Chapter 1261 The End of the Battle

Inside the multi-functional pod deployment command vehicle of the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, after receiving the message from the 1st Company, Battalion Commander Li Zhen's stubble-covered face showed little excitement, only deep fatigue and vigilance.

He grabbed the radio transmitter, his voice hoarse but clear:

"Reporting to Tiger Head, the First Battalion reports that our unit has successfully reached the designated coordinates. Please provide instructions!"

"Tiger Head received! Well done, First Battalion!!"

The brigade commander's deep voice came through the communicator, and even with the slight electronic noise of the battlefield, one could hear the praise and relief in it.

After a brief pause, the brigade commander's voice shifted to a formal and clear commanding tone:

"Li Zhen, all officers and soldiers of the First Battalion, you have demonstrated the might of the 'Tiger Brigade' and exceeded the most critical tasks assigned by the campaign command! On behalf of the brigade's Party Committee, I would like to express my congratulations and gratitude to you!"

"Now, I command!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Zhen, the battalion commander of the first combined arms battalion, subconsciously straightened his back, even though no one could see it.

"Combined Battalion, effective immediately, shall enter a state of full tactical rest and standby in the current area of ​​Guanghua Avenue in the 'Crescent' metropolitan area!"

"First Battalion, you understand! We will carry out the order without hesitation!" Li Zhen took a deep breath and replied in a deep voice, a relieved expression on his face.

After two weeks of intense fighting, both he and the entire battalion were on the verge of a mental breakdown. This order for rest and recuperation was like a timely rain after a long drought.

"Alright! Stay in touch. Brigade forward command, call closed." As the brigade commander's voice faded, the static on the channel subsided.

"Attention all battalion, this is Li Zhen."

The second after hanging up the communication with the brigade command, Li Zhen picked up the battalion intercom, and his hoarse but steady voice traveled through the battalion-level communication channel to the ears of every armored vehicle and every soldier.

"The entire battalion is ready! Our unit has successfully arrived at the southern end of Guanghua Avenue in the 'Crescent' metropolitan area!"

"This means that the higher-ups assigned me the 'Tiger Brigade,' and the 1st Battalion the 'through' mission—and we accomplished it!"

After the words were spoken, the channel fell silent except for the faint hiss of electricity, but outside the command vehicle, cheers that seemed to blend together could be faintly heard.

"Oh oh oh——————"

"The mission is finally complete!!!"

"Fuck your mother!!!"

"Cool!!!!"

"Long live!!!"

...

Li Zhen paused, giving the soldiers some time to process what he had said, and only continued when the voices had quieted down a bit:

"Over the past two weeks, we've fought our way from south to north, breaking through the heart of the city! We've withstood the fiercest counterattacks! We've waded through the deepest sea of ​​blood! We've torn every single one of those sons of bitches that stood in our way to shreds!!"

"Here, I am proud of every comrade in our First Battalion! You have not disgraced our Tiger Flag!"

"Now!"

"Upon receiving orders from higher command, our battalion will immediately transition to a tactical rest and reorganization status at our current location on Guanghua Avenue and in the adjacent streets. All companies and platoons, execute the following deployment immediately!"

"First, organize the vehicles and immediately disperse them to both sides of the road, using the rubble of buildings or street corners to establish a circular defensive vehicle formation. Be careful to maintain crossfire and leave emergency maneuver lanes. Main battle tanks should occupy key intersections, while infantry fighting vehicles should cover the flanks and rear."

"Second, equipment maintenance and battlefield cleanup. Each crew should immediately conduct 'battlefield emergency repairs': check the levels of oil, water, and ammunition, and focus on clearing blockages from tracks, road wheels, observation and aiming equipment, and weapon systems!"

"Especially those... filth residues, must be removed to ensure the machinery is functioning properly! The engineering team is assisting with severely congested vehicles."

"Third, personnel rest. Except for necessary sentry posts, observation posts, and vehicle yard posts, the remaining personnel are divided into two groups and take turns resting on the spot."

"During the rest period, you are allowed to remove your helmet, loosen your collar, and replenish your water and individual rations. The medical team will quickly make rounds to treat minor injuries, and seriously wounded soldiers will be evacuated immediately! Remember, this is a rest period, not disarmament! Keep your weapons with you and your protective gear within easy reach!"

"Fourth, establish a temporary battalion command post and communication node. Command vehicles and communication vehicles are quickly deployed to restore and maintain stable communication with the brigade headquarters and the theater command. Technical support personnel check encrypted communication equipment to ensure smooth intelligence flow."

"Fifth, battlefield reconnaissance and surveillance. The reconnaissance platoon shall immediately advance to conduct preliminary reconnaissance of an area approximately one kilometer north of Guanghua Avenue, focusing on searching for signs of mutant activity, suspicious buildings, and entrances to underground facilities. Each company shall dispatch spies and patrols to cover the perimeter of our rest area. The drone team shall take off to conduct low-altitude patrols and provide real-time battlefield monitoring!"

"Sixth, logistics and supply coordination. Compile statistics on ammunition consumption and material needs of each vehicle and platoon, and report to the battalion headquarters. Contact the brigade logistics unit to coordinate the delivery routes and times for fuel, ammunition, and food supplies."

After Li Zhen finished speaking, he paused briefly, then emphasized his words again:

"Repeat, this is a tactical rest, not a time to lay down our weapons and let our horses graze! We are still on the edge of the battlefield, and we could be attacked by the remaining enemy forces or other unforeseen circumstances at any time!"

"Everyone must maintain a minimum level of combat readiness, even while resting, keep one eye open! Understand?"

"Connected!"

"Second Company, understood!"

"Triple retrieval received!"

"Reconnaissance platoon, received!"

……

After issuing the order, Li Zhen turned off the microphone, rubbed his throbbing temples, and said to the battalion staff officer beside him:

"Record the start time of the rest period and report it to the brigade headquarters. Also, have the cooks find a way to get some hot food, even just boiling some water for instant noodles... Brothers, we're exhausted."

"Yes, battalion commander!"

As orders were relayed through the ranks, the steel torrent, which had just completed its bloody penetration, began to transform its form efficiently and systematically.

The roar of the engines subsided, but did not cease. The heavy tanks and infantry fighting vehicles moved slowly, heading towards the pre-selected positions according to tactical orders. The vehicles supported each other, with the cannons and machine guns pointing outwards, quickly forming a temporary vehicle formation with a field defense character.

The fully armed crew members jumped out of the hatch one by one. Although their steps were a little unsteady, their movements were still swift.

They picked up crowbars and shovels and began clearing away the disgusting, bloody sludge that was deeply embedded in the vehicle's running gear and crevices.

The screeching sound of metal scraping against metal, along with occasional low curses and conversations, replaced the deafening roar of gunfire.

The infantrymen filed out of the rear hatch of the infantry fighting vehicles. Led by their squad leaders, some quickly took up nearby high ground or concealed corners, set up machine guns and sniper rifles, and vigilantly scanned the foggy streets and the dark windows of the buildings.

Another group slumped in relatively dry corners or in the shadows of vehicles, eagerly unscrewing water bottles and wolfing down energy bars or compressed biscuits. Some even started to doze off after just a couple of bites, clutching their guns, only to be gently woken up by their companions.

The reconnaissance platoon's light armored vehicles and foot patrols silently disappeared into the deeper fog and ruins ahead.

Six small drones took off from near the command vehicle, their propellers humming softly as they began to spiral upwards, transmitting real-time images of the gradually forming rest camp below and the desolate streetscape further away back to the camp headquarters' screen.

...

Meanwhile, news that the night market battle was coming to an end spread at lightning speed...