Ch 86: The Final Stretch to Baku

The crawler rumbled across the wasteland, its armored treads grinding through loose sand and cracked earth. Inside, Kael kept his eyes on the proximity scanner, watching for anything unusual. His new passengers—three scavengers—sat in the back, silent but alert.

The tension was thick. No one fully trusted each other.

"How much farther?" one of them asked.

Kael checked the navigation screen.

"Another three hours. If nothing slows us down."

He didn't believe that for a second.

The wasteland had a way of proving people right when they were expecting the worst.

The scanner beeped.

⚠ Multiple heat signatures detected ahead ⚠

Kael slowed the crawler and switched to the external cameras.

At first, the horizon looked empty. Then, through the dust, he saw them—vehicles lined up across the pass ahead.

A blockade.

"Raiders?" one of the scavengers muttered.

"No," Kael said. "Too organized."

Then the radio crackled.

"Unidentified crawler, power down and step out. You're entering restricted territory."

Kael leaned forward, studying the figures standing by the blockade. Their gear was too uniform for common raiders.

Mercs.

Someone had been waiting for him.

Kael didn't hesitate.

He flipped a switch on the dashboard, activating the crawler's poison gas release system.

HISSSSS

A dense yellow-green cloud vented from the side panels, drifting toward the blockade.

Immediately, shouts rang out.

"Gas! Back! BACK!"

Gunfire erupted as the mercs scrambled for their masks. But not all of them were fast enough.

"They're opening fire!" one of the scavengers shouted.

Kael didn't wait.

He pressed another button.

THUMP

A front-mounted bomb launched from the crawler's compartment, soaring over the battlefield before slamming into the barricade.

BOOM!

The explosion tore through the blockade, sending debris flying.

"Hold on."

Kael slammed the throttle forward.

The crawler's treads chewed through the dirt, and in the next second, they were charging straight through the chaos.

The mercs weren't done.

A pair of light attack buggies peeled out from the sides, speeding alongside the crawler.

RATATATATA—

Gunfire raked across the armor, pinging off the reinforced plating.

Kael checked the armor durability sensors.

Outer plating at 72%

One of the scavengers grabbed a rifle and leaned out.

"I'll handle the left one!"

"I got the right," another said.

Kael swerved to avoid an incoming rocket, nearly throwing one of the passengers off balance.

"Make it fast," he ordered.

The scavengers opened fire.

Bullets shredded the tires of the left buggy, sending it skidding into a dune before flipping over.

One down.

The right buggy kept pace, its gunner taking aim.

Kael hit another button.

CLICK—THUMP

A small explosive fired from a hidden side compartment, slamming into the side of the buggy.

BOOM!

The vehicle veered sideways before slamming into a rock outcrop, bursting into flames.

Two down.

But more were coming.

Kael could see Baku's distant skyline now, shimmering in the heat haze.

But the mercs had one last trick.

A heavily armored truck roared onto the road ahead, positioning itself directly in their path.

"They're trying to box us in!"

Kael gritted his teeth.

They wanted him to stop.

So he did the opposite.

He hit the override switch for the Expo generator, pushing the crawler's power to maximum.

The machine lurched forward, engine roaring.

THUD.

The front-mounted special bomb fired again—this time aimed directly at the truck.

BOOM!

The blast tore through the blockade, sending flames and metal flying.

"Go! Go! GO!" one of the scavengers yelled.

The crawler plowed through the wreckage, knocking aside what remained of the armored truck.

And then—

They were clear.

The mercs, scattered and in disarray, didn't pursue.

Kael didn't let up on the throttle until the city gates of Baku were in sight.

The crawler slowed as they neared the outer perimeter of Baku.

Unlike Gron, this city wasn't built like a fortress—it was a trade hub, where merchants, smugglers, and exiles gathered.

Kael pulled into a secure lot, shutting off the engine.

"We're here," he said, exhaling.

The scavengers exchanged glances.

"Hell of a ride."

Kael turned to them.

"Your stop."

They got the message.

With nods of thanks, they grabbed their gear and disappeared into the city crowd.

Kael watched them go, then turned his attention forward.

Mira was here, somewhere.

And he was going to find her.