Chapter 55: Hunt

Chapter 55: Hunt

Our four Vanguards took the lead as we led our client, Desire Corp, deeper into the wasteland.

The convoy of military vehicles, which were customized to be used in the wasteland’s environment, drove for an hour before we came to the first stop on our agenda. We arrived at a ruin that had once been an industrial complex with the entire‌ area scattered with low-rise facilities and warehouses.

While there were mutants that only resided on the plains of the wasteland, they were a lot harder to track down compared to the ones that used the derelict buildings as nests.

One of the targets Desire Corp decided on this time was a mutant spider that they called webclaws.

We approached a large complex that probably served as a production facility for a company long ago. The area the building spanned was probably more than six soccer fields combined.

It always amazed me how these buildings were still standing after so many years of being battered by the wasteland’s sandstorms.

I pointed toward the entrance the scout team had previously found, then I watched as Margarite and her team moved in to secure the building. I followed shortly after with Thorne and a small squad of my security team. I found Margarite and Dr. Lut at the forefront of three dozen men who stood at attention.

“Captain Melchior, you’ll lead squad one to be the capture team, while your deputy will lead squad two to be the distraction team. Squad three will stay here to defend this location and our vehicles outside. Remember, you’re not authorized to use lethal weapons on our targets unless as a last resort,” Dr. Lut commanded.

I wondered what they considered being a last resort. I was sure that a few casualties were well within acceptable losses for most corps. For me, on the other hand, I’d rather not have to pay the worker’s compensation and re-train personnel.

Soon, the corporate soldiers received their orders and moved out. Two-thirds of them went further into the building while the remainder, including Margarite and Dr. Lut, stayed in the lobby. They placed a few terminals around and created a mobile security room, where multiple screens displayed the body cam footage of their soldiers.

From the footage displayed, we saw them move cautiously around the corridors of the building until they reached an open area with high ceilings. It was filled with dusty, worn machines that looked more useful as scrap metal. This was where the two teams split off, with the bait team continuing onward.

It didn’t take them long to stumble into an area where spider webs could be seen in every direction. There were large cocoons spread around the area as well, and when the team looked up, they finally spotted the prey they wanted to capture. The only issue was that there were over two dozen of them.

As if smiling at the cameras, the spiders all bared their fangs at the soldiers in unison before they dropped toward their intruders.

It wouldn’t have been that bad if they were just oversized spiders, the size of a car tire, but their legs had sharp claws that were reminiscent of crabs. They were powerful offensive and defensive tools.

The soldiers of Desire Corp immediately opened fire with their specialized tranquilizer guns and backed away while they shot. Unfortunately for them, the claws of the spiders simply deflected the darts as they failed to penetrate the thick chitin.

Although it appeared the men were at a disadvantage at first glance, they orderly retreated at a speed that just barely kept pace with the encroaching mutants. They continued to back up toward the other squad that had an ambush ready.

Once the mutants were lured in, the trap was sprung. The two squads worked in unison and pelted the spiders with tranquilizer darts from two different directions. The claws couldn’t protect them from two directions, with occasional shots that went past their defense. The ones that were hit swiftly went lethargic except for the particular large spider towards the back.

Even when the darts landed on the more vulnerable rear of the spider the size of a go-kart, it failed to penetrate the monster’s hide. It rushed forward at the distraction team and cleanly cleaved two men in half with its sharp claws.

The soldiers panicked and rushed to build some distance with the monstrosity, allowing it to claim several more victims as they turned their back on the threat.

Just when I thought they would have to resort to stronger firepower, the captain I saw earlier rushed into action. He was a giant of a man, standing easily past six-four, with augmented limbs. He definitely fit the classic description of a cyborg as only his neck and above seemed to be organic.

When he dove into action, his large figure blurred and soon reappeared right next to the large mutant. He swung a back fist at the creature and blew its claw away with the powerful blow before he stabbed it with a syringe he held in his other arm.

The gigantic spider faltered but was able to muster another swipe at the man with its claw. The man blurred once again and reappeared on the spider’s flank and stabbed out once more.

This time, the spider lost balance and fell on its stomach. The surrounding soldiers stared at the down creature for a few seconds before erupting into cheers.

“You sure have a pretty powerful helper on your team,” I noted behind Margarite.

“I believe so. He’s the captain for a reason.”

“With the amount of credits invested into his body, he should be ashamed of himself if he couldn’t deal with some mindless beasts,” Dr. Lut added.

Their surrounding guards suddenly drew their firearms toward us and opened fire. I watched as a few of my guards were instantly slaughtered.

What?! But why?

Faster than I could react, Thorne pulled me into cover behind a pillar.

“Rollo, we’re getting out of here. Turn on your active camouflage now!”

I did as he instructed before we both made a run for it while in stealth. We didn’t get far before a hail of bullets chased after us. Thorne pushed me out of the way and soaked up the bullets. The damage disrupted his Shade; he flickered into view until he was fully out of stealth.

“Go...” He muttered as he collapsed.

I didn’t even have time to hesitate as a figure abruptly appeared beside me. I stepped back in time to feel the strong wind pressure pass by me as I dodged an attack.

I quickly pulled out my railgun and fired shots at my assailant, the cyborg captain, as I desperately backed away to create distance. The captain blurred out of existence and reappeared beside me, completely dodging my attacks.

I rolled away and fired more shots, but this time, he simply batted away the bullets with his hand.

No way, that’s unreal... I cannot compete at all in a fair fight. I need to get out of here with Thorne somehow. I need to use explosive rounds as a distraction with the dust it will kick up.

Before I could plot further, I felt my feet lose contact with the ground. I found myself on all fours, puking my guts out. When I looked up, I found the cyborg, who was the captain of their forces, standing over me.

He stabbed out with a device in hand, and my mind blanked as electricity ran through me.

‘Excess electricity current detected in the host. Several rib fractures detected. It is recommended the host gets immediate medical attention.’

Stop with the unhelpful alerts. I know I’m hurt.

“Enough, we want him alive. Secure him already.”

Beside the captain, Margarite emerged.

The shock stopped, and I instantly gasped for air. At least I could focus again.

“What... do you... want?” I squeezed out.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Halls, we want you alive. You’re lucky enough to be headhunted by our company for your excellence in dealing with wastelanders,” Margarite replied.

“Wastelanders? You’re not... from Desire...are you?”

“We know about your relationship with the wastelanders. You’ll find out who we are very soon. As for now, why don’t you rest up?”

She snapped her finger, and the captain stepped toward me.

Just when his hand was about to make contact with me, a strong gust of wind made me reflexively close my eyes. A sharp, piercing sound rang out and hurt my ears, followed by a shockwave that knocked me back.

When I opened my eyes again, I found the cyborg looking down at a huge hole in his chest. He tried to raise his arms toward his injury, only to collapse as if his strings were cut.

What in the...? There’s no time for that now. It’s my chance to escape! Don’t give out on me, legs...