Chapter 16 (1/2)
Chapter 16
”The shelter within the military zone was built in the middle of the last century, and was originally an enormous bomb shelter. At the beginning of this disaster, the military had paid to re-use this shelter with the lives of countless of people, and within a few days, they had turned it into a shelter that could hold more than a million people.”
Zhou Rong turned on the tablet, zooming into the complicated map on the screen.
”The shelter has 11 floors underground, the total shape tapering down like an upside down pyramid, and it's divided into 5 zones. A Zone in the east is mostly for the resettlement of the disaster-stricken civilians. B Zone in the west is where the management, communications and electricity sources are found. You'll find the garrison and the armoury in C Zone in the south, and D Zone in the center is the transport hub as well as the sewage system.”
”E Zone in the north is the most important, and has the highest security clearance. It's where the medical quarantine area and the research into the virus is located.”
”As Unit 118 with the highest security clearance, our ID tag allows us to enter A, B, C and D Zones, and we're allowed to enter E Zone under specific circ.u.mstances. We now suspect that there has been an outbreak of the virus in the research lab.”
Zhou Rong drew a line on the map.
”Our initial plan is to enter the center of the shelter through the sewage system, then we'll split into two groups. One will follow the light rail tracks to the armoury in B Zone —” He marked the location on the map. ”We'll transport the rations found there as well as refill our ammunition supply. It'll be best if we can get another armoured vehicle there. This team will be led by Yan Hao. Xiangzi and Dings.h.i.+ will follow.”
”The other team will follow me into C Zone to investigate the situation. Our objective will to be to use the satellite communication system in the shelter to try and get in contact with other military shelters. If there is a need to do so, we'll enter E Zone and retrieve the latest information about the virus in the research lab for other inst.i.tutions to do further research in the future to prevent such situations from happening again.”
Zhou Rong surveyed the group. ”This team will be led by me. Chun Cao and Yingjie will follow. Does anyone has any questions?”
In the rear compartment of the armoured vehicle, the special force soldiers were huddling together, crouching.
Outside the window the last rays of the sun slowly sunk below the horizon. Birds covered the sky, and night was descending. The collapsed buildings within the military zone were gradually shadowed.
Si Nan raised his hand. Zhou Rong pointed at him with a pen. ”Comrade Xiao-Si, please speak.”
Comrade Xiao-Si asked, ”Which team am I following?”
”Which team do you want to follow?”
Si Nan stared at the map on the screen of the tablet without a sound. Next, Yan Hao coughed and spoke to Zhou Rong, ”The risk of going into the armoury is lower, there's no need for four people. I'll give you DDing, and Si Nan can follow us.”
Zhou Rong did not agree to it, nor did he state his thoughts. He only asked Si Nan, ”What do you think? Decide it yourself.”
Si Nan was silent, and the only thing that could be heard was everyone's breathing. After an unknown period of time had pa.s.sed, or maybe it was just a few seconds, they finally heard his hoa.r.s.e and curt reply. ”I'll follow you.”
He did not look at anyone when he replied, but Yan Hao instantly knew he meant Zhou Rong.
”Very good, team allocation is done!” Zhou Rong tucked the military-issued tablet away, suddenly standing up. ”Next, everyone, please stay vigilant. Prepare your gear, let's go!”
Boom! The floodgate to the underground sewage system was blast open. A pungent stench wafted up from beneath.
Everyone simultaneously tugged their gas masks on. Zhou Rong choked on the smell, coughing a few times. Pointing forward firmly with his index finger, he motioned the rest of them to follow closely, and took the first jump into the calf-high waters.
The tunnel extended straight down, the angle becoming steeper, and the dirty water gradually rose up to their thighs. It was so dark that they could not see anything in front of them, and only the searchlight on their helmets provided a light source for them to view their surroundings.
The seven people pressed forward through the waters in a row. The tunnel became wider, and the sounds they made as they waded through the waters echoed through the empty s.p.a.ce.
”Say,” The second member in the row, Chun Cao, could tolerate it no longer, and she broke the silence. ”Our mission this time is so dangerous. Before we separate, let's have a good chat.”
The moans of the zombies were heard in the distance, responding with perfect timing.
”…”
Behind Chun Cao, Si Nan was solemnly wading through the waters, and behind him, Zhang Yingjie laughed. ”When was it never dangerous?”
”But it's extra dangerous this time.”
”So what should we talk about?
Chun Cao thought about it. ”Let's talk about why we joined Unit 118. I joined because I thought it was very cool after getting the enlistment letter. Rong-ge, what about you?”
Zhou Rong led the way in front of her. He did not turn his head. ”The high salary.”
Ding s.h.i.+ answered honestly, ”Same as Rong-ge.”
Guo Weixiang, ”To prove myself!”
Yan Hao, ”… Career advancement in the special force is faster.”
”My wife and children can enjoy the military benefits.” Zhang Yingjie was embarra.s.sed. ”My original unit was only allowed to take leave once a year. Rong-ge said that if I transferred to 118 they can arrange for my wife to take on a confidential job, and my children can be sent to the school in the military zone…”
”Sister-in-law isn't in this shelter, right?!” Guo Weixiang was alarmed.
”No, when the outbreak happened she had returned to the old family home in Dongbei.” Zhang Yingjie sighed, ”It should be already winter there. The weather is extremely cold, the zombies will be weaker, and every household should have enough vegetables in their cellar to survive through winter… I hope they're still safe.”
They fell silent. Zhang Yingjie seemed to be a little regretful for dragging the mood down further, and took the initiative in changing the subject. ”What about Si Nan? I've never really heard you talk about yourself before. Your family background is pretty good, right?”
Hidden behind the gas mask, Si Nan replied after a moment, ”I don't remember anymore.”
This response made the eager audience all imagine various scenarios immediately. It ranged from a broken family to a child's rebellion and then to a problematic education as a youth… As their thoughts bounced around, they finally heard Si Nan's voice again, adding, ”I really can't remember anything.”
”What about your parents?” Yan Hao asked from all the way at the back.
”I've forgotten,” Si Nan answered indifferently.
The atmosphere turned even weirder than before.
They were now wading through the waist-high waters. Under their feet, the tunnel elevated sharply, and they could vaguely feel a slight change in the air current flowing from the front. Zhou Rong looked down at the tablet, studying the dense lines of the sewage system in the map, then his voice rang out, ebullient, ”Don't worry, Comrade Xiao-Si! Now that you're in Squad 6 of Unit 118, you're a member of our friendly and loving family! When we go back, remember to remind me to give you an official position. Do you have any special requirements or needs? Like arranging for military benefits for your girlfriend, a kindergarten for your child or anything like that? Do you have any emergency contacts?”
”…” Si Nan responded, ”No.”
”Then you have to have one.” Zhou Rong said regretfully. His foot landed on a step in the water.
They had reached the end of the tunnel. In front of them was a stone wall covered in moss, and a cool wind was blowing from another tunnel above them.
Using a military knife, Zhou Rong pried open the cover of the tunnel. With his hands grabbing onto the edge of the tunnel above him, he pulled himself up with a grunt, water spraying everywhere.
”The terminal station of the Blue Line on the underground light rail system in the central zone.” Zhou Rong surveyed the surroundings, speaking softly, ”It's safe, come on up.”
The six members took turns pulling themselves up. Everyone was soaked, and the smell coming off them was unbearable.
”If something happens to you, the organisation will send your pension to your emergency contact…” Chun Cao quietly explained to Si Nan. ”If there's a need, they'll help them arrange for work as well, providing for the older ones etc…”
Zhou Rong turned on the tactical flashlight, observing their surroundings.
This was the back of the control station in the terminal station of the light rail system. The place was not big, and there were piles of cables all over the place. It was sealed from the outside by an iron fence. As the rail system had not been used for a long time, the power supply and the ventilation system were no longer working. Even with the flashlight, it was difficult to see what was beyond the iron fence.