[[AN: CDF is an acronyfor the City Defence Force. ]]


    At the outskirts of the Bayena in, two silhouettes were moving across the grass at a steady speed. Their aura was almost nonexistent that if someone was close by, they wouldn''t even sense or hear them. Even if one were to nce in their direction at a distance, they might confuse the silhouettes for normal creatures as the duo didn''t have a hint of ster energy on them.


    But the truth was the opposite.


    The two figures were the wanted terrorists who had invaded the Bayena in and interfered with the Greendale Highschool students'' practical exercises. They were currently making their escape from the region, having gone over thirty kilometres from their previous location. Currently, they were fast approaching the border of the Bayena in and past that was a mountain range.


    The mountain range was a suitable ce to escape from as the terrain could help shield them away from satellite view. The thick rocks could also block certain scanning signals from sare shuttles and unmanned drones.


    While dashing across the in, the monster duo abruptly came to a halt.


    "They caught up quickly." The crossbreed smiled as he nced backwards.


    "Ho koron bo." (I told you). The saurian grunted.


    "Whatever. You pretty much know why I had us slow down. I''d like to see how good the fighters in this backwater are. Don''t act like you aren''t interested as well."


    The saurian snorted, but didn''t speak anymore. Instead, he gazed into the distance together with hispanion.


    *Hum*


    A sare shuttle appeared in mid-air, quickly closing in on the duo. Within only just three seconds, the shuttle had appeared less than one hundred metres away from the two criminals. But that wasn''t all.


    Loud humming sounds broke out as more shuttles flew over from the horizon. They were a rapid response team hurriedly gathered to vanquish the attackers. There were at least six of them and everyone was an attacking model with impressive speed designs and defence.


    They hovered to a stop less than two hundred metres away and faced the terrorists, spreading out and forming a defensive. The two hundred metres distance might seem significant, but it was nothing to a sare shuttle. However, it was still enough to keep the passengers safe from the attacks of the terrorists.


    Drones hovered away from shuttles, flying towards the other side and surrounding the shuttles. Once the drones got into formation, they released strange blue lights that connected with each other, forming an energy.


    All of this took less than fifteen seconds, but the two terrorists remained calm at the sight. They didn''t even bother to stop it, merely ncing at the ''show''.


    "Give it up, you''re surrounded."


    A voice sounded from the lead sare shuttle as two fighters stepped out of it, encased in armour. One of them was a woman, and someone Lucas was quite familiar with. She was a lieutenant from the Red Fangs and at the fourth level of the Apertures Opening stage.


    As for the other individual, he was a lieutenant of the Bands City Defence Force, and simrly a fourth level ster practitioner.


    It should be recalled that the Red Fangs unit was a security uniform concerned with Bands City. However, unlike the City''s Patrol Corps, they usually operated outside the city, with the few internal matters being high risk cases. One of the mostmon tasks handled by the Red Fangs was the quelling of beast tides, usually in coordination with the City Defence Force.


    But there was also another mission handled by thisbination; the dispatching of terrorist groups and individuals.


    The Greendale Highschool had earlier informed the City Defence Force of a mishap in their practical exercise, after they failed to get feedback from their staff members and the frencers sent over. So, a Red Fangs toon and a toon from the Defence Force were sent over.


    This was because the incident had urred outside the city and involved the disappearance of many second level fighters and a couple third level Apertures Opening stage frencers.


    A toon consisted of sixteen soldiers and was lead by a fourth level Apertures Opening stage ster practitioner. In other words, there were currently thirty two soldiers split between the first to third levels of the Apertures Opening stage, and two lieutenants at the fourth level.


    "Is that a battle suit? Interesting. I never thought I''d see one here, although it''s an inferior edition." The crossbreed smirked as he nced at his opponents.


    "What is your decision, criminal?" The lieutenant from the Bands City Defence Force coldly asked.


    "That''s a stupid question cause you know the answer better than I do." The crossbreed chuckled.


    "You''re not from here, are you? Why are you here and why are you doing this?" Lieutenant Lily asked.


    Saurians weren''t native species to Eretre. Even if there was one that came for a visit, they would be recorded in the''s database. The appropriate city-state would also be informed by theary Transport Security Agency and update their records about the visit.


    Bands city-state had no record of a saurian paying a visit, so the only exnation was that thetter wasing over from a different city or snuck in.


    The first possibility could be checked by asking theary TSA for recent visitation records of a saurian, but that would take some time. As for second possibility, it was what they decided to go with. Regardless of whether the saurian was from a different city, he had arrived in Bands city-state''s territory and wreaked havoc.


    Since the crossbreed was with the saurian, then their situation should be simr.


    "You''re right about us being foreigners. As for why we are doing this? Why shouldn''t we?" The crossbreed turned to her.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "You hyumans have always felt yourself to be a more powerful species, thanks to all your countless sessful campaigns. Isn''t it about time you got put in your ce?"


    "By killing innocent lives?" Lily frowned at the man''s nonchnt attitude.


    "''The sins of the parents are passed onto their children. No one is innocent.'' This is a line poprly said by a certain Federation senator. How can you not be aware of it?" Chuckling once again, the crossbreed shook his head.


    "You shouldn''t be like this. I understand your situation and the mistreatment you''ve received, but you can be better than this." Lily argued.


    "Oh? What''s this? Mikolos, is she actually pitying us?" Turning to the saurian, the crossbreed showed a surprised expression. Thetter however, ignored him.


    "You''re an interesting fellow. But your worldview is wrong. Well, it can''t be helped as you live in such a backwater ce like this. Enough talking; I know that you''re trying to buy time. I''ve already patronised your attempt enough." The crossbreed smiled.


    Lily and the lieutenant from the City Defence Force both grimaced. The crossbreed was right about that. Their two toons was merely a rapidly assembled strike force. Although it consisted of their members, facing up against two terrorists who had wiped out dozens of ster practitioners at the first, second and third levels, victory wasn''t certain.


    As the duo had kept their aura to themselves, it was hard to discern their power level.


    Although the two lieutenants were at the fourth level, if their opponents were at the same level as themselves, it would be a tough fight even with their toon members offering some backup. However, if the terrorists were stronger, it would be even more challenging to win.


    This was why Lily tried to buy time for backup.


    "I guess we have no choice. I''ll take the saurian while you handle the other guy." The man said.


    Saurians were an innately aggressive race and Thier entire physical body was a war machine. The scales all over their body was extremely solid and difficult to cut through. Without a doubt, it was most likely the strongest opponent of the two, by face value.


    Lily didn''t disagree with the man''s decision, and summoned her vestige right away. Although they were both at the same level, he was slightly strongest than her and had better equipment.


    "I hope you can entertain me a bit."


    Seeing Lily charge towards him, the crossbreed calmly smiled at her and swung his arm forward.


    *ng*


    The sound of metal colliding with metal resounded as sparks flew off between the two.


    "Feisty." The crossbreedmented as he shoved Lily away with his arm de.


    On each arm, there were two des sticking out of them; one from the forearm and the other from the upper arm. These were the crossbreed''s weapons, and they were almost as solid as a Grade 2 vestige.


    The human race was disadvantagedpared to other species, not just because of their inability to utilise ster energy, but also their physical form. Although the creation of the hyumankin had enabled them to harness ster energy, they were still handicapped in terms of physical form.


    This was why the invention of vestiges were one of the human race''s greatest ever achievements alongside the creation of the hyumankin.


    Vestiges gave them a way to contend and kill alien species, otherwise, hyumans would not have been able to be the superior species in this part of the universe.


    *ng* *ng*


    The crossbreed dashed at Lily and swung both arms crazily, with each action moving from a difficult angle. Compared to a sword or any other ded weapon that was an external aspect, des that literally stuck out from one''s arms were somewhat at an advantage.


    "Come on. Faster, faster."ughed the crossbreed as he turned his attack speed up a notch.


    Lily remained calm and cold, responding to every strike with a sh of her sabre [1].


    After a short bout, the two separated and stared at the other.


    "Do you know what the outside world looks like?"