Private Second Class Koben, forced by Sergeant Piggs, bravely sacrificed himself in the bombing operation.
Sergeant Mike Adams and three privates didn’t want to see such a result.
Most importantly, since Sergeant Piggs dared to force Private Second Class Koben to sacrifice himself in front of his teammates, he must have hidden means to avoid being held responsible and questioned.
Otherwise, Piggs wouldn’t have returned to the front line so confidently to face the wrath of Lieutenant Grett and Sergeant Major Alvin Stafford.
Among various ways to eliminate hidden risks, the most convenient and efficient one was to use the Army of the Lost to bury the entire Mars Squad here.
Therefore, Sergeant Mike Adams and the other squad members anxiously wanted to stand with Noland and then use the chaos created by the Army of the Lost to escape from Sergeant Piggs’ unit and return to the front line alone.
It seemed that Sergeant Piggs had seen through Sergeant Mike Adams’ plan, or he just had a “soft spot” for Sin Soldier No. 888 and didn’t want to harm the other members of Mars Squad.
Alternatively, he may not have any intentions to bury Mars Squad at all.
As he was faced with suggestions from the members of Mars Squad, he suddenly raised his hand, pointed to a big skeleton not far away, and yelled:
“That big skeleton seems to be targeting us. I can’t let it release the ‘Death Pulse.’ Sin Soldier No. 888, I order you to come with me to divert that powerful enemy!”
When Sergeant Mike Adams and the rest looked up, they saw the big skeleton looking at their group.
The addition of Military Intelligence Second Division Soldiers greatly increased Mars Squad’s firepower, but it also made the team bloated, losing its original flexibility, and attracted more attention as a result.
When Mars Squad previously approached the Underworld Cavern Entrance, they had passed by that big skeleton without attracting its attention.
Now, due to the noise and chaos created by the squad, the big skeleton had turned its gaze from the Imperial Army’s frontline and looked towards Mars Squad on the edge of the battlefield.
It slowly picked up its bone hammer from the ground and led the skeleton warriors to surround them.
Sergeant Piggs raised his rifle high and cried out the slogan used by the Imperial Soldiers when they attacked.
“My fearless charge will bring glory to the Empire!”
His face was filled with determination and courage, and he saluted his teammates with raised hand:
“Bless me, everyone; I will lead the enemy away for you… Sin Soldier No. 888, come with me, that’s an order! The rest, keep moving forward and return to the front line immediately to support Lieutenant Grett in setting up defenses!”
Barely finishing his words, Sergeant Piggs pushed Noland Lee’s back hard and then used his elbow to make him move forward.
Within two seconds, their figures disappeared into the sea of skeleton warriors.
The big skeleton and its subordinates no longer swarmed towards Mars Squad.
“Move, mates. Don’t waste the opportunity that Jarvis and Sergeant Piggs have bought for us.” Sergeant Mike Adams ordered to move forward.
Even in profound grief, he and the other squad members had to prioritize the mission at hand.
All they could do was pray that Captain Mars and Noland Lee could return safely.
The team had only advanced about twenty meters when Private Second Class Comi pulled Sergeant Mike Adams aside and whispered:
“Sir, I can understand your decision to follow Sergeant Piggs’ orders and insist on returning to the front line, but I have to tell you something…”
Comi lifted a corner of his backpack, revealing the Bee Syrup Bomb:
NOW everyone m the team is a Private Second Class. Only you are a Sergeant, and the temporary commander on site. If you give the order, we’ll turn back and use the Bee Syrup Bombs to kill that big skeleton and save Sergeant Piggs and Jarvis.”
Sergeant Mike Adams frowned and his breathing grew heavier.
Sergeant Piggs killed Koben and deserved to die, but saving Piggs meant saving Noland Lee, right?
Sergeant Mike Adams pondered for two seconds, gritted his teeth, and made his decision:
“Everyone, listen up! Turn back immediately and launch an attack on the big skeleton… Comi, I’m entrusting you with the task of launching the Bee Syrup Bombs. The rest of you, follow me and clear a path for Comi!”
“Yes, sir!”
The group changed direction and charged towards the sea of skeleton warriors behind them.
The big skeleton stood in the middle of the sea of skeleton warriors, raising the bone hammer in its hand to smash the ground.
The hammer fell to the ground, and blood splattered in all directions.
One of Piggs and Noland Lee had fallen!
“Fire the bomb, quickly fire the bomb!” Sergeant Mike Adams shrieked anxiously.
Comi hurriedly ran a few steps, and at the bomb launcher’s maximum range, he fired the Bee Syrup Bomb with a “bang..”