A Blind Stroke of Luck

Once the blast-proof alloy gates in the station's defensive wall opened, the convoy slowly drove into the Energy Supply Station.

Before they entered the station's security perimeter, Amber had already ordered one of the armored vehicles to launch its onboard drone.

It flew along the edge of the Energy Supply Station's anti-aircraft surveillance zone and confirmed there were no signs the place had been attacked.

With their current equipment, that was the least risky reconnaissance they could manage.

And once Amber saw no signs of an attack, he was largely reassured.

As long as Imperial forces hadn't taken the station by force, it was probably safe.

After all, a quantum-encrypted key wasn't something anyone could simply crack by brute force.

The Empire's Orbital Paratroopers, at least, weren't going to parachute in carrying a supercomputer, much less go to all that trouble to crack a single Energy Supply Station.

They had a more important mission right now: wipe out as many Federation Military ground troops as possible.

Once the vehicles were parked, Amber led the Mobile Infantry in finding fuel hoses and cables to refuel the vehicles and recharge their battery packs.

The surviving mechanics in the group used the opportunity to inspect all five vehicles.

Next, Amber assigned several soldiers to help Isabel move the wounded to an open area.

They set up the Portable Sterile Room so Isabel could perform emergency surgery on one of the more seriously wounded soldiers.

Only after arranging the charging of everyone's Exoskeletons, along with the watch and rest rotations, did Amber sit down on the ground nearby.

After the harrowing night they had endured, Amber's energy and strength had fallen sharply.

Since taking command of the group, he had stayed fully alert throughout the drive, not daring to let his guard down for an instant.

After all, another thirty-four lives were now in his hands.

Amber wished he could treat them like NPCs, as he had back when this was a game.

But he saw the life in these soldiers' faces and felt their joys and sorrows.

He found he could no longer look at them the way he used to.

Normally, this would be the moment a voice only Amber could hear rang out.

It would say something like, "Title acquired: A Commander Who Loves His Troops Like His Own Children!"

Unfortunately, this book had nothing of the sort.

After letting his thoughts wander for a while against the wall, Amber dozed off without realizing it.

"Why is it so quiet?"

Sensing something wrong even in his light sleep, Amber jolted awake.

Instinctively, he raised the Ghost Sniper Rifle that had been resting across his knees.

Instead, he found Isabel crouching right in front of him.

The Imperial spy was watching him with a faint, knowing smile.

Her expression reminded Amber of the way she had sized him up at the medical examination center.

"How long was I asleep? Why is it so quiet?"

Amber lowered his weapon and rubbed his aching eyes with his right hand.

"Not long. Less than two hours."

"The vehicles have been refueled, their battery packs are nearly charged, and everyone else's Exoskeletons are mostly charged too."

"They're resting in shifts like you arranged, and there are people keeping watch on the wall. You can relax."

Isabel unscrewed a military canteen and handed it to Amber. Steam rose from its mouth.

"Here. Have some hot coffee to wake yourself up. The others just found it among the supplies in the station."

Amber didn't stand on ceremony. He nodded his thanks, took the canteen, and drank.

The rich aroma of coffee beans and roasted bitterness filled his nose.

Then came the bitter taste on his tongue, followed by a hint of sourness.

Amber frowned as he swallowed his first mouthful of hot coffee. He wasn't used to the taste, but he had to admit it woke him up.

"Was there any milk in the supplies? Or sugar would do. Ahem."

Seeing Amber's awkward, scrunched-up expression, Isabel burst out laughing.

"I didn't expect you to have trouble drinking this. You're like a little kid! Hahaha!"

Amber: "..."

When she noticed the look in Amber's eyes turning dangerous, Isabel quickly stopped laughing and took back the canteen.

"I'll find you some milk. Get a little more rest, and don't wear yourself out."

Isabel stood, then stopped after two steps.

"All these people, me included, are counting on you to hold us together."

With that, Isabel hurried away without looking back. Amber had no idea where she planned to find milk for him.

As it turned out, Amber never got his hot coffee with milk before the convoy set off again.

He forced down the rest of the "dishwater," and it did leave him feeling more alert.

The military-issued stimulants worked better and lasted longer.

But they were formulated drugs, after all, and came with some side effects.

Drinking too much could also build up a tolerance, so Amber never took them unless he had no choice.

Nearby, the communications soldier fiddled with the screen and various instruments for ages before slumping back in his chair in defeat.

"No luck, sir. I still can't reach any friendly forces nearby, and the signals for the Company-Battalion Edge Network and Brigade-Battalion Backbone Network are both terrible."

"That's all right. The communications interference won't clear up anytime soon. Check again every so often, and tell me as soon as you reach another unit."

Amber patted the soldier's shoulder. He had been doing that a lot over the past few hours.

Just as he was about to discuss something with Isabel, a slightly tense voice came over the comms.

"Sir! We've detected a set of shortwave signals we can't authenticate. It might be the Imperials!"

That woke him up faster than any coffee could.

"Are you sure they're Imperial troops?"

"Well... they're definitely not ours, sir!"

Amber frowned slightly. After a moment's thought, he asked another question.

"Direction? Distance?"

"Northeast, along the convoy's route. About three kilometers away!"

"Shit, that close?!"

Amber immediately pulled up the map and checked their approximate position.

Running into Imperial troops right now would be disastrous for his escape plan.

He immediately ordered the convoy off the road to hide in the nearby woods.

The Mobile Infantry quickly disembarked and draped the armored vehicles with camouflage netting that blocked infrared detection.

The convoy's Ultrashort-Wave Reconnaissance and Jamming Armored Vehicle also raised its mast antenna for better reconnaissance and jamming.

They set up the captured 120-millimeter mortar alongside the convoy's other remaining 120-millimeter mortar in suitable positions, ready to provide fire support at any moment.

Amber ordered the Mobile Infantry to hold their positions, then darted off ahead of them.

He intended to use his Optical Cloaking to scout up close and find out exactly what lay ahead.

By the way, do you prefer intelligence operations, fleet battles, ground combat, or giant robots fighting?