RTS System in the Apocalypse-Chapter 116: Raider Party - II

The convoy made their way past through the obstruction scene.

Engine hums steadied on the approach; the tracks and tires eating their way through the mud and dirt.

The Guardian APCs calmly rolled over, barely a tilt on its body.

Big Rhino and the other Vanguard MBTs cracked in the radio; their voices filled with complaints and curses.

The armored SUV remained calm all throughout the journey. From the clear window, Hans observed everything.

Organized enough to set traps, he thought. This is no ordinary raider party.

He shifted his vision back at the Radar map. Barely any red dot flickered on the five-kilometer radius coverage.

The main raider group is far from here, Hans frowned. But what is their purpose for setting up such a trap far from their base?

He gazed at the truck that had been forcefully set aside on the corner of the road.

The container has been dislodged from the cabin; long and high enough to bar vision of the road and whatever was behind it.

In an isolated place with trees and a blind curve, such obstruction would make an easy harvest to any oblivious survivor.

"Viper, how many civilians has been found?"

Callum opened a small notebook and trailed his fingers over the written notes.

"At least ten reported bodies, Commander."

People who thought this road meant escape, Hans paused. Rest well now. I will avenge this injustice to you.

"What about their weapons?"

"Small calibers."

"Not enough to endanger our MBTs," Hans muttered. "Has Echo One and Two reported back?"

"Radio silence until now."

"I see."

Hans shifted back to the road ahead. The fog had cleared, giving him a full view.

Trees lined up above their left, a small cliff on their right.

This mountainous area was a wonder both to Grefort City’s residents and foreigners.

Birds freely flew in the skies. Critters jumped about in the lush vegetation.

Even a few monkeys would swing between the trees and hang tightly beside the road, waiting for a generous passerby to give them food.

But beauty would always attract envy from others.

Resort signs popped up now and then, leading a trail to some hot springs upward, or the colder pools downward.

Hans barely entertained the notion of visiting such places. The falling leaves was one thing—the critters that fell with it was another.

"Ah, how wonderful!"

A woman’s voice broke his imagination. Yunera leaned closer to the window; her eyes printing this memory to the back of her mind.

The hot springs. Silent nature retreats. And private villas hidden behind the trees.

Every person dreamt of such a lifestyle.

"What’s this?" Hans grinned. "Haven’t seen this area before?"

"Unlike you," Yunera scoffed. "I was a full-time secretary in my previous company."

"Surprised your supervisor hasn’t taken you out for dinner or a date."

"What did you mean by that?" Yunera’s brows twitched in anger.

"You know exactly what I meant by that."

"You—"

"Sister Yunera, please calm down," Kimmy held Yunera’s shivering hand.

At that moment, Johannes spoke.

"Commander Hans," his eyes flicked to the resort signs. "These areas are dangerous. One of our field teams suggest they are grounds for... illegal activities."

The atmosphere shifted in a way nobody predicted.

Johannes... Hans was at a loss, but then something clicked inside his mind.

"Are you suggesting they have hidden stashes here?"

"Grefort City’s Nature Conservation groups has been a hindrance to some people," Johannes stated.

"The mayor is very strict about it as well," Hans muttered and recalled the entire situation. "If these things managed to pass the verdict, then..."

The realization struck both him and the two women.

"Those resorts were investigated before the collapse. SAS caught in—money laundering, smuggling, private vaults."

Hans was tempted.

"Shall we take a look, Commander?" Johannes suggested.

He observed that Hans’s has a peculiar liking towards jewelry and things of high materialistic value.

Not the worthless cash money but the pure gold and silver itself.

Hans was about to answer when his Radar map pinged.

Northwest of their position, a large cluster of red dots appeared.

Is this the military outpost that Kross mentioned?

His eyes fluttered then turned to Johannes, "Resorts can wait."

He adjusted to his seat and zoomed in further.

The so-called military post centered on one of the busier highways that linked Grefort City and the capital.

The rationale behind? Internal security against adversarial foreign elements.

Hans recalled to a day when a foreign spy was caught in this same intersection. The media caught on and surrounded the entire camp that lasted for days.

There’s a small military base northeast of that post, he frowned. We should look out for that.

His comms echoed with static.

"Overlord, this is Echo One. Do you copy, over?" Matilda’s voice patched through.

"This is Overlord. Come in, Echo One."

"We’ve located the military post," Matilda said after a long exhale.

Through her lenses, the compound unfolded in broad daylight.

Concrete barriers flanked the highway like teeth.

A faded military insignia still clung to the front gate—half-scraped, half-painted over with crude symbols.

Watchtowers guarded each corner of the checkpoint. Two men stood on the nearest one, sniper rifles slung but ready.

The main gate remained close, welded shut by whoever was inside.

Burned-out trucks reinforced the entry. Vehicles patched the holes created by each fallen fence.

Smoke drifted lazily from somewhere within.

"Bar, this ain’t no abandoned military post," Adrian, on the sides, clicked his tongue.

"It will be abandoned not for long. Wait for the Commander’s orders."

Kross glanced at Matilda who was busy connecting to the Commander.

"How far from the convoy’s position?" Hans asked.

"Several clicks up north," Matilda responded. "Dead bodies on the roadside."

"Infected?"

"A mix of civilians and zeds," Matilda replied, lowering her binoculars.

"What about the occupants?"

"Patrol rotation every five minutes. At least fifteen hostiles on my sight. One mounted heavy MG on the southeastern tower."

"Caliber?"

"Salvaged HMG."

"Any anti-tanks?"

"No confirmation. Vision is obstructed from the highway."

How troublesome, Hans softly bit onto his thumb.

His current troops may have the overwhelming advantage, but it didn’t imply he could waste his assets at will.

"I’ll leave you in command for the assault. Coordinate with the three Guardian APCs and Big Rhino."

"Understood, Commander."

Hans paused, then added his final say.

"Remember: no casualty."