Chapter 276 Sector Alpha City First War-01
— Evening - Sector Alpha City - Island Bridge —
The island bridge, once a bustling lifeline pulsating with daily activity, now suffocated under the weight of an unprecedented crisis. The blockade, strategically enforced to prevent an overflow of refugees from Tessia Kingdom, imposed a surreal scene upon the 15-kilometer structure.
A suffocating traffic jam stretched for miles, a seemingly endless procession of vehicles ensnared in a sea of despair. The bridge, once a dynamic conduit, now bore the burden of dashed dreams and desperate escape plans. The fading sunlight cast elongated shadows, mirroring the anxiety etched on the faces of those trapped.
Car horns blared incessantly, a discordant symphony of frustration echoing through the metallic canyon. Exhausted families, their vehicles laden with the remnants of their lives, exchanged weary glances as the prospect of reaching safety slipped away with each passing moment.
Police cars, positioned stoically, formed a formidable barrier at the blockade. The officers, facing an unyielding influx of displaced humanity, attempted to assert control with gestures and strained voices. Their authority, stretched thin, struggled against the rising tide of panic.
Volunteers, driven by a sense of duty and compassion, weaved through the immobilized vehicles, offering whatever comfort they could. A chorus of uncertain murmurs mingled with the distant wails of sirens, creating an unsettling symphony of crisis.
As darkness encroached, the stranded multitude clung to the hope that rescue and salvation would materialize beyond the blockade.
"Get out of the vehicle and move toward Sector Alpha City on foot!" one of the police officers announced through a handheld speaker. Volunteers carried large signboards toward the side facing Tessia Kingdom, instructing refugees to abandon their vehicles.
Upon hearing these instructions, a glimmer of hope flickered within the refugees' eyes. Most did not hesitate to leave their vehicles behind, carrying only essentials toward the city, as the limited space couldn't accommodate both people and vehicles.
Police officers and volunteers, clad in reflective vests, began guiding refugees fleeing from the demonic horde. The disheartened refugees, their possessions condensed to the essentials, trudged forward, uncertain of the future beyond the barricade. At least, the city served as the safest sanctuary for them at the moment.
In a dramatic turn, a dark cloud of metal scarabs flew from within the city toward the bridge. Descending upon the structure, the bots began to dissolve and disassemble all the vehicles on the bridge, swiftly removing any obstacles. Like a locust plague, the metal scarabs disassembled and dissolved all the vehicles, leaving only the fleeing people and an empty bridge in their wake.
With the obstacles cleared, people could now move more freely toward the safety and refuge of Sector Alpha City. The once-congested bridge transformed into a path of hope and escape, guiding the disheartened refugees to a sanctuary beyond the barricade. The absence of vehicles facilitated a smoother journey, allowing the desperate masses to find solace within the city's protective walls.
—
After the mass evacuation concluded, night fell, and the demonic horde edged within 30 kilometers of the bridge. The blockade was initiated at the long island bridge, where police cars and futuristic military APCs, transporting soldiers in light power armor, created a formidable barricade.
These soldiers were former members of the Veneziale gang who had volunteered for service under the name of Astral PMC (Private Military Company), constituting the bulk of the military force under Astral PMC.
Within minutes, a VTOL descended near the blockade, deploying several warriors in hulking power armor—the same kind used in the Willow family eradication and the purging of the demonic incursion.
Following these operations, the armor underwent further upgrades to enhance wearer survivability, making them impervious to demonic spells and corruption. Additionally, each suit was equipped with various gadgets, such as a small shoulder cannon for firing plasma blasts at the wearer's command.
The sight of these futuristic weapons and advanced armors left the police and city volunteers in utter disbelief. It was as if they had stepped into a scene from a sci-fi blockbuster, exceeding all their expectations.
Staring at the barrels of the Gatling guns on the hulking power armor soldiers, the police couldn't help but feel a sense of shock. These weapons seemed like they belonged in a realm of fiction, not reality.
"Are we seeing this right now? This is like something out of a sci-fi movie," one police officer muttered, capturing the collective disbelief.
Observing the cutting-edge technology before them, some police and volunteers found themselves questioning reality. The allure of Astral Tech's advancements was undeniable, prompting whispers among the officers about the prospect of joining the corporation, not just for duty but for the chance to wield these extraordinary tools of defense.
"Brothers, we've got something for you too." The soldiers in imposing black hulking power armor, evidently the leaders, stepped forward, walking toward the rear of the APC. He pulled out energy-based assault rifles and tossed them to the police.
"We're up against demonic creatures. Normal firearms designed for petty thieves won't cut it. These babies should do the trick," declared the soldier in the black hulking power armor, his mask opening to reveal a confident, bloodthirsty smile— a familiar face.
"Supreme General Sullivan! You work for Astral Tech now!?" The police blurted out in shock, recognizing the seasoned general from the anti-unification war, a living legend.
"Of course! I'm working for them. Better pay, better welfare benefits. And, most importantly, those dangerous toys Astral Tech produces are top-notch! What's not to like?" Sullivan grinned broadly.
"Also, I'm not Supreme General anymore, just a field commander, and these boys are my squad," Sullivan corrected the two police officers, then pointed at the squad of soldiers in hulking power armor, some of whom waved at the police.
"Ohhhhh," the two police officers exclaimed, impressed by the formidable arsenal at the disposal of this squad. Now, they were seriously considering joining Astral Tech.
The lighthearted banter between the police, volunteers, and Astral Tech soldiers continued for about ten minutes before a VTOL flew by overhead with an announcement.
"ETA 5 minutes before the demonic horde arrives!" The countdown announcement echoed through the city, delivered by the electronic female voice of the A.I.
At this moment, the blockade at the bridge became highly fortified, with battalions of soldiers in hulking power armor stationed at their respective positions. All sorts of heavy weaponry were prepared, including artillery and mortars. The countdown began, building tension among the brave defenders.
As the countdown progressed, the defenders saw a red horde of humanoid creatures flying from afar, emerging from Tessia Kingdom.
The mass of red creatures on the land became visible to the naked eye as they advanced toward the bridge from Tessia Kingdom. Currently, no refugees from Tessia Kingdom remained alive, as those who had retreated toward Sector Alpha City constituted the last batch of survivors.
"Hold!" Field Commander Sullivan roared, signaling the soldiers in power armor, police, volunteers, and even some refugees filled with anger and a desire for revenge, some of whom had firearm training and joined the defending effort, to hold their fire.
At this critical moment, atop the rooftops of numerous high-rise buildings, anti-air defense systems sprang to life, orchestrating a symphony of coordinated precision. Magic-infused gun barrels, each equipped with the ability to lock onto demonic signatures, pivoted independently, relentlessly seeking out their elusive targets.
In a breathtaking display of arcane firepower, the anti-air defense systems unleashed bolts of superheated magical energy. These luminous blue-white bolts, reminiscent of celestial pile bunkers, possessed an otherworldly intensity that sliced through the air with a swiftness defying the demonic horde's flight. Guided by a mystical algorithm, the superheated energy homed in on the demons with unerring accuracy.
Upon collision with their targets, each bolt released a crackling burst of potent energy, punching through the thick skin and hard shells of the demonic horde. Trails of ethereal light lingered in the night sky, transforming the cityscape into a battlefield of radiant destruction, a testament to the relentless power of Atlantean artifact weapons.
The demons, initially soaring with malevolent intent, now found themselves obstructed by a barrage that cleaved through their ranks. The defenders below, witnessing the devastating effectiveness of their magical arsenal, experienced a surge of hope. Yet, amidst the awe-inspiring spectacle, the relentless tide of the demonic horde persisted, advancing inexorably toward Sector Alpha City.
In the sky, a cascade of a hundred radiant trails descended, each representing the most concentrated holy energy, falling towards the opposite end of the bridge. These trails of light were the result of artillery fire from the Astral Tech battleship stationed off the coast. Each projectile was supercharged with intense holy power, meticulously designed to purge the demonic presence.
As the hundred trails of radiant light reached the ground, a cataclysmic eruption ensued. The impact of the artillery shells, imbued with intense holy power and purging fire, created a devastating explosion. The air itself seemed to catch fire as the holy flames engulfed everything within their radius.
Demonic entities caught in the blast were incinerated instantly, reduced to ash in the relentless conflagration. The once advancing horde now faced annihilation as the purifying flames consumed them without mercy. The ground shook with the force of the explosion, and the night sky glowed with the fierce intensity of the holy fire.
The defenders, witnessing the divine retribution unleashed upon the demonic horde, felt a mix of awe and relief. The rooftop anti-air defense systems continued their relentless assault, combining their magical firepower with the devastating artillery strikes from the battleship offshore. The coordinated onslaught created a symphony of destruction that echoed through the night, holding back the demonic onslaught.
However, the defenders knew that this was just the beginning of a long and arduous battle. The relentless tide of demonic forces, though severely hindered, still pressed forward.
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