The Ultimate War Of The Apocalypse
Chapter 556 - 549: Killing Intent

Chapter 556: Chapter 549: Killing Intent

Why the A-10?

Because the A-10 is the last dedicated attack aircraft currently in active service with the U.S. military, it’s the only one designed specifically to provide close air support to ground forces.

Why not an armed helicopter?

Because armed helicopters aren’t as fast as the A-10, don’t carry as much ordinance, and don’t have the A-10’s survivability.

Most importantly, armed helicopters don’t have the range of the A-10.

With just one rocket pod and 1,150 rounds for its 30mm cannon, the A-10’s combat radius can reach 900 kilometers, with a range of over 3,000 kilometers.

In other words, these two A-10s can take a basic load of munitions and a full fuel load and accompany an E-6B electronic warfare aircraft from a distant airfield to Malakal to conduct a precise air-to-ground strike.

So why only two A-10s and one E6B came to Malakal?

The reason is simple, the fuel reserves of these three aircraft are enough to get to Malakal, but not enough to fly back from there. Malakal has an airport, with runways to ensure that these three aircraft can land.

But Malakal is occupied by zombies, the aircraft can land easily, but taking off again would require fuel.

An exceedingly simple principle, these three airplanes are executing a mission that may well be a one-way trip, like they only bought a one-way ticket.

If they capture Malakal Airport and retain the refinery, more aircraft will be able to land at Malakal Airport. However, if the refinery is destroyed but the airport is spared, then the Sanitation Workers would have to airdrop enough fuel, or else those planes would be nothing more than scrap metal on the runway.

Ram employed a straightforward strategy: complicate Malakal City’s role as a logistical center to force the Sanitation Workers to launch a preemptive strike. He succeeded—indeed, the Sanitation Workers were driven to deploy their last resort, revealing a secret weapon they had hoped to keep hidden.

However, what Ram hadn’t anticipated was that preventing him from debilitating Malakal’s industrial capacity were not the defenders stationed in Kodok and Malut, but two attack aircraft flying in from over a thousand kilometers away.

The Solar System Company and the Sanitation Workers had both presented each other with a surprise.

"Today afternoon, when we found the Solar System Company started sabotaging the airport and destroyed one of our ammo depots, I predicted that they would definitely target the refinery. Based on the zombies’ attributes, and the types of factories we have in Malakal, I deduced that the enemy would surely sabotage our refinery,"

Thompson had a mysteriously knowing smile as he sat in his chair, not wearing his headset on his head but holding it in his hand, continuously swinging it.

"In my view, our military presence in Malakal depends on whether Malakal City exists, and the existence of Malakal City depends on whether the oil supply can continue. I convinced the Elder Council and got their agreement to dispatch our air force to stop the enemy’s sabotage."

Extending his left hand, he pointed to the footage sent back by the drone and spoke confidently, "Look at him, the Pyro-thief, possessing speed and strength beyond human. He can move freely in and out of the zombie-infested city, but he’s the only one, so stopping the Solar System Company’s conspiracy is easy. We just need a surgical strike to take out the Pyro-thief."

Miming the shape of a handgun with his left hand, Thompson ’fired’ at the screen. Then he placed his index finger to his lips, blew on it, and chuckled lightly, "Pretty simple, isn’t it?"

Thompson was explaining, but at the same time, he was boasting, explaining and boasting to Murphy.

But Thompson wasn’t wrong, given the current situation, it was indeed quite simple.

The attack aircraft’s targeting pod had locked onto the Pyro-thief, and from the live footage, a crosshair representing the aim was fixed on the Pyro-thief.

With successive flashes, Murphy held his breath for a moment, equally hoping that the Pyro-thief would be taken out because he knew the moment he saw the Pyro-thief that this man was definitely the key to changing the situation on the battlefield.

A single individual can’t play a crucial role in a battle, but if that person can freely destroy the infrastructure of logistical supplies, then they indeed become consequential.

But the Pyro-thief suddenly accelerated, increasing his speed in a way that normal people couldn’t achieve, successfully dodging the rocket’s assault.

"This can’t be!"

Larry exclaimed in shock, but Thompson just furrowed his brows and immediately said, "It’s alright, our pilots are experienced..."

The machine guns fired, and as the shells hit the ground and exploded, the Pyro-thief’s figure sped up once more and twisted to dodge the attack, leaving Larry with his mouth agape, unable to utter a sound.

After two failed attacks, the Pyro-thief had escaped beyond the range of the A-10’s assault, which, from the standpoint of adjusting the angle of attack, indeed couldn’t compare to an armed helicopter.

"It’s okay, it’s okay, we have another attack aircraft, and in fact, the lead aircraft hasn’t fired yet. The lead pilot is..."

Thompson was speaking when the lead aircraft opened fire, and the strategy employed by the lead pilot earned admiration from both Larry and Thompson, and even Murphy, with his hands cuffed, felt reassured at this moment.

Right, one must launch all ammunition in the shortest time, use a wide range of attack to counter the Pyro-thief’s advantage of excessive speed, and within an instant, try to cover the Pyro-thief with firepower.

The screen was momentarily filled with the bright light of explosions and thick smoke, swallowing the figure of the Pyro-thief.

Thompson took a deep breath, stood up, picked up the headset, and spoke softly, "Nicely done."

Thompson turned around, looked at Larry and Murphy, and smiled, saying, "Now, I think we can ask Mr. Murphy to temporarily go..."

Larry’s and Murphy’s expressions were akin to seeing a ghost, which made Thompson pause, and then he immediately turned around.

In the drone footage, a figure reappeared, running raggedly, but he was still running, and his speed was still fast.

The headset slipped from Thompson’s hand and silently fell to the ground.

The Pyro-thief was still alive, and he had run under an oil tank.

In that instant, Thompson’s mind was blank; he stared at the screen, his mouth agape, but his brain didn’t know what to say.

"Have the artillery fire right away! It’s fine to lose a few tanks now! We can still produce more oil, but if we leave him alone, the refinery is done for!"

Murphy yelled again, then paused, and yelled once more, "Or let the Warthogs attack, direct assault, forget about the oil tanks, take him out! The Pyro-thief must be taken out!"

Thompson was stunned for a moment, but his stalled brain finally started working again, so he immediately also shouted, "No! The Pyro-thief is injured, he’s dying, he won’t make it to the refinery area, precise attack, absolutely no damage to the oil tanks!"