Chapter 264
In this Rescue Operation, Rhodes Island will face the city's military police and other military forces.
In even more extreme circumstances, they might encounter a large army group stationed outside the city. This is where Instructor Dobermann's experience comes in handy. Adjustments can be made based on troop distribution, and movements can be anticipated in advance.
According to our current intelligence, a massive Cataclysmic Clouds is moving towards Chernobyl and is expected to make landfall in mid-to-late December.
Our timing is precisely on the eve of the impending Cataclysmic Clouds. Taking advantage of the city's lax defenses, we must quickly infiltrate the Core City area, rescue the Doctor lying in the Stone Coffin, and then evacuate immediately.
This is roughly the overall rescue plan. Do you have any further questions?
I have a question.
Upon hearing this, Scout raised his hand and asked:
"This Rescue Operation mobilized almost half of Rhodes Island's Elite Operator. Based on your description, we may have encountered an enemy several times our size?"
"That's right."
"Since the operation is taking place in Chernobyl, why not hire Mister Zhongli from Penguin Logistics? With him involved in the rescue of the Doctor, the safety level will be much higher. Moreover, Lungmen, where he is located, is only a few hours' drive from Chernobyl."
Scout still vividly remembers what happened in Yarbing. With fewer than ten men, he annihilated two regular army units totaling over a thousand men.
"No."
Kal'tsit awakened the Doctor precisely to find a way to combat Zhongli. Sending him to save the Doctor, who was in a weakened state, was like sending a lamb to the slaughter.
She dared not gamble, nor could she gamble.
Why not?
Kal'tsit stared at Scout, who had asked the question, her expression very serious, and it was impossible to tell what she was thinking.
"I want you to remember that Zhongli is not Rhodes Island Operator. Always relying on others will only make you weaker. In the days without him, everyone still completed the missions excellently. Does that mean we can't do anything or anything without him?"
No matter how much the Operator try to persuade her, Kal'tsit will not hire Zhongli to participate in the Doctor's Rescue Operation.
330 New Storm 5K
Watching Shi Lei and Mudrock disappear at the bar entrance, Croissant turned her gaze away and asked:
"Shall we leave now, or have a drink before we go?"
Texas shrugged slightly. "Since I'm already here, I can't just go back empty-handed."
"Have a drink."
Although Shi Lei might make a surprise return, the probability of that is rather low. He should wait until after Mudrock's birthday celebration before returning to the warehouse in Taiheng Road.
Moreover, going out to track them now is not a wise choice. Shi Lei flew over the city with Mudrock, making them impossible to detect through ground surveillance.
Even if you ask Isu for help, it won't do any good. You should just finish your drink and go home.
"Please enjoy your meal, both guests."
When the waiter served the special Featherbeast Tail Wine, Croissant readily picked up the glass and downed it in one gulp. She then raised the back of her right hand to wipe the liquor stains from the corner of her mouth.
"Honestly, do you think she'll confess her feelings?"
Texas thought for a moment, then shook her head:
"I feel that Mudrock has those special feelings for Shi Lei. But you know, he's a very clueless guy. If a direct confession worked, I would have tried it long ago, and she wouldn't have had a chance."
Actually, there was a 'truth' she didn't tell Croissant. That was that Shi Lei was suspected to be the incarnation of Archon fragment, which was why he seemed more straightforward than normal people.
Currently, only Texas, Nian, and Lin Yuxia know about this.
"Hahaha."
Croissant grinned upon hearing this, as if she had thought of something happy:
"Speaking of being clueless about romance, I remember when Shi Lei came to Penguin Logistics. One day he asked you to look at the trunk of your car, and Exusiai and I thought it was full of flowers and were ready to applaud and congratulate you. Who knew he would ask you if the trunk was clean. Hahahaha, I could laugh about that for a year."
Texas felt utterly helpless when the man was mentioned, and took a sip of her drink.
Croissant felt unsatisfied and asked:
"I don't live with you, so I don't know a lot of things. Tell me a few stories about his lack of romantic understanding."
"At the beginning of this year, during the Chinese New Year period, I asked Shi Lei out for a late-night snack one night, and he agreed. At that time, I hinted that I could make an outrageous request that day, and guess what he said?"
Croissant leaned forward, seemingly very interested in the topic, and responded in response:
What did he ask for?
Texas put down her glass, looking helpless.
"He asked me to pay the bill. Do you think that's an unreasonable request?"
"Hahahaha, that's really going too far."
The two originally planned to have one drink and then leave, but they felt that just chatting wasn't enough, so they ordered a few more drinks.
Perhaps fueled by alcohol, Texas, unusually, opened up. She complained about all the times Shi Lei had angered her over the past two years.
"Haha, he's really straightforward."
"Well, who can argue with that? Although these reactions were unexpected, they were also reasonable. There has never been a perfect man on this land. Shi Lei is outstanding in many ways, so he must have some weaknesses. Otherwise, who would dare to approach someone who is flawless?"
"Haha, you're just making excuses for him. What about Mudrock? You're not going to do anything about him?"
"Manage? How can I manage? Anyway, I don't believe Mudrock can succeed. If she wants to confess, let her confess. If Shi Lei can come to his senses, it will be a good thing for me."
The two drank until 10:30 before leaving.
Croissant she was a little tipsy. She didn't live on Taiheng Road, and after saying goodbye, she took a taxi and left.
Texas was in slightly better shape; she was more alert, though her steps were unsteady. She also hailed a taxi outside the bar to go home and get some rest.
The back window was rolled down halfway, and cold air kept blowing in as the car drove on. This quickly dissipated the slight intoxication she had been in.
The streets at night are not as noisy as during the day, and the shadows of the roadside trees are stretched long. The streetlights on both sides of the street are like the eyes of sleepy people.
Texas returned to Taiheng Road around 11 p. m.
Lisa was already asleep at this time, but the roller shutter door of Warehouse No. 2 remained open. This indicated that Shi Lei and Mudrock Yan had not yet returned.
Warehouse One was also open, with V and several Sarkaz sitting at the door, enjoying the cool night breeze.
Upon seeing Texas return, Exusiai was sitting in the living room of Warehouse No. 3, promptly put down her phone and asked:
"Tell me quickly, what happened?"
Texas went straight to the refrigerator, picked out some ingredients, and seemed to want to cook:
"Nothing much, we were discovered and lost."
Exusiai Shi Lei wanted to leave, none of them could stop him.
"What did he go out to do with Mudrock? Why hasn't he come back yet? Could it be..."
Texas slammed the refrigerator door shut, looked at Sarkaz in front of her, and her expression remained perfectly calm:
"Don't overthink it. Today is Mudrock's birthday, and her wish was probably to have Shi Lei spend the day with her. After we were Croissant, we stopped following them, had a few drinks outside, and then took a taxi back."
"He didn't even invite me when he was drinking, really."
Exusiai Texas her rant, she felt that Texas's calm demeanor was a bit off, and pressed for an answer:
"Aren't you really comfortable leaving the two of them alone? Aren't you afraid that Mudrock will beat you to it?"
"What's the use of being afraid? Can being afraid stop it? Shi Lei is a very punctual person. Maybe he'll bring her back as soon as Mudrock's birthday is over."
"I don't even know what to say about you."
Exusiai shook her head helplessly, a hint of exasperation in her voice. Seeing that she still had the energy to cook so late, she couldn't help but ask with a puzzled look:
"What are you doing so late at night? Making soup?"
"Yes, if you're sleepy, go back to your room and sleep."
After saying that, Texas picked up a few ingredients and went into the kitchen. She grabbed her floral apron from the hook, tied it up, and began to prepare the ingredients with a knife after washing them.
Seeing that she wasn't in a hurry, Exusiai that there was no point in worrying, so she went back to her room to rest, feeling rather foolish.
"Splash!"
After cleaning, Texas started a pot of water to boil. Once the water was boiling, she dumped all the ingredients in. Then she stood by the pot and simmered it for over half an hour.
Texas waited until after midnight the next day, when she heard a thud outside the warehouse. Only then did she shut off the valves and turn off the fire, ladling out two bowls of hangover soup. She didn't discriminate; she treated everyone equally.
Texas saw the two saying goodbye as she left. Shi Lei's expression didn't show any obvious change, indicating that nothing too serious had happened between them.
"Come, come, this is freshly made hangover soup. Drink it while it's hot. You drank tonight, so you can use this to warm your stomach. Leave the bowls with you after you finish drinking, I'll come back to collect them tomorrow. Go and get some rest, goodnight."
Texas handed the bowls to the two men, then turned and returned to Warehouse Number Three without lingering.
Staring at the hangover soup in his hand, Mudrock suddenly felt his perspective was too narrow, and thanked the retreating figure in front of him:
"Miss Texas, thank you."
Shi Lei is now completely immune to alcohol and doesn't need hangover soup to sober up. However, putting the bowl back directly would be a bit impolite, so he added a thank you.
Texas heard him but didn't respond. A slight smile played on her lips as she pulled down the warehouse shutter.
October 15, 1096.
Schuratzburg City, City Hall Conference Room.
This magnificent room was where the former mayor held meetings. Several brightly colored oil paintings hung on the walls on both sides. The soaring dome and luxurious decorations exuded an aura of power and wealth.
The room was dimly lit and warm, and the oval brown Long Table gleamed clean. Many cadres from the Rhodes Island had gathered here for a meeting.
Among them sat a burly giant wearing Antler Helmet on his back, to the left of the main seat. This man was the last pure-blooded Wendigo on this land, the infamous 'Patriot' Broca.
His imposing stature exerted a powerful sense of pressure on the surrounding officials, causing them to maintain a dignified and solemn demeanor, and none daring to make a sound in such a setting.
Opposite Patriot, to the right of the main seat, is a very petite woman. She is Alina, a confidante of Leader Talulah, a veteran figure who was present when the Rhodes Island was founded, and currently serves as the Minister of Logistics.
Further down the list are Mephisto, the Crownslayer, FrostNova, and the FrostNova, among other key figures. No one dared to sit in the several seats next to Patriot.
The most terrifying thing was the pair of scarlet eyes hidden behind the mask. Everyone avoided eye contact, their gazes fixed on the conference room door, as if waiting for someone.
Shortly after, Talulah open the door and entered. The arrival of the Rhodes Island leader signified the start of the meeting.
After she settled into the main seat, she looked around at the officials present:
"I've gathered you all here today to inform you of something very important..."
Talulah used the word 'notification' here, implying that she had already made up her mind. The next steps simply required execution; there was no room for discussion.
"According to reliable sources, a massive Cataclysmic Clouds is moving towards Chernobyl, a city on the southwestern border of Ursus. It is expected to cross this Mobile Cities by the end of December."
Even if they relocate now, they won't be able to take all the city's wealth before the Catastrophe strikes. Especially the warehouses in Block A7, where a large amount of military supplies will be unable to be moved. What we need to do is send our main force there. Before the Catastrophe strikes and the city's defenses are weakened, we need to take as many necessary supplies as possible.
If other infected individuals are found within the city, they can all be included in their respective teams. Next, there is a document you can refer to.
After saying that, she tossed the documents she had brought onto the table and asked Alina to distribute them. The freshly printed papers still smelled of ink and were warm to the touch.
After everyone present had received a copy, Talulah continued:
"This is a map of the Chernobyl area. Our target is only plot A7. Of course, we can take any supplies that local residents can't take along the way. It's better to benefit us than let them be destroyed by Catastrophe."
Upon hearing this, the cadres all buried their heads in their work.
The document details the land parcel distribution in Chernobyl, as well as matters related to the parcel decomposition.
Because Mobile Cities are so large, they often need to be evacuated several months in advance in the event of Catastrophe.
If Catastrophe is discovered too late, or if Catastrophe occurs suddenly near Mobile Cities, it is impossible to preserve all plots of land, and some must be sacrificed.
Once all residents have been relocated, the administrators will disconnect all links between the plots of land. This includes cutting off water and electricity, creating a self-sustaining system within each plot. However, this process is extremely time-consuming and will take a considerable amount of time.
"We have about three days to assemble and travel from Schuratzburg City to Chernobyl. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have."
"Leader, I have a question."
A cadre raised his hand and asked a question:
"When will the Chernobyl plots be disconnected and separated? Also, with so many of us entering the city, if the plots separate, won't we be forced to divide the battlefield? Is there any way to reunite all the plots?"
"Good idea, that's what I was thinking too. Before entering the city, I will send an advance team into the Core City of Chernobyl to destroy the central control system. That way, even if the mayor wants to separate the plots, he won't be able to do it."
If the plots of land were joined together, the advantage would be easier to group together and fight in a wider area. The disadvantage would be that the retreat route would be longer and leaving would take more time. However, compared to safety, it would be worthwhile. Then, the only enemies we would face would be the military police and civilian police who might not even be in the city.