Chapter 245:No attacks.
They had spent enough time traveling through the Yellow Zone to understand that attacks were normal. Even on major roads used by convoys, beasts occasionally appeared from the grass, rocky outcroppings, or ravines. Sometimes they attacked vehicles directly. Other times they simply watched from a distance before disappearing.
The complete lack of activity made Silver slightly uncomfortable. He wasn’t expecting a beast around every corner, but silence could sometimes be more concerning than noise.
The convoy continued.
The Rank Four contractors in the vehicles ahead remained disciplined, maintaining their formation without wasting time. Silver could occasionally see one of them scanning the surrounding landscape through an open window or looking through binoculars.
They weren’t relaxed.
That alone told him something. The experienced contractors were also aware that something about the area felt different.
Silver adjusted his speed as the convoy approached a broad depression in the terrain.
The road descended slightly. On both sides, dry grass stretched almost waist-high. There were no trees nearby, only scattered rocks.
"This area looks like it used to be a river," Ravenna said.
Silver nodded.
"It probably was."
They soon found evidence confirming it. The road crossed a wide, dry channel that stretched for hundreds of meters across the landscape.
There was no bridge; instead, the road had simply been built across the old riverbed. The ground below was cracked and hard.
Antony looked out of the window.
"That’s huge."
"Dry riverbed," Silver said.
"Obviously."
Silver glanced at him through the mirror.
Antony smiled.
"I’m just stating the obvious."
Ravenna laughed quietly.
The convoy descended into the riverbed. Silver slowed slightly.
The road was uneven here, and large stones had gathered along the sides. He watched the ground carefully. The previous journeys had taught him that dangerous creatures liked these kinds of places.
There was water nearby during certain seasons. The terrain provided cover, and the dry channels often became natural paths for both beasts and travelers. Yet nothing appeared.
The convoy crossed without incident. They climbed the opposite side and continued. Another hour passed, still nothing.
Silver found himself becoming more suspicious.
"Maybe the beasts are avoiding the road," Ravenna suggested.
"Could be."
"Or perhaps this area was recently cleared."
Silver considered that.
"Possible."
Antony leaned between the seats.
"Or maybe the beasts heard about us and decided they didn’t want the trouble."
Ravenna smiled.
"Yes, Antony. The beasts have clearly heard about you."
"I have a reputation."
Silver laughed.
"You’ve been outside for less than a day."
"That’s enough time to remember someone as unique as me."
Ravenna shook her head.
The convoy continued. By late afternoon, the landscape became even drier.
The grass was sparse in some areas, revealing patches of reddish-brown soil beneath it. Large stones were scattered across the plains, and occasional rocky ridges forced the convoy to alter its route.
The road itself remained surprisingly straight. That was one of the reasons this route was frequently used. It was one of the major roads connecting the outer Yellow Zones to the deeper Yellow Zone.
Silver understood why the convoy leaders had chosen it. Despite the danger, there was strength in numbers. A single vehicle could easily be surrounded, and a convoy was much harder to attack.
As the afternoon continued, Silver occasionally noticed movement in the distance; birds and small animals. Once, he saw what appeared to be a herd of long-legged creatures moving between two hills.
They were too far away to identify properly and they didn’t approach.
Silver didn’t pursue them. There was no reason to waste time. Their destination wasn’t hunting. They needed to preserve their strength for the expedition ahead.
Ravenna occasionally checked the mission equipment. She had become increasingly quiet as they traveled.
Silver understood why.
The farther they went, the closer they came to the place where they might die or come out victorious.
Eventually, she spoke.
"How far?"
Silver checked the navigation device.
"Another few hours before we reach the area where we’re supposed to camp."
"Then tomorrow?"
"Probably."
Ravenna nodded. She looked out of the window.
"Do you think it will really be there?"
Silver thought for a moment.
"I hope so."
Ravenna smiled.
"Good."
Silver glanced at her.
"Good?"
"You’re finally admitting that you don’t know everything."
He smiled.
"I never said I knew everything."
"You act like it sometimes."
"That’s because one of us has to, if both of us act like we’re unsure we’ll probably end up dead."
"So you’re saying I’m unsure about myself."
"Don’t put words into my mouth. You said that yourself."
Ravenna rested her head against the seat.
"Haa... ridiculous."
Silver just shook his head then turned the car slightly. She glared at him for that. Around four in the afternoon, the convoy stopped briefly, as they needed to check the vehicles. Larry’s vehicle pulled off the road, and the others followed.
Silver stepped out.
The heat hit him immediately. The air was dry, and the wind carried dust across the road. He walked around his car, checking the tires and engine. Ravenna climbed out as well.
Antony stretched.
"I hate long drives."
"You’ve been complaining since morning," Ravenna said.
"My body wasn’t designed for sitting."
Silver looked at him.
"What was it designed for?"
Antony smiled.
"Greatness, non of you would understand."
Silver shook his head.
Nearby, the Rank Four contractors were also inspecting their vehicles. Silver noticed that they didn’t look as dismissive as they had at the checkpoint.
They still didn’t interact much, but their attention was focused entirely on the environment. One of them crouched near the edge of the road.
"Tracks."
Silver looked over.
"What?"
The man pointed toward the ground. There were faint marks in the dust; large but old.
Larry approached and examined them.
"How old?"
"At least several hours."
"Direction?"
The contractor pointed toward the hills. Larry nodded.
"Probably herbivores."
The group relaxed slightly. Silver studied the tracks. They were large enough to belong to something dangerous. But if the creature had already moved away, there was no reason to worry. The convoy finished its inspection.
Larry gathered everyone briefly.
"We’re moving again."
He looked around.
"We’ll find a campsite before dark."
Nobody objected.
Everyone returned to their vehicles and the journey continued. As the sun began descending toward the horizon, the landscape became beautiful despite its harshness.
The sky turned orange. Long shadows stretched across the plains,and the rocks and hills became dark silhouettes against the setting sun.
For a moment, Silver almost forgot that they were in a dangerous wilderness, then something moved in the distance.
Silver immediately focused.
A large shape stood on a ridge several hundred meters away,but remained motionless. Silver slowed slightly.
Ravenna noticed.
"What?"
"Over there."
She followed his gaze.
The creature was too far away to identify. It looked vaguely like a large cat, but its body was unusually tall. It watched the convoy, then turned and disappeared behind the ridge.
Ravenna narrowed her eyes.
"Beast?"
"Probably."
"Should we tell Larry?"
Silver thought about it.
"It’s too far away and they’ve probably already noticed it."
Ravenna nodded.
There was no reason to create unnecessary alarm. The convoy continued. The sun dropped lower with the journey. Larry eventually found a suitable location for the night’s camp.
It was a relatively flat area surrounded by several large rock formations. The rocks formed a natural defensive barrier on three sides. There was only one open approach.
Silver immediately understood why Larry had chosen it. If something attacked during the night, they would have a narrow approach to defend. The convoy pulled off the road.
Vehicles were parked in a rough semicircle and the contractors began setting up camp.
Silver switched off the engine. For a moment, he simply sat there. The journey had been surprisingly peaceful,almost too peaceful.
He looked toward the darkening horizon. Tomorrow, they would go deeper, and eventually, they would reach Death Row Valley.
Ravenna touched his shoulder.
"We made it."
Silver looked at her.
"For today atleast."
She smiled but before she could respond, Antony opened the rear door.
"Are we eating?"
Silver laughed.
"That’s the first thing you think about?"
"Yes."
Ravenna shook her head.
The three of them prepared to step out. Around them, the convoy settled into its temporary camp. The Yellow Zone stretched endlessly into the distance. The silence was broken only by the wind moving through the dry grass.