Ch.83Chapter 11. Doing Our Best in Our Respective Positions (6)

Naturally, like water flowing, things were heading in a bad direction. It was problematic enough that the 12-lane road narrowed to 10 lanes, then 8, then 6, but there didn’t seem to be any clear way out.

The military police hadn’t blocked the large intersections. Instead, patrol cars, motorcycles, and military trucks poured out from narrow streets. It felt like they were slowly tightening the noose.

“We’ve gone in a circle. At this rate, we’ll just keep going around and end up trapped in District 17! Doctor Genius, got any bright ideas?”

Camilla’s voice was sharp. The lead car was desperately trying to force its way through, but no effective solution was in sight.

“I warn you again. Stop your vehicle. This is legitimate law enforcement! If you don’t stop, we will open fire!”

From behind, Commander Virginia was shouting furiously. Each time, Camilla convulsively reached for the door handle. She looked ready to open the door, hang onto the car, and shoot at those behind us.

“Cassandra. I just need a moment. Turn the car slightly to give me a firing angle. Then I can blow that woman’s head off.”

“Impossible.”

Each time, Cassandra responded coldly.

“The car’s center of gravity is already high. If we make such a sudden maneuver, we’ll flip over. Then not only will we die, but the cars following us will be caught too. Cassandra would love to turn that woman into zombie food, but has no intention of dying with her.”

“That woman shot and killed my comrades!”

Camilla slammed her fist against the seat.

“She stole Cassandra’s name.”

Though her green eyes looked gloomy and lifeless, her hostility was unmistakable. Cassandra clearly wanted Commander Virginia dead just as much.

But why weren’t the military police shooting?

It was strange. The MPs kept signaling for us to pull over and intimidatingly drove close beside us, but they weren’t firing. While we couldn’t waste bullets due to our limited supply…

Just as I was wondering if the military police might also be short on ammunition after yesterday’s zombie incident, my phone rang. Buzz. Buzz.

It was another call from Leticia, or rather, Leti.

But I couldn’t answer. The sirens and persistent demands to stop through the loudspeakers were ringing in my ears.

Anyone could see we were fugitives on the run—how could I talk to Leticia, a military officer, in this situation? I’d lose the business contact I’d worked so hard to establish. Cutting it off was the best option.

But I couldn’t ignore her calls twice, so I quickly sent a message.

– Sorry, driving. Talk later.

Her reply came immediately.

– Oh my! Sorry^^ I didn’t know you were driving. ㅠㅠ I was watching the news~and got worried, so I called to check if you’re okay~

News? What news?

I opened a browser and searched for “live news.” There was something like a YouTube video channel here too. I opened the live streaming screen.

“Wow. We’re on TV.”

The helicopter above wasn’t military but apparently belonged to the national broadcasting company.

The caption at the bottom read “Pursuing important criminals in Hampton.” It showed our cars in a line, military police motorcycles surrounding us like an escort, and vehicles following behind.

Is this really important enough to cover like this? Is Cassandra truly that significant? As I was bewildered, I heard faint voices.

The live feed switched to show the inside of a news studio. Four panelists were seated, each offering their opinions.

– …as you know, Captain Camio Minto of the 8th Military Police declared martial law in Hampton. A major southern city’s quarantine breached in an instant—it doesn’t make sense. So this could be seen as a way of establishing discipline.

– I agree. Citizens must be extremely anxious and uncomfortable, right? Those zombies are so persistent.

– For those people, this is essentially a police car parade. It’s saying, “We’re still strong, you’re safe”—that seems to be Captain Minto’s thinking. Look, they’re peacefully pursuing without firing.

– I think it’s more that using firearms could backfire. As you know, even civilians in Hampton are armed now.

– Inevitably, martial law restricts citizens’ freedoms, so discontent is unavoidable. Of course, the way the National Military Police treat the people of Elza like occupied territory residents is— *beep*

The feed returned to the live pursuit.

“What the hell? Are we being publicly executed?”

Camilla remarked cynically.

“No. It’s a hunt.”

That seemed more accurate.

“That’s even worse.”

The screen switched again. There had clearly been four panelists before, but now only three remained. The three continued their conversation as if nothing had happened.

– Oh, look. The military police have already blocked the highway exit. They won’t be able to escape at this rate. Ha ha, with such a large truck blocking the way, even three pickup trucks would struggle.

Buzz. Buzz. A phone rang. It was Cassandra’s.

“Yes. Tell me. What? No. Don’t be ridiculous. Absolutely not.”

It was the first time I’d heard her speak so firmly. Just as Cassandra answered, a wide intersection appeared.

“I said no!”

Just as Cassandra let out a near-scream, the lead car swerved. The car behind us did the same.

They were trying to create a gap. They intended to scatter and shake off the military police pursuit.

In other words, they had no better plan either. Cassandra tried to follow the lead car’s turn, but I firmly gripped the steering wheel.

“What are you doing? No!”

– Ah, look. The criminals have split up. Smart thinking, but they’ll be picked off one by one now.

– Actually, staying together would have the same result. They’ll end up caught in the net either way.

The panelists’ voices were annoying. I was starting to get angry.

If I knew where the broadcasting station was, I’d blow it up right now. Moreover, if this was news, most civilians would be watching…

Civilians are watching?

“This broadcast channel, a lot of people watch it, right?”

“Not just a lot—it’s the only news channel.”

Camilla answered immediately.

“Cassandra, could you slow down a bit?”

“What?”

“Camilla, I’m going to move to the back. Make some room on the left seat.”

“Huh?”

I rolled up the passenger window and moved to the back seat. Fortunately, the car was spacious enough that I didn’t need to contort myself.

“Why so suddenly?”

“I’m going to open the left window wide, so I need cover.”

But before I could open the window, Camilla grabbed my arm tightly.

“What are you planning to do? Shoot that commander?”

As the military police pursuit split into three groups, Commander Virginia stubbornly continued following us.

Theoretically, I could lean my upper body out the window and aim at her. Though the chances of getting shot before firing even once were high.

“I’m not going to shoot, so don’t worry. I’m just opening the window. Since those sidecar MPs might shoot at us, I just need you to cover me. Cassandra, slow down more. And move closer to the center line.”

“…I won’t do it without a reasonable explanation.”

Instead of explaining verbally, I showed them directly.

* * * * *

‘Damn old man.’

Virginia thought as she followed on her motorcycle.

Captain Camio Minto had noticed her impulsive action faster than expected. But perhaps because he’d been caught off guard last time, he didn’t openly reprimand her.

Instead, he sent up a broadcasting helicopter. All of Virginia’s actions would now be credited to Captain Minto. She had inadvertently done his work for him.

‘When this is over, I’ll have him replaced. Just find some corruption charges and force him into early retirement. The old snake is too greedy.’

With the helicopter overhead, Virginia and the military police couldn’t freely use their weapons. Now everyone in Elza would be watching her actions.

The fact that Hampton had been defenseless against the zombie bird swarm was common knowledge.

If she wasted bullets trying to capture important figures while zombies roamed free, she’d face ridicule: “The military police can’t stop zombies but excel at showy arrests.”

‘Stupid Elza old man!’

Cassandra was far more valuable to Römer than to Elza. But even Virginia, who knew about Cassandra’s background and origins, couldn’t simply “extract” her.

Unless she harassed and tormented her until she left Elza of her own accord.

The operation had been going well. She had anticipated Cassandra’s reaction to some extent. But she had wanted a quiet arrest, not this public spectacle. It was cumbersome, and with so much to do, success would barely break even while failure would bring nothing but criticism.

As the three vehicles split at the intersection, Virginia made her decision.

Taking control of the 14th Military Police had been good, but adaptation was necessary. Her forces weren’t coordinated enough yet for such delicate operations as this pursuit and capture.

Her subordinates were already doing their best. So it was better for her to push herself a little harder. And it didn’t seem particularly difficult.

Virginia drew her revolver.

It wasn’t the model she’d used in the helicopter. This one was smaller. A 20cm barrel, special .357 caliber. Colt Python.

However, it was specially made for Virginia, with a cylinder that could hold 7 rounds, designed to handle regular .357 caliber ammunition rather than competition rounds. And naturally, this gun also had a long snake engraved on it.

She wasn’t sure if it could penetrate the bulletproof glass, but it could easily tear through the tires. Though the tires had some armor plating, if she aimed carefully at the vulnerable spots…

Suddenly, the car slowed down.

‘Are they stopping now? At this point?’

With the gun in one hand, Virginia reduced her motorcycle’s speed. The other motorcycles and vehicles did the same. But caution was necessary. If a gun suddenly appeared and shot her subordinates…

“That’s right. You’re doing well. Now slowly pull over to the shoulder…”

Something was off. The car didn’t slow down further.

Virginia decided to move closer to the driver’s side. Since the lanes were controlled, straddling the center line wasn’t a problem.

That’s when it happened. Something scattered out the window.

Fortunately, it wasn’t explosives. It was much smaller, sparkled, and shone in various colors.

Jewels. The vehicle was throwing handfuls of jewels out the window.

‘What are they up to?’

Virginia wondered if they’d lost their minds. Were they trying to bribe the military police? That was a possibility.

Bang!

Virginia fired her revolver into the air. She turned the loudspeaker volume to maximum and spoke through the microphone in her helmet.

“Anyone who stops to pick up fallen jewels will be shot immediately!”

– C-Commander!

But the urgent radio call came from elsewhere.

“What is it?”

– Civilians are rushing onto the road! They seem to be trying to collect the jewels!

Virginia looked around. Civilians were recklessly running onto the road from all sides.

“Patrol car! The news! What are they saying on the news right now?”

– They’re broadcasting live that the vehicle is throwing jewels! Please wait a moment!

The radio in the following patrol car crackled. They must have held the radio close to the car’s audio system.

– Ah, what’s that? Are those jewels? Are they throwing jewels? Ha ha, finders keepers! Citizens are already pouring onto the road!

– Oh, this is dangerous. Very dangerous. Is this the level of civic consciousness in District 17? Ah, is the vehicle heading toward District 18 now? Citizens of District 18! Stay inside for your safety! Don’t risk your lives for jewels!

“Tell them to cut the broadcast! Now!”

Virginia was furious. More civilians poured onto the road, many predictably armed with automatic weapons.

The car ahead suddenly accelerated with a roar.

“I’ll pursue them! Keep the civilians back as much as possible!”

Virginia’s motorcycle roared as she sped forward.