Chapter 811: Chapter 584: Every Man for Himself
At the moment the voice was heard, without Quinton giving an order, the soldiers around him collectively raised their guns aimed at that line of people.
However, Colonel Quinton’s face suddenly turned grim, the laughter abruptly stopped, and his gaze, uncertain, fell on that line of people.
“What’s wrong, Colonel Quinton? On behalf of the troops stationed in the Fire Hills area from the 104th Division, I thank you for your generous action and yet you seem unwelcoming to us,” Jerome said with a smile.
Colonel Quinton’s face turned into a broad smile in the blink of an eye as he laughed loudly:
“Haha, how could that be? I’m truly thrilled to see Major Jerome here; you’re all excellent warriors of the Federation. Seeing you alive makes me really happy.”
With a sincere smile on his face, Colonel Quinton stepped forward and firmly grasped Major Jerome’s hands, shaking them vigorously.
Someone unaware would certainly be touched by this warm reunion scene.
However, it was unknown what was really in their hearts. Major Jerome’s face also bore a smile, calmly accepting Colonel Quinton’s welcome.
“Major, our troops from the 149th Division encountered an Empire army attack on the way here, so we were delayed by two days. Fortunately, you are all safe, and now I can finally be at ease.”
He then asked with concern, “Did all our warriors survive?”
None of Jerome’s people noticed Colonel Quinton subtly hooking his palm behind his back when he spoke those words.
Major Gerry, seeing his superior’s hand movement, couldn’t conceal the keen glint in his eyes, well hidden, unnoticed by others.
“Alas, only a small number of us survived; the rest are scattered. Thanks to Colonel Quinton’s timely attack, the enemy showed no interest in occupying this base but kept attacking the inner defenses. So we did the opposite and hid here. And look, in just a few days, we saw the presence of your army.”
“Once again, thank your forces for your generous intervention. This battle was extremely fierce; it helped us reclaim lost ground, or else I wouldn’t know how to answer to Colonel Liang Chuan.”
Colonel Quinton, wearing a smile on his face, seemed to have a thought flash through his mind, immediately speaking as if unintentionally: “It seems Colonel Liang Chuan is currently commanding the main forces in an offensive against the Frontier Army. I’ve been unable to get in touch with him. You all have worked hard during the defense; I wonder how Colonel Liang arranged things?”
Jerome heard this and responded with a faint smile: “Colonel Liang instructed us to firmly defend the position and patiently wait for allied reinforcements.”
After saying that, Jerome saw the smile on Colonel Quinton’s face become even more strained, which somehow relieved the pressure he felt inside.
But it was not enough!
This damned selfish person has cost the lives of so many of his comrades.
At this moment, Colonel Quinton’s eyes shifted again, laughing sincerely, patting Jerome warmly on the shoulder.
“Here’s the thing, I see everyone has been holding out for quite some time and must be tired; why not go take a nice rest?”
“No need, thanks for the kind offer, Colonel, but we need to redeploy.”
“I noticed you don’t have enough men. Let me send some of my troops to help clear the area first, alright?”
“Thanks, but I don’t think that’ll be necessary. We can handle it ourselves, and the 104th Division will be arriving shortly anyway,” Jerome said, a pleased smile in his eyes. Making this commander cautious felt great.
However, on a hill a kilometer away, Mu Fan heard Jerome’s last words, and his heart sank.
It’s a disaster!
Jerome has no idea about the situation of the 104th Division. He made a mistake; he hasn’t been able to contact the division headquarters at all. It will take at least a week for the 104th Division to get here!
How could it possibly be soon?
Jerome’s words contained a fatal flaw!
At this moment, Teresa, beside him, had no knowledge of the inside story because, in order to prevent the opponent’s communication tracking, Jerome and others had removed everyone else’s communication access before leaving.
But Mu Fan, through Black’s intrusion into the 149th Division’s sound collection equipment, overheard their conversation through Major Gerry and others.
A vague premonition began to rise in his heart; Mu Fan furrowed his brow and continued to pick up the binoculars.
At this point Jerome’s heart skipped, because Quinton, who was previously indecisive, relaxed his brows after his speech.
This made him immediately start reflecting if there were any flaws in his words?
“Look at what the Major is saying, we mean well. So, perhaps, you could establish communication with Colonel Liang Chuan; coincidentally, I need to discuss something with him too.”
Quinton said, appearing sincere, with his hands spread.
Jerome’s body stiffened suddenly, his arm frozen at his side.
“What’s the matter, Major? Is there something you’re hiding?”
“No, it’s just that Colonel Liang is fighting fiercely now; I’d better not disturb him,” Jerome finally realized his mistake.
Behind him, the other officers’ eyes flashed with slight tension.
Who knew why the situation suddenly changed from positive to this? Was it really due to that innocent statement?
The truth is often like that; someone as cunning as Quinton often exploits such incidental details to find a flaw.
“Don’t be like that; just make a call. Once we reach him, I’ll say a few words and leave immediately.”
By the end, Quinton was too lazy to pretend any further.
Seeing the opponent’s demeanor, Jerome’s face also fell, “Colonel Quinton, what do you mean by this?”
“Let me guess; is it because you failed to contact Colonel Liang, isn’t it?” Quinton drew out an exquisite cigarette, lighting it up, taking a delightful puff, and exhaling a perfect smoke ring.
Clearly, now in a good mood, Colonel Quinton had no intention of acting any further.
“What does that have to do with our discussion content? I just don’t want to disturb him. But you, Colonel Quinton, pointing guns at us in the 104th Division’s defense zone, are you committing treason?”
“No, no, no, I can’t bear such a heavy accusation of treason. I, Quinton, am a proud warrior of the Federation, pointing guns at you? Oh, you’ve reminded me.”
At this point, Colonel Quinton flashed a not-so-friendly smile as he looked at the tousled Major in front of him.
“You joined the army six years before Gerry, and yet you’re still a Major. Do you know why?”
As he spoke, his body stepped back a notch.
“Why?”
Even though he didn’t want to continue the conversation, Quinton’s words held a kind of magic that compelled him to ask.
“Because your faith is too firm, you are too loyal to this country. A person who is not for himself… will meet the heavens’ wrath.”
With a cigarette between his fingers, his right hand made a slight wave.
“Fire!”
In Major Gerry’s eyes behind Quinton, the deeply hidden sharp gleam finally erupted, turning into a bloodthirsty killing intent.
What!?
Jerome’s group was suddenly startled, staring at those darkly aimed gun barrels.
Instinctively, they were about to draw their pistols.
Bang, bang, bang, bang!
A series of concentrated gunshots rang out, and numerous splashes of blood exploded from the officers and soldiers of the 104th Division.
Standing at the front, Jerome’s hand had no time to raise before his body was riddled with bullets, his eyes filled with disbelief, falling dejectedly to the ground.
In the lingering smoke of a cigarette, Colonel Quinton’s face was adorned with a cold, emotionless smirk.