ALL NOVEL Chapter 38: Chapter 38
The aboveground structure of the underground research institute appeared as a white laboratory building rising modestly into the skyline. The building itself was only three stories tall, with large, high-strength composite glass panels sloping across its facade. Though the structure had clearly been refurbished with modern materials, traces of wear and weathering gave it an oddly juxtaposed appearance of old meeting new.
The laboratory building seemed ordinary on the surface, almost like a storage space for the underground institute's materials and equipment. But its connection to the underground facility elevated its importance, making its security protocols the most stringent across the entire military base.
Today, however, the usual strict atmosphere had been replaced with something much more ominous. The sun scorched the ground, heat rising in waves that distorted the air around the white building. A palpable tension, a sense of looming conflict, blanketed the area like a suffocating fog.
The 7th Brigade surrounded the laboratory with Vulcan heavy machine guns mounted on vehicles, reinforced by GAU-8/A Avenger rotary cannons. There were twenty vehicles in total, each capable of firing 5,000 rounds per minute, with armor-piercing ammunition powerful enough to annihilate T-72 and M48 tanks. The black, ominous barrels of the rotary cannons gleamed in the harsh sunlight, manned by soldiers with stern, unyielding expressions.
Thirteen BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missile launchers stood ready on raised platforms. Capable of shredding tanks apart with a single strike, these missiles were aimed to treat the lone target as if he were a war machine himself.
Hundreds of soldiers armed with shoulder-mounted FGM-148 Javelin missiles patrolled the perimeter, their movements methodical. The Javelins, devastatingly effective and capable of launching at a moment's notice, were yet another layer of overkill aimed at ensuring the target's destruction.
Inside the white building itself, large amounts of C4 explosives had been strategically placed around the only known entrance to the underground research institute. This was a final failsafe to ensure no one could escape unscathed.
In the surrounding area, soldiers with automatic rifles and grenades formed the front line of defense, while the medium-range artillery teams manned the Vulcan heavy guns. Further back, six M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks sat positioned, their massive barrels aimed directly at the white building.
Even further away, on the surrounding rooftops, more than twenty elite snipers lay prone, their Barrett M82A1 Light Fifty sniper rifles trained on the building. The Barrett, king of 12.7mm sniper rifles, was a devastating weapon. Against ordinary human flesh, one shot would obliterate limbs and leave little chance for survival.
In total, over 2,000 elite soldiers had been deployed to encircle the laboratory building, supported by another 10,000 troops on standby, ready to reinforce the battlefield at any moment.
The oppressive air reeked of impending war.
It was hard to fathom that such a monstrous concentration of firepower, weaponry, and manpower had been assembled to eliminate a single individual. And yet, the sheer scale of the military response spoke to the fear and respect they held for their target.
This was no longer a battle fought in the tight corridors of the underground research institute. This was war on an overwhelming, industrial scale, meant to crush and obliterate.
General Vic's warnings had not been idle. Should Bardi attempt to escape, he would face an unrelenting onslaught of steel and fire.
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Ground Military Base Command Room
"The 7th Brigade's Vulcan heavy machine gun emplacements are ready," reported a soldier.
"Vehicle-mounted BGM-71 TOW missile launchers have been deployed," another added.
"The M1A1 Abrams tanks are in position."
"Sniper teams are in place."
Then came the report from the underground assault team:
"The first, second, and third floors of the underground research institute have been flooded with poison gas. Based on monitoring data and the appearance of skin lesions on exposed soldiers, it's confirmed to be an advanced volatile form of dichloroethyl sulfide—mustard gas. It's highly effective and deadly."
The stream of updates was unending as soldiers diligently reported on every deployment and incident.
Brigadier General Cagle processed the information quickly. His response was swift and decisive:
"Order the assault team to retreat. Deploy manual transverse barriers to block access. Have the heavy weapons teams gear up with gas suits and gas masks. Advance cautiously and don't rush."
A soldier promptly relayed more data: "Inventory records indicate 100 gas suits available for secondary poison gas protection. The heavy weapons unit will be ready to enter the underground research institute in three minutes."
Cagle remained silent for a moment, his sharp eyes glinting with thought.
Brigadier General Cagle was not as physically imposing as Slade, standing a half-head shorter and with a thinner build. Yet he hadn't achieved his rank by sheer luck. Although Slade had always overshadowed him in many areas—combat prowess, command skills, charisma—Cagle's sharp mind and cunning had earned him his position.
Still, the weight of the situation bore down on him.
Could a team of 100 soldiers armed with heavy machine guns truly defeat this alien in such a confined environment?
No.
Slade had led nearly 300 elite personnel into the underground research institute, and they had all perished, including Slade himself.
Despite his disdain for Slade, Cagle couldn't deny his excellence. Slade's death was a grim reminder of just how dangerous the target was.
"Damn it, Slade," Cagle muttered under his breath.
But for all his resentment, Slade's death forced Cagle to reflect.
"If I ever die at someone's hands, it won't be because of carelessness or bad luck, it'll be because they're stronger than me."
Now, with Slade gone, a fire burned in Cagle's heart.
"Slade," he murmured, his voice laced with determination. "I'll finish what you couldn't."
He turned to his team, his orders cold and precise.
"Cancel the heavy weapons team's entry into the underground research institute. Seal all vents leading out of the facility. If they can't be sealed, block them. Every two minutes, send a soldier equipped with a gas suit to throw incendiary bombs into the institute."
Cagle's strategy was clear, this fight wouldn't be conducted in the narrow, trap-filled halls of the underground research institute. He wouldn't repeat Slade's mistake.
Victory would come from the overwhelming firepower, manpower, and resources at his disposal aboveground.
The underground research institute had only one known exit. As long as that remained under their control, Bardi had nowhere to run.
Just as Brigadier General Cagle was finishing his orders, a sudden shout rang out from a nearby soldier:
"Brigadier General Cagle! The missile silos, they're opening automatically!"
"What did you say?"
Cagle's blood ran cold as dread settled in his chest.
***
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