CRASH!
A second-floor window shattered outward, followed by a rope dropping to ground level. Two figures slid down in seconds — Wade and Mike.
They circled toward Bryan's position, sparing not a glance for the bodies on the ground. "Squad Leader, everyone inside has been dealt with."
"Good."
Bryan turned, hands clasped behind his back. "Well done, both of you."
Mike stepped forward, a thin, cryptic smile on his lips. "There is, however, some 'unfortunate news.' The two new recruits were caught in the crossfire — multiple gunshot wounds. Killed in action."
"What a regrettable loss."
Bryan shook his head mournfully, sighed with theatrical sadness, then swept his arm decisively. "This local survivor group launched an unprovoked attack on a QZ convoy. Given their history, they're undoubtedly responsible for numerous prior atrocities. This kind of threat must be eliminated immediately."
He turned to Elton. "Check with Kim — where is he, and when's he getting back?"
"Sure, I'll—"
"I'm here!"
A shout from down the street cut Elton off. The squad looked up to see a figure jogging toward them at pace.
Kim Seong-min arrived and dumped the unconscious man from his shoulder. He leaned over, slightly winded, hands on his hips. "Look what I brought back — the 'big boss' himself. Identity confirmed. He's their leader."
Bryan looked at the unconscious middle-aged man, then at the two remaining prisoners. "He's your leader?"
The two were still too shaken to respond coherently, trembling in place.
The scrawny youth recovered first, swallowed hard, glanced at the body on the ground, and nodded. "Y-yes. He's the new leader."
"New leader?" Bryan caught the emphasis, eyebrow rising. A suspicion formed.
"Right." The youth explained: "This guy just stumbled into the position by accident. Our previous leader was a man named Myles — sharp, capable, a real strategist."
He looked up at Bryan, hesitated, then set his jaw. "If Myles were still alive, he would've seen through your plan. Tonight's outcome might have been very different."
"Ha. You've got nerve." Bryan studied the scrawny youth with amusement. "Aren't you afraid I'll put you down too?"
The youth flinched, fists tightening, head dropping again — but he didn't take it back.
"Alright — Elton, Wade, go find Norman. Get the vehicles over here. We've got more work tonight."
Bryan was mildly impressed by the young man's backbone, but didn't dwell on it. The world had no room for "what ifs." Win or lose, live or die — that was all there was.
Knowing the dead leader had only recently assumed command explained everything. A fractured group, divided loyalties, every person looking out for themselves — if Bryan's squad had lost to that, they'd have deserved it.
He had zero interest in interrogating this new leader personally. Turning to Kim, he said: "He's yours. Whatever method you want — get everything he knows."
After Elton and Wade departed, headlights appeared on the nearby street within minutes, growing brighter until the vehicles pulled up alongside Bryan's group.
"Load them up. We're moving."
Bryan grabbed the scrawny youth and tossed him into the lead military truck. "You're navigating."
With a single command — "Move out" — the convoy rolled southwest toward the golf course complex.
...
Southwest Peachtree City — Ridge Golf Club perimeter.
On the rooftop of a five-story building, Andrea had gathered every combat-capable member of her group. She surveyed the four people before her. "Alright, we wait here."
She turned to a burly man among them. "Corbin, how are things at the school? No problems?"
"Hall's there. Nothing to worry about."
Corbin stood at the roof's edge, gripping his hunting rifle, eyes fixed on the brightly lit golf course in the distance. "Andrea — are you sure those QZ soldiers will actually help us rescue our people?"
Andrea couldn't be certain. But she could see the desperation in Corbin's eyes as he stared at the compound — his wife was among the captured — so she nodded firmly. "They will. I'm sure of it."
"Sis, look — there's a fire over there!"
Hannah's voice cut through the conversation. She was pointing urgently toward the horizon.
Both Andrea and Corbin whipped around. Far to the north, a faint glow pulsed against the dark sky. If the surrounding buildings weren't so low, and if they weren't standing this high, they might never have spotted it.
"That's... the shopping center."
Andrea whispered the words, and something Bryan had said clicked into place. She looked at Leo and Hannah and found them already staring back, the same realization in their eyes.
"Darcy — check the golf course. Are there fewer people inside?"
The middle-aged man nodded, raised the binoculars hanging from his neck, and moved to the roof's edge. The golf course interior was lit by firelight, giving him enough visibility despite the darkness.
His lips moved as he counted. It took only a few minutes before he lowered the binoculars. "Definitely fewer. Most of the missing ones are the men who usually carry weapons. Right now it looks like just women, elderly, children, and five or six guards."
"YES!"
Corbin nearly leapt with excitement. "No wonder we got here so easily today — most of their fighters must have gone after those soldiers. This is our chance! Their defenses have never been thinner, and the raiding party won't be back anytime soon. Let's go — now!"
Andrea frowned. "But I promised Bryan we'd wait for his signal..."
"What's gotten into you, Andrea?" Corbin's patience snapped. "Our people are in there. When's there going to be a better opportunity than right now? What if those soldiers lose? What if the raiding party comes back while we're sitting here on our asses? We'd have thrown away our one shot for nothing!"
He turned back toward the golf course, fists clenched. "This might be our only chance."
Andrea sighed. She could see the iron in Corbin's eyes and knew she couldn't stop him. "Fine. I know. Let's—"
Before she could finish, static crackled from her pocket.
Andrea's hand flew to the radio Bryan had given her. A familiar voice emerged through the hiss.
"Kssh... Andrea... are you there?"
...
Get 20+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"