Chapter 19: Remote Control Adventure

Half a second later, the console's large screen displayed lines of text and a clear image – the real-time feed from the medium-sized truck and its forward-facing camera.

"Cab temperature 62 degrees, outdoor temperature 55 degrees," Su Wu noted, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. Venturing out in such heat would likely have caused immediate heatstroke. Remote operation was definitely the safer option.

He activated the truck's engine and driving system. The vehicle silently exited the farmyard and headed onto the highway, escorted by the three-drone reconnaissance formation. The truck's limited field of vision was supplemented by the drones' aerial perspective, allowing for better route planning and hazard avoidance.

While Su Wu wasn't physically present, the truck and robot represented significant assets. Caution was paramount.

The journey was uneventful, a quiet passage through the desolate landscape. Withered vegetation and sun-baked gravel stretched as far as the eye could see. Only within the city limits did they occasionally encounter other vehicles, their numbers dwindling.

The official evacuation was nearing completion. Most city residents were now safely sheltered.

"It's over," Su Wu murmured, observing the desolate streets. He felt the impact of the doomsday for the first time. He wondered if his own shelter, a mere ten meters underground, could withstand the extreme heat and potential natural disasters.

"The shelter has one-meter-thick concrete walls, reinforced with two-millimeter-thick steel plates," he calculated. "The insulation should be better than a typical basement or underground parking lot. Plus, the upgraded ventilation and air conditioning should put it above most official shelters. If the sealing is good enough, it might withstand surface temperatures of 200 to 500 degrees."

The conclusion offered some reassurance. His safety was likely guaranteed. Furthermore, the ongoing expansion and deepening of the shelter provided additional layers of protection. In terms of growth potential and resilience, his refuge rivaled the smallest official shelters.

Twenty minutes later, the truck left the city and entered a small path leading to a suburban village. It stopped in front of a two-story house.

The construction robot, in the driver's seat, exited the truck, crossbow in hand.

"No signs of life detected," Su Wu observed, switching to the robot's perspective. He directed it to circle the house before approaching the main entrance.

Unlike the unassuming exterior, the front door was secured by an unusual electronic keypad. Perhaps due to the extreme heat, the keypad was sluggish. Su Wu, controlling the robot, tried several times without success.

"What a piece of junk," he muttered, about to have the robot fetch a hammer from the truck when, with a click, the lock finally opened.

The interior was empty, save for a pile of tools in the corner.

"Not here. Let's check upstairs," Su Wu instructed. He patiently guided the robot up the stairs. In a bedroom, they found a box of neatly packaged chips, still in their plastic wrapping.

"That's them. They look well-preserved," Su Wu remarked, relieved. He was about to have the robot take the chips downstairs when he noticed a photo frame on the bedside table.

The photo showed a beautiful young girl snuggling against a middle-aged man, both smiling shyly at the camera. The girl's eyes radiated happiness and hope.

"Hmm," Su Wu hesitated, then asked the robot to take the photo frame as well. He had a feeling it might be important to someone.

With the chips secured, Su Wu had the robot load all the tools and materials from the first floor into the truck. These were, after all, his delivery fee.

Half an hour later, the truck returned to the farmyard.

Su Wu unloaded the chips and then loaded ten kilograms of lettuce and other items onto the truck. Lettuce deteriorated quickly in the heat. To ensure freshness, Su Wu opted for this separate delivery, rather than loading it earlier. For him, it was simply a matter of wasted electricity; he wasn't the one driving.

With no other tasks, the delivery was swift. Fifteen minutes after loading, the construction robot, in the truck, arrived at the seller's shelter.

"Thank you," the seller, a thin middle-aged man, said, surprised to see the robot. He was grateful to receive the goods. He had been prepared to be cheated.

"The payment is complete," Su Wu replied, controlling the robot to wave before it re-entered the truck. He then set off for the return journey.

Watching the truck leave, the middle-aged man wiped his brow, relieved. He hurried back into the shelter.

"Someone actually delivered it," the official at the shelter's entrance remarked, surprised. Going outside at this time, with the extreme heat and the risk of heatwaves, was truly life-threatening. Most wouldn't dare.

"I got lucky," the middle-aged man replied. "I met a good buyer." He didn't mention the robot.

"By the way, this is a small token of my appreciation," he said, offering some lettuce to the official. Even though it had only been a day or two since the mass shelter entry, the crop failures and loss of farming tools were already affecting everyone. Fresh vegetables were becoming a luxury. Even for government workers, this was a thoughtful gift.

(End of Chapter)