Chapter 29: New Equipment

"Rat-a-tat-tat!"

Gunfire echoed through the village and rainforest, the distinctive sounds of 7.62 mm and .50cal automatic weapons firing in continuous bursts. If it had been the rebels doing this, it would have been typical. The rebels in this area had received no formal military training and knew nothing of controlled bursts or rapid fire, simply emptying their magazines indiscriminately.

However, the source of the sustained firing was the soldiers who had parachuted in without ropes, completing an unassisted descent. 

Dressed in black combat uniforms with red "Λ" insignia and "ARS/3rd Infantry Company" patches on their shoulders, these soldiers were part of Atlas's rapid response force, the 3rd Infantry Company of the ARS.

Their equipment had become significantly "heavier." Each soldier was equipped with mechanical exoskeletons, allowing for additional armor plating and more ammunition, as well as enabling them to complete 20-meter unassisted descents with ease. The ARS's helmets featured HUD displays to assist in target acquisition within their field of view and coordinate shots with the mechanical exoskeletons for precise aiming.

Given the ARS's rigorous training and extensive combat experience, they maintained high accuracy even during continuous fire.

From an aerial perspective, the thirty or so soldiers of the 3rd Company moved in groups of three, spread throughout the village. Two of them wore heavy armor, their specialized exoskeletons and modular full-body armor equipped with shoulder-mounted mini-missile launchers and 40mm grenade launchers, resembling "walking tanks."

Whether they faced rebels or infected, anyone within the ARS's firing range was subjected to bursts or rapid fire. The powerful 7.62 and .50cal ammunition easily tore through torsos, limbs, and heads.

The sounds of bodies exploding and shattering filled the air, blood mist mingling with the humid jungle air, soaking the soil with blood and scattered flesh.

Against the overwhelming firepower of the ARS, who were equipped with superior technology, weaponry, and military training, the infected and rebels had no chance. Moreover, an A-10, an AH-1W, and a CH-53E armed with rotary guns provided aerial support.

Surrender was not an option. Witnessing the infected and mutants, as well as Atlas's new equipment, the ARS, under time pressure, ignored the rebels' attempts to surrender.

Atlas had already developed more advanced prototypes based on the vehicles of Earth Zero's United Defense Force (UDF), but these were still in testing and not yet ready for deployment. Thus, the aircraft participating in this mission were older models.

Leon stood up, somewhat dazed, watching the ARS soldiers use the two heavily armored troops as mobile shields to advance through the rainforest. He glanced at his HK USP and sighed.

A sergeant, identified by the red stripe on his shoulder armor, approached Leon, removed his helmet, revealing a bearded face, and extended his left hand:

"Sergeant Gideon Erimo, 1st Platoon, 3rd Infantry Company, ARS. Are you okay, cadet?"

Leon holstered his HK USP, reached out with his left hand to shake Gideon's, and said, "Sergeant, you arrived just in time. Thanks for the support. If you had been two minutes later, I might have had to resort to knife fighting."

"Just doing our job." Gideon released Leon's hand, turning his gaze to the dazed Sears and his students emerging from the iron house. He continued, "Cadet, the order from HQ is to neutralize all threats and locate the source of this outbreak, the 'God's Flower.' So we need you to act as a liaison with Professor Quill Sears and the civilians, helping us complete the mission."

"Understood, Sergeant. I'll handle it," Leon nodded and moved toward Sears and the students to explain the situation.

Meanwhile, the gunfire outside transitioned from intense to sporadic, indicating that the ARS's first platoon had swept through the area with overwhelming firepower and was now mopping up any remaining threats.

Though the infected and mutants could use firearms and display tactical behavior, they lacked the understanding of evasion, making them easy targets for the ARS. The rebels, realizing their defeat, attempted to flee, but exposing their backs made them easy targets. Some smarter ones tried to hide in the jungle, waiting for a chance to escape.

However, with the heavy infantry firing reconnaissance grenades into the jungle and utilizing thermal imaging from their helmet HUDs, the rebels had nowhere to hide.

The skirmish ended shortly after.

The CH-53E, which had been circling above, chose a suitable landing spot to unload technical and engineering personnel.

As soon as they disembarked, the black-suited technicians began collecting corpses, sampling, and initiating decontamination procedures. The engineering personnel, dressed in black work uniforms and orange vests, also selected areas for disinfection and began setting up equipment to establish a forward outpost capable of conducting immediate testing and experiments.

Meanwhile, two technicians conducted blood tests on Leon and Sears's group, using portable equipment. Once the results confirmed no infection, the technicians moved on to other tasks.

Taking a moment to rest, Leon used a disinfectant pad to cover the spot on his neck where blood had been drawn. He looked at Gideon and asked, "Sergeant, what's the company's plan here?"

"To contain the situation. The 2nd and 3rd platoons have already been deployed to Loja. Until the effects of 'God's Flower' are minimized, the company has a lot of work to do around here. Michelle!" Gideon finished explaining, then issued an order through his comms:

"You and the 8th, 9th, and 10th fire teams stay here to protect the technical and engineering personnel and await further reinforcements."

"Yes, Sergeant."

"Good." Gideon acknowledged the response, then turned to Sears and his students, speaking in a tone that brooked no argument:

"Professor, you and your group will accompany us into the rainforest to locate the ancient city and 'God's Flower.' Atlas will compensate you and your students generously and offer you better jobs and living conditions."

"Of course, we agree." Sears understood they had been drawn into another world, especially after witnessing the ARS's ruthless efficiency against the rebels. He knew the consequences of refusal.

"Excellent." Gideon re-secured his helmet and led the way into the northern rainforest, giving a quick hand signal to his men as he issued his orders:

"Everyone except those assigned to stay, follow me. Let's see what secrets this jungle holds."

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