49: Chapter 49 Emergency Plan

"Commander, Tiangang and Qian Luo encountered a Tier 2 Zombie in Mozhou City," Xiao Lin reported.

"What's the situation now?" Oriental Chen asked.

"The Tier 2 Zombie is dead. Both of them are unconscious," Xiao Lin replied.

"Hmm. Tier 2 Zombies have territorial awareness, so other zombies likely won't venture into its territory. They should be relatively safe inside. Send remote commands to the mechanical dogs to strictly protect their safety," Oriental Chen said.

"Understood, Commander."

"Are there any others nearby?" Oriental Chen asked.

"The closest ones are Niu Xingwang, who just arrived at Meilin Settlement, and Yun Que from Huai Ling Settlement," Xiao Lin replied.

"It seems there's no way to send them reinforcements; they'll have to rely on themselves! I should have been more resolute and trained Luoer better before, otherwise, a situation like this wouldn't have occurred today!" Oriental Chen thought to himself.

"Xiao Lin, how is the safe house construction coming along?" Oriental Chen asked.

The so-called safe houses are secret entrances used to connect with the outside world after the base's main entrance is destroyed. A total of 12 safe houses were built in the first batch. For safety, their locations were set quite far away, dispersed among several abandoned courtyards in the suburbs of Binzhou City. If a safe house is exposed later, it will be immediately destroyed.

At the same time, beneath each safe house, an underground passage directly connected to the base will be established. The passages will have tracks, similar to horizontal elevators, capable of transporting goods and people.

"The safe house closest to us has been completed, and the passage has been opened. The second one is currently under construction," Xiao Lin reported.

"Good. Share the location with Fang Hua and Niu Xingwang. Tell them that all future transactions will take place there."

"Understood, Commander."

...

Huaguo, Capital, Council Building.

December 15, 2054, morning.

"Councilman Yan, is your information reliable?" a man in his 60s asked.

"Your Excellency, Speaker, it is absolutely true. I assume you all know that when the epidemic broke out, someone provided us with complete information about the virus."

"That's right!" the Speaker replied.

"The person who revealed that information is also him!" Yan Zhengping answered.

The Speaker nodded and asked everyone:

"What do you all think?"

"I have a question!" a woman in her 50s spoke up.

"Oh? Councilwoman Hu, please speak," Yan Zhengping said politely.

Councilwoman Director Hu Qingying serves as the Director of the Health Department, and the Emergency Response Department for Sudden Incidents also falls under her jurisdiction.

"How do you prove that the source of the information is the same as last time?" Director Hu Qingying asked.

"I apologize, I cannot prove it. However, similarly, I also cannot prove that the source of the information is different," Yan Zhengping replied.

"In that case, why did everyone else not receive the message this time, and only you did?" He Jinghui, the Director of the Security Department, immediately followed up.

"You'll have to ask the person who sent the message themselves!" Councilman Yan answered impolitely.

The scene fell silent for a moment.

"Alright. Since the person who sent the message has a way to evade our investigation, discussing this issue further has no practical meaning. Let's return to the previous topic. Old Jing, what do you say?" the Speaker said.

Old Jing, Jing Cheng, a Council member, current Director of the Culture Department, and a materials science Expert.

"Red Oxygen does exist, but it is not stable. Moreover, the environment outside the atmosphere is affected by radiation, making the situation complex and unpredictable. As for whether it will form such a stable regular dodecahedral structure, I cannot determine at present. I can only say that it is logically plausible," Jing Cheng replied.

"In that case, upon your return, immediately order the Science Department to establish a task force to conduct research on this topic," the Speaker said.

"Understood," Jing Cheng replied.

"Councilman Yan, since we currently cannot ascertain the authenticity of the information, what are your suggestions?" the Speaker turned to Yan Zhengping and asked.

"I personally believe it's better to believe it exists than to believe it doesn't. The collapse of the entire ecosystem would have a fatal impact on us humans. I propose that we immediately discuss and formulate an emergency plan to cope with potential future risks," Yan Zhengping replied.

"Alright, do any of you have different opinions?" the Speaker asked.

No one answered.

"Since no one has a different opinion, let's proceed to a vote. Please raise your hand if you agree to formulate an emergency plan," the Speaker announced.

The Council members raised their hands one after another.

"Alright, 17 votes in favor. In that case, tomorrow we will proceed to the next agenda item: discussing the emergency plan. Meeting adjourned!" the Speaker said.

...

Yusu Province, Mozhou City, Meilin Settlement.

"Boss Niu, I didn't lie to you, did I? Meilin is a treasure land. From the Warring States period onwards, it has been a strategic location for military strategists. Look at these tall walls, and rows of houses—they definitely offer the best conditions in any Settlement!" Mayor Gong and Niu Xingwang walked down the street, talking as they went.

"Absolutely, following Mayor Gong, you can't go wrong!" Boss Niu flattered him.

"By the way, how is your chamber of commerce coming along?" Mayor Gong cut to the chase.

"It's still in preparation," Niu Xingwang said awkwardly.

"Are you encountering any problems?" Mayor Gong asked, puzzled.