The convoy slowly drove out through the east gate of Jinxiu Gardens. Nathan Cole gazed through the window at the desolate streets, saying nothing.
It was not as though he did not want to lend a hand and help those survivors.
But restoring the water and electricity was the most urgent matter now. He had to make choices.
Once water and electricity were restored, not only Heping Town but every survivor throughout Yuzhong County would benefit.
With water and power, they would be able to hold out longer as well.
Martin Hale, seated beside him, looked over the interior of the vehicle before turning toward the silent Nathan.
Several times, he wanted to speak, but he was afraid of interrupting Nathan’s thoughts.
After the convoy had traveled a little over a hundred meters and was about to turn back onto Heping Avenue, loud gunfire suddenly erupted from around the street corner!
"All vehicles, stay alert!" Ethan Blake’s voice came through the radio channel, instantly putting everyone on edge.
Daniel Ward turned to Nathan and said, "Commander, judging by the gunfire, it sounds like an MP5 and MP-443 Grach pistols!"
At Daniel’s words, Nathan turned to look at the police checkpoint beside the road.
Several seconds later, he saw three police officers firing as they ran frantically around the corner toward the convoy.
A large horde of zombies was chasing after them, claws raised and teeth bared.
"Vehicle Two, clear the zombies. All other vehicles, remain alert. No personnel are to dismount without authorization!" Ethan decisively ordered.
The heavy machine gun on Vehicle Two’s roof immediately responded. Thud-thud-thud! Thud-thud-thud! Its 12.7mm rounds lashed toward the street corner like a fiery whip, carrying devastating force.
Wherever they struck, the zombies were instantly torn into heaps of severed limbs and mangled flesh, while a thick stench of blood spread through the air.
At the same time Vehicle Two opened fire, the vehicle-mounted machine guns on Vehicles One and Three swiftly swung their barrels toward the police officers by the road.
Nathan paid no attention at all to the zombies ahead. Instead, he studied the three officers through the window.
Their police field uniforms were already filthy, covered in dust and bloodstains, and their stab-resistant vests were somewhat damaged as well.
Their police caps sat crookedly on their heads, their brims soaked with sweat, while exhaustion and terror were written across their faces.
One held an MP5, while the other two carried MP-443 Grach pistols.
Once they saw that all the zombies had been killed, the three officers quickly gathered together and exchanged a few quiet words. Then, in unspoken coordination, they engaged their weapons’ safeties, holstered their pistols, and slung the submachine gun over one officer’s back.
Seeing this, Nathan spoke directly over the channel. "Ethan, get out and take a look. Everyone else, maintain security!"
"Yes, Commander!" Ethan acknowledged. He quickly dismounted, slung his rifle across his chest, and walked over to them.
When he approached, the lead officer, wearing the insignia of a senior police officer, stepped forward. After saluting, he said loudly, "Soldier, I’m Officer Aaron Wells of the Heping Police Checkpoint, High-Tech Zone Branch, Lanzhou Municipal Police Department. Thank you for your assistance!"
As he spoke, he took out his police identification and presented it with both hands.
Ethan returned the salute, accepted the ID, and examined it carefully. Then he said, "Officer, my unit belongs to a highly classified organization. I’m unable to disclose our designation. Please understand."
The claim of being a classified unit was the cover story Nathan and the others had repeatedly discussed and settled on for dealing with outsiders.
The System could give him soldiers and combat equipment, but it could not give him a legitimate identity.
Ever since the disaster began and no official announcement had ever arrived, Nathan had keenly realized that the official authorities had most likely been destroyed in this catastrophe.
The only ones that might have survived by chance were likely small, isolated remnants of troops scattered across various places.
As long as they insisted that they were a classified unit, no one could verify otherwise amid the current information blackout and chaos.
Besides, Nathan had even more far-reaching plans. Once he was capable of conducting large-scale airdrops, anyone who saw massive transport aircraft filling the sky would naturally assume that a huge secret base stood behind him.
And by then, the force under his command should be powerful enough. Who would dare question where Nathan came from?
Hearing Ethan’s explanation, Aaron waved his hands repeatedly. As police officers, they regularly studied confidentiality regulations. They knew perfectly well what they should and should not ask.
As for their identities, he did not harbor the slightest doubt.
Judging by Ethan’s sophisticated equipment and the steel beasts behind him that periodically spat fire and gunned down zombies, who besides the military could possibly obtain such things within the Eastern Alliance?
After they exchanged a few more brief words, Ethan reported their situation to Nathan in detail.
Now that their identities had been confirmed, Nathan no longer hesitated. He opened the door and stepped out, with Daniel quickly following behind him.
Aaron saw a captain step out of the vehicle, while the sergeant who had just spoken with him addressed the man as Commander.
Though he was full of doubts and could not make sense of their chain of command, he still took the initiative to salute and greet him.
Nathan returned the salute, then smiled and extended his hand to shake Aaron’s.
Aaron then said, "Commander, because of the viral infection, fewer than a quarter of our checkpoint personnel remained on duty during this period. Then, starting the day before yesterday..." At this point, Aaron’s eyes abruptly reddened, and his voice choked up.
He tilted his head up slightly and struggled to compose himself before continuing. "So many officers and auxiliary officers suddenly turned into those terrifying monsters. The three of us escaped only because we were outside the checkpoint carrying out inspection duties and had not been infected."
"Later, we shot them dead, but the gunfire also drew a large number of zombies."
"We were desperately short-handed and had little ammunition, so we could only hide inside the checkpoint. For the past few days, we haven’t been able to contact our superiors or receive any support..."
"Today, we suddenly heard dense gunfire coming from the nearby residential compound and guessed that the military had arrived. When we saw the convoy through a window in the rear wall, we risked our lives to rush out!"
Listening to Aaron’s account, Nathan’s mood darkened as well. The pain of personally shooting comrades one had spent every day with was something ordinary people could never understand.
So Nathan asked gently, "What are you planning to do now? Go look for your superiors?"
At Nathan’s question, Aaron’s expression became solemn. He said earnestly, "Commander, we have nowhere to go. If possible, we request permission to follow your unit."
Aaron understood the situation perfectly. With only three guns and barely any ammunition left, rashly searching for their superiors in this zombie-infested apocalypse would be nothing less than courting death.
Besides, whether their superiors even still existed was unknown.
They might as well move with this well-equipped military force. At the very least, their safety would be assured.
Nathan considered Aaron’s request for a moment before agreeing.
He would definitely establish a shelter later on, and Aaron and the others would be just right for maintaining internal security.
That was their profession. Their skills matched the job, and they would be able to help tremendously.
When Aaron heard that Nathan was willing to take them in, a flash of delight crossed his eyes. He saluted and thanked him repeatedly in excitement.
Nathan waved his hand and said apologetically, "Officer Wells, our assault vehicles are already full. I’m afraid you’ll have to make do with riding in that high-mobility cargo truck for now."
Hearing Nathan’s words, Aaron hurriedly replied, "Commander, you’re too kind. In times like these, having a vehicle to ride in is already a blessing. How could we ask for anything more?"
Nathan then arranged for someone to take the three officers to the KamAZ-6350 8×8 high-mobility cargo truck.
Once inside his vehicle, Nathan immediately issued an order over the channel. "All vehicles, attention. Temporary change to the convoy order. Vehicle Three will bring up the rear and follow Vehicle Five. Increase vigilance!"
With the order issued, the convoy started moving once more. After slowly turning onto Heping Avenue, it headed toward Dingyuan Town.
Inside the high-mobility cargo truck’s compartment, the three officers watched the convoy change formation. One younger officer wore a dissatisfied expression and muttered quietly, "What does this mean? Are they guarding against us?"
Aaron frowned upon hearing that. He shot the man a hard glare and rebuked him in a low voice, "Cut the nonsense. What kind of world is this now? You can’t be too careful around people. If you were the convoy commander and faced several strangers of unknown background, wouldn’t you be cautious? If carelessness caused trouble and put everyone’s lives in danger, could you bear that responsibility?"
With Aaron glaring at him like that, the young officer immediately wilted like an eggplant struck by frost. He lowered his head and did not dare make another sound.
Aaron tugged at his collar and continued with a complicated expression. "The world has changed. From now on, we just need to obediently follow their orders. Remember that, and don’t try to be clever. If something happens later, don’t blame me for not warning you!"
As the convoy continued onward, the three men watched the checkpoint fade farther and farther from sight. Memories of the past surged into their minds like a tide, leaving their hearts full of melancholy.
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