Well-Equipped Scavengers

73. Well-Equipped Scavengers

"They're those kidney-harvesting bastards."

Carl reported the situation to Jack and the others inside the vehicle over the comms. "There are probably thirty to forty of them. Not a small group. They're well-armed—I spotted Smart Weapons, and their cyberware setups aren't bad either. Quite a few have Subdermal Armor."

"Jesus, Dogtown really is a godforsaken place. Even Scavengers can afford Smart Weapons and Subdermal Armor now?" Oliver had gotten a clear look at the situation outside through the surveillance display on the compartment wall and couldn't help cursing. He then asked, "Was this a planned attack?"

"Doesn't look like it. Judging by their methods, they may have only figured out the general transport routes of the Barghest and set up random ambushes nearby. Their chosen location isn't particularly clever, but we can't rule out other possibilities. Either way, stay alert."

"Got it," Jack replied. "We'll open the rear compartment and come out to help."

An attack in a place like this would have automatically triggered the vehicle's emergency distress signal. Barghest reinforcements would arrive soon, so they had to keep a handle on things and avoid revealing too much of their true capability.

After explaining the Barghest numbers to Jack and the others, Carl picked up the modified Barghest Ajax she had set aside. Thankfully, it had not taken too much damage in the earlier impact. After a quick adjustment in Carl's hands, it was still usable.

Carl's finger rested steadily on the trigger. Through the cracked windshield, she calmly observed the battlefield. She did not fire immediately, instead rapidly assessing the situation—the Scavengers had clearly not expected the vehicle to retain the ability to fight back after taking an RPG. Their formation was somewhat scattered as they used abandoned vehicles and piles of rubble for cover,