I can upgrade the shelter-Chapter 529 - 427: Nerve Gas

Flame Country has new equipment that can be used for breakthroughs. Conventional tactics with the anti-tank gun are not without solutions, and although Lucia does not have new equipment, they are also not without tactics.

In such situations, Flame Country might instinctively consider tactical penetration, bypassing the enemy’s weak points before breaking through. However, Lucia’s tactics are not as flexible; they are more accustomed to using a hammer to crack a nut, breaking through head-on.

Of course, even the reckless Lucias wouldn’t have their troops attack directly in the face of an anti-tank gun.

They are no longer the Sovia military of the past, guided only by spiritual belief, nor do they have a blue helmet to lead the charge. Although the loss of faith has not significantly reduced their combat power, it has considerably diminished their ability to fight hard battles.

Moreover, for Lucia’s army, the current situation is difficult but not insoluble. Even without a strong attack, they are still not without options.

"Have the special rounds arrived?" the commander of Lucia’s official army inquired of the operations staff beside him. The so-called special rounds are decisive weapons to deal with the anti-tank gun blocking the entire passage.

The staff nodded and replied affirmatively: "They just arrived a few minutes ago."

"Have an ops team carry the special rounds, find the ventilation duct of the enemy’s stronghold, and then deploy the special rounds," the officer issued the operation order through gritted teeth: "Simultaneously, use the special rounds at our front, fire them directly inside through the launcher!"

"Yes, Commander!" The staff responded immediately and went to deliver the order.

The so-called special rounds are special smoke grenades made with nerve gas, which, when used, quickly release a large amount of toxic gas that paralyzes the nervous system of those inhaling it.

Lucia’s military had previously used this in a hostage rescue operation, and its effectiveness shocked the entire world, although it caused some unnecessary casualties. Nonetheless, this nerve gas was extremely effective.

Under normal circumstances, Lucia’s military would not use this kind of thing, but now, this irregular situation leaves no restriction on its use.

These special rounds can be used by pulling the safety pin by hand and throwing them like grenades, or they can be launched from a rifle as rifle grenades.

Despite having a limited range, it’s still adequate under the current circumstances, considering that nerve gas depends heavily on environmental conditions. In an open area, you would need a mortar or similar launcher to put it onto enemy positions.

But in this closed underground environment, as long as the special rounds are deployed into the passage and close enough to the target, it’s sufficient.

Just as the commander had anticipated, although the militants tried to disperse the nerve gas in the passage using the airflow from firing the anti-tank gun after discovering Lucia’s official troops’ use of special rounds, the distance was insufficient, and the attempt was ineffective.

Even though the militants had gas masks and immediately donned them upon discovering the use of nerve gas, this did not halt Lucia’s official offensive.

Half an hour later, Lucia’s official troops had confidently entered the previously blocked underground passage, pulling out one by one the militants hiding in the oligarchs’ built shelters, with all resisting forces eliminated.

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While the oligarchs stirring trouble behind the scenes have been destroyed and all suspects captured, for Lucia’s leaders, the matter is far from over.

The masterminds were caught, but the effects they caused have already transpired, becoming established facts.

The cooperation initially established between Lucia and Flame Country has been entirely suspended and terminated due to this impact, evidently necessitating another round of interest exchanges and arduous negotiations to restore it.

But that’s manageable, as Lucia’s diplomats, idle since the meteor impact, would be quite willing to undertake these tasks.

However, while the matters with Flame Country can be resolved through diplomatic channels and offering some legacy assets from the Suyia era, the situation elsewhere is not as simple.

These oligarchs had previously spread a lot of anti-official rhetoric within the "Revolutionary Army" camp and controlled some forces within it. They skillfully utilized these individuals to incite hostile sentiment and resist the official troops’ suppression.

Although these individuals, along with those oligarchs and their military forces, were suppressed in the subsequent battles, they, after all, were part of the "Revolutionary Army."

Given that the official and the "Revolutionary Army" had only reached a simple ceasefire agreement, following the suppression of this group, relations between the "Revolutionary Army" and the official are at a very perilous stage.

It hasn’t reached an immediate breaking point, but tension is high, bordering on conflict.

Although for Lucia’s authorities, suppressing the "Revolutionary Army" was a planned and straightforward matter, Lucia’s leaders are hesitant to proceed.

Lucia’s capital is in shambles, and if order and production are not quickly restored, the entire capital will collapse within a week.

The urban destruction from the war is staggering, and even though the capital’s underground structure is intact, many locations were severely damaged in previous conflicts.

If another larger-scale conflict or war occurs, Lucia’s leaders might directly announce moving the capital.

They had initially resolved to suppress the unrest even if it meant destroying the capital, but after the capital was ravaged without resolving the issue, Lucia’s leaders have lost the resolve to go all-in.

Ultimately, Lucia is not like the populous Flame Country, with only a few large cities, of which only a few possess substantial underground refuge facilities, mostly constructed during the Soviet era, with the capital having the most comprehensive facilities.

After abandoning the capital, Lucia only has one other city that could serve as the capital, but it’s a port city and has now been swallowed by the rising coastline, frozen beneath the ice.

For Lucia, they absolutely cannot afford the loss and cost of losing their capital.