From Cannon Fodder to Star Conqueror

Amber had lived in a powerful Eastern nation on Earth in his past life.

For the military of that country, holidays didn't mean rest—

They meant heightened alert levels.

Especially on the most important family-reunion day of the year,

the military's readiness level would reach its theoretical peak during peacetime.

But on Planet Robert-4, the Federation's military completely shattered Amber's expectations.

He never imagined the Federation's border troops could be this undisciplined.

Using slight psionic interference, Amber disrupted the footage of the surveillance camera at his apartment door for a few seconds.

Seizing this brief window, he maintained his optical camouflage and slipped out of the officer's quarters.

Only then did he realize how lax the security at Yassin Base had become.

Apart from the main entrances and exits, where a few mobile infantry squads and patrolling HCP units were stationed,

everyone else had flocked to the evening gala to watch Commander Adam's "concert."

Even the soldiers who usually patrolled the base were nowhere to be seen tonight.

"At this level of readiness, it's a miracle the Empire hasn't invaded yet."

Amber grumbled inwardly while swiftly making his way through the base.

With optical camouflage active, spotting a psionic agent required close-range observation or infrared imaging.

Otherwise, standard surveillance equipment wouldn't detect him.

On his way, Amber saw several medical vehicles shuttling between the base hospital and the communications center.

A while later, they returned, sirens blaring.

Clearly, the "mass allergic reaction" Margaret had mentioned was already underway.

Five minutes later, Amber arrived at the entrance of the communications center—

A massive structure integrating a penetrative communications tower and an information processing hub.

It was the only place on the planet capable of transmitting signals through deep-space "penetrative faultline communication terminals."

Its importance was self-evident.

However, with most communication officers and guards incapacitated by severe allergic symptoms,

the building's defenses were reduced to two squads of mobile infantry and a single multi-legged combat vehicle.

The lightly armored infantry posed little threat to Amber.

Their exoskeletons—powered by gas turbines and metallic hydrogen batteries—were clad in high-hardness silicon carbide armor.

Their arms carried 8mm Gauss rifles, 40mm automatic grenade launchers, or 14.7mm support machine guns.

But these hastily assigned guards were clearly relaxed—

Many had flipped up their helmet visors to breathe fresh air and chat,

while others were watching a live stream of the military anniversary celebration.

Without activating their helmets' composite detection systems, spotting Amber's stealthy approach in the dark was nearly impossible.

The real threat was the heavy multi-legged combat vehicle.

Resembling a giant wolf spider with eight bionic mechanical legs, it was far more observant than the soldiers.

Its spherical observation module, constantly rotating, integrated optical, infrared, and microwave sensors.

If it were a reconnaissance variant, the rear section would carry ground-to-air radar instead of a 155mm electrothermal chemical cannon.

Its legs might also be fitted with vibration sensors.

Amber, hiding behind a building, cautiously watched the mechanical spider.

He had to wait for an opportunity to slip past it unnoticed.

That opportunity soon arrived.

Perhaps to reward the soldiers called away from the gala for guard duty—especially in the sudden cold of night—

the base's logistics team sent a field kitchen truck to the communications center,

offering the guards hot soup and snacks.

Before long, the infantry crowded around the truck, savoring their late-night meal.

Even the spider-like combat vehicle exited alert mode and lowered itself to the ground.

Three soldiers in pilot uniforms climbed out, joining the group for a bite.

Amber wouldn't let such a golden opportunity go to waste.

While the mechanical beast was "napping," he swiftly emerged from cover and made his way toward the communications center's main entrance.

His lightweight, electric-powered exoskeleton proved its worth—

The motor, powered by a metallic hydrogen battery pack, operated almost silently.

Its faint hum was completely drowned out by the noise from the infantry's equipment.

Amber practically brushed past the soldiers without being noticed.

While the mobile infantry feasted, Amber slipped into the communications center's main building unnoticed.

"That was way too easy."

Amber felt the operation was going far more smoothly than expected.

Relying on his observations of the building's exterior and his experience, Amber quickly located the core area of the communications center.

There, he spotted a familiar figure—

Margaret, dressed in a standard Federation military uniform with a white lab coat draped over it,

was scanning the air with a handheld device.

Her loose uniform and lab coat couldn't conceal her stunning figure—

if anything, they added a hint of alluring elegance.

Amber quietly approached and gave a barely audible cough.

Margaret didn't speak upon noticing him but put away her instrument and moved toward a specific spot.

Amber followed her, soon arriving at a blind spot in the surveillance system.

The space was cramped, forcing Amber to press close to Margaret to fit inside.

After confirming he was hidden, Amber deactivated his optical camouflage and let out a long breath.

Psionic agents couldn't maintain invisibility indefinitely.

Amber had to continuously channel psionic energy to stimulate synthetic cells on his suit,

bending light to create optical camouflage.

Given his current psionic reserves, he could sustain invisibility for up to an hour—

and that didn't account for other potential energy-draining tasks.

Uncertain what surprises awaited him next, Amber had to conserve energy.

Looking up, he found Margaret's alluring face mere inches away—her red lips particularly captivating.

Amber had to admit—this imperial spy had not only a stunning figure but also top-tier looks.

"Sync your watch," Margaret said, her voice shifting into professional mode.

"Current universal time: August 17th, 15:30."

"Ten minutes until the Empire fleet's scheduled assault."

Amber nodded, signaling her to proceed.

"I'll continue scanning for allergens inside the communications center. In five minutes, I'll move to the core communications room and meet our other contact."

"Two medium-exoskeleton guards are stationed at the core room entrance."

Margaret glanced at Amber—

"You'll handle them."

(End of Chapter)