Wasteland Commander

Core area of Dawn City.

First floor hall of Ye Fan's residence.

His primary followers are mostly gathered here.

People sit on the sofa, the TV screen in front already turned on.

After the apocalypse, TVs exist, but without TV stations, they've become mere ornaments.

Even though Ye Fan has electricity, it's impossible to see TV programs; they're watching footage brought back by the War Hawks now.

Ye Fan can follow the War Hawks' view, but it must be within radar range.

Some areas have already fallen outside radar range, making it naturally impossible to track and watch.

Hence, this idea was conceived: let the War Hawks carry small cameras to capture ground situations.

Currently, what's playing on the TV are captured images.

The footage consists of three segments, from Shenlong Riverfront, Wangbei Army, and Burning Corps.

Footage from Shenlong Riverfront shows the Rakshasa-made tanks crossing the river.

From the images, it's clear the Rakshasa are wary of the sky, with observation posts and air defense infantry, but they didn't expect monitoring to come from a mutated bird.

Amidst the river's wind and snow, fifteen tanks and forty armored vehicles arrived at Qin Han's territory for a handover with the Survivor Alliance.

The armored vehicles contain a large amount of weapons and ammunition, revamping the Survivor Alliance completely.

There's also footage of Rakshasa teaching Survivor Alliance members how to use tanks, which looks clear enough.

The second video shows Wangbei Army on full alert, undergoing closed training, and even taking the initiative to confront zombies to quickly build combat strength.

Watching the Wangbei Army's movements, it seems like they know what they're doing.

The final segment shows Burning Corps, training like Wangbei Army, and captures Zhang Zhijian's departure.

Wang Dashan is highly spirited, seemingly eager to battle with Dawn Army.

After the three videos finish, Ye Fan looks at the people around him.

Zhongjing, Zhang Kunlin, and some officers from the training center, along with several heroic units, are present.

"Anyone have thoughts after seeing this?"

"Sir, the Survivor Alliance's strength shouldn't be underestimated. Technically, their armored power is even above ours. They essentially have what we have; except for an air force, their numbers exceed ours. I think they deserve attention."

That's from Zhang Kunlin, though a logistics officer, he can see the basics clearly.

Xu Haoran speaks: "Sir, regarding Zhang Zhijian's situation in the footage, it seems they have a plot."

Ye Fan smiles and asks Zhang Kunlin: "How's the situation in the city now?"

"Hmm, survivors are worried. Recently, the Alliance's broadcasts keep buzzing about wanting us, Dawn Army, to surrender unconditionally, or they'll send 20,000 troops to attack us."

"Our base has many newcomers, like those from the Mountain Cave Base, very worried about losing the home they finally found."

"What about the old ones?" Ye Fan asks.

"Those who followed you earlier are better, having endured 300,000 zombies siege, they're more confident, but there's still concern. Fighting people differs from zombies; a few shell hits could kill many. So folks don't want battle to reach Dawn City."

Zhongjing adds: "Sir, that's likely their motive, pressuring us to abandon city defense and face them outside. We shouldn't fall for it."

Ye Fan nods: "You're right, this battle shouldn't occur in Dawn City."

Ye Fan surveys the room: "I admit, with our city defense and giant cannon, Xiaoba, we could win, even with their claimed 20,000 troops."

"But defense inevitably damages our home, affecting those depending on us. I don't want our hard-built Dawn City to go through that."

"Thus, we must fight outside."

Hearing Ye Fan, these Red Alert Soldiers ponder the best approach to outside combat.

Then, Airborne Commander Mo Yue speaks: "Sir, based on what we know, Survivor Alliance's strength slightly surpasses ours. If fighting outside, our losses won't be small either."

"So let's think of ways for the best approach."

Zhongjing chimes in again: "Sir, there's new info; Survivor Alliance is moving in Huacheng South District, targeting around Huacheng City bank, starting to lure away zombies."

Ye Fan pauses, then senses something odd.

Why go to the bank?

Are there resources there?

Gold reserves?

Ye Fan once considered banks, maybe they have gold reserves, but most don't; only city-level banks likely do.

But the bank's location isn't remote, with many zombies; clearing or luring them isn't a task for a short time.

Survivor Alliance's actions seem foolish; how long to lure those millions of zombies?

Ye Fan believed Zhang Zhijian and his people weren't fools, so there might be another meaning.

"Are they trying to lure us out of the city?" Guard Zhuge Yunxue suddenly spoke.

Ye Fan nodded, it's very likely.

The Dawn Army's need for Gold was no secret, and Zhang Zhijian might exploit this to make a big play.

"Out of the city...?"

Ye Fan's gaze fell on the road between Dawn City and Huacheng City.

This road is long, about two hundred kilometers, and if the opponent sets obstacles on this road and ambushes, it could indeed put us at a disadvantage.

After some discussion and analysis with everyone, they all felt the possibility of this happening was quite high.

At this time, Zhongjing suggested: "Sir, the opponent's action should be within these few days. The only thing to determine now is where their ambush spot is. Once we ascertain their moves, we can take the initiative and strike first!"

Ye Fan glanced at the map and immediately accepted Zhongjing's suggestion.

No need to foolishly watch Survivor Alliance's performance here?

They assume we perceive ourselves as disadvantaged and dare not act rashly. That's just wishful thinking.

Since they think that way, why not grant their wishes?

"Deploy patrol teams along the highway, pretending to inquire about Huacheng's progress, showing we're ready to leave the city at any time."

"Fake movements within the base. Didn't they send a few spies in? Let's have them act as messengers, feeling like we're about to leave the city within a day or two."

"Order War Hawk to patrol, monitor the surroundings along this road, and report back immediately if anything happens!"

With Ye Fan's series of orders, the Dawn Army sprang into action.

Small-scale troops started maneuvering towards Huacheng but did not enter the city, just checked the outskirts briefly before retreating.

Several waves go out every day, indicating the Dawn Army has noticed the situation here.

In the city, soldiers are constantly coming and going, carrying boxes, moving ammunition, and maintaining and repairing weapons.

The core area is under emergency lockdown, no one is allowed within fifty meters of the city wall, showing signs of ready-to-wage war.

To ensure airport safety, Ye Fan used two days' worth of mining yield to produce twenty more War Hawks.

A total of thirty War Hawks perched on the edge of the airport trees.

Ye Fan ordered, Dark Clouds and White Cloud each took nine War Hawks to take off.

Twenty giant birds soared, like a dark cloud, quickly advancing towards the highway.

They soared in the sky, above the clouds, hard to spot.

Even if someone noticed them, it didn't matter; no one would focus on a single bird.

The War Hawks were tasked with surveilling Survivor Alliance's situation, constantly monitoring.

If they made any moves, they would immediately transmit image data back to Ye Fan.

********

The next day before dawn, two Dawn Army breach vehicles and a team of snowplows set out, urgently clearing snow on the road to Huacheng.

Seemingly hidden, but spotted by spies lurking inside Dawn City.

Those spies had walkie-talkies to report to the Alliance at any time.

The road was long, clearing snow would take about a day.

By normal analysis, Dawn Army should be departing for Huacheng tomorrow morning to seize the banking area.

The third day before dawn, War Hawk reported back news.

Survivor Alliance made a move, each group preparing to set out, with Burning Corps moving fastest, already leaving the base, advancing along a secluded road towards the main highway.

With this information, Ye Fan looked at the map again, having a rough idea of the opponent's ambush location.

"Okay, the opponent has taken the bait, those spies have lost their use, go eliminate them now!"

The guards swiftly moved, capturing several spies within the city, and executing them on the spot!

The Dawn Army had long since prepared, almost simultaneously with capturing the spies, leaving Shen Ruihui with 500 to guard the city, over a thousand boarded vehicles.

Tanks roared, armored vehicles roared!

Ye Fan personally boarded his Wild Bull RV, where several Heroic Units, including Udyr, who upgraded to Two-Star Magnetic Storm Infantry, were inside.

Following the main force, racing out of the city along the highway, heading straight towards Huacheng!

It was a race against time, reaching there before the enemy.

Ye Fan wanted to deliver Survivor Alliance a grand gift!