Chapter 243:Members
By the time the convoy reached the border between the Green Zone and the Yellow Zone, the sun was already high overhead, bathing the landscape in a harsh golden light.
The road ahead had become noticeably rougher than the ones they had traveled through the Green Zones, with cracks running across the surface and patches where repairs had clearly been made several times.
Far in the distance, a large fortified structure could be seen sitting across the road. It wasn’t a sanctuary, and it wasn’t nearly as large as the checkpoints they had stayed in before. Instead, it looked more like a heavily reinforced military outpost, with thick walls, watchtowers, mounted weapons, and several large gates designed to stop anything coming from the wilderness.
Captain Larry’s vehicle slowed as the convoy approached. The other cars followed behind him, and Silver reduced his speed as well. Ravenna looked through the windshield at the checkpoint while Antony leaned forward from the back seat, resting his arms between the two front seats.
"That’s it?" Antony asked.
Ravenna glanced at him. "What were you expecting?"
"Something bigger."
Silver gave him a sideways look. "We’re entering the Yellow Zone, not a sanctuary."
Antony shrugged. "Still. They make such a big deal about these checkpoints. I expected something impressive."
"Wait until you see how much they’ll charge us for breathing inside."
Antony laughed.
The convoy eventually came to a complete stop at the first inspection barrier. Several armed contractors approached the vehicles while guards positioned themselves around the convoy.
There was little friendliness here. The guards were professional, but there was a certain tension in the way they worked. Their weapons remained ready, and their eyes constantly moved between the convoy and the wilderness beyond the walls.
Silver understood why. This was the Yellow Zone, and especially with the beast tide looming at the back of their minds.
Even though the checkpoint itself was considered safe, the wilderness began only a short distance beyond its walls. There was no guarantee that a beast couldn’t wander close to the perimeter, and there was certainly no guarantee that something couldn’t attack the checkpoint itself.
One of the guards approached Silver’s window.
"Mission identification."
Silver handed over the documents. The guard examined them before looking inside the vehicle.
"Three contractors?"
"Yes."
"Ranks?"
"Two."
The guard’s eyes lingered on them for a moment before he handed the documents back.
"Stay with your convoy."
"We will."
The guard moved on. Silver waited until he was gone before starting the vehicle again. They slowly passed through the outer gate.
The moment they entered the checkpoint, Silver noticed something different. There were far fewer travelers than any of the previous checkpoints.
Most of the people here were either contractors preparing to leave for the Yellow Zone or returning from expeditions. Their equipment was noticeably heavier. Rifles were common, and several people carried weapons that Silver couldn’t immediately identify.
There were also fewer merchants. The place felt less like a town and more like a military outpost. The convoy was directed toward a large open area where the vehicles could be parked.
Larry stepped out of his vehicle. Silver followed. Ravenna climbed out beside him, while Antony stretched dramatically after spending the journey sitting in the back.
"Finally," Antony said. "My legs were starting to hate me."
Silver ignored him, as he looked around.
Larry had gathered the expedition members near the center of the parking area. Silver walked over with Ravenna and Antony.
"Everyone," Larry said, "we’ll be stopping here for lunch and a short rest."
He looked around the group.
"After that, we’re heading deeper into the Yellow Zone."
Silver nodded.
That was when Larry finally began introducing the people they would be traveling with properly.
"This is Marcus."
A broad-shouldered man stepped forward.
"Rank Four."
He didn’t bother saying anything else.
Larry continued.
"Elena. Rank Four."
A woman with short black hair gave them a brief nod.
"Victor. Rank Four."
A tall man carrying a large firearm simply looked at them before turning away.
"Rebecca. Rank Four."
Another woman acknowledged them with a polite but distant nod.
Larry introduced the remaining members one after another, and every single one was Rank Four.
Silver remained quiet.
He had already suspected that the group was stronger than them, but hearing the ranks confirmed just how large the difference was.
The rest of the expedition consisted entirely of Rank Four contractors. Two full ranks separated them, and that wasn’t a minor difference. It was enough of a difference that the others could probably defeat them without needing to use their full strength.
Silver noticed the way several of them looked at him. There was no outright hostility; instead, there was something more subtle.
Disinterest.
They didn’t consider the three of them particularly important.
To them, Silver, Ravenna, and Antony were simply weaker contractors who had been added because the expedition needed additional members.
Marcus was the first to speak.
"You three are really want to enter the Yellow zones?"
Silver nodded.
"Yes."
"Rank Two?"
"Yes."
Marcus glanced at Ravenna and Antony.
"All three if you?"
"Yes."
He frowned slightly.
"Interesting."
His tone made it clear that he didn’t mean it as a compliment.
Another contractor, Victor, folded his arms.
"Larry, are they going to be participating in the forward formations?"
Larry glanced at Silver.
"I haven’t decided."
Victor shook his head.
"I’d rather they stayed toward the rear, we’ll carry them."
Silver didn’t react.
Victor continued.
"The Yellow Zone isn’t a place to babysit inexperienced contractors."
Ravenna’s expression hardened slightly. Silver noticed. He subtly shook his head at her.
Don’t.
Ravenna looked at him for a moment before relaxing. Victor looked directly at Silver.
"You understand?"
Silver nodded.
"Of course."
"We don’t have a problem with you being here." Victor’s expression remained neutral. "But don’t create problems for the rest of us."
Silver kept his expression calm.
"We won’t."
"Good."
Victor walked away.
Antony watched him leave, then he whispered, "he’s a friendly one."
Ravenna almost laughed. Silver gave Antony a warning glance.
"Don’t open your mouth."
"I didn’t say anything."
"You were about to."
"I was going to say he seems like a wonderful person."
Silver stared at him. Antony smiled innocently. Ravenna looked away to hide her amusement.
Larry had heard enough to understand what had happened. He approached them.
"Don’t take it personally."
Silver looked at him.
"They’re experienced it’s understandable."
"They’re also arrogant." Larry sighed. "But they’re not wrong about one thing."
Silver raised an eyebrow.
Larry continued.
"The Yellow Zone is considerably more dangerous than the Green Zones especially where we are going."
"We know."