Chapter 8

The train zoomed above the tracks, heading east through the mountains. Hakade had received a report earlier. A large group of MARA units attacked the team doing track maintenance. Thanks to the magic shields, the group managed to retreat without casualties, but the enemy already gained some ground. If left to their own devices, they could stop transport between the west and the east sections of the country.

The guild had made an emergency quest, asking for help from all available units. Hakade’s train was among the closest to the site. Since they needed this corridor to remain open for their job, he must help.

“I’ve gotten the gist of it,” Laurel said. “They’ll be throwing everything they can to prevent the group from growing.”

MARA’s forces' area of expertise lay in ground warfare. They had some air and sea units, but in general, these units lacked the numbers and advancements the ground troops had. That said, creating transport helicopters and planes wasn’t difficult. They had a lot of those to be thrown around. The helicopters he saw earlier must be transporting units into battle.

The more grounds MARA gained, the harder it would be to defeat them. MARA used to be a huge headache, and if they let them grow their influence, eradicating them would be costly. Hakade wouldn’t be able to take quests heading east anymore, losing many lucrative contracts. He must prevent that from happening at all costs.

“What are our plans?” Laurel asked. Hakade hadn’t thought about it.

The screen in front of him showed all nearby trains. Within the twenty-kilometer radius, he could see two trains in front of him. Both were fast-response trains, carrying troops trained to destroy MARA along with military equipment, while another rail runner train followed behind. Under most circumstances, this group would be enough to destroy the enemy, but the scouts reported a high number of enemy units.

“It’s eight tanks against a possible hundred.” Laurel winced. “Oh wait, the train behind us might not even have one.”

The vehicles MARA had might not all be tanks. Heavy tanks couldn’t be loaded into transport helicopters, they didn't have enough power, but even a seemingly weak APC could overwhelm the most advanced and trained forces if they had enough. That must be MARA’s plan. Get as many units in the frontlines as possible, then create factories within the region they controlled.

Kangaku, the area under their control, used to be a large city. It also saw some intense battles during the war, meaning a lot of leftover scrap metal and Maganium, two things that MARA could turn into new units. With Maganium’s properties, they basically had an unending energy source, not something anyone would want to fall into their hands.

“I thought about sniping… but that won’t work, will it?”

Even if Hakade could get into a good position, the area would be leveled by the time he showed himself. Every MARA gun in the city would be directed toward him, and Kangaku wasn’t all flat ground. It had many tall buildings that remained standing even after the war, perfect hiding spots for enemy tanks.

“We might need to get out there and personally fight them,” Hakade whispered.

Scorpion was built for all-terrain fighting. Its powerful legs allowed it to move in ways a tracked tank couldn’t. Its extreme speed and maneuverability made it an ideal vehicle in urban combat. Get in, fire, get out. But even then, this mission remained a huge risk.

“I’ll need to bring Ana with me.”

They would be fighting more enemies than they did yesterday. If they got hit, Ana would need to reapply her shield, or else another hit might destroy them.

“You’ll need Mia for the machine guns, right?”

“Yeah.”

“...”

“Can you stay on the train for me?”

Laurel didn’t answer. Hakade understood her doubts. She had voiced her feelings in regards to Ann, and they would be in a warzone. Laurel would keep the train away, but that didn't mean a guarantee existed.

The train didn’t have any weapons beside Scorpion, not counting the ramming device. In the middle of nowhere with all that chaos around her, no wonder she felt uncomfortable being alone with Ann.

“So, can you do it, Laurel?”

“Fine, you can trust the train with me,” Laurel said, full of conviction. “But please prioritize your safety above all else.”

“Alright.” Hakade gave her a reassuring nod.

•••

Trains parked in a line at Munera Station, fifteen kilometers away from Kangaku. On the tracks, soldiers coordinated the support that had just arrived. Since the space between the side of the car to the ground wasn’t far, Hakade didn’t need the crane.

“Is everyone ready?”

“Ready!”

“A bit sleepy… But I should be fine.”

Standing on the platform, Laurel gave them a thumbs up. Hakade turned the beast on. Scorpion roared to life, getting up on its legs. One of the soldiers directed them toward the exit, a large hole carved into the station’s walls. Scorpion passed through.

In the distance, they could see smoke rising from the once crowded city.

“Off we go!” Hakade pushed the controls, and the monster went running toward the distance.

•••

Back in the passenger carriage, Ann watched the things happening from the window.

“If… they need me… then... I guess I can help a bit.”