RTS System in the Apocalypse: New World

Falcon One continued south.

The secured route narrowed between taller buildings. Several intersections below had temporary positions manned by infantry, while recovery vehicles waited farther behind the active platoons.

The sound of gunfire reached the helicopter even through the cabin. Several short bursts followed before the streets became quiet again.

A few moments later, South One entered Falcon One’s Radar.

Friendly markers spread across three streets.

Echo One moved ahead of the main formation.

The Guardian APCs followed behind them, with infantry squads divided between the buildings and the road. Several red markers remained farther south, clustered around an intersection South One had not yet entered.

The pilot slowed the helicopter.

"South One in sight."

Hans leaned closer to the window.

From the ground, the platoon always seemed spread across an enormous area. From above, its formation became clear at once.

Echo One formed a loose screen ahead of the infantry squads. The squads occupied both sides of the road, while the Guardian APCs remained where their weapons could support either flank without blocking the soldiers moving between buildings.

Hans could also see what the platoon could not.

Alleys disappeared behind the surrounding blocks, rear entrances connected one building row to another, and several rooftops overlooked the entire advance.

The Falcon moved along the formation’s western side.

"Golden Eagle to South One."

"South One receiving," Anton answered.

"We have visual contact. Several infected groups are moving toward you from the western blocks. Falcon One’s noise is drawing them out."

"Acknowledged. Western squads are repositioning."

Below, two squads left the road and took positions near a wide parking area.

The first infected appeared seconds later.

They poured from between the buildings in scattered rows, still looking upward whenever Falcon One passed above them.

Two members of Specter Squad released their harnesses and moved to the door mounts.

"Door gunners ready," Specter reported.

Hans watched the squads below raise their weapons.

"Hold fire."

"Understood."

The first volley came from the ground.

Several infected fell before they crossed the parking area. The rest continued forward until overlapping rifle fire cut through them.

Falcon One remained above the road.

The helicopter had drawn the group out, but South One had no difficulty destroying it.

Another cluster appeared on the Radar. This one emerged behind the platoon.

"Movement behind South One," Specter reported. "Forty-two infected entering through the western alley. Closing on the recovery vehicles."

Hans looked toward the second door.

The infected were moving through an alley that opened behind one of the recovery vehicles. The nearest infantry squad had already turned, though the group would reach the road before the soldiers could establish a clear firing line.

"Left gunner, engage," Specter ordered.

The crew chief opened the left door.

Wind and rotor noise rushed into the cabin.

The DASF Unit behind the left mount secured his harness to the floor anchor and lowered the machine gun toward the alley.

The weapon fired.

A stream of rounds crossed the pavement below.

The first infected dropped beneath the impacts. Others stumbled over them before the gunner corrected slightly and continued through the center of the group.

The burst ended after several seconds.

Bodies covered the alley entrance.

The remaining infected scattered into the road, where the ground squad finished them.

The DASF gunner released the trigger and raised the weapon.

"Rear approach clear!"

Hans looked at the ammunition counter.

The Falcon had used little of its supply.

Below, the recovery vehicle continued moving as if the interruption had barely mattered.

"Specter to South One. Rear approach clear."

"Acknowledged. No losses," Anton replied.

Specter looked back toward Hans.

Hans nodded.

"Continue your operation. Falcon One will observe from above before moving toward South Two."

"Acknowledged."

The helicopter climbed slightly.

South One spread beneath them again. Hans could see the platoon’s next route, the buildings surrounding it, and several infected markers moving toward the noise from streets the ground units had not yet reached.

Falcon One had exposed approaches and rear streets that the platoon could not observe from the road.

Hans looked toward the eastern blocks where South Two continued its own advance.

"Pilot, take us to South Two."

"Yes, Commander."

Falcon One banked east.

The turn pressed Hans against his harness again.

He had expected it this time, though knowing the movement was coming did little to settle the weight shifting through his stomach.

Callum remained quiet across from him.

Hans ignored him and looked toward the eastern window.

South One moved farther behind them. Its friendly markers remained visible for several moments before leaving Falcon One’s limited Radar coverage.

New streets entered from the opposite side.

The buildings were taller here. Narrow commercial blocks stood between several apartment structures, leaving only a few wider roads through the district. South Two occupied one of them.

Its formation appeared less spread out than South One’s.

Several squads were clearing buildings along the main road while the Guardian APCs held the nearest intersections. Recovery vehicles waited two blocks behind them under the protection of another infantry squad.

Specter leaned toward the window.

"Movement southeast of South Two."

Hans turned toward the Radar.

Red markers were emerging from several buildings at once.

"Count?" he asked.

"Sixty-three visible. More are still leaving the structures."

The pilot adjusted Falcon One’s course.

"Confirming movement. Three groups converging toward the main road."

Specter spoke through his communicator.

"Specter to South Two."

"South Two receiving."

"Falcon One is approaching from the west. Sixty-three infected are moving toward your southern side. Numbers are increasing."

"Acknowledged. Southern squads are repositioning."

The response below came immediately.

Two infantry squads withdrew from the buildings they had been clearing and formed along the southern intersection. One Guardian APC moved behind them, its autocannon turning toward the approaching streets.

Falcon One continued forward.

The noise reached the buildings before the helicopter did.

More windows broke as infected climbed out through the lower floors and dropped onto the pavement. Others emerged from a parking structure farther east, pushing the visible count beyond eighty.

Specter kept watching.

"Runners mixed with the eastern group. Twelve."

Hans saw them seconds later.

They moved ahead of the ordinary infected and crossed the road between abandoned vehicles. Several climbed over the roofs of abandoned vehicles without slowing.

"South Two, twelve Runners approaching from your southeast."

"We see them."

The Guardian APC fired first.

Its autocannon struck the front Runners before they reached the intersection. Several disappeared against the road and the vehicles around them.

The infantry squads opened fire afterward.

Short bursts crossed the remaining distance. Runners fell between the abandoned cars while the ordinary infected continued behind them.

Falcon One passed along the western edge of the formation.

Specter shifted toward the opposite window.

"Additional movement behind the eastern buildings."

Hans checked the Radar.

Another group had appeared near the limit of the aircraft’s detection range. Unlike the others, they were moving parallel to South Two instead of directly toward it.

"Where are they going?"

"North," Specter answered. "They may enter behind the recovery position."

Specter watched the markers for another moment.

"They’ll reach the rear road before the eastern squad can intercept."

He looked toward Hans.

"Recommend holding west of the formation and engaging them as they leave the block."

Hans nodded.

"Proceed."

Specter shifted his attention toward the cockpit.

"Pilot, maintain position west of South Two. Keep the eastern block on our right."

"Understood."

Falcon One slowed and began a shallow turn.

Hans kept his eyes on the Radar until the aircraft settled into position.

Specter opened the command channel.

"Specter to South Two. Additional infected are moving north behind the eastern block. Falcon One will intercept before they reach your recovery position."

"Acknowledged. Rear squad holding."

The DASF Unit at the right-side mount tightened his harness.

"Right gun ready."

"Hold until they clear the building," Specter ordered.

The side door opened.

Wind and rotor noise filled the cabin as the machine gun turned toward the street below.

The infected remained hidden for several seconds.

Only their markers showed their movement.

Then the first group appeared from behind the eastern building.

"Engage."

The machine gun opened fire.

Rounds struck the front of the group before they reached the rear road. Several infected dropped across the pavement while those behind continued over them.

The gunner shifted the weapon farther north.

Another burst crossed the street and struck the second row as it emerged.

Specter watched the Radar rather than the weapon.

"Five continuing along the wall."

The gunner corrected immediately.

A shorter burst followed.

The remaining markers disappeared.

"Cease fire."

The weapon fell silent.

"Eastern rear clear," the right gunner reported.

Specter checked the surrounding streets once more.

"Specter to South Two. Rear movement eliminated."

"Confirmed," the platoon leader replied. "Recovery position secure."

Hans looked down at the rear road.

From where Falcon One hovered, the route behind the eastern block was easy to see. The buildings had hidden the entire approach from South Two until the infected were almost behind the recovery position.

Specter had detected them early enough to stop them.

Falcon One was quieter than the helicopters Hans remembered, but its rotor noise still carried across several blocks.

Hans looked toward the edge of the aircraft’s Radar.

Every minute they remained above South Two would draw more infected from the surrounding buildings.

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