The Calm Before the Storm

The military base's atmosphere had shifted. Though Ma Cheng and his soldiers had agreed to join forces, tension lingered in the air like a storm waiting to break. Trust was fragile, and every move was being watched.

Xu Lian and Yu Xian stood outside, watching the setting sun cast long shadows over the compound. The air was thick with the scent of gun oil and sweat signs of the military's rigorous training.

"Do you trust them?" Yu Xian asked, arms crossed over his chest.

Lian exhaled slowly. "Trust is a luxury we don't have. But we need them. Ma Cheng knows how to lead, and his people are trained. They won't break easily when the world falls apart."

Yu Xian nodded, his sharp gaze scanning the perimeter. "Then we make sure they don't turn on us when things get bad."

Lian smirked. "That's the plan."

Before either of them could say more, Lian's phone buzzed. She glanced down at the screen and saw a message from Chen.

"Warehouse secured. Returning soon. We need to talk."

Her stomach tightened. If Chen was being cryptic, something was wrong.

"We should head back," she said.

Yu Xian gave one last glance at the soldiers before nodding. "Let's move."

---

Unsettling News

By the time Lian and Yu Xian arrived at their hideout, Chen was already waiting with Jiao and Lin Wei. Their faces were grim.

"What happened?" Lian asked, sitting across from them.

Chen leaned forward, his expression unreadable. "Jiang Hao agreed to work with us, but he's watching us closely. He knows something is coming, but he doesn't fully trust us yet."

Jiao scoffed. "That's an understatement. He's treating this like a power struggle."

Lian frowned. "We knew this wouldn't be easy. But what's the problem?"

Chen's jaw tightened. "It's not just him. Word is spreading. People are noticing bulk purchases, strange movements. There's talk of an underground network forming people who suspect something big is coming but don't know what."

Lian's pulse quickened. "That's too soon. The outbreak isn't supposed to start for weeks."

Lin Wei rubbed his temples. "Fear spreads faster than the infection."

Yu Xian's expression darkened. "Which means people are going to start acting desperate."

Lian cursed under her breath. If panic set in too early, it would throw everything into chaos before they were ready.

"We need to control the information," she said. "If the wrong people start preparing too soon, the military might crack down before the outbreak even starts."

Chen nodded. "We keep a low profile, but we move fast. Supplies first, then alliances. And we keep an eye on Jiang Hao."

Lian exhaled. "Agreed. We don't have time for mistakes."

---

Gathering the Pieces

Over the next few days, their group worked tirelessly.

Lian continued stockpiling food and medicine, stretching the limits of her space. The more she stored, the more energy it drained from her, but she pushed through the exhaustion.

Chen focused on weapons, ensuring they had enough firepower to defend themselves when the time came.

Yu Xian took charge of training. He worked with Ma Cheng's soldiers, testing their skills and eliminating any weaknesses. Not all of them liked it, but they listened.

Jiao and Lin Wei focused on intelligence tracking movements, listening for rumors, and ensuring they stayed ahead of any threats.

By the end of the week, they had enough supplies to last months. But it still wasn't enough.

"We need a secure base," Yu Xian said one evening. "This hideout won't last when the outbreak begins."

Chen leaned against the table. "I've been looking into abandoned facilities. There's an old military outpost just outside the city. Could be a good fallback point."

Lian nodded. "Then we check it out. We need a place we can defend."

Yu Xian smirked. "Let's see if it's worth the trouble."

---

A Dangerous Discovery

The next morning, the group set out toward the abandoned outpost. The drive was quiet, tension thick in the air.

The facility was surrounded by high fences, watchtowers, and a sturdy gate. From the outside, it looked intact untouched.

But something felt off.

Yu Xian stepped forward, motioning for silence. "Stay sharp."

They moved carefully, sweeping the perimeter before entering the main building. The inside was dusty but undisturbed. No footprints, no signs of recent activity.

Lian exhaled. "Looks like no one's been here in years."

Chen moved to the storage rooms, checking supplies. "Some old rations. Ammo crates. Nothing recent."

Jiao frowned. "Then why does it feel like we're being watched?"

A creak sounded from deeper inside.

Everyone froze.

Yu Xian signaled for silence before drawing his weapon. Lian and Chen followed suit.

They moved forward, every step slow and deliberate. As they rounded the corner, they saw it—

A freshly lit cigarette smoldering in an ashtray.

"Someone's here," Lian whispered.

A door slammed shut.

Yu Xian bolted forward. "Move!"

The chase was on.

Lian ran after Yu Xian, her pulse hammering. They stormed through the hallway, following the fading sound of footsteps. Whoever it was, they were fast.

Chen took another route, cutting off any potential exits. "They're heading for the back!" he called out.

Lian pushed forward, her breathing steady despite the adrenaline flooding her veins. Just as they turned the last corner, the back door swung open, and a shadowy figure slipped through.

Without hesitation, Yu Xian leapt forward, grabbing the fleeing figure by the arm and slamming them against the wall.

A sharp gasp.

A young man barely in his twenties, his face gaunt but his eyes sharp with intelligence stared back at them.

"Let me go," he hissed.

Lian stepped forward. "Who are you?"

The man's jaw clenched. "I was here first."

Chen arrived, gun raised. "That's not an answer."

The stranger exhaled sharply. "I've been living here. Keeping it hidden."

Yu Xian's grip tightened. "You've been hiding supplies?"

The man hesitated, then nodded.

Lian exchanged glances with Chen and Yu Xian. If this guy had been here all this time, he knew the outpost better than they did.

She made a decision. "We need information. You tell us what you know, and maybe we let you stay."

The young man's eyes flickered with something unreadable. He was weighing his options. Finally, he sighed. "Fine. But you won't like what I have to say."

Lian crossed her arms. "Try us."

The man exhaled. "This place isn't abandoned. It was left on purpose."

Silence fell over the group.

Lian's gut twisted. "What do you mean?"

The stranger's voice was grim. "Because something is buried here. And if you stay long enough, you'll find out why they never came back."

The wind howled outside, sending a shiver down Lian's spine.

This wasn't just a safe house. It was a trap.

---