The sound of the waves crashing was no longer crisp, becoming thick and dull, and each time it reached its peak, it descended with a rumbling noise.
The sky and sea were one, pitch black and oppressive.
The office buildings of the four industrial parks became the only light in the entire world.
The urgent knocking and the stormâs battering of the metal sheets sounded one after another.
One by one, the uneasy survivors from the shelter stepped out and then accepted the soldiersâ interrogation and allocation orders.
They returned to their narrow rooms filled with fear.
Qu Hang stood on the highest level of the metal framework, listening to the whispers the wind brought him.
His dark green coat was flapping noisily in the wind.
Not a single drop of rain fell on the sniper rifle he held.
Suddenly, Qu Hangâs ear twitched, and he responded softly.
Judging from the movement of his lips, it should have been a "yes".
He walked to the edge of the steel framework and looked at the busy armed train below, withdrew his gaze, and jumped from the more than ten-meter-high framework to the rooftop.
He asked Lin Jin, who was guarding in front of the metal house, "Is the train conductor done?"
The latter shook his head, "Whatâs the matter?"
"Did you just receive Sister Yueâs message?"
"Received it, but I donât know what happened."
"Creakââ"
The metal door behind opened, and Su Huan came out stretching.
"That old man is really stubborn."
Through his friendly negotiation, the Iron Mountain Shelter decided to deploy everyone, assist the armed train in finding the necessary electronic components, and contribute all their heavy firepower and two-thirds of their weapons.
Su Huan also generously left some crude grass seeds to help the Iron Mountain Shelter escape the crisis.
And strive to ensure the safety of most people, allowing them to survive and return here.
Initially, the old man didnât want to agree, thinking Su Huanâs three conditions were somewhat bullying.
The shelter and the armed train could engage in some free trade.
Su Huan was puzzled.
Isnât this free?
The old man considered this triangular trade and believed, as compatriots, they should respect their human rights.
Su Huan did not back down.
The old man threatened with death, saying he would jump down.
Su Huan told him to jump.
The old man didnât jump.
Su Huan wanted to help him.
The old man said if he died, the shelter would become chaotic.
Su Huan said not that many people were needed.
The old man admitted defeat.
Su Huan relaxed his hand and gave them that promise.
Upon hearing the sound of the door, Xiaodong suddenly darted out from the corner, looking at Su Huan with eager eyes.
Seeing his worried expression, Su Huan shifted aside, and Iron Old Manâs slightly hunched figure stood out from the door, finally letting Xiaodong breathe a sigh of relief.
Iron Old Man looked deeply at Su Huan, "I hope you keep your promise."
"As long as itâs a deal, I never break my word. Instead, you better not die from some headache or cold, having five thousand people in chaos would be troublesome for me."
Su Huan said calmly.
Iron Old Manâs voice was deep, "Youâre powerful now, but you wonât last long. Only unity can overcome this natural disaster."
Su Huan let out a light sigh, the white mist shooting nearly a meter through the heavy rain.
"That was the past era."
"United as one, with a common goal, any powerful enemy, any harsh environment, will surrender to us."
"Donât wait until you disperse to think about gathering."
"The organization is gone."
Just a simple sentence, yet like a stone, heavily falling to the ground.
"But weâre still alive, as long as one person is alive, the organization wonât perish..."
"Are you debating philosophy with me?"
Su Huan calmly retorted.
The old manâs breath hitched, perhaps realizing Su Huan held the lives of their five thousand shelter people in his hands, swallowed back his words.
The rumbling noise rose from below, and Su Huan turned to leave towards the edge.
Nobody knows the future better than he does.
It was the disintegration after all powerful orders vanished, technology, culture, education... all the symbols representing civilization were fading.
Natural disasters had shattered the accumulated advantages of thousands of years for humanity.
All things evolved, recontending for dominance.
Only by walking at the forefront of evolution can one see the scenery of the future.
Unity might be a path, but it wasnât the path he chose.
Everyone has the right to choose.
Su Huan did.
The Iron Mountain Shelter did as well.
Simply seeing the current outcome, if unity was useful, the Iron Mountain Shelter wouldnât yield easily under his gun.
But these words were too brutal.
Su Huan couldnât be bothered to hit back at an old man ready to enter the grave.
Let him hold on to his beliefs and return to the era in his memory.
Xiaodong stayed in place, looking at Iron Old Man, his eyes filled with guilt and unease.
He couldnât really understand what Iron Old Man and Su Huan were arguing about.
But he felt he had betrayed the shelter, and this feeling tormented him.
"You must stay united."
He didnât hear Grandpa Tieshanâs scolding, Xiaodong let out a sigh of relief.
He vaguely agreed.
...
With a whoosh, the mongoose charged onto the deck, its beast-like eyes fixating on the waterâs surface behind it.
Moments later, a suitcase-sized blue crab broke through the water, clawing fiercely on the surface.
The mongooseâs mouth curled upward, revealing sharp fangs, "Caught it! Donât let it escape!"
"This is the biggest one!"
The well-prepared logistics team members grabbed several large nets and pounced.
The blue crab felt deceived, angrily using its big claws to cut at the net on its body, but these nets were made of evolved materials, taking forever to cut a small piece.
In that time, four or five nets had already covered it.
Within the train, operating robotic arms dragged the large net, directly lifting the Tier One blue crab into the air.
The mongoose clapped its hands, turning to the staff, "How many do we have? Enough for research?"