RTS System in the Apocalypse: New World

The Engineer marked the damaged storefront for demolition.

With the additional space, the section would no longer force vehicles from opposing directions to stop against one another. The road would still require coordination, but it would no longer depend entirely on which APC entered first.

The officers continued inspecting the remaining parts of the first route.

The upper offices of both warehouses were cleared. The taller building near the intersection was considered suitable for a small fire-support team, but not for the main defenders. Its height offered better firing angles, but soldiers stationed above would take too long to reinforce the road below.

The parking structure remained the greater concern.

Several ramps could be closed through System Walls. One entrance would remain open and be covered by Pillboxes, forcing any infected inside to emerge through a prepared firing lane.

The two warehouses could support a Garrison Post between them, while the rear loading entrance remained partially open as a withdrawal path.

On paper, the defense was cohesive.

The Scout leader reviewed the collected markings.

”The first route is complete.”

The Engineers still had work to perform before the army could use it repeatedly, but none of the problems were impossible to solve.

The road remained the fastest approach toward Westgate. It was also the route that required the most coordination between its defensive positions.

The survey group returned to the Guardian APCs and proceeded toward the industrial road.

There, the situation was different.

Large cargo trucks and damaged loading equipment occupied several lanes. Some vehicles could be pushed aside, while others would have to be dismantled or dragged into nearby lots.

The route would take longer to open.

But beyond the debris, the road widened considerably.

The surrounding structures were lower. Fewer side streets connected directly to the main route, and the river restricted movement from the north.

The platoon leaders quickly identified which southern approaches could be closed with Walls. The remaining entrance could be covered by a Pillbox and a small defensive position without spreading soldiers across the entire industrial block.

A large loading yard provided enough open ground for troops, Engineers, and armored vehicles to gather without blocking the road.

Part of its northern pavement had weakened above a damaged drainage channel, but the Engineers considered it repairable. Until then, the affected section could simply be marked and avoided.

The industrial route demanded more clearing and restoration.

In return, it provided more space for the army to move, reposition, and establish a stronger staging ground.

By the time the inspection ended, the difference between both routes had become clear.

The first route could be opened sooner.

The industrial route would require more work, but it would support the army better once completed.

Neither was perfect.

But the Commander had not asked for perfection.

He had asked them to bring him the best route after everything had been checked.

The Scout leader closed the report.

”Proceed to the commercial road. We’ll finish the remaining inspection before returning to base.”

...

Back at the base, a commotion rang out inside the freight yard.

Hans raised his arm.

Callum’s fist struck his forearm with a dull thud, but it did not force the Commander backward like before.

Hans had long felt the attack coming toward him. The movement of Callum’s shoulder. The shift of weight beneath his boots. The pressure against the air before his fist crossed the distance.

Hans’s body reacted before the thoughts formed inside his mind. He turned with the impact and threw an elbow toward Callum’s face.

Callum leaned away, the attack barely missing him by several centimeters.

Hans followed with another strike.

Callum blocked it, but Hans’s leg had already moved toward the DASF’s side.

The kick landed against his thigh.

Callum slid half a step across the concrete.

”That’s better,” he remarked.

”What’s the best?” Hans raised a brow.

”Hitting my face, Commander.”

Hans clicked his tongue. ”Then you’ll have it!”

Both men separated again.

They stood inside the practice area with several meters between them. The other superhumans had already moved toward another section under the supervision of the remaining DASF soldiers.

Callum had reserved this part for Hans.

Apparently, being the Commander did not save him from another beating.

”Again,” Callum ordered.

Hans stepped forward.

His first punch was a distraction. Callum moved to block it, exactly as Hans expected.

The second strike went toward his body. Callum’s other arm descended to intercept it. At the same time, Hans’s perception remained fixed on the DASF’s legs.

His eyes saw the upper body. His awareness followed the rest, as if he had eyes everywhere watching Callum in and out.

The slight rotation of Callum’s hip warned Hans of the incoming knee before it could rise to strike.

Hans shifted aside in advance.

Callum’s knee passed beside him.

Hans planted one foot against the ground. A wave of pressure burst from his body.

Dust scattered throughout the practice area. Callum’s uniform shook against him, and his boots slid backward across the concrete.

Hans did not stop to check the result. From his senses alone, he already knew Callum had lost his balance.

His body moved forward.

At that moment, time slowed down. His thoughts processed several possibilities at once.

Callum could block high, impeding his momentum.

Callum could move left, evading his strike.

Or he could use Hans’s advance against him, and easily turn the tide.

Hans aimed toward the chest, then changed the direction of his fist midway. Callum reacted, but it was too late. His hand wanted to intercept, but missed greatly.

Hans’s knuckles struck his shoulder. The DASF twisted with the blow.

Before Hans could pull his arm back, Callum caught his wrist.

Hans’s eyes narrowed, expecting the sudden grip. He released another pulse at a much shorter distance, jerking Callum’s hand out of control.

As his fingers loosened in a slight moment, Hans pulled free and drove his other fist toward Callum’s ribs.

”Hmph.”

Callum quickly blocked with his elbow, impacting against the air. A low shockwave emitted around them.

Neither moved aside as they pressed their strength against each other.

Callum suddenly changed his footing.

Hans’s eyes widened, sensing the movement beneath. However, the DASF was faster to strike.

Callum stepped inside Hans’s balance instead of retreating. His shoulder struck the Commander’s chest while one leg hooked behind Hans’s ankle.

Hans’s body tilted. His perception understood what was happening; his mind had already prepared the response.

But understanding the incoming attack did not mean his body could always catch up to react.

Hans twisted before his back could hit the ground. One hand struck the concrete. His legs followed, and he landed on one knee instead of falling flat.

Callum stepped away, not intending to follow up.

Hans remained in position for a moment before slowly standing.

”Incredible,” he remarked. ”Recovering quickly like that.”

”The Commander also recovered before reaching the ground.”

”Not as great as yours.”

”Still better than the rest,” Callum shook his head. ”The Commander’s improvement is what shocks me.”

”Should I amp it more?” Hans teased.

”The Commander might need to rest first,” Callum advised. ”Unlike the other superhumans, the Commander is using three axes at once.”

Hans let out a breath.

Callum was right. The moment he rested for a moment, his body felt sluggish, his mind wandered about.

”Seems I still have more ways to go around,” Hans muttered. ”I’ll take a short rest, then we’ll continue.”

Callum nodded, retreating to the side.

Hans went to another corner and retrieved a cloth prepared in advance. As he wiped the sweat away, his thoughts drifted away.