As the cold wind blew in, Chen Hao was leaning against the command platform drinking water.

The water was a little cold, and he burped. His hand trembled, and the cup almost fell to the ground. Nana reached out and caught it, her movements so fast they seemed almost mechanical.

“If you keep shaking like that, I won’t give you the next cup,” she said.

Chen Hao rolled his eyes: "You're a robot, not my mom."

Susan came in from outside, her hair still wet and her coat stained with mud. She closed the door behind her, her voice a little hoarse: "The south wall is inspected. It's a bit deformed, but it hasn't cracked."

Carl followed behind, carrying a bunch of circuit boards and soldering gun parts: "The North District has also been checked. The welds are fine, but the power system is still alarming. We don't know which wire burned out."

Chen Hao nodded and put the empty cup on the table: "Okay, everyone's alive and the equipment is still functioning, which means we weren't scattered by the waves."

Nana turned on the projector, and a 3D map of the base immediately appeared on the wall, with red, yellow, and green markers flashing continuously.

“Initiate damage assessment,” she said. “The south wall experienced structural displacement after bearing pressure, and the repair level is B. The support points need to be recalibrated and the connections reinforced.”

"I don't understand." Chen Hao waved his hand. "Speak human language."

"The wall is crooked, it needs to be straightened, otherwise it might collapse when the next wave comes."

"Oh." Chen Hao stroked his chin. "Then it needs to be fixed."

"The sandbag layer on the east bank is intact, but there are two loose ground nails at the bottom. It is recommended to replace them."

"Write it down." Chen Hao looked at Susan. "You take some people to fix it."

"I can fall asleep right now," Susan said, leaning against the wall. "Could I lie down for ten minutes first?"

"No," Chen Hao said. "Lie down later, let's start the meeting now."

Carl snorted, sat down on a chair in the corner, and threw his toolbox on the ground: "You always say you'll lie down later, but you always end up staying up until midnight."

“This time it really won’t happen.” Chen Hao pointed at Nana. “She’s keeping track of the time. If you go over the time limit, she’ll make you work two extra hours.”

Nana nodded: "A monitoring program has been set up."

“You two teamed up to bully me,” Karl muttered.

Nobody paid him any attention.

Nana continued her report: "The water purification equipment is operating normally, but the main filter membrane has been used for 23% more than the safety threshold, posing a risk of sudden blockage."

"So we have to replace it again?" Chen Hao asked.

"yes."

When was the last time it was changed?

Seven days ago.

"Only seven days?" Susan frowned. "Logically, it should last for half a month."

“The tsunami brought too many suspended particles, which accelerated the loss,” Nana said. “In addition, we only have two spare membranes left in stock.”

"Then we'll use it sparingly," Chen Hao said, "prioritizing drinking water production."

"The lighting system is 80% restored." Nana switched the screen. "Two outer lights are damaged. The cables were soaked in water, causing a short circuit. Repairs will take at least six hours."

"What about electricity?" Chen Hao asked Karl.

“The main line is fine, but water got into the branch box and three fuses blew.” Carl pulled out a crumpled blueprint. “I have to check them one by one; it’ll probably take a day.”

"It's taking too long," Chen Hao shook his head. "Could we complete only part of it first?"

"Yes, but only the core area can be protected; the living areas will have to be shut down."

"Let's just break it off," Chen Hao said. "Anyway, nobody's in the mood to take a shower."

Susan glanced at him: "You seem to take it all in stride."

"If I can't let it go, who can?" Chen Hao shrugged. "I can't just cry, can I?"

No one laughed.

The air was silent for a second.

Nana suddenly spoke up: "Also, the medical kit is scattered, a bottle of disinfectant is missing, and a third of the bandages are damp."

"Make a note of it." Chen Hao rubbed his temples. "We'll check and reissue them later."

He straightened up and clapped his hands twice: "Alright, everything is clear now. Let's not fight anymore, let's fix things."

"Where should we fix it?" Carl asked.

“Three steps.” Chen Hao walked to the whiteboard, picked up a pen, and said, “First, stabilize the structure—the south wall must be straightened today, otherwise we’ll have endured these three waves for nothing; second, ensure energy supply—prioritize power restoration to at least keep the control room and water purification equipment powered; third, postpone living functions, and let anyone who wants to take a shower go to the beach.”

Susan said, "I think water is more important. Food can last for two days, but if the clean water is contaminated, we'll have to drink seawater in three days."

Carl immediately chimed in, "But without electricity, the water pump won't turn on, and water won't be pumped out."

“So we have to do it all at the same time,” Chen Hao said. “Susan leads the team to repair the wall, Carl fixes the electricity, Nana keeps an eye on the progress of both sides, and I coordinate back and forth.”

“Do I have to run errands again?” Carl complained.

“You have the best physical strength,” Chen Hao said. “Don’t pretend to be weak.”

"I am a technician, not a porter."

"Now I'm an all-around warrior." Chen Hao finished writing the mission list, took a step back, and said, "Can you achieve initial recovery within seventy-two hours?"

Susan glanced at her watch: "It's seven in the morning now, and it'll be this time in three days. Are you sure you don't want to rest?"

"Rest?" Chen Hao laughed. "You think I want to? But last night I dreamt that the waves swept me away, and when I woke up I found myself even more tired than in the dream, so I might as well not sleep at all."

Nana said, "Based on physiological data, you have been awake for nineteen consecutive hours. I suggest you close your eyes for at least thirty minutes."

“Closing your eyes for thirty minutes is a waste of thirty minutes.” Chen Hao pointed to the whiteboard. “See this word? ‘Preliminary recovery.’ We’re not here for a vacation.”

Carl sighed, stood up and stretched: "You're right, I can't sleep anyway, so I might as well get to work."

Susan also stood up: "I'll go get the protective suit."

"Wait a minute," Chen Hao called out to her, "Don't rush out yet. There's another problem—we don't have enough manpower."

The three of them looked at him at the same time.

“Karl knows about circuits and welding,” Chen Hao said. “But electricity and welding can’t be done at the same time. Susan can lead the team, but exterior wall maintenance requires at least two people working together.”

"So?" Carl asked.

“We’re adjusting the division of labor,” Chen Hao said. “Susan will be in charge of external affairs, working on the south wall and drainage system; Carl will be in charge of internal affairs, focusing on power repairs; Nana will provide remote support, producing blueprints, monitoring data, and coordinating resources; and I’ll run between the two sides to fill in for emergencies.”

"Then aren't you the most tired?" Susan said.

"I'm fat, I have a lot of fat, I can take it all in." Chen Hao patted his belly. "Besides, if I slack off, you guys will be the first to beat me up."

Nana said, "The feasibility assessment of the plan has been completed, and the resource and manpower matching rate is 82%, which is feasible."

"Then it's settled." Chen Hao grabbed the walkie-talkie. "Now notify all groups to be on high alert. We'll officially begin work in thirty minutes."

Susan walked towards the door, and as she put her hand on the doorknob, she turned back: "You really won't let me get some sleep?"

"Really not," Chen Hao said. "After we finish the work, I'll treat you to some compressed biscuits with half a spoonful of sugar."

"Half a spoonful?"

"Too much of it is too sweet."

Carl picked up his toolbox and walked out, saying to Nana as he passed by, "Have you finished that progress template?"

“Generation in progress.” Nana tapped her finger in the air. “Daily updates, automatic reminders for delayed items.”

“That’s good,” Carl said. “When the time comes, we’ll know at a glance who’s going to hold us back.”

“Including you,” Nana said.

I knew you'd say that.

Chen Hao stood in front of the command platform, looking at the task list on the whiteboard. The handwriting in the ballpoint pen was a little crooked, but he was too lazy to rewrite it.

He took a sip of water, but his throat was still dry.

"Nana, double-check the power restoration sequence."

"Main line → branch box → fuse module → load test," Nana replied. "The most time-consuming part is expected to be the waterproofing treatment, which requires disassembly, drying, and reinstallation."

"Then let Carl dismantle it first, and we'll take turns drying the wires tonight."

"Using an electric heat gun is more efficient."

"A heat gun needs electricity," Chen Hao laughed. "How can you bake anything without electricity?"

"A spare battery can be used."

"Oh." Chen Hao scratched his head. "I forgot you have a knowledge base."

“You often forget,” Nana said.

That's why I'm keeping you around.

When Susan returned, she was carrying a mission kit containing new gloves, rubber boots, and a notebook.

“I’m all ready,” she said. “Just give the order.”

Chen Hao glanced at the time: "Twenty minutes left."

Carl had already reached the door of the repair shop. He turned around, took a sip of water, and wiped a little water off his lips with the back of his hand.

“I’ll look at the circuit diagram first,” he said. “After that, I’ll start unpacking.”

"Don't dismantle the wrong one," Chen Hao shouted.

"You're the one who's old and blind."

Nana is entering the reconstruction plan, and lines of data scroll rapidly across the screen. She has set up a daily tracking template, with a countdown timer and a person in charge for each project.

Chen Hao walked up to her and asked, "Can you really finish on time?"

"Based on the current situation, the probability is 76 percent."

"Higher than the last exam," Chen Hao grinned.

"Your passing rate is 31 percent."

"You still remember?"

"It's in the database."

"...You really are a robot."

The alarm didn't sound, and the lights didn't flash.

The wind outside subsided, and the sea calmed down, as if nothing had happened.

But the crooked containers on the south wall are still there, as if they were just casually piled up there.

Chen Hao picked up the walkie-talkie and pressed the call button: "Attention everyone, the repair work will begin in thirty minutes. The location, tasks, and responsible persons have been assigned. Start on time and do not be late."

Responses gradually came in.

He put down the walkie-talkie and turned to look at the whiteboard.

Initial recovery after 72 hours.

The four names below were signed crookedly.

He was about to speak when he suddenly heard Nana say, "An abnormal rise in temperature was detected at the ventilation opening in the north area."

Chen Hao frowned: "What's going on?"

“Unknown.” Nana pulled up the monitoring data. “The sensors show that the heat in the area is continuously increasing, but there is no signal of open flame.”