RTS System in the Apocalypse-Chapter 101: Time in the Colony - I

Hans’s gaze settled on Kimmy and Yunera as the convoy slowed to halt. He alighted from the armored SUV, slung his bag on his back, and approached them. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"What’s this?" he chuckled. "A welcoming party?"

Kimmy stood there in place, wearing an amiable smile on her face. Her golden hair flowed down freely for all to see. A strange feeling blossomed in her heart as she saw Hans return from his short recluse.

Mixed with her peculiar joviality was a fear of what she had seen in her perception.

His aura has soared higher, she said, brows slightly furrowed. Mr. Johannes and Mr. Tyrus pales to him... eh?

Amidst her analysis, an aura stronger than Hans’s came in from a strange-looking vehicle, the Guardian APC.

Kimmy restrained her movements, afraid that her presence might be noted by that person inside the vehicle.

Meanwhile, Yunera snorted, showing her dislike about Hans’s unserious approach.

"Nobody’s welcoming you," she corrected.

"You don’t have to deny it," Hans suddenly shifted his attention to Kimmy and shut his mouth. What happened to her face? Why is she frowning so deeply?

"You..." Yunera clenched her fist, completely unaware of the mental battlefield that had just been placed.

She breathed deeply and relaxed the boiling blood inside her veins. With a long exhale, she veered her attention somewhere else.

"I didn’t know you have reinforcements?"

"Recently recovered," Hans didn’t explain much, moving his eyes from Kimmy. "Don’t ask too much."

"Do I look like someone who’s stupid?" Yunera retorted.

"I am relieved that you are not then."

His answer angered Yunera even more.

By the time she wanted to lash out against Hans, Bastion One’s hatch opened, letting the three infantries out.

When Callum’s figure landed on Hans’s vision, he instantly realized the reason behind Kimmy’s unsettling expression.

Callum stepped out first. He moved to the sides, scanning the gate, walls, and the people in front. He slowly marked threats in silence.

Viktor followed with his launcher slung and his shoulders squared and tight. Kenji came out last, a bit unwilling but still dutiful and quiet.

Kimmy’s throat tightened.

This was it: the aura that pressed at her perception like a mountain. It wasn’t Hans, but Callum.

Around him wasn’t rage nor arrogance, but silence comparable to the deepest part of the ocean laden with pressure that would instantly crush anyone.

His gaze flicked from Callum to Kimmy, smirking subtly.

With a slight tap on her shoulder, the blonde lady jolted out of that fearful imagination.

"What are you so scared of?" He brushed past the two ladies. "These are all soldiers I found from the south. No need to worry about them."

Yunera scoffed. "She was about to faint, and you call that nothing?"

Kimmy shot Yunera a look as she snapped her head towards Yunera’s direction. The latter didn’t care.

Bastion One’s voice crackled through the comms, steady and proud.

"Infantry disembarked. Cabin sealed. Standing by for further orders, Commander."

Hans nodded, his mind already stacking priorities.

"Kenji, send another squad to the apartment complex with Bastion One. Roll out in one hour."

"Roger, Commander."

"Big Rhino, are you there?"

"Idle and ready, Commander. What do you need for us?"

"Show of power," Hans’s eyes slithered. "You know what to do."

The colony was getting bigger by each passing day. Survivors will always have varying thoughts in their minds.

Some were content living in the colony. Some... obviously greedier than the rest.

Regardless of any era in human history, all sorts of rebellious schemes will sprout one way or another. Big Rhino patrolling the streets was the first step to curb such threats.

If a little gun doesn’t scare them, Hans will show them a bigger one.

"I like that stuff, Commander. Big Rhino on the move!"

Everyone stepped aside, letting the tank a way inside.

Yunera cautiously observed the Vanguard MBT and wondered how powerful its combat ability was.

"The military doesn’t have such a tank," she muttered. "Where did it come from, and how did he do it?"

Hans caught her words but ignored them and shifted to Callum. "I’ll call you Viper from now on. Stay with me."

Callum answered instantly. "No need for formalities with me, Commander. You can call me by any name."

Yunera’s spine chilled as Callum approached. Her body was shouting danger multiple times in her head, but she couldn’t bring herself to move at all.

At that moment, a light tap on her shoulder freed her from her own fears. She looked at Hans who suddenly winked at her.

"You’re welcome."

"You—" Yunera wanted to punch this guy so bad but restrained herself.

Hans turned around and approached one of the guards. "Where is Alexei?"

The guard straightened. "Officer Alexei is at the south post, Commander. He is coordinating screening and rotation."

"Good," Hans said. "I’ll leave you to your duties."

The guard gave a salute then returned to the watchtower entrance.

Hans turned slightly, eyes sweeping the gate area again. Big Rhino’s presence had already changed the atmosphere.

From the distance, people watched on the sides and pointed their fingers at the Vanguard. Some sweated and ran off someplace, possibly relaying information to whoever was in their network.

Let them watch, he thought while watching at the Radar map interface visible only to him. Asking the guard about Alexei was nothing but an act. The Radar had long given the information where Alexei was.

"Alexei, this is Overlord," Hans’s voiced to the comms. "Do you copy?"

"Alexei copies, Commander," Alexei replied. "Welcome back to the colony. I congratulate your promotion."

"No need for flatteries," Hans dismissed Alexei’s attempt. "Give me a sitrep on the colony."

"We’ve got a few thugs on the loose, but the patrolling squads are already looking on it. An infected horde has been sighted five kilometers to the west. Reports have been piled in the Commander’s office."

"Hmm, you’ve done well," Hans commended. "How about the new superhumans?"

"The SAS Agents are acting it safe," Alexei paused. "They have been helpful on the colony lately."

"What about Tyrus?"

"He’s got a freaky mind and joined a few trips outside in the last days. He hasn’t done anything big, but I’m afraid his storage of zombie corpses has gained infamy in the colony."

"I assume you had contained his courtyard?" Hans frowned.

"I sent a squad to build him a crude laboratory," Alexei carried a hint of boredom on his reply. "He was a bit pissed about the quality, but we didn’t hear complaints from him after that."

"Where is that scientist now?" Hans asked.

"Inside his laboratory, Commander. I will send a group to guide you there now."

"I’m in the southern entrance of the colony," Hans replied. "Don’t make me wait too long. It’s hot outside."

"Roger that."

The radio went silent. Hans turned his head slightly towards Kimmy and Yunera.

"What do you want?" Yunera slowly backed away.

"Nothing much," Hans smiled. "I just thought you wanted to accompany me."

"Why would you think we’d agree to that?"

"Ever wondered how you become a superhuman, right?" Hans clicked his tongue. "In fact, you’ve met him too."

"We’ve heard what that guy has said before," Yunera retorted. "You’re late to the news."

"Okay," Hans shrugged. "Viper, let’s go."

Yunera stood there in shock.

Kimmy pulled the hem of Yunera’s clothes and glanced towards Hans’s straight back.

"Sister, we should join him," Kimmy clenched her fist. "I have a feeling... his meeting with that scientist is anything but ordinary."