Chapter 90
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Night by the Lake (9), Santa Margarita Lake
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#Night by the Lake (9), Santa Margarita Lake
After communications ended, the platoon officers gathered for a final briefing.
The perimeter set by Jeffrey stretched across the hills along the riverbank. Troops were deployed along the ridgeline. There was no choice, even if it increased the risk of lightning strikes. They had to seize the high ground. It would make spotting the enemy easier and secure a safe rear area.
At the center of the rear area stood the engineer office. Protecting civilian survivors was the top priority.
Spreading out the waterproof tactical map, Jeffrey confided his worries to Winter.
“The problem is Captain Harris’s forces... no, the enemy’s detachment appearing from the west across the river. That would expose our entire rear. The civilians would be the first to suffer.”
“Is that even possible?”
“They could skirt the defensive line north through the woods and cross via the dam, right? We don’t have the manpower to cover that far.”
“Jeffrey, didn’t you listen properly during the pre-departure briefing?”
“Huh?”
“The Salinas Dam. There’s no passage over the bypass spillway. They can’t cross there. That’s why we came this way.”
“Oh. Damn. Slipped my mind.”
Jeffrey slapped his forehead. Most dams had roads across the top, but the Salinas Dam was an exception. The reputation for being shoddily built turned out to be spot on.
“Still, it’s possible.”
Sergeant Riverman pointed to the south side of the lake on the map.
“This lake isn’t popular as a resort, but there’s a marina here. Not certain, but there might be a few abandoned boats at the docks. They could cross the lake and land on the other side.”
Winter countered.
“Doubtful. Crossing the lake in this storm? With waves crashing? Even if they make it, they’d have to skirt the lakeshore to get here. That’s four kilometers with mountains in between. With mutant hordes popping up anywhere, would they split their forces like that?”
The sergeant pondered briefly, then pointed to where the river curved upstream.
“They might try a rope crossing like we did. It’s the upper river here, so plenty of spots to ford. Now that I think about it, that seems more likely than the lake. Shorter travel time too.”
“So, what would you suggest, Sergeant?”
“You’re the key, Lieutenant.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Lead the reserve squad and launch an attack.”
Jeffrey frowned at Riverman’s proposal.
“Whoa, no, Sergeant. We’re already short-handed, with wide gaps between squads. If we were at full strength, maybe. We need that reserve squad. It plugs breaches in the line, secures the rear. What if the civilians get out of control?”
The sergeant disagreed with his platoon leader.
“Lieutenant Han’s combat prowess could match a company depending on the situation. To maximize it, attack beats defense. What’s your take, Lieutenant?”
“Agreed. Better to go on the offensive.”
Winter spoke not of tactics, but enemy psychology.
“Captain Harris’s soldiers are in bad shape. Body and mind. Over a month without supplies, massacring civilians, then hunting down the rest. What kind of morale keeps them following him?”
Jeffrey asked.
“You mean low morale?”
“Yeah. Their only hope was probably wiping out witnesses and linking up with another garrison. That’s what kept them going. Now it’s worse. Fighting fellow Americans.”
“We’re not exactly at ease, but their stress is way higher.”
“Exactly. And one more thing. They’re not fighting out of duty like us. They just want to erase evidence of their crimes. Think they’ll engage aggressively? I say no way.”
Hearing the boy officer, Sergeant Riverman sighed.
“You’re right. Don’t expect mission loyalty or brotherhood from them.”
“Yeah. Play it right, and we could turn the tables completely.”
By now, Jeffrey had shifted stance.
“Night fight, so they might misjudge our numbers. If they think they’re being attacked, panic sets in. Oh, right—Miercat. They know about Miercat but not who it is, so they might think another unit’s joined us.”
Winter pointed at the map again.
“I’ll head here first. Block their expected crossing, then when contact starts or we spot them, thrust east. You just hold here, Jeffrey.”
“Got it. Let’s do it. But don’t take too long?”
“I’ll try.”
“Sigh. How’d it come to this.”
The meeting ended with Jeffrey’s grumble. Winter referenced Jeffrey’s tactical map to mark trap locations on his own. A few glances sufficed, thanks to augmented reality UI support.
Before departing, he switched radio frequencies. Winter said.
“No need for radio silence anyway. Trickster’s got our position pinned.”
Jeffrey nodded.
“Save it for critical moments. Don’t want to give away our freq. How about switching again at midnight?”
“Sure.”
Winter memorized the frequency.
“Heading out. Good luck, Jeffrey.”
“You too, Lieutenant. Be careful—the better and braver you are, the more cautious you must be.”
Jeffrey saluted Winter off.
Reserve squad—six men including Elliot—followed the boy officer. Sparse for a standard nine-man US infantry squad, due to no replacements.
The squad descended along the river. Near a bend with bridge remnants nearby, Winter raised a fist. Squad members scattered to cover. He extended two fingers south. Seven muzzles trained south.
‘Faster than expected.’
In their view, seventeen soldiers advanced north. No complacency. Half covering, half bounding—proper tactical movement. Rotten or not, still US Army, Winter assessed. But otherwise, rough shape.
‘Movements sluggish.’
Each bound looked laborious. Some lacked even ponchos. Left alone, hypothermia would claim them. Winter glanced back. Faces paled. Enemy exhaustion shook their resolve.
“Elliot.”
The squad leader looked to his commander, face like storm clouds.
“No Captain Harris among them. I’ll offer surrender first.”
“...Sorry, sir.”
That said it for the squad. Winter urged.
“This is the last courtesy. When I fire, join immediately.”
“Understood.”
Winter crawled to a spot away from the squad. Leaned against another tree, drew a deep breath.
“Halt!”
The advancing soldiers jolted. Some prone, others behind trees. Rat-tat-tat! Someone across fired first. Then volley fire. A broken branch fell over Winter’s head.
In the misty riverbank, gunfire chilled sharper.
Whipping wind. Thuds—pew, pew. Heavy impacts on earth.
Beams of light surged. Tracers. Fiery trails showing the line of fire in darkness. Winter saw one streak bounce off the water.
Firing didn’t last. Odd we weren’t returning fire, they thought.
‘Ammo conservation too.’
Either way. Sporadic shots faded, then silence. In the sharp quiet, Winter shouted again.
“I’m Lieutenant Han Gyeowol! Who’s in charge over there? State rank and name!”
A raspy reply after a beat.
“Son of a bitch, you really him?!”
“Rank and name!”
“...Rinsca, Walter Rinsca, Sergeant!”
Winter’s voice alone proved it. Boy officer’s combat footage from Atascadero and Santa Maria filled training manuals.
Distant thunder rumbled—no lightning. From the office direction. Winter yelled fast.
“Sergeant Rinsca! Drop your weapons! I don’t want to fight you!”
The sergeant wailed.
“Drop ‘em? Then what? Court-martial and life in prison?!”
Hearing that, Winter felt disgust. The sergeant didn’t expect death. But he would. America didn’t execute soldiers for civilian massacres. So Rinsca knew he’d live but preferred killing more over prison.
Winter pinpointed the sergeant.
Unfamiliar one-way condescension, but he pressed hard.
“Whatever punishment! Better than dying here!”
“Fuck! Bullshit! Who dies? We’ll see!”
“So! You’ll risk it all! To kill your comrades here! Bring it if you dare!”
Then, a shiver raced nerve endings. Despite 「Survival Instinct」 and 「Crisis Detection」 warnings, Winter didn’t budge.
Boom!
Grenade answered. But far off. Poor aim, slow projectile caught in gale.
“Fire! Fire!”
Elliot’s furious counterfire order. Muzzle flashes flared in dark.
Firepower gap clear. Leveraging superiority, Rinsca bounded some troops. Winter snap-aimed. Nine controlled pairs—seven hits.
Lead soldier took two to the head, dropped. Rose again. Sat off-balance, blood from helmet gap.
Fell again. Stayed down.
Unhit troops hugged dirt. Desperate crawls to cover.
Winter abandoned cover. Ran diagonally, aiming. Grenade-thrower in sights pre-toss. Burst scraped vest. Foe toppled. Dropped grenade. Scrambled with both hands.
Explosion.
Arms ripped backward.
Fire concentrated on Winter. Desperate lines, some dangerous. He rolled. Thump—ground hit. Mid-roll, dirt sprayed from bullets. Ricochet pinged helmet.
Momentum up, sprinted 20 meters. Knee-slid. Shhhk! Spun, back to tree. Grenades exploded along trail. Near blast shook him. Minor shrapnel peppered limbs. Two face cuts. Twin blood trails down right cheek.
Winter counterattacked.
Brat-tat-tat! Tat!
Metallic chatter. Casings thunked wet earth.
Enemies panicked. Winter’s flank exposed their cover. Bidirectional fire left them scrambling. Hesitant troops broke formation. One barked orders, unmoving.
‘Sergeant Rinsca.’
Winter crawled back under cover. Ripped grenade clip, pulled pin. Waited bullet hail gap, stomped out, spun, threw. Grenade flew straight.
Crack! Hit sergeant. Blast followed. Man shredded in radius. Flayed torso arced.
Hope the shock hits them.
Resistance crumbled real-time. Desperate survival frenzy. Dumping all firepower. But only grenades and launchers outgunned rifles.
“Cease fire! Cease fire!”
Winter bellowed. Hoping they’d obey.
Gunfire didn’t stop.
============================ Author's Notes ============================
Q. qoewh: @Somehow, the deeper the story goes, the more immersed I feel. It doesn’t seem like fiction by a novelist but like the author’s transcribing real events from another world to Joara. So Winter’s actions don’t feel like ‘plot convenience’ but like watching real events unfold. Makes the soldier dying to traps tragic, the medic casually tending the pregnant woman impressive. Extras in the novel, sure. Lately, I feel no different from the in-story viewers. Winter’s shaping the tale like the author. Realization: I’ll sponsor 100,000 won in coupons, so write a hot scene where Winter gets it like last time!! Please!!!
A. That immersion came up in viewer chats too. And it’s reflected in the narration style. Notice how game-system descriptions have tapered off?
Winter’s chastity isn’t for sale. :)
Q. MasterCalsolum: @What...? Receiving FSM via takeout? As an honorary acolyte and chef, I can serve Spaghetti-san even in primitive home kitchens like homo sapiens’. Serves 6 for about 10,000 won. Blessings upon you.
A. I make it myself sometimes... but ingredients cost a ton, and it’s tricky. Haha.
Q. Qing Li Lian: @Thanks for another great chapter! Weather forecast says three typhoons skipping Korea for Japan—is this the great old one’s effect?
A. Who knows. Old one effects vary: progressive electricity bills, North Korea nukes, readers’ failed romances...
Q. twking5008: @Author, what blessings for offerings (premier coupons)? Neighbors like Chigutoa give generously.
A. My innocence is depleted... hard to bless. Best I got is 5+ updates weekly.
My limit’s about 3/week... hehe...
Q. Quietus: @Does Winter’s tale end with ‘Day after Apocalypse’ + ‘reality’? Or beyond? Hard without spoilers.
A. Tough sans spoilers. For now, yes. But not quite what you expect.
Q. Peach Blossom Garden: @Manly Han Gyeowol. Author’s innocence overflowing.
A. Nah. Author’s innocence ran dry ages ago. Now on usury. Dreamland Innocence Loan...
Q. Wuxia Novel Fan: @Thought you dreamed of innocence-filled necrophilia so you’d like dirty talk too. Disappointing. Tch. Praise instead. Stylish Han Gyeowol.
A. My mental’s fragile—tap and I shatter. Handle with care! Fragile!
Q. RGZ95: @Innocence-packed event incoming! Excited what it is @[email protected] Related to refugees?
A. Later story, bigger scale.