Chapter 73: Why Hasn’t Anyone Hit Him?
The next day, at dawn, the sun was about to rise, and the sky was just starting to lighten.
Outside the outer city of Revival City, many soldiers had been on duty all night.
At the forefront, overseeing the checkpoint, were two major officers.
One of them said, “Last night, Randolph didn’t come back. Don’t know if he’s dead or detained by the Governor.”
The other asked, “Did the General get angry?”
“No.”
The first major officer replied, “The General was actually quite pleased when he saw that the Governor’s troops had really stopped outside.”
“Quite pleased? Randolph is his own now.”
The first officer just shrugged, indicating that this was indeed the case.
“Cold-blooded. Poor Randolph.”
As they chatted, one of them suddenly extended his hand, pointing towards the dim morning fog outside, “What’s that?”
The other followed his pointing finger.
It wasn’t fully bright yet, the light was insufficient, and there was morning fog, reducing visibility. But he could still vaguely see several giant-like figures slowly approaching.
The two officers exchanged a glance, and one of them retreated to blow a whistle, alerting the soldiers stationed at the checkpoint. The other raised his gun and called out into the fog, “Who goes there?”
However, there was no response from the fog.
The figures walking through the mist remained silent.
As they drew closer, heavy footsteps began to be heard.
The footsteps were somewhat abrupt; there had been no sound before, like ghosts.
Now that they were seen, the footsteps were so clear and heavy, as if war drums were beating in their hearts.
He realized who the approaching figures were, but he didn’t know what to do.
Should he open fire? He didn’t dare!
Firstly, he didn’t dare bear the responsibility of firing the first shot.
Secondly, and more importantly, standing exposed at the checkpoint with no cover, firing the first shot would mean his immediate death in the next second.
But should he do nothing?
Caught in indecision, he noticed that the soldiers stationed behind him had readied themselves under the reminder of his fellow officer.
Dozens of guns were aimed at the approaching figures, which reassured him somewhat.
He turned his gaze forward again and asked once more.
“Who goes there? Answer!”
This time, there was still no response.
However, as the footsteps drew nearer, he could faintly make out the figures approaching.
The fiery red power armor and the unmistakably huge stature undeniably revealed their identity.
The man they were escorting, though unseen before, must undoubtedly be the Governor.
As they approached closer and closer, the obstructing officer grew increasingly tense, his hand sweating on his weapon.
He couldn’t help but issue a third warning.
“Please halt, you are not permitted to pass!”
Still, there was no response, as if those approaching were not the living, but a group of ghosts.
After the third warning was given, the figures were very close now.
He couldn’t help but turn his head, looking to his companion as if seeking guidance on what to do next.
However, he found his partner looking back at him with the same question in his eyes.
According to the rules of the wastelands, in such situations, they would shoot first without a second word.
Dead men pose no threat.
But here and now, not to mention political rules, would firing their rifles at these iron-clad bodies even be effective?
What to do?
No one knew what to do.
Under hesitation, entanglement, bewilderment, and immense pressure and tension, the soldiers and officers at the checkpoint simply let the Space Marines and Battle Nuns escort the Governor right up to them.
It was time for a final decision.
The officer in charge still didn’t dare to give the order to fire. But he couldn’t just let them pass.
In the end, he clenched his teeth and bravely stepped in front of the advancing group, extending his palm in a stopping gesture to the leading Space Marine, while saying:
“Halt your advance! You are forb…”
With a dull ‘thud,’ his head caved in.
The Red-armored warrior at the forefront had no intention of stopping.
Faced with the obstruction, he simply extended his hand, swatting the officer’s face aside as if brushing away a fly.
The movement was too fast for the officer to react, let alone dodge. His head caved in as if struck by a giant hammer.
The splattering blood stained the bright red armor, barely noticeable.
His body fell to the side, legs twitching.
The misshapen head continued to bleed, quickly forming a large pool.
No one cared, no one paid attention.
The Death Angel who struck did not even alter his pace.
Those following also didn’t glance sideways.
Even the Battle Nuns of the Sisters of Mercy showed no reaction.
The lead officer was dead, but the soldiers still didn’t dare to fire, not even when the Space Marine kicked over the checkpoint.
No one dared to stand in their way.
Thus, they allowed the Governor’s team to pass through.
The path ahead was equally unimpeded for Gu Hang and his group.
Despite the death at the first checkpoint, there was little commotion.
No gunfire, no explosions.
Many soldiers further back had no idea what had happened, with a considerable number still asleep.
In this situation, Gu Hang’s party of 19 swaggered down the street leading from the outer city to the inner city gate.
The outer city was in poor condition, with haphazard constructions and no planning, many narrow alleys typical of a high-density slum.
However, the roads leading from the gates to the inner city remained broad.
The deliberate heavy thuds of the power armor’s footsteps echoed far.
Many soldiers on duty or just waking up peeked out and saw them.
The imposing Space Marines and the valiant Battle Nuns made a dazzling sight, further highlighting the dignity of the Governor they protected.
Could people like these be dealt with by mere soldiers?
No one dared to think so.
Simultaneously, they felt a sense of relief.
Previously, General Mondok had resolutely refused to let the Governor enter the city, showing a stance of strong opposition.
Now, thank goodness, General Mondok had changed his mind.
Most of the soldiers in the rear were unaware of what had transpired at the checkpoint.
Seeing the Governor’s group striding down the main road, they assumed it was normal, that the General had allowed them through.
Otherwise, why hasn’t anyone attacked them?