Los Angeles defector

Jason's faith

The big guy and the silly kid stood there dumbfounded, the situation had changed too quickly, how did it all turn out like this in the blink of an eye.

Old Blackskin then also emerged from cover, grabbing the g*n in Jason's hand. "Jason, calm down. This won't do."

Jason was very sober, and there were two reasons for his sudden emotional outburst: firstly, he saw a version of himself in Brown's curses that he even despised, and secondly, Jason finally made up his mind to be himself again. Holding the g*n against Brown on the ground was simply a result of past habits.

Three rows of five people crouched back into the cover, but the atmosphere had subtly changed.

Jason removed the bullets from the g*n chamber, casually laying it across his lap, and scanned each person before finally speaking, "I'm Jason. I grew up without parents or a name, was adopted by bandits, and because of that, I've been disloyal, unfilial, and unkind, with only 'righteousness' left to uphold. Though we've only known each other for a day, it still counts as a bond. If anyone wants to leave now, I won't stop you. As for me, I've made up my mind to leave too! But I've served in the army for eight years, so even if I'm leaving, I owe an explanation to the 107th Division. The 638th Regiment is facing a great crisis now, so I will carry out one final order, settling all debts, guarding this open land, and not leaving until the very end."

Jason's voice was not loud, but it resonated powerfully in the hearts of everyone, firm and resounding. Silence fell among them.

Old Blackskin cleared his throat, breaking the silence, "Jason, I haven't misjudged you. You're a true hero. I'll be frank with you—I took on the role of squad leader purely for that extra dollar more than the others. Now is the time to make a life-changing decision. I won't delay anyone. Whether they stay or leave, I'll follow your lead."

The big guy also spoke up, "Jason, I respect you. I'll follow your lead."

The young lad chimed in, "Jason, bro, I trust you. I'm with you. Whatever you ask me to do, I'll do it."

Brown had been keeping his head down all along. Jason's words made him regret his earlier impulsiveness a bit, so he just muttered softly, "Count me in."

And thus, a new third platoon was formed. The individuals remained the same, with Jason officially becoming the core command of the third platoon, even though he wasn't the platoon leader.

As night fell, the battle began on the eastern front, where there were woods and bushes, making it the easiest approach to the city. It started with the thunder of mortar shells, followed by the sounds of grenades and machine guns after a while. Gradually, the back-and-forth of rifle fire also mingled in, weaving a tapestry of gunfire and explosive flashes in the darkness, dazzling and beautiful.

Subsequently, the battle on the northern front of the ferry crossing also erupted, intense and fierce. Judging solely by the sound of gunfire, the intensity of the fighting on the northern front exceeded that of the eastern front. The 638th Regiment assessed that the main attack direction of the enemy was from the east, hence the second battalion had the most troops stationed there, while the third battalion was responsible for the northern front, and the first battalion with the least manpower was tasked with defending the western flank.

Jason lay low behind the overgrown weeds on the edge of the field, his gaze fixed on the western nightfall. The other two directions had been engaged in battle for almost half the night, yet there was not a sound from this side. Relying on years of experience, Jason's intuition told him something was amiss. The second company had already been dispatched to the north, leaving only the under-strength first company and the crippled third company on the western side. If this was a vampire's tactic to strike at the weakest point, then an attack was likely imminent.

Old Blackskin crouched down beside Jason, whispering, "Jason, it's already midnight, why is there no activity on our side? Do you think the vampires won't attack here? Maybe they find this side too open? Or perhaps they only want the San Juan Ferry Crossing, leaving a gap on the western side for us to escape."

Jason shook his head, "No, if they let us go, it would be a threat. Vampires aren't that foolish. It's not daytime now, look at how pitch black it is. Even if there's open ground, we can't see too far. Why wouldn't they come?"

At that moment, Jason's heart skipped a beat. He turned to Old Blackskin and said, "Bro, give me your matches." He then picked up the dry branches and weeds he had collected during the day for cover, crouched low, and ran forward about ten meters to drop them, then turned back to continue gathering.

Old Blackskin, puzzled, watched Jason suddenly spring into action, asking in a low voice, "Jason, what are you up to?"

Jason continued his work, replying casually, "Get the big guy and Brown up quickly to stand guard and prepare for battle. Damn it, the vampires might already be here."

The naive lad huddled in cover, while Old Blackskin, the big guy, and Brown peered out from behind the field, positioning their guns. The three watched as Jason tirelessly moved back and forth, gathering and stacking the grass and shrubs around the cover, creating a mound resembling a grave. He then lit the dry grass with a match, quickly ran back, jumped into the field, and grabbed his own g*n.

A faint light flickered about ten meters ahead, gradually growing brighter. The burning of the dry branches and weeds was swift, flames leaping up and consuming the pile, spreading light that slowly pushed back the surrounding darkness.

"Sergeant, look, there's a fire ahead!"

Winston Reed jolted up to the window. In front of the third platoon, about seventy to eighty meters away in the open field, a fire was blazing, growing stronger. What was happening? What was the third platoon up to? Were they about to do something reckless?

Staring at the expanding range of light, Winston Reed paused for a moment, then finally realized, "No, the third platoon is using the light to survey the surroundings." He immediately ordered, "Everyone, prepare for battle. Machine g*n, get into position now. Keep a close watch, focus."

Two light machine guns were set up in buildings on both flanks, windows, rooftops, and walls, with over a dozen g*n barrels dispersed and aimed towards the open field lit by the fire.

The third platoon's position allowed for a clearer view of the distance and details. As the flames soared, the illuminated area gradually expanded, revealing something unusual on the open ground not far to the west.

In the distance, a faint glint caught Jason's eye, then vanished. Hu Yi speculated it was a bayonet. Several dark figures on the distant ground became increasingly apparent as the light spread. Hu Yi judged them to be helmets.

Unable to conceal themselves any longer, the blurry figures lying on the ground began to move, attempting to crawl back and hide in the darkness.

Bang—Old Blackskin's g*n spat the first flame, followed by Jason, the big guy, and Brown firing towards the distant figures. The rifles of the third platoon joined in, followed by the rest, as the machine g*n rapidly fed one clip after another into the dark horizon.

The battle in the west ignited within a blaze of light.