Chapter 532 Change (Part 1)
Xie Tu drove Qi Shiqi to the entrance of the Biological Research Institute. Without turning off the engine, he tapped the steering wheel with his fingertips and whispered a few instructions to the sentry at the gate.
A moment later, Xiao Zhang, dressed in a lab coat, rushed over, his eyes behind his glasses showing confusion: "Team Leader Xie, you wanted to see me?"
Xie Tu leaned against the car window with one hand and said, "Yes, let me see the parts quote that Qi Ling asked you to prepare."
So that's what it was about.
Xiao Zhang suddenly realized, "Wait a moment, I'll go in and get it right away."
He went back to the research institute and quickly came out with a quote.
"I originally planned to give it to Qi Ling after asking, but he's not here these past two days. Could you please ask Xie Tu to take it to him for me?" Xiao Zhang didn't think much of it.
Qi Ling is, after all, a member of Team Zero.
This price is the price offered to the public. If Team Leader Xie were to purchase it, it would definitely be cheaper.
"Okay, I'll give it to him later." The price list was shoved through the car window, and Xie Tu reached out to take it.
He quickly scanned the densely packed numbers on it: ordinary alloy steel, polymer materials, photoelectric sensors, standard bearings—all civilian-grade materials.
Xie Tu put away the order form, thanked Xiao Zhang, and then drove to the operations department.
The parts above are all made of ordinary materials.
Since Qi Ling is going to modify the robot and take it into the contaminated area for combat, he naturally needs to use the best parts.
Price aside, safety is more guaranteed for him personally.
...
Operations Department Building.
Inside the small conference room.
Minister Duan tapped his fingertips on the conference table, his silver cufflinks casting dappled shadows that mirrored the pollution data flashing on the electronic screen on the wall.
"Minister, I request that Team Ten carry out the next mission independently."
Team 10's captain, Yu Shu, stood up straight and brought it up directly in front of Team 9.
The reason is...
"The rapid increase in pollution concentration in a short period of time could not be a coincidence. Before that happens, the team members need to grow as quickly as possible."
“We have carried out partner missions for two years and have accumulated mature experience in dealing with contaminated areas below three stars. Decentralized operations can remove pollution sources more efficiently and also accelerate the development of team members’ individual combat capabilities.”
Yu Shu's reasons were very valid.
Last year's report showed that teams nine and ten performed very well in completing their tasks.
The sentries were experienced soldiers.
We are confident that we can enter the contaminated area independently.
"You agree too?"
Minister Duan's gaze swept over the members of Team Nine, who were pretending to be unaware of the situation.
Liang Shan, the captain of the Ninth Team, coughed lightly. "Yes, for missions below three stars, sometimes having too many personnel can actually hinder the operation. The minister should have faith in our capabilities."
Minister Duan nodded slightly, her expression unchanged, and tossed out an application form, saying, "Take a look at them all."
Yu Shu and Liang Shan took the documents.
These are two application forms for joining the operations department. Upon seeing the name at the very beginning, Yu Shu's pupils constricted slightly.
The name column clearly reads: [Applicant: Yuan Lan].
"These are the application forms from the two guides."
Minister Duan began, "You must already know about the Dark Guide. This matter has torn open a crack in the ability user system, and the resulting turmoil has not subsided."
"The Directed Operations Department has submitted an application to enter a low-risk contamination zone for a trial mission."
Minister Duan has always agreed with this point.
In wartime, the entire population is mobilized for war.
If the guide remains stagnant, he will eventually face a devastating blow.
The Dark Guide incident is a case in point.
"With Minister Bai's special approval, the guide will remain under the Special Abilities Department, but..."
Minister Duan's gaze swept over everyone present. "I have decided that the twelve teams will compete fairly. The two guides who join whichever two teams will have the right to choose their own missions."
Yu Shu and Liang Shan straightened their backs at the same time, and in the instant their eyes met, they both saw a determination to win in each other's eyes.
This can be seen from Team Zero's mission report.
Guides possess powerful mental strength and can play a crucial role in battle.
If only their group could also have a guide...
"Another point to note is that this is just a trial mission. The guide may withdraw at any time, but will continue to participate in the work of the evacuation room. The mission scope is currently limited to the southwest region."
This means that A-level teams with guides can only undertake close-range missions this year.
With guides scarce, their primary task is destined to be to guide traffic.
Moreover, the guides' physical strength cannot compare with that of the sentries, and their safety must be guaranteed during the mission.
"clear!"
...
Can I meet with you?
Yun Zhao had just finished lunch when he received a message from Yuan Lan.
She was about to go back with He Xiang and the others, but after thinking for a moment, she replied, "Okay, where shall we meet?"
Yuan Lan quickly replied: "I'm in the crowd control room in the outer city."
Unlike the inner city.
Perhaps for the convenience of outsiders, the evacuation center in the outer city is located on West First Street, which is close to the buffer zone. It's about a ten-minute drive from the base by turning left.
This is Yun Zhao's first time here.
After passing through a narrow passageway, the space suddenly opens up to a gray-white square building standing in front of you, with a prominent sign hanging at the entrance – Evacuation Room.
Most of the people coming and going at the entrance are outsiders.
Senior sentries stood on both sides, and security patrol teams came over every ten minutes or so to maintain order and security.
Upon seeing Yun Zhao appear at the entrance, the senior sentry on duty paused for a moment, then jogged forward to greet him, "Guide Yun, what brings you here?"
Yun Zhao pointed inside, "I've made an appointment with Guide Yuan."
"Oh, okay, then I'll take you in." The sentry said, leading the way.
The outer urban area is a mixed bag.
The sentry was not comfortable letting her go in alone.
Yun Zhao thanked him and followed him into the hall.
People came and went in twos and threes, dressed in various ways. Some wore worn-out tactical uniforms with mud stains on their cuffs and trouser legs, as if they had just returned from the wilderness; others wore simple coarse cloth jackets with homemade weapons at their waists.
Several young sentries from a small base huddled in a corner, their homemade protective suits patched upon patched, their eyes fixed on the scrolling evacuation schedule on the wall.
Several other sentries, clearly mentally corrupted, sat on a bench, their pupils slightly dilated, their fingers unconsciously tapping their knees as if resisting the noise in their minds.
Their companions stood to the side, talking in hushed tones, glancing anxiously at the closed door of the evacuation room every now and then.
Yun Zhao walked past people without looking to the side. There were so many people in the outer city. Was Yuan Lan sure she had time?
She quickly got her answer.
The guide room for Class A guides is located at the innermost part, and its architectural style is the same as that of the inner city.
Yuan Lan's courtyard is as tranquil as a painting.
Sunlight streamed in obliquely through the floor-to-ceiling windows, spreading a warm golden halo around her feet.
Yuan Lan leaned back in her rattan rocking chair, holding a document in her hands. Her fingertips gently turned a page, and the paper made a soft rustling sound.
The spirit form, resembling a lop-eared rabbit, was curled up on his knees.
Its snow-white downy fur is fluffy like clouds, its ruby-like eyes are half-closed, and its pink nose trembles gently with its breath.
On the low table beside me, a cup of hot tea steamed with wisps of white mist. The tea's delicate aroma, mixed with the scent of grass and trees wafting from the courtyard, created an atmosphere of exceptional tranquility.
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