"Damn, did you see that!? This storm is really massive!"
Berry and V had been following the convoy just fine, but when they saw the red sandstorm under the sunset on the horizon, they couldn't help but tense up.
The massive, wave-like red sandstorm on the distant wasteland was overwhelming, covering both heaven and earth.
It seemed to hang motionless on the horizon, but in reality, it was rushing toward them at a speed of several kilometers per second; it only gave the illusion of stagnation because it was so far away.
"Damn, this scale is pretty intense. It's on par with that time the tribe was in the Rocky Mountains."
Berry, her face pressed against the glass and her eyes wide as she stared at the sandstorm in the distance, clicked her tongue in amazement.
"I think it's even bigger than that time. This is an endless wasteland, after all; it's going to get even bigger in a while."
V, who was driving, stared at the sandstorm for a moment before giving her verdict.
Both of them were Nomads, and they had witnessed plenty of extreme weather like sandstorms, thunderstorms, and even hurricanes.
Aside from the Rocky Mountains on the West Coast, the central and eastern parts of North America were endless great plains.
Due to the lack of mountain ranges to block them, air currents from the eastern ocean and cold currents from the north flowed unimpeded, making it extremely easy for severe meteorological disasters to form.
This place was prone to extreme weather, and the Nomads who traveled between cities to make a living had seen their fair share.
"We need to hurry up, or we'll get trapped in the sandstorm. I don't want to be sent to heaven just yet."
Berry said with lingering fear.
These terrifying natural disasters had left quite a bad impression on her.
In street gunfights or tribal conflicts, you could at least fire back a few rounds, but against these extreme meteorological disasters, humanity had no chance of resisting.
Compared to this world, humanity was still too insignificant.
This was the true power of nature.
...
They had arrived at their destination.
This was where Saul was being held.
An abandoned factory.
On a slope a little further from the factory, the group parked their cars next to a shallow puddle beneath a large rock.
"The security here is really tight. These Wraiths have definitely put in the effort."
Several people lay in the withered grass, conducting visual reconnaissance on the factory in the distance.
The factory was surrounded by concrete walls, topped with barbed wire. The main structure was a large workshop with a corrugated iron roof.
Beside the workshop stood a slightly smaller building, perhaps a utility room, which was connected to the workshop by a sealed walkway on the second floor.
Beyond the steel and concrete, the factory yard was filled with abandoned shipping containers and even two derelict yellow cranes.
Then there were the people.
Armed Wraiths could be seen all over the factory grounds, and snipers carrying sniper rifles could even be seen on the roofs of the buildings.
Of course, there were certainly more enemies they couldn't see.
With such tight security, it was impossible for there to be no hidden sentries.
"Damn it, they were really waiting for us to come."
Seeing this, V gritted her teeth in frustration.
This scene was nothing like the gangs in the city.
"The Wraiths really want to slaughter us."
Seeing how troublesome the defenses were, Mitch nodded solemnly.
"But since we're already here, we can't back down now. We must rescue Saul."
After Mitch finished speaking, he looked at the others.
"So, let's discuss the battle plan: who goes in, and who stays behind to guard."
They needed people to stay behind, ready to make a getaway and provide reinforcements if the plan failed.
If the whole group went in together...
...and something went wrong, it would be like being trapped in a cage.
Berry thought for a moment and came up with a plan.
"Let me and V go in. Since it's an infiltration, we're obviously better suited for it."
Being female isn't without its advantages.
At least they were smaller and less likely to be discovered.
If a big guy like Jackie were to infiltrate, he'd definitely be exposed; Berry had realized this deeply back at Konpeki Plaza.
"Hmm..."
Mitch nodded, acknowledging Berry's proposal.
Although he wasn't very familiar with these two Mercenaries.
But wanting to break into the Wraiths' base with just a few people to rescue a hostage was already a pipe dream.
So he couldn't worry about that much.
"No problem, but Scorpion has to go in with you."
Mitch tilted his chin toward Scorpion, who had been silent the whole time.
"Even if it's an infiltration, you need fire support. This guy is a pro, he's carried a gun in the trenches; you'll definitely need his help."
"Mitch, why aren't you going?"
Nearby, Panam Palmer lay on the ground, clutching her large rifle, and looked up to ask curiously.
"Me? Forget it."
Mitch waved his hand.
"Although I'm pretty good, I'm getting on in years."
"Besides, although Scorpion and I both carried guns during the Central and South American War, I was an armored soldier, a technician. How could I compete with Scorpion, a vehicle machine gunner, when it comes to handling guns?"
The plan was decided just like that.
Berry, V, and the hooded man, Scorpion, would be responsible for infiltrating the factory and rescuing Saul.
Meanwhile, Mitch and Panam Palmer would stay outside to guard the vehicles and be ready to drive them away once the mission was successful.
...
"Can they do it?"
Watching them crawl through the dark grass toward the factory area, with its searchlights and barbed wire, Panam Palmer asked with concern.
"They can do it, Panam Palmer, trust me."
With an unlit cigarette in his mouth, Mitch looked solemn and thoughtful.
In reality, they had to make it work.
If they couldn't rescue Saul...
...the Aldecaldo Family would inevitably go to war with the Wraiths.
At that point, regardless of victory or defeat, the Aldecaldo Family would suffer heavy losses.
Such a thing could not be allowed to happen.
So, they had to succeed.
...
"See that? The security booth."
Crouching in the grass, the hooded man, Scorpion, finally spoke.
He pointed to the security booth in front of the factory's steel gate.
To be precise, he pointed to the camera on the eaves of the security booth and the automated turret on top.
"If that thing is there, even if we rescue Saul, it'll be hard for us to escape."
"I'm going to take care of that thing."
In the shadow of his hood, Scorpion's bright eyes remained fixed on the security booth.
"Can you do it? There might be people inside. If you alert the guys in there, our infiltration will be ruined."
Berry looked at the security booth and the Wraiths pacing back and forth behind the steel gate, unable to hide her concern.
Scorpion.
To be honest, she didn't know much about this guy.
After all, in the game, this guy died very early and never really showed off his skills.
She only knew that, like Mitch, he was a veteran of that Central and South American War.
Also, his motorcycle was nice.
And that was it.
That was why Berry was worried.
"Don't worry, everything will proceed quietly."
Speaking in a low voice, Scorpion pulled out a dagger and held it in his mouth.
Then, like a wolf in the night, he pushed aside the grass and walked toward the security booth in the light, his movements silent.
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