Chapter 251: Following Protocol

Chapter 251: Following Protocol

A day earlier, at midnight, the West Hill Base.

The information department received an urgent distress signal from Liu Ziyang, a member of the ACE Special Forces, sending the department into a state of emergency. This was the first time a special forces member had sent a distress signal during a mission, and the staff on duty were unsure how to handle the situation.

The West Hill Base had only recently established its internal organizational structure, and the communication and responsibilities between departments were still somewhat loose. The staff didn’t know what to do with this unprecedented situation. The staff member who received the distress signal immediately reported it to Information Minister Geng Yilin, seeking his instructions.

Geng Yilin frowned deeply when he saw the report. "A distress signal?"

The information department didn’t have the authority to command troops, so Geng Yilin could only report the situation to the leader, Chen Xinian, and wait for his decision. However, there was a problem—Chen Xinian was very strict about his schedule and had already gone to bed. Waking him up at this hour could be risky; if Chen Xinian was displeased, Geng Yilin could lose his position.

Seeing Geng Yilin’s hesitation, a subordinate said, "But if we don’t report it and something goes wrong, won’t we be held responsible?"

Geng Yilin’s frown deepened. Having spent decades navigating the complexities of bureaucratic life, he knew the importance of avoiding blame. His priority was always to protect himself from potential fallout. But this situation left him in a difficult position.

After a moment of thought, Geng Yilin made a decision. He didn’t want to personally take the risk, so he decided to report the situation to Ling Feng, the captain of the ACE Special Forces. Since the two personnel in question were from the special forces, Ling Feng would be more invested in their well-being than anyone else.

Geng Yilin hurried to the special forces area and woke Ling Feng through the duty soldiers. Soon, a group of fierce-looking special forces members gathered before Geng Yilin. The ACE Special Forces were the most elite warriors at West Hill Base, consisting primarily of specially trained soldiers and Superhumans, although most of the Superhumans were artificial creations.

Ling Feng, a short but powerfully built officer with dark muscles bulging under his green short-sleeved shirt, led the group. Despite his lack of height, the other, taller special forces members around him looked up to him respectfully.

The group’s fierce demeanor intensified when they saw Geng Yilin, their eyes radiating hostility. "What happened to Liu Ziyang and Xie Huanhuan?" Ling Feng asked, arms crossed.

Geng Yilin quickly explained the situation, "We received their distress signal five minutes ago. We’ve confirmed their location but can’t act without the leader’s permission."

Ling Feng saw through Geng Yilin’s hesitation immediately. But for the sake of his team members, he decided to go directly to Chen Xinian and request permission to launch a rescue operation. After all, in the post-apocalyptic world, many of their comrades had died in blizzards or during experiments to create artificial Superhumans. Those who survived were few, making each one invaluable.

Ling Feng and a few of his subordinates quickly went to the First Life Pod, where Chen Xinian resided—the most heavily guarded place in West Hill Base. Without Chen Xinian’s permission, no one could enter. In terms of defense, this place surpassed even Zhang Yi’s shelter.

Upon arrival, Secretary Ge Rou stopped Ling Feng. "Captain Ling, it’s late. Please don’t disturb the leader’s rest. Report whatever it is tomorrow."

Ling Feng replied urgently, "Two of our special forces members, Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang, are in danger and have sent a distress signal to the base. I must report this immediately!"

Ge Rou responded with a faint smile, "I understand your concern, Captain Ling, but you need to realize that no matter how hard your team members work, it can’t compare to our leader's daily effort for the base's survival. He’s just gone to bed, and waking him now would be irresponsible to the entire base."

The special forces members behind Ling Feng grew furious. "Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang are likely facing life-threatening danger, or they wouldn’t have sent a distress signal. If we delay, they could die!"

Ge Rou maintained her calm demeanor, "Trust in your comrades. Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang are excellent special forces members with strong combat skills. They can take care of themselves."

The special forces members’ anger was evident, with veins bulging on their foreheads as they glared at Ge Rou, barely restraining themselves from attacking her. Ling Feng remained stern as he spoke to Ge Rou, "Lives are at stake here. Please relay the message to the leader."

Ge Rou’s polite smile didn’t waver, but her tone turned firm, "Captain Ling, do you think the safety of two special forces members is more important than our leader’s rest? The entire West Hill Base could be at risk if the leader doesn't sleep enough. We’re talking about the lives of thousands of survivors here!"

The special forces members erupted angrily, "What kind of talk is that? Are the lives of special forces members not important?"

Ge Rou replied gently, "I’m not saying that. I’m just stating that in West Hill Base, the leader’s well-being is paramount."

Ling Feng raised his arm, stopping his enraged team members from lashing out. He asked Ge Rou one last time, "Is there no way to make an exception? Every special forces member is a valuable asset to the base."

Ge Rou bowed slightly, "I’m sorry, but I can’t do anything."

After a moment of silence, Ling Feng turned away. "Let’s go, back to the base!"

His voice was hoarse as he gave the order. The special forces members were distraught, unwilling to abandon their comrades who might be facing a life-or-death situation. But soldiers were bound by their duty to follow orders, no matter how reluctant they were.

Ge Rou watched them leave, her smile fading as she resumed her standard, emotionless posture in front of Chen Xinian’s door​.

Author's Note