Although he did not want to think it aloud, the convoy's situation was more or less hopeless. With failing vehicles and an ocean of NighLinare Creatures surrounding them, the chances that he would be able to keep the refugees alive were not too high.
Sunny sighed, then nodded.
"Alright. We'll follow you. Just give me a bit of time to get my people on the road."
The crow stared at him for a bit, then flopped its wings again.
"Hur-ry!"
'You don't need to remind me...'
Standing up, Sunny descended toward the convoy's camp and ordered everyone to prepare for departure. Soon, the column of vehicles left its temporary shelter and followed a narrow mountain road that circled the former Erebus Field from a good distance.
The crow flew above them, guiding the convoy deeper into the mountains. The bird had turned out to be an amazing scout. Not only was it able to notice swarms of Nightmare Creatures from high above long before they could threaten the column, but it was also smart enough to lead Sunny and his people around the prowling abominations.
After about an hour of tense, but uneventful driving, they left the sight of the destroyed city behind. The scene of devastation was now obscured by the slopes and peaks, but the plume of smoke rising from the crater of Mount Erebus and the angry orange glow of the burning stronghold could still be seen.
The crow guided the convoy to a wide crossroad, and then dove down, landing near a small structure standing at the side of it.
The convoy came to a halt, the civilian transports looking like they might not ever be able to get their engines running again. Sparing them an uneasy glance, Sunny jumped down from the roof of the Rhino and approached the structure.
It seemed freshly built, and was most likely constructed by the First Army just a month or two ago. He had no idea what its purpose was, though.
Uncertain, Sunny glanced at the black bird, who looked very proud of itself.
"What am I supposed to do with that?"
The crow tilted its head.
"Door! Open!"
'Oh.'
Despite its small size, the structure had actual blast doors blocking its entrance. The gate was large enough to be rammed by the Rhino, but of course, Sunny was not going to order Luster to do something that stupid.
He briefly thought about cutting through the blast doors with the Cruel Sight, but then shook his head with a roll of eyes, walked over to a small panel at the side of the gate, and placed his palm on it. The panel lit up, and then, a mechanical voice came from the in-built dynamics.
"Captain Sunless. Verified. Sufficient clearance."
The blast doors opened, revealing the entrance to a wide tunnel.
'Oh. Hell. No.'
Sunny remained motionless for a while, cursing his fate, then reluctantly sent one of his shadows into the tunnel.
Despite his newly established aversion to tunnels of all kinds, that one turned out to be rather short, leading to a vast underground chamber. It was rectangular in shape, and large enough for the several convoy's the size of the one Sunny was leading to take shelter inside.
'It's a hidden supply depot... a big one, at th... huh?'
Sunny's eyes widened.
Inside the underground garage...
Rows and rows of pristine military vehicles stood, ready to be powered up and armed with full compliments of heavy assault weapons.
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