Weapon System in Zombie Apocalypse-Chapter 32: Operation Silent Harvest Part 2

The supermarket's interior echoed with a low, haunting stillness as Team Alpha continued its sweep. Davies raised a clenched fist, signaling his team to halt. His eyes scanned the aisles illuminated by their night-vision goggles. The eerie green glow revealed toppled shelves and forgotten products, now coated in dust and decay.

"Alpha to command. We're nearing the center aisle. So far, minimal resistance," Davies reported softly through the comms.

"Copy, Alpha. Keep it quiet," Thomas replied from the command center. He watched the live feed from Alpha's helmet cams, noting the methodical progress they were making. He switched views to Team Bravo's feed next. Phillip and his squad held defensive positions near the loading docks, stacking crates and metal shelving as improvised barricades.

"Bravo, report," Thomas called.

"Loading docks remain clear. No movement detected," Phillip answered, his voice calm but focused. He signaled his team to reinforce the entrance with more barriers. "We've got fallback cover set. We're holding tight."

"Roger. Charlie, how's your sector?"

"Rear perimeter's locked down, sir," Sergeant Kim confirmed. "We've scouted the alleyways. No threats in the immediate area."

"Good. Hold your positions and stay sharp. We don't want any surprises," Thomas ordered.

Back inside the supermarket, Team Alpha advanced cautiously. A faint noise—like a shuffle—echoed from a nearby corner. Davies signaled his squad to fan out and flank the source of the sound. A soldier crept forward, weapon at the ready. The feed showed the figure of a lone zombie slumped against a display rack, slowly clawing at the floor.

"Contact. One hostile," the soldier whispered.

"Drop it," Davies ordered.

The soldier squeezed the trigger of his suppressed rifle, a muted crack echoing as the zombie's head jerked back. The creature slumped to the ground, motionless.

"Hostile neutralized," the soldier reported.

"Clear the next aisle," Davies commanded, keeping his voice low.

The team moved in formation, sweeping each section of the store. They passed through the frozen goods section, where long-defrosted refrigerators housed rotting food. The stench was nearly unbearable, but the soldiers pressed on, their respirators filtering most of the foul air.

"Command, we're clearing the frozen section," Davies updated.

"Copy that," Thomas acknowledged. "Bravo, any signs of movement outside the docks?"

Phillip responded immediately. "Negative, command. Still quiet."

The drone operator chimed in over the comms. "PD-4 Recon Falcon here. We've got scattered heat signatures moving further down the street, likely stragglers drawn by the explosions. No immediate threat to the perimeter."

Thomas nodded to himself, taking in the information. So far, the mission was progressing smoothly. The drone's surveillance showed that most of the nearby zombies had indeed been lured away by the decoy blasts, giving the teams precious time to secure the supermarket. But Thomas knew this lull wouldn't last forever.

"Alpha, what's your status?" Thomas asked.

"We're approaching the central storage area," Davies replied. "Looks like this is where they stockpiled supplies before the outbreak."

The feed showed a large, open space with rows of metal shelving units stretching to the ceiling. Many of the shelves were still stocked with canned goods, bottled water, and other non-perishables. It was a goldmine of resources.

Read latest chapters at freёweɓnovel.com Only.

"Jackpot," Davies muttered. "Plenty of supplies here. Looks like no one got to this place before us."

Thomas leaned forward, eyes narrowing as he examined the video feed. "Start cataloging high-priority items. Focus on food, water, and medical supplies. We'll deal with logistics once the site is fully secured."

"Copy that. Alpha, begin inventory," Davies ordered his squad.

As the soldiers started marking key supplies, a faint static crackled over the comms. Thomas frowned and adjusted his headset. "Command to all teams, sound off."

"Bravo, all clear," Phillip responded.

"Charlie here. No movement," Kim added.

Davies's voice came through, but it was slightly distorted. "Alpha's still secure. Could be interference from the building structure."

Thomas nodded slowly but remained cautious. "Stay on high alert. We're deep enough in this mission that something's bound to go wrong."

Phillip's voice cut in again. "Command, I've got something here. Picking up faint movement about fifty meters south of the loading docks. Could be zombies."

"Copy. Recon Falcon, can you confirm?" Thomas asked.

"Scanning now," the drone operator replied. The thermal feed shifted, focusing on the southern perimeter. After a few tense moments, the operator reported, "Multiple heat signatures detected. Looks like a small group—five to seven hostiles, shambling at a slow pace. They're approaching the loading dock."

"Bravo, you've got incoming," Thomas said. "Prepare to engage quietly."

Phillip relayed the command to his team. "Positions! We take them out silently. Suppressors on."

The soldiers crouched behind cover, weapons aimed at the entrance. Through their scopes, they could see the zombies slowly staggering toward the dock area. The creatures were drawn by residual noise from the helicopters and faint echoes from inside the store.

"Hold… hold…" Phillip whispered, waiting for the right moment.

As the first zombie stumbled into the open, Phillip gave the signal. Suppressed gunfire cracked in short bursts, and the zombie dropped instantly. The team maintained their composure, taking down each target one by one. Within moments, the area was clear.

"Bravo to command. Hostiles neutralized. No additional movement detected," Phillip reported.

"Good work," Thomas said. "Keep an eye out. There could be more."

The tension in the room remained palpable as the teams continued their respective tasks. Time seemed to slow as each second of silence stretched into the next. Everyone knew that the calm wouldn't last forever.

"Alpha to command," Davies called in. "We've finished our initial sweep of the central storage area. Supplies are confirmed. We're setting up a defensive perimeter now."

"Copy, Alpha. Begin phase two," Thomas instructed. "Bravo and Charlie, prepare for sustained perimeter defense. We're bringing in the first wave of extraction helicopters in thirty minutes."

"Roger that," both Phillip and Kim acknowledged.

The mission was progressing, but Thomas's instincts told him to stay on guard. The quiet was unsettling, and in a world overrun by the undead, silence often preceded chaos.

"Let's finish this by the book," Thomas muttered, his gaze fixed on the monitors. The teams were in position, and the operation was entering its most critical stage. They had come too far to fail now.