After a brief period of confusion, work at the new base got back on track.

Li Wenjia swung the sealed bag in his hand and came to a multi-purpose truck that had just lowered its hydraulic boom.

This is a truck equipped with a scientific research cabin module. When it is unfolded, researchers can stay inside and, through a fairly sturdy observation window, with the assistance of a robotic arm, conduct preliminary research on the samples placed on the ultra-clean platform.

Li Wenjia knocked on an explosion-proof cover on the carriage. A moment later, several short footsteps were heard from inside. Then the electric lock on the cover opened, and the cover slowly swung outward, revealing the inside.

A piece of multi-layered glass separated the inside and outside. A clear, synthesized female voice emanated from a loudspeaker built into the window wall: "Please register your number."

"A0015." Li Wenjia replied.

"Sample number, 07-0920-2357, printing..."

A crack opened in the window wall, and a sticker emerged from inside.

Li Wenjia checked the number on the sticker, and used a ballpoint pen hanging by the window wall to fill in the basic information of the sample in the box on the sticker. Then he tore off the film behind the sticker and carefully stuck it to the sealed bag.

He pulled a handle on the outer wall of the carriage, and a drawer slid out smoothly. Inside the drawer were several samples stored in various ways. He pushed those samples inward and placed his sealed bag at the front.

He really wanted to know how the tribesmen dealt with the giant rat meat. If they could solve the problem of it turning sour after cooking, it would surely be a great achievement.

A few minutes after leaving, Li Wenjia's exoskeleton system began its routine broadcast: "Operator A0015, the system self-check has completed and is in good condition. Data redundancy is 41%, and remaining energy is 12%. Please replace the energy pack in time. It's a new day, congratulations!"

"Congratulations to you too, my system." Li Wenjia said to himself.

In fact, this exoskeleton is the sixth one he has replaced. If it weren't for the current difficulty in supply, with his body's reaction speed and explosive power, this exoskeleton would have died long ago.

In other words, although his movements appear smooth, he has actually been slowing down as much as possible.

In the past, people couldn't keep up with certain equipment; now, the equipment can't keep up with certain people. Times change so rapidly that in the blink of an eye, past experience becomes a shackle that holds us back.

Li Wenjia didn't return to his RV. Instead, he walked along the tunnel, checking every passing vehicle. The expedition possessed hundreds of various combat vehicles. Aside from a few technologically outdated ones, most were self-driving AI-powered. Of course, when they set out, they didn't even need to bother with a command platform—purely due to the massive reduction in personnel.

He still had some things to ask Lao Ma. If nothing had happened, he should still be in the command vehicle. He had been living in that vehicle for two months, and that vehicle had no circulation equipment. God knew how he had survived.

Li Wenjia dodged several mechanical arms and found his target near a busy construction site. Unexpectedly, Lao Ma, wearing a protective suit, was tinkering with something next to the command vehicle with several other expedition leaders.

"The load has been a bit heavy lately. Did you turn on the air conditioner?"

"No, I installed insulation. It must be the food processor's problem... How much fuel is left?"

"Half and half. A few supply trucks were disabled yesterday, so I can give you some."

A man in urban camouflage protective gear pulled an arm-sized tubular object from a suitcase. Li Wenjia recognized it; it was a fuel tank for a micro-fusion engine.

The metropolitan area did provide them with the best equipment. In the expedition team, some vehicles used the latest energy technology.

"Hehe, it's so rare that you are all here." Li Wenjia put his arm on a bulge outside the command vehicle and said to the few people who were doing bad things secretly.

Several people were shocked when they heard this and looked at Li Wenjia.

"Oh, it's Xiao Li! I was wondering who it was!"

"Why, you don't want to rest? Is there something wrong?" Old Ma asked knowingly.

"Go, go, go!" The rest of the people pushed and shoved, and ran away with the suitcase.

Lao Ma closed the cover of the fuel tank storage rack and shouted to the people who were leaving: "Come more often when you have time~"

"Are you done?"

"Yeah, where have you been? If you're not tired, I still have a lot of work to do here... Come on, have a drink with me."

Li Wenjia followed Lao Ma into the command vehicle, and the two sat down at the alloy combat table. The food processor was already running, and several yellow-brown spherical objects were slowly forming on the tray.

Lao Ma took out two metal cups, poured half of the purified water into them, and then fell into a long silence.

"How's the reconnaissance in the west going?" Li Wenjia broke the deadlock.

"It's not optimistic. They're all Fei Lian. They're all total war equipment. We can't deal with them with the outdated equipment we have."

"Someone died?"

"Not bad, one seriously injured. He committed suicide last night. Just twenty minutes ago."

Li Wenjia pursed his lips, wanting to say something, but ultimately swallowed his words back. He lowered his head and listened to the food processor's beep indicating it was finished printing.

"We discussed it a bit." Old Ma took two balls from the tray and dropped one into each cup. Soon, white foam began to form in the cup, making a pleasant "puff" sound.

It was a quick, non-alcoholic, sugary, alcohol-flavored fizzy drink that was common in commissary stores before the war.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!