I am the creator of New Life on the Earth
Chapter 140: The Green March

Chapter 140: The Green March

The air outside the hideout was heavy with tension, an eerie stillness hanging over the landscape.

The faint rustle of leaves and the occasional whisper of the wind were the only sounds, but they did little to mask the growing threat approaching the concealed refuge.

The soldiers, clad in sharp green uniforms that gleamed faintly under the sunlight moved as one.

Their boots crunched against the tiles in unison, an ominous rhythm that echoed across the road.

They halted near the thick stone wall—a wall Adam had sealed mere moments ago. Its cold, rough surface bore the marks of hurried reinforcement, a desperate attempt to buy time.

Behind that wall lay the entrance to the cave system, a hideout that had served as both yuki’s hideout and the sanctuary for the children he had just evacuated.

The lead soldier, a tall figure with broad shoulders, raised his gloved hand in a sharp signal. Instantly, the group spread out, weapons at the ready.

The soft hum of their laser guns activated, a subtle yet deadly sound. The soldiers’ faces were obscured by visors, their expressions unreadable, but their rigid movements betrayed their readiness for conflict.

With a swift motion, the commander signaled the assault. Streams of concentrated laser fire erupted from their weapons, striking the wall.

The energy blasts carved into the stone with relentless precision, sending shards flying in all directions.

The once-immovable wall began to crumble under the relentless assault, revealing the dark, yawning mouth of the cave entrance.

The soldiers paused momentarily, their weapons trained on the newly revealed entrance.

The commander stepped forward, his shoulder-mounted torch flaring to life. A harsh beam of artificial light pierced the darkness within, illuminating the rough-hewn walls of the cave.

The rest of the unit followed suit, activating their torches one by one, creating a series of sharp, intersecting beams that cut through the gloom.

As the lead soldier stepped inside, his boots echoed softly against the uneven floor. The natural luminescence embedded in the walls flickered faintly.

But Adam, anticipating their arrival, had already destroyed many of these lights, leaving the cave in near-total darkness.

The soldiers pressed on, their movements cautious but determined.

The confined space of the cave forced them into single line, their broad suits scraping against the narrow walls.

Each step was deliberate, their torches scanning for hidden dangers.

Suddenly, one of the soldiers stumbled against a tripwire. A cascade of small rocks tumbled from above, narrowly missing the group.

They froze, their training taking over as they assessed the situation.

"This is no ordinary hideout," one muttered under his breath, his voice distorted by the helmet.

The commander, undeterred, motioned for them to continue.

They advanced slowly, encountering more obstacles—crude but effective barriers designed to stall their progress. Fallen logs, scattered debris, and more tripwires littered the path, forcing them to slow their advance further.

Deeper into the cave, the air grew damp and heavy, carrying with it the faint scent of earth and stone. The ceiling lowered sharply, forcing the soldiers to crouch as they moved.

Their torches illuminated the path ahead, revealing a steep decline. The cave now sloped downward, its narrow passage winding deeper into the earth.

The low ceiling and uneven ground made progress difficult. The soldiers’ bulky suits, designed for combat rather than stealth, seemed ill-suited for such confined quarters. They grunted in frustration, their movements clumsy and slow.

As they rounded a corner, their path was blocked by massive boulders. The jagged rocks jutted out at odd angles, creating a seemingly impenetrable barrier. The soldiers exchanged glances before the commander nodded grimly.

"Prepare to clear it," he ordered.

The soldiers raised their weapons, aiming carefully. A series of controlled blasts struck the rocks, sending shards flying.

The cave trembled under the force of the explosions, the walls groaning as if in protest. Dust and debris filled the air, making it difficult to see.

"Careful!" one of them shouted. "Too much firepower and this whole place could collapse!"

The commander’s voice was sharp. "Stay focused. We have our orders. No mistakes."

The soldiers resumed their work, firing in short bursts to avoid destabilizing the cave further. The boulders eventually gave way, revealing a narrow passage beyond. But the process had cost them precious time, and the effort left them visibly weary.

Despite their training and advanced weaponry, an unspoken unease began to settle over the group. The narrow, winding cave felt oppressive, its walls seeming to close in around them.

The flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows that danced across the jagged surfaces, their shapes distorted and menacing.

Though none of the soldiers voiced their fears, it was clear that morale was waning. The cave was a natural maze, its twists and turns disorienting even for seasoned fighters.

Every step forward felt like venturing deeper into an unknown abyss, and the thought of what lay ahead gnawed at their resolve.

But orders were orders. They had been commanded to retrieve the children—rebels who had dared to defy their ruler. Failure was not an option, and fear was not an excuse.

The soldiers pushed onward, their movements careful and deliberate.

Yet, every blast of their weapons and every obstacle they overcame only added to the fragility of their surroundings.

The walls creaked ominously, and small bits of debris occasionally fell from above, a stark reminder of the risks they faced.

As they delved deeper, the passage continued to slope downward, its path narrowing even further.

The soldiers advanced deeper into the cave system, their torchlights carving through the shadows.

Soon, they arrived at a massive, old-fashioned gate. Unlike the high-tech defenses they had anticipated, this structure was weathered and crude, its iron surface rusted in places, with jagged edges betraying its age.

The soldiers exchanged wary glances, their visors reflecting the flickering light. It was out of place—a relic in a labyrinth of calculated sabotage and traps.

The commanding officer, standing tall at the front, gave a curt nod. Permission granted.

One soldier stepped forward, pulling a slim, metallic pen from his utility pouch.

It looked ordinary, but as he pressed a concealed button, a sharp red laser beam shot from its tip. The light buzzed faintly as the soldier leaned forward, steadying his hand against the gate.

Slowly, he traced a perfect six-foot square across the gate’s surface, his movements precise and calculated.

As the laser finished its circuit, the square piece of metal groaned before breaking free. It fell inward with a dull thud, the edges of the cut glowing faintly from the residual heat.

The chunk hit the ground, its spiral-patterned cuts spinning it slightly before it settled. Dust rose from the impact, clouding the air.

The soldiers immediately raised their weapons, their laser guns glowing faintly. The commander barked a sharp order:

"Advance! Stay alert."

The squad poured through the newly made entrance, moving in tight formation. The air inside was stifling, heavy with the scent of damp stone and old metal.

Their boots echoed faintly as they entered what appeared to be a vast chamber, its cavernous ceiling disappearing into shadow.

"Anyone here, surrender now!" one soldier shouted, his voice amplified and mechanical through his helmet’s speakers. "If you resist, we will use force!"

The silence that followed was deafening. No movement, no reply—nothing but the distant drip of water from unseen cracks in the cave walls.

As their eyes adjusted, the soldiers noticed the structure at the heart of the chamber—a low, squat building carved into the cave itself.

It had the appearance of a makeshift bunker, with narrow windows and reinforced walls.

From the outside, the building seemed uninhabited, yet its presence felt intentional.

Weapons raised, the soldiers advanced, their footsteps slow and deliberate. They reached the bunker and began spreading out, scanning the exterior before cautiously entering.

Inside, the atmosphere was equally eerie. Small rooms branched off narrow corridors, each one barren and lifeless. The soldiers moved methodically, sweeping through the structure room by room.

Beds, discarded belongings, and scattered debris hinted at recent occupancy, but the occupants were nowhere to be found.

Room after room yielded the same result—emptiness. The soldiers’ frustration grew with each passing moment. Finally, they completed their search and regrouped in the main chamber.

"No sign of anyone," one soldier reported, his voice tinged with confusion.

"They were here," another muttered, glancing around. "It’s too recent to be abandoned for long."

The commander remained silent, his posture rigid as he surveyed the surroundings. The evidence was clear—the rebels had evacuated before their arrival.

With nothing left to explore, the soldiers exited the hideout and regrouped outside the gate. The commander stepped forward, his imposing figure towering over the others. His helmet, an advanced piece of technology, fully concealed his face.

The soft glow of his visor added to his air of authority as he reached up to press a circular button on the side of the helmet.

The soft click of the communication device activating echoed faintly. "Central Tower, this is Unit Alpha reporting," he said, his voice steady.

"The hideout is empty. I repeat, there are no rebels present. The area has been completely abandoned."

The transmission was received instantly at the Central Tower. Within its sprawling control room, a networking officer stood amidst rows of screens displaying live surveillance feeds.

His sharp eyes scanned the monitors, disbelief flashing across his face as he heard the report.

"How is that possible?" he murmured, his gaze darting back to the screen showing the cave. The surveillance data clearly indicated life signs moments earlier. It didn’t make sense.

Leaving his post, the officer strode briskly toward the Throne Room, the core of the facility. As he approached, the atmosphere grew heavier, the sheer scale of the chamber imposing.

Inside, a lone figure sat on a raised dais, their presence commanding and absolute. This was UV-1, the All-Father, the leader who ruled with unyielding authority.

The officer knelt immediately, his head bowed in deference. "All-Father," he began, his voice reverent, "our forces have reached the hideout. However, no rebels were found. They evacuated before our troops arrived."

The All-Father did not respond immediately, his expression unreadable. The officer remained kneeling, awaiting further orders, his mind racing with the implications of this failure.

To be continued....

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