Chapter 94

I gaze at the explosion that differs in many ways from the fireworks I witnessed on Christmas.

Thick smoke billows out without respite, and the fire shows no signs of going out, seemingly spreading from some volatile substance.

Whether the metal debris soaring high was part of the bomb or fragments of the shattered track, it falls haphazardly and becomes lodged in various spots around the desert.

Damn, how large was the explosion for this debris to fly all the way here?

The first thought that crosses my mind is that the original terrorists must be occupying the spacious passenger cabin, since two of the passengers are missing. Even if they took the opportunity, doesn’t their excessively bold action seem a bit too fiery for just your typical corporate greed?

Furthermore, the explosion site is filled with a sticky, ominous color that resembles tar; there is little sense of playful intent here.

“So, is it the experts’ decision to just plow through that?”

Needless to say, it’s not like we’re going in bare-handed; the plan involves vigorously crashing into it using the train’s body, but I voiced a reasonable doubt about this ignorant on-site judgment.

Yet, the crew member, with all the confidence of someone armed with logic, elaborated with certainty.

“The physical force of a high-speed train, the strength of the front alloy, and the repulsive force that the repulsor can generate have all been taken into account. This isn’t the first time that external thugs have tried to steal supplies this way.”

“Hmm… Well, that’s a relief…”

“Moreover, a support request has already been sent, so within at least 30 minutes, reinforcements from Harvest Planet and a team dispatched from the maintenance management department will arrive to sort out this mess.”

He added this reassuring information after reading my skeptical expression.

But that’s ultimately a post-support; it won’t help us at all right now…?

I’m fine because I’ve experienced this kind of scenario countless times.

However, conversely, isn’t it also true that the other side has confidence in producing a different outcome this time, confirming my unhelpful worries?

A low rumble…!

Though it’s a bit far, a rather artificial and small sandstorm swirls over the hill visible through the window.

The sand mounds stacked up high are being disturbed and blown away by upward currents, revealing the glossy outline and massive body of a hovercraft.

The vibration and pressure produced by the whirring propellers create a stunning sight as the desert, recently shaken by the explosion, now waves like a swimming pool.

Moreover, this classic ambush method reminds me of an antlions, old yet still effective in the middle of such a desert.

I’m grateful for the good show I’ve had, but I wish it would stop now.

“…I hope that’s the support troops.”

“Uh…”

I pulled my gaze away from the crew member, who was gaping.

I didn’t really expect much; I only asked out of courtesy. There’s also a chance it could be one of those services that promises delivery in 30 minutes but shows up in 10. Yeah, I wasn’t disappointed.

However, this means that the probability of that military hovercraft appearing coincidentally as an ally is significantly lowered… It feels odd to consider it an enemy, though.

It’s not a hoverbike or hovermobile, and it’s something that, even after rolling around Metropolis for more than half a year, could only be seen if there was an EMP terror event? How did it suddenly pop up here?

…A bad odor fills the air, a stench.

As that intense foul smell grew stronger the unidentified craft approached the train… it clung to my body.

“…Oh?”

A hovercraft simply refers to a craft type.

Even if only a few companies possess mass-producible technology, the models and types differ vastly in purpose, with a variety of required detailed options.

For instance, a military hovercraft released by Exatech would be an armed mobile fortress capable of functioning as an independent weapon system.

Conversely, a hovercraft produced by Heylong would likely emphasize rapid mobility and durability regarding the soldiers aboard rather than additional armament.

Moreover, even machine products have endless customization options based on the orderer’s intentions, so it’s normal not to find two identical pieces among such high-priced machines… So why does this hovercraft feel so familiar? What is it?

Clunk, clank…!

Before I could finish my contemplation, the vibrating steel wings moving closer began to shake the window violently.

Once it drew nearer, the shabby skull-pattern paint and red and yellow paint that were hard to see from a distance came into view, particularly the scratched and dented parts that hinted at a story.

The scars were as if something had erupted nearby, like a grenade had exploded at close range.

“…This is really unfair.”

What should I call this?

Your pocket money will eventually return to you as a criminal’s bullet? Who lives with this kind of scenario in mind!

“Hey, city rat bastards! Listen up! We are the Taito gang, ruling from Harvest Planet to the Fresno food plant complex and the Mojave Desert! If you don’t completely shut down the engine and stop that damn train right now, I will gladly topple it, knowing the belongings may get damaged!”

The harsh and savage voice stretches out.

In reality, they wouldn’t even go near areas guarded by police or military, but their grandiloquent speech was quite something.

In this case, since they have something to rely on, they could claim they “dominate” the situation just as they say.

Clunk…! Boom…

With the train not responding even as we got close to the point where the track was blown up, the hovercraft began to circle in the air.

Obviously, they weren’t trying to put on a motor show. Instead of driving at an angle, they matched speed with the train and rushed alongside it… only to slam their armor against it.

Screech…!

Crunch!

Soon enough, a chilling metal sound resonated through the body.

I saw the violently spinning rotor blades and the booster engines spewing blue flames. They were going all out to push. Passing the disconnected section, the train’s trajectory would completely deviate.

If the front portion lost control, the rest would surely follow suit.

The metallic sound assaulting my eardrums grew louder. It felt like being on a sinking ship; it was not a sound to be heard lightly even as a joke. I couldn’t tell if the train would hold on.

Though I’m not a mechanic, I could figure this out.

If the boasting lower repulsor could indeed counter the force pushing from the side, it would force its way through. But what if it’s not such a good device…?

A jolt! A different kind of vibration, distinct from violent external interference, pierced through the entire vehicle.

The desert scenery reflecting through the windows began to recede, and the hovercraft’s outer armor, unable to keep pace with the sudden speed change, left long scratch marks along the train’s side.

They have complied with whatever the Taito or whatever gang’s demands were for now.

“…I don’t know if this is the right choice.”

No one could deny this was far better than having a topple accident where everyone ends up in a mess… but it left an unpleasant feeling to think that we just bowed down to thugs before it escalated into a real problem.

Maybe this is what being oblivious to danger feels like?

“We still… we’re still okay! There are two security doors up to the first-class section that are holding firm!”

“Okay~ I understand, so just go back and hold out according to that manual.”

I shooed away the crew member, who was begging to evacuate to the engine room.

If it were a real vault door that was hard to get through, I might trust it, but I have no intention of believing that an electronic security door would comply in only 10 seconds of playing around with it.

“Hurry up!! The operation is a race against time! Those who waste time will be discarded!!”

“Bastards who don’t want to die, get down! Down…^&%#…!!”

“Damn! F*cking…^&*#$….”

Already echoing through the tumultuous interior of the vehicle was the criticism and gunfire, and I felt on edge as I pulled out my long-unused handgun and checked the chamber.

Look, all they did was turn off the engine. They didn’t submit separately. The enemies have already burst through the train door and are fighting.

It seems that the door breaching is quick and the speed of their hands is fierce; they’re truly first-class scum among criminals.

Is this karma…? But it’s a karma no one can pin down the root of.

There’s no way to ascertain responsibility, and with insufficient clues to make guesses, if they’ve got no intention of rushing in, then the best course is to let them just pass like a cow watching a chicken.

But what if that damned piece of junk somehow remains intact and is subjected to a complete operational record investigation? I had tidily initiated a factory reset before leaving the settlement, but it was evident that any remaining records would flow through.

If a meticulous person were to compare, they might even uncover that it was something used in an enema.

At that time, driven by the urgency of needing credits for citizenship, I had begrudgingly agreed to sell it.

I fought alone and had limited capacity, and while it had been somewhat useful, now?

“Zero? We have to smash that hovercraft, no matter what.”

– Do you have a particular grudge against the Taito gang? –

“…Ah, don’t tell me you don’t remember in detail? That thing has ‘roots’ with us, so this time we’ll completely scrap it.”

Zero’s sensors lit up to maximum brightness, realizing the gravity of the situation.

Even just eliminating evidence would likely be the most lethal request I’ve given so far; however, perhaps seeing it as a chance to redeem a mistake, he asked an even more audacious question.

– Shall we remove all witnesses as well? –

“Should we just target the outlaws…?”

…This guy. Does he seem like he’s tense on the scanner?