Armored train in the apocalypse

Chapter 294 Kangaroo
The single-story houses are enclosed by four rooms, similar to a courtyard house.

The energy feedback was in the last house, and there were no signs of damage to the doors and windows, so it was unknown how that thing got in.

'Could it be that the door will open?'

Su Huan's thoughts wandered.

Despite his injured arm, the third brother stubbornly walked in front of the train conductor, determined to eliminate any potential hazards in advance.

Several combat team soldiers carefully kicked open the door and saw the injured mutated beast in the middle. The beast turned its head, saw them, moved its buttocks slightly, and did not react.

At this moment, the third brother noticed the huge wound on the other man's chest and sneered, "So you're injured and can't move. Don't shoot yet, watch me go up and capture him alive!"

……

Outside, Su Huan suddenly turned around and looked at the two tin cans that had been following him.

Yu Jing and Tan Yunxi.

The two said they had encountered difficulties with the exoskeleton design and needed to conduct combat tests, but they didn't make a move while following him.

"Aren't you going?"

The tin can on the left was opened, revealing Tan Yunxi's petite face. The girl's face showed distress. "Train conductor, there's no chance to make a move. Didn't they say there are man-eating zombies everywhere outside, with hordes of thousands of them at every turn? Why is it so quiet..."

Shu Wei pulled her trench coat tighter and explained, "Black Kite regularly clears out dangerous areas within its territory, especially rural towns and counties, to prevent them from merging with the city and forming a massive zombie horde."

Su Huan glanced at the skeletons in the corner, cleaned by the wind and sand. The small convoy and settlements did not have the strength of a large force to clear the ruins of the city, so they could only focus on these small villages and towns. It was precisely because of these numerous villages and towns that 90% of the survivors were supported.

And this is what is known as the "wilderness".

"So, your newly developed exoskeleton is only designed for large-scale zombie hordes?"

Su Huan frowned and looked the two of them up and down.

Previously, both the "Scavenger" and the "Engineer" were external to the body, like a skeleton attached to muscles, with a clear structure.

The most complex item is the suit worn by the Black Kite special agents, but it's just a matter of installing some defensive modules in key positions, and the mechanical structure on the back is still clearly visible.

But the two people in front of us were completely encased in matte black metal, and we couldn't tell anything about them from the outside.

"To be precise, it's called power armor."

Yu Jing's cool voice came from inside the power armor.

Just as Su Huan was about to ask what the difference was, he heard a muffled thud behind him.

The third brother flew out of the house like a rolling gourd, covered in dust and dirt.

Without even glancing at them, he slammed his fist on the ground and charged back.

Su Huan was stunned for a moment, but since he didn't hear any gunshots from inside the house, he suppressed his curiosity and waited for the two to explain.

Tan Yunxi chimed in, "We discussed it for a long time and concluded that the current evolved beings are not lacking in agility. Whether it's the [Scavenger] or the [Engineer], the boost to the evolved beings is not significant, at most increasing their load and weapon attachment points."

"But this is just scratching the surface, so I have made new plans for the exoskeleton design based on the current combat requirements."

Speaking of her expertise, the girl's eyes sparkled. "After all, not everyone is like Master Ba. It's important to be able to stand firm on the battlefield, so I designed this [Guardian] power armor with defense as the main requirement. All weapon systems are designed in a unified way and integrated into the mecha."

As she spoke, she raised her hand and showed Su Huan the two gun barrels extending from the power armor arm.

Yu Jing frowned as she watched Tan Yunxi's rash actions, and reached out to press her arm down a few centimeters.

Su Huan didn't seem to notice anything; instead, he moved closer to examine the gun barrel.

The color is different from the power armor, and it looks somewhat familiar, as if it was directly taken off an Iron Curtain assault rifle.

Tan Yunxi then cleared up his doubts: "The arm is equipped with two conventional assault rifles that fire 7.62mm bullets. Compared to the traditional grip, I can fire them just by raising my hand. Moreover, the magazine feed is much more stable than the magazine, so there is no need to worry about reloading."

"How much exactly?"

"Two base numbers on each side."

Su Huan nodded slightly.

According to the train standard, one base load is 240 rounds, and four base loads are 960 rounds, which is enough for an individual soldier.

Since the apocalypse, wars have been limited by the environment and have rarely been protracted. They are mostly quick battles. For soldiers who have awakened their firearms skills, one or two magazines are often enough to achieve effective results.

Last time, during the big battle with Black Kite, although it was quite a big fight, on average each person only used up less than two magazines, about sixty rounds of ammunition.

"Any more?"

Tan Yunxi thought for a moment, then punched the wall next to him.

Earth and rocks flew up, leaving a crater the size of a bowl in the brick wall.

Tan Yunxi turned around and said proudly, "This is the weapon system I designed. Quality over quantity. Even if the bullets run out, as long as there is energy, it can fight its way out of the horde of zombies, punch by punch."

Su Huan narrowed his eyes. This power was about the same as the physical strength of a non-"Defender" Tier 1 Evolver.

It's weaker than a first-tier evolved beast, but it's sufficient as a conventional method.

What surprised him even more was that Tan Yunxi was able to boldly present his own designs without being limited by previous achievements.

I don't know what Yu Jing was thinking.

Su Huan looked into Yu Jing's eyes behind the iron mask, and saw the same excitement as Tan Yunxi. He immediately realized that he had been overthinking things.

"So what are the difficulties you mentioned?"

Yu Jing sighed, "We didn't use Black Kite or any of the old exoskeleton templates. Because it's a completely new design, the drive system, joint structure design, sensors, and so on all have big problems. It requires at least an intermediate-level engineer or an expert in robotics or control engineering to push it forward."

Tan Yunxi shrugged, “Our majors are quite different. There are two mechanical design majors on the bus, but they are only technicians. They are not enough to push forward the research.”

Su Huan rubbed his temples. Those powerful figures were thriving, but for him, it was one obstacle after another.

After working for so long, we still haven't recovered to the level of technology before the apocalypse.

With the existing talent and research capabilities of the armed train, which is at the level of civilian technology before the apocalypse, it is not even comprehensive or top-notch.

If all these major powers were to perish, given the level of the wilderness settlements, human civilization would, if not completely destroyed, at least regress by a century.

"Oh!"

In the time it takes to say a few words, the third brother was sent flying again, landing face-first in the dirt.

Even Tan Yunxi couldn't help but look at the third brother's bruised and swollen face.

"Horse riding!"

The third brother wiped the blood from his nose and charged back fiercely.

"What's the third brother doing in there?"

The problem with the power armor couldn't be solved in a short time, and Su Huan followed the third brother inside with a puzzled look.

The energy fluctuations inside the room remained stable, not like a fight was taking place.

Upon entering, one sees several combat team members holding guns, surrounding a huge creature over three meters tall, sitting cross-legged in the room.

Because of its enormous size, Su Huan had to look up and nod.

This evolved beast has a head like a donkey or horse, is yellow all over, has a large pouch on its belly, a thick tail on its back, and a wound on its chest, as if it had been bitten by something, its fur is stained red.

"Hey, is that a kangaroo?"

Su Huan was stunned for a moment, then said in surprise.

The main problem was the huge difference in body size, which made it difficult for him to recognize the person at first glance.

Upon seeing Su Huan enter, his large brown eyes immediately filled with fear, and he braced his feet against the ground, trying to back away.

But it was already backed against the wall, leaving no room to retreat. Seeing this, the third brother stood on tiptoe, pressed the muzzle of his gun against its head, and snarled, "Now you know fear? Hit me again! Hit me again?! Huh?!"

Are there still kangaroos in our Donghuang territory?

Su Huan stepped forward in surprise.

"There are some in the high-temperature zone, but these must have been introduced from the zoo and escaped after the apocalypse."

Shu Wei analyzed.

When the kangaroo saw Su Huan approaching, it hid back in fear. In its nervousness, it kicked the third brother who was getting close away with its big foot and sent him flying.

Several members of the combat team looked like they wanted to laugh but dared not, their faces contorted from holding it in.

Su Huan's lips twitched. The kangaroo in front of him was indeed the injured first-tier evolved beast he had sensed.

"How did you take it?"

The soldier standing nearby immediately offered an explanation.

Perhaps due to its severe injury, the kangaroo did not attack, but the flight attendant may have gotten too close and was punched directly in the face. This was the second time today, and the third flight attendant was furious and wanted to get revenge.

Then there was a second time, and just now there was a third time.

Su Huan wanted to laugh, but he tried his best to hold it in as he watched his third brother limp back.

After all, with so many subordinates in front of him, he couldn't afford to embarrass the third brother.

As for the kangaroo in front of us...

Su Huan rubbed his chin. "Does this thing eat people?"

The combat team soldiers looked at each other, completely bewildered. They had no idea what this was; they had always just started shooting.

This is the first time I've faced a first-tier evolved beast with such composure.

Shu Wei continued, "After research, some evolved beasts still retain their pre-apocalyptic habits and can be contacted. Some evolved beasts that are close to humans still live with humans, but I cannot guarantee that this is the one."

"That's it..."

Su Huan stared at the kangaroo in front of him, whose eyes were wary.

After thinking for a moment, he stretched out a hand, and a faint, high-temperature red light gathered in his hand.

Suddenly, a furry head popped out of the kangaroo's pouch and landed right on Su Huan's palm, its wet, doe-like eyes looking at him curiously.

It directly shattered the red light gathered in the palm.

Under Su Huan's stunned gaze, he stuck out his tongue and licked his palm.

Everyone was stunned by this unexpected turn of events.

The train conductor's lips curled up.

Oh well, it's the end of the world anyway.

Keeping two kangaroos would be nice.

……

On the other side, the fat man watched as the bullet flew past, shattering the sunroof.

He was so angry he looked like a rampaging groundhog.

"That son of a bitch Hu Tieche, how dare he provoke us all by himself! Fight back! Fight back hard!"

The tires rubbed against the ground as the off-road vehicle roared forward.

Soon everyone saw a blurry figure in the middle of the road ahead.

"Damn it, how dare you act so high and mighty in front of me! Run him over and kill him!"

The fat man's expression grew increasingly ferocious, with a barely perceptible hint of fear in his eyes.

The driver floored the accelerator, and the SUV roared forward.

As they got closer, the driver sensed something was wrong.

"Boss, it doesn't seem to be Hu Tieche..."

"If it's not him, then who is it? This damned Pingqiao Village only has one living person!"

"This is clearly a child."

"Don't fucking talk nonsense, I'll smash into even a baby today!"

Just as the collision was about to occur, the driver suddenly realized that he could no longer hear the sharp sound of the tires rubbing against the ground. He subconsciously stepped on the accelerator twice more, but even when he pressed the accelerator to the floor, there was only the roar of the engine, as if it were spinning in idling.

He glanced instinctively at the rearview mirror and saw a scene that horrified him.

The buildings all ended up under the cars.

That is to say-

The off-road vehicle took off!
Soon, the squeals of geese filled the car.

The other SUV following closely behind saw the lead car floating in mid-air without even turning its head, so it shifted into reverse and accelerated wildly.

A lithe figure darted between the buildings on both sides, even those more than ten meters apart, and with a single leap, he was over them.

Her clear, golden eyes reflected the SUV below.

Just as the other vehicle was about to turn around, the meerkat leaped off the building, which was more than ten meters high.

With its back arched, its hands and feet almost touching the same spot, and its tail pointing straight up, it gathers all its power into its claws the moment it lands on the roof of the car.

"Tear--"

The metal roof of the car was torn open by a meerkat, just like a package.

A man raised his gun but before he could pull the trigger, he clutched his wrist and crouched down in pain.

The driver turned around and glared fiercely at the meerkat with its vertical pupils. As soon as the golden eyes glared, the driver felt as if he had seen a ferocious tiger pouncing on him. In an instant, his face turned as white as paper, and he couldn't even scream. The seat was already soaked with sweat.

"Sister Cat, is it resolved?"

A figure about 1.5 meters tall emerged from the sandstorm, with eyes like steel balls. Above him, about five meters above, a huge off-road vehicle was being held aloft, emitting a sharp, mournful scream.

The meerkat was stunned.

Xiao Ba thought she thought he was handling the vehicle unsafely, so he shook the SUV violently.

It's like a child shaking a toy box.

There was a series of clanging and banging noises inside the car, then it fell silent.

……

Ten minutes later, the train conductor leaned back on the leather sofa, teasing a small kangaroo with one hand as if playing with a dog, while squinting his narrow eyes at the ten people kneeling before him.

The giraffe standing nearby gave a stern rebuke.

"Where did you come from? What are you doing here?"

The group's gazes unconsciously drifted to the burly man beside them.

Su Huan wiped the drool off his hands with the little guy's fur with disgust. "It's just asking a question, no need for so much."

(I read two books these past two days: Wang Pao's "Forced to Join the Liangshan Rebels, Do You Have the Strength?" and Hua Weihankai's "This Is the End of the World." There's also a book by car enthusiast Z called "The Powerful Minister Ximen Qing, Usurping the Throne in the Dream of the Red Chamber." Would you believe me if I said I went there to gather material?)
(End of this chapter)