00058 --- The Little Prince in the Ossuary----=
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#Trap (3), Camp Roberts
In front of the outpost, there were dozens of spike strips (spiked grid chains) laid out. Originally intended to block vehicles on roads, they now served as a means to deny access to infected mutants.
Soldiers disembarked to help the sentries. Gyeo-ul joined them, and the sentries were apologetic.
"I'm sorry. We should have cleared this beforehand, but we just received the notification too..."
"No need to be sorry. It's no one's fault."
Clearing them wasn't difficult. They were connected by strings with handles, so a quick tug could at least move them aside. The sheer number of them made it cumbersome.
When Gyeo-ul boarded again, the sentries saluted.
"Take care on your way."
Jeffrey waved out the window. The convoy started moving in unison. Voices soon emanated from the radio.
「Platoon, maintain radio silence unless instructed otherwise.」
Considering the identity of their prey, it was a natural command.
Given intermittent signal transmissions and subsequent location changes, it was apparent that the 「Trickster」 had grasped human strategies. At the very least, it had realized that continuously emitting jamming signals would attract trouble.
'Could these things be exchanging knowledge?'
Even to Gyeo-ul, who was accustomed to mutants, this new variant posed significant potential dangers. Communication was indeed a powerful tool.
The driver refrained from speeding. Not that the roads weren't suitable—it was simply that they'd turned off the headlights upon exiting the camp. Driving while relying on monocular night vision goggles was daring and challenging. The driver constantly leaned forward.
Even without a specific request, the distant noise from periodically activated noisemakers was faintly audible, ensuring the camp's safety.
Gyeo-ul checked the tactical information displayed on the tracker monitor. It showed details like the vehicle's current location, ally dispositions, and mission objectives.
The last known signal believed to be from the 「Trickster」 was detected in the southwest hill area of San Miguel. In terms of distance, it was less than 5km away.
Of course, the actual travel distance extended beyond that. Having had a close call once, Jeffrey exercised significant caution. They chose to take a wide detour to the west and enter from the south of the operation area. One could tell just by observing the direction of the leading vehicle.
"What's that over there?"
Gyeo-ul pointed to the view passing by the window. There were several giant satellite antennas lined up in a facility, entirely devoid of light—a sign of abandonment.
"They say it's a GPS-related facility. I'm just worried they might order us to occupy it soon."
GPS facilities require ground control stations for coordinate and altitude corrections. What they were seeing was one such station, although the numerous antennas indicated it might serve other functions as well. Several radar domes were also installed.
After passing the facility and traveling a bit further, the lead vehicle signaled a stop. According to the tracker monitor, the destination was about 1.5km away.
The platoon searched a farm on the southwest hills. Fortunately, there were no mutants, and the place was deserted.
"So, what do we do now?"
Jeffrey gathered opinions, raising one finger to suggest an idea.
"We have two choices. First, we approach quietly on foot. We might surprise that Trickster bastard. However, it will take time, and there's a chance it could move to another location by then. It might already be gone since it had time while we were coming here."
He extended another finger.
"Second, we make a swift assault using the vehicle. There's a high chance we'll be detected due to the noise, but it's fast and strong. No matter how it escapes, it won't easily shake us off. What do you think is better?"
While outwardly seeking everyone's opinion, Jeffrey was primarily addressing Gyeo-ul. Both he and the soldiers looked to Gyeo-ul.
People fighting on the ground don't ignore their intuition. The soldiers trusted Gyeo-ul more than Jeffrey. It was a slightly bitter fact for him as the platoon leader, yet Jeffrey remained unperturbed. Though he appeared light-hearted, his core was solid and weighty.
"If both options are uncertain, let's choose the safer one. Let's go with the vehicles. But how about approaching while tightening from the outside?"
"Sounds good. After all, our mobility is superior."
Indeed, in a chase experience, the speed of the 「Trickster」 felt no faster than a well-running human to Gyeo-ul. Endurance was another matter, though. Overall, humans aren't particularly fast in the animal kingdom. Jeffrey made another suggestion.
"If we're using vehicles, why not split into two teams? Three teams would be fine too."
Splitting forces is typically risky, but it depended on the situation.
They had brought eight Humvees. Normally, the vehicles were equipped with heavy machine guns, but some carried missile launchers as well. The firepower was quite immense for a single platoon.
Furthermore, the area was open terrain. Even with rolling hills, following the ridge provided a broad field of view, unlike urban areas with many obstacles. With sufficient distance, a single Humvee could fend off a dozen or twenty armed forces.
Gyeo-ul agreed with Jeffrey.
"Let's divide into two teams. It's an even split. One team can communicate freely, while the other maintains radio silence."
"Having a speed difference sounds good too. We'll act as runners and hunters."
At night, the noise of running vehicles could be heard several kilometers away, depending on speed. It was imprudent to rely solely on distant noisemakers. They were facing peculiar beings with sharper hearing than humans and the ability to detect signals.
Hence, the freely communicating, fast-moving team became the runners, while the silent, slow-moving team became the hunters. Moving in a spiral from opposite directions, it would trap anything caught in between.
"Then I'll be the runner. Hang in there, hunter."
Jeffrey patted Gyeo-ul's shoulder.
The consensus was reached in about three minutes. Everyone understood the need to save time.
The vehicle convoy split into east and west groups. Divided into groups of four vehicles, each headed in its own direction. Gripping the radio, Jeffrey started speaking excitedly.
「Welcome to Jeffrey Bethel Brown's Christmas Eve Radio! The sensational Lieutenant Brown, the greatest star birthed by the 7th California, will be making a ruckus from here on out!」
"......."
Gyeo-ul lowered the volume on the radio. The driver gave a wry smile. Meanwhile, Jeffrey sang carols passionately. It was hard to distinguish whether it was singing or yelling.
「FUCK! YOU! Merrily on hell! In hell! The guns are firing!」
The original song was 「Ding Dong Merrily on High」, but no trace of the original remained. After some thought, Gyeo-ul lowered the volume further. It was at a level where it wouldn't interfere with hearing. Calibrated senses wouldn't miss even minute anomalies.
However, there was nothing to detect. Only the deer were startled, scattering in all directions after witnessing the invisible vehicles in the dark.
The search area was narrow to begin with. Even at 20km/h, it could be traversed in ten minutes. Had it been a flat plain, there wouldn't have been much to examine.
Soon after, the runners and hunters regrouped.
"Hey, long time no see?"
Jeffrey approached with a drained joke.
"We were spot-on about this area."
The tracker coordinates had a margin of error between 2.6m and 12.6m. So if the 「Trickster」 had been here, there should have been traces. Jeffrey roamed around aimlessly.
Gyeo-ul shook his head.
"It's useless. The ground's frozen."
Even in California, inland areas in December freeze overnight. The ground, moistened by rain a few days prior, was particularly hardened.
Gyeo-ul stomped the ground for emphasis. Thud. Demonstrating that this was how much pressure was needed to leave footprints. Even with Gyeo-ul's sturdy combat boots, it was challenging. Tracking 「Trickster」 footprints was unlikely unless they were as distinctive as "Grumble's".
Typically, it was a dry area, leaving no trample marks in the grass. 「Tracking」 wasn't functional here.
Jeffrey slumped his shoulders.
"... What is this? It feels empty. Are we going back just like this?"
Almost immediately, a communication officer gestured urgently from the vehicle.
"Commander! An unusual signal was detected! Coordinates are updating!"
"Where is it?"
Jeffrey leaned into the vehicle. Gyeo-ul also checked the monitor of a nearby Humvee. Coordinates were derived from triangulation data provided by the camp and aerial drones.
Jeffrey shouted in frustration.
"Damn it! It's close! Mount up!"
There was no time for detailed instructions. The recent signal was transmitted from just 1km away, and that too, moving closer to Camp Roberts.
While feeling the vehicle's body shake over ground undulations, Gyeo-ul thought it was strange.
'Would the same kind that was so cunning at the hospital be revealing itself in such open space?'
There was no time to organize thoughts. The Humvee, accelerating at top speed, had already reached the new coordinates. The turret's machine gunner shouted.
"Target spotted! 10 o'clock! Distance, at least 200 meters!"
From Gyeo-ul's perspective, it was difficult to see in that direction. Jeffrey's voice echoed over the radio.
「Split up! Vehicles 5 and onwards take the western path!」
The driver turned sharply to the left. The vehicle tilted so suddenly that the right side lifted off the ground. Jeffrey's group remained on the paved road while Gyeo-ul's group veered onto a dirt path.
Thanks to this move, the target shifted to Gyeo-ul's 1 o'clock direction. The view through the front windshield. Amidst the abandoned fields, amidst stakes lined up for crops, a faint figure moved. It appeared very small from the distance.
Ka-ka-ka-ka-ka!
The sound of machine gun fire poured down like a torrent.
"Damn it! It's hard to hit!"
The gunner estimated the distance at 200 meters, but Gyeo-ul's trained estimation suggested almost 300 meters. It was challenging to get a direct hit without precise aiming using a machine gun.
The vehicle couldn't enter the cultivated field due to densely planted stakes. Normally, a military vehicle could crush and traverse, but it proved too problematic.
Gyeo-ul tapped the gunner's leg.
"Switch places with me!"
Gyeo-ul's shout got buried under the gunfire. After repeating it twice, the gunner acknowledged and moved to the backseat. Climbing up, Gyeo-ul took the gunner's seat.
「Firearms Proficiency」 only applied 30% effectiveness to machine guns. Gyeo-ul abandoned the idea of using the machine gun. Standing up, he aimed the rifle.
Shooting from a shaking vehicle was tough. Still, whenever the reticle aligned just right, he was precise in pulling the trigger.
'Got it!'
The running posture twisted. The speed slightly decreased.
From Jeffrey's side, they fired grenades and rockets. It was as if venting frustration over a ruined Christmas. But they missed, and it was regrettable.
As the distance closed, the outline became clearer. It was the 「Trickster」.
It used the terrain advantageously, darting back and forth in the raised central agricultural area to distribute firepower.
However, the farmland couldn't extend indefinitely. Eventually, having nothing to hide behind, it ran onto the road, facing head-on with the leading vehicle. Gyeo-ul grabbed the radio.
"Jeffrey! Turn away!"
Soon after, the creature heated up, radiating intense heat waves. Jeffrey's Humvee, caught in the microwave turbulence, temporarily lost control. The following vehicles also faced minor collisions. Judging by the cursing leaking from the radio, no one seemed seriously injured.
This side faced interference from a newly appeared pack of common mutants. Divided attention caused a delay in recognition. While Gyeo-ul clung to the machine gun, unhandled ones dashed onto the road.
The driver shouted in excitement.
"Roadkill time, bastards!"
He trusted the Humvee's durability and plowed ahead. Crack! Crack! Crack! Mutants bounced off like toys. Through the night vision, it was a dazzling spectacle, warm liquid appearing as sunset hues. The hood speckled and turned purple.
Meanwhile, one mutant, broken in every possible place, spun and flew over Gyeo-ul's head. Spraying blood, its eyes fixated on Gyeo-ul, flailing with outstretched arms. It came close but was left behind helplessly.
Instead, the backlash was seen from behind. A vehicle right on their tail was caught by surprise. The mutant, crashing onto the hood, startled the driver, causing erratic swerves. Despite having ruptured organs, the mutant steadfastly clung to the windshield, refusing to fall. Gyeo-ul turned to face it, unloading a stream of shots from its back up to its head.
「Lieutenant! What if you hit us?」
A panicked voice emerged from the radio. It was the lead from the trailing vehicle.
'Well, it's bulletproof glass.'
Besides, there was no miss.
Turning back forward, the prey had already gained some distance. It seemed destined for the abandoned ranch. Shadows of buildings gathered beyond the broad pasture.
Gyeo-ul fired the machine gun until it clicked. The ammunition had run out. Instead of slowly reloading the heavy weapon, he returned to rifle fire. Standing and shooting from atop a moving vehicle, the shots relentlessly chewed into the target's back.
Crunch!
The Humvee crashed through the ranch's boundary, the impact from breaking through the fence jarring Gyeo-ul's balance, sending him tumbling forward and smacking his forehead against the shield's edge.
Oh no. He fingered the wound. It wasn't severe, but the blood slightly blurred the vision of one eye. Wiping it off somewhat obscured the aiming.
The 「Trickster」 had finally taken refuge in a building. But it was a cornered animal. The frenzied Humvees surrounded it.
「From this point on, we're demolition workers! Unleash everything!」
Jeffrey's bold proclamation to tear the building apart. Gyeo-ul immediately intervened.
"Wait a minute! Didn't they say to capture if possible?! This is a rare opportunity!"
「I don't care! It stole my Christmas Eve! In the name of Jesus Christ, I'll destroy it!」
With that, Jeffrey let out a sigh and, contrary to his words, ordered to stand by. Gyeo-ul climbed down from the turret.
"I'll go inside!"
"Hey, at least take cover! You'll get screwed otherwise!"
Meanwhile, regular mutants were crawling out from other buildings on the ranch. As the remaining forces cleared the other directions, Gyeo-ul entered in pursuit of the 「Trickster」. Slinging the rifle over his back, with a bayonet in one hand and a pistol in the other, he stepped through the shattered doorway.
A dimly lit corridor. He followed visible footprints with the night vision.
A sound of air slicing through the crosswind.
Gyeo-ul, crouched low, watched as a muscular whip flew over his head. Successfully evading, the wooden wall behind him caved in a line. The 「Trickster」 failed to retract its arm, caught by wedge-like wooden shards. Gyeo-ul forcefully embedded his knife multiple times, inhibiting the muscle function.
Next, the specialized mutant pounced with its full body. It seemed ready to employ all its abilities, its body warming red-hot. The preheat lasted just 1-2 seconds.
Wooor! Facing it, Gyeo-ul fired his gun into its face, then rolled between its legs. Turning swiftly to assume a firing position, he shot the beast's hamstring. Heat waves emitted towards the wall. As its whip was there, the scent of grilling meat quickly filled the air.
The mutant let out a mournful wail.
Trying to turn while kneeling, Gyeo-ul bashed it with his helmet and shot through its ankle tendon.
Swiftly changing weapons, he kicked its back and delivered a burst of fire into the shoulder, retreating while reloading his magazine. Creating distance for safety—there might be a desperate last effort.
However, silence followed.
Was it entirely incapacitated now?
After a few sigh-filled steps backward, Gyeo-ul sensed something odd.
The toppled creature was staring at him, unmoving, pulling up the corners of its mouth. It unmistakably formed a smiling face, even producing a peculiar chuckling sound, resembling laughter more than weeping. The radio static noise severely intensified.
While the accompanying soldiers made an uproar, Gyeo-ul pondered.
'Right, it was strange from the very beginning. Why? It's too sloppy. It seems as if it came here to die...'
But the answer wasn't apparent. Even waiting, no new threats emerged.
---------------------------= Author's Note.
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1. The expression "human zoo" introduced in the previous chapter was, in fact, borrowed from Desmond Morris's book 'The Human Zoo.' I thought some might recognize it, given the author's reputation, but then I remembered the translation of this book is horrendous. It's understandable if you're not familiar with it.
2. You might have forgotten, but this novel is serialized 3-5 times a week.
Seriously.