Three armored vehicles were running parallel to each other in the desolate wilderness . The distinctive emblem of Gray Fox shone on the side armor of each car . Dry winds from the plains rolled up the dust and beat on the car's body as the silhouette of the city slowly disappeared into the horizon behind the convoy .
There were no visible signs of human life, only strange crags, and potholes in the wasteland . The dusty, grayish yellow sky hung low, almost touching the same grayish land below . It gave the illusion that the world was a mass of yellow sand . Theoretically, the convoy was hustling on an intercontinental highway . However, the concrete surface by the roadside was barely recognizable as nature had wiped out the last traces of civilization, which once existed there . After more than 60 years of weathering, nature had reclaimed the concrete road .
The mercenary team, led by Nolan, would soon reach the ruins of the north . After departing from Black Street, they were heading west to the Gray River . Hao Ren was in the convoy that had set off yesterday afternoon and been traveling for nearly twenty hours without stopping . The city's ruins that had just disappeared in the horizon behind them was the last district in Broken Valley . From this point onwards, they would not see any urban ruins until they reached the Gray River . The desolate wilderness would be the only landscape for the next three days .
Hao Ren and Nolan were in the second armored vehicle, modified to carry personnel . The middle car in convoy was the most closely guarded one because Gray Fox clients were in it .
Two stone-faced men were sitting at the back of the carriage wearing uniforms different from those of the mercenaries . They were said to be researchers from White River Consortium . Another two senior guards from White Water Consortium sat on both sides, were responsible for protecting the researchers and monitoring the work of Gray Fox . Nolan's mission was to escort these four people safely across to Northern Ring Tower—and then to ensure at least one of the researchers would make it back alive .
The last sentence was the original wording of the Letter of Order of White River Consortium .
The four 'clients' hardly talked with the mercenaries . They occasionally spoke in a low voice among themselves to avoid others from hearing what they said . Paying attention to them was pointless . So Hao Ren turned around and looked at the monitor screen mounted on the carriage . He could see the outside scenery, which was only an endless wasteland, on the monitor . Ulyanov whispered, "Not even rangers would survive in this hellish place . "
"Relax, we are now in the safest place of the world," said Nolan who was sitting across the carriage . Her hands behind her head, eyes slightly shut, and feet resting on the steel armrest before her . "There is no human in this place . The only danger is nothing but highly toxic soil and water . "
Carl hugged his large rifle and curled up in the corner . Hearing Nolan's words, he sniffled . "Gee, that's safe . "
Hao Ren looked at the four men from White Water Consortium at the end of the carriage . He then sat down next to Nolan . "Do you know what they are going to do there?"
"I don't know," Nolan said, appearing indifferent . "I don't poke my nose into my client's business . That's why I could live until today . You shouldn't know beyond what you should know . "
She then paused and noticed the curiosity on his face . She shrugged and lowered her voice . "Probably they are after the Master Computers, the pre-war Nanomachine Swarm program, and the next-generation Nanomachine Swarm technical draft inside the Northern Ring Tower . Those who could get their hands on any one of those things will be rich . Those who went to the North all these years were basically after those things . "
"Pre-war technology . . . " Hao Ren whispered . "Does it still work now?"
"Why do you want to go there?" Nolan raised one of her eyebrows . "I heard that you buried your wife in the wilderness outside Black Street in the morning . It looks like you're not giving up your life just yet by going to the North . "
"Why do you want to go there?" Nolan raised one of her eyebrows . "I heard that you buried your wife in the wilderness outside Black Street in the morning . It looks like you're not giving up your life just yet by going to the North . "
Hao Ren twisted the corner of his mouth, feeling hapless . "My mind is sound all this while, mind you . I need to confirm something in the Northern Ring Tower . And I'm only taking a ride and not going to ruin your interest in any way . "
Nolan suddenly stared at Hao Ren, looking dead serious . "To be honest, I always thought something was wrong with you since the first meeting . "
Hao Ren smiled . "What's wrong with me?"
"Too optimistic, too calm, and too devil-may-care," said Nolan, turning her head away . "I thought at first these were the cause of your insanity . But now they seem not . You remind me of those people who grew up in a peaceful era, but those people couldn't keep your kind of state of mind for very long in this scorched land . "
"You look young, but is very observant . " Hao Ren said inadvertently .
"I look young?" Nolan said softly and looked up at the monitor in the carriage . Then she pressed the intercom button next to her and said to the soldier in the cab . "Kim, have we crossed the old Route 17?"
The soldier in the cab replied, "Just passed a few minutes ago . "
The soldier in the cab replied, "Just passed a few minutes ago . "
"Take a rest . Let the car run in autopilot mode . There is no need for a driver for the next two days . "
"Roger that, boss . "
Though Black Street and Zero City were the closest human settlements to the ruins of the North, there was still a long distance from there to the Northern Ring Tower . This life-forbidden area was impenetrable for ordinary people . Even professional mercenaries need the support of modern equipment and the best physical and mental state to go there . For two days, the convoy was slowly approaching the ruins of the North under the guidance of the autopilot system . As the destination drew near, everyone became anxious . The mercenaries that Nolan brought out were the most courageous and loyal group of people of Gray Fox, but now they still could not help feeling uneasy .
"Being killed by the Nanomachine Swarm is a very horrifying experience," Ulyanov said to Hao Ren on their fourth day of the journey . "The dying feels like an eternity, and it usually begins with your internal organs . As your body dissolves, there comes the illusion of extreme burning and tearing sensations . The greater pressure is psychological . You will feel that you are turning into some weird substance and the feeling will linger on for several minutes . "
Hao Ren was gazing at the scenery outside . Ulyanov's words gave him a strange feeling . "Are you demoralizing your fellow mercenaries?"
Ulyanov laughed hoarsely . The laughter seemed to have a naughty meaning in it . "I just wanted to remind those that are attracted by the seemingly dormant Nanomachine Swarm . The Nanomachine might suddenly wake up without warning . "
The two researchers from White Water Consortium glanced at Ulyanov with a disgruntled look on their faces .
Suddenly, the voice of the driver sounded through the intercom speaker . "The Gray River! The Gray River is right in front! Boss, we have arrived at the Gray River!"
The two researchers from White Water Consortium glanced at Ulyanov with a disgruntled look on their faces .
Suddenly, the voice of the driver sounded through the intercom speaker . "The Gray River! The Gray River is right in front! Boss, we have arrived at the Gray River!"
The words 'Gray River' seemed to possess magical of some sort; the mercenaries bounced up, raised their heads, and clenched their weapons . They were anxious and excited at the same time . Nolan grabbed her equipment and got to her feet . "Everyone, bring your electromagnetic hibernator and follow me!"
The mercenaries jumped out from the carriages as the armored vehicles ground to a halt . Before Ulyanov got up, he shoved a palm-sized device that looked like an old radio into Hao Ren's arms . "Take this; it's an electromagnetic hibernator . "
Hao Ren took over the gadget, feeling bizarre . Hurried by those from behind, he jumped off the car .
An endless barren land spread out in front of his eyes . A hundred meters away, he saw the leading armored vehicle had stopped beside a river . On the bank of the river, there was a continuous, neat flow of metallic luster .
Hao Ren followed the mercenaries and ran over . He then looked at the scene in awe . "This is the Gray River?"
All he saw was an endless gray, viscous, weird liquid flowing in the river . The texture looked like asphalt with bone-like color . The liquid flew very slowly, almost like a slow-motion film . The ever surging, sticky gray 'river surface' gave people a bizarre feeling . In this black-and-white-movie-like place, at the edge of the Gray River, a layer of seemingly plated armor was covering the rock on the riverbanks, as if naturally formed riverbanks, holding back the dangerous 'water' in the riverbed .
It was the Gray River .
Three armored vehicles were running parallel to each other in the desolate wilderness . The distinctive emblem of Gray Fox shone on the side armor of each car . Dry winds from the plains rolled up the dust and beat on the cars body as the silhouette of the city slowly disappeared into the horizon behind the convoy . There were no visible signs of human life, only strange crags, and potholes in the wasteland . The dusty, grayish yellow sky hung low, almost touching the same grayish land below . It gave the illusion that the world was a mass of yellow sand . Theoretically, the convoy was hustling on an intercontinental highway . However, the concrete surface by the roadside was barely recognizable as nature had wiped out the last traces of civilization, which once existed there . After more than 60 years of weathering, nature had reclaimed the concrete road . The mercenary team, led by Nolan, would soon reach the ruins of the north . After departing from Black Street, they were heading west to the Gray River . Hao Ren was in the convoy that had set off yesterday afternoon and been traveling for nearly twenty hours without stopping . The citys ruins that had just disappeared in the horizon behind them was the last district in Broken Valley . From this point onwards, they would not see any urban ruins until they reached the Gray River . The desolate wilderness would be the only landscape for the next three days . Hao Ren and Nolan were in the second armored vehicle, modified to carry personnel . The middle car in convoy was the most closely guarded one because Gray Fox clients were in it . Two stone-faced men were sitting at the back of the carriage wearing uniforms different from those of the mercenaries . They were said to be researchers from White River Consortium . Another two senior guards from White Water Consortium sat on both sides, were responsible for protecting the researchers and monitoring the work of Gray Fox . Nolans mission was to escort these four people safely across to Northern Ring Tower—and then to ensure at least one of the researchers would make it back alive . The last sentence was the original wording of the Letter of Order of White River Consortium . The four clients hardly talked with the mercenaries . They occasionally spoke in a low voice among themselves to avoid others from hearing what they said . Paying attention to them was pointless . So Hao Ren turned around and looked at the monitor screen mounted on the carriage . He could see the outside scenery, which was only an endless wasteland, on the monitor . Ulyanov whispered, Not even rangers would survive in this hellish place . Relax, we are now in the safest place of the world, said Nolan who was sitting across the carriage . Her hands behind her head, eyes slightly shut, and feet resting on the steel armrest before her . There is no human in this place . The only danger is nothing but highly toxic soil and water . Carl hugged his large rifle and curled up in the corner . Hearing Nolans words, he sniffled . Gee, thats safe . Hao Ren looked at the four men from White Water Consortium at the end of the carriage . He then sat down next to Nolan . Do you know what they are going to do there? I dont know, Nolan said, appearing indifferent . I dont poke my nose into my clients business . Thats why I could live until today . You shouldnt know beyond what you should know . She then paused and noticed the curiosity on his face . She shrugged and lowered her voice . Probably they are after the Master Computers, the pre-war Nanomachine Swarm program, and the next-generation Nanomachine Swarm technical draft inside the Northern Ring Tower . Those who could get their hands on any one of those things will be rich . Those who went to the North all these years were basically after those things . Pre-war technology . Hao Ren whispered . Does it still work now? Why do you want to go there? Nolan raised one of her eyebrows . I heard that you buried your wife in the wilderness outside Black Street in the morning . It looks like youre not giving up your life just yet by going to the North . Hao Ren twisted the corner of his mouth, feeling hapless . My mind is sound all this while, mind you . I need to confirm something in the Northern Ring Tower . And Im only taking a ride and not going to ruin your interest in any way . Nolan suddenly stared at Hao Ren, looking dead serious . To be honest, I always thought something was wrong with you since the first meeting . Hao Ren smiled . Whats wrong with me? Too optimistic, too calm, and too devil-may-care, said Nolan, turning her head away . I thought at first these were the cause of your insanity . But now they seem not . You remind me of those people who grew up in a peaceful era, but those people couldnt keep your kind of state of mind for very long in this scorched land . You look young, but is very observant . Hao Ren said inadvertently . I look young? Nolan said softly and looked up at the monitor in the carriage . Then she pressed the intercom button next to her and said to the soldier in the cab . Kim, have we crossed the old Route 17? The soldier in the cab replied, Just passed a few minutes ago . Take a rest . Let the car run in autopilot mode . There is no need for a driver for the next two days . Roger that, boss . Though Black Street and Zero City were the closest human settlements to the ruins of the North, there was still a long distance from there to the Northern Ring Tower . This life-forbidden area was impenetrable for ordinary people . Even professional mercenaries need the support of modern equipment and the best physical and mental state to go there . For two days, the convoy was slowly approaching the ruins of the North under the guidance of the autopilot system . As the destination drew near, everyone became anxious . The mercenaries that Nolan brought out were the most courageous and loyal group of people of Gray Fox, but now they still could not help feeling uneasy . Being killed by the Nanomachine Swarm is a very horrifying experience, Ulyanov said to Hao Ren on their fourth day of the journey . The dying feels like an eternity, and it usually begins with your internal organs . As your body dissolves, there comes the illusion of extreme burning and tearing sensations . The greater pressure is psychological . You will feel that you are turning into some weird substance and the feeling will linger on for several minutes . Hao Ren was gazing at the scenery outside . Ulyanovs words gave him a strange feeling . Are you demoralizing your fellow mercenaries? Ulyanov laughed hoarsely . The laughter seemed to have a naughty meaning in it . I just wanted to remind those that are attracted by the seemingly dormant Nanomachine Swarm . The Nanomachine might suddenly wake up without warning . The two researchers from White Water Consortium glanced at Ulyanov with a disgruntled look on their faces . Suddenly, the voice of the driver sounded through the intercom speaker . The Gray River! The Gray River is right in front! Boss, we have arrived at the Gray River! The words Gray River seemed to possess magical of some sort; the mercenaries bounced up, raised their heads, and clenched their weapons . They were anxious and excited at the same time . Nolan grabbed her equipment and got to her feet . Everyone, bring your electromagnetic hibernator and follow me! The mercenaries jumped out from the carriages as the armored vehicles ground to a halt . Before Ulyanov got up, he shoved a palm-sized device that looked like an old radio into Hao Rens arms . Take this; its an electromagnetic hibernator . Hao Ren took over the gadget, feeling bizarre . Hurried by those from behind, he jumped off the car . An endless barren land spread out in front of his eyes . A hundred meters away, he saw the leading armored vehicle had stopped beside a river . On the bank of the river, there was a continuous, neat flow of metallic luster . Hao Ren followed the mercenaries and ran over . He then looked at the scene in awe . This is the Gray River? All he saw was an endless gray, viscous, weird liquid flowing in the river . The texture looked like asphalt with bone-like color . The liquid flew very slowly, almost like a slow-motion film . The ever surging, sticky gray river surface gave people a bizarre feeling . In this black-and-white-movie-like place, at the edge of the Gray River, a layer of seemingly plated armor was covering the rock on the riverbanks, as if naturally formed riverbanks, holding back the dangerous water in the riverbed . It was the Gray River .
Chapter end
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