First Collection Mission

Light Armored Vehicles were mainly used for rapid marches, able to swiftly transport soldiers to the battlefield.

Heavy Armored Vehicles, on the other hand, were meant to guard against Zombie Tides and even attacks from other armed forces.

As for helicopters—

Armed Helicopters were tasked with aerial combat missions.

Transport Helicopters were responsible for transporting supplies.

If the combat teams discovered large quantities of raw materials or stored supplies outside—

Transport Helicopters could be dispatched directly to carry them back.

At the same time, once other shelters placed orders—

Deliveries could also be made while avoiding combat.

With these pieces of equipment, the armed strength of the current Star-Level Shelter soared dramatically!

While the major shelters across Donghai City were still worrying about food and fighting with kitchen knives—

The Interstellar Shelter had already gained land and air combat capabilities!

"Start the production line immediately!"

Li Chen ordered.

As the machines roared to life—

Every component began operating.

These mechanical arms seemed to possess minds of their own, working together with remarkable coordination.

Their margin of error was below 0.001 millimeters.

According to Noah's explanation, each helicopter took roughly one to two days to produce.

Each armored vehicle took one day.

Li Chen silently calculated for a moment.

Then he ordered, "The production line cannot stop. Once finished products come off the line, prioritize supplying the Android Warriors. Arm the Resident Combat Teams with whatever remains."

By Li Chen's estimate—

Once the Resident Combat Teams were fully equipped, they could open a second production line to manufacture more advanced armored vehicles and helicopters.

When that time came, the phased-out equipment could be sold directly to the major shelters!

After all, there was a difference between those close and those distant.

The androids were absolutely loyal to Li Chen.

Naturally, they had to be armed first.

The Resident Combat Teams came second.

As for the other shelters, they could only use equipment phased out by the Star-Level Shelter.

That would prevent a farmer-and-snake situation.

"Yes!"

The administrator readily agreed.

The androids would never have any objections to Li Chen's decisions.

"Noah, how is the progress on the residents' detailed files?"

Li Chen asked.

"100% complete. They can be accessed at any time."

Hearing this answer, Li Chen nodded in satisfaction. "Pass down the order: when the combat teams go out on missions, have them bring surveillance equipment and install it."

At present, they still relied on drones to gather information.

But drones had one drawback: after twelve hours, they had to return to the shelter to recharge.

That was simply too inconvenient.

Surveillance equipment, however, was fitted with solar panels.

Once installed, it would allow them to monitor conditions across every area of Donghai City at any time.

Wherever a Zombie Tide appeared.

Wherever survivors were located.

All of it would be under Li Chen's control.

When combat personnel went out on missions, they could also formulate routes more quickly based on the type of mission.

"Yes! I recommend that the commander upgrade the surveillance equipment production line."

Noah made the suggestion.

The Level 1 surveillance equipment produced by the Star-Level Shelter was just like the cameras installed in cities before the apocalypse.

It was simply equipped with solar charging panels.

Level 2 was far more advanced.

It could be produced in various forms—ants, bees, birds.

It could be used to gather intelligence.

However, Li Chen had stockpiled plenty of solar-powered cameras before the apocalypse, so he had no immediate need for it.

Thus, the upgrade was put on hold for the time being.

After making these arrangements.

Li Chen headed to the Training Field.

The seven-day training period had ended.

Li Chen was eager to see the results!

"Fall in!"

"Fire!"

The moment he stepped into the Training Field, he saw everyone immersed in intense training.

When they saw Li Chen arrive.

Xu Ruoxi immediately gave the command, "Fall in! Salute!"

"Greetings, Commander!"

More than ten thousand people stood ramrod straight.

Their voices rang out in perfect unison.

Li Chen nodded in satisfaction.

Standing at the very front of the formation.

"Xu Ruoxi, step forward and report."

"Yes!"

"Reporting to the Commander: the First Regiment's training tasks have all been completed. Every soldier's overall capabilities have improved by at least twofold!"

"All personnel are now proficient with various firearms and basic hand-to-hand combat techniques."

Xu Ruoxi stood at attention as she replied.

"Very good. Feng Liang, step forward and report."

"Reporting to the Commander: the Second Regiment's training tasks have all been completed!"

Feng Liang was brief and to the point.

His report meant roughly the same as Xu Ruoxi's.

Li Chen nodded. "Very good."

"Today will be the Resident Combat Team's first mission."

"According to information relayed by the drones, there is a raw materials processing plant in the North Suburb of Donghai City, with a large stockpile of raw materials."

"Your mission is to transport all of those materials back."

As Li Chen spoke, he activated the Holographic Screen.

The drones' live surveillance footage was immediately projected onto the screen.

Nearly a month had passed since the apocalypse began.

The factories had shut down, and human society had collapsed.

Inside and outside the massive factory grounds, waist-high weeds had grown everywhere.

The once-imposing walls were also covered in mold.

Many zombies had gathered within the factory grounds.

They stood blankly in the open space.

Like trees in a forest, they remained completely motionless.

But everyone present knew.

The moment humans approached.

Those zombies would awaken and attack them!

Looking at the densely packed zombies.

Hiss—

Everyone in the Resident Combat Team sucked in a sharp breath.

If they entered a place like this without any weapons.

The bones were almost gnawed away!

"This mission will be supported by three Transport Helicopters and five Armored Cars."

"For your first collection mission, do you have confidence?"

"Yes!"

Everyone roared in unison.

Joy shone in their eyes.

The Star-Level Shelter truly lived up to its reputation as a top-tier fighting force.

It actually possessed such high-end equipment as Armored Cars and helicopters.

With these, their safety would be greatly improved!

Seeing their soaring morale, Li Chen smiled faintly.

The previous field combat training

had only been meant to help them overcome the fear in their hearts.

That was why Android Warriors had escorted and protected them.

The number of zombies in the area had also been carefully controlled.

There had been no danger.

But this time, it was the Resident Combat Team's first time carrying out a mission independently.

There would be no further assistance.

Li Chen believed

that only through real combat could a team continuously develop coordination and grow!

"Very good. Now, look at the big screen."

"This industrial complex has a total of ten factory buildings."

"Before the apocalypse, there were around ten thousand workers here!"

"After the apocalypse, the factory gates were sealed. The survivors inside attracted massive numbers of zombies, so there are more than ten thousand zombies in the factory buildings."

"The preliminary estimate is two hundred thousand!"

"Moreover, the industrial complex has enclosed terrain, with buildings packed tightly together, making it difficult to evade. You'll have to fight twenty zombies face-to-face."

"So you must obey orders without fail. Understood?"

"Understood!"

Everyone rubbed their hands together eagerly.

They could hardly wait to carry out their first mission.

"Good. Then let's move out."

"First Regiment, Second Regiment, all of you will follow Xu Ruoxi's command. Advance under cover in squads."

"The Zombie Energy Cores hunted during this mission do not need to be handed in. Keep them for yourselves!"

As Li Chen's words fell, a burst of cheers erupted from the ranks!