Chapter 194: Chapter 194: VANTAGE
His thoughts then returned to the soldiers and Special Units that had been holding the western defenses earlier. ’Where are they?’
He raised the binoculars again and scanned the streets, searching for the retreating forces. After a few seconds, he finally spotted them.
The forces that had defended the western wall were still fighting their way toward the evacuation zone. Armored vehicles pushed through the streets while Special Units swung between buildings, and regular soldiers covered their retreat, firing at the infected as they slowly fell back.
Jaxon watched them for a moment before nodding to himself. ’So they’re retreating toward the evacuation area too.’
That was good news. If the military planned to evacuate people by land as well, his group wouldn’t have to fight their way through the chaos alone. ’Once we get our vehicles, we’ll follow the military convoy out of the safe zone.’
He lowered the binoculars and looked down at Natasha and the others moving through the streets below as his expression became serious. ’But first, we have to survive to get there.’
....
From deep within the forest, the lone infected stood silently atop the thick trunk of the tallest tree. Dark, pulsing roots were still wrapped around parts of its body, with several strands connected to its limbs as its dark eyes remained fixed on the colossal infected moving through the distant safe zone.
A faint smile slowly spread across its face, revealing rows of sharp, uneven teeth.
Then, without warning, it grabbed the remaining roots attached to its body and violently tore them away. Dark strands snapped apart and fell from its limbs as the creature turned away from the safe zone.
Without another glance, it disappeared into the darkness between the trees, moving deeper into the forest until its figure was completely swallowed by the shadows.
.....
Far beneath the ground, miles away from the chaos consuming the Mongoloid Safe Zone, a massive underground facility remained completely untouched.
Buried deep beneath the earth, the facility was protected by reinforced concrete and multiple layers of steel. Long corridors connected laboratories, armories, storage rooms, and rows of sealed chambers, while soldiers dressed in black tactical uniforms moved through the facility.
A strange symbol was displayed throughout the facility, consisting of a black hexagon surrounding a white, three-pronged spear, with a small red circle at its center. And beneath the symbol was a single word. VANTAGE.
Inside the command room, several large screens displayed live footage and recorded data from the Mongoloid Safe Zone. Behemoths, Gorefists, Long-Armed Variants, Grasshopper Infected, and the colossal creature appeared across the screens one after another.
An older man with neatly styled blond hair stood before the screens with his hands clasped behind his back. His clean, composed face revealed almost no emotion as he quietly watched the destruction unfolding.
"Sir, the Mongoloid Safe Zone is still under attack and is on the verge of collapse," a soldier reported from behind him. "Commander Victor has requested immediate assistance. The remaining forces are being evacuated through the northern sea ports, while others are being redirected toward Asterra Safe Zone."
"And the casualties?"
"They’re still being calculated, sir."
His expression didn’t change. He simply watched as the colossal infected took another massive step through the safe zone.
"So they’re evolving faster now," he murmured.
His attention shifted to another screen showing the strange phenomenon from earlier. Thousands of infected had suddenly stopped at the same time, their heads lifting toward the sky before the entire horde changed direction as though responding to a single command.
"Interesting."
The soldier beside him hesitated before asking, "Sir, what about their request for support?"
The old man finally turned away from the screens as a faint smile appeared on his face. "It’s time to test them."
The soldier’s expression remained neutral, but he immediately understood the order. "Understood."
The old man glanced back at the footage of the Grasshopper Infected. "I want them captured alive if possible. The same goes for any new mutations you encounter."
His gaze then shifted toward the screen displaying the colossal infected. "If you have a chance to collect a sample from that thing, take it."
The soldier immediately straightened and gave a sharp salute. "Yes, sir."
...
Minutes later, four figures emerged from a reinforced corridor that led directly into the underground hangar. Beyond the massive blast doors, four black helicopters waited on the landing pads, their rotors already beginning to spin as the engines roared to life.
The four walked side by side, all dressed in identical black tactical suits, though their builds were noticeably different. The only woman among them had dark, curly hair tied back behind her head, with a strange metal apparatus secured around her jaw. Beside her walked a broad, heavily built man with a distinctive mohawk, his body covered in heavier armor than the others.
The third was an older, weathered man with a sturdy build and a calm, steady posture. And the last was a younger, slimmer man who remained unusually quiet. Dark lines could be seen running beneath the skin around his neck before disappearing beneath his black combat suit.
Without saying a word, the four approached the officer waiting beside the helicopters as he handed them a tablet displaying images of several infected. "Your mission is to enter the Mongoloid Safe Zone, locate the mutated infected, and bring back viable specimens."
He swiped across the screen, bringing up images of Grasshopper Infected, Gorefists, and Long-Armed Variants. "Capture as many as you can."
Then the screen changed, revealing an image of the colossal infected. "If you encounter this one, do not engage unless absolutely necessary. Observe it, collect whatever samples you can, and withdraw immediately."
The officer looked at the four of them. "Any questions?"
None of them answered. He then gave a small nod. "Then move out."
The four turned and headed toward the waiting helicopters. But the youngest of the group slowed for a moment, his eyes remaining fixed on the words displayed on the tablet.
For the first time, his calm expression changed as the corner of his mouth slowly lifted into a faint smile. ’Mongoloid Safe Zone, huh?’
His eyes narrowed slightly. ’Jaxon...’
He handed the tablet back without saying another word and continued toward the helicopter.
Moments later, the four boarded their aircraft. One after another, the helicopters lifted into the darkness, carrying the four figures toward the safe zone.
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