Initiative Now

In the quiet valley, the sharp echoes of gunfire pierced the air repeatedly, creating a chilling symphony.

The door was shut tight, just in time before the chaos unfolded outside. Dan and Anna found refuge in the top command room, their eyes glued to the crenel, scanning the battlefield below.

From their elevated vantage point, they witnessed a frenzied onslaught. A gang of ruthless bandits descended upon the already weakened looters, their aggression unrestrained. The looters, the cannibal bunch, and the fearsome predators of the wastelands were methodically being cornered.

Dan recalled how fearsome these cannibal savages were from his inherited memories, and he was honestly glad that the predators were losing. At least with bandits, he'd be able to negotiate, still, it was concerning to see how much firepower the bandit cabal was packing.

Evidently, the bandits who had struck moments ago hadn't retreated; instead, they had rallied reinforcements, intensifying the assault. The scene was a testament to the brutality of the past events, now unfolding in a merciless tableau before them.

In this decisive moment, Dan decided it was time for the ultimate assault alongside the looting scavenging tribal positioned at the base of the mountain. He was tempted to go down and join the skirmish, making sure to erase anything that could become a problem to him with certainty.

He erased the reckless thoughts in his mind. He was not Rambo.

Peering down from the mountain's summit, a gripping battle unfolded between the two factions, characterized by the clash of bows and arrows, the thrust of spears, and the desperate wielding of makeshift weapons.

Interestingly, there existed a stark contrast in firepower between the opposing sides. While one group relied on rudimentary homemade arms, limited by an effective range of a mere 20 meters, the other faction boasted bows and arrows of remarkable craftsmanship, weighing between half a catty to eight taels, giving them a significant advantage in the confrontation.

The savages though were not giving up ground. They make up for their primitive weapons with savageness, truly the predators of the wild wasteland.

Hence, casualties marred the ranks of both factions. When Dan gazed down the mountainside, his expression was reminiscent of someone savoring melons, it wasn't mere fascination that captivated him. Instead, he was engrossed in pondering the inexplicable presence of the bandits in such a remote and secluded mountain.

Though he should be new to this, there was this air of calmness to him. The inherited memories of the former 'Daniel McAlsiter' had shaped him into something different. He analyzed the situation at hand.

Typically, bandits refrained from venturing far from their established territories. They were acutely aware that mobilizing a large force risked exposing their own turf to rival gangs, leading to territorial encroachment and eventual loss.

The unexpected reinforcement of bandits in this vicinity puzzled Dan deeply. Usually, bandits wouldn't retaliate so vehemently unless the individuals they confronted were more than just common bandits, perhaps members of rival gangs.

Gangs, in essence, were merely larger-scale bandits, distinguished primarily by their stereotypical tattoos and expanded operations.

The perplexing question that hung in the air was, why were these gangs here?

Dan found himself grappling with this puzzle, the mystery of their presence eluding him, but not completely. The answer was just on the tip of his tongue.

"Could it be the Red House?" Dan pondered, his mind racing with thoughts. When it came to bandits, the infamous Red House being their base were the primary contenders that came to mind.

Dan had ventured into the Red House territory a few times before, encountering danger that had convinced him to limit his visits after just two trips.

"Dad, I'm afraid..." Anna's small voice quivered with fear.

Softly, Dan reassured Anna, his words a balm to her anxiety: "I'm not afraid, Anna, and you shouldn't be either. We're perfectly safe here. Look around; this place is perched on a cliff, virtually inaccessible to anyone. We're well hidden, and they won't find us here."

While he comforted Anna, Dan's thoughts continued to churn, contemplating their precarious situation and the mysteries that surrounded the bandits and gangs in the Red House territory.

Numerous enigmatic factors have emerged recently in the vicinity.

A conspicuous increase in 'predators' became apparent, a stark contrast from the past when the area had felt relatively safe. The looters, savages, tribals, and now, even bandits.

Consulting the markings on the map, Dan found themselves situated in a remote corner, hemmed in by the vastness of the sea on one side and sprawling hills on the other.

This particular region lay far removed from urban centers, with the nearest city situated tens of kilometers away. The distance was so vast that even reaching the city on foot seemed an insurmountable challenge.

Amidst this isolation, Dan found himself deeply perplexed by the unexpected congregation of people in their vicinity. It defied logic. What could have driven them to gather here in such large numbers?

Dan harbored a growing certainty that some significant event must have spurred this unusual gathering. The question that loomed large was, what could possibly incite such fervent madness?

A sudden realization struck him. Could it be the water source within their base? Was it conceivable that these people had converged in search of the precious resource, water, the sustenance of life, prompting them to brave the arduous journey to this remote corner of the world? The notion buzzed in his mind, a potential explanation for the inexplicable gathering that had stirred the normally tranquil surroundings.

Dan found himself facing a conundrum with no immediate, satisfying explanation. At this juncture, he stood as the sole guardian of their haven, armed with a solitary firearm. Fending off such a multitude of intruders was a notion bordering on the impossible.

The challenge of surviving 30 days and fortifying a secure, self-sustaining base was proving to be an arduous task in its own right. The looters, worrisome as they were, paled in comparison to the bandits, who possessed a formidable arsenal of explosives, weaponry, and a plethora of tools at their disposal. This arsenal allowed them to swiftly clear the path that Dan and Anna had laboriously blocked with stones.

In this precarious moment, the only means of ensuring safety entailed activating the primary power supply and lowering the protective gate, thereby isolating the base from the external world. This move would, at least, guarantee security within the base's walls.

The urgency of restoring the base to its functional state was abundantly clear. Further delays in this endeavor could prove catastrophic, as the relentless bandits inched closer to the mountain's summit. Inaction might spell doom for Dan and his daughter, rendering them exceedingly vulnerable to the impending threat.

With the mounting stakes, Dan had no choice but to undertake a perilous mission. He needed to reach the main control room, activate the switch, and swiftly retreat, ensuring the door's security, as the bandits lacked the means to breach it. What's more, the underground pipes and primary fuel tank remained concealed, shrouded in obscurity, providing a strategic advantage.

Dan and Anna cautiously descended from their observation post and returned to the base's interior. Dan busied himself with meal preparations, seeking to fortify himself with a hearty dinner before embarking on the nocturnal venture.

Having resolved to undertake this mission, Dan still faced the quandary of a lookout partner. His gaze fell upon young Anna, and though he felt the weight of the risk, he had no alternative. Tenderly, he touched Anna's head, his voice gentle but resolute, "Anna, prepare yourself. When night falls, we shall journey to the oil depot, seeking out a switch. I'll enter to activate it, and you'll stand guard outside, alert to any signs of danger."

"Okay!" Anna responded dutifully, her unwavering compliance serving as a source of both concern and endearment for Dan, the delicate balance of their predicament and their bond on his mind as he readied himself for the mission ahead.

Dan ensured Anna had a simple meal before the father-daughter duo found themselves immersed in the distant echoes of gunfire and cries of battle, indicating that the skirmish outside was nearing its end.

Time was of the essence.

Without a moment's hesitation, Dan seized the gun, his grip firm and resolute. Guiding Anna cautiously, he moved stealthily along the dimly lit path toward the oil storage facility.

The task at hand seemed deceptively straightforward; the switches were nothing more than a set of valves, their locations requiring Dan's astute observation and keen eye to identify. Despite the daunting challenge, Dan had no choice but to press on, focusing solely on the mission ahead.

Arriving at the oil factory, they discovered the control room nestled in a large pit behind the facility, its entrance guarded by a robust iron gate. Dan had once pondered why the gate showed no signs of rust; now he realized it was predominantly crafted from titanium alloy, an armored barrier designed for protection.

As indicated on the map, this location was a mere 100 meters away from Dan's makeshift "home," and just a short 600 meters from the hillside they had called their sanctuary.

With the shroud of darkness as their ally, father, and daughter moved forward cautiously, their senses heightened, navigating the path illuminated by the faint glow of the moonlight, inching closer to the control room with every careful step they took.