SS1 4.1 - Long Line of Bait
The production for civilian Toyota HMV had discontinued since 2002, so I thought I could get my hand only on second-hand HMV. However, when I searched for it using my tablet, I got an offer for fresh built and it was the exact car for JSDF like my old one.
I don’t get it how that’s possible. Not to mention, when I checked the engine I found it had the original spec of Toyota HMV, without component replacement or supplementation from newer technology.
It had old-tech 4.1L turbo diesel intercooler, along with 4-speed automatic transmission and 2-speed transfer to all four wheels power. In short, it was freaking pre-historic power train. However, this pre-historic engine was the reason why Toyota HMV possessed robust and unmatched field reliability. It had no problem digesting trash quality fuel in long duration, and required only simple maintenance to keep it running in peak performance.
Meanwhile, the rear compartment had a bit different feature compared to my old HMV. Instead of foldable long bench, each side had four foldable seats equipped with seat belt. The portable room heater located under the foldable seat on the right, just behind the driver seat, was also from the latest model.
Other than that, a portable auxiliary power unit was tightly secured in the floor just behind the passenger seat. Next to it, I found a compact compartment that stored small electric stove, 1.5 liter electric kettle, a skillet, and 4 set of eating utensil made of aluminum. My old HMV didn’t have this feature, and it made me exited. It made thing easier in case I had to stay in the wild for days.
And as currently it was late spring, I decided to take off the door, wind shield, and canvas that cover rear compartment. Then, I installed the roll-cage and weapon mounting kit on the rooftop and in front of passenger seat. In short, I went to roll-cage configuration in olive green. Once I confirmed the configuration, color, and specification were exactly the way I wanted, I made the payment.
The whole package cost me USD 125.000. It was almost two times more expensive than my old HMV, but I had no regret. It was a fresh built HMV after all, something that I failed to get my hand on when I was in earth.
A moment later, I received a notification that I had a Toyota HMV in my inventory. I immediately took it out and went for a little test drive. Right now, I could only do a little test drive, but tomorrow I would definitely took the HMV for a full-speed and full-course drive.
Then, I just got down from the HMV when two hunters came out from the lounge and walked over to me. If I recalled it correctly, the one in the left was Hou Lie Fuk while the one in the right was Hou Lie Sie. They were siblings from China.
“That’s a nice car,” Hou Lie Fuk cheerfully said. “Can we borrow it for a joy ride? We will return it in 2-3 days.”
“Nope,” I flatly replied, while wondering what kind of people who tried to borrow a brand new car from someone they just met. ‘Bully? Or maybe, shameless?’
“Brother, come on,” Hou Lie Fuk said. “We all are family here. You don’t need to acts like stranger.”
“I’m not your family,” I gave another flat reply. “And in fact, we are in just stranger who just met.”
“Even if we are not family and only stranger who just met, you should know how to treat your senior better,” Hou Lie Fuk said as cheerful expression in his face evaporated. “In this place, seniority is paramount.”
“You are not my senior,” I said as I put the HMV back into my inventory.
“Can you see that we just try to befriend you? We are doing you a favor here.”
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“I don’t need your favor or friendship.”
“Listen to me fool,” Hou Lie Fuk suddenly snapped. “Your team is not here right now, so don’t create trouble and show some respect to hunter who have worked here longer than you.”
“What trouble did I create?” I mockingly asked. “Did I come to you and bother you? No, it’s you who come to me and bother me.”
“Big Brother Fuk, let’s forget it,” Hou Lie Sie said. “It’s just trashy Japanese car. It’s not worth our attention.”
“Yeah.” Hou Lie Fuk snorted before adding, “Chinese car is much better, and even though haters keep badmouthing it with fake data, Chinese EV still dominates the field with the highest safety record never seen since the dawn of automotive industry.”
“Yeah, it’s thanks to the party that China become so advance in various field.”
After a smile Hou Lie Sie proudly expressed his fascist fetish, “Glory to the party!”
“Glory to the party!”
I couldn’t help but want to puke as soon as the rubbish talk from two commies before me hit my ear. I had no interest in Chinese car, but I still got my hand on some pieces of valid information about it. Take their EV for example. It turned into bonfire left and right, so how could it have the highest safety record. The other example was their military jeep. It broke right away after hitting a roadside curb and created a traffic jam in the middle of a coup.
Therefore, I couldn’t help but felt an urge to give the fools a reality slap. Fortunately, I managed to hold it back to prevent further tension. Then, after giving me a sharp glare Hou Lie Fuk and Hou Lie Sie turned around and returned to lounge.
As for me, I heaved a deep sigh. Entering radar of annoying fools was not a good thing. I should avoid them as many as I could. And so, I went up to the wall, looking for fresh air to brighten my mood.
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The defensive wall that circled Karmen was 12 meters high, and its top part was wide enough for six adult to walk side by side. I scaled the wall using steps near the gate, so after arriving at the top of the wall I could clearly see people who were going in and going out through the gate.
Then, a guard on duty walked over to me. “Are you hunter on back-up duty?”
“Yeah,” I replied as I put forward my hand. “Shimon Bergensen, Pukin’ Dogs. You can call me Berg and nice to meet you.”
“Kurk, just Kurk.” The guard shook my hands as he added, “And nice to meet you too.”
After a smile I turned my gaze to the gate. “Is the traffic in the north gate always this high?”
“We will celebrate Karmen anniversary in a few days, and it is four day long festival.” Kurk explained. “That’s why lot of merchant and entertainer from other town come here to sell their craft.”
“I see.”
I then turned my gaze to the long line of carts that waiting their turn to enter the town. Some carts were being permitted to carry entrance registration after entering the gate and being asked to line up in the training field near the guard office. However, outside the gate there were still about 30 carts waiting for their turn, while the training field still had enough space to accommodate them.
“Is it really okay to let a long line of carts and people stays outside the wall?”
“It is fine,” Kurk casually replied.
“Really?” Big question mark instantly popped up on my forehead. “I read a report that such a long line will become easy target for wyvern’s dive and snatch hunting style, and currently a troublesome wyvern has entered Karmen vicinity.”
“Do you realize that the guards and ballista crew on the wall are rather slack right now?” Kurk casually asked.
After checking the guards and ballista crew in the wall I nodded. “Don’t tell me you guys are setting a trap for Old Jack right now?”
“Exactly,” Kurk firmly replied.
“Using civilian from other town?”
“That’s the order from higher-ups. We have no say in this matter?”
“Do you plan to nail Old Jack using ballista?”
“No, of course not. Ordinary ballista is not enough to kill a wyvern.” Kurk turned his gaze to a nice small house next to the guard office as he added, “A young knight from Silva Family and his servants are standing by in that guest house.
He is a specialist javelin thrower and so far he already kills three wyverns using his javelin. Once we spot Old Jack make a dive on the bait, we will ring the silent alarm and let the young knight nail it using his javelin.”
“I see.”
I said nothing further, but deep down I had big frown. When I went to report to officer in duty, I passed the guest house and I smelled a thick scent of alcohol from inside of this nice small house, along with laughter of young man. It didn’t need bright brain to know that alcohol and waiting for a prey to enter killing zone was not a good mix.
And even if, let’s say, the alcohol was only an act. I still think the plan was too reckless. The bait was too big and too open. It could lead into high number of unnecessary death. However, there was a possibility I missed one or two vital information from the plan, so I just tightly zipped my mouth.
*****