Chapter 674 Arrival
As the convoy rumbled forward, the landscape changed, signaling their approach to the White Desert.
The once dense forest that had enveloped them for days thinned out, like a painter meticulously erasing strokes from a canvas. The trees grew sparser and more scattered, their branches reaching out like bony fingers, their leaves losing their autumn hues, fading to a weary, muted color.
As the forest reluctantly receded, it left behind a stark transition zone. The ground beneath their feet shifted to something harsh and unforgiving.
The last remnants of the forest seemed to cling to the edge of the terrain, their roots buried deep, as if reluctant to venture any closer to the arid wasteland beyond.
The ground beneath the tires turned from the bare earth to a mixture of gravel and sand, crunching in a different tone as they moved. More importantly, the chance of being seen by flying Thaids grew significantly.
That prompted the group to cut down some trees and bushes and cover the vehicles with them. It was a crude solution, and Erik doubted Thaids would be deceived by it, but it was still something.
The mercenaries, who had been jovial the night before, now wore more serious expressions.
They sensed the shift not just in the landscape but in the atmosphere; the air grew drier, and a subtle tension hung like a veil over the convoy.
This was especially because of the fact they were aware of how dangerous the White Desert was.
In this unforgiving landscape, their reliance on Erik, their leader, became paramount. The experience, knowledge, and tactical prowess he brought to the table were their best hope for navigating this terrain.
If their previous encounters were dangerous, this was an entirely different beast, and they understood that Erik's leadership was their compass through the dangerous unknown.
Understanding their role in the mission, the mercenaries harbored no shame. Erik had been clear: their primary task was to help drive the vehicles and handling the cargo should they find it. This clarity of purpose resonated within the group, anchoring them to their duties.
As the journey progressed, conversations within the convoy diminished to critical exchanges. Each member, acutely aware of their surroundings and the task at hand, minimized idle chatter, focusing instead on the essential.
In the rear vehicle, vigilance was as present as in any other part of the convoy. A scout, eyes scanning the horizon, broke the silence with a report, his voice steady and clear over the radio. "All clear at the rear. No sign of Thaids."
His partner, the driver, nodded in acknowledgment, her eyes fixed on the path ahead. "Keep a sharp watch," she responded, her tone firm yet calm. "They could appear at any moment."
The scout nodded, his gaze returning to the expanse behind them.
Erik, sitting in the lead vehicle, saw the surroundings' change. He looked out at the increasingly desolate scenery, his eyes narrowing as he considered the White Desert dangers.
The place was notorious for its harsh conditions and deadly thaids, and they were now on its doorstep.
Erik queried, sounding focused. "Kael, what's our estimated time at the checkpoint?"
Kael responded, a hint of concentration in his voice. "Around two hours at our current pace, Erik."
***
As the convoy continued its trek, the last remnants of the forest faded away in the rearview mirrors, replaced by an open expanse that seemed to stretch infinitely.
As the convoy neared the White Desert, the sky above unfolded, mirroring the expanding terrain below. It stretched endlessly, a vast canvas of blue that swallowed the horizon, making space for the boundless desert ahead. This transformation in the sky was like turning the pages of a familiar book to reveal an uncharted chapter.
The sky, once dotted with clouds, now lay bare like a painter's empty canvas. Nature seemed to pause, taking a breath before plunging into the desert's harshness. The sun blazed with intensity, casting a golden hue over the landscape that flickered like molten gold.
***
It took little time for them to arrive there.
The desert was a realm of extremes, a place where the elements conspired to test the mettle of any who dared to traverse its barren plains.
During the day, the sun blazed unforgivingly, turning the sand beneath their feet into a scorching furnace. Yet, despite the harsh conditions, there was an undeniable beauty in the landscape.
Amidst the scorching desert, one mercenary, gazing at the dunes, shuddered, "I wonder what Thaids lie ahead..."
Another, their voice tinged with anxiety, replied, "I've heard tales of the creatures in these sands, mate. It's giving me the chills. They are often said to ambush their prey."
"Ah… Fuck… That would be an unpleasant situation."
"Yeah."
As they pressed forward through the scorching desert, fear gnawed at them, and their conversation was fraught with trepidation about the horrors they might encounter in the unforgiving landscape.
The way the light played upon the sand created an ever-changing tapestry of shades and textures as if the desert itself were alive and breathing.
The mercenaries peered out of their armored vehicles, their eyes scanning the landscape with apprehension. The desert stretched endlessly before them, its vastness seeming to swallow everything in its relentless embrace.
Each of them understood the unforgiving nature of this land, a place where only the strong survived.
Erik surveyed the scene from the lead vehicle, his eyes narrowing as he took in the vastness that lay before them. This was the White Desert, a place of both peril and promise, and as the wheels of the convoy churned the pristine sand beneath them.
Erik's eyes scanned the barren landscape. He picked up the radio and pressed the button to connect with Kael, who was taking care of the general management of the convoy with Aiden.
Erik leaned forward in his seat, his eyes fixed on Kael, his impatience thinly veiled by a calm tone. "Kael, fill me in. Where are we exactly? How far till we reach the spot where that plane might've gone down?"
Kael didn't leave Erik hanging for long. His voice was steady and concise, mirroring his professionalism. "We're on the outskirts of the desert, Erik. About 150 kilometers from the target area, which spans about 50 kilometers wide."
Erik took a moment to process the information, his brow furrowing slightly. "How long's it gonna take us to reach that spot?"
Kael's hesitation was palpable, a visible moment of uncertainty that played out in his furrowed brow and the slight tremor in his hand as he ran it through his tousled hair.
His eyes flickered between the sand mountain that dominated the horizon and Erik.
His fingers, as they combed through his hair, betrayed the whirlwind of thoughts churning within him.
"Well," he began slowly, "it all depends on the path we choose. See, we got two options here." As he spoke, Kael gestured towards the sand mountain and then traced a winding path with his finger in the air.
"Up ahead, there's this massive sand mountain. We can cross it to save time, but it's gonna slow us down big time. The terrain's a real beast." He paused, his fingers nervously tapping on the steering wheel.
"Or," Kael continued, "we can take the longer route. Adds about three hours to our trip, but we'd keep a steady speed, which might be a tad safer."
His hand rested on the map spread out on the dashboard. "Either way, we're guaranteed to hit our destination today. So, Erik, what's your play?"
Erik reclined in his seat, his brow furrowed in deep contemplation. He couldn't ignore the lives of his team. Yet, he didn't want to
His thoughts wandered to the weapons in their vehicles. But he knew these weapons were no match for the Thaids roaming this unforgiving land. Avoiding conflict seemed not just prudent but necessary for their survival.
Yet Erik recognized the dichotomy of their situation. While evasion might be their best bet to stay alive, having an unobstructed view of the surroundings was paramount to finding the crash site amidst the desert.
He assessed the potential hazards and advantages, recognizing the unpredictable elements that might sway the balance. After thorough consideration, he reached a conclusion.
"There's no point in prolonging our exposure out here," Erik said, his voice resolute. "We'll take the fastest route. Prepare the convoy to cross the sand mountain."
Kael's voice came back. There wasn't a better or worst choice, and in the end, since the task of defending the convoy from the stronger Thaids fell on Erik, it was his call to make. "Understood. I'll relay the orders."
Erik, seated in his vehicle, surveyed the scene from a distance as the convoy pressed forward. Even at this distance, he could discern the actions of his men and women within their vehicles.
He noticed them attending to their firearms, checking mechanisms, and loading magazines.
Some were taking sips from their water bottles to combat the desert heat, some were sharing a quick meal. They savored bites of simple rations, understanding the need to conserve supplies for the journey ahead.
Updat𝓮d from freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.co(m)