Edward Gene Hospital.
Located on the outskirts of the western suburbs of Newscreek City, this massive hospital, spanning over six hundred acres, was like an independent small kingdom, standing aloof from all things.
As a bird flapped its wings and flew over, just as it reached the airspace above Edward Gene Hospital, it suddenly seemed to collide with something, and a mottled net of light appeared in the sky. The bird was instantly electrocuted and fell from the sky, charred.
As the flickering light net disappeared, a soldier looked up at the sky and muttered, "Another roasted bird for dinner."
He stepped out of the well-concealed bunker and picked up the bird.
From the outside, the hospital surroundings appeared desolate, bleak, with nothing but a small grove of trees, and emptiness.
But only those familiar with the defense situation here knew that surveillance eyes were scattered everywhere.
An invisible grid enclosed all spaces from the ground to the sky, except for the frontal passage, which remained unaffected.
The massive bunker was cleverly hidden underground and wouldn't reveal its grim face until it truly unleashed its power.
The only visible structures were the guard towers at the four corners of the hospital, primarily meant to warn intruders who were unaware of the situation.
On a small hill three kilometers away from the hospital.
Reno removed his monitoring glasses. "The guards are tight. There's a tiered defense line in front of the hospital, which can deter frontal assaults. There's a large open space around, no sign of people, probably covered with spider mines... very basic setup."
For seasoned soldiers who have been on the battlefield, the enemy's use of spider mines was too primitive, making it easy for Reno to see through the hidden secrets there.
Wearing sensor gloves, Reno pointed and gestured on the three-dimensional map behind him. Then, numerous red dots representing defensive forces appeared on the icon of Edward Gene Hospital, with a large number of red marks surrounding the hospital, looking intimidating.
"While the defenses are tight, most of them are conventional means. As we know, they lack heavy weaponry and are weak against mechs. Once a mech breaks through the defense line, they'll crumble like paper." Reno made a gesture indicating a breach, with his right hand passing directly through the entire defense system of Edward Gene Hospital.
"Breaking through the defense line is simple, but what about those spider mines?" Nora asked.
"That's a problem," Reno replied. "I plan to deal with them before the battle starts. Remember the Kwanan Star battle?"
Nora's eyes lit up. "You mean the trick the Lacmil tribe used?"
"Exactly. Don't you think it's suitable for the current situation?" Reno smiled.
"It's a bit risky, and we don't have detonators."
"Soldiers, what's life without risks? Don't worry about the detonators; I've thought about it before coming here and brought some."
"Alright then, I'll cover you, but don't forget about another problem." She pointed to the North Suburbs of Newscreek City, which was a considerable distance from Edward Gene Hospital.
"The Oakvi Infantry Camp?" Reno whispered.
"Exactly. The Oakvi Infantry Camp is stationed north of Newscreek. It's only twenty miles from the infantry camp to the hospital. They won't need much time to get here after receiving orders."
Reno pondered for a moment and pointed on the map, "Stark, intercepting reinforcements is your task."
"No problem!" Stark replied.
"Nora, you're responsible for supporting Stark and me."
"Got it."
"What about the retreat plan?" Clarice asked.
Rescuing people is just the beginning, like a jailbreak; even if we successfully escape, there will be endless pursuit afterward.
The New Federation would never let Reno and his team leave easily!
"We retreat and disperse, blend into the locals first, and then find a way to leave Earth. With the vastness of the world, we have plenty of places to go." Reno replied.
"That's too risky. With over three thousand people, once we disperse, some of us will inevitably fall back into the government's hands." Clarice shook her head.
"There's no other way. The Abrodi is still under major repairs, and without a ship, we can't leave Earth. The only way is to disperse and board passenger ships under civilian identities." Reno spread his hands.
Clarice thought seriously for a moment, then said, "What if I can help you find a ship to leave?"
"You?" Reno, Nora, Stark, and Russell Hill all looked at her in surprise.
"Yes." Clarice nodded confidently.
"It's impossible!" Nora immediately shook her head. "No ship would dare to carry us."
"There is one kind of ship." Clarice replied. "Smuggler ships!"
Where there is light, there is darkness.
No matter the era, illegal activities always exist.
Violation is human nature, whether out of necessity or character, it exists nonetheless.
When your business is already about cutting heads, a little more risk is nothing.
"Do you know where there are smuggler ships?" Reno asked.
Clarice smiled slightly, "Did you forget what my husband does? One of the main tasks of the Lark Lazarov Escort Ship is to crack down on smuggling. After so many years with him, I know a bit about smuggler ships, and I even know who the biggest smuggler bosses on Earth are. As long as you give them enough money, they'll do anything!"
Everyone became excited.
Reno asked, "Where are they?"
"North Hudson Port, that's their main smuggling base. I can go contact them."
Reno and Nora looked at each other, then Reno asked, "How will the money issue be solved? It's over three thousand people."
"I'll figure it out. My husband's position on the escort ship is not low, perhaps I can use authority instead of money."
This moved Reno deeply. "Clarice, you didn't have to do this."
"It's nothing. I'm just doing what I should do." Clarice smiled. "To be honest, I'm also tired of this corrupt government. If I could, I'd like to overthrow them."
"Hey, hey, watch what you say, there's still a government official here." Stark laughed.
Everyone looked at Russell Hill together.
Hill sighed helplessly, "Although I'm a public servant, I still have a conscience... I can pretend I didn't hear that."
Upon hearing this, everyone laughed together.
"So, I've done what I promised. Reno, when will you fulfill your promise?" Russell Hill asked.
"After I rescue them, I'll tell you everything."
"No, you can't." Hill shook his head. "By then, you'll have already left, and I don't have time to wait until then."
Reno shook his head, "You have to wait. There are things I don't want to say right now."
"You can't avoid it!" Hill angrily rushed over to grab Reno.
Reno punched Hill in the face, knocking him unconscious with one blow.
Looking at the unconscious Hill, Reno sighed, "Sorry, I really can't tell you right now."
He looked up at Stark, "Can you help? Find a hotel and put him there to rest for a while."
Stark shrugged.
With the plan set,
everyone went their separate ways.
Stark went to the north of Newscreek City to set up defenses and accommodate Hill. Clarice went to North Hudson Port to contact the smuggler ships. Nora stayed on the hill, where she could see both Edward Gene Hospital and the city's northern suburbs, perfect for providing sniper support.
Everyone had left, leaving only Reno and Nora on the hill.
The atmosphere suddenly became awkward and silent.
Sitting on a rock, Nora held her beloved MX748, carefully wiping the gun barrel. The black gun barrel gleamed coldly in the reflection of the sunlight.
Reno looked at her, wanting to speak but not knowing what to say.
After hesitating for a while, he finally coughed and said, "How have you been all these years?"
Nora ignored him.
Reno sighed and walked over, saying, "I know you haven't wanted any private communication with me since that time, but Nora, it's been so many years, you don't have to be like this. You know? The more you avoid, the more it shows you can't let go! Truly letting go people wouldn't act like this, they would just face it!"
Nora's hand paused in wiping the gun.
After a long while, she said, "What do you want to know?"
"Just want to know how you've been."
"Didn't Claire tell you?"
Reno's face showed a bitter smile. "When I was with her, we mostly talked about work. I thought you should know."
Nora shook her head, saying, "We never talked about you."
That answer stunned Reno.
Nora continued wiping the gun.
She said, "I know what you're thinking, Joni Reno. Perhaps you think you're very charming, able to make two sisters like you at the same time. But that's all in the past. Since you left without a word that time, you're no longer a hindrance between us sisters, you can't even become our problem anymore. You think that by reappearing, you can once again occupy our hearts, make us hesitate for you? You're wrong, in our eyes, you can't even be a topic..."
"Damn it!" Reno stood up suddenly. "As God is my witness, I've never thought like that."
"But you did!" Nora glared at him fiercely.
"That's because..."
"I know why!" Nora cut him off without mercy. "You think you're great? Sacrificing yourself for us? No, we're not grateful to you at all. We could have faced it together, but you chose to face it alone. You made Claire heartbroken. She did so much for you, but what did she get in return?"
Reno was speechless.
He looked at Nora, who was glaring at him.
"Yes, I admit that when I saw you again on the Abrodi, I was shocked. I never thought you would rejoin the military, let alone be on that starship. But everything is in the past. Claire and I never talked about you, not even once! All our interactions have been only about work, nothing personal! You've left our lives; we won't let you take control again... it's the same now!" Nora said fiercely.
Reno couldn't help saying, "If that's the case, you wouldn't have been so excited to kill Austin when you first saw her. Some things, the more you emphasize, the more it shows you can't do it... You're not as detached as you imagine, Nora!"
Nora's hand holding the gun stopped.
She froze there.
After a long while, she said, "Reno..."
"Yeah?"
"You're a bastard!"