Apocalypse: Reborn with a Soul Sync Farming Space System-Chapter 152 Surprise

Chris pulled the small communicator from his pocket while the truck continued moving forward at a steady pace, and after pressing a few buttons he spoke briefly into the device before slipping it back inside his coat as if sending warnings to the fortress was simply another routine task he had performed countless times before.

"Message delivered," Chris said casually while leaning back in his seat and glancing toward Laurel. "The guards will make sure the gates stay closed, so you don’t have to worry about the infected getting in."

Laurel nodded faintly while wiping away the last trace of tears from her face, though the heaviness in her chest remained as she stared out the window again at the ruined highway stretching endlessly before them.

"The world is a mess right now." Gabriel said, shaking his head.

"It is," Stefan replied.

For several minutes the convoy continued driving through the empty road while the wind carried loose ash across the air, and the silence inside the truck slowly returned as each of them sank into their own thoughts.

Then Gabriel suddenly leaned slightly forward and narrowed his eyes toward the distance ahead. "Aren’t those infected?" he said quietly.

Alexander’s grip tightened slightly around the steering wheel. "Where?"

Gabriel pointed through the windshield. "Front left... coming out of the trees... don’t look human with the way they are walking."

Laurel followed his gaze and within seconds several figures stumbled onto the road from the burnt forest, their bodies moving in unnatural ways while their red eyes locked onto the approaching trucks.

"Infected... they are exactly like the one I encountered before," Stefan said from the back of the vehicle.

Chris leaned forward slightly to get a better look. "Probably they are attracted to the sound of the vehicle, and considering the bodies on the floor, this might be their territory."

Laurel swiftly pulled out the gun from her waist, corking it. "Everyone stay alert, don’t underestimate them."

More figures began appearing behind the first few, their movements growing faster as they rushed toward the road with hungry snarls.

Alexander pressed the accelerator harder.

"Everyone, brace yourself," he said calmly.

The truck surged forward just as the infected rushed toward them with outstretched arms.

Gunshots exploded from the armored truck behind them as the soldiers opened fire through the narrow firing ports built into the vehicle’s sides, their rifles spitting bursts of bullets that tore through the approaching infected and sent several collapsing onto the road.

"Left side clear!" one of the soldiers shouted from inside the second truck.

Two infected managed to leap directly toward the front of the lead vehicle, their bodies slamming against the heavy metal spikes welded to the hood.

The spikes pierced straight through their chests and pinned them there for a brief moment before their bodies slid down and disappeared beneath the wheels.

Chris watched the scene through the windshield and clicked his tongue. "Those spikes were a good idea."

"I’ll take that as a compliment to the engineering team," Alexander replied without taking his eyes off the road.

Chris scoffed. "I believe it was the commander’s idea."

Stefan opened the glass on the roof, he stood up and began shooting at the infected surrounding them.

Laurel lowered her side window and began shooting directly at the head of the infected. Her precision was clean, and the infected dropped to the ground one after the other.

Another infected tried to grab the side mirror but a shot from Gabriel’s rifle knocked its head sideways before it could reach the vehicle.

The convoy pushed forward relentlessly while the infected continued stumbling after them, but within seconds the distance grew too wide and the creatures gradually disappeared behind them.

Gabriel lowered his rifle and leaned back slightly.

"Well," he said with a small sigh, "that was unpleasant."

Alexander glanced back through the rear window to confirm the road behind them was clear before nodding slightly.

"No more infected in sight."

Then he eased his foot off the accelerator after another few minutes of driving and glanced toward Laurel.

"We’re almost at the mountain path," he said. "The trucks can’t go further after that."

Laurel straightened slightly in her seat and looked ahead, where the road gradually narrowed before disappearing between large rocky hills.

After a few hours of driving, Alexander slowed the truck to a stop while the second armored vehicle halted behind them with a loud hiss of brakes.

The soldiers climbed down from the trucks one by one while stretching their legs and adjusting their weapons.

Gabriel stepped out of the vehicle and rolled his shoulders. "Finally," he said while looking up toward the mountain path ahead, "I was starting to feel like a packaged delivery sitting in that seat."

Stefan snorted lightly while slinging his rifle across his back. "You complain too much."

Laurel stepped out of the truck and glanced toward the narrow rocky trail leading into the mountains.

"We continue on foot from here."

Stefan nodded and walked toward the rear of the second truck where several supply bags had been stored.

"Let’s grab the gear."

One of the soldiers moved toward the back of the vehicle and reached for the handle of the storage compartment.

Just as his hand touched the metal door, a dull thump echoed from inside.

Everyone froze in their tracks.

The soldier slowly pulled his hand back. "Did anyone hear that?" he asked.

Gabriel immediately raised his rifle. "Yeah... I definitely heard that."

Another muffled sound came from inside the compartment.

Thump.

Gabriel tilted his head slightly while staring at the truck. "Please tell me we didn’t accidentally bring an infected along for the ride."

Stefan frowned and stepped closer. "That’s impossible."

The compartment thumped again.

Laurel slowly drew the pistol from her belt. "Open it," she said calmly.

The soldier standing closest to the door hesitated slightly before gripping the handle while the others raised their weapons and aimed at the storage compartment.

Chris stepped slightly to the side beside Laurel, ready to protect her in case an infected happened to jump out of the vehicle.

The soldier pulled the door open, his eyes widening the moment his eyes fell on the figure inside.

Everyone stood, completely stunned.

Then a cheerful voice burst out from inside. "Surprise!"

They all blinked in surprise, completely speechless.

Curled up inside the storage compartment with a backpack, a pile of snack wrappers, and a bright grin on her face was Tina.

She waved enthusiastically. "Hi everyone!"

Laurel stared at her in complete disbelief. "Tina?!"

Stefan nearly dropped his rifle.

"Tina?! What are you doing here?!" Laurel said, momentarily losing her cool.

Tina climbed out of the compartment and dusted off her clothes as if sneaking into a dangerous expedition was the most normal thing in the world.

"I came with you," she said proudly.