After passing through the main gate, they entered a passageway.
Chen Xu looked around. The floor, the walls on either side, and the ceiling were all made of the same material, gleaming with a metallic sheen. He asked, "Was this shelter built entirely out of metal?"
The barrel-shaped robot replied, "Sir, I'm sorry, but my database contains no information on that."
Chen Xu watched it move to the wall, tilt its body, and touch a certain spot. The main gate slowly descended again. He asked, "Was that the controller for opening and closing the door?"
"Yes. The upper one opens it, the lower one closes it, and the one in the middle pauses it," the robot explained.
Chen Xu remembered that and asked, "What should I call you?"
"You may call me 2003." Once the door had fully shut, the barrel-shaped robot led the way.
Only then did he notice the wheels beneath it.
The two of them followed behind it and headed deeper inside.
The lights along the ceiling of the passageway were bright. Chen Xu lagged two steps behind, while Yang Jinxia stayed close at his back. Neither spoke. They looked around, both remaining wary.
Along the way, 2003 briefly introduced the shelter's situation.
After walking for several minutes, they finally emerged from the passageway. Beyond another door was an empty hall.
Chen Xu saw that there was a door in each of three directions in the hall, though he had no idea where they led.
"This is the door to the Control Center," 2003 said. It opened the door directly ahead, revealing a narrower passageway.
After passing through another three halls, it finally stopped in front of a door. "This is the shelter's Control Center. I do not have permission to enter."
Chen Xu said, "We're outsiders.