Chapter 11 (1/2)
Chapter 11 Ocean
Xiao Yan nodded without a doubt, ”Obviously?”
Meanwhile, they were flying over an azure ocean that stretches across the horizon. The sunlight pours upon the waves, reflecting a sea of sparkling golden.
Xiao Yan's eyes widen in awe. He pressed his forehead against the window, looking like a child who saw piles of sweet presented before him.
Looking at his reaction, Reeve smiled and spoke into her communication device, ”Boss, it seems that it's a first time for our rookie technical soldier to see the ocean, could you give your permission for him to have a breath of the sea breeze?”
Xiao Yan glared at Reeve, thinking how on earth is it possible Colonel Burton would approve such absurd request.
Heine's chilling voice sounded from the device, and Reeve went over and slid open the cabin door.
A warm and moist sea breeze gushed into the cabin, buffeting Xiao Yan's hair, bringing along a salty scent that seeped into his nose. It was distinctly different from the freshness of the forest, but nevertheless pleasant, putting his mind at ease.
Reeve mouthed at Xiao Yan: See? He's not as bad as you think.
Xiao Yan showed a longing look without himself noticing and said with a wryly smile, ”I used to dream that I could become an oceanographer like my father when I was a child. Ironically, only until today I see a real ocean.”
Reeve blinked for a moment and spoke into the communication device: ”Boss, our rookie said his ambition is to be an oceanographer!”
Mark scratched his head, looking puzzled, ”I've heard of virologists, neurologist and also some army ordnance physicist, there's even an oceanographer? What's there to research about the sea?”
True, ever since humans had migrated to Charles underground city, the studies on oceans have lost their significance.
With that said, the aircraft descended slowly and flew in a steady 60 degree slanted above the water surface.
Reeve, however, ushered him with her hands waving, ”Come here! I'll grab hold of you! Colonel said you only have 30 seconds!”
Xiao Yan blinked in bewilderment. That Heine Burton, who is always bleak and aloof…… actually gave him such an opportunity in the midst of a mission?
Removing his safety equipments, Xiao Yan went on all fours before stretching his arm towards Reeve. Reeve grabbed hold of his arm while Mark gripped onto one of his legs without a word. Xiao Yan was then sprawled before the cabin exit with his left hand extended out from the cabin.
The moment his fingers came in contact with the water, Xiao Yan felt his heart thumped so loudly as though it was about to leap out of his chest.
He could feel the energy that dwells within the deep blue, nothing in this world could constrain the ocean, except gravitational force.
30 seconds was fleeting and Xiao Yan was tugged back into the cabin by Reeve and Mark.
The aircraft rose once again, its speed accelerating suddenly, soaring towards their destination.
Inside the cabin, all the Special Force soldiers shrugged off their once aloof look towards Xiao Yan and cracked him a friendly smile.
”Aside from viruses, ocean may be something in this world that is filled with utmost variations and uncertainty. It can be serene and beautiful at one moment, and devour everything in the next. Besides, instead of having us going all the trouble to retrieve the 200-year-old nuclear raw materials, why don't we think of a way to utilise the ocean? Not only can the force formed by the tides regenerates energy, it has great power as well.
”Hey rookie! I kinda like you, so be sure to follow us closely during the mission! Reeve! Has he got a gun in his equipment?”
”Of course! But…… I'm afraid he doesn't know how to use it,” Reeve hauled over Xiao Yan's backpack and sure enough, there is a gun laying inside.
”Listen here Xiao Yan, the way to use this gun is simple. There's no need for you to have great shooting skills because it comes with an auto lock-on system. Keep in mind that it won't work if you use it on zombies, but if you have come across any the Tides members, just shoot them with no mercy.”
The method of usage could not be more simple, exactly a weapon that was specially made for technical soldiers that were not accustomed to combat.
”Hey, be careful with it okay! If your bullets. .h.i.t any of us, we'll let you have a taste of our knuckles!” Mark said while waving his fist around.
Everyone burst into laughter. Xiao Yan felt as if he was going for a vacation instead of heading to a dangerous mission.
At last, they have reached the upper air of the location. Soaring across the weathered Statue of Liberty. After hundreds of years of buffeting, the statue was covered with mottle and batters, some parts of the high-lifted torch fell apart from the vibration of the aircraft engine, pummeling into the sea, creating splashes of waves.
”This statue is quite huge,” Mark remarked, stroking his nose.
”This's the Statue of Liberty, below us is Manhattan, a city that was once booming with its economy,” Xiao Yan let out a sigh. He could clearly see the countless zombies chasing after their aircraft, leaping and stretching their scrawny arms towards them.
”Now I understand why the Tides chose this place for their base, these zombies are their ideal defenders.”
Xiao Yan frowned, ”How are we going to land?”
The aircraft landed on top of a tall building. Upon landing, the soldiers swiftly released a wire towards a relatively lower building and slid off the aircraft.
Without warning, Mark hauled over Xiao Yan and zoomed down the wire. The wind gushed into Xiao Yan's wide opened mouth and the moment they landed, he was at the verge of vomiting.
The rest of them retrieved their wire and released it towards another building.
This time, Reeve hefted the panting Xiao Yan from the ground and slid off.
No matter how much he wish to scream in terror, he had to force himself to hold it in, in fear that his voice could alert the zombies.
”Is this a relay? And I'm the baton?!” Xiao Yan realised sadly.
Reeve tossed him on a rooftop and joked half-heartedly, ”Take your time catching your breath!”