Tom's Story

As the sun set in the west, its fading rays scattered onto the somewhat worn-out walls, reflecting off a faded billboard featuring a starlet with a heart-shaped face holding a trendy smartphone. 

The once bustling pedestrian street, alive with music and crowded with people, now stood empty, littered with debris and devoid of vitality. The neatly arranged flowers of yesteryears now grew wild, tangled in clumps of weeds, untouched by human hands. Weeds sprouted from the crevices of the floor and brick walls, with ivy even creeping up some walls.

Beneath the crimson hues, the Precursor No. 6 six-axis aircraft ascended slowly, but inside, most people weren't celebrating their narrow escape; instead, they were immersed in grief.

Staring at the zipped-up body bag, Liu Lian, with bloodshot eyes, asked, "Can I know the captain's name?"

A soldier hesitated for a moment. "The captain's designation is No. 12…"

"I didn't ask for a designation; I only asked for his name and whether he had any family."

The soldier fell silent for a moment before replying, "The captain's name is Liu Yongjun, like me, he's a retired soldier, and he has no family left."

"Liu Yongjun… Liu Yongjun… I want to allocate my contribution points to his family… What? No family?"

"Yes, the captain's parents have passed away, and his wife and son died in a car accident. He was on duty outside at that time… Captain… *sob*…"

Thinking back, although this captain had been strict with few words, every action was for the safety of the team. Liu Lian recalled Tom; although not a soldier, Tom displayed similar restraint. And now, this captain had risked his life to draw the attention of the mutant cats, enabling Liu Lian to escape.

Initially, Tom had done the same thing. Despite having the chance to board the aircraft and leave, he volunteered to stay for the second trip, only to be attacked and subsequently missing by the mutant cat, Ah Huang.

Throughout their journey, Liu Lian had witnessed the dark side of Zhang Meng, the selfishness of Chen Jianbin, but also the self-sacrifice of Luo Jun, who had given up hope for the sake of others. Now, looking at the body of this retired soldier, Liu Lian felt the urge to improve himself, to become a more useful person. In a cohesive team, he wanted to take responsibility for his own actions, unlike the time with Tom when everyone had held him back.

"When Yiyi and I have children, his name must be Liu Yongjun!"

After six hours, the aircraft successfully reached the refuge of Haiwei Mini Industrial. By this time, the sky was shrouded in dark clouds, and the atmosphere was oppressive with the imminent arrival of a storm.

"It looks like a typhoon is coming. We shouldn't go anywhere for the next few days," a soldier from the Special Operations Department remarked after disembarking from the cabin, gazing at the sky.

Located by the sea, Sencun City faced several typhoons every May and June, occasionally even experiencing category 12 typhoons causing massive damage. Cars being overturned were not uncommon, and people couldn't even stand steadily in strong winds. Now that people had shrunk in size, being outside during such a storm would be terrifying for them.

Feeling heavy-hearted, Liu Lian returned to their residence with Xiaomei, while Bai Sifei held onto his camera as if it were a treasure, immediately sitting in the electric car that came to pick him up, heading towards the R&D building.

It rained all night, and the wind blew fiercely, persisting until morning. Outside, the rain continued to pour heavily. However, within the shelter, there was no need to worry about safety; the shelter had been constructed to withstand the destructive force of a category 12 typhoon.

The next morning at 10 o'clock, the rain outside showed no signs of stopping. Shen Jiayi, the general manager of Haiwei Mini Industrial, arrived at the R&D building by car, her steady footsteps echoing as she made her way to the third floor. Along the way, researchers greeted her respectfully, and although some lab coats didn't recognize her, she paid no attention.

Inside his office, Bai Sifei was organizing documents when Shen Jiayi knocked on the door, surprising him. He quickly stepped out to greet her, "Jiayi… No, General Shen, why did you come in person? I was just about to finish organizing and report to you."

"Are you injured?" Despite her inquiry about his well-being, Shen Jiayi maintained her icy demeanor, but to Bai Sifei, her words were akin to celestial music, a sign of angelic favor. Before she could say another word, he eagerly replied, "I'm fine, I'm fine. They protected me well."

"I heard you made a significant discovery, so I came to see."

With a nod, Shen Jiayi sat directly in Bai Sifei's chair. Bai Sifei quickly squeezed beside her and opened the saved video file recorded by Liu Lian with the camera.

"Energy crystal application technology? Fuel? Does it mean it can solve the efficiency problem of gunpowder combustion?" Shen Jiayi quickly grasped the key point of the application after a quick browse, much to Bai Sifei's admiration.

"Yes, if this technology can indeed improve the chemical reaction efficiency of fuel, it will greatly enhance the kinetic energy output of our group's bullets. I heard from Captain No. 6 that our firearms are no longer effective against some mutant organisms. Successful exploration will improve this situation."

"Yes, mutant organisms initially only changed in size, but with time, they acquire more abilities. There have been reports of witnessing a mutant bee yesterday, which can shoot its stinger from a distance, with power enough to pierce through a glass pane. Our technological advancements must keep up with these mutant organisms." 

Bai Sifei was stunned to hear this. "The organ at the bee's tail has completely changed its form… This is truly…"

"I remember someone mentioning that they encountered a mutant ant queen that could even remotely control the ant colony. Although it couldn't be confirmed, given the shrinking of people, such a situation might not be false. Xiaobai, you must quickly master this technology. The ammunition factory is waiting for your new improvements."

"Yes, General Shen, our R&D department will work overtime to complete this technology. We have already scheduled several eligible Awakened individuals, and we can start the experiments today."

Shen Jiayi nodded. "Give me a quiet office. I need to deal with some issues."

"Of course, let me take you there."

Bai Sifei immediately led Shen Jiayi out and switched to a different office. Once he left, the assistant manager, Bai Tingting, and No. 1 of the Special Operations Department quickly entered.

Bai Tingting handed a stack of documents to Shen Jiayi for review. With over five thousand employees in Haiwei Mini Industrial, various matters, big and small, required her decision-making during these challenging times. She spent over an hour going through them, signing and approving each one before Bai Tingting left the room.

Shen Jiayi put down her cold expression, fatigue creeping onto her face. Just as she lifted a cup to drink water, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." She put down the cup without taking a sip, her face once again masked with coldness.

"Miss!" It was No. 1 from the Special Operations Department, accompanied by a soldier, the same person who had conversed with Liu Lian on the aircraft yesterday.

"This is 0341, who accompanied the team yesterday," No. 1 said, closing the door behind him.

Shen Jiayi interlocked her hands under her chin, speaking solemnly, "I've already reviewed yesterday's mission briefing. Today, I want to hear about Liu Lian and the story behind the person he mentioned. You specifically quoted Liu Lian's words in the briefing, which surprised me. Why did you choose to quote it?"

After saluting, 0341 replied, "You mean the line, 'When we encountered the mutant soldier ants, Tom used a method.'?"

"Yes."

"It's because before the cat hunting operation, we had a long conversation. Liu Lian told me about their encounter with the mutant ants and subsequent encounters with mutant cats and others. I thought Tom, with his abilities, was a valuable combat talent. Additionally, Liu Lian had repeatedly requested us to search again. So, I included that line in the mission briefing."

Shen Jiayi briefly recalled and then turned to No. 1. "I remember the danger level in the lower city area has been marked as Level 6, correct?"

No. 1 nodded. "Yes, Miss. You've approved the request to halt the search in that area. Also, there have been increasing reports of birds attacking aircraft in the city's airspace. I suggest reducing the frequency of aircraft outings."

Glancing at the clock on the desk, Shen Jiayi said, "I still have some time. 0341, tell me about the story Liu Lian recounted regarding Tom."

After formulating the plan to deal with the mutant cats, everyone rested in the shelter. 0331 conversed with Liu Lian, who expressed interest in Tom, and hearing about his unique experiences, so they asked him to narrate the events.

From their initial meeting in Liu Lian's room to Liu Lian's injury and boarding the aircraft first, the entire process was retold by Liu Lian to the five members of the Special Operations Department. It could be said that Tom's calm and strategic personality had influenced them, and they gradually understood why Liu Lian, who had spent just over a month in the shelter, was so concerned about Tom, whom he had known for less than seven days.

Under the watchful eye of her superior, No. 1, 0341 began narrating the seven-day experience as described by Liu Lian.

Throughout the narration, Shen Jiayi maintained her cold expression, with her hands still interlocked under her chin. There was no change in her demeanor, even when 0341 described the horrifying scene of being surrounded by over three thousand ants. 

When he finished, 0341 stopped talking, and the entire office fell into a deathly silence. Shen Jiayi remained still, and No. 1 and 0341 dared not speak.

After a minute and a half, Shen Jiayi finally let go of her hands. "You've done well, 0341. You may leave now."

0341 saluted and turned to leave, closing the door behind him.

No. 1 looked at Shen Jiayi. He knew his boss would have a reaction and instructions regarding what had just been discussed, even though she showed no outward signs of it. 

Rubbing her temples, Shen Jiayi dropped the cold tone and, with a hint of excitement in her fatigue, said, "The typhoon forecasted by the retired professor from the Meteorological Bureau was accurate. Did he mention when the next typhoon will occur?"

"Around June 25th, approximately fourteen days from now."

"The technology brought back by Bai Sifei will take some time to research thoroughly. I estimate about ten days. And just after the typhoon ends, all organisms won't have adapted to the new environment so quickly. By then, after the next typhoon, send out No. 3. They'll board Precursor No. 0010 and conduct a comprehensive high-altitude search in the lower city area to see if there are any survivors. I believe the enhanced version of the bullets should be ready by then, prioritizing equipping them."

"Miss, are you still concerned about Tom?"

"Yes. Being able to utilize Awakened abilities and personal skills and adapt to the post-apocalyptic situation, making calm action plans—I have high hopes for Tom. I also believe he's not so easy to die. We've done what we can. If he can be retrieved, it's for the best. I plan to establish a special Awakened team within the Special Operations Department, dedicated to coordinating the actions of various attack groups. He would be a great candidate."

"Miss… the risk seems a bit high… But the rewards are indeed…"

"In that case, should we bring Liu Lian, who was part of the temporary search team?"

"I heard his abilities have been upgraded? The search operation plan is confidential, including Liu Lian. If we bring him and then fail to find Tom again, I suspect he'll disobey orders and insist on staying outside. Currently, his radar ability is very useful for exploring outside, and we can't risk losing him."

"Yes, Miss! Also… you've been dealing with urgent matters for the past two days, without a wink of sleep. Perhaps you should find a place to rest?"

"No need. Bring Tingting along. We're going to the Planning Department. There are still a pile of issues to address."