Chapter 16: Rush to the Northern Suburb
Northern Suburb Road intersection.
crouched in the observation post on the third floor of the east-side residential building, military binoculars braced firmly against his shoulder. The lenses swept across the road heading north toward the First People’s Hospital.
Abandoned vehicles littered the roadway, blocking half the lanes. Gray-blue zombie figures wandered sporadically in the gaps between the cars—roughly seventy or more.
Farther out, the hospital complex was swallowed by afternoon haze. Its dirty gray silhouette pressed down at the end of the road like a tombstone that hadn’t been moved.
lowered the binoculars. With quick, practiced movements, his fingertips sketched the street layout around the hospital on the windowsill dust.
Just then, a low diesel engine rumble rolled in from the direction of to the south, growing louder.
spun around and raised the binoculars again, aiming south.
In the dust, a formation of vehicles advanced steadily along the cleared road surface. The lead vehicle’s camouflage body was sharp-angled, and the heavy machine gun mounted on the roof caught the sunlight with a cold gleam—one of their Mengshi assault vehicles.
“Own convoy sighted from the south. Nine vehicles, full formation,” the scout reported at the same time. “Lead vehicle identification: .”
quickly climbed to the third floor, following ’s line of sight. His brow eased slightly. “The rear reinforcements have arrived.”
Half an hour earlier, compound.
Six Mengshi assault vehicles, one armored command vehicle, and two escorting ten-ton military cargo trucks entered the compound’s main gate in sequence.
Tires crunched over gravel, producing a fine, gritty sound.
After the lead Mengshi vehicle came to a stop, Leader pushed open the door and stepped out. His combat boots struck the concrete with a solid thud. He strode quickly toward , who was waiting on the steps. He snapped to attention and saluted.
“Reporting to the -in-Chief, has completed the supply escort mission. All personnel have returned. All seized equipment and supplies are intact. No casualties. No vehicle losses.”
returned the salute, his gaze sweeping across the convoy as the vehicles pulled in one after another.
“Unload. , take charge of inventory. Categorize everything into three groups: ordnance, protective gear, and supplies. Finish the count within one hour.”