**Chapter 40: Battle in the Town**

After breakfast, the entire camp gathered in front of the clubhouse. The modified armored truck now featured gunports along its sides and rear, allowing both ventilation and defense. Inside, makeshift seats lined the container for rest during missions.

"Seven guards stay behind. Use walkie-talkies for emergencies. No strangers allowed. Everyone else—load up!" Zhang Xiaowen barked.

The boys climbed into the truck, their faces taut with nerves. With a *clang*, the rear doors shut. Zhang fired up the engine as the Cube transformed into its toy race car, flashing red and blue lights like a miniature police escort.

"Decepticons, roll out! Er… Autobots!" The Cube's synthesized voice blared through hidden speakers before zooming ahead.

——

Three minutes later, the convoy reached the town outskirts. Rotted storefronts lined the streets, shadows flickering behind broken windows. Zhang parked the truck and stabbed an approaching zombie through the eye socket. "Squad, out! Rest of you—stay put and keep watch."

Five guards—Fatty Wang, Gao Dong, and three others—clambered down, assault rifles clutched awkwardly. "Single-fire mode only," Zhang reminded. "Waste bullets, and I'll feed you to the horde myself."

She pointed to a two-story warehouse with barred windows. "High ground. The Cube will lure them in. Shoot anything that moves."

*Vrrooom!* The Cube sped into town, blasting a pop song from its speakers: *"Follow me~ la-la-la~ Let's go!"*

Zombies twitched to life, drawn by the noise. Seven shambled after the toy car, moaning in unison.

"Run, you undead idiots! Paradise awaits~" the Cube taunted, zigzagging to keep their attention.

On the warehouse roof, Zhang and the squad aimed. Fatty Wang giggled nervously. "Cube's got style, huh?"

*Crack!*

Zhang's first shot dropped the lead zombie. The others opened fire—wild at first, then steadier as muscle memory kicked in. Black blood bloomed across rotting foreheads.

——

Meanwhile, light-years away…

The Cube's warship form floated near a barren planet, its massive hull scarred from dimensional travel. Repair drones swarmed like metallic ants. A warning flashed: *Rogue asteroid detected.*

A frigate's ion cannon charged, firing a blue pulse that shattered the space rock into harmless gravel. "The universe remains… untidy," the warship's AI mused.

A subroutine pinged—the Earth-bound scout's prolonged silence. *Odd. Even primitive humans shouldn't disable it… unless…*

—— Back on Earth, the town battle raged. The Cube herded zombies into kill zones while Zhang's squad picked them off. Gao Dong whooped as a headshot exploded like overripe fruit. "Got one!"

"Save the cheering," Zhang snapped, reloading. "We've got ninety-seven to go."

By midday, the streets ran black with ichor. The Cube circled a final cluster of zombies near the post office. "Encore! Who wants a front-row seat to oblivion?"

As gunfire echoed, a shadow moved in the hardware store's basement—a survivor's hand, pale and trembling, pressed against dusty glass.

The Cube's sensors missed it. For now.