Chapter 511 Dilemma
In the operations command center, General Luo watched the continuous reports of losses and casualties from all sides. The cigarette butt between his fingers had unintentionally burned his fingers. He slowly brought it to his lips, took a drag, and then looked at the dozen or so blurry figures affected by crimson light in the wartime holographic spectrum and said…
"Regardless of what Phoenix does, the fact that Nantianmen has located this place means that the direction we need to move to has been determined."
"Today, the 13th Brigade successfully broke through from Raven Pass. Including the overall march, the total distance was less than 30 li. At this rate, even with reinforcements, it will take at least 5 to 7 days to transfer all the trains to the eastern track. What do you all think?"
General Zeng Weiguo of the 22nd Brigade said, "Today's encirclement and suppression is even more intense than yesterday's. If this intensity continues, our column will probably be completely scattered in less than two days. It will be almost impossible for such a large marching force to regroup."
He glanced at the commanders of the other combat units and said coldly, "I still maintain my suggestion: intensify the night march and actively disrupt this so-called 'routine'."
"Your suggestion didn't work before, and it's even less likely to work after today's heavy losses." General Li Sheng rejected it outright. He adjusted his glasses and calmly analyzed, "The saying goes, 'One effort, then decline, then exhaustion.' Our major charge failed nine days ago. Now, proceeding step by step is the strategy with the least losses and the longest advance. Because of the Scarlet problem, logistics replenishment is simply not smooth. Every full-body power armor is precious, and those in half-body power armor can only stay in the vehicle compartment. If there's even a crack in the compartment, half of them will die..."
"Not to mention, the track-laying speed is already at its limit. Forcing a night march under these circumstances would be tantamount to playing with fire." He looked at the holographic screens of everyone and said in a deep voice, "You must understand, it is we who need rest, not the monsters..."
"Gentlemen, please allow me to offer some simple thoughts."
At this moment, a cold voice from a distant holographic projection spoke. There were three or four figures in the projection, all with European features. The leader was not tall but had a handsome face and sharp eyes. He had a short buzz cut and always seemed to be smiling.
This man, Edgar Sean, was a former Marine Corps ace. After the Apocalypse, he quickly assembled a team of saviors, seized a transcontinental Eurasian mega-train from the apocalypse thugs, and transformed it into the Apocalypse Train. During their escape from the Abyss, the train developed and merged along the way, becoming a colossal 'rail city' over 12 kilometers long and housing nearly 90,000 people. He followed the European Storm Alliance and, after joining forces with the Dawn Center, found himself in the current perilous situation.
"Captain Sean, please speak." General Luo gestured for him to speak.
"I have a different opinion regarding the information you just provided."
Sean spoke calmly, but very quickly: "First of all, I don't think Phoenix would send an army-level support. This is more likely just a pinpoint firing from orbit. Of course, the fact that it was so precise and timely means that the polar regions might know our coordinates or even our battle situation."
General Luo nodded: "That's right, it is indeed possible."
"Furthermore, after these past few days of operations, we have come to believe that the frequent attacks of the Crimson Tide are aimed at hindering our march and relocation, and I think the ultimate reason is very close to the delay speculation put forward by Infinite four days ago."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed slightly, and their gazes turned towards the holographic screen of the Infinity Ship. Chen Sixuan listened quietly to the discussion without speaking immediately.
"Using the monster horde to delay our evacuation, then waiting for that world-class disaster to emerge from underground again and wipe us out?" Zeng Weiguo's expression was grave. "I don't disagree with this guess. Two months ago, our Dawn Center and the North American United Front combined their main forces, with Marshal Li Heping personally in charge. We deployed more than three columns, nine Iron Guard brigades, and four 'Dragon-class' Emperor-class mechs from Project Emperor to fight that thing inside and outside the canyon for two days and nights. The commander even fired 13 shots from the South Heavenly Gate, but we still couldn't defeat that monster. After the main force lost contact with us, all the observational intelligence our reconnaissance teams obtained indicated that this monster was chasing the Dawn Center southward..."
"So General Zeng is more inclined to believe that these monsters were mobilized by an S-class creature, rather than that world-class one?" General Li Sheng said at this moment.
"Judging from the current situation, the fact that the 'Black Disc' was killed and the monster tide was defeated today speaks volumes, doesn't it?"
Li Sheng nodded slightly, offering no opinion, and continued to look in that direction at Sean.
After the two finished speaking, Sean continued, "Actually, after fighting against multiple S-class creatures, we have made many observations on various phenomena. The threshold for the fluctuation of the spirit value of S-class creatures is very large, especially for nest-like creatures like the [Black Disc]. But even so, the range that it can cover is limited."
He turned around and said, "Marcus~"
The team member named Marcus immediately handed over a data sheet containing intelligence gathered by their convoy while providing support to various battlefield areas.
"Besides the Phoenix's observation and recording of the strange creatures, most of the strange creatures we encountered were unrecorded. So, our Utopia built its own internal system to identify and record monsters, mainly based on their appearance, the range of their spirit-dispelling value, and the potential damage they might cause. Of course, we also give them nicknames. For example, in Redstone Rift, the flying strange creatures that Black Disc throws down from the sky are like manta rays. Our Jenny named these monsters 'Witch Bats.' In Blackstone Plains, in Area H, besides the Crimson Zombies, what flies down from the sky is a four-winged moray eel-like monster with an average wingspan of 15-18 meters. Its body is like asphalt, and its suction cups are not only disgusting but can also shoot laser beams, causing us a lot of trouble. The 3rd, 6th, and 7th Regiments of the 13th Brigade should have a lot to say about this."
“Of course, there’s only one main point to make.” Sean zoomed in on the holographic screen, which displayed a large terrain model. The entire train track was divided into four winding areas, stretching from Redstone Rift Valley all the way to Hemlock Basin. The furthest point, Raven’s Pass, where several heavy machinery regiments and tank and mech battalions of the 13th Brigade were stationed, was at least 150 kilometers away from Redstone Rift Valley on the Sky Train’s side. The massive marching force of millions of people was forced to use a long, serpentine formation in such a narrow and deep area.
Although it was a last resort, relying on the heavy armor of the train lines was the best option. After all, the trains couldn't be folded up, and millions of people were crammed onto these doomsday trains. In this crimson light, it was their only refuge for survival.
“From the fossil forest H area of Blackrock Plains to Hemlock Plains, more than 16 different types of bizarre creatures have appeared, but the most unusual one is here.” Sean pointed: “At section 3 of G area, I have just received feedback from multiple convoys. The pressure of the monster horde starts to decrease from this section. No, it shouldn’t be said to decrease, but rather that the number of types has decreased from countless to only aerial monsters like ‘witch bats’ or some insects that are thrown down from the sky. The number of zombie hordes on the ground has decreased significantly, as have the other monsters. This transition seems very strange to me.”
"However, if we draw a radius around the area where the black disk fell..."
He drew an arc on the holographic blueprint with his finger, and many people's eyes narrowed slightly at this moment, because within this range, the types of strange tides and the areas of impact clearly showed different characteristics.
“The area affected by the black disk is limited. Although it is moving, it seems that the monster is not necessarily the one that is ‘patterning’ other areas,” General Li Sheng said solemnly.
"So, there's a second S-class?" Zeng Weiguo immediately asked.
“His meaning is very clear.” At this moment, the Infinite Alliance, who had been silent until now, spoke up. It was Jian Xuwei, who was next to Chen Sixuan, who pointed to the latter half of the sand table: “After coming out of the Grand Canyon, all the areas here are attacking simultaneously. This means that either there are at least 4 to 5 S-class monsters surrounding us and launching strange waves of attacks on us during our daytime troop movements in some strange ‘pattern,’ or all the strange entities, including the ‘Black Disc,’ are following a unified command.”
“That’s right, we all think so.” Chen Sixuan said at this time, “Logically speaking, these scarlet monsters should be more ferocious in the dark, but Tide appears during the day, which is the first problem.”
"After we successfully broke out of the canyon, those relentless monster tides suddenly turned into regular harassments. That's the second problem," Jiang Yun added.
"There's a third problem." Shi Diyuan, clad in battle armor, crossed his arms and spoke in a chilling voice on the holographic screen: "We rest at night, and they rest too. The moment we start marching, the monster tide comes immediately. It's absolutely infuriating!"
General Li Sheng pondered for a moment: "It's as if they've figured out our movements and are deliberately toying with us."
“But I don’t understand.” General Zeng Weiguo looked puzzled. He looked in the direction of the Infinite Alliance and Sean and said, “If that world-class monster is still in North America, why doesn’t it just come out and wipe us all out? Does the monster have some kind of military strategy?”
General Luo lit another cigarette. Smoke rose from his weathered, wrinkled face in the operations room. He squinted at the large operations screen and slowly spoke.
“Discipline, restraint—when these adjectives appear on these monsters, from the perspective of the Tower civilization, such top-level instructions must have strategic intent.”
After saying that, he nodded: "The Infinite Alliance and the Utopia's intentions are simple: as long as I don't move, they won't attack. And as long as we start marching, the monster tide won't stop. That's why they won't appear after nightfall. That's not the monsters' habit, but our 'habit.' These monsters are just holding us back...they..."
Old Luo exhaled a heavy puff of smoke, his eyes sharpening: "Indeed, we are waiting for the arrival of the apex predator!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the scene fell silent. The leaders of the Common Alliance, the Everlasting Day Team, and dozens of other large teams all looked suffocated.
General Li Sheng raised his eyes and looked at Sean: "Captain Sean, so what was the suggestion you didn't finish saying earlier?"
Everyone turned to look.
Sean then spoke up, "We have two strategies."
He opened the topographic map and quickly planned an area: "Judging from our current position, we are about 150 kilometers away from the closest section of the North American TC1765 eastern orbit. Considering that we need to bypass the Akilo Mountains and take flat terrain, it will be no less than 200 kilometers. Even if we proceed smoothly at the current pace, our ammunition will be insufficient. Taking the firepower deployment of the 13th and 22nd Iron Guard Brigades as an example, energy weapons and kinetic weapons account for about 60%-40%. Although energy weapons account for a larger proportion, they are mainly deployed on high-powered vehicles, mechs, and ships. The pulse gun power of ordinary soldiers is no longer up to expectations in dealing with the current bio-field of monsters. Therefore, if our kinetic weapon ammunition runs out, we will lose at least 50% of our firepower resistance, which is absolutely fatal. So we cannot afford to delay."
"Given the current situation, I think the first option could be to make some changes to the Infinite Alliance orbital construction plan."
"What changes?" Jian Xuwei asked. She was in charge of all the track construction and laying. The Silver Star's engineering team had concentrated almost all the resources of the trains and the Railway Guard Brigade on the construction. With Viola's super computing power for calculations, it could be said that Jian Xuwei had made the most of the resources.
"First, we will increase the preset distance of the drones at night from 5 kilometers to 20 kilometers, or even longer. This is a radical plan."
"impossible!"
Jian Xuwei immediately responded: "The first problem is the communication range of the drones. At the same time, the operation of the drones and the track laying machine requires our main ability users to protect them overnight. Otherwise, in just 20 minutes, the energy-devouring insects will devour our construction drones. Moreover, the Crimson is not affected by the Dark Mark. The greater the commotion, the greater the potential risks. This is putting the cart before the horse."
"Don't rush, Captain Jane," Sean said calmly. "As I just said, this is a radical plan. By pre-setting the track, we can increase our daytime speed significantly. There's a saying in your Dragon Kingdom, 'crossing the Chencang pass in secret,' which is the same principle. As for the problems you mentioned, they are not unsolvable. For example, we can increase the number of personnel protecting the building convoy, expand the protection area, and follow the convoy. However, since our main train force hasn't moved, it might not trigger a large-scale tidal wave."
Jian Xuwei frowned, looked at Sean, and slowly asked, "You mean, the suicide squad?"
Sean shrugged: "A radical plan will inevitably come with sacrifices and risks, but if it proves feasible, we can risk our lives to build a road, and then the main force can make a high-speed transfer. The efficiency and success rate will definitely be greatly improved, won't they?"
After saying that, he looked at Jian Xuwei: "Of course, since such a plan has been proposed, our Utopia will definitely contribute our strength first. I already convened the core team to discuss it 30 minutes ago, here you go."
Sean pulled out a notebook: "This is a list of personnel willing to join the Bureau of Day and Night Construction Team."
"What a joke! Special missions are of course carried out by our special forces!" Upon hearing this, General Zeng Weiguo interrupted directly: "I think this is a good idea. The monsters are targeting the main force, so we'll use small units to carry out construction. The most important thing for us right now is to relocate these millions of people. If it weren't for this, we would have already rushed out."
"I think it's good too!"
"Exactly! We'll build the tracks quietly, then just go for it! With a train this long, no monster can stop us!"
"..."
The crowd was buzzing with discussion when a voice interrupted the conversation.
"etc."
General Li Sheng spoke up, drowning out the others. His gaze was sharp as he bluntly stated, "Gentlemen, don't oversimplify things. Don't forget, we're not facing monsters. We can't judge our enemy with the mindset of 'monsters.' Our enemy is the Tower People, a higher-dimensional civilization, an intelligent species. Although civilizations differ, treating our enemy like fools is a grave mistake. Conversely, the situation is inherently one of enemy strength and weakness. What do we have to rely on? If our strategic intentions are exposed, or if the construction of the railroad at night triggers a tidal wave, wouldn't that be digging our own grave? Who can be sure that the monsters at night will only attack the construction team, and not launch a massive attack with several times the daytime force to overwhelm and devour us overnight?!"
The frequency immediately fell silent after these words were spoken.
At this moment, Chen Sixuan spoke up, "Actually, we had considered this plan before, but I'm sure everyone remembers how terrifying the crimson night was in Colorado. Considering this, we don't dare to take such a risk. In fact, since Apocalypse Day, avoiding nighttime operations has always been a consensus, so..."
"Exactly, it's not a problem with the suicide squad. The real fear is that they'll light the powder keg at night and everyone will be eaten alive by monsters while they're still sleeping," Lei Zhen from the Common Alliance chimed in.
Meanwhile, on the Sky Train side, Jiang Yun walked over to Chen Sixuan and said...
“Sean, judging from your tone, you should have a safer plan.”
"Insurance? Perhaps."
Sean shrugged and looked at a partner wearing smart glasses beside him: "My deputy, Marcus, used to be an engineering PhD at Eurobridge. He said something very interesting: that we might not need to look at this crisis from a battlefield perspective. If we look at it from an engineering perspective, it will be completely different."
"What do you mean?" General Li Sheng asked.
Sean gave a slight nod, and the man beside him with curly reddish-brown hair and a torrent of data flowing through his smart glasses looked up and said in a cold voice.
"What's hindering our progress isn't ammunition or firepower, but the construction of the railway. And what's causing our inefficient railway construction is our lack of large-scale industrial production capacity for railway steel. Our construction drones and various engineering equipment are all used to rush the production of materials for our journey. Since we need to stop, why not stop for a little longer and use that time to move around on this plain..."
"How about building a small rail steel mill?"
(End of this chapter)
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