Apocalypse Gachapon Chapter 1956: Cave Huo Transport squad

Evenings in the survivor fortress didn't differ greatly from those on a typical world, as the whole stronghold required sourcing numerous essentials in real-time, including illumination, energy, and compatibility with their original home worlds...

Still, on either natural cosmic entities or constructed bastions, the onset of night often heralded the rise of depravity. To put it accurately, the shroud of darkness itself granted a inherent veil for countless acts.

The Cave Huo People ranked among the 'Eight Heads' in Darkstrip City, signifying one of the eight mid-tier species.

That said, their standing wasn't favorable, especially in the eyes of the Star-Eye Clan.

Excavation and building were the forte of the Cave Huo People. Though they weren't the top experts across all interstellar groups, within Darkstrip City, no other faction excelled more in these skills.

They had constructed the Star-Eye Clan's subterranean stronghold. Yet, they had gouged this desperate client excessively at the time, turning the urgent Star-Eye Clan into easy marks.

In the years that followed, the Cave Huo People shed any remorse for their greedy ways and grew even gentler toward the Star-Eye Clan. Instead, they seized every chance to exploit this dwindling minor group further.

The Star-Eye Clan harbored deep resentment toward the Cave Huo People.

On this day, a squad of a hundred Cave Huo People was conveying a load of supplies and gear to a different city. The Yanghu Plantation lay directly in their route.

"Today, our aim is to raid the Cave Huo People's convoy."

This declaration stirred discomfort among every member of the Assault Camp.

Raiding their convoy?

Wasn't that absurd? This wasn't the bygone era when shipments depended on fleets of vehicles. Nowadays, space storage devices handled most transport. In essence, a convoy boiled down to an elite unit aboard transports.

Large machinery, meanwhile, got shipped via the skies on flying vessels.

Ground-based hauls typically covered short distances, linking nearby cities.

Should a call for aid go out, swift aircraft and vehicles could bring backup in mere minutes.

At that point, not only snatching goods would prove impossible, but escape could turn dicey too.

Nevertheless, Ye Zhongming's command had solidified over this period. Though the Assault Camp troops deemed the plan dubious deep down, they stayed composed.

"I understand your concerns, but rest assured, since I've chosen this path, I won't risk my life or yours lightly."

Ye Zhongming addressed the group below as he spoke. "Just concentrate on eliminating the enemy later. Leave the rest to me. If you fail to take them down, you'll end up as the ones taken down."

"I'm dead serious. Remember how they fleeced us during the underground fortress construction? They capitalized on our plight and extracted a fortune from the clan. What could that sum have funded? Training for top-notch warriors? Acquiring prime gear?"

Maybe sensing that prior drills and routines had been overly harsh, Ye Zhongming now tapped into their sentiments and logic.

"Today's action is merely reclaiming a fraction of what's owed."

As he reached this point, Ye Zhongming's tone eased. "You all know the clan's dire straits. The recent successes on the Novice battlefield have eased the pressure somewhat, but the outlook remains grim. We must enact shifts. This raid marks the start of those shifts."

"Why form the Assault Camp? To wield our own strength and stake our lives for the clan, safeguarding the legacy of 'Star-Eye Clan' among the stars? If so, why waver or fret? Is it mere fear holding you back?"

"Not afraid!" The Assault Camp responded with restrained fervor.

With the Order Leader's words ringing true, hesitation faded. Time to charge ahead!

"Ambush tactics are our Star-Eye Clan's specialty, right? Victory is assured this time."

"Now, I'll outline the specific zones each of you will strike."

…………………………

"This clunker isn't just sluggish; it's jolting as hell. Why couldn't they spare us a couple of hovercrafts?"

A burly figure clad in armor, gripping a meter-long gun, grumbled from his spot in the mechanical transport.

The operator was a hairless fellow. Black, horn-like growths stretched from the rear of his skull to the collar of his battle suit, a hallmark of the Cave Huo People.

"And hand you a hovercraft? Don't those guzzle power? In these times, with survivor fortresses relocating en masse and burning through Moonspan Gold, we can't speak for the big leagues, but mid-tier groups are pinching pennies. Mechanical transports are a luxury already. Sure, the leg mechanisms rattle and lag a tad, but they're way more secure than hovercrafts, no?"

The initial complainer scoffed. "Secure? We've barely departed Darkstrip City, and our endpoint's right around the corner. Who'd be foolish enough to tangle with us? This job's a breeze even half-asleep."

"Don't get cocky. Tensions have been high lately."

Yet another crew member remained vigilant, scanning the surroundings via the ancient monitoring display in the vehicle.

"Quit staring. That relic from centuries back is worthless for spotting threats. Besides, the unrest plagues the elite factions. What peril lurks here? You think bandits are eyeing our haul?"

His words sparked chuckles among the rest.

In Darkstrip City, the Cave Huo People weren't the mightiest, but they stood among the elite forces. This hundred-strong unit, cruising in five outdated mechanical transports toward their goal—though not a grueling trek, nor a classified mission, and hardly their finest squad—still, given the cargo's value, assigning this force demonstrated proper caution.

Chatter flowed freely in each transport, with no one sensing imminent threats.

Under this relaxed attitude, they ventured into the Yanghu Plantation.

Ye Zhongming perched silently atop a tree's crown, peering through the foliage at the approaching five mechanical transports.

"Boss."

Helsky materialized behind him, eyed the caravan, and asked, "You sure you don't want my help?"

He harbored doubts about the Assault Camp's prowess. A prolonged fight could spell disaster.

"No need. Stick to the duty I gave you—that holds greater worth than joining the fray here."

Helsky acknowledged with a nod, bid farewell, and melted back into the shadows.

Judging the range and the foes' advance, at the precise instant, Ye Zhongming retrieved the control panel Helsky had provided and activated a switch.

Immediately, noiseless signals pulsed across the woodland.

The ambush ignited.