I Have Returned, but I Cannot Lay down My Gun

Chapter 679

"...So, the sparks finally flew here. It wouldn't be right to assume that the higher-ups are treating us like mere land dogs, right? There's no way we'd be getting these kinds of orders otherwise."

"If we had enough resources, they'd have sent more units. But... look at me, the one specializing in naval infiltration, stuck in this position and working. I think that speaks for itself."

"If they really want to try something, why not send an airstrike or something? We don’t even have a single armed UAV, and they’re planning on throwing us into enemy territory... that’s insane."

"Speak up. On paper, it’s just a recon mission, right?"

"Are you telling me the sea otter’s going to go in, pull out a tiger’s whisker, and escape safely? Are you serious? We haven’t even gotten used to the gear yet!"

The buzzing of the drone's propellers pushes the air with force, but even amidst this noise, I can still hear the ongoing debate, which isn't really a debate but more of a complaint. For me, this is a huge disadvantage, as I'm trying to control the drone with just my thoughts.

But honestly, this level of noise is actually better than expected. After all, they did mention that places using these drones are always right in the middle of a war zone.

If I can’t handle this, how could I ever manage to control a drone in the middle of a firefight?

...But despite that, my listening skills have been improving week by week, and I was slowly getting better at understanding what they were saying. Sure, there were still a few proper nouns I didn’t catch, but...

In any case, the main point seemed to be that, somehow, the situation was getting messier for everyone, including us. I heard that something terrible had happened about 2-3 kilometers away at the UN headquarters in New York.

Because we had lost a considerable amount of combat personnel in Central Park, the higher-ups were either wracking their brains or... in a funeral-like mood.

At that point, reality started sinking in.

'If things go wrong... will it be my turn to pick up a gun next?'

The external threat was too close.

But from what I gathered from their conversation, the operation to retake the UN headquarters was one of the necessary tasks. Other options were being eliminated due to the terrible weather that had ravaged New York.

In other words, antennas and such had been rendered useless.

I don’t know the specifics, but I’ll find out soon enough. I’m still non-combat personnel, but I’ve been getting used to the shooting assistance system, so I’ll probably be picking up a gun soon enough.

For now, I’ve been focusing on improving my spatial awareness. Being able to move my tail smoothly and especially operating the drone, both of which require good spatial perception.

Since the drone is capable of reconnaissance, bombing, and striking, it’s something I couldn’t avoid.

Imagine using the Pulse technology to create a 3D map of a building, then using one eye to plan the drone’s flight path, locking onto enemies hiding behind walls, while using the other eye to shoot and neutralize approaching threats.

It’s about managing multiple situations at once—something the Icarus operators are supposed to be good at.

The good thing is, I’m not the only one who thinks "Is this even possible for a human?" Lauren and Olivia have both been struggling with it too.

But Olivia got the hang of it first. Being an owl, her vision was absurd, and she could create a sonar map through echolocation, allowing her to operate the drones with terrifying precision.

The next person to get the hang of drone control was me. I used a bit of a cheat by linking my senses with the drone, using the vibrations felt when the drone pushed the air to aid in control.

Of course, when the drone fires, the vibration method becomes useless, but I used it in the early stages to get a feel for it.

Anyway, the conversation continued.

"I have three teammates waiting in the observation room, but this is an Eagle team, so we're specialized in pararescue. We can’t do high-value target elimination or building seizures, unless it’s something like taking an airport."

"At the moment, we’re the most important force available in Central Park. Either way, once the mission order comes through, we’ll have to go, so it’s better to prepare mentally."

"This is driving me crazy... Let’s at least check out the guys who got sent in first and ended up dead. Do we have the operation timeline and infiltration routes?"

"Here."

Suspicious conversations were happening around me, but I desperately ignored them and focused on practicing drone control.

I wasn’t any help in this mission or whatever... I’m just a mushroom... a useless, lazy soldier who’s about to finish my service...

Of course, that didn't matter. Less than a minute later, I was grabbed by two scary women and placed next to them. That’s how I learned what debriefing was.

"Why the hell would they limit the infiltration route to the ground and deploy in the daytime without night vision? If there wasn’t sniper support, all the guys we sent in would’ve been in body bags."

"Thanks to that, we can’t negotiate anymore. We’re not officially confirmed for deployment yet, but the higher-ups are already leaning toward a full annihilation strategy. Let’s reassess the infiltration route and approach."

"Enemy position?"

"Ground parking lot in front of the UN headquarters, first and second floors of the main building. The sentry positions and the perimeter are all limited to the roads in front... we estimate about 130 enemy soldiers are stationed there."

"How about approaching from the East River with a Zodiac boat, cut the engine and move in?"

"If we get spotted, it could be problematic, but we’ll need to check if we have underwater infiltration suits. Did we have underwater infiltration in our pararescue training?"

"Of course we did. What do you take us for?"

At that point, the two of them suddenly turned their heads toward me.

Seeing their serious expressions, I felt like trouble was about to land on me. In moments like this, the best I could do was act as pitiful as possible.

I’m just a mushroom... I’m useless... I’m just good at being a lazy soldier...

Naturally, that didn’t work.

The conversation continued.

"Do you think we can bring this kid with us?"

"No need to take unnecessary risks. If we’re going to drag him along, we can have him use drones to mark enemies from outside the mission zone, but if that’s the case, we might as well bring someone who was actually working as a drone operator at Central Park."

"That’s true. Got it, little snake? Stay here and guard the house."

"...They’re really coming back safely, right?"

"Of course. Who else is going to live as long as we have?"

Well, isn’t this a completely different story from when I was helping the 107th Military Police?

I had indirectly watched them train and... no matter how I thought about it, it was hard to imagine these people getting injured.

They just fly around. What can I say, it felt like I was watching a hyper-FPS game before it landed in the U.S. They’d probably be wall-jumping in no time.

Actually, Olivia might still be able to do it now. With wings, she might even be able to make short-range flights.

Anyway, things were still noisy, but hearing this from them... maybe there was a chance of success in this after all.

I didn’t know the difficult facts or the troop ratios. But if this was a suicidal mission, they would be the first to call it off.

"Let’s first think about the necessary supplies. A full annihilation mission is insane. Even if we throw 20% of those 130 into the Hudson, they’ll lose their morale. We’ll just have to beat them down and escape."

"That’s not a bad idea. We could definitely consider deploying snipers."

"For now, I’ll go around Central Park looking for any available drone operators, and you get the stuff we need for infiltration. Diving suits and the like."

"Don’t make me repeat myself."

Thunk.

At that moment, the two of them sat down on the bed, as if they had planned it. It was a bit of a relief, but... recently, there had been a massive remodel of the accommodation for Alpha-class mutants.

Instead of the uncomfortable folding beds, they had gotten beds from a nearby Plaza Hotel, and thanks to that, everyone was now living relatively comfortably.

Of course, it helped that the number of Alpha-class mutants was... incredibly low.

But that’s all irrelevant. I didn’t say a single word about my unease.

I spoke to Olivia, who I had gotten somewhat close to. I was trembling a bit in my voice, maybe because I was worried.

"If it gets dangerous, you have to run away immediately. Promise me."

"Don’t worry. The mission starts at dawn, so by the time you wake up, it’ll be over. You’ll see the mission footage later and prepare for what you’ll be doing next."

"Lauren Tina, you should be kinder to him."

"I told you not to call me by my full name."

"Ro, Lauren Tina... it's a pretty name."

"Pfft."

Is this a weakness...?

But it’s a pretty name. It fits her well... though, I wondered if everyone had changed their names.

Thinking about it, maybe Eugene is a very neutral name.

While I was having those thoughts, Olivia added:

"Everything he says is spot on, so we don’t need to worry about it. The only thing you can do to help us now is to study hard."

"...Yes."

"By the way, if you’re a snake, does that mean you're from the navy? Watching that smug guy makes me want to strangle him."

"Heh. You know I have my eye on you, right? If you take another path, I’ll deal with you. Air Force or Army aren’t your paths. A real man has to keep a trident in his heart."

"Right now, I’m a woman."

"That’s what I mean."

I don’t know why they’re suddenly debating my future affiliation, but... the sad truth is, I still have a long way to go before making that decision.

Maybe I’ll end up in the Navy. That’s what I thought, while half-listening to their bickering.

And later on, if I had joined the Navy, maybe Olivia wouldn’t have harassed me so much. This was roughly 6 months before I joined the Army.

"Do you think this kid will be sent to the frontlines one day?"

"Probably sooner than you think. So stop petting him already. He’ll wake up at this rate."

"Oddly enough, he doesn’t wake up that easily. When he’s asleep, his nerves are actually pretty sharp."

2:40 AM, Central Park HQ.

In the darkness, with the blackout in effect and the persistent power shortages, two figures sat on the bed, talking quietly next to Eugene, who was sound asleep.

They were both heavily armored, wearing tactical vests with pouches full of ammunition, and faint energy traces running over them. They looked like they could be straight out of an action movie.

However, the difference was, neither of them was wearing a helmet. Naturally, they didn’t have night vision goggles either – Olivia didn’t need them in the first place.

Their faintly glowing eyes could only be seen with intense focus.

Before them, countless holograms floated in the air.

• [Prototype Icarus Gear activated... Portable energy shield operating normally.]
• [Energy barrier focus... Checking exposed areas like arms, legs, and head. Focused defense on those areas.]
• [Shield remaining capacity displayed individually.]

"I’m using it for the first time, but it doesn’t inspire much confidence. I’m not sure it’ll hold up."

"They’ve done several tests. I heard it can stop about 10 rounds of a .50 caliber bullet... Just don’t rely on that fact too much."

"Right... Let’s get moving. You’re in charge. If you mess up, I’ll take command."

"That’s lenient. Back at the original unit, making a mistake meant being released from duty."

Clank.

The moonless night sky was visible. In the dark, five figures had finished their preparations. Two mutants, and three members of Olivia’s Eagle Team. They were the elite forces of today’s operation.

Strictly speaking, they weren’t specialized in CQB, but at this point, that detail didn’t matter. It was proof that things in Central Park were getting urgent.

Olivia looked at her three team members. Unlike the mutants, they were all wearing Ops-Core helmets, with ENVG – advanced night vision goggles mounted.

Behind them, a Silent MTV, designed for special infiltration, stood. It had diving equipment for five people.

A few quick hand signals were exchanged, and the five of them boarded the vehicle.

The vehicle moved silently toward the east side of Central Park, where the zoo used to be. The driver followed the pre-planned route and headed toward the East River.

The weather was gradually getting cooler, and the mist was clearing.

Olivia spoke up.

"I never realized it when we were just training, but now that I think about it... being a soldier really is a thankless job. Especially in times like these."

"That’s sudden."

"Do you think this kid can survive on his own without us?"

"Don’t talk like that, team leader. This is his first mission in Central Park. He’s not going anywhere."

"Shut up, you guys. Do you understand a woman’s complicated feelings?"

"You were a man until last year, right?"

Not a single word was left unspoken.

Olivia laughed and sighed simultaneously, slowly beginning to forget the pointless thoughts from earlier.

As she said, this was the first direct strike mission in Central Park. A precise operation, like performing surgery, something that couldn’t be done with just the first-level operatives.

The East River, shrouded in darkness, stretched between the ruins of buildings. The vehicle came to a stop just before the highway leading to the river.

The road was lined with abandoned vehicles, most of which were empty, their windows shattered and doors open. Among them, decayed corpses lay scattered on the ground.

Leaving that behind, they began to gear up.

The timer was set, and the distance to their target was displayed.

"1.5 km to the infiltration point. The current of the water is from the north to the south, the same as our approach direction. We should reach the point in under 10 minutes, and the drone scan shows there are no sentries along the river."

"Perfect conditions for a surprise attack."

"Yeah, exactly."

The operation to deploy the Alpha-class mutants officially began.