First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 190
Chapter 190: Old Soldier
"Cornell~" Harry's mech called from outside, "I'm here to pick you up! Everyone come out!"
Cornell said: "Let's go, prepare to evacuate."
The group stood up and filed out one after another.
As Lian Sheng passed by Cornell, she tilted her head to look at him and whispered: "Today I finally remembered who you resemble."
Cornell froze slightly.
Lian Sheng smiled at him, then caught up with the group.
Harry's mech waited outside, cautiously scanning the surroundings to ensure safety.
"Stay alert for any stray bullets - I can't guarantee the area's clear," Harry said. "This place is completely chaotic now. The opposing armed forces have declared they'll accept all surrendering civilians without harming them, promising to jointly build a peaceful Kafa."
Lian Sheng: "And everyone just cheered and agreed?"
Harry said: "Well, most did anyway."
If many civilians surrendered to the enemy, the military couldn't possibly attack them. Winning the war would be meaningless otherwise.
These were precisely the people Kafa wanted to protect.
Since the armed forces wouldn't harm them either, they... were indeed safe for now.
One might call it reckless confidence, but they had few alternatives. The armed forces' earlier indiscriminate attacks had served as both a powerful deterrent and undermined the civilians' faith in their own military as they watched people die before their eyes.
They wanted to survive, even by the most ignoble means. Having endured so much already, they refused to let it end here - they still wanted to see the wider world.
Violence proved far more effective than kindness. The will to live outweighed any national grievances.
Harry suddenly asked: "Who exactly are we fighting now?"
The group fell silent.
Harry turned back: "Cornell, can we take them back?"
Cornell offered no response.
"Do you love Kafa? Even in its current state?" Lian Sheng said. "If you do, don't ask whether it's possible. Just take them back. See if they truly wish to abandon this place."
Harry asked cautiously: "And if they do?"
Lian Sheng said: "If everyone wants to give up, then there's no point in holding on."
Harry: "..."
They exited the factory, moving under Harry's protection toward the next safe location.
This hideout had been selected by the Alliance rescue forces based on maps and real-time intelligence to prevent leaks from potential informants within Kafa.
The Alliance rescue troops had already reached Kafa District.
En route, Lian Sheng reported in advance to request combat authorization. The response instructed them to await further contact after strategic decisions were finalized.
Their new shelter was a basement. With lights on, the group crowded inside.
Harry remained engaged in distant combat while keeping watch.
After thirty minutes, the Alliance rescue team finally made contact.
"This is the Seventh Division of the Third Expeditionary Army Corps, currently responsible for your mission. Rendezvous at point C16 - see it on your maps? Move out immediately," the voice said. "How many of you are coming?"
Lian Sheng raised her hand: "One."
Zhao Zhuoluo: "Two."
Lian Sheng: "Two denied."
Fang Jianchen: "Two."
Zhao Zhuoluo argued: "I'm completely—"
Ye Buqing: "Three."
Eventually everyone volunteered, making Zhao Zhuoluo even more unwilling to stay behind alone.
"All coming? No issues?" the veteran on comms said. "There's a Lian Sheng among you, right? Select your team."
Lian Sheng quickly assessed the group, pointing to those showing fatigue or previous injuries: "You'll remain here supporting each other until we return."
She added firmly: "That's an order - no objections. Save your determination speeches, I'm not listening."
The selected members seemed torn between relief and exhaustion but didn't protest, sitting down to rest.
Sixteen trainees prepared for combat with only thirteen firearms between them - they'd need to scavenge weapons en route.
As they geared up, Lian Sheng glanced at her short sleeves. Her jacket long discarded and night approaching with its chill, she noted another item for the scavenging list.
Ah yes, and bulletproof vests too.
Cornell relayed their status to Harry, coordinating with command before reporting: "I'm accompanying you. Kafa forces will supply equipment shortly."
Harry retrieved them, guiding the group toward the objective. The map showed close proximity, so they proceeded on foot.
Harry scouted ahead, clearing obstacles while the armed group followed cautiously.
They traversed several blocks. Perhaps too distant from the central district with civilians already evacuated to shelters, they encountered little danger or even people.
Occasional Kafa patrols shared intelligence about the road ahead.
At the equipment handoff point, a military supply truck waited.
"I can't proceed further in this mech," Harry said. "I'll transfer it to a teammate and join you on foot. Wait here."
As his mech departed, the group retrieved crates from the truck containing bulletproof vests and explosive ordnance.
They upgraded their gear right there in the street.
"Only use explosives in emergencies," the supply soldier cautioned. "With Kafa in chaos, those blocking you may be manipulated civilians. Prioritize containment and intimidation over lethal force."
Lian Sheng said: "Understood."
Harry returned alone with additional weapons, ensuring ample ammunition.
After thorough equipment checks, Harry took point: "I'll lead. Follow me."
Following the map while avoiding conflict zones, they navigated side streets.
Fifteen minutes later, they reached the rendezvous.
Civilians-clad figures whose bearing betrayed military training crouched at a corner, weapons ready as they periodically scanned the area.
Spotting the group's approach, they raised weapons until identities were confirmed via comms.
"Finally!" one exclaimed. "What took so long? We picked the closest spot - couldn't you at least 'tap tap' your way here if not 'whoosh'?"
The group: "..."
The group: "..."
The group: "..."
The group: "..."
How does one even respond to that?
The veteran raised his comm: "Sync systems for location sharing."
They reconfigured their comm channels accordingly.
"We're Kafa's Anti-Rebel Civilian Militia - a voluntary armed force opposing terrorists masquerading as peace activists to disrupt social order," the man extended his hand. "As decade-long Kafa residents, we welcome you."
Nobody retained that convoluted introduction.
Lian Sheng ventured: "So we're...?" Awaiting their new cover identities.
"Don't you know who you are? Why ask us?" the veteran said. "Aren't you Alliance trainees? Stick to your roles - no improvising, got it?"
One veteran monitored the perimeter while their leader briefed the situation.
"Alright, Sixth Squad... no, we're family now. Big families require discipline - listen carefully," the leader said. "Our objective is locating enemy headquarters. First disable their armory, then secure all hostages."
"Know the situation? Under the Peace Accord, if sufficient citizens legally renounce their governing body, it becomes binding. They're coercing residents to sign secession documents. If they gain nominal majority, Gelen forces can openly intervene."
This would render Kafa's military defeat inevitable without combat. Though technically, the territory already belonged to the Alliance.
"Regardless of their actual chances, we must stop them," the veteran said grimly. "Kafa forces can't fire on hostages - the political fallout would be catastrophic. So we'll do it. To prevent further bloodshed, we'll excise the tumor at its source."
Lian Sheng: "Hostages?"
The veteran insisted: "Precisely - hostages. Coerced signatures lack legal validity. We just need them to recant before deadlines. The Alliance won't tolerate further territorial violations - no negotiations this time."
Lian Sheng: "What about enemy HQ? Located?"
"Naturally," the veteran said. "Their rapid troop movements suggest proximity to the central district without being too conspicuous. District Twelve isn't large - any signal-blocked zones from our scans must contain their base. Simple."
The group had an epiphany. Made perfect sense.
Lian Sheng asked: "How many potential locations?"
"Few dozen maybe," the veteran said. "We cast a wide net with signal jamming detection to avoid missing anything, so the search area's somewhat... expansive."
"..." The group: "..."
"We're splitting up - we're shorthanded. All red zones are suspect. Leave no stone unturned, especially at marked high-risk locations." The veteran pointed ahead: "That's the conflict border - mixed enemy and friendly forces. Low threat but stay alert."
Lian Sheng sensed something off: "We're...?"
The veteran patted her shoulder approvingly: "Sharp kid! You're great at follow-up questions!"
Lian Sheng: "..."
"Teams of six, sweeping sectors from four directions. Many locations await - this won't be easy." The veteran said: "Team assignments - volunteer or random draw?"
Lian Sheng said: "Let's self-organize."
Cornell, Harry, Lian Sheng and Fang Jianchen - all competent marksmen - were distributed across teams.
The veteran expedited the process by direct assignment, appointing team leaders unilaterally.
The Alliance had coddled them, fearing casualties.
But the Expeditionary Forces took over and unleashed them like hounds.
The whiplash was jarring.
"Protect yourselves - we can't babysit you. Soldiers needing protection don't deserve their uniforms. Don't embarrass the Lieutenant Colonel," the veteran said. "The opposition's accuracy is dismal anyway - perfect training conditions."
He clapped a young man's shoulder: "Wear your vests. Come back alive!"
"We're shorthanded - no backing out now." Adopting a no-escape attitude, he produced a display: "Team leaders pick your routes and move out!"
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