80 kilometers east of Lucky Valley Municipality.
In the camp of the Enterprise’s assault team, everyone stopped work and looked westward after hearing the low rumbles.
"Doesn't seem like it..."
"Sounds like something exploded."
"It's strange, I specifically asked the caravan from the west when I was in Dawn City, and they didn't mention any wars nearby."
The soldiers whispered among themselves.
In the center of the camp, at the entrance of a tent.
Standing next to Captain Yun Song, logistic officer Hedin appeared slightly tense. Well-traveled and highly attuned to danger, he knew that the noise was definitely not thunder.
He couldn’t help but ask, "Was that a nuclear bomb?"
Yun Song's brow furrowed slightly. "I'm not sure."
Nuclear bombs weren’t particularly fearsome. It was just a cost-effective weapon. There were more powerful weapons on the wasteland. What really concerned him was the power hidden within that sound.
Based on his experience, the explosion was at least equivalent to 10 tons of TNT. Whether it was a nuclear weapon or not, such power was enough to warrant caution.
However, according to the intelligence they gathered in Dawn City, from Clearspring City to the east, all the way to Sunset Province, there should be no other significant forces. At most, there were just some scattered settlements.
Although not few in number, they clearly lacked the capability to produce such weapons.
Hedin spoke softly, "I suggest we change our route. Before entering Sunset Province, it's best to avoid regional conflicts."
Yun Song pondered for a moment and then nodded. "Indeed."
Northwest of Lucky Valley Municipality.
The camp directly below the Heart of Steel.
Sitting in the tent, Richie's face was as dark as the clouds outside.
Especially after hearing that his most capable hunter, Vito, had died disgracefully under enemy artillery, he clenched his fists in anger. "These damn sneaky bugs..."
Once he caught those responsible, he swore to torture them with the cruelest punishments until they bled dry and gasped their last breath.
At that moment, the tent flap opened. A guard entered, saluted, and interrupted his thoughts. "Sir, the staff officer from the headquarters is outside."
Hearing this, Richie's expression stiffened for a good three to five seconds before he slowly spoke. "Let him in."
Watching the guard turn and leave, Richie sighed deeply and relaxed his tense shoulders.
The parachute hadn't been found, the half-dead Enterprise employee had escaped.
Not only that, but his side had also lost 2 squads and a reconnaissance team composed of 3 awakeners.
With the headquarters sending someone, it was clear what was intended.
The tent flap opened again as an officer in a crisp uniform entered.
Richie noticed that he had just seen that man during the day. However, unlike their daytime meeting, the officer's expression and demeanor were much more serious.
Knowing that the staff officer was most likely there to hold him accountable, Richie remained silent, quietly waiting for him to speak.
Unexpectedly, Richie did not receive a demotion. Instead, he heard an unexpected arrangement... "General McClennan has appointed you as the commander of the marines. Tomorrow morning, we will deploy more troops."
"Until the deployment order is revoked, you will have full command of them."
Hearing the officer, surprise flickered in Richie's eyes.
Seeing his astonishment, the staff officer continued, "According to the headquarters' assessment, the Enterprise employee we are chasing has likely met with reinforcements from the Enterprise. Signs indicate that the unidentified armed forces that ambushed our patrol last night are indeed from the Enterprise!"
"The loss of the 29th and 31st Marine Corps is not on you; it was our lack of intelligence in the area that led to this incident."
"Captain McClennan wants you to perform well, wash away this disgrace with the blood of our enemies, and avenge our brothers who died tonight!"
Surprise faded from his gaze, and Richie took a deep breath and declared earnestly. "I will."
"Prove it with your actions; the captain awaits your news." With that, the staff officer did not linger, turning crisply and leaving the tent.
Richie stared straight at the tent flap, clenched his fists, then slowly relaxed them, his eyes sparkling with aggression as he pondered over the words which were just spoke.
Gnashing his teeth, he growled, "I will!"
The wildfire burned all night until the darkness faded and it gradually extinguished.
However, the Army's fury had not subsided, and the destruction of 2 marine squads had put the Heart of Steel on the highest alert.
And the thunderous sound of the guns kept all the survivors around Lucky Valley Municipality awake through the night.
In the early morning, the disturbance was far from over.
The Heart of Steel airship continued to deploy military equipment to the ground, with the scale of deployment reaching an entire 1,000-man unit, while the defensive positions being constructed were planned for 3,000 troops.
Several marine squads were sent to the eastern suburbs to search for the 3 girls with 2 bears, and the mortar positions that had fired on their patrol the previous night.
According to reports from the soldiers who escaped, the attackers were at least 100-men-strong and equipped with highly mechanized exoskeletons.
There was no doubt about it... They had to be the reinforcements from the Enterprise!
However, General McClennan was not worried. So what if it was the Enterprise reinforcements?
They were just a bunch of weaklings. Perfect for being wiped out in one fell swoop!
Meanwhile, under the guidance of the airship staff, Commander Richie began dispatching ‘armed negotiators’ to the surrounding areas.
Using the influence of cannon fire the night before, it was an excellent opportunity to convey General McClennan's intentions to the nearby survivor settlements.
On the other side, to the east of Lucky Valley Municipality.
In the mountains about 5 kilometers from the center of the explosion, more than 20 players from the Storm Corps were resting.
It was still not fully dawn, and a dim grey light covered the distance.
Although some suggested camping further away, Clear Spring Commander said that places that seemed dangerous were actually the safest.
After sunrise, the Army would likely send people to search east, but they would probably not focus near the explosion zone.
Moreover, they were in a high area and had a clear view of their surroundings. Even if something happened, they could move quickly.
After more than 30 hours of forced marching and then clashing with an Army patrol, even if they were made of iron and could withstand it, their equipment could not.
Most of the players' exoskeleton batteries were depleted.
Fortunately, Tail's truck was equipped with a wood generator.
The dismounted exoskeletons lined up next to the truck and started to charge.
Kakarot, along with a few strength type players, went to the nearby forest to chop wood, while several agility type players prepared food for everyone.
Roshan took Teddy, who would never wake again, to a nearby mountain, planning to find a spot unreachable by marauders to bury it.
Tail and Sesame Paste accompanied her.
Sisi wanted to go too, but her injuries were too severe, so she had to stay at the camp. Finding a secluded corner, she performed minor surgery on herself with the medical tools from the truck, removing the bullet lodged in her body.
The operation was not very skilled, resulting in blood everywhere, but eventually, she managed to extract it.