Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1224 (First Update)

"Camilla, they've found the sniping position. Looks like Trinity's preliminary reconnaissance was quite good. The question is, why didn't they set up sniper rifles or heavy machine guns here? It looks more like a decoy now, those cunning bastards!"

"The sniper said in the tactical communications channel. The Mars Technician nodded. The drone in thermal imaging reconnaissance mode not only revealed the Trinity mercenaries who were fighting Camilla's team, but also those mercenaries who were trying to hide in the dense forest using the greenery as cover. The soldiers' movement patterns and reaction times proved that this was a pre-set trap."

"They're on their way now, in three minutes, and then we'll have to evacuate."

"Where are the landmines?" Camilla had to duck to avoid the bullets. Trinity's firepower was intense; even with bulletproof armor, they couldn't escape injury completely.

"That's the time it would take to include the landmines; they brought several motorcycles!" The sniper's words were barely out when an explosion echoed from the winding mountain road. Even if it was a trap, Camilla's team was far better prepared. The Martian technician briefly estimated the distance, adjusted the mortar's direction, and then another shell landed in a beautiful parabola, out of their sight. This was supplementary firepower outside the heavy blast radius; everyone was now thankful they had brought this heavy machine here.

"Time has shortened a bit more. Those targeted mines certainly can't kill everyone. Trinity is still pouring out. I don't know how many people they've hidden here, but I'm certain this is an important stronghold for them, at least more important than the previous five."

"Like a rabbit in its hole," Camilla sighed. "Heavy explosive fire, Building D. Armored vehicles converge. Watch Dr. Miguel."

"Roger that. The cave is beyond our reach; we can only fire the remaining three mortar rounds."

"Laura Crawford has entered the cave." Camilla went back to radio silence.

The sniper sighed. "Mechanic, your time to shine has come," he said. "Be quick, keep your hands steady. Dr. Domiggs is still waiting for me in the armored vehicle; I have a feeling that guy's going to cause some trouble."

"Stay hidden!"

Without much prompting, all team members on the communications channel instinctively took cover. Three consecutive mortar shells struck the Trinity mercenary stronghold, instantly destroying the fortress constructed of plastic sheets and prefabricated panels with high-speed shrapnel flying everywhere. Perhaps igniting some ammunition boxes, the mortar bombardment triggered several smaller explosions in a chain reaction.

Before the smoke and dust had completely cleared, Camilla led her team across the sandbags toward the burning paper and plastic, stepping over the mangled flesh and bone fragments, unleashing the powerful firepower of their laser weapons to clear a path of fire leading to the cave.

"Get in there! Find Laura Crawford!" Camilla's voice rose involuntarily from the loud explosion. A stray bullet grazed her arm, tearing off a small piece of skin, but Camilla didn't notice. "If you're listening, Laura, you'd better get the hell out of here, because I'm furious with you, you disobedient idiot!"

Sometimes, a veteran's superstition is remarkably accurate. As the Martian technician, carrying heavy explosives, crawled through the muddy terrain of the Amazon rainforest alongside the sniper, a fierce hurricane began to churn the green canopy above them. The shrill whistling of the air being frequently sliced ​​apart sounded like thunder crashing down from the cloud-like treetops. "Fuck! AH-64, can't identify the model yet." The sniper gestured for the Martian technician to stop. He tried to contact Camilla through the comms, but he couldn't get a response. "What's going on?"

"A cave," the Mars technician replied succinctly, "unless we use Trinity's channel."

"Thanks for the suggestion, though it's not very useful. Apaches are here, and I haven't seen any Hellfire missiles..." An ominous premonition swept over him. Simple logical deduction led him to the conclusion that the bloated code generated by the Martian technician's physical body directly affected his bio-engineered prosthetic. The technician was certain that the lubricant in his bio-engineered eye was dripping uncontrollably. The sniper immediately switched communication channels and began calling out to his comrades who remained behind. "Hey, Jose! Can you hear me, Jose! Mechanic, can the armored vehicle handle the AGM-114A?"

"Too many is not good, and we haven't installed reactive armor."

The sniper took a deep breath. If they hadn't removed the heavy explosive rounds, the armored vehicle would have had anti-aircraft capabilities, but it was too late now. He could only hope that Jose (the driver) could park the armored vehicle in a safe and concealed location where the tarpaulin could, to some extent, block the Apache's radar detection.

"Then let's pray that Trinity can't afford too much Hellfire."

This journey was quite extraordinary for Camilla and her team. They had initially thought their only adversaries were the Trinity mercenaries, but as they ventured deeper into the cave, they encountered more and more Trinity mercenary corpses. Most of these corpses weren't killed by bullets or arrows, but by more primitive stone spears. Beside the mercenary bodies lay the emaciated bodies of indigenous people, their faces painted with greasepaint, dressed in rudimentary clothing of some unknown material. "These indigenous people are insane. They hunt everyone," Laura Crawford, panting, said as Camilla examined the corpses. Her face was covered in blood and mud, her arms and back abrasions—clearly, she had been severely attacked after being separated from the group, but no one cared about that now. "They hunt everyone. I mean, they… I don't even know if they can still be called primates… They have a twisted and fanatical mental state."

“We’re in their home, so it’s perfectly normal to treat intruders this way.” Camilla rolled her eyes. “That’s called defending your home, British.”

"Are you sure you want to be angry with me at a time like this, Camilla?" Laura Crawford pointed ahead, her cheeks flushed red; Camilla could even feel her breath. Following Laura Crawford's finger, the deeper into the cave, the darker it became, but illuminated by the burning torches, even a layman could discern traces of civilization. Neatly arranged stone bricks adorned the walls of the passage, and exquisite, colorful murals depicted myths passed down from ancient times. The trickling waters of the underground river flowed in a small ditch beside the passage, carrying away the blood that seeped into the water along the cracks in the brickwork.

"Look here, Camilla. We've searched five Trinity strongholds, risking our lives to get closer to the answer, and now it's right before our eyes. Find the Silver Chest as soon as possible. The sooner this disaster ends, the less likely we are to see this kingdom submerged by the sea and rivers, are we?"

“As long as you follow orders, Laura,” Camilla said calmly. “The higher-ups demand that you live, and you must live. My brothers and I have given our lives to protect you and ensure your research can continue. We’ve traded our souls for everything; don’t let our lives be wasted, Laura Crawford.”

Camilla's extremely calm tone carried a startling power, especially when she stared intently into Laura Crawford's eyes. The indifference she once showed towards her own and others' lives in her gaze felt like a cold, sharp knife plunged into Laura's heart, deeply shocking her. Although Laura Crawford had already undertaken considerable adventures, and her experiences sounded like an epic tale, the human tragedies she had witnessed paled in comparison to what Camilla had seen. Only after receiving Laura Crawford's assurance did Camilla smile and nod again.

"I'm pretty sure Commander Rourke is here. Find him, and we'll find the dagger." Camilla began issuing instructions according to the training guidelines sent by the Immortal City. She cleaned the electromagnetic interface, checked the numbers on the power display, and followed every procedure precisely. It was clear that she and her squad hadn't forgotten their training; the town's drug dealers had given them plenty of opportunities to practice with their equipment. "Check the ammunition, calibrate the timing and personnel markings, and watch out for IEDs or M18A1s (Claymore mines) as we advance. Whoever we encounter, if they launch an attack, kill them immediately without hesitation."

"Yes, sir!"

"Let's go! Let's kill all these bastards!"

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(End of this chapter)