Chapter 1107: Change of Strategy

Inside the command center, the deathly silence was broken, replaced by a suppressed, low hum of shock.

"Report! UAV No. 07 'Peregrine Falcon' signal lost! The last data transmitted back indicated it was struck by a high-intensity, unknown type of biological electromagnetic pulse, causing the system to overload and burn out!"

Inside the command center, the technical officer's voice, trembling with disbelief, broke the silence.

As soon as the words fell, everyone's eyes turned from the dark screen to Du Yuming and Zhao Jie standing in front of the sand table.

Du Yuming's face was so gloomy that water could drip out of it. He stared at the images on the main screen sent back by other drones, which were also constantly flashing due to varying degrees of interference.

Those wriggling fungal mats, strange trees spewing spores, fungal beasts of various shapes, and those jellyfish emitting strange fluorescent light...all of these constitute a picture of hell that is far beyond imagination.

"Order all drones to increase their altitude immediately and get out of the range of the low-altitude spore cloud! Prioritize data link security, focus on high-altitude wide-area reconnaissance, and avoid close contact with unidentified creatures and abnormal energy fields!" Du Yuming's voice was cold and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

"Yes!"

As the command was given, the remaining drone footage on the screen began to zoom out, the perspective becoming wider but the details decreasing.

However, the information currently available is shocking enough.

Zhao Jie took a deep breath, trying to calm his inner shock. He stepped forward and pointed at the core area marked in dark purple on the screen (formerly the Zifeng Building), and said in a solemn voice:

"Commander, the situation is worse than we expected. I suspect this isn't just a zombie colony, but rather... a living, highly organized biological contamination zone!"

“A whole, aggressive ecosystem!”

He paused, then continued his analysis, his tone carrying a hint of the rigor of a professional: "Based on the current intelligence analysis, I believe this 'hive' may pose multiple threats."

"Go ahead, Brigade Commander Zhao!"

Du Yuming, commander of the Jinling Military Sub-district, looked at Zhao Jie with encouragement in his eyes.

"Yes!" After receiving Du Yuming's encouragement, Zhao Jie's tone unconsciously revealed a hint of excitement about being able to demonstrate his abilities.

"Commander, I believe the following threats may exist in Jinling City:

First, environmental control and home advantage: areas covered by fungal mats may have perception, trap, and corrosion capabilities, which can greatly limit the mobility and survivability of our ground forces.

Second, long-range biological and chemical strike capability: spore clouds may have the ability to infect and transform on a large scale and rapidly, which may pose a serious threat to our military personnel and equipment, and put great pressure on chemical defense.

Third, diversified biological weapons: At least five types of derivative monsters with different functions have been observed so far, with melee, long-range, assault, defense and even special attack capabilities, and there seem to be signs of coordinated combat.

Fourth, powerful electronic warfare and psychological interference capabilities: The loss of the drone just now shows that the enemy possesses unknown defensive measures that can directly attack electronic equipment and even affect the operator's mental state.

Du Yuming listened silently, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the edge of the sand table, making a dull sound.

But from beginning to end, his eyes were fixed on the purple-black core area.

"More importantly," Zhao Jie emphasized, "I'd like to make a bold guess here. All these units may have the same consciousness cluster, just like the Zerg in online games?" When making this guess, Zhao Jie's tone was obviously a little unconfident.

But considering that these fungal-like substances are so similar, and that different mutant organisms all have the common point of being infected by fungi, it is hard for him not to speculate in this direction.

The command center fell silent again, with only the hum of equipment and the drone operator's nervous reports.

Du Yuming slowly raised his head, his eyes sweeping across the solemn and slightly uneasy faces of every officer present, finally stopping on Zhao Jie.

"Brigade Commander Zhao, I personally think your guess is very reasonable!"

"It seems that our previously planned 'quick cleanup, direct attack' plan needs to be completely adjusted."

Du Yuming's voice was not loud, but it was filled with a cautious and solemn tone as he directly defined the current state of Jinling City:

"This isn't a traditional security battle, nor is it even a simple biohazard crisis response. This is a war, a war of purification against an unknown, powerful enemy with an absolute advantage in terrain."

He pointed at the sandbox and said, "Our previous victories were based on our opponents being bandits, scattered zombies, and ordinary mutants. But now, we are facing a super-aggregate that has the potential to transform the entire city into its body and weapons."

"Commander, then we..." A staff officer couldn't help but speak.

Du Yuming raised his hand and interrupted him, his eyes becoming sharp and firm again:

"However, no matter how powerful a monster is, it has its core and its weaknesses! Its entrenched presence in Jinling is a thorn in the side of our Central Plains War Zone's eastward expansion strategy that must be removed!"

He turned to the technical officer and said, "Immediately organize and pack up all the reconnaissance data, especially the data on spore cloud composition, fungal mat activity, electromagnetic interference spectrum, and the behavioral patterns of various fungal beasts. Wait for the next transport plane to arrive and return to the Night Market War Zone headquarters!"

"Requesting full analysis support from the theater's biological, chemical, physical, and information warfare research centers!"

"Yes!"

"Brigade Commander Zhao."

"exist!"

"Suspend the original large-scale ground advance plan. The troops will shift to the defense and consolidation phase. At the same time, your brigade's reconnaissance forces, supplemented by the technical support of the Spark Squad, will conduct a more covert and cautious close-range reconnaissance of the outskirts of Jinling, especially in the direction of Xiaomaoshan."

"Our primary goal has temporarily shifted from 'occupying' to 'understanding' and 'weakening'."

"I understand!" Zhao Jie immediately understood that this was to find out the enemy's background and look for possible breakthroughs, such as the "underground Great Wall" warehouse, which could at least solve a large part of the logistical problems once the war broke out.

Du Yuming took one last look at the disturbing purple-black color on the sand table and said in a grim tone:

"Tell all troops that we are facing an unprecedented enemy. Any underestimation of the enemy or reckless advance may result in unbearable costs. But—"

He changed the subject, his voice rising suddenly, with an unyielding will:

"Now that the flag of the Zhongzhou War Zone has been planted here, we will never retreat in the face of any enemy! Jinling, we must capture it! No matter what is lurking within, we will...completely purify it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the command center instantly lifted. Although the pressure was enormous, Du Yuming's determination obviously infected everyone.

The challenge is unprecedented. They represent the power to rebuild order and civilization. This war with the mother nest of terror has just begun!