The first promotion notices reached Hans before noon.
Several belonged to the newly assigned squad. Others came from units that had spent the previous operations behind the three-star formations.
He dismissed each notice as it appeared.
Striker One’s rocket supply continued falling. The Missile Infantry had also used more ammunition that morning than during several previous operations combined.
At twelve o’clock, the counters changed.
------
[ Daily ammunition replenishment complete. ]
------
Striker One’s rocket pods returned to full capacity.
The Missile Infantry received their missiles. Ammunition returned across South One’s vehicles and infantry, while the promoted units received the increased supplies provided by their new ranks.
Matilda’s voice entered the command channel.
"South One will continue east. Striker One remains ahead of the formation."
"South One copies."
"Striker One copies."
The helicopter turned toward the next concentration.
South One followed.
The afternoon continued without another change in method.
Striker One separated the remaining concentrations along the northern road. Its rockets broke the larger masses apart, while South One finished each group before moving to the next section.
The promotion notices continued.
By the time Matilda stopped the advance, the newly assigned squad and several lower-star units had already received promotions. The Missile Infantry had also gained more combat experience in a single day than during most of their earlier deployments.
The concentration blocking the northern road was gone.
More infected remained farther east, but South One had reached the limit of the roads prepared for that day’s operation. South Two reported similar progress from the northeast and no losses.
Both platoons withdrew before evening.
Hans remained at Site Three until they returned.
South One entered through the eastern approach soon afterward. Johannes, Marcus, Kimmy, and Yunera dismounted from Bastion One with Anton’s command element. Evelyn returned with Dobrev Squad.
None of them required treatment.
Anton met Hans inside the command building and placed the route report on the table.
"First concentration eliminated. Additional groups remain farther east. No casualties."
"And Striker One?"
"Effective. We would have spent far more ammunition without it."
Matilda examined the operational summary.
"Striker One can support the Highcross operation. It separated the concentrations without drawing the groups farther east, then reduced each section before it reached South One."
Hans looked at the ammunition records.
Striker One had used most of its rockets before noon, received its full supply again, then repeated the process throughout the afternoon.
Striker One had changed how quickly a platoon could clear a road.
Highcross would require more than one.
The recovery vehicles returned with the platoons.
Several carried sealed containers from the warehouses and service buildings cleared behind South One. Watches, jewelry, loose precious metals, and mineral samples filled most of them. South Two brought another smaller haul from the northeastern route.
Engineers continued unloading while Anton and Matilda finished the operational report. By the time the last container entered the warehouse, the recovered materials occupied two sections beside the conversion area.
Hans approached them.
"Convert everything."
Green light spread beneath the containers. The valuables disappeared together.
------
[ Industrial Storage Yards conversion bonus applied: +40% ]
[ Gold: 18,994 (+25,004) => 43,998 ]
------
The amount was smaller than the previous commercial haul, though the platoons had spent most of the day destroying the concentrations blocking their advance rather than searching every building.
More convertible valuables remained along both routes. Those could wait for the recovery teams tomorrow.
Hans opened the Airfield production interface.
Striker One had already returned for inspection. The aircraft had suffered no damage during the operation, and whatever ammunition remained would replenish again at midnight.
He queued two more Apache Heavy Attack Helicopters.
------
[ Apache Heavy Attack Helicopter x2 added to Aircraft Production Queue. ]
[ Gold: 43,998 (-30,000) => 13,998 ]
[ Total Production Time: 5 hours. ]
------
Striker Two and Striker Three would be ready before the Highcross operation began.
The district had two engagement areas and several sectors that might respond separately. Striker One could not cover all of them alone.
Three attack helicopters would allow Flight Operations to divide them between South One and South Two while keeping one available to reinforce either side.
He switched into the Infantry Tab and paused.
Several squads had earned promotions during the operation. Others were already approaching their final ranks.
The Highcross operation would provide enough reduced groups for another fresh squad to begin earning its own promotions behind the veteran formations.
------
[ Standard Infantry Squad x1 queued. ]
[ ETA: 1 hour and 35 minutes. ]
[ Gold: 13,998 (-9,500) => 4,498 ]
------
Just as he closed the interface, Callum appeared at the doorway.
"Viper, what is it?"
"Commander." Callum stood at attention. "The agents and the two misses would like to... talk to you."
"Is that so?" Hans raised a brow.
Hans had expected them to approach him yesterday, after Falcon One appeared above South One. They had waited until now.
"Bring the agents in first. Tell Kimmy and Yunera to wait."
"Understood."
Johannes entered.
Evelyn and Marcus followed him into the command building, while Callum remained outside with Kimmy and Yunera.
Hans looked at the three agents.
"What did you want to discuss?"
"Commander," Johannes hesitated.
His brows furrowed for a moment with his eyes closed as if he was suffering from pain. Then, his tensed face eased, followed by a sigh.
"I don’t even know if I should call you Commander now."
Hans raised a brow. "You can speak what’s on your mind, Agent Johannes."
"To be honest," Johannes paused. "I only thought the Commander was more civilized than the army officers I’ve seen in the past. Perhaps, my vision was limited. Too limited."
"Continue."
"The Commander’s preparations are more thorough that what I could have ever expected. If Cell 7 knew this..."
Johannes’s eyes kept toward Hans, always scanning his expression.
"If Cell 7 knew about it, then what?" Hans leaned back on his chair.
Johannes did not answer. In fact, he had no answer to that question at all. Lost for words, he cleared his mouth and continued.
"Commander, if I dare ask, are you... truly not an old-blood?"
Hans smiled. "Agent Johannes, I know you have done more digging on me when you returned to the colony last time. You should know the answer to that question yourself."
"Then forget that I asked, Commander," Johannes bowed.
"Are you worried that I’ll throw you away to the sides in the future?"
Johannes nodded.
"You don’t have to worry about that," Hans settled both hands beneath his chin. "Sooner or later, I will have you be fully integrated in my army one way or another."
The three SAS agents gulped simultaneously.
"Commander, you must be joking," Johannes chuckled dryly. "We do not have such—"
"Stop it. This conversation will end here. As for the aircraft, you can visit the Airfield Base during your most convenient times. Just don’t touch them carelessly. My units can be very possessive."
"We don’t dare to, Commander." Johannes’s mouth twitched. "I have said what I needed to say. We will take our leave, Commander."
"Hmm."
Johannes turned toward the doorway.
Evelyn followed him without another word. Marcus remained behind for several seconds, his attention drifting toward the western side of Site Three.
"The Airfield," Hans reminded him. "You can visit it later."
"I am considering the offer, Commander."
"You can take your time about it."
Marcus gave a small nod before following the others outside.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter