Chapter 96 Chapter 96 Shadow in the Rain

The sun, which had been hanging high in the sky for days, was now covered by gray clouds. The lead-gray clouds piled up and filled the entire sky, as if they were about to fall down and crush the earth at any time.

There was not a breath of wind around, the air seemed frozen, so heavy and oppressive that it made it hard to breathe.

The Dawn Base looked particularly desolate under the gloomy sky. There were very few pedestrians on the streets. The leaves on the branches of the trees on both sides were withered and yellow. The high temperature had made all things lose their vitality, adding a sense of desolation and desolation.

The system calculated that this evening was the best time for rainfall, so Su Qing came to the military compound in the afternoon to arrange for rainfall equipment.

Three rocket launchers were placed on an open space, with several boxes of ammunition neatly stacked next to them. A team of soldiers was carrying out pre-launch preparations.

"Why are you here so early?"

Qin Yu's voice came from behind. Su Qing turned around and saw him and Liang Zheng striding towards him.

"If you have nothing else, come over early and get ready." Su Qing replied, then looked at Liang Zheng and asked with concern: "Captain Liang, are you well?"

Liang Zheng's face still showed a trace of the haggardness of someone who had just recovered from a serious illness. He replied gently, "Thank you for your concern, Chief Su. I'm fine now."

Liang Zheng spotted a rocket launcher mounted on the ground not far away. The design was different from existing weaponry, and he couldn't help but feel curious. He pointed and said, "I'll go take a look."

Only Su Qing and Qin Yu were left behind.

"The mutant zombies you mentioned before have already shown some signs of life. Take a look at this." Qin Yu said as he handed the file bag he had been holding to Su Qing.

Su Qing took the file bag and was a little surprised, "Lu Chen actually asked you to check it?"

Qin Yu nodded and replied, "Some of the military's satellites are still usable."

Su Qing opened the file bag and took out a stack of information, including satellite photos and analysis materials. She read them one by one, her brows furrowed and her expression became increasingly unsightly.

"This...is this information confirmed?" Her voice trembled slightly.

The information and pictures in hand showed that zombies were organizing large-scale attacks on human settlements. Now, most of the country had been occupied by zombies. After capturing humans, they did not slaughter or eat them, but instead imprisoned them...

"The capital has dispatched special forces to several locations and confirmed they're all there," Qin Yu said in a low voice. "The zombie army has already taken over dozens of human settlements, large and small. They're currently converging around City G. It's highly likely their next target will be City G."

"They...what are they trying to do by imprisoning humans?" Humans are food for zombies, and they're essential carriers of the virus. Now that zombies are attacking humans but not eating them, it's clear something is suppressing their instincts. "So my guess is correct. These zombies are now led by a zombie leader, who can suppress and control these low-level zombies..."

Qin Yu replied, "The special forces have had several encounters with zombie hordes. They're no longer as disorganized as before; they're now very organized and purposeful. It's clear they're being manipulated. However, it's still unclear whether the mastermind behind this is the mutant zombie you described. Our people haven't found any trace of it yet."

"As for why they're holding humans captive..." Qin Yu paused, "We haven't figured it out yet. We only know that the zombies carry these captives wherever they go. However, the special forces will continue to follow up on the investigation, and the military headquarters in the capital is also trying to figure out how to rescue these people."

Su Qing felt a little depressed after hearing this. They knew nothing about zombies now, so they could only be on guard and wait for the zombies to make a move. This was too passive.

"You said that zombies are gathering in City G?" she asked.

I had heard Lu Chen mention City G before. It was rich in weapons and supplies, and the people in power had carved out their own territory. It was the only base in China after the end of the world that dared to openly challenge the sovereignty of the capital.

Qin Yu took the information from Su Qing's hand, flipped through a few photos and handed them to her. "According to the images sent back by the satellite, a large number of zombies began to move towards City G two days ago."

Su Qing looked at the picture. At different time periods, dense black spots on the ground kept moving. There was an analysis report attached to the back, which listed the towns on the zombies' route one by one. Among these targets, City G was the largest human base, and many other places had long been deserted.

"So what plans does the capital have?" Su Qing regretted saying this. She was afraid that it would involve some secrets. The G City base was in a very embarrassing position now. She didn't know how the capital viewed G City.

Su Qing looked up at Qin Yu and said, "Of course, if it's inconvenient, just pretend I didn't ask."

Qin Yu knew what Su Qing was thinking. "This isn't classified, but I don't know much about it. Since there's no communication channel between the two sides, the zombie swarm's movements can't be transmitted to the G City base. People in the capital can't get close now, so we can only rely on G City itself..."

A local organization that dares to challenge the authority of the capital should be allowed to perish naturally without any effort... Su Qing didn't dare to think further, but she also knew that the G City base had committed many evil deeds, and it was all their own fault.

Both of them knew clearly that some things were not easy to be said openly, and they might be too cruel to ordinary people, but in the face of national justice, everything was insignificant.

As night fell, everything was ready with the order from Chief Liang.

The sound of "bang bang bang" of artillery echoed all around.

Su Qing had already issued a notice in advance. When the people in the base heard the sound of artillery shells outside, they quickly returned home. Everyone was looking forward to this artificial rainfall.

In order to alleviate the drought, Su Qing bought hundreds of artillery shells and fired ninety shells in a row. In less than half an hour, rain poured down from the sky. Then the raindrops became bigger and denser. Soon the entire Dawn Base was shrouded in a mist of water vapor.

Looking at the heavy rain outside, everyone felt relieved.

Of course, there are also a very small number of people who curse when they see it raining. They worked hard to dig wells in the scorching heat, and dug hundreds of meters for several days without finding even a bit of moisture underground. As a result, the person in charge of the base directly brought in artificial rainfall. Wouldn't all their hard work these days be in vain?

Then the base forum became lively again. Some people could not swallow this and went to the forum to complain bitterly, scolding the base leaders for their inaction. They could clearly create artificial rainfall, but they watched them spend time and effort digging wells without stopping them. The base must give them the compensation they deserve!

However, the following replies were beyond the poster's expectations, as the comments were all one-sidedly mocking him.

"Who shamelessly posted this? I was watching the entire process a few days ago in the farmland. The base leaders clearly said they would find a way to create artificial rainfall and asked everyone to wait a few days. It was you who lost your patience and insisted on digging a well, asking for trouble. Now you're blaming me."

"Everyone understands your anxiety about withering crops. A group of you went to protest earlier, and the base gave us an explanation. They also sent personnel to support your plan to dig a well. The base did everything it should have said and done. It's a bit unfair to blame the base leaders for this."

"Don't be so hypocritical! No one forced you to dig wells, yet you still have the nerve to ask for compensation. I think you've had too much of a good life. I should find you and kick you out of the base to experience the hardships of life outside. If you were in another base, you would have died countless times over."

Su Qing did not pay attention to the excitement on the forum. She was in Liang Zheng's office at the moment, discussing the document that Qin Yu had brought out with people from the military.

The latest satellite image was taken two days ago. The zombie horde was only a few dozen miles away from City G, but there were several small towns along their route. Even if City G had the highest probability, there was no 100% guarantee that it was the zombies' final destination.

What Su Qing and the others were discussing at this time was whether the Dawn Base should send people to check the movements of the zombie group. She didn't want to rely solely on the capital to pass on information. Some changes always happen in an instant, and mastering first-hand information can sometimes determine the direction of the situation. The current Dawn Base can't withstand too much tossing.

"I'll go." After hearing Su Qing's words, Qin Yu spoke up and took over.

"Well, Qin Yu is from the special forces, so he's perfect for this kind of thing. He's also familiar with the special forces in the capital, so if the two sides meet, it can avoid unnecessary conflict." Liang Zheng agreed, "You and Shen Kuo can pick a few more people from the army to go with you."

Qin Yu shook his head. "No, I can gather information myself. The base is short-staffed right now, and everyone has their own position, so it's difficult to change them right away."

A hint of surprise flashed in Liang Zheng's eyes. He pondered for a moment and said, "Okay." Liang Zheng knew Qin Yu's abilities. He was one of the best in the army and had stronger individual combat capabilities. Facing tens of thousands of zombies, it would actually be easier to escape by acting alone.

"I'll go with you." Su Qing looked at Qin Yu, "I want to go look for that mutant zombie. If anything happens, we can both look after each other."

Qin Yu looked at Su Qing gravely, his brows slightly furrowed. He thought for a few seconds and was about to speak when Su Qing interrupted him: "Don't refuse me! Although I'm not as skilled as you, don't underestimate me! I must find the trace of that mutant zombie, otherwise I will never be at peace."

"I don't mean to underestimate you, I just..." I was worried about the danger.

Su Qing tilted his head in confusion, "Just what?"

Qin Yuwei sighed, his voice a little low, "Nothing, then let's go together."

After finalizing the departure time, Su Qing left the compound to find Fang Qing to explain things.

Liang Zheng watched Qin Yu and the others leave, and asked him to stay.

"What does the commander want to tell me?" Qin Yu asked doubtfully.

"Look at how Lu Chen chases girls, kid. If you don't take the initiative, someone else will get there first."

Qin Yu blushed instantly and spoke haltingly, "You...what are you talking about?"

Liang Zheng looked at Qin Yu with an expression that said, "I've been through this, I understand," and said nothing more.

…

A figure walked quickly in the rain, carefully avoiding the patrol route, and soon came to a door. The man stretched out a pale hand from under the black raincoat.

I knocked twice on the door and it was opened from the inside.

The face hidden under the raincoat was also revealed.

The person inside the door exclaimed in surprise, then the two of them went into the house and the door was closed.

On a rainy night, all traces were obscured.