RTS System in the Apocalypse: New World

Raptor One and Raptor Two crossed Grefort’s eastern fringe before noon.

They followed the river upstream, with Raptor Two holding higher and farther north.

Residential blocks below thinned as the river widened. Apartment buildings gave way to smaller communities, pumping stations, and fenced utility compounds connected by narrow service roads. Several bridges crossed the water before the surrounding structures became sparse.

The dam appeared farther ahead.

Its concrete wall stretched across the narrowing river, separating the lower channel from the reservoir beyond. Two gates near the center remained open, releasing water into the lower channel. The others showed no visible movement.

"Raptor Two, inspect the upper face."

"Raptor Two copies."

Raptor Two climbed and passed above the dam’s upper road.

"No visible breach," its pilot reported. "Western service side remains intact."

Scattered red markers entered Raptor One’s local Radar as the fighter approached the dam. Most remained around the lower maintenance compound, with another smaller group near the control building.

Raptor One banked along the lower face, allowing its cameras to sweep the discharge sections and maintenance compound.

Vegetation had started gathering along the service roads, though it had not yet consumed them. Abandoned maintenance vehicles occupied the eastern service road.

One had crashed into the outer fence, while two others remained near the control building with their doors open.

Several infected wandered between the vehicles.

More occupied the lower maintenance compound beside the river.

None reacted until the aircraft passed over them. A few raised their heads, while others moved toward the nearest structures, though the groups lacked the immediate coordination shown around the Ironford Hive.

Raptor One crossed the dam and turned over the reservoir.

The water stretched farther east, its surface broken by drifting debris and several small vessels left near the shoreline. No large settlement stood immediately beside it.

"Raptor Two, continue along the western service side."

"I got you, Raptor One."

The second fighter followed the road running across the dam before turning toward the western maintenance facilities.

Raptor One completed another pass along the eastern service road. Aside from the abandoned maintenance vehicles near the outer fence, the route remained wide enough for ground vehicles.

Raptor Two finished its inspection of the western side.

"Upper road intact. Western access remains passable. No additional concentrations around the reservoir."

"Recorded. Return to base."

The two fighters turned away from the dam.

...

Farther south, Raptor Three and Raptor Four approached Grefort International Airport from the west.

The city ended several kilometers before the first runway.

Warehouses, roadside businesses, and residential compounds gave way to open ground crossed by approach lights and perimeter roads.

Red markers began appearing across Raptor Three’s local Radar as the terminal entered range. Most remained inside the main building or around the passenger aprons.

Raptor Four reported another cluster of red markers around the cargo buildings farther east.

The control tower appeared ahead, its upper windows reflecting the sunlight despite several shattered panels along one side. The terminal buildings extended behind it, connected to multiple passenger gates and wide parking aprons filled with abandoned aircraft.

Raptor Four moved slightly ahead.

"That is more intact than expected."

"Try not to sound disappointed," Raptor Three replied.

"I was hoping for one dramatic crater."

"You may record your complaint after the inspection."

The first runway stretched across the airport below them. A passenger aircraft rested near its eastern half with its nose turned away from the centerline.

One landing gear had collapsed, leaving the nearest wing close to the pavement.

Several airport vehicles remained scattered around it.

Raptor Three passed along the runway while the cameras recorded the obstruction.

"Runway One blocked near the eastern section. Large aircraft and ground vehicles."

"Marked," Raptor Four answered. "Western half appears usable."

The second runway lay farther south.

Debris covered part of one end, though the central section remained clear. No aircraft occupied the pavement. Several navigation lights had broken beside the southern end, and vegetation had begun growing between sections of the service road.

Raptor Four lowered its nose slightly as it crossed the runway.

"Runway Two is in better condition."

"Agreed. Continue toward the southern perimeter."

The pair separated enough to inspect opposite sides of the airport.

Raptor Three followed the terminal and passenger aprons. Several aircraft remained attached to the boarding bridges, while others stood farther away with their doors closed. Baggage carts and fuel trucks had been abandoned between them.

Infected wandered across the apron.

Most remained near the terminal entrances and service doors. Larger groups crowded behind the glass walls inside the main building, though none moved with the coordination seen around the Hive.

Raptor Three passed above the control tower.

"No biological markers inside the tower."

"You expected someone to wave?" Raptor Four asked.

"A signal would have been convenient."

"I will lower my expectations."

Raptor Four continued along the cargo side.

Three large hangars occupied the airport’s eastern section. The first was closed. The second had both doors partly open, revealing the nose of a cargo aircraft inside. Damage crossed the third hangar’s roof, though its main frame still stood.

Several smaller aircraft occupied the surrounding apron.

"Cargo section still has aircraft," Raptor Four reported. "At least one inside the central hangar."

"Any movement?"

"None visible."

Raptor Three turned toward the airport’s northern roads.

The main access road had become a line of abandoned cars extending beyond the terminal entrance. Several buses remained near the arrival area, and infected filled the spaces between them.

A second road entered through the cargo section farther east. It carried fewer vehicles, though two overturned trucks blocked part of the lane near the perimeter gate.

The western maintenance road was mostly clear.

"Main entrance is congested," Raptor Three said. "Cargo road partially blocked. Western service road appears accessible."

"Recording the route."

Raptor Four crossed the fuel-storage area near the southern boundary.

Rows of cylindrical tanks stood behind reinforced fencing. Dark stains covered part of the pavement around one loading section, though none of the tanks showed visible fire damage.

Its pilot stopped joking.

"Fuel storage remains standing. No visible burn marks on the tanks."

Raptor Three adjusted course toward the southern side.

"Inspect the outer fence. One pass."

"Copies."

Raptor Four followed the perimeter while Raptor Three remained higher and watched the surrounding ground.

Several sections of fencing had collapsed where vehicles struck them during the evacuation. The southern gate stood open. Beyond it, the road continued through low commercial buildings before joining the wider southeastern route.

No large infected concentration occupied the open ground around the airport.

Raptor Four completed the pass and climbed back toward its partner.

"Perimeter compromised in six visible sections. Southern gate open. Movement outside remains scattered."

"Good. We have enough."

Both aircraft turned west.

The airport remained behind them with two long runways, intact fuel storage, multiple standing hangars, and more aircraft than Hans had any immediate means to use.

For now, the important part was simpler. The second runway remained unobstructed enough to justify a ground inspection.

...

Raptor Five and Raptor Six followed the river west after leaving Grefort.

The industrial buildings around the city continued for several kilometers before breaking into storage yards, smaller factories, and residential communities built along the old highway.

The river widened between them.

Raptor Five remained above the southern bank, while Raptor Six crossed toward the north and inspected the first bridge ahead.

The concrete structure still stood. Cars covered both lanes, though nothing had fallen into the channel below.

"First crossing intact," Raptor Six reported. "Channel remains open."

"Clearance?"

"Enough for civilian traffic. Your imaginary battleship may not like it."

"It can complain to the Commander when we build one."

Raptor Six moved ahead without answering.

The first town appeared around the next bend.

It occupied both sides of a smaller tributary, with most of its buildings gathered near the highway and municipal center. Fewer than twenty streets crossed the settlement. Fields surrounded the eastern edge, while warehouses and a grain facility stood closer to the river.

Barricades blocked the roads leading into town.

Buses, delivery trucks, and concrete barriers had been arranged across the entrances. Several rooftops carried observation posts covered by sheets of metal and canvas.

Neutral markers appeared behind the barricades as Raptor Six brought the town inside its local Radar. Figures moved between the rooftop positions.

"Raptor Six, confirm rooftop contacts."

"Human," the pilot answered. "Four on the municipal building. More near the eastern barricade."

Raptor Five’s cameras shifted toward the fields.

Sections of land had been cleared and divided into narrow growing plots. Smoke rose from several houses, though none of it came from uncontrolled fires. A few vehicles moved inside the barricades.

People stopped when the fighters passed overhead.

Several ran under cover. Others remained near the rooftops and followed the aircraft with binoculars.

"Only neutral markers inside the perimeter," Raptor Five said.

"They have been busy."

"Mark the town. We leave them alone."

Raptor Six passed over the western barricade.

A line of abandoned vehicles extended beyond it, but the road farther west remained clear enough for local traffic. Smaller defensive positions guarded two secondary entrances.

No one attempted to contact the aircraft.

The pair continued downstream.

The next bridge did not survive as well.

Its northern section had collapsed into the river, leaving broken concrete, support beams, and several vehicles across half the channel. Water moved around the wreckage, though the remaining opening narrowed between the debris and southern pier.

Raptor Five banked along the obstruction.

"Large vessels will not pass this."

"Smaller ones might," Raptor Six replied. "With someone willing to test the concrete hanging over them."

"Record it as blocked."

The second town lay several kilometers farther west. There were no barricades around this one.

Red markers spread across the commercial center, school grounds, and hospital parking area as the pair approached.

The highway entered through a line of fuel stations and repair shops before reaching a small commercial center. Cars filled the road in both directions. Several had burned, leaving black marks across the nearby buildings.

Infected wandered between them.

More occupied the central streets, the school grounds, and the parking area around a hospital. The concentration remained small compared to Grefort, though it was enough to cover most of the town.

Raptor Six crossed the northern edge.

"Only infected are moving."

"Any prepared positions?"

"One near the municipal center. It was overrun."

A barricade had once covered the road beside the municipal center. Most of it now lay scattered across the intersection, with abandoned weapons and bodies mixed among the infected moving through it.

Raptor Five did not lower the aircraft.

The reconnaissance cameras recorded the town while the pair continued west.

Beyond it, settlements became less frequent.

The river dropped away below as they accelerated back toward the previous bridge. Several isolated houses remained intact, though the pilots could not confirm whether anyone occupied them. A ferry rested against the southern bank, while two cargo barges had drifted into reeds farther downstream.

The next crossing was an older steel bridge.

Its center section had been raised before the collapse and was still locked above the channel.

Raptor Six circled wide enough to inspect the supports.

"Raised section still open."

"That is one bridge we do not need to demolish."

"I will inform its owner."

The aircraft continued.

The country map placed several former military positions farther west, but most remained beyond the reconnaissance boundary. The route ahead narrowed where the river passed between two forested ridges.

No large facility appeared on the surface.

Raptor Five’s warning receiver sounded.

The pilot stopped speaking.

A narrow-band signal had appeared from the northern ridge. It swept across the aircraft once, disappeared, then returned with greater strength.

"Raptor Six, radar contact. Bearing three-two-five."

"I have it," the other pilot answered. "Fire-control pattern. No visible emitter."

Both aircraft changed altitude and separated.

The signal followed Raptor Five.

Trees covered the slope below. An old service road approached the ridge from the east, though it ended beside what appeared to be a quarry wall.

No radar tower stood above it.

"The ridge shows only trees and the service road," Raptor Six said.

"Do not search for it. Begin the turn."

Before Raptor Five could complete the maneuver, another warning appeared across the cockpit display.

This one did not come from radar.

"Laser designation," the pilot said. "Continuous lock."

Raptor Six climbed and moved behind the first aircraft.

"Same bearing?"

"Close enough."

A section of the northern slope changed.

What had appeared to be exposed rock separated along two straight lines. A narrow panel withdrew into the hillside, revealing a dark opening behind it.

Something moved inside.

The shape remained mostly hidden, though the cameras caught a flat assembly rising behind the opening. It carried no conventional gun barrel. Several glass-like sections adjusted toward the aircraft.

A transmission entered the emergency aviation channel.

The voice was synthetic.

"Restricted defense corridor. Alter course immediately."

Neither pilot answered.

Raptor Five rolled east and descended away from the ridge. Raptor Six followed several hundred meters behind, watching the concealed opening while maintaining enough distance to maneuver.

The laser warning remained active.

"Tracking both aircraft," Raptor Six reported.

"No shot detected."

"Yet."

The river passed beneath them as they accelerated back toward the previous bridge.

The synthetic warning repeated.

"Restricted defense corridor. Continued approach will be classified as hostile."

Raptor Five completed the turn.

The laser lock disappeared several seconds later.

The fire-control radar remained on them longer, following both aircraft until the ridge fell behind the terrain.

Neither pilot attempted another pass.

"Automated voice. Concealed aperture. Unknown emitter."

"And enough power to track two fighters without exposing a radar tower."

"Do you think anyone was inside?"

Raptor Five looked at the warning display. It had already returned to normal.

"No way to tell. I doubt you’d be thrilled by the answer."

"We live to fly another day, Raptor Five."

The planned boundary remained several kilometers farther west. They would not be able to reach it.

Raptor Five marked the point where the warning began, followed by the ridge, the service road, and the concealed opening captured by the reconnaissance cameras.

"Western route ends here."

"No argument from me."

The two aircraft returned along the river.

They passed the overrun town first, then the broken bridge and the settlement that had managed to keep its people alive.

The remaining route toward Ashbourne remained unrecorded.

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