Even with Bena’s normal use, it would consume 2-3% of the battery capacity per hour.
In intense combat, energy consumption would likely be three times that of normal use.
This meant that an hour of fierce battle would burn through nearly 6-9% of the battery.
If the power armor could be charged directly in the shelter, like the exoskeletons and androids, Ye Yun wouldn’t be too worried about this consumption.
Even if a single use was shorter, it would be completely acceptable.
However, the power armor’s battery was external. Each time it was depleted, a new nuclear battery had to be purchased.
And those things weren’t cheap. It took eleven purple components to trade for a single nuclear battery at 52% capacity.
That meant it would take roughly twenty purple components to get a fully charged nuclear battery.
Even for someone like him, who was raking in cash, he found it incredibly expensive.
This meant that every time the power armor was used, it was burning through resources at an insane rate.
He ran a small shelter, not some massive wasteland organization like the Academy that could spend money like water.
Therefore, the power armor could only be deployed when absolutely necessary.
Bena, of course, understood this.
"Rest assured, Sir."
"I will only use it when appropriate."
With everything arranged, Ye Yun had the team depart immediately.
As Simon had said, saving a life was a race against time. If they were late, his brother might have already been taken apart for scrap.
···········
Six motorcycles sped toward the target location.
As they traveled, Simon, who was recovering mentally and physically after receiving treatment, was able to give Bena a rundown of the enemy’s situation.
Like most settlements, October Town had a gang of raiders preying on its surroundings.
The Blood Saber Gang was one such group, operating near October Town with about twenty to thirty members.
Besides collecting regular protection fees from October Town, their main source of income was plundering caravans that passed nearby.
After all, the settlement itself didn’t offer much profit. The rich, juicy caravans were what truly filled their bellies.
Of course, it was also perfectly normal for them to engage in a bit of extortion, human trafficking, and the organ trade on the side.
The Blood Saber Gang had targeted Simon and Xisuo after finding out they had acquired exoskeletons from the Academy.
They attacked when the two brothers, Simon and Xisuo, let their guard down.
The attack was sudden, catching the brothers completely by surprise.
Although both brothers were adepts, the Blood Saber Gang had the numbers—and their own adepts—and quickly overwhelmed them.
Simon managed to escape by activating his ability during the fight, but Xisuo was captured.
"Those people are vicious. When they captured my brother, I saw them knock him out and put a control collar on him."
"The collar has a remote-detonated high-explosive bomb. His life is in their hands now."
Simon recalled, his voice still shaking with fear.
"Their main goal is the exoskeletons we have, but since they’ve captured my brother, they definitely won’t let him go."
"Captain Bena, I’m begging you, you have to save my brother."
Bena listened to Simon’s account, analyzing the situation in her mind.
The Blood Saber Gang had 20 to 30 members. While not a large number, they were all desperate and vicious thugs, and the presence of adepts meant they couldn’t be underestimated.
Furthermore, they held Xisuo hostage, which added a significant layer of difficulty to the rescue mission.
The six modified motorcycles were incredibly fast.
Half a day later, the six motorcycles arrived near the Blood Saber Gang’s lair.
Number 2 activated perception enhancement, then took out a pair of military-grade binoculars to survey the abandoned factory in the distance.
The factory’s perimeter wall was high and topped with barbed wire.
Perhaps to make it easier to defend, the east and west gates in the wall had long been blocked off with all sorts of junk.
Only the north and south gates remained usable.
Even so, barriers of barbed wire and wooden stakes had been placed in front of these two gates to prevent a direct rush.
A small, five-meter-high watchtower stood next to each of the two gates.
Two raiders were on duty inside a guard post, but they looked very relaxed, chatting and laughing.
Their vigilance was low, but that was understandable. The area they needed to watch was very small, so they would easily notice any sign of trouble.
While Number 2 was observing, Bena was also thinking about their plan of action.
She knew they needed a plan to get into the factory quickly and find Xisuo, while also considering a safe extraction.
"We can’t force our way through the main gate. The guards in the watchtower would spot us immediately."
Bena said in a low voice to the others, "We have to find a hidden spot to get over the wall."
Simon immediately chimed in:
"I can get you in."
Bena: ???
Zhou Mei: ???
Zhou Yiming: ???
Everyone looked at him, confused.
Simon quickly explained:
"My ability is to make my body enter a phased state."
"If I want, I can also take other objects or people with me. After phasing, I can pass through solid matter."
"That’s how I escaped from the factory, using my phasing ability."
A glint of pleasant surprise appeared in the eyes of Bena and the other team members.
If Simon could use his ability to lead them through the wall, their infiltration would become much easier and safer.
"Excellent. This will significantly increase our mission’s chance of success."
Bena nodded.
"But we need a detailed plan.
Simon, how long can your ability last? How many people can you phase with you?"
Simon thought for a moment before replying:
"If it’s just to get through the perimeter wall, I can take everyone in at once."
"But after that, my ability will probably be depleted, and I won’t be able to use it again."
Bena continued:
"So you’re saying we can get in quietly, but we’ll definitely have a tough fight on our way out???"
Simon nodded, a helpless look on his face:
"Yes. My ability can get us in silently, but once I use it, I won’t be able to use it again for a short while. We’ll probably need a different plan for the extraction."
Bena thought for a moment, then proposed a plan:
"In that case, we’ll infiltrate the factory first, find Xisuo, and remove his control collar.
Once the rescue is successful, I’ll activate the power armor to draw the enemy’s attention and cover everyone’s retreat.
The rest of you will make sure Simon and his brother get out safely."
"But Captain, won’t that be incredibly dangerous for you?" Zhou Mei asked with concern.
Bena smiled faintly:
"Don’t worry. The power armor’s Defense Power is enough to protect me.
Besides, I’ll do my best to use the terrain and my speed to my advantage and avoid a direct confrontation."