Aethercross-Real Game，The Borderland of Reality and Fantasy

Chapter 9: Return to the City

"Ah, Raimondo might be a bit disappointed then. He's 16, so he's still the youngest. But I'm sure he'll be excited to have an older sister like you."

Observing Arachne carefully, Sky noticed her mood lifting slightly. He continued the conversation to further distract her: "My dad left us a small house in Satellite City 14, which is quite something there. It's now filled with over twenty refugees, mainly women and children. It's crowded, yes, but full of life, something Raimondo really enjoys. You'll probably have to squeeze in a bit with us. Every room is occupied, people even sleep in the kitchen. But there's room for one more in the partitioned area of mine and Raimondo's room. It's still a proper house, which is more than many can say in the city nowadays." Sky carefully omitted the part about his crucial mission to ensure the girl's safety, not wanting to alarm her with the system's harsh consequences.

Arachne, amidst her sorrow, mustered a faint smile. "I'd love to live with you all. I've always dreamed of experiencing life like a normal person, not just confined to my own little world."

Sky guessed her aspirations were likely influenced by her impaired vision. After a moment of hesitation, he gently inquired, "Can your eyes be treated?"

As they talked, the heavy atmosphere in the vehicle slowly transformed into a more comforting and relaxed tone. Sky regaled Arachne with amusing stories from his and Raimondo's childhood, aiming to momentarily divert her from her grief. Unnoticed by them, the armored transport had already made its way back to Satellite City 14.

The vehicle came to a gradual stop, its side armor panels opening as part of the essential security protocol in the now wartime-conditioned city.

Sky gazed outside, his eyes drawn to the imposing steel fortress of the wasteland. Despite having fragments of memory about it implanted by the system, seeing it firsthand was a profoundly different and awe-inspiring experience.

Towering city walls pierced the clouds, forged from immense steel plates, their surfaces a mosaic of battle scars and bullet marks, silent witnesses to countless sieges. Every so often along the ramparts, fortified towers emerged, armed with electromagnetic kinetic energy cannons and dual-purpose anti-aircraft heavy machine guns for both aerial and terrestrial defense. These formidable weapons could rain destruction on distant ground targets and intercept hostile artillery and rockets.

Nestled between each defense tower, a deadly array of heavy machine guns and compact artillery batteries stood ready, poised to unleash their wrath on any approaching adversary, covering every conceivable approach to the city's perimeter. In moments of enemy advance, these weapons, manned by vigilant soldiers, would rain down a lethal torrent of firepower.

The entire city was shrouded in a faint, almost invisible, transparent energy shield. This barrier was specifically designed to ward off the harmful radiation and geomagnetic storms from the outside world. During attacks, the shield's output could be intensified, creating an impenetrable energy wall that could deflect a portion of the inbound artillery.

The city gates were an engineering feat, constructed from thick alloy materials to endure severe impacts. Arrayed around the gates, a multitude of automated targeting weapons lay in wait, primed to unleash a ferocious metal storm on any threat, tearing apart any enemy daring to breach the gates.

A multi-tiered defense system protected the city. The outermost layer was a wide moat teeming with deadly chemical agents, quick to dissolve enemy forces and obliterate most siege equipment that dared to invade its waters. Just beyond the moat, an electromagnetic barrier zone stood guard, capable of temporarily crippling any mechanical devices that crossed it and damaging the enemy's electronic equipment.

Every angle of the city walls bristled with surveillance cameras and sensory equipment, all linked to a sprawling command center within the city. Staff diligently monitored these feeds 24/7, coordinating with patrol units to maintain the city's security. Any anomalies were swiftly identified and addressed.

The city's defense system was under the centralized control of the defense army's headquarters. Here, elite scientists and military tacticians used state-of-the-art computing systems to analyze enemy tactics and craft effective defense strategies. In crisis situations, this nerve center could deploy every defensive asset within the city, including squads of genetically-enhanced warriors clad in battle armor and rapid-response infantry units, prepared for a full-scale counteroffensive.

As the car door opened, the air was laden with the sharp scents of metal and gunpowder. The guards at the city gate moved promptly towards the vehicle. Max, stepping out first, engaged with the guards. A guard used a handheld scanner on the armored transport, which emitted a confirming beep and a green signal after a brief moment. After a quick inspection of the vehicle's interior, he nodded, "You're cleared to proceed."

Max climbed back into the vehicle, directing Luca, "To the garrison hospital." The vehicle, its doors and armored panels sealed, proceeded through the city streets toward the garrison hospital.

Upon arrival, Sky and Arachne emerged to be greeted by a scene of pandemonium. The hospital's main hall reeked of blood and antiseptic, with wounded soldiers sprawled across the hall and corridors. Medical personnel rushed about, triaging and delivering urgent care based on the severity of injuries.

Their attention was then captured by Dr. Spencer, accompanied by several assistants, who appeared to be expectantly waiting for someone at the main entrance of the hall.

Upon first witnessing Sky's injuries, she was clearly startled. Her eyes then moved to Max and Emily, each supporting an unconscious researcher, and Hank, who was limping next to Sky.
Giving another look at Sky, she turned to Max and queried, "I've been alerted by the city gate sentries that you've managed to save two researchers from Satellite City No. 15. What's their current state?"
"The two researchers are stable for the moment but desperately need medical attention," Max clarified. "Regrettably, we could only rescue these two; the rest succumbed to the mutants' attack."
Dr. Spencer nodded and instructed her assistant, "Immediately set up separate operating rooms for the two researchers. Also, the others who are injured will require specialized treatment at our level three underground facility. Go prepare the equipment."
After her assistants dispersed, Dr. Spencer turned her attention to Arachne, who was still clutching Sky's hand, and asked, "And who is this young lady?"
Sky quickly responded, "This is Arachne, daughter of Researcher Duncan," gently squeezing Arachne's hand, "Sadly, he has recently fallen in battle."
"Duncan," Dr. Spencer mused, "Yes, now it comes back to me. He had a daughter. I met you when I visited Satellite City No. 15 two years ago. Your father always brought you along. Arachne, my condolences for your loss. In these turbulent times, tragedy can strike anyone, anytime. You must learn to be resilient. What are your plans going forward?"
Sky interjected, "Arachne and I have already talked it over. She will be staying with Raimondo and myself for some time."
Dr. Spencer nodded in understanding. At that moment, nurses with stretchers took the unconscious researchers away. She then addressed Sky and the group, "Come along, let's address your injuries. The tall one, in particular, might need a full day in the medical pod."
They followed the doctor through the busy hall. Sky inquired, "Doctor, what's the situation? Why are there suddenly so many casualties?"
"I've heard the city's defense forces are encountering difficulties in repelling the bandit coalition outside the city," the doctor glanced at Sky, "You needn't worry about the battle right now."