064 Hurry to Move - Part 2

Sheng Qingru wondered if among the civilians there might be traitors—those who, believing they had figured out the squad’s strength, colluded with rioters to seize weapons and equipment. This hypothesis seemed plausible, but there was no evidence. The attackers were all dead, unable to testify, and launching an internal investigation rashly could unsettle the newly stabilized morale, doing more harm than good.

In the end, Wang Chen made the final call: the matter would be put on hold until new intelligence emerged.

The sudden assault indeed exposed weaknesses in the substation’s base. Aside from the perimeter wall that kept zombies at bay, there was little defense. With limited manpower and authority, calling in satellite support was difficult. Using Zhao Ying’s clearance to access satellite remote sensing for a few hours was already a stretch; maintaining twenty-four-hour satellite surveillance was a pipe dream. Moving to a more defensible new base was an option, but current personnel were insufficient. Establishing a sufficiently wide-ranging early warning system to compensate for the shortage of manpower became an urgent task.

After consulting Shen Dongyun about the early warning system, Wang Chen received a less-than-satisfactory answer. To install monitors around a perimeter of two to three thousand meters would require wired and wireless equipment beyond what the squad could gather. Wired devices needed power connections, requiring equipment and labor to string cables—setting up an electric grid would be enough on its own. Wireless devices, without power, would need solar panels and batteries, but that would make continuous operation unreliable. In short, it was a tough problem.

Finally, Yang Xiaohua, in charge of communications and satellite remote sensing, proposed a more feasible plan. Their primary concern was preventing insider leaks during the base’s clearing and relocation, which could tip off rioters to launch surprise attacks. Therefore, monitoring key traffic routes to the base during specific timeframes was sufficient. Besides posting reliable personnel with radios as covert sentries, they could deploy a drone on patrol. Yang Xiaohua had the idea while reviewing distress messages; if she hadn’t reminded him, the busy Wang Chen might have forgotten. Early messages mentioned a technician trapped near Xinxiang City, whose expertise included drone photography, videography, and remote sensing. Bringing him back to operate a drone as an aerial alarm was a perfect fit.

Without hesitation, they acted. The drone operator was located on the outskirts of Xinxiang City, roughly a hundred kilometers from the Tang ** warehouse. If the highway was clear, an armored vehicle could pick him up and return before dark. Once the operator cooperated, the move could proceed immediately.

Following Ren Wanrong’s suggestion, before the armored vehicle returned, he himself would man an ’88 sniper rifle, Ma Tian would handle an ’87 grenade launcher, and Fang Qiang a ’95 light machine gun. Among those rescued from the museum, aside from the half-witted, chubby youth always playing with kids, two men and a woman were assigned three shotguns under Ren Wanrong’s guarantee to assist Joanna in maintaining order inside the substation’s engine room.

For security, Fang Qiang recommended arming Cui Yongzhi, Chen Chong, Shu Chang, and Aunt Hao to guard the substation entrance. These four understood the base had been attacked without reason, and being newcomers, suspicion was natural. Even Chen Chong, who nearly engraved "Old Man n13" on his forehead, took a shotgun without fuss, leaning against the wall and handling it while maintaining his usual bravado. The others shared his attitude and saw no fault in the squad’s handling.

In these chaotic times, it was already hard enough for Squad Zero-Eight to earn their trust. Had a commander been more suspicious, accusing them of colluding with rioters and executing them on the spot, the civilians, struggling for stability, would have kept silent under the twin ‘comforts’ of antibiotics and bullets.

The tense atmosphere only eased when Wang Chen and his team returned safely. Perhaps the rioters’ assault was a one-time surge, or they retreated upon seeing the base’s tight defenses. Apart from Wang Chen sharpening his marksmanship with the modified ’95 rifle along the way, smashing over two dozen zombie skulls, nothing unusual happened.

As Ren Wanrong had analyzed, not every rescue was perilous. Rescuing Dai Jian, the technician, was relatively easy. Besides drones, he was practically a culinary idiot, the kind who only knew how to boil water. Without his uncle’s aid in the intelligence bureau sending the distress signal, he might have starved to death after finishing his instant noodles, not needing zombies or rioters.

Ma Tian guarded the first half of the night, Pablo the latter half. Well-fed, Dai Jian worked through the night at Wang Chen’s request until dawn, while others slept soundly. At first light, the entire substation base bustled. Aunt Hao led several women preparing breakfast for dozens. Orphans, under Hu Qianqian and Hua Jiangting’s guidance, washed up and did exercises. Core members of Squad Zero-Eight inspected weapons and vehicles for the move. Others busied themselves packing all portable supplies—furniture, beds, pots, pans—whether useful or not, they took everything.

After breakfast, Dai Jian’s drone patrol footage was complete. The young man, plain-faced, bespectacled, and noticeably stooped, was a tech fanatic. He had loved models since childhood and was skilled not only in drone technology but also photography, videography, and radio communications. Operating the satellite communication equipment brought by Cui Yongzhi was effortless for him, far better than Chen Chong, who arrogantly fiddled with his device but only managed to access national websites via manuals. Dai Jian and Yang Xiaohua made an ideal team.

With Dai Jian’s addition, the squad finally addressed its shortcomings in real-time monitoring and satellite communication. Deploying the armored vehicle, Dai Jian could remain at the base, coordinating via satellite channels with the vehicle’s onboard equipment, exchanging information, and even remotely launching drones from the vehicle for advance reconnaissance, minimizing casualties.

At seven in the morning, under brightening skies, Squad Zero-Eight’s armored vehicle and military Iveco departed the substation one after another. Fang Qiang, Ma Tian, Dai Jian, and Ren Wanrong stayed behind. Wang Chen led the clearing operation, accompanied by Sheng Qingru, Yang Xiaohua, and Pablo in the armored vehicle. Unlike before, the Iveco carried Cui Yongzhi, Chen Chong, Shu Chang, and over a dozen strong men as backup.