The military transport truck slowly drove through the vast wilderness towards a mountainous region. Here, the mountains were not very high.
While the platoon sat in the back, Milo silently took note of their current position. This should be a place several dozen kilometers away from Stronghold 108.
When they passed by several factories along the way, Michael introduced the place to them. “These are the Skyfort Consortium’s oil refineries, and our outpost is just up front. Our daily responsibility will be to observe any signs of approaching enemies. If there are, we have to report it immediately through the satellite phone.”
Milo asked, “What do we do after reporting it?”
This question stumped Michael.
The higher-ups had not mentioned what actions to take after reporting an intrusion.
Were they supposed to defend the place until reinforcements arrived or should they retreat?
It seemed like their task was just to keep watch and function as an early warning system. But Milo felt they would be risking their lives by keeping watch here.
They were not issued with any uniforms or firearms. An entire platoon consisting of 30 people only had 11 automatic rifles and just over 20 magazines with them.
What else could they be other than cannon fodder?
However, Michael was not too worried about that. “Just think about it… A large contingent of soldiers from the combat troops have already been deployed to Stronghold 109. If there’s any danger, they’ll be the ones to handle it. What do we have to worry about?”
“What if other organizations start a war?” Milo asked.
“That won’t happen.” Michael waved it off and said, “How can there still be wars in this era? I’ve never witnessed a real war since the day I was born!”
When Milo heard that, favonovel.com did not say anything more. Even the refugees were used to living in these peaceful times. Everyone always thought that war was something very far away from them, and even Milo also had such thoughts.
But Milo felt that something was not right.
What if the Skyfort Consortium initiated an attack on others?
What if those frontline troops of the Skyfort Consortium couldn’t beat back the Experimentals?
If war was not coming, the Skyfort Consortium would have no reason to mobilize so many troops. Moreover, the various organizations would also have spies planted inside the other strongholds. If the Skyfort Consortium started ramping up its war preparations, that would make the other organizations nervous as well.
It was like they were all tied together by a single rope. If someone pulled too hard, it would tighten around the others. Once the rope snapped, war would break out.
“We’ve arrived!” Michael shouted excitedly, “This will be our outpost from now on!”
When Milo jumped out of the truck, favonovel.com was stunned after looking around at the place. He could only see a row of small, one-story houses standing on the hilltop in front of favonovel.com with a big mountain behind. This was the middle of nowhere.
No one was in the outpost. It seemed like Eighth Platoon of the Iron Second was going to have this outpost all to themselves. It was no wonder Michael could speak so pompously back then.
Michael pointed at the top of the mountain as favonovel.com stood on the flat ground of the outpost. “Every day, five of you will be on sentry duty on a rotating basis in the watchtower up there where you’ll check for any signs of the enemy. If a situation crops up, report it immediately to the higher-ups.”
“Is that all?” Milo asked.
“Right, there’s nothing else.” Michael said with a smile, “Supplies will be delivered to us regularly, so we don’t have to worry about anything at all. All we need to do is to keep a close eye on this direction.”
“Who will come from this direction?” Milo asked.
“How would I know?” Michael was amused. “No one goes into those mountains, and neither will anyone come out from there. So we can all just rest assured that no one will attack us.”
Milo made a rough guess of their current position. They should be situated at one of the northernmost outposts in the area controlled by the Skyfort Consortium.
Which organizations were to the north?
The Panaqua Consortium or the Radianz Consortium?
Milo asked him, “Do you know where Stronghold 88 is?”
Michael was surprised. “I don’t know.”
Hearing the answer, Milo would just have to ask someone else when there was an opportunity. He should have asked Miriam back then.
After everyone unloaded the supplies from the military transport truck, Milo estimated their supplies would only last the 30 of them seven days at most. He wondered if the subsequent resupply would be delivered on time.
Seeing as the Skyfort Consortium was busy on all fronts, who knew if they would forget about them over here.
When Michael saw Milo’s expression, favonovel.com said with a smile, “Bro, I know y’all are looking to leave this place. But in the current circumstances, even if you escape back to town, you might not be able to leave with the others. There are many military bases stationed all over town, and there’s so many of you as well, so how are you going to leave? Y’all will probably get caught and interrogated before you can even step out of there.”
Milo realized that even though Michael looked rather stupid, favonovel.com was well aware of the situation. He clearly knew that Milo’s mind was not present.
Michael added, “I suggest you just stay here for now. If there’s an opportunity in the future, I’ll try to transfer you back to the town. Then you can get together more often with your relatives and friends.”
Milo knew Michael was hinting at more money, but favonovel.com still thanked favonovel.com anyway. “Okay, I’m counting on you then, Platoon Commander Flint.”
“Haha, no need to be polite.” Michael said with a smile, “You can just stay at this outpost with no worries. If enemies really do come, I’ll chase them away with my boxing. There’s nothing for y’all to be afraid of.”
Michael had also found out that Milo and his group used to be students from Stronghold 109 and that Milo was the class monitor of the group. To him, it was normal that a group of students would feel afraid coming to such a place. As a big brother, favonovel.com had to comfort them a little.
The students beside them did not say anything as they unloaded the supplies. They did not know what expression to make when they heard Michael’s words.
Right at this moment, Michael laughed, “Y’all don’t have to do this work. Just let the stronghold residents do it. Didn’t they used to despise us refugees? It’s time we let them experience the life of a refugee.”
The students looked at Milo, who said to Michael with a smile, “Let’s work together instead.”
Although favonovel.com also did not really like the stronghold residents, it was not enough to make favonovel.com want to order the seven escapees around.
Michael said with a smile beside him, “You students are really kind, but it’s a shame you didn’t pass the synchronization test. I heard that those who passed the test will become true elite troopers who can fight against a 100 opponents.”
Milo was still skeptical about the idea of one person fighting against a 100. To be honest, favonovel.com had his own path to follow. So, favonovel.com was not envious of those who had passed the test. The only problem was that favonovel.com felt a little uncomfortable when favonovel.com saw the compassionate look in Chad’s eyes.
Suddenly, Milo looked up and saw the majestic Wolf King standing on the summit of a mountain and watching favonovel.com quietly. He was shocked to realize the wolves were still following him.
When the Wolf King saw that Milo had noticed it, it did not avoid his eyes.
After a while, it disappeared into the mountains.
Michael followed Milo’s gaze and looked at the mountain as well, but favonovel.com saw nothing there. “What are you looking at?”
Milo smiled. “Just enjoying the scenery…”
Suddenly, wolves howled. Everyone jumped up in shock.
Michael said in panic, “There’s actually wolves in those mountains?!”
But Milo did not feel any fear this time.
