Once Ethan Blake entered the linen room, Nathan Cole quickly waved a hand to stop him from saluting, then said directly, "First Squad Leader, tell me about your squad’s composition first."
Ethan immediately straightened up and responded loudly, "Yes, Chief!"
"First Infantry Squad has an authorized strength of nine: one squad leader, one deputy squad leader, one designated marksman, two machine gunners, two riflemen, one grenadier, and one shotgunner."
"As for personal equipment, every member of the squad is issued the Ratnik individual combat system as standard. Its level of digital integration is very high."
"As for protective gear alone, every soldier’s helmet is made of high-strength composite material and offers excellent ballistic protection, effectively protecting the soldier’s head. Their tactical vests are not only lightweight and comfortable, but also have multiple pouches and attachment points for conveniently carrying ammunition, equipment, and supplies. Their combat boots are specifically designed for infantry operations, with good slip resistance, shock absorption, and puncture resistance," Ethan explained in detail.
"In terms of weapons, the riflemen are equipped with AK-12 assault rifles, the machine gunners with PKP Pecheneg squad machine guns, the designated marksman with an SVDM designated marksman rifle, the grenadier with an AGS-30 automatic grenade launcher, and the shotgunner with a Saiga-12 shotgun." Excitement gleamed in Ethan’s eyes, and every word was filled with pride in his squad.
"As for secondary weapons, every soldier is equipped with an MP-443 Grach 9mm pistol, providing reliable close-range self-defense if their primary weapon runs out of ammunition or malfunctions."
"In addition, the deputy squad leader, designated marksman, and shotgunner each carry an RPG-26 disposable rocket launcher."
"As for ammunition, every soldier carries one basic load. Taking the riflemen as an example, in addition to one primary magazine and four spare magazines, each also carries another 150 rounds in his assault pack," Ethan concluded.
After hearing Ethan’s report, Nathan nodded in satisfaction. He then opened the individual combat terminal on his chest and carefully checked the squad roster.
Aside from Squad Leader Ethan Blake, there was Deputy Squad Leader Victor Hayes, machine gunner Mason Turner, assistant machine gunner Owen Price, designated marksman Simon Young, riflemen Gavin Cole and Tyler Grant, grenadier Julian Shaw, and shotgunner Felix Monroe.
Nathan was quite satisfied with the squad’s current organization.
Although the equipment the System had given the soldiers could not compare to that of elite special operations units, it was already about as fully equipped as ordinary infantry could get.
Take the individual combat terminals, for instance. With them, Nathan could view every soldier’s location, physical condition, remaining weapon ammunition, and other information in real time. He could also send combat missions and orders directly to each soldier’s terminal, allowing them to promptly and accurately understand his operational intent and mission requirements.
Then there were the multifunctional night-vision goggles on their helmets. Not only could they be used as monocular night-vision devices, but they also had friend-or-foe identification, teammate marking, real-time positioning, video transmission, and other functions.
The video transmission function in particular could relay what the soldiers saw on the battlefield to Nathan’s individual combat terminal in real time, giving him a more comprehensive grasp of the situation.
Their weapons were also the latest models currently in service, complete with every sort of tactical accessory, including optics and suppressors. They could truly be described as lavishly armed.
But according to the latest census data, Heping Town had a registered population of more than thirty thousand. More importantly, it was a famous university town near Lanzhou. Once students from several colleges and the other transient residents were counted, its permanent population was close to one hundred thousand.
Because of the virus, the colleges had all suspended classes, but only some students whose homes were in the city had left Heping Town.
Most out-of-town students had been stranded on campus due to the shutdown of transportation services.
By that estimate, there were still seventy to eighty thousand people within the town proper. As time passed and they turned into zombies, the number would be only slightly lower than that.
With the strength of a single squad, facing that many zombies would undoubtedly be like smashing eggs against a rock.
Nathan understood that under these circumstances, he had to plan carefully: clear zombies in a relatively safe manner, earn reinforcement points, and gradually build up his force.
So he first contacted the designated marksman keeping watch on the roof. "Simon Young, this is Nathan Cole. Report your observations."
"Chief, this is Simon Young. My observations indicate that a large-scale zombie outbreak has occurred in the surrounding area. Aside from people directly infected by the virus turning into zombies, anyone who has not yet turned will become a zombie shortly after being bitten."
"At present, the zombies move relatively slowly, but their numbers are constantly increasing. They are also extremely sensitive to sound and light. Once they detect any disturbance, they rapidly gather toward it."
"Unrest has broken out in the nearby residential compounds and surrounding schools, and a considerable number of zombies are already wandering the streets." Simon’s voice came clearly through the headset, carrying a trace of tension. After all, zombies had previously existed only in films and television shows.
"Received. Continue your watch."
"Yes, Chief!" Simon answered.
Nathan’s brow furrowed tightly. He knew the situation was even worse than he had imagined.
He turned to Ethan and asked, "First Squad Leader, what are your thoughts on the current situation?"
Hearing Nathan’s question, Ethan instinctively straightened his back. After opening the map on his individual combat terminal and studying it, he replied, "Reporting, Chief: given the large-scale outbreak and the fact that our current force is insufficient to deal with large zombie hordes, I recommend clearing a nearby residential compound."
"The buildings in residential compounds are relatively separate, making them easier for us to defend and clear. Furthermore, the layouts are comparatively simple. We can clear them floor by floor and apartment by apartment, avoiding a direct confrontation with a large number of zombies."
"Once our force has grown, we can seize an opportunity to retake the nearby colleges and establish a settlement with them as our foundation."
Ethan’s proposal coincided perfectly with Nathan’s own thoughts. Going to the schools with their current strength would be nothing short of suicide, while wandering recklessly through the streets could easily trigger a zombie horde.
A residential compound was undoubtedly the best option. In modern apartment buildings, the first and second floors were fitted with security bars. As long as they sealed off the entrance to a building, they could keep the zombies outside and let the soldiers calmly clear it floor by floor and apartment by apartment.
"Mm. That’s a very constructive idea. I also think clearing residential buildings is relatively safe at this stage." Nathan nodded, showing his approval of Ethan’s proposal.
Hearing Nathan approve of his idea, Ethan stood even straighter.
"First Squad Leader, tell me your thoughts on selecting the target buildings as well," Nathan continued.
"Reporting, Chief. According to the map, directly behind the hotel are two neighboring residential compounds. Each has only two high-rise buildings and not too many residents. I believe they would be suitable targets."
Nathan was extremely familiar with the two compounds Ethan mentioned.
They were Golden Fortune Gardens and Runxin Gardens, both located opposite the Heping Town government offices. Nathan saw them every day while going to and from work.
Buildings One and Two in Golden Fortune Gardens were each twenty-three stories high, with a total of 368 planned apartments.
The A and B Buildings of Runxin Gardens, meanwhile, were each twenty-six stories high, with a total of 416 planned apartments.
As long as they could clear those four residential towers, they could earn at least two thousand reinforcement points. By then, they would have both infantry and vehicles.
Moreover, the two compounds bordered Bowen College and Longqiao College on either side. By setting up observation posts on the rooftops, they could monitor both colleges around the clock and promptly keep track of the surrounding situation.
"First Squad Leader, let the men rest for twenty minutes. We’ll discuss the action plan for later first." Having made up his mind to begin clearing the residential compounds behind them, Nathan did not hesitate and directly issued the order.
"Yes, Chief!" Ethan replied.
"My idea is that we climb out through the rear window of the linen room. That will let us enter the compound directly and avoid taking a detour outside that might draw zombies over."
"After entering the compound, we’ll move along the hotel’s rear wall to the guardhouse and find the access cards for the building entrances. Once we have them, we’ll begin clearing Building One, Unit One, apartment by apartment."
"Once the operation begins, First Squad Leader, you will have full command," Nathan said. After laying out his plan, he delegated command of the upcoming operation to Ethan.
"Yes, Chief! Please rest assured. We guarantee the mission will be completed!" Ethan answered firmly.
Although Nathan was the head of Heping Town’s Armed Forces Department, put nicely, he was a government official responsible for national defense mobilization. Put bluntly, he was merely the head of the local militia.
In normal times, he could organize militia members to march in formation, shout slogans, and get through inspections.
But commanding combat? What did he know about that? Professional matters should be left to professionals.
Afterward, Ethan added some of his own ideas, further refining the plan before sending it to the soldiers’ individual terminals.
After discussing the battle plan, Nathan raised his left hand and checked the time. It was already 2:10 in the afternoon.
After telling Ethan and Daniel Ward to stand guard outside the door, he took out his phone and dialed a number.
Beep... Beep... Beep... No one answered for a long time.
Just as Nathan was about to lower his phone, a familiar voice came through the receiver.
"Son, are you all right? We were just about to call you. It’s chaos outside now. How are things over there? Are you safe?" Nathan’s father, Robert Cole, asked anxiously.
"Dad, don’t worry. I ran into the military here, and I’m safe. What about you? How are you and Mom?"
"As long as you’re all right, that’s what matters. Stay with the military and be careful. Your mother and I are out in the countryside in Yongchang County today. Your great-aunt on your mother’s side hasn’t been well, so we came to see her. We never expected that she would... Sigh, I had no choice but to..." After several seconds of silence, Robert continued, "We’ve locked the courtyard gate and are hiding inside the house now. We’re safe for the moment!"
"Dad, you weren’t hurt, were you?" Nathan asked anxiously.
"No, I’m not hurt. Don’t worry," Robert reassured him.
"Then you have to stay hidden. Clean up all the bloodstains, try not to make any loud noises, and don’t leave the house unless you absolutely have to. Just wait safely for rescue."
After that, Nathan’s mother, Linda Cole, took the phone and tearfully gave him a long list of instructions.
Only after Robert comforted her did she reluctantly hang up.
Nathan’s parents both worked for Jinchuan Group and had fortunately not been infected when the epidemic broke out.
He had never expected the two restless people to go all the way to Yongchang County to visit his great-aunt on his mother’s side.
Thinking of her made Nathan sad. He had never expected that kind, gentle little old woman, who had always treated him so well, would...
Still, at least his parents were safe. The countryside had very few people now, most of them elderly people left behind by their families, which meant there would not be many zombies.
And his great-aunt’s home was a detached house with its own courtyard, where she had lived alone. Her children all lived in the city, making it a convenient place for his parents to hide.
Many rural households ate flour ground from their own grain and kept substantial food stores at home, so his parents would not go hungry anytime soon.
Knowing that his parents were all right, Nathan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He then dialed another number. The words "My Darling" were displayed on the phone screen.
The person was his girlfriend, a Lanzhou local who worked at the Market Supervision Administration in Chengguan District.
They had met through an introduction and had been dating for more than half a year. If not for the epidemic, they would have already been discussing marriage.
The phone rang for a long time, but no one answered.
Unwilling to give up, Nathan dialed several more times in succession, with the same result each time.
He dejectedly lowered the phone, and his heart sank.
In an environment like this, the meaning of someone not answering their phone was self-evident.
After a moment of silence, Nathan suppressed the turmoil in his heart and put away his phone.
Now was not the time for grief. He had to kill zombies as quickly as possible and expand his force. Once the time was right, he would send people to rescue his parents and search for his girlfriend at the same time.
When he left the linen room and came to the hotel lobby with Ethan and Daniel, the other soldiers had already formed up under the deputy squad leader’s command.
To avoid causing unnecessary trouble, procedures such as roll call and counting off were omitted.
Once Ethan took his place in formation, Nathan looked at the tough, capable soldiers before him. He cleared his throat and said, "Soldiers, welcome to this world! As you can see, the apocalypse has arrived. If we don’t want to become nourishment for zombies, then we must take up the weapons in our hands and fight. Because there is no road behind us. We can only press forward."
"In the battles to come, all of you must remain absolutely alert. Preserving yourselves comes before everything else. That is all. Move out!"
At Nathan’s command, the soldiers sprang into action. With Ethan leading the way, they protected Nathan in the middle of the formation and entered the linen room one after another.
Ethan quickly entered the inner room of the linen room, opened the window, gently pushed up the screen, then carefully climbed onto the sill and leaned out to observe the situation outside.
After confirming that the area outside was safe, he nimbly climbed through the window. The moment he landed, he shouldered his rifle and went on guard.
The deputy squad leader and the others then climbed out through the window one after another. Their movements were equally light and agile. Once on the ground, they quickly spread out into a defensive formation.
When Nathan entered the inner room and saw the cleaning lady whose head he had smashed in, he quickly turned his head away and silently climbed onto the windowsill.
After everyone had entered the compound, the team moved swiftly along the hotel’s rear wall toward the compound guardhouse.
The apocalypse had arrived, and Nathan’s first battle was about to officially begin!
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