Fog Outpost

Ella Zero walked at the front, the rebels staring at her with undisguised malice, but she paid no heed; such intangible things could not harm her in the slightest. She retraced the route Shura had led them along, even her steps were perfectly accurate.

“You just said you’d be leaving in three hours, so there’s still plenty of time, isn’t there?” Gu Yan took two steps forward, closing the distance between them.

"Maybe, but I don't want to stay in a place that doesn't welcome me."

When Gu Yan heard her say this for the first time, he couldn't help but look at her a few more times.

I thought you didn't care what others thought of you.

“I don’t care. But humanity does.”

The ripples in Gu Yan's eyes paused slightly.

"I think we can prepare a bit more, for example—why don't you want to tidy up your equipment?"

Ella Zero shook her head with her back to him.

Yang Guang chimed in from the side, "So amazing? What did you use to break through the central tower? It wasn't just that little dagger, was it? You two..."

Caught off guard, a punch landed on Gu Yan's injured spot, and the latter cried out in pain, "Are you sick? My wound has reopened."

Yang Guang grinned smugly and switched hands to strike Aila Zero's shoulder injury.

He only felt a blur before his eyes, and when he came to his senses, Ella Zero had already twisted his left hand behind his back and pressed it down several times, causing him to cry out in pain.

"It hurts! Let go of me, you lunatic!"

Ella Zero whispered coldly in his ear, "If everyone blocking our way is at your level, we could easily handle hundreds or thousands of them."

Seeing him humiliated, Gu Yan rubbed his wound, wanting to make a few sarcastic remarks, but it wasn't the right time yet.

"No matter what, it will be a tough battle. Bring extra supplies just in case."

Ella released Yang Guang and stood silently watching Gu Yan.

“You know better than we do about the armed security at the central tower. I didn’t think you were the reckless type.”

“Okay. Lead the way.” Ella Zero shifted her gaze, surveying the narrow passageway.

Yang Guang winked at Gu Yan, then rubbed his shoulders and neck and walked to the front.

This time, Yang Guang led her in the opposite direction from the middle corner. Soon, on one side of the passage, there were rows of rusty iron gates.

Yang Guang probably wasn't very familiar with this place either, pausing at each door to confirm his location.

Turning his head, he saw Ella Zero staring intently at his every move, and his mischievous ideas started coming to him again.

"See this lab? The machine inside is the state-of-the-art MIK477. Once you're knocked unconscious, strapped in and tied up, all your functional data, whether you're human or a cyborg, will be listed out clearly."

Ella Zero showed no interest: "In that case, isn't taking me to the armory redundant?"

Yang Guang hadn't gotten anywhere along the way, and with a cold face, he opened the storeroom door. Just as Gu Yan was about to follow him in, he suddenly called out to him.

"Is the girl she rescued really going to stay here?"

Gu Yan lifted her eyelids and glanced at him: "What, you want to bring it along?"

"I still feel uneasy, but she couldn't possibly blow up the base, right?" Yang Guang scratched his head, deep in thought.

Gu Yan held the door open and let him in: "Bringing her along would be more dangerous, and she might get dragged down with us. Besides, this place is shelter from the wind and rain."

Ella Zero hasn't chosen a weapon yet.

“If I were you, that energy rifle on your right would be nice.” Gu Yan saw her hesitation. “It’s made of titanium alloy and nanocrystal materials, and with homing bullets, even a novice can hit the target every time—of course, you’re not a novice.”

Ella showed no interest in using it. Gu Yan noticed her gaze was fixed on a certain spot and continued, "Magnetic Shield, the nemesis of homing bullets. I've heard that the team that developed homing bullets still can't overcome the problem of them being deflected by the magnetic shield. It's also the right size, lightweight and portable."

"—I guessed it was this one too." He saw Ella Zero's hand land on an unassuming energy dagger. "You seem to have a particular fondness for melee weapons."

Ella Zero gripped the hilt of the knife and casually swung it a few times before pointing it directly at Gu Yan's carotid artery: "Should this also be written into your observation record?"

Gu Yan stared at the blade that gleamed coldly: "I'm a wanted criminal now, not an assistant researcher."

"Whether you're an assistant researcher, a wanted criminal by the Federal Royal Family, or a member of a resistance organization, as long as you don't try anything funny with me and Mom, I can turn a blind eye. But if I find out you've done anything to harm Mom... the first thing I'll do is snap your necks. Don't be too curious about my affairs, understand?"

"That seems... a bit difficult."

"What?"

"If even my desire to explore disappears, I will be less than grass and trees, but a stubborn rock..."

Gu Yan murmured softly, raising his hands to his sides, displaying his complete lack of reservation. Then he waited. He waited for Ella Zero to lower the dagger in her hand, or for it to pierce his throat.

As the shockwave gradually dissipated, he knew he had made the right bet.

Ella Zero, holding the short sword, brushed past him, also taking the magnetic shield she had just seen into her possession.

Thanks in advance.

Yang Guang was stunned by this sudden turn of events. After Ella Ling walked out, he looked at Gu Yan with a puzzled expression.

Gu Yan was covered in cold sweat. No one would feel good being stared at by that knife and the murderous gaze of the person wielding it.

Killing intent...

A chill ran down his spine. He loosened his collar, and Yang Guang was still looking at him.

"Dr. Lowry's acknowledgments at the 96th Bionic Technology Conference. If I were you, I would also read more about the doctor; sometimes it really can save your life."

Yang Guang remained silent: "I think it's better for you not to provoke her than anything else."

With a magnetic shield hanging at her waist and an energy dagger in her hand, she could see everything clearly as she passed by, but after a long while, everyone lowered their heads.

The three of them stepped onto the elevator and returned to the bridge; no one looked at them anymore.

"I've walked almost as much in the last few days as I've walked in my entire life," Yang Guang couldn't help but complain.

Ella Zero corrected him: "It's impossible to catch up, only to get infinitely close."

Although Yang Guang's tone was timid, his words were firm: "Who doesn't know? Do I need you to teach me?"

He wrapped his coat tighter around himself and looked to the other side, seemingly in a huff.

"In short, you're too slow at fixing cars." Gu Yan had regained his composure and was even in the mood to joke with Yang Guang.

"Are you kidding me? Is this my fault? Even if Shadow Crossing is fixed, this section still can't be driven."

The lights are about to be turned on, and the unsafe zone has expanded from the central area to the latitude bounded by neon cocoons.

The latitude of the Fog Outpost is between the boundary of the central area and the neon cocoon, but in terms of longitude, it is a long way away from the neon cocoon.

Large-scale warfare has long since ended, and only veterans should remain at the post station.

The closer they got, the more silent Yang Guang became. Without his chatter, the only sound around them was the rustling of clothes against each other.

“Someone’s here.” Ella Zero tossed the energy dagger into her left hand, then drew a dagger, her hands positioned one in front of the other, ready for battle at any moment.

Gu Yan also felt that ominous gaze.

"There's only the gatekeeper left, nothing to fear." Gu Yan took two steps forward and heard a roar from afar.

"Intruders! There's nothing here that you're looking for! Leave! Now! Or I'll riddle you with bullets!"

Ella Zero looked around. This place was even more desolate than the main road outside the neon-lit cocoon, probably long since deserted. The wind whipped up the sand and gravel on the ground. How much cruel history was buried beneath this land? Those who were shouting now probably still remembered it vividly.

Gu Yan frowned. He had to come up with a solution immediately. He couldn't just turn back and go home. Ella Ling was even less likely to do so.

"That kid, you..."

The group paused, and the voice, panting heavily, continued, "It's the one standing at the very back, the one who has no proper posture."

Ella and Gu Yan turned around and looked back. Yang Guang pointed to himself in confusion: "Huh?"

"It's you! Step forward a few paces and come to the front."

"Damn, is this guy going to use me as a target? I'm out of here." Yang Guang cursed, and really prepared to run away.

"Get out here! Let me see what you look like!"

Ella Zero turned around, her dagger pointed directly at Yang Guang. Yang Guang understood: either do as he says, or this terrifying woman will kill me.

"Let's talk this out, let's talk this out." Ella Zero had been removed from the list of androids a long time ago. But she hadn't been removed from the list of mentally ill people.

"And you, the other kid, both of you, come forward."

Ella Zero sheathed her dagger and blocked the two men's retreat. Her meaning was clear: she was determined to reach this outpost, and she would likely fulfill any request the other party might make.

The other party fell silent. A moment later, a white-haired soldier in an old-fashioned military uniform emerged from the smog, carrying an electromagnetic rifle.

He looked at them through the scope: "What are you here for?"

Gu Yan put his hands behind his head and gave Yang Guang a wink, which Yang Guang did as he was told.

"repair."

"Liar, I haven't reported anything, and the radio hasn't been used for ten years."

Ella Zero spoke up last: "It is indeed a repair, but not here."

The veteran cautiously examined the scope carefully.

"Who's here, Joe?" A familiar, languid, and alluring voice came from the outpost.

Gu Yan was startled. Yang Guang was also full of doubt.

Krista?

If you've ever heard the same voice coming from many faces in the same place, you'll probably never forget it.

"Oh no, you don't need to come out, darling. I can entertain them. I'll send them away in a bit, and it'll just be you and me here."

Hearing a tough guy who's fought for decades say sweet nothings is a truly novel and rare experience.

Sweet talk has evolved in the new era. Everyone has their own specialty, and now only Christa can say it. But Christa who can still speak has probably been dealt with.

"Uncle Qiao?" Gu Yan squinted, trying to get a good look at the veteran.

The veteran called Joe turned around, his expression calm, not particularly concerned about being recognized.

"You two are exactly like your respective parents. Perfect inheritance."

——————

Christa helped prepare tea.

“I prefer Joe to call me Al, you can call me that too. Krista… you know, it’s kind of…” She winked.

El handed it to Joe first: "You've always liked this, three sugar cubes and half a cup of milk."

“Aier is always so gentle, and she’s become even more considerate lately.” Joe grinned, his face crinkling with wrinkles, and sipped Aier’s tea. “Absolutely delicious.”

Aier looked at the other three: "You guys drink up. I guarantee the tea bags are fresh. Nobody comes here, but the supplies have never stopped being replenished regularly. I eat less; it's just right for the two of us."

"No offense intended... then your system update..." Yang Guang stammered awkwardly.

This is utterly absurd. He doesn't really remember his father, but he still remembers some of Qiao, whom he met a few times after Jiang Ping adopted him.

In his brief memory, Joe hated androids and loathed them. How could he have stayed in this forgotten corner, living with an android...?

"Oh, the electricity is plentiful here, so I don't think Joe and I need to worry about that—kids, is it good?"

Al still used Christa's voice, but her expression was quiet and peaceful, more like a kind elder than a fairy on the dance floor.

This stark contrast compelled Yang Guang to observe her uncontrollably.

“I bet you think I’m weird, don’t you?” Al broke the silence with a smile.

Joe said gruffly from the side, "Ignore them, I'll get rid of them right away."

Aier gently placed her hand on Joe's hand soothingly: "Can't you tell? The children are tired from their journey. Let them rest. It's been a long time since anyone has come to keep us company, hasn't it?"

Joe snorted, and Aier coaxed him with a second cup of black tea with sugar and milk.

"Did you only recently become like this?" Ella Zero finally asked, her icy expression meeting Ayl's kind and friendly smile.

“You mean… I’m so…human?” El found a word she thought was appropriate.

Ella remained silent.

"Around the 13th of this month, I suddenly felt a sense of...relief..." Al still wore that serene smile. "Oh, dear Joe, we haven't told them about our meeting yet; it was truly a miracle..."

“Yes…” Joe muttered, “It’s a miracle… but my face is covered in wrinkles, and you’re still so young…”

"That doesn't matter. Seventeen years have passed, and I still think you are the most handsome man I have ever seen."

Ai Er, holding a cup of tea, said, “When I was taken out of the neon cocoon, that man probably had enemies inside the central tower. Our carriage was attacked. I ran barefoot for a very long time and accidentally stumbled into Joe’s outpost.”

"I really hope that scumbag who got you on the carriage is dead."

Joe complained from the side, but Al immediately comforted him, "It doesn't matter, darling, that doesn't matter." She turned back and continued, "Joe misunderstood; he didn't realize I was an android. I was thinking, 'My God, there are men in this world who don't recognize Krista...'"

Gu Yan interrupted her: "You...want...?"

Aier's smile vanished, replaced by a serious expression: "Yes, I'm afraid I'm about to reveal a secret that no one knows—the Krista type can think—though those adults don't think we can. You should have met the leader of the Krista."

Ella nodded: "A209."

Ayl raised her delicate eyebrows: "I haven't heard that name in seventeen years. Yes, A209, she's the Krista with the most unlocked functional permissions—before the 13th, now it doesn't matter, everyone's the same. Whoever it is, I want to thank the person who freed me. I guess they're with you guys."

“I guess you’re the only Krista left now. After someone unlocked Krista privileges on the 13th, the Neon Cocoon was cleaned up.” Gu Yan looked at the surface of the water in his teacup.

"That's truly regrettable, but I won't dwell on it. We listened to the radio; that incident had nothing to do with me, and I didn't attack any humans."

“Aier would never attack a human!” Joe showed no shame at being exposed for his lie that he hadn’t used a radio in ten years. He echoed, “I’ve been with her for seventeen years. She’s more considerate than any human woman.”

"Uncle Joe, you haven't seen a human woman in the past seventeen years, have you...?"

(Joe: Shut up, you brat!)

“On another note,” Al said, his expression somewhat dazed, “do you remember what I just said? A209 is Krista with the most open functional permissions. Her thinking ability is far superior to mine. If it were her, it wouldn’t be difficult for her to escape. She would find out who destroyed the Neon Cocoon. She is free enough, but only if no one harms her Neon Cocoon.”

"What do you mean? I thought the neon cocoons were run by those scumbags in the central tower," Yang Guang asked.

In fact, everyone thought so.

“Children, the owner is no longer important; what matters is whose home it is.” Aier whispered.