Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 65 Gas Station No. 66 (Sixth Update)
In a virtual space constructed of cold data and blue light, several solid-looking senior operations officers in crisp military-tech uniforms, along with a stern-faced female observer from the biotechnology field, are suspended in front of a giant circular screen.

The screen displays multiple images, transmitting in real time drone reconnaissance footage and satellite aerial views from the vicinity of Gas Station No. 66.

“The target vehicle has entered the designated area,” an operator in charge of monitoring reported in a emotionless voice. On the screen in front of him, the signal point representing the MAN team’s vehicle was parked in an open area of ​​the gas station.

“Identity confirmed.” The operations director, a bald man with a hideous scar on his face, spoke in a deep voice. His virtual avatar was dressed in a black combat uniform, with eyes as sharp as an eagle.

"Confirmed. All core members of Mann's team are in the vehicle: leader Mann, driver Falco, assault team member Rebecca, and technical expert Pila. Close combat expert Dorio is also there. In addition, based on signal tracking and facial recognition comparison, their newly recruited hacker 'Kivi' is currently providing remote support and is not traveling with the vehicle," another analyst quickly added.

"The entire operation team is in position," reported the operation commander, a broad-shouldered, serious-looking colonel. "Two 'Manticore' attack airships are on standby in the designated airspace, ready to provide air fire suppression and blockade at any time."

The ground forces consist of two standard infantry squads, equipped with standard armor and weapons; two Minotaur light attack mechs have been deployed on the flanks, forming heavy firepower points.

In addition, the 'Switchblade' squad has assembled at a rear covert location and is on standby.

The "Switchblade" squad he mentioned is a special unit composed entirely of highly modified soldiers equipped with experimental prosthetics and teetering on the edge of being out of control.

The female observer from the biotechnology team crossed her arms, her virtual face expressionless. She spoke coldly, her voice like ice: "Remember our priority objective: capture them alive if possible."

Especially that hacker, Qiwei, as well as Mann and Rebecca; their brains might contain all the intelligence we need, and information about their mysterious backer. Dead people are worthless to us.

The operations manager with the scar on his face nodded, a cold smile curving his lips: "Don't worry, this setup is enough to crush them a dozen times over."

"Perfect timing! Let's put those expensive 'switchblade' toys to the test in real-world conditions and see if they're really worth the price."

His gaze returned to the main screen, fixed on the lone signal dot sitting in the empty space of the gas station, as if he were looking at prey that had already fallen into a trap.
-
Gas station on Route 66.

The MAN team's vehicles came to a steady stop in the open space of the abandoned gas station.

The swirling sand settled slowly, and all around was deathly silent, save for the monotonous creaking of the wind blowing through the broken signboard and the distant, mournful sighs coming from the desert.

“We’ve arrived.” Falco turned off the engine, his fingers still on the steering wheel, his sharp eyes scanning every possible hiding place around him.

Mann contacted "Old Cat" using the number Faraday had provided, but the only response was a monotonous and continuous busy tone, like some kind of ominous premonition.

He tried several times, but the result was the same.

"Something's not right." Mann's brows furrowed tightly, a chill creeping up his spine. "We can't get in touch with the client."

Rebecca had silently tightened her grip on her plasma pistol, her knuckles turning slightly white: "Damn it, are they playing us?"

"Something's wrong!" Qi Wei's voice suddenly rang out in the team's encrypted channel, filled with unprecedented urgency. "Multiple high-speed signal sources detected approaching! Energy readings off the charts! Military-grade!" Almost the instant her words fell, the ear-piercing roar of engines, like the howl of a wild beast, approached from afar, instantly shattering the tranquility of the desert!

"Withdraw!" Mann's roar echoed inside the car.

Falco reacted quickly, turning the key to try to restart the engine, but it was too late!
Several precise armor-piercing rounds, accompanied by a whistling sound as they tore through the air, came from afar and mercilessly pierced the vehicle's hood and tires!

A deafening explosion suddenly rang out, and scorching air currents mixed with metal fragments shot out in all directions!
Their vehicle, their means of survival, was instantly reduced to a twisted, burning pile of scrap metal, thick black smoke billowing and rising into the air.

"Damn it!" Falco kicked the car door at the last second, tumbling awkwardly onto the sand. The scorching heat blew past his back, bringing a burning pain.

"Cover us! Quick!" Mann roared as he used his burly body as a makeshift shield to cover the others as they stumbled toward the few remaining dilapidated brick walls of the gas station.

Rebecca's reaction was even more direct; she completed a series of actions—turning around, aiming, and pulling the trigger—almost the instant the explosion occurred.

The plasma pistol in his hand emitted a low, dangerous charging hum.

She didn't have time to aim precisely at any specific target; instead, she pointed her gun at the military-tech armored vehicles in the distance that had just come to a stop, their hatches opening and soldiers pouring out!
A high-energy plasma cluster, almost solidified and shimmering with an ominous blue light, shot out!

It did not cause a violent explosion, but instead melted through the thick side armor of the first armored vehicle in an instant in a more terrifying way, like a hot knife cutting into butter.

Inside the melted-through area, the wiring and spare ammunition were instantly detonated. The fireball from the secondary explosion expanded rapidly, engulfing the surrounding soldiers and scattering debris everywhere!
"Ha! See that! The stuff the boss gave us is really good!" Rebecca roared excitedly, before Dorio, who had just realized what was happening, pulled her behind the relatively safe broken wall.

"Use it sparingly! That thing takes time to recharge!" Mann reminded them amidst the intense gunfire, while simultaneously firing suppressive bursts of bullets from his pistol. The bullets kicked up clouds of dust as they hit the hard ground, temporarily slowing down the soldiers who were trying to get closer.

The enemy's firepower was exceptionally fierce and continuous. The barrage of automatic weapons poured down on the broken walls and ruins like water, sending bricks and stones flying and dust billowing everywhere.

Two massive mechs approached slowly, their heavy, rhythmically vibrating steps making them appear like mobile fortresses. Their multi-barreled machine guns continuously spewed deadly flames, creating a barrage that made it almost impossible for Mann's squad to raise their heads.

Pila huddled behind a half-collapsed concrete block, frantically connecting the charging cable to his smart weapon while cursing incessantly: "Damn it! That Faraday bastard! How dare he sell us out! Next time I see him, I'll tear him apart! I'll rip his bones out!"

Mann glanced at the still-burning wreckage of the vehicles outside, as well as the several beautifully sculpted Chevrolet Emperors that had also been blown up, and couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of sand-covered saliva: "What a pity for those Emperors!"

Rebecca, her eyes glued to the heat dissipation indicator light on the plasma pistol, replied without turning her head, her tone brimming with a "what a waste!" attitude: "What a joke! After we pull off this heist, we'll just steal one! It's not like we haven't stolen company stuff before!"

Just as the ground battle reached a suffocating stalemate, with Mann's squad being pinned down in the ruins of a gas station by overwhelming firepower, an even greater threat descended from the sky.

A deep, oppressive roar of engines came from overhead. Two military-technological "Manticore" airships, like giant steel vultures, slowly cast massive shadows over the battlefield below. The missile pods and rotating cannons suspended under their bellies were adjusting their angles, and the cold, deadly crosshairs swept across the bunkers below one by one.

(End of this chapter)