Chapter 711 - 683: Crumbling Apart (3)

The situation was far worse than Anthony had imagined: the enemy not only launched aerial attacks but also sent ground troops for a sweep!

His mind was in a whirl, unable to fathom what kind of people would make such outrageous and absurd decisions and actions:

They had carried out a legitimate military strike and massacre in New York!

Amidst the ruins, the sound of gunfire confirmed Gwen’s words.

"Alright... then let’s go save people."

Chief Stacy shook his exoskeleton; although the current situation weighed heavily on him, a strong sense of duty inspired him.

Since the mayor had declared they were to resist the invaders and protect the citizens, what else was there to say?

In contrast, if Anthony had ordered a retreat to protect the officials, it would have made him uncomfortable.

"I have to say, seeing you now is a good thing, changed clothes?"

For the Spider Woman who had been missing and reappeared, Chief Stacy’s attitude was relatively mellow—

Even though he still considered her an illegal vigilante, the current situation had completely surpassed his psychological acceptance.

He was rigid and stubborn, but not a fool.

As for Gwen, her feelings were equally complicated: having heard her father curse her other identity at home daily, now they would fight side by side.

As for the clothes, they were still new ones Peter had made using Atlas’s resources, strong, body-fitting, and breathable...

Despite the bad situation, her boyfriend’s new clothes and her father’s new attitude somewhat encouraged her—

Motivating oneself is an ability, but it is not easy.

Gwen said nothing, but Chief Stacy couldn’t afford to linger with her emotions; once decided, he had the precinct doctor carry the mayor:

Atlas Group’s exoskeletons and combat armor had many versions, including police exoskeletons for urban use that were not only for riot control but also for emergency medical assistance.

The rescue exoskeleton had a closed medical compartment at the back, handy for when a patient couldn’t be immediately transferred to an ambulance; now Anthony lay inside.

"Whatever we intend to do, we must first contact the National Guard. The enemies seem professional, and we..."

Could at most catch small-time crooks.

George swallowed the words, "...need to restore communications."

Quickly, Gwen said, "The Atlas Group building must have backup communication devices, and there... should be anti-aircraft facilities, their people must know how to restore communication!"

George looked at the Atlas Group building at her words.

At that glance, memories of the Twin Towers being struck down flooded his mind.

The Atlas Group building covered much more area than the Twin Towers, and its design was so ingenious; although tall, it considered the lighting needs of surrounding facilities, surrounded by vast lands of new technology pavilions or new urban ecological technology...

One could say it was a science and technology exhibition area that would astonish anyone, but now it had been flattened.

How much effort did it take to build such a park—destroyed in an instant.

Were there still survivors and usable facilities there?

"Alright..."

Bang, bang, bang...

The sound of gunfire reached Gwen’s senses!

Not just gunfire, but also the sound of helicopters flying low; evidently, the enemy, whoever they were, came with the intent to annihilate this area!

She immediately said, "Don’t hesitate, they’re closing in, Chief..."

Before she finished speaking, a transport helicopter appeared at the street’s end, suspending under it a gigantic metal monstrosity...

In modern warfare, finding a group hiding in the ruins is all too easy!

Hydra had long since tracked Gwen; she just didn’t know it!

BOOM!

The massive metal beast was dropped onto the shattered street.

Its sheer weight alone crushed the solid floor of the New Future District—

Those hiding behind cover held their breath:

This behemoth looked like a rhinoceros at a glance, but its size was far too large, its weight tremendously heavy...

The surrounding air was violently sucked in, replaced by the deafening roar of some powerful engine starting!

Woosh—

Thick black smoke was ejected under high pressure, and the metallic mechanical limbs suddenly unfolded, standing up slowly and mechanically with a piercing metallic scraping sound echoing from its armored hull.

Each motion seemed cumbersome, yet deadly: the ground was cracking inch by inch!

People could clearly see that it wasn’t the only weapon!

The sound of Rhino Mecha deploying came from all different directions!

BOOM!

The gigantic mecha, once activated, cracked the entire road, and its heavy machine guns and rockets were all armed!

Gwen couldn’t think of a way to defeat this colossal beast: her strength might be formidable, but how could she break through that thick armor?!

"Run!"

Gwen leaped out of the rubble, shooting spider silk and hurling a manhole cover at the mecha’s head!

"Move!"

George waved to his officers, leading a charge out of the street—

A Hydra squad emerged from the distance, and he drew his gun and fired!

The other officers were anxious: they were policemen, not soldiers.

According to international law, if police do not engage in military actions, they remain civilians.

But going along with George would make them non-civilians!

There had surely been struggles and hesitations in their minds—

But now their comfortable lives were shattered, a bloody reality lay before them, what kind of coward would find a hole to bury their heads and play the ostrich?

George fired a round, then ducked behind cover, equally apprehensive: if anyone withdrew now, it would be over!

BANG BANG BANG—

Gunfire erupted behind him, as officers quickly deployed by George’s side: though not professional soldiers, their shooting skills, enhanced by targeting chips, rivaled those of the enemy soldiers.

However, they lacked heavy weapons!

BOOM!

An explosion interrupted the officers’ counterattack, Hydra’s advance undeterred by the ambush; rather, they were methodically occupying battle positions!

One Rhino Mecha was already a headache for the Spider Woman; now what would they do?

"Chief Stacy! We’re with you, but how do we get through?!"

Just as he was pondering how to answer his subordinates, a desperate cry rang out from ahead:

"You destroyed my home!"

RAT-A-TAT-A-TAT—

George peeped from cover, spotting a man, draped in bandoliers, wielding two semi-automatic rifles and charging through the ruins...

His limbs were prosthetics!

This lone assault completely caught Hydra off guard on the flank, George instantly joined in, gun blazing:

"Now’s the opportunity! Advance!"

Hydra had barely reacted to counterattacking, suddenly found more gunfire from the debris!

A figure with a "New York Worker Mutual Aid Association" bandana hurled a wrench—

His massive hands, suited for hauling construction materials, could turn any tool into a deadly weapon!

POW!

A Hydra’s head was smashed instantly!

"Brothers, it’s time to fight back, cover..."

BOOM!

A rocket exploded where he popped up, but more people emerged from the rubble!

Sprinting amidst cover with his men, George felt a strange sensation:

The New Future District was once Hell’s Kitchen, notorious for New York’s highest crime rates, where cops felt like potential victims, and everyone else a suspect.

But now, they were uniting against a mysterious enemy...

George grew increasingly invigorated: maybe the brutality and savageness of the enemies had caught them by surprise—

But that didn’t mean they’d been defeated!