Chapter 26: Radar Functions and New Troops

When Ye Fan engaged in the game, he recollected the sequential production of key structures: firstly, expanding the base vehicle, followed by the construction of the power plant, mining field, barracks, radar, tank factory, and so on.

Now, due to the inability to construct the mining site, the radar ascended to the position of the third building, marking Ye Fan's initial major construction as the commander.

The power plant and barracks were already established during Ye Fan's gameplay, automatically appearing after binding with the system.

After the successful construction of the radar, the once persistently dark main interface of Red Alert finally illuminated. However, the screen was not the familiar gaming display for Ye Fan, but rather a detailed large map reminiscent of mobile phone navigation, offering a bird's-eye view with the ability to zoom in and slide left or right mentally.

The Shengshi Jiangshan Community, Ye Fan's current location, exhibited a high-definition floor plan on the map. Villa No. 66, where Gao Dongliang resided, and Villa No. 58, with fourteen white light spots and two blue ones, were also visible.

Expanding the view outside the villa area revealed a dense array of red light spots resembling an endless ocean tide, indicating the presence of zombies.

"Nana, what's the monitoring range of this radar?" Ye Fan inquired.

"Sir, the radar's monitoring range is a radius of five kilometers," replied Nana.

Though Ye Fan recalled that Nana's observation radius was only 300 meters before, he found the five-kilometer range somewhat limiting. Nana explained that it was a virtual radar with lesser capabilities than physical buildings but highlighted the advantage of moving with the commander, making the range substantial.

As Ye Fan surveyed the map, he identified different colored light spots, each representing distinct entities like zombies (red), survivors (blue), Red Alert units (white), mutant beasts (purple), and supply boxes (green).

Analyzing the map, Ye Fan pinpointed the locations of his red police soldiers and other characters, effectively using the radar to assess the zombie density and plan a safer entry into the city.

Apart from surveillance, the radar unlocked new buildings and troops. After completing the radar construction, the tank factory, the fourth main building, became available at a cost of 10,000 gold.

Contemplating the challenge of accumulating funds, Nana advised Ye Fan about the limitations of virtual buildings and the necessity of preparing for the construction of physical structures.

Moving forward, Ye Fan expressed interest in the unique buildings of the Qin and Han Dynasty but couldn't access them yet.

Transitioning to the defense interface, Ye Fan observed the addition of two new structures: the machine gun bunker and sentry tower, each with distinct characteristics.

Examining the soldier page, Ye Fan discovered new options: Engineer, Sniper, and Medical Staff, each with its specific role and cost.

With only 1,200 gold left, Ye Fan faced the dilemma of choosing between building an Engineer or a Sniper. Pondering the decision, he grappled with the difficulty of making the right choice.

Ye Fan, grappling with the choice between an Engineer and a Sniper due to limited funds, weighed the pros and cons of each option.

The Engineer, a familiar figure from Red Alert, held crucial importance as a technological elite capable of constructing bridges, seizing oil fields, and occupying enemy bases. Moreover, when equipped in a multi-purpose infantry vehicle, Engineers could transform it into a maintenance vehicle. However, the upgraded real-world cost of 1,000 gold made Ye Fan pause, considering the strain on his remaining resources.

On the other hand, the Sniper, priced at 800 gold, was a formidable unit in the game, known as the special force where the sun never sets. The unrealistic nature of having such specialized units worldwide led to the addition of new technological arms from the Qin and Han Dynasties in the upgraded system.

The introduction of Medical Staff, a previously unseen unit, addressed the growing need for medical care as the number of soldiers increased. Recognizing the importance of having medical personnel to attend to the wounded, Ye Fan acknowledged that the inclusion of Medical Staff would eventually become necessary.

Staring at the dwindling gold on hand, a mere 1,200 left after the radar construction, Ye Fan found himself faced with a difficult decision. Unable to afford all three options—Engineer, Sniper, and Medical Staff—he had to sacrifice one for the other. Contemplating the strategic implications, Ye Fan pondered, "Which one should I build?"

In this pivotal moment, Ye Fan was deciding his choice against the immediate needs of his expanding virtual world, considering the unique capabilities each unit could bring to his burgeoning empire. The choice would not only impact his current situation but also lay the foundation for future strategies and challenges within the game.