Chapter 126: Briefing

Three days passed quietly inside the newly captured military base.

The Military Vehicle Maintenance Depot looked good as new; its shutters wide open compared to days before.

Two Engineers pulled some chairs and sat beside the bay doors, yawning to their hearts’ content.

The barracks on the eastern side were painted fresh, the walls greener than the grasses outside.

Beside it, a smaller square structure proudly stood tall. A female Medic waved her hand by the door, greeting a squad of soldiers that passed by the training yard.

One of them waved, then winked back at her in response. Laughs echoed on the small group as they teased the guy to no end.

“You seem to have found someone,” another female Medic arrived, wearing a smirk.

“Stop it you all. I’m just being friendly. There’s nothing serious about it.”

“Your beating heart says and red face says otherwise,” the female Medic sighed. “They’re going today, aren’t they?”

The atmosphere turned somber.

“Yes.”

“When do you think will they come back?”

“I hope soon, and alive.”

A sharp whistle echoed across the military base. The soldiers near the training yard immediately straightened.

Conversations died out almost instantly.

Their radio comms crackled with static.

“Command briefing in five minutes,” a voice announced. “All squad leaders, report to the command building.”

The low rumble of armored engines suddenly broke the quietened base.

Guardian APCs rolled in first; the rear hatches hissed as the hydraulics pulled it open.

Infantry disembarked with discipline, barely making a mess.

The squad leaders made small talk before leaving the squads on their own.

A distance away from the Guardian APCs, six Vanguard MBTs parked on the roadside. The military base was too compact that going in might just cramp everyone into a space smaller than they could maneuver.

The commanders’ hatches popped open; every tank commander crawled out of their pits.

They left a few words to their crew before jumping off. Dust stirred as they landed, greeting each other on the way in.

“Have you seen the HMT-90s?” one of them asked.

“Words said they should be in the backyard,” another replied. “The Commander is a bit secretive. He doesn’t want eyes and ears everywhere. We shouldn’t ask more.”

The rest nodded in affirmation.

Inside the command building, Hans stood before a large tactical display projected across the wall.

Looking good as new, he said while tilting his head back and forth.

There’s more to what the Engineers could repair. Vehicles, infrastructure. Even small items like this. 1000 Gold seems too cheap for them now.

Six DASF units sat at the front row, their gaits sharp and unmoving. It was as if this small briefing centered around how the world would soon end.

Matilda. Kross. And four new DASFs that Hans chose as squad leaders.

Unlike a regular troop composition of twelve units per squad, DASF only needed at least three to a max of four.

They were strike teams designed to hit fast and withdraw just as quickly, not a main battle group meant to stand and fight on the front lines.

The rest of the squad leaders soon filled the room. Chatters died down one after another as everyone took their seats.

Hans tapped once on the tactical display behind him. The projection shifted.

“Our next objective is the northern industrial district,” Hans began.

A large industrial compound appeared on the wall: an abandoned logistics yard surrounded by concrete walls.

Wide vehicle lanes cut across the compound, leading to several empty storage hangars.

The central yard alone was large enough to house dozens of armored vehicles with spare space for additional trucks.

“This compound is our main objective—the deployment site of our first base.”

The screen flashed to the next set of images.

“Scouts report presence of hive activity. Estimated infected population amounted to several thousands. Everyone must take caution. We kill the hive first and all infected around the area, then we proceed to our next plan.”

The projection shifted once more.

Rows of factory blocks and refinery complexes appeared on the wall. They were images harshly drawn by his Scouts who were sent for early reconnaissance.

“Several refineries are also located here. They must be secured for capture—minimal destruction to the structure, but a complete annihilation to any infected.”

Hans clasped his hands then faced the squad leaders.

“Vanguard MBTs will spearhead the advance. Guardian APCs follow behind. Infantry squads will provide cover on the flanks.”

His eyes shifted to the last two commanders at the very rear of the room; his actions garnered everyone else’s reactions.

“Our new Hellhammers will remain at the rear for artillery support.”

Whispers crowded the briefing room. Hans clapped once, silencing the noise in an instant.

“DASF units will operate independently to eliminate priority threats and mark targets for the MBTs and Hellhammers. Ms. Kimmy, Codename Oracle for this operation, will join them.”

A squad leader raised their hand. “Commander, I object.”

“State your objection,” Hans nodded.

“Inclusion of a non-military personnel may jeopardize our operation. I suggest the Commander to leave it to the DASF units themselves.”

Everyone glanced at Hans, then at Kimmy and Yunera who was at the sides.

The squad leader’s concern did not irritate Hans. Instead, he gave a small nod.

“A fair concern.”

He turned slightly toward the tactical projection behind him. The industrial district map glowed faintly across the wall.

“Ms. Kimmy possesses sensory abilities that dwarfs even that of Codename Fairy.”

A few brows furrowed.

“She can detect large clusters of infected long before they come into visual range,” Hans continued. “She can also identify irregular movements within a swarm.”

The room fell quiet again.

“In other words,” Hans tapped the display once, highlighting several streets around the refinery district, “she can tell us where the hive activity is densest before we step into it.”

One of the tank commanders leaned forward slightly.

“But Commander, shouldn’t we already have the sufficient tools for this?”

He wanted to say the word Radar, but it was a taboo in front of other people, especially a curious one like Kimmy.

“Ms. Kimmy’s sensory powers are potent. You need not to worry.”

His gaze shifted to the four DASF units sitting at the front.

“With Ms. Kimmy accompanying the DASFs, they can mark targets more accurately for elimination.”

The squad leader who raised the objection added. “Her safety, Commander?”

Hans answered without hesitation.

“She will remain under DASF protection and surveillance at all times. Their mobility and combat capability are more than sufficient for that task.”

Matilda remained silent, but her eyes shifted to where Kimmy stood.

The squad leader slowly lowered his hand and exhaled. “Understood, Commander. I apologize for my rash objections.”

Hans clasped his hands behind his back, replying with a smile.

“No need for your humility. The matter is settled here.”

His expression remained calm, but his thoughts moved far quicker.

Kimmy’s powers are only in the juvenile stage. I should let her experience more and see where her limits lie.

His eyes drifted toward the projection.

The difference between walking into an ambush and destroying it from a distance lies with her.

His Radar could only do so much without the upgraded capabilities.

And even then, Hans’s trust to Kimmy still has its uncertainties.

He had only seen a glimpse of her ability so far. But that was exactly why he brought her along.

“If there are no further objections, we move out in ten minutes.”

The room was quickly vacated, leaving only Hans, Callum, Kimmy and Yunera.

“Kimmy, are you sure about this?” Yunera glared at Hans.

“Sister, you’ve been asking me this several times already,” Kimmy clasped her hands. “I want to do something for him. I can’t live freely under his shelter all the time.”

Yunera resigned to Kimmy’s fate. “So be it, but I will be with you. Do you understand?”

“Yes. Thank you, sister.”

“No need. We’re sisters. What’s the thank you for?”

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