Chapter 118: Do You Feel Cold?

"Has the radiation reading changed?"

"Not significantly, it's basically the same as when we arrived."

Upon hearing Nicholas's call, Renault immediately glanced at the radiation detector on his powered exoskeleton. Seeing that the reading hadn't changed, he double-checked with M1 Garand to ensure that it wasn't a malfunction in his exoskeleton's device.

Nicholas also checked it with his instrument again as well.

However, the answer he got...

<Exceed Normal Collapse Radiation Levels>

Hiss!

Didn't change? So its already been deadly in the first place?!!!

Well, it seemed that Nicholas hadn't paid attention to the data on the detector when they arrived. It was normal for him to be startled when he suddenly noticed it.

"If you're afraid, you can go back to the armored car and wait. Whether you're here or not doesn't make a difference." Seeing Nicholas peeking at his sweating forehead, Renault waved his hand to him and Stephan.

Currently, besides them, there was only Angelia's group here. There was no need to worry about enemies showing up for now. Plus, Nicholas had already reported the situation here, and the transport team would arrive soon. Standing outside or waiting in the car made no difference.

Unless Nicholas suddenly decided to expose himself to more radiation.

There was a reason why Statesec had them drive these armored vehicles out. These old-fashioned BTRs might not look well-equipped and advanced, but it was a compromise made to ensure the protection performance of the armored vehicles. The modified armored vehicles had an additional thick layer of insulation in the armor, including lead plates and other materials, enough to protect Nicholas and the others from the radiation here.

The heavy chassis of these old BTRs turned experimental models after modification had to give up the opportunity to equip more advanced equipment and weapons. The internal storage for ammunition wasn't much either; being able to accommodate two squads of soldiers was already quite a lot.

"Well... Alright." With no other choice, Nicholas could only nod and obediently retreat into the armored vehicle. Stephan also agreed immediately, waving to his subordinates to return to the vehicle promptly.

It was fine if they hadn't noticed earlier, but now that they had, they couldn't continue to be exposed to radiation for a long time.

The radiation level near the cargo ship far exceeded the standard conditions of the Red Zone. Although it hadn't reached the terrible state of the Black Zone, where even Dolls found it difficult to move, wearing just protective suits didn't guarantee their complete safety.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Angelia and Anthony, who were now retreating, wore serious expressions as they looked at the exaggerated radiation readings. They hesitated about whether to enter the adjacent cargo ship.

"You'd better make a decision quickly. The radiation level from here to that cargo ship is increasing. Although we don't know what's on that ship, if you two continue to stand here, you'll probably end up with a lot of strange illnesses when you return." Hearing Renault words, Angelia's face darkened again. "M16, you and 416 go and check the situation inside. If there are any anomalies, come back first, don't rush in."

"We'll retreat to the gas station and wait until the Doll have cleared the situation before making a decision." Anthony also nodded in agreement. Fortunately, they brought Griffin's T-Dolls with them this time. Otherwise, with just the six of them from Section Six, they might enter the ship alive, but whether they all would come out alive was uncertain.

The best possible case is that they would become ELID patients due to excessive radiation absorption shortly after entering that cargo ship.

As Angelia and Anthony retreated, there was only one Doll left in front of Reno: the Doll referred to as M16 by Angelia, who was holding an M16A1 assault rifle.

Renault glanced down at M16. This one seemed a bit different from the M16 he remembered; she wasn't a cyclops, and there were no scars on her face. She looked like an ordinary high-level Doll.

Another Doll referred to as 416, who had just rushed over from the gas station, was also approaching.

Although both T-Dolls were neatly dressed in tactical vests and equipment, their lower bodies...

Who goes into battle wearing a skirt? Did they think they were Soviet female soldiers from the rumors, who could only wear skirts?

"What are you looking at?" Apparently feeling Renault's gaze was too direct, M16 took a step back awkwardly, frowned, and looked at Renault.

"Nothing. Just having a feeling that if you don't wear protective suits, you won't be able to leave later."

Based on the radiation readings from M1 Garand and M1911 just now, the source of contamination did exist at the destination of Angelia's group, the cargo ship nearby.

Moreover, as they got closer, the severity of the radiation increased almost linearly. All of his Dolls were protected by powered exoskeletons, so there was no need to worry too much. He had also dispatched the rookies in protective suits away from the cargo ship to retrieve the mission items.

The only Dolls still exposed to radiation were M16 in front of him and the one who had just rushed over, 416.

"No need, 416, let's go." Hearing Renault's words, M16 obviously didn't appreciate it, turning her head and gesturing to 416. Her carefree demeanor seemed as if radiation was nothing to her.

416, who had just arrived, nodded and looked at Renault and SPAS-12 with vigilant eyes.

"Oh, by the way, I remind you, be careful with the thing mounted under your gun." Pointing to the AG416 grenade launcher mounted on the rail under HK416's gun barrel, the caliber of that thing was even larger than the AGS-30 equipped by P38 and Vector.

If there were things like collapse liquid on the nearby cargo ship...

"No need for your reminder!" Obviously, HK416 didn't appreciate it, leaving behind a sentence before turning around to follow.

"It seems they are quite confident in their own performance, Commander." SPAS-12 smiled and said, looking at the two Doll who didn't give their commander a good face.

"Probably, but we need to get moving too. Standing here and waiting idly isn't a good idea. Nicholas, have your people drive the car to the entrance of the nearby shipyard, and I'll move this ship over there."

It wasn't that Renault didn't trust the two Dolls to complete the task, but the radiation over there was a bit too much. It was hard to guarantee that something unexpected wouldn't happen. To prevent the items on this ship from being affected, it was better to move the ship away.

"Huh? But, isn't it a bit late to start the ship now?" This cargo ship had been parked in the port for so long; the engine had long since stopped running. Even though this cargo ship wasn't large, it used a diesel engine. It would take at least a couple of hours from starting the backup to full activation, right?

"It's okay. Those guys just finished the preparations. Even if we can't start it, there's a tugboat over there. The diesel is ready-made." Pointing to a not-too-old-looking tugboat not far from the front of the cargo ship, it was quietly waiting there to start.