Big Rhino remained on the road with its turret angled toward the southern horizon while the crew watched for anything drawn by the firing.
"Five minutes," the gunner reported. "Still clear."
Big Rhino opened the channel. "Commander, no new contact."
Hans checked the Radar and found the same empty ground.
Nothing? Hans thought. Five minutes was enough for a first reaction.
"Turn us around. We're going back."
"Roger that, Commander."
"Viper, mount up."
Callum climbed back onto the Vanguard's rear hull.
The convoy returned to the apartment complex as the sun climbed toward noon.
"Big Rhino, wait on the road outside," Hans ordered while the Guardian APC queue reached its final seconds.
The Vanguard held outside the walls while the SUV entered the parking lot.
[ Training Complete: 1x Guardian APC. ]
Hans read the completion notice, then looked toward the newly deployed personnel carrier.
The Guardian APC stood taller than the Vanguard and carried its mass differently.
