A large amount of more detailed data began to flow into the tactical computer database of the miniature mech, transmitted via two reconnaissance drones. The data mapped out a three-dimensional map, covering hundreds of square kilometers with millimeter-level precision.
"Mind frequency verification successful."
"Psychological state check normal."
"Biological data matches."
"Surrounding environment is safe."
"Authorization confirmed."
After a final remote identity verification through the console, the miniature mech unlocked its last restriction.
A prototype missile slowly ignited in the mech's launch chamber.
Without a sound, it disappeared into the heavy rain outside, leaving behind a clear, straight flight path on the tactical computer's 3D map.
On the Ground.
Near the 4th Shelter,
Lan Yu, who had just joined up with the mechanized infantry battalion commander, suddenly felt an unsettling pulse in his chest. He pushed the power armor's detection equipment to its limits, but there was nothing.
It wasn't until the last moment that he had a sudden realization.
He raised his head, using the night-vision goggles and telescope components built into his power armor helmet. He saw a meteor falling from the sky, emitting a faint glow.
That was the last thing he saw.
In the next instant,
An endless burst of light consumed everything within his sight.
A terrifying shockwave,
Formed a ring of high-pressure gas and debris, hundreds of meters high, quickly spreading outward.
It destroyed everything in its path.
The special fortifications that had survived the 400mm rocket explosions were flattened effortlessly by this unstoppable shockwave.
Nothing was left.
Seconds later,
Everyone within the city's outskirts could see
A sun rising from the depths of the city,
Unleashing blinding rays of light,
Tearing apart the thick clouds above, and forcing away the torrential rain that had seemed as though it could last for a century.
In the end, a funnel-shaped void, over 10 kilometers in diameter, formed in the sky.
Half a minute later,
As the ground's sun-like glow slowly faded,
Bright beams of sunlight, so intense they were almost blinding, descended through the rift in the clouds.
On the ground, people witnessing this for the first time realized
That the sun's rays were still there, beyond the thick clouds.
North America.
The new capital of the Federation.
In a super-large city deep within the Great Rift Valley,
At the Space Management Center,
The duty officer at the console suddenly saw a high-energy alert pop up on the screen.
He input a command and dispatched a precious monitoring satellite to investigate.
He paused for a moment and then softly exclaimed in surprise.
Not daring to waste any time, he bundled up the relevant data and forwarded it to his superior.
Shortly thereafter, the report was passed through several layers and appeared on a high-ranking Federation government official's computer.
"Nuclear explosion in Jianghe City, East Zone."
"Who got into a fight this time?"
"They really don't take the environment seriously."
The official muttered, somewhat displeased.
Since the apocalypse began,
This was already the third such report he had received.
Clearly, with the weakening control of the Federation government over the globe, and the extreme deterioration of the environment,
Nuclear weapons, once used for mass destruction, had gradually become tools for local power struggles.
"However, the name Jianghe City seems unfamiliar."
"What kind of interests could possibly warrant the use of a nuclear bomb?"
With this in mind, the official's gaze first shifted to the map, assisted by artificial intelligence, to find the obscure city.
Jianghe City, near the 4th Shelter.
After the nuclear explosion,
The battlefield's center,
There was nothing left to salvage.
Neither the buildings nor the Snowwind Mercenary Corps stationed here remained.
Not even a piece of debris the size of a palm could be found.
The power armor that Su Wu had once longed for on the battlefield
Had completely vanished without a trace.
"Is this what they call a small tactical nuclear bomb?"
Su Wu stared at the state of the battlefield relayed by the reconnaissance drones.
Rubbing his forehead, feeling a slight headache,
He realized that his previous understanding
Had a subtle miscalculation regarding the mini-mech's manual.
Given its current power,
It was clear that all of humanity's nuclear weapons used in actual combat throughout history could not compare to this.
This truly redefined the terms "small" and "tactical."
And the miscalculation?
It had resulted in the annihilation of both the enemy and his own forces.
Not only had the Snowwind Mercenary Corps' main force been wiped out,
But Su Wu's own spider robot army
Now had only a few hundred units left.
Compared to the thousands they once had, it was almost a complete destruction.
"Well, no matter what,"
"At least the enemy is gone."
After a moment of holding his headache in check,
Su Wu begrudgingly accepted the reality.
Now,
Because the prototype missile's tactical nuclear bomb had wiped out the Snowwind Mercenary Corps' main force so thoroughly,
The battlefield was now essentially without any salvageable value.
The most important task left was the rescue of the 4th Shelter.
As the shelter closest to the nuclear explosion,
It had suffered a large-scale collapse.
A rough estimate suggested that at least hundreds of thousands of people were affected.
The exact death toll was difficult to determine.
Connecting with the 4th Shelter's director,
Su Wu directly instructed him to organize a rescue effort immediately.
Then, within half an hour, a rescue convoy would be dispatched to assist them.
On the other end of the line, the director
Maintained a respectful tone throughout the communication,
And fully cooperated, stating that everything would be carried out according to Su Wu's instructions.
Not a single objection was raised to Su Wu's assumed authority.
After this battle,
Even though no one had openly said it,
Everyone had tacitly accepted Su Wu's control over the official shelters.
He was set to be the new master of Jianghe City.
After hanging up,
Su Wu deployed 300 engineering vehicles from the farmhouse courtyard
And sent them to the 4th Shelter.
He then organized on-site,
Sending the remaining 300 spider robots that could still fight
To quickly enter the 4th Shelter, helping to control the situation.
Although the tactical nuclear bomb from the prototype mech had wiped out the Snowwind Mercenary Corps' main force,
Some smaller d
efense forces were still left stationed in key positions within the 4th Shelter.
Su Wu needed to eliminate them quickly
To prevent interference with the upcoming large-scale rescue operation.
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