Chapter 16

Hebei Province, Shenzhou City, March 23, 2030 — 7:45 AM

On a vast square, over 250 soldiers stood aligned in tight columns, their rifles in hand. In front of them, a senior officer with a microphone dominated the assembly, his stern gaze scanning the new recruits.

Behind makeshift barriers, families watched the scene in tears. A mother, maddened with grief, tried to throw herself toward her son, but two reservists stopped her immediately.

— You bunch of filthy bastards! Your miserable lives will finally serve for something!

The sergeant's booming voice echoed across the square.

— This operation is not only crucial for China, but for all of humanity!

He paused, then spoke in a martial tone:

— Chinese troops will launch a counteroffensive on Beijing to restore the rule of law. We are going to crush these bastards with white eyes!

A heavy silence settled. The recruits exchanged hesitant looks. Suddenly, a young soldier stepped forward, his fists trembling with anger.

— You're sick... You forced us to enlist, and now you expect us to fight for a dictatorship?!

His revolt spread through the ranks. Other voices rose.

— Why should we fight for this country, huh?!

— I don't want to die! Not against those things!

— I'm leaving, this is out of the question...

Dozens of recruits dropped their weapons to the ground. An infantry officer immediately drew his rifle, his eyes dark.

— Those who flee will be executed for treason.

The threat chilled the assembly.

Wen, silent until then, seized the chaos to slip toward the crowd. He searched for little Yun with his eyes. But as soon as he took a step, a rifleman aimed at him.

— Get back in line, kid.

Wen stared at the soldier, impassive.

— I'm not leaving her. No matter what awaits me out there.

Before the situation could escalate, a lieutenant ripped the microphone from the sergeant's hands and stepped forward under the tense gazes.

— Listen to me carefully! His voice carried a cold authority.

— I release those who want to leave. Run if you want. But if you leave, you'll never be able to fight these monsters again!

He paused, observing the hesitant deserters.

— If fear eats you up to the point where you abandon your loved ones, then leave. If you want to offer your family a horrific death under the claws of the starving, then leave!

A shiver ran through the recruits. The atmosphere shifted. Some lifted their heads, others tightened their grips on their weapons. Courage began to sprout in their hearts.

Wen, for his part, finally found Yun in the crowd. He knelt before her, his gaze softened.

— I'll come back, okay?

He hugged her tightly.

— Take care of her.

He said to the nurse, who nodded silently.

— No... Big brother, don't go!

Mei burst into tears, desperately clinging to him.

Wen smiled gently, stroking her hair.

— I will protect you.

He removed a worn necklace from his neck and placed it in Mei's palm.

— Here, it's a gift.

— What... is this?

She whispered, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes.

— A good luck charm.

He stood up and slowly pulled away. Yun, driven by a sudden impulse, wanted to run after him, but the nurse held her back firmly.

The lieutenant spoke again:

— Three days ago, to the north, the famous "Operation to Reconquer the Indian Lands" was launched.

He swept his gaze over the assembly.

— Its name sounded nice, didn't it? Yet, millions of civilians were sacrificed to the starving to save our resources.

A murmur ran through the soldiers.

— Even if you manage to flee, you'll face internal wars, strange physical phenomena, and conflicts for food.

At these words, some exchanged troubled glances. They had already heard about these strange events.

— Soldiers, here begins the final fight for humanity's survival!

A silence. Then, voices rose.

— We'll show them!

— For my mother...

One by one, the 250 soldiers climbed into the transport trucks. The engines roared, tearing through the silence of the square.

Half an hour later, a massive convoy of civilians and military personnel set off toward Beijing.