Chapter 523: Chapter 341: Strictly Following Orders (Part 2)
...
Rusted Wall M6 Patrol Station, soldiers of the Rust Wall Defense Team watched the border people being slaughtered in the distance, each swallowing their throats involuntarily.
One soldier looked at the commander beside him and asked tremblingly, "Sir, this is driving them to a dead end... Can’t we do something?!"
The commander said expressionlessly, "Listen, kid, the City Council ordered not to open the Rust Wall, so our job as soldiers is to follow orders."
The soldier said anxiously, "Then we won’t open the Rust Wall, is it impossible to temporarily disable the firepower recognition zone? Let those refugees hide under the wall, closer to us! That way, if beasts come, our city defense turrets can provide them shelter!"
Other soldiers also chimed in, agreeing with this approach.
The commander saw the distant ant-like people reflected in his eyes, his voice very low: "Kids, you’re all smart, but you don’t understand politics."
"Making a decision means bearing the consequences it brings."
"Now, the order is from the City Council, those killing are the city defense turrets, they are fully automated by system control, and indeed the other side ignored the warnings and stepped into the firepower recognition zone, everything complies with the Rust Wall Patrol Handbook, even God couldn’t find fault with us."
"And you mentioned closing the firepower recognition zone, the consequences this decision might bring, we cannot predict."
"So we can’t do anything, and only by doing nothing can we avoid any responsibility afterwards."
...
At this moment, not only the border but the Inner City is also in chaos.
The sheriffs have all been sent to assist the evacuation of the three giant enterprises, and the security situation has completely spiraled out of control.
The conditions in the streets and alleys are temporarily not mentioned, the disaster’s online popularity has exploded exponentially, online monitoring members working around the clock can’t suppress it, videos captured by civilians using phones or drone devices are everywhere on social media.
On the Edge Mercenary Corps side, drones always fly over the border, following up on-site conditions, and timely feedback to Su Mo.
But the message arriving now is that Su Mo has completely lost contact, Future and Qi Ling are trying to restore contact with him, it’s uncertain how long it will take.
Faced with one scene after another captured by the drones, seeing border people sandwiched between beasts and the rust wall, moving forward means death, retreating also means death, the Edge Mercenaries feel a chill in their hearts.
"These City Council people are truly ruthless..."
Dongdong is a native of the border, she may now have donned bright clothes and removed the shameful dog tags, but her roots remain in that birthplace.
Seeing so many border compatriots mercilessly slaughtered, Dongdong’s face is already covered with tears, unnoticed, that small body trembling continuously due to grief and anger.
"Wolf Attack must be understaffed, letting so many beasts slip through... We have to do something... Yes, we must do something!"
She forcefully wipes away tears, picks up the Dragon Steel Baseball Bat, and heads out: "All combat personnel, prepare your gear, onto the Floating Airship, we’re heading to the border!"
She hadn’t walked a few steps when her arm was grabbed.
Turning back, Chu Nanyi looked at her confusedly: "What are you doing?"
Dongdong, without thinking: "Going to save people! Otherwise, what, just stand here and watch?"
Chu Nanyi: "Whose order is this?"
Dongdong: "What do you mean whose order?"
Chu Nanyi: "Going to the border to save people, is this an order from the leader?"
Dongdong: "He’s lost contact, how can he give any order?"
Chu Nanyi: "Right, you also know he’s lost contact, now without orders coming through, how can we act rashly?"
Dongdong stood there dazed for a moment, then said heavily: "I tell you, with my understanding of the boss, if he’s still conscious, he would definitely order us to support Wolf Attack!"
Chu Nanyi said indisputably: "I believe, I absolutely believe the leader would do that. But believing is one thing, actually having an order come through is another."
"Now the city is in chaos, the leader is out of contact, completely unaware of what’s happening outside. We can’t use a supposed assumption or belief to make decisions for him, there are uncontrollable risks in it, do you understand?"
Dongdong looked at Chu Nanyi puzzledly, her voice very suppressed: "Risk... Xiaochu, are you afraid to die?"
Chu Nanyi said without hesitation: "It’s not about being afraid to die! Even under the dangerous situation with Fools’ Association, I stood with everyone, is afraid to die even an issue now?"
"I want to tell you, if we make decisions rashly and this decision is wrong?"
"What if the leader wakes up midway, wants to make other deployments knowing the situation, but all our people are trapped in the border, what will he do then?"
The surrounding Edge Mercenaries looked at each other, gathered to comfort Dongdong.
"We should listen to Brother Chu, he’s right, it’s not about fear of death, it’s about the principle."
"Sister Dong, I’m from the border too, seeing the compatriots in trouble, I’m also anxious, but we can’t break the rules due to anxiety."
"Yes, unless there’s a clear order, we absolutely can’t act rashly, otherwise it might disrupt the leader’s plan."
Chu Nanyi reached out and tapped Dongdong’s shoulder, speaking softly: "Dongdong, my next words may be a little harsh, don’t mind."
"Edge Mercenary Corps belongs to the leader, not to you. Even if so many recognize you as the second-in-command, you still rank behind the leader no matter what."
"With usual small things, it’s no problem, you do whatever you want. But such matters involving the entire team, besides the leader, no one can make decisions alone, including you."
Everyone originally thought, given Dongdong’s fiery temper, she might argue with Chu Nanyi.
But she didn’t, she just stood there, eyes lowered, silently shedding tears.
After a while, she used her sleeve to wipe away the tears, looked at everyone, and choked up, "Fine, you’re all right, I was impulsive on this matter, I won’t ask you to do anything."
"I’m going to find someone else now, someone who can make a decision, ask her for help, isn’t that within the rules?"
After saying, Dongdong ran out of Edge Mansion without looking back.
A mercenary wanted to follow, Chu Nanyi tugged and shook his head helplessly, saying: "Let her go, most likely she’s looking for the master."
...
"How is the maintenance work on the transport ships?"
"In good condition, all have been released from the warehouse ready for deployment."
"What about personnel?"
"All in place, ready for dispatch anytime."
"Good, next we’re waiting for ’that person’."
Outside the Mo Xue Mercenary Corps headquarters, the square is parked with a fleet of transport ships, hovercars, and single soldier flying devices, totaling several hundred vessels, it’s all Mo Xue’s possessions.
Shangguan Li held a bunch of forms, conducting the final check with his subordinates.
Just then, a single soldier flying device landed in the square, Dongdong jumped off: "Master!"
Shangguan Li paused, looking at Dongdong puzzledly: "With such chaos outside, not staying at your place but coming to me, what for?"
Dongdong asked urgently: "Do you know what’s happening at the border?"
Shangguan Li: "I know."
Dongdong grabbed Shangguan Li’s hand, looked eager, and said: "Time is pressing, people are dying every moment now. Master, lead Mo Xue Mercenaries to save those people! I’ll join you!"
Shangguan Li was stunned, appearing somewhat bewildered: "Save people? The City Council now refuses to open the Rust Wall passage, everyone is blocked outside, how to save?"
Dongdong said sharply: "Director Sikinkov is coordinating at Rust Wall, he will definitely find a way to open the passage! The key is time!"
"Beasts have already caught up with the refugee groups, Wolf Attack is severely understaffed and urgently needs assistance, we can help Wolf Attack rebuild the defense line, buy more time!"
Listening to these words, Shangguan Li’s lips parted but stopped, ultimately saying nothing, just looking at Dongdong with a complex gaze.
