After destroying the Rapture patrol, Noah and Counters Squad were now just ten kilometers from the sawmill. Their progress was slow; the direct path was littered with Raptures, forcing them to take long detours that ate away at the clock.
"We're about ten kilometers out, Commander," Rapi reported. "But the roads are crawling with them. It's going to take longer than planned."
"How long would a direct route take?" Anis asked.
"A straight shot, if we were fast, could get us there in three hours. But we'd have to be extremely careful," Rapi replied.
"And it would mean a 100% chance of engagement," Noah added grimly.
Rapi consulted her device, searching for the safest possible route, mapping out detours and potential shelters in case they were delayed until nightfall. While she worked, Noah and Neon stood guard, scanning the desolate horizon.
"Commander," Neon began, "you carry that heavy pack on every single mission. Doesn't it weigh you down?"
"You never know what might happen out here," Noah said, his gaze distant. "At a minimum, I have food, cooking gear, a sleeping bag, and other equipment in here."
"Did they teach you that at the Officer's Academy?" she asked curiously.
"Ah… no. It's from experience," he replied, his voice flat.
Experience. The word hung in the air, stirring a painful memory Noah carried like a physical weight—the agonizing experience of being the only one to survive.
"Commander, I've found a route," Rapi announced, interrupting his thoughts. "But I think it would be wise to take a break at a shelter first."
"There's a highway service station about seven kilometers from here," Anis chimed in, pointing at the map on Rapi's device. "We could rest there for a bit."
"Alright. Let's move," Noah agreed.
The squad set off again, their boots crunching on the cracked asphalt of the abandoned highway. They spotted Raptures moving in the distance, but the machines thankfully passed by without noticing them. After walking for what felt like an eternity, they took their first proper rest. While the others drank water, Noah found himself drawn to a cluster of burnt-out vehicles. Inside a small truck, he saw a human skeleton slumped over the steering wheel, with more bones scattered across the back seat.
Noah stood before the gruesome sight for a long moment, offering a silent prayer for the souls who had perished there. Anis watched him from a distance as she took a sip from her canteen, with Rapi standing quietly beside her.
"Rapi," Anis said, her voice low.
"Yes?"
"I know it hasn't been long, but… what do you honestly think of him? This new commander."
"I'm not sure," Rapi admitted. "He's different from the others we've served under. He has actual combat experience, tactical knowledge…"
"I don't mean that," Anis cut in. "I mean… about us. About Nikkes."
"He sees us in a positive light," Rapi said, a hint of something new in her voice. "Because of that, I'm starting to trust him."
Rapi and Anis were a pair bound by circumstance, both having been transferred from other squads for various reasons. They had been partners for a long time, serving under numerous commanders. Most had been reckless, treating their Nikkes as disposable weapons. Some had even taken their own lives, unable to cope with the pressure.
"He cried when Marian died, didn't he?" Anis recalled.
"He did," Rapi confirmed. "He tried to hide it from us."
"Then… how about we try 'that' after this sawmill mission is over?" Anis suggested.
"I was thinking the same thing."
His silent vigil complete, Noah walked back toward the squad, only to find Rapi and Anis staring at him intently.
"What is it? Is there something on my face?" he asked.
"No… it's just, you seem different, Commander," Anis said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Noah asked, taking a drink from his own canteen to hide his confusion.
Anis glanced at Rapi. "You want to do it?"
"I will," Rapi replied with a nod.
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After their short break, the long walk resumed. They encountered a small group of four Raptures, but they were dispatched with little effort. Soon, they reached the service station. While Anis and Neon swept the interior to ensure it was secure, Noah and Rapi set up an observation post, looking out towards the distant sawmill.
"There are Raptures in the vicinity, but not in large numbers," Rapi reported.
"Let's just keep watch for now. Even if we clear them out, we'll be in trouble if they call for reinforcements," Noah said.
He raised a pair of binoculars to his eyes, scanning the sawmill. He was counting the hostiles when he spotted something more significant.
"Exceed-class, up front," he said, his voice tightening. "It's a shield type."
Noah handed the binoculars to Rapi, who confirmed his sighting. The Exceed-class appeared to be directing the smaller, Servant-class Raptures, which were preparing to transport lumber away from the site.
"It looks like they're getting ready to move the materials," Rapi observed.
"An Exceed-class… you think we can handle it?" Noah asked.
"Yes. We can," she affirmed.
Anis and Neon returned from their sweep of the building.
"All clear. The inside is clean," Anis announced.
"If you don't count all the trash and scrap metal, that is," Neon added.
"What's the plan, Commander?" Rapi asked. "We can engage on your command."
"How many are there?" Anis asked, taking the binoculars from Rapi.
"One Exceed-class, five Servant-class," Noah answered.
"An Exceed-class? This'll be fun," Anis said with a grin.
"Looks like a shield type… Let's just blast it with firepower!" Neon declared.
"I'd like to, but we need to be smart about this," Noah countered. "First, we need to know what else is out there. Shifty, what's the Rapture situation around the sawmill?"
[There are other units in the area, but they're a considerable distance away,] the operator's voice came through their comms.
"Then we've got a shot," Anis said eagerly.
Noah considered their options. If they attacked now, they could stop the Raptures from taking the lumber. Enemy support was far away, and the force at the sawmill itself was small—only six units, even with the Exceed-class. The odds were in their favor.
"Alright," he said, making his decision. "Let's do this."
"Let's get this party started!" Anis cheered.
With the attack now imminent, the squad moved towards the sawmill. As they neared the perimeter, Rapi gently tugged on Noah's arm, stopping him.
"Hm? What is it, Rapi?"
"Commander, we can handle the Exceed-class, but it is still a significant threat. Please, stay close to me and refrain from engaging in direct combat," she pleaded, her eyes serious.
"It's fine. I may be new to you all, but I can handle myself. I can provide support fire, take aimed shots."
"As Nikkes, it is our sworn duty to protect our Commander at all costs. Even if it means trading our own lives for yours," she insisted. "So please. I'm asking you."
Though she hadn't known him long, Rapi felt a powerful urge to protect him. She knew he had combat experience, but their enemy was the Raptures—mindless killing machines that swarmed any human on sight without mercy.
Noah looked at her determined face and relented. "Alright. I understand. But if things go south, I'm fighting. Clear?"
"Yes, Commander. Understood," Rapi replied, relieved.
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Now at the edge of the sawmill, Noah and Counters took their positions. He observed the Raptures; they were completely oblivious to the squad's presence.
"Okay, they have no idea we're here. We can use the element of surprise to take one down right away," Noah whispered.
"The Exceed-class is at the rear," Rapi noted. "The Servants are quadrupedal types, armed with light machine guns."
"If we can take out the Servants quickly, this should be easy," Anis said.
"The plan is the same as before," Noah instructed. "Anis, you open up with a first strike on the Servant-class units. Then we focus on the Exceed."
"Yes, sir!" Neon confirmed.
"Anis, show 'em what you've got."
Anis loaded three pin-point missiles into her launcher. These were small, high-explosive grenade rounds that could be laser-guided to a target. While Rapi's missiles had a wider blast radius, Anis's were perfect for precision strikes. She aimed the laser designator at a Servant-class Rapture that was loading lumber.
"Let's rock and roll!" she yelled.
The missiles launched, streaking through the air and slamming into the Rapture's torso, erupting in a massive explosion. The blast damaged a nearby Rapture, but the hit wasn't critical. However, the Rapture that took the direct hit had its armor severely weakened. Rapi, seeing the opening, fired a burst of rounds into the compromised section, finishing it off. With one of their own disabled, the remaining five Raptures finally spotted Noah and Counters Squad.
"Finally, it is time to demonstrate my ultimate firepower!" Neon shouted.
She loaded armor-piercing slugs into her shotgun and fired at the closest Rapture. The heavy rounds punched straight through its armor, neutralizing it in a single shot.
"I got one!" she cheered.
"Neon, get down!" Noah yelled.
The Raptures focused their machine guns on Neon's position. She dropped to the ground, the hail of bullets whizzing over her head, pinning her down. Anis and Rapi immediately provided covering fire, forcing the Raptures to split their attention.
"Anis, one on your right!" Noah called out.
"Yeah, yeah! Bring it on!" Anis taunted.
She fired three grenades at the approaching Rapture, stopping it in its tracks. Rapi, however, was occupied with another one flanking from the left.
"Neon, cover Anis! I'll take the one in the center!" Noah commanded, realizing he had no choice.
"Understood!"
He raised his rifle, lining up the scope on the Servant's core. He squeezed the trigger three times. All three rounds hit their mark. The core shattered, and the charging Rapture stumbled to a halt before collapsing.
"Nice! Got him!" Noah exclaimed.
"Commander, get down!" Rapi shouted.
Suddenly, Rapi pulled him to the ground. The Rapture she had been fighting, in its death throes, was spraying its machine gun wildly in every direction. A stray bullet from the chaotic barrage struck Neon in the arm.
"Aargh!"
"Neon!" Anis cried out.
"I'm alright!" Neon insisted.
Anis quickly suppressed the Servant on her right before rushing to Neon's side. Seeing the bullet embedded in her arm, Anis simply gripped it and pulled it out.
"You can still move, right?"
"Yes!"
Rapi and Noah remained on the ground, waiting for the hail of gunfire to stop. Noah pulled a flashbang from his vest and handed it to Rapi.
"Use this! Blind it!"
"Roger!"
Rapi pulled the pin and threw the grenade. It detonated with a blinding flash of light, overwhelming the Rapture's optical sensors and causing its firing to cease. Seizing the opportunity, Noah and Counters all opened fire, shredding the last Servant-class with a unified volley.
"Last Servant is down!" Rapi confirmed.
"Only the Exceed-class left—whoa!" Noah yelled.
An onslaught of autocannon fire forced them all back into cover. The last remaining enemy, the shield-type Exceed, had activated its energy barrier and was advancing, its twin cannons blazing.
"Reloading," Rapi said calmly.
"That autocannon has us pinned! We can't get a clean shot!" Anis yelled.
"Neon, load your special shells!" Noah ordered, quickly forming a plan. "We're going to punch a hole in that shield, then focus fire on the core!"
Neon ejected the standard shells from her shotgun and began loading the custom-made rounds she had developed herself. Rapi prepared a small missile, Noah readied another flashbang, and Anis finished reloading her grenade launcher.
"Ready!" Anis shouted.
"I am also ready!" Neon declared.
"Commander!" Rapi said, looking to him.
"Flashbang out!" Noah yelled, throwing it.
The grenade detonated, momentarily disabling the Exceed's sensors. In that instant, Neon fired. Her special shell slammed into the energy shield, tearing a wide hole in the barrier.
"Concentrate fire!" Rapi commanded.
Noah and the Counters Squad unleashed everything they had into the opening, their bullets converging on the Rapture's exposed core. The core couldn't withstand the punishment and shattered. The Exceed-class behemoth shuddered, then collapsed, silenced for good.
"Clear!" Rapi announced.
"Shifty, any more Raptures in the area?" Noah asked.
[Negative, Commander. The situation is resolved. You guys were incredible!]
"Eh, it was all thanks to the Commander's brilliant leadership," Anis said with a wink.
"I have never seen an Exceed-class dealt with in such a manner," Neon said, clearly impressed.
"Good work, Commander," Rapi said, offering a respectful nod.
"Don't mention it," Noah replied. "Come on. Let's secure this area and finish the mission."
They established a defensive perimeter and stood guard until the transport helicopters arrived. A pair of Chinooks touched down, and their crews began loading the salvaged lumber. Soon after, Noah and Counters boarded one of the helicopters for their return trip to the outpost.
Inside the Chinook
The Nikkes were taking a moment to rest, but Noah, having removed his helmet, stood near the open ramp, watching the ruined cityscape pass below. Rapi walked over and stood beside him.
"Commander."
"Yeah?"
"Your leadership today was truly excellent. Thank you."
"How's Neon?" Noah asked, his brow furrowed with concern.
"The bullet didn't penetrate deep. We can handle the repairs back at the outpost."
"Good," Noah said, a measure of relief washing over him. Still, a troubled look remained on his face.
"Is something on your mind, Commander?" Rapi asked gently.
"It's nothing. I'm fine."
"If you have something troubling you, please tell us. It is better to solve a problem together than to carry it alone," she offered.
"Thanks, Rapi. I appreciate that."
Rapi gave a small nod and returned to her seat to rest. Noah turned his gaze back to the ruins, lost in thought.
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One of the Chinooks dropped off a partial load of lumber, along with Noah and Counters, at the outpost before returning to the Ark. By the time they stepped inside, the clock on the wall read 5:00 PM.
"Good work today, everyone," Rapi said.
"Yeah," Noah agreed. "If you want to shower, feel free to use the one in my quarters."
"Awesome! I call first dibs!" Anis shouted, already sprinting up the stairs.
"Hey! Anis, no fair!" Neon yelled, chasing after her.
Noah set down his backpack, rifle, and helmet, letting out a long, weary breath. Rapi retrieved a bottle of water from the large refrigerator and handed it to him.
"Thanks."
"What is tomorrow's schedule, Commander?"
"I have to make a quick trip to the Ark. I need to submit the after-action report for today's mission…"
"I understand. I will write the report for you," Rapi offered.
"No, it's fine. I'll do it. There are some things I need to report personally."
"The forms are long, and the questions can be complicated. It will take a lot of time. Allow me to assist you," Rapi insisted.
She had been ordered to write reports by previous commanders many times. She was practically an expert at navigating the Ark's bureaucracy.
"Alright, then," Noah said with a grateful smile. "Help me out after you've showered and we've had dinner."
"Understood."
Rapi headed off to her own room, but Noah remained in the common area, taking a few more moments to rest. He figured he had time. Anis and Neon's showers would probably take an hour, at least.