Chapter 68: Difficulties on the Road
The early morning sun shone through the clouds onto the open space in front of the shopping mall, and the seven-member team had completed the final preparations.
Su Wanqing stood in front of a modified black off-road vehicle, checking the supplies in her backpack.
"All communication equipment has been tested and is in good condition." Lu Zhao closed the laptop and put it into a waterproof bag.
"Weapons and ammunition have been distributed." Xiao Ran reported concisely, his eyes constantly scanning the surrounding environment to maintain the alertness of a special forces soldier.
Lin Che came over and handed Su Wanqing a kettle: "The water that I purified with my ability is easier for the body to absorb than ordinary water."
"Thank you." Su Wanqing took the kettle and turned to the other team members, "Is everyone ready?"
"I'm ready." Zhang Lin adjusted the shoulder straps of the medical bag with a tense but determined expression on his face.
Wang Gang and Li Xue nodded, while Zhao Ming gave a thumbs up: "We can set off anytime."
"Then get in the car." Su Wanqing said, "Lu Zhao, you drive."
The seven people quickly got on the SUV, Lu Zhao sat in the driver's seat, Xiao Ran sat in the passenger seat, and the others sat in the back seat.
With a roar of the engine, the SUV drove out of the shopping mall and headed northwest.
The atmosphere in the car was silent and tense. Su Wanqing looked at the scene outside the window, receding rapidly, and thought about the risks of this trip and the situations that might be encountered.
"According to the plan, we should arrive near the institute before dusk." Lu Zhao said as he drove, "If the road conditions are good."
"I hope so." Su Wanqing responded.
Two hours later, the off-road vehicle arrived at a wide road.
Suddenly, Lu Zhao slammed on the brakes and the car stopped in the middle of the road.
"What's wrong?" Xiao Ran immediately asked vigilantly.
Lu Zhao pointed ahead: "Look there."
Everyone looked in the direction he pointed, and saw that about a hundred meters ahead, a large area of the road had collapsed, forming a huge pothole that completely blocked the way.
"Damn, this is trouble." Wang Gang frowned.
Su Wanqing took out the map and studied it carefully for a while: "We have to take a detour. According to the map, there is a small town three kilometers to the east. After passing through the town, we can get back to the road leading to the institute."
"A small town means there might be zombies." Xiao Ran reminded.
"We have no choice." Su Wanqing said, "Lu Zhao, go east."
Lu Zhao nodded, turned the car around, and drove east. About twenty minutes later, an abandoned town appeared in sight.
The town is not big, mainly consisting of a main street and several side roads, and most of the buildings are two or three-story buildings.
"Stop the car." Su Wanqing signaled Lu Zhao to stop at the entrance of the town. "Let's observe the situation first."
Xiao Ran took out a telescope and carefully observed the town. "There are a few zombies scattered on the main street, but they are not a big deal. However," he paused, "at the entrance of the supermarket, there are more than a dozen zombies gathered. They look like they are attracted by something."
Lin Che closed her eyes and raised her hands gently: "I can feel the flow of water. There are faint signs of human activity inside the supermarket."
"Are there any survivors?" Zhang Lin asked in surprise.
Lin Che nodded: "It's very likely. And, based on the flow pattern of the water, there should be only one person."
"We should take a detour," Xiao Ran suggested. "The rescue operation is too risky and may affect our main mission."
Su Wanqing pondered for a moment: "If you were trapped there, what would you want others to do?"
Xiao Ran was silent.
"Let's go save them." Su Wanqing made the decision.
Everyone gathered in front of the car. Su Wanqing used a branch to draw a rough map of the town on the ground. "According to Lin Che's perception, the survivors are inside the supermarket. We need to lure away the zombies at the door, and then quickly enter the supermarket to rescue them."
"I can make some noise to lure away the zombies." Lu Zhao suggested.
"It's too dangerous." Su Wanqing shook her head, "We need a safer method."
After discussion, they worked out a plan: Lu Zhao and Li Xue were responsible for detonating a small explosive device at the other end of the town to create noise to attract zombies; Xiao Ran and Lin Che were responsible for breaking into the supermarket to rescue survivors; Su Wanqing, Wang Gang and Zhao Ming were responsible for coordinating near the supermarket to ensure the safety of the retreat route.
"Is everyone clear about their tasks?" Su Wanqing finally confirmed.
Everyone nodded.
"Then, move on."
Lu Zhao and Li Xue quietly went around to the other end of the town, while the others dispersed to their respective locations.
A few minutes later, a muffled sound was heard from the far end of the town, followed by a series of explosions.
The zombies at the supermarket entrance were attracted by the sound and most of them moved towards the source of the sound.
"Now!" Su Wanqing ordered through the intercom.
Xiao Ran and Lin Che quickly rushed to the supermarket. They easily dealt with the two zombies left at the door and then entered the supermarket.
"Where are the survivors?" Xiao Ran asked in a low voice.
Lin Che closed her eyes and sensed: "The storage room at the back."
The two carefully walked through the shelves and came to the door of the storage room at the back of the supermarket.
The door was locked with a big padlock.
"Stand away." Xiao Ran took out a pistol and fired a shot at the lock.
The sound of gunfire echoed in the supermarket, and the roars of zombies could be heard in the distance.
“Damn it, they’re back!” Lin Che said alertly.
Xiao Ran kicked the door open and saw a middle-aged man curled up inside. He was about fifty years old, wearing glasses and a faded white coat, and looked haggard.
"Who are you?" the man asked warily.
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"Rescue team." Xiao Ran replied briefly, "Follow us, quickly!"
The man hesitated for a moment, then grabbed a notebook beside him and followed them out.
"I'm Professor Yang, a former military virology expert." The man introduced himself while running. "I've been living alone in this small town for several months."
"Let's talk later." Xiao Ran interrupted him, "We have to leave here now."
As soon as the three rushed out of the supermarket, they saw a dozen zombies pouring in from the main street, cutting off their retreat route.
"Damn it!" Xiao Ran cursed and raised his pistol.
“Wait!” Lin Che stopped him, “Let me do it.”
Lin Che took a deep breath and stretched out his hands. An invisible force seemed to surge out of his body, and the zombies around him suddenly stopped moving, as if they were frozen in place.
“Go!” Lin Che said with difficulty, his face turning pale.
Xiao Ran pulled Professor Yang, and Su Wanqing and others quickly reunited and retreated towards the off-road vehicle together.
Lin Che was the last one to get on the bus. As soon as he closed the door, he fell weakly on the seat.
"Drive quickly!" Su Wanqing shouted.
Lu Zhao started the engine and the SUV sped away from the town.
"Lin Che, are you okay?" Su Wanqing asked worriedly.
Lin Che nodded weakly: "It's just that I have consumed too much energy. Give me some time to recover."
Zhang Lin immediately checked Lin Che: "His pulse is a little weak, but he is not in danger of death. He needs to rest and drink water."
Su Wanqing handed Lin Che a bottle of water, then turned to Professor Yang: “Professor Yang, why are you in that supermarket?”
Professor Yang took a sip of water and adjusted his breathing. "I was originally a member of a military research project. After the virus broke out, I tried to escape to a safe zone, but my car broke down on the way, so I had to take shelter in this small town. I found enough food and water in the supermarket, and I have been hiding there ever since."
"You said you are a virology expert?" Su Wanqing keenly grasped the key information.
Professor Yang nodded: "Yes. I have participated in the research of some special projects."
He paused, "Where are you going?"
"The military research institute in the northwest." Su Wanqing answered directly, observing Professor Yang's reaction.
Professor Yang's expression became obviously complicated: "Why are you going to the research institute?"
"We need information about the zombie virus." Su Wanqing said, "Do you know that research institute?"
Professor Yang was silent for a moment, then nodded: "I know. In fact, I used to work there." He hesitated, "If you really want to go there, I can help.
I know a little bit about the internal structure and the safety systems.”
"That's great," Su Wanqing said, but she noticed that Professor Yang seemed to be holding back. "Is there anything we should know?"
Professor Yang looked out the window and whispered, "That place...is not just an ordinary research institute. The experiments conducted inside are dangerous. Also, I'm not sure what the situation is there now."
“We’ll be careful,” Su Wanqing assured. “Now, we need to find a safe place to rest and let Lin Che recover before we continue on.”
Lu Zhao nodded and continued driving the off-road vehicle, looking for a suitable place to rest.
There was a brief silence in the car, and everyone was thinking about the unknown dangers they were about to face.
Professor Yang looked down at the notebook in his hand, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
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