part 1
The air was thick with dust, swirling in the wind like ghosts of the past. Distant rumbles of thunder hinted at storms that rarely brought rain, only more desolation to the already ravaged landscape. Wanderer emptied his water canteen, the last drops slipping through his fingers like the fleeting hope of relief. He glanced at the recruits, noting the signs of heat stroke on some of their faces. Their underground skin was still adapting to the harsh sun above, and he felt a pang of responsibility for their well-being.
"You cannot apply kindness and understanding to others if you have not applied it to yourself," he reminded himself, a mantra that echoed in his mind. He turned to the squad leaders, his voice firm. "Double-check your supplies. We can't afford to lose anyone out here."
Later, the Young Commander climbed onto the hood of the lead vehicle, surveying his assembled squad with a fierce gaze. His voice boomed over the rumble of engines, filled with determination and barely contained excitement.
"Listen up, everyone! Today, we embark on a mission that will cement the SWAT's dominance over this godforsaken wasteland! Our target: a nest of those disgusting mutants, the True Horde!"
A few cheers rose from the ranks, but the Young Commander silenced them with a raised fist.
"But remember, this won't be easy! These freaks fight dirty, and they don't care about rules or honor. They're savage beasts, and we need to treat them as such!" His eyes narrowed, focusing intently on each member of the squad. "I expect nothing less than perfection from every single one of you."
Furqan and Chrome watched the Young Commander's performance with a mix of admiration and concern. The man had ambition, but his methods were questionable. "Good," Wanderer muttered, "be aggressive. But don't fall for their traps. Follow the drills, and we might come back."
Turning to Wanderer, the Young Commander's tone softened slightly. "I know you're used to operating independently, but today, we're all in this together. Follow my orders, stay sharp, and trust your comrades. Remember, our goal is to eliminate the mutant threat without sacrificing too many of our own." He paused, his gaze sweeping across their faces. "And don't worry, I won't hold it against you if you take a few extra trophies from the enemy. Just keep the focus on the mission."
With a final, decisive nod, the Young Commander leaped down from the vehicle, striding purposefully toward the front lines. "Alright, let's move out! Show these mutants what the SWAT is made of!"
Wanderer's mercenaries murmured their agreement, their faces set in determined expressions. They may not be used to taking orders other beside wanderer, but they understood the importance of the mission at hand. Furqan and Chrome exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them. They were ready for battle.
wanderer cars move first in front. their rusty rugged appearance and non artistic cars is contrast on more standardized SWAT vehicles which had blue paint job, Wanderer mobile home is ride close to Young Commander Jeeps,
as the terrain turn into brown reddish platou, the Young Commander led the way, his small frame brimming with confidence. His eyes scanned the horizon, taking in every detail, every possible hiding spot for the mutants.
"We've got to hit hard and fast," he murmured to himself, just loud enough for those nearby to hear. "We can't afford to give them time to regroup."
Wanderer interjected, "Let my force be the scouts ahead. We know we can't rely on maps."
The Young Commander nodded, acknowledging Wanderer's suggestion.
"Good call. We need to be prepared for anything. Send your best scouts ahead, cover the flanks, and watch for signs of ambushes." His gaze lingered on the horizon, watching as the first wave of scouts disappeared into the distance.
"Keep your comms open, everyone. If we see something, we say something."
Furqan and Chrome stood by, their weapons at the ready. Chrome glanced at the Young Commander, a hint of respect in his eyes.
"He's got guts, that one. Almost makes me forget he's just a kid," Chrome remarked.
After the scouts disappeared among the canyons and valleys, Wanderer turned to Chrome in the back seat.
"Oho. Does he remind you of yourself?"
Chrome chuckled wryly, a nostalgic look in his eyes. "I guess he does, in a way. Reminds me of myself when I was younger, all full of fire and brimstone."
Chrome glanced over at the Young Commander, who was issuing orders to his subordinates with practiced authority
"I was a hot-headed idiot, rushing into battles without thinking twice. But hey, it's a phase most of us go through in our youth, right?"
"Hmhm... it looks like that boy might be smarter than you," Wanderer teased, a smirk playing on his lips.
Chrome smirked back, clearly amused by Wanderer's remark. "Hey, watch your tone, old man. I may have been reckless back in the day, but I had my share of wins." He leaned back against the seat, folding his arms. "But I gotta admit, the boy does have promise. He's got charisma and a good sense of tactics. Might just make a decent leader one day."
Later, the scouts found a possible supply depot—a cave near a cliff, surrounded by a dozen tents. Wanderer, using his real-time psyche ability, relayed the intel to the Young Commander. The boy listened intently, his expression darkening as he processed the information.
"A cave... perfect for an ambush. And a dozen tents... that means there could be dozens of mutants inside." He paused, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the hilt of his gun. "Alright, here's what we're going to do..."
"Good... just like the usual formation? Light troops in front to absorb the incoming attack while the big guns stay in the back? Or do you have something else in mind?" Wanderer asked, curious about the Young Commander's strategy.
The Young Commander thought for a moment, his brow furrowed in concentration. Then, a sly grin spread across his face. "No, I'm thinking something different. We're going to split our forces into two groups. One will take the high ground, the other will approach from the rear. That should keep us from getting surrounded."
His eyes glinted with excitement. "And if we're lucky, we might even catch them off guard."
"Not bad. Alright, let's get going," Wanderer replied, nodding in approval.
With a nod, the Young Commander began issuing orders to his men, assigning each soldier their specific task. "Move out! First group, take the high ground. Second group, flank around from the rear. Let's move!"
As the order was given, the soldiers sprang into action, moving swiftly toward their designated positions. The Young Commander stayed behind for a moment longer, ensuring everything was in place before joining the fray himself. Wanderer watched with a mix of admiration and concern as the troops moved out. He trusted the Young Commander's strategy, but he couldn't help but worry about the safety of his own mercenaries, especially the younger ones.
In the eerie silence of the wasteland, the psychic energies of the mutants seemed to pulse in the air, creating an almost tangible tension that made the hairs on the back of their necks stand on end, as if the very environment was alive with unseen forces. They waited for a while for the first force to pick up the high ground while Wanderer's force prepared to attack from the rear. The air was hot, Wanderer could see all of his crew drenched in sweat.
their eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of the mutants. Chrome fidgeted with his revolver, unable to keep still. Furqan, on the other hand, remained tense and alert, his mind focused on the upcoming battle.
"The command is too loose for me," Wanderer said, turning to Chrome. "When the attack starts, we will use a circle tactic. Take out the outer force before we go deeper. Meanwhile, let Shizuka act as our backup in the back."
Chrome nodded, his expression serious. He seemed relieved to have more specific orders to follow. "Copy that. I'll relay the order to the others. Once the outer force is out of the way, we'll push forward."
"Good." Wanderer then dismounted from the mobile home and mounted his dirt bike, while Chrome took the driver’s seat. Furqan remained in the front seat, focused on the terrain map, while shizuka lead few warband on rear position
Wanderer glanced at his watch. Just a few minutes remained before the attack. He placed his finger on his right forehead, activating his real-time psyche to address his mercenaries. "This is it, boys. Some of us might die. Some of us might feast tomorrow. No matter the path we take, we will meet Gott.... Do your job, and let Gott do the rest."
Each of the mercs in Wanderer's force listened intently as his words washed over them. Their expressions ranged from determination to nervousness, but each one nodded in understanding. Chrome glanced over at Wanderer, a mixture of skepticism and respect in his eyes.
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"Feast or meet God, huh? Not very reassuring, boss," Chrome remarked.
"They are recruits. I still can't use a more arousing speech with them. I don’t want them to break," Wanderer replied with a chuckle.
Chrome chuckled dryly at Wanderer's words. "Fair enough. Can't have them pissing themselves before the battle even starts."
Furqan turned around, his gaze locked on Wanderer. "They're ready. Just waiting for the signal."
Part 2
Later, the two forces took their positions, ready to attack the mutant nest. In the distance, the mutants were gathered around long tables, engaged in their ritualistic meal, their guard lowered.
The Young Commander signaled for silence, his eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before them. He tightened his grip on his rifle, watching the mutants completely unaware of the impending danger.
"This is too easy," he whispered. "They think they're safe because of their numbers. But we've got them right where we want them."
He turned to Wanderer who in his dirt bike, fierce determination burning in his gaze. "On my mark, we strike. Remember, aim for the head. Don't waste your ammo on body shots."
"Roger that," Wanderer replied, his voice steady.
The Young Commander took a deep breath, steeling himself for the violence to come. With a sharp nod, he gave the signal for the assault to begin.
"Now!"
A chorus of gunfire erupted from both sides as the soldiers opened fire on the unsuspecting mutants. Chaos descended upon the ritual site, the air filled with screams, crunching bone,
"Their defenses are down! Press the attack!" the Young Commander shouted above the din, urging his troops onward. "Don't let them regroup!"
"Crush them!" Wanderer commanded, leading the rear strikes. Their vehicles arrived among the canyons, moving and firing from their mounted machine guns while the rest shot from their seats with small arms.
As the assault unfolded, the Young Commander remained focused on the battlefield, barking orders to his troops and coordinating the attack. He spotted Wanderer leading the rear strikes, their vehicles causing havoc among the mutant ranks.
"Good work, Wanderer!" he shouted over the radio. "Keep up the pressure! We need to break their morale!"
The Young Commander's attention was drawn to a group of mutants attempting to flank their position. He quickly rallied a squad to counter the threat, ordering them to hold the line until reinforcements could arrive.
"Remember, every mutant we kill today is one less enemy we'll face tomorrow!"
"Don't tell me," Wanderer replied, his voice calm but hinting at irritation. He kept focusing on leading individual troops with his ability while the mutants scrambled to their tents and armory, returning with weapons for a counterattack.
the mutant armed with bows,clubs, claws, shotgun and bolt action rifle. the mutant with extra limb use his small arms to carry the arrows make them able to deliver quick shot, while mutants with powerful legs jump to the higher ground to mount the machine gun nest.
Watching the battle unfold, the Young Commander felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins. His eyes darted across the battlefield, scanning for weaknesses and opportunities.
"Don't stop, Wanderer!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing through the headset. "They're putting up a fight – it's time to finish them off!"
He watched as a group of mutants attempted to overrun a SWAT squad, their claws and teeth proving formidable opponents despite the overwhelming odds.
"Fall back! Regroup at the ridge!" he commanded "We'll hit them from high ground."
Despite the chaos around him, the Young Commander maintained an aura of calm. Chrome fired a few more shots into the charging mutants with his revolver on top of mobile home just after his machinegun barrel jammed because the overheating, his aim impeccable as ever.
"This is getting rough. We can't keep holding them off forever," Chrome said,
Wanderer looked at his Mad Max cars and dirt bikes, one by one being destroyed by mutant fire arrows and rockets. "Alright, do as drilled. Feign retreat."
Chrome grinned, his eyes lighting up at the order. "Heh, I like the sound of that. Feigning retreat always gets 'em riled up."
Later, the rear force turned back while their mounted guns continued to fire. Among the mutants, wolf riders began to chase the rear force. the oversized wolf used for ride, they are jumping from plateau to other, armed with sword and shotgun. their rider is paint their face full red, created sense of intimidation
"Damn... looks like we've got some wolf riders on our tail. Those things are fast," Chrome observed as they moving closer, his expression tense.
The wolf riders picked off stranded soldiers with ease. "Don't fall behind! Or you will die!" Wanderer relayed the order while shooting any mutant within shotgun range, still mounted on his dirt bike.
"Copy that. We aren't gonna let those furries pick us off one by one," Chrome replied,
While on run Wanderer then threw his drone into the sky, watching its path with keen interest. The aerial view revealed the strategic maneuver underway—luring the bulk of the mutant forces away from their base to chase the rear force while only a small number chased the first force on high ground. "Good! Let’s drive these freaks to the Young Commander. They won’t expect it!"
Chrome grinned, excitement gleaming in his eyes. "I like the way you think, boss. Let's give 'em a little surprise attack from behind."
Wanderer watched the battle unfold from the drone monitor while driving. His gaze sharpened as he spotted a familiar silhouette emerge from the ridge. It was the Young Commander, leading the charge. The SWAT forces were well-organized, their movements precise and coordinated.
Later, the Young Commander launched a sudden attack on the mutant who was chasing the rear force. The mutant wolf rider couldn’t dodge the onslaught, and as confusion spread among the rest of the mutants,
the rear force, under Wanderer’s orders, turned back to join the fray. Their trucks and Mad Max cars crushed the disoriented mutants beneath their wheels.
The vehicles they rode, though battered and bruised, seemed capable of holding their own against the mutant horde. Dust kicked up by the skirmish obscured much, yet the sounds of gunfire, bone crush and explosions provided an unmistakable soundtrack to the unfolding drama.
wanderer then dismount from his bike and mount to mobile home for better view, As the dust settled momentarily, revealing a section of the battlefield, Wanderer spotted something unexpected. It was Shizuka, leading a small group of her followers into the thick of things.
Her presence is help to deal with mutants who trying flank Wanderer and Swat,
“Hey... isn’t that Shizuka over there? What’s she doing here?” Chrome asked, noticing her too.
“Itchy...” Wanderer replied, his voice calm but hinting at irritation.
Chrome gave Wanderer a quizzical look, raising an eyebrow. “Itchy? What do you mean by that?”
“You don’t know her? Well, never mind... you’ll see for yourself.”
Chrome still looked confused but shrugged it off, refocusing his attention on the aftermath of the battle. “Alright... Guess I’ll leave you to your mysterious insights, boss.”
the empty desert plain filled by wrecks and dead body
“They decimated... it’s time to attack or never,” Wanderer stressed to the Young Commander.
The Young Commander nodded slowly, As the Young Commander gave the order to press forward,
As they moved closer to the mutant nest, among the tents, they could see women and children running around while mutant men mounted their machine gun turrets and ballistae (big crossbow).
With a grim set to his jaw, Wanderer signaled for his team to advance cautiously, The enemy’s defenses were formidable—towering walls made of scrap metal and reinforced with spikes designed to maim and kill.
“Alright, men. You know the drill... switch your weapons to fire arrows and explosives. We will take down their defensive structure,” Wanderer commanded.
Chrome nodded, quickly switching his weapon to fire arrows. “Got it, boss. Let’s light them up.”
With a hiss of hydraulics, the machine gun turret on mobile home retracted, replaced by a rack of high-tech crossbows. Each bolt glinted menacingly, tipped with razor-sharp arrowheads and miniature explosives designed to breach even the toughest armor.
“On my mark... fire! Fire at will! Light them up!” he shouted.
At the command, he released the bolt, watching as it arced through the air towards its target. A split second later, there was a loud explosion, followed by another, and another.
The fortified walls of the mutant stronghold began to crumble under the onslaught of explosives. while mutant machine gun turrets and ballistae is out of range, unable to return fire
Wanderer’s team followed suit, each member unleashing a barrage of bolts aimed at different parts of the defensive structure. Smoke billowed up from multiple points along the wall, obscuring their view momentarily.
Chrome grinned as the explosion and smoke filled the air, his finger itching on the trigger. “Looks like our little surprise worked, boss. Those mutants are in for a rude awakening.”
“I can smell blood and cooked meat,” Wanderer commented, then ordered to stop the attack after the mutants ceased returning fire.
Chrome looked at him in surprise. “Stop the attack? But why? We’re really giving them hell here.”
“This ammo is expensive... we can’t just spend it on obscure targets,” Wanderer replied.
Chrome nodded in understanding, reluctantly lowering his crossbow. “Alright, I get it. We don’t want to waste our resources on scattered targets. But damn, it feels good to show those mutants what we’re made of.”
Wanderer stood at the forefront,he took a heavy sigh, his voice steady and commanding. "Alright, lead the troops. We will go closer to their nest."
Chrome nodded while dismount from mobile home. "Roger that, boss. I'll lead us in. Let's see what these mutants are hiding in their home base."
As the smoke cleared, Wanderer led his team cautiously towards the breached stronghold on foot, keeping a watchful eye out for any signs of immediate danger. Upon reaching the made by bones entrance, he signaled for his men to fan out and secure the perimeter, ensuring no surprises awaited them inside.
Approaching the outer wall, the acrid smell of burning flesh and synthetic materials filled the air, making his stomach churn. He covered his nose with his parfum smell handkerchief , trying to block out the nauseating stench.
Peeking over the rubble-strewn barrier, he was met with a gruesome sight. Mutant tents, once colorful and vibrant, now burned fiercely, casting an orange glow across the charred remains of the creatures that inhabited them. Countless bodies lay scattered, some still twitching in agony, others motionless and blackened. Arrows pierced several corpses,.
A sudden, pained scream echoed through the devastation, causing Wanderer to tense. He quickly checked his surroundings, its was sound of his men finish off the mutant on ground
“Hmm... we decimated them... we won,” he muttered, a mix of relief and sad washing over him.
The Young Commander who then behind him nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips as he surveyed the destruction. "Good job, Wanderer. We've dealt a significant blow to those filthy mutants."
He paused, looking thoughtful for a moment before continuing. "However, don't get too comfortable. There are likely more of them lurking nearby, waiting for an opportunity to strike back. We need to secure our perimeter and prepare for further attacks."
Turning to his squad, he barked orders, directing them to set up defensive positions and gather intelligence on the surrounding area. As they scrambled to obey,
the Young Commander fixed his gaze back on Wanderer, a calculating glint in his eye. "I trust you'll take care of any stragglers, Wanderer? We can't afford to let our guard down, not even for a moment."
"Roger that. Proceed to clean and loot," Wanderer replied, his tone firm.
As the Young Commander began issuing orders to his squad, Wanderer turned to leave, his steps echoing in the silence left behind by the battle, where the last few mutants lay lifeless. A pang of guilt hit him hard, but he shook it off quickly. This was war; it came with its share of sacrifices.
Approaching one of the mutants, he checked for signs of life. Finding none, he moved onto the next, repeating the process until he was certain they were all dead. Satisfied, he started looting their bodies, collecting anything valuable—weapons, ammunition, food rations—anything that could be useful to the SWAT.
Chrome approached him, looking around at the carnage they had wrought. "Damn, boss. We really did a number on these mutants. Can't say I feel bad for them, though. They had it coming."
Wanderer grunted in agreement, continuing to sift through the bodies for supplies. Despite his stern exterior, he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt at the sight of the mutant children amongst the dead.
After a solemn moment, he turned to Chrome with a lighter expression. "Well... what with that melancholic comment?"
Chrome shrugged, his expression less serious now. "Just thinking, boss. It's never easy taking lives, even if they are our enemies. Makes me wonder sometimes if there's any point to all this fighting."
"There is no point. We do it for... killing time," Wanderer replied bluntly.
Chrome raised an eyebrow at Wanderer's response. "Killing time, yeah. But don't you ever feel like there could be more to life? Like this constant fighting is just... empty?"
"What? Did your ruthless trait finally show a crack? What did your wife tell you this morning? Hmhm?" Wanderer teased.
Chrome's face flushed slightly at Wanderer's question, obviously touched upon a sensitive topic. He tried to hide it by grumbling. "Shut up, man. Don't bring her into this."
"I will bring her into this matter... especially... her trait," Wanderer shot back.
Chrome's expression darkened. "You really wanna go there, boss? Fine. You wanna know the truth? She's always saying the same damn thing—that I spend too much time away from our home, fighting pointless battles. She wants me to settle down, start a family, forget about this life of bloodshed."
"Really? Nodira said that to you? Very hard to believe... I thought she wanted to go kill more," Wanderer replied, skepticism lacing his tone.
Chrome's expression hardened. "What's so hard to believe? She's been saying it for months now. Every time we get back from a mission, she nags at me to find a way out of this life. It's like she's fed up with all the fighting and death."
"Alright... we will go with a few missions and a tour left for SWAT before we rest," Wanderer concluded.
Chrome nodded, still visibly frustrated. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Let's just get through these last few missions and then we can call it a day. I need some R&R to clear my head."
Later, after unloading the loot at the SWAT base, Wanderer looked at Furqan and Shizuka, who were in the warehouse after delivering the wounded to the medbay. "Are you two okay?"
Furqan with his white mask turn into blackish color, nodded wearily . "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a few scratches and bruises. Nothing major."
Shizuka rub her white hair and smiled weakly. "I'm alright too. Just a little tired from all the chaos."
"Yes, Shizuka... how many times have I told you not to turn off the comm? I know you're trying to help, but your force is for reinforcement only," Wanderer admonished gently.
Shizuka hung her head apologetically. "I know, I know. I just don't like sitting on the sidelines while you guys are in danger. I can handle myself, you know."
"Alright... we had a small problem with Chrome... he... had battle fatigue, I guess," Wanderer admitted.
Furqan looked surprised at that revelation. "Chrome? Battle fatigue? That doesn't sound like him at all. He's usually so level-headed, even in the heat of battle."
"Yes, it is... we need another lieutenant," Wanderer replied.
Shizuka tilted her head, concern etched on her face. "Who would we appoint as an interim lieutenant? We can't just pick anyone. It needs to be someone reliable and trustworthy."
"Don't tell me that... we will think it along the way. But for now, we are going to feast with the SWAT commanders," Wanderer said, shifting the focus.
Furqan grinned at the mention of the feast. "A feast, eh? That's just what we need to boost morale and clear our minds. I could really use a few drinks right now."