Chapter 288
To put it bluntly, Broca and Hegre are here to curry favor with him.
The new city was built by Shi Lei. The food was provided by Shi Lei. The supplies were purchased with Shi Lei's money.
They did nothing but pledge their loyalty and received the beautiful home that many infected people dream of.
Of course, Shi Lei didn't care about any of that.
If we apply a game-like mindset, we can explain his current situation and mindset much better.
The establishment of a new city is like Shi Lei playing a strategic management simulation game. He starts with two generals possessing outstanding military abilities and a population of two thousand. His next task is to develop this city into a larger entity.
Thinking about it this way, if an initial general has a negative label like 'saintly', it will inevitably affect the player, that is, the City Lord's allocation of resources to that general.
It's perfectly normal for initial generals to have some flaws. Unless you're using a cheat engine, no game will give you two top-tier (T0) characters at the start.
When a general is flawed and there are no better alternatives, appropriate resources can be invested in him in the early stages as a transitional measure. In the mid-to-late game, just remember not to entrust him with heavy responsibilities.
Shi Lei is key to building the new city; without him, there would be no new city. It is reasonable to determine the severity of Hegre's maternalistic tendencies.
Even if the "Mother Teresa" is serious, it's not a big problem. Many domestic affairs can still be entrusted to her.
After Hegre finished explaining things to the patient, he returned to the scene. Shi Lei built Rock House and carried him away from the site.
January 3, 1097, 7:10 pm
12 kilometers from Lungmen, in the wilderness.
Ten days have now passed since the Chernobyl incident. The Rhodes Island has been providing aid to refugees along the way, This Ship has been moving intermittently, its pace unusually slow.
Tens of thousands of Ursus residents have already entered the Lower City area near the border checkpoint. However, many more refugees are forming long lines and entering the area very slowly.
According to PRTS system predictions, the number of infected individuals gathered in this Rhodes Island is nearly 100,000. Even if more than half are lost in the Catastrophe, there will still be around 50,000 remaining.
Their next target is likely to be Lungmen, the closest Mobile Cities to Chernobyl.
Although the Lower City has undergone renovations and its attitude towards infected individuals is somewhat better than in Ursus, the influx of a large number of infected individuals will inevitably place a considerable burden on local security.
"The Doctor, your body hasn't fully recovered yet, so you don't really need to come with us to treat the refugees."
Amiya tilted her head and ears, showing great concern for the hooded figure in the Rhodes Island uniform before her:
"Doctor Kal'tsit is heading to Lungmen later to sign an agreement with the local governor, allowing infected Operator to enter the city to help stranded refugees. If the Doctor feels unwell, I'll go and call her over immediately. She shouldn't have left yet at this time."
Actually, there are many Doctor on this This Ship who can perform physical examinations for the Doctor. Moreover, most of them are highly skilled and can quickly cure minor ailments such as headaches and fevers.
However, Kal'tsit, the head of the Medical Department, explicitly forbade any Doctor other than herself from examining the Doctor.
"I... I'm fine... no need."
When Amiya saw him like this, she couldn't help but show a look of worry and heartache.
"The Doctor ..."
"Oh, so you two are here. Perfect, I need to talk to you about something."
Instructor Dobermann's sudden appearance interrupted Amiya's next words. She looked at the two of them and said:
"Amiya, we all agree that Doctor Kal'tsit's way of speaking is very distinctive, which may not be conducive to reaching a cooperation agreement with the Longmen Governor. You would be better off coming along to assist Doctor Kal'tsit in her work."
If a contract can be signed, Rhodes Island operator will be able to move freely within the city. We'll also need to investigate the Rhodes Island's activities in Lungmen. Don't worry about bodyguards; Ace and Miss. Franka will protect you.
"I understand, Miss Dobermann."
"Well, Miss Nearl and I have other important missions to carry out, so we won't be able to provide reinforcements. You must remain vigilant and not fall into any traps."
Amiya nodded and turned her head to look at the hooded man:
"The Doctor, let's pack our bags. We look forward to your guidance from now on."
January 3, 1097, 8:36 pm
Amiya finished packing and met up with the Doctor. They arrived at the land vehicle and set off at nine o'clock after everyone had arrived.
Kal'tsit rushed over, but didn't immediately get into the car. Instead, with a serious expression, she handed over a document:
"Amiya, I have a rather urgent mission that requires your temporary requisition. Just now, the Reconnaissance Squad discovered an abandoned plot of land outside Lungmen City."
Preliminary assessment suggests this is one of the Core City where survivors narrowly escaped the Chernobyl incident. I feel it's necessary to explore this area and search for any survivors. If the Rhodes Island is hiding there, it will significantly impact our subsequent plans. The specific plan is in this proposal; please take a look when you have time.
"Understood, I will look into it as soon as possible."
Amiya then abruptly changed the subject:
"Doctor Kal'tsit, I heard that Miss Franka is returning to Blacksteel to report. Once we enter Lungmen, the safety of me and the Doctor cannot be guaranteed. Can I contact Penguin Logistics and have Mister Zhongli serve as our bodyguard this time?"
Zhongli, Zhongli, it's Zhongli again.
Kal'tsit had anticipated Amiya's thoughts and had called Penguin Logistics in advance:
"Mister Zhongli, I'm afraid that won't work."
Why?
"Amiya, I just spoke with the owner of Penguin Logistics. He said Mister Zhongli recently ate something unclean and has been suffering from diarrhea. He won't be able to accept any assignments for the next few days. I'll arrange for additional bodyguards to protect you and the Doctor."
Arknights Limited-Time Artwork. jpg
Arknights Limited-Time Artwork. jpg
356 Zhongli Fan Meeting 4K
Hearing this explanation, Amiya had her doubts but didn't refute it on the spot. Perhaps it was true, as Doctor Kal'tsit said, that Mister Zhongli was not in a position to accept the commission.
"All right..."
"I heard from Dobermann that you are going to Lungmen to investigate the movements of the Rhodes Island. I have already contacted Chief Chen of the Lungmen Guard Department. We have arranged to meet at the entrance of Border Inspection Station No. 1 at 10 p. m. tonight."
After Kal'tsit finished giving her instructions, she boarded a land vehicle and left first. She planned to head to Lungmen as soon as possible to discuss with Governor Wei Yenwu the matter of allowing Rhodes Island operator to enter the city.
Since Franka and Sui had not yet arrived at the rendezvous point, Amiya and the Doctor did not go with Kal'tsit.
When they arrived, the Doctor was attacked by members of the Rhodes Island. Fortunately, there were only two ambushers, who were easily killed by Yato This Ship, who was patrolling nearby.
After confirming that the Doctor was safe and sound, Amiya quickly boarded the land vehicle. There were still sixteen minutes until the appointed time, and she felt she was running late.
"Let's go, it's time for us to head to Lungmen."
January 3, 1097, 10:10 pm
Lungmen, entrance to Border Inspection Station No. 1.
"I want to go in! Let me in!"
An Ursus infected person was agitated and extremely dissatisfied with Lungmen's policy of refusing to accept refugees. He tried to force his way through the gate but was stopped by heavily armed guards.
"Sorry, we are not accepting any infected individuals into the country at this time. Please return via the same route you came from."
"Damn it, why can everyone else go in but I can't? Do you want me to just sit here and die in the wilderness?"
Lungmen Guard Department officers, wielding broad shields, pushed back the infected Ursus who were trying to force their way through the checkpoint.
They have no intention of harming refugees, but they will not allow infected individuals to enter the country either. Before the governor issued the new policy, only non-infected individuals were allowed to enter the city after approval.
As for why infected people were allowed to enter before but are not now, it can only be said that policies can change.
"Enough!"
Hearing someone making a loud commotion, Chen, with her hair in Chi Xiao and a serious expression, came over and warned them.
"Given your repeated attempts to break through the checkpoint, we will arrest you in accordance with the 'Lungmen Security Management Regulations'."
The infected man from Ursus was restrained by two guards, and he wailed in a pleading tone:
"Please, please let me in. I'm homeless now, this is all I have. Hey, let me go! Are you all so heartless? Why won't you let me in?"
In fact, Chen has rescued nearly a hundred refugees in the past week. Some plots of land where factories have been built are unwilling to open to infected individuals, leading to overcrowding.
Even if it's to demonstrate the grandeur of a great power and do good deeds, we can't keep accepting refugees indefinitely. Once we exceed a certain limit, it will lead to disaster.
As a member of the Lungmen Guard Department, Chen would certainly prioritize protecting citizens. If she had to choose between infected individuals and ordinary citizens, she would definitely prefer to protect the latter.
The Doctor and his three companions arrived just as the infected person from Ursus was being taken away by the guards and witnessed the scene.
Seeing the Dragon Horn on Chen's head, Amiya recognized the high -Lungmen Guard Department official who was in charge of the liaison today:
"Commander Chen, I'm very sorry to have kept you waiting."
Chen took out her phone, glanced at the time, and then turned the screen towards the two of them.
"I remember the agreed time was ten o'clock, right? Can't Rhodes Island be a little more punctual?"
"I'm very sorry, Officer Chen. We encountered an attack by the Rhodes Island on the way, which caused a delay."
Upon hearing this, Chen stopped asking for details. Out of professional habit, she looked warily at the man who had covered his face:
"Who is he?"
"This is the Doctor, an advisor to Rhodes Island."
After learning the answer, Chen did not ask any further questions.
She waved to the two of them to follow, then turned and left the scene, heading towards the elevator.
Franka and Sui had to return to Rhine Lab to report and could not continue accompanying them, so they chose to say goodbye here:
"Little Rabbit, we have to go back to the company. Let's work together again in the future."
"Good."
Watching Commander Chen's retreating figure, Amiya quickly urged the Doctor beside her to follow.
After Chen entered the access code, the elevator doors closed and slowly ascended. Through the glass, she and the Doctor could see the bustling night market of Lungmen.
Unlike the desolate, dark wasteland, this place is brightly lit. Every light seems to be a sign of civilization.
Chen stepped out of the elevator and walked to a jeep, where she sat in the driver's seat.
Amiya sat in the back row, looking through the glass window at the towering buildings in the distance, and couldn't help but sigh:
"That's amazing, they can actually build such a tall building."
Previously, due to her status as an infected person, she could only stay in the boarding area. This was her first time entering the Upper City.
Chen didn't want to talk about such a boring topic, so she changed the subject back to something the other person had mentioned:
"You just said you encountered the Rhodes Island on your way here. Approximately where was it? How many people were there?"
She asked this because she was worried about the safety of the citizens. If the incident occurred very close to the city center, it would be necessary to personally suppress it.
"It's not far, just a few kilometers outside the city. There weren't many people, only two, and the problem has already been resolved."
Chen gripped the steering wheel and continued to ask:
"I saw those two Rhine Lab mercenaries have already left the team and gone back. Are there only two of you in Lungmen this time? You didn't even bring a bodyguard?"
All the Rhodes Island squads are currently on missions, and the mere mention of Amiya brings a sense of utter helplessness:
"That's all, just the two of us. We originally wanted to hire Mister Zhongli from Penguin Logistics to handle the security for this trip to Lungmen. But Doctor Kal'tsit said he's had diarrhea recently and isn't accepting any other requests for the time being."
Ah?!
Chen found it strange; a peerless expert like Shi Lei shouldn't get sick so easily, right?
She wanted to confirm, so she pulled over and dialed the other party's phone number, wanting to verify on the spot.
If Shi Lei really does have an upset stomach, you can take some time to buy him some medicine, supplements, fruit, or something to visit him.
"Sorry, the number you dialed is currently switched off. Please try again later..."
Hearing the voice announcement from the receiver, Chen reluctantly ended the call. After a moment's thought, she made another call to Texas.
The call was answered shortly afterward.
"Hello, Miss Texas. I'm so sorry to bother you so late. I heard that Mister Zhongli hasn't been feeling well lately, is that true?"
"Ah, he probably ate something unclean. He's taken a few days of annual leave to rest and isn't accepting any cases for the time being. Officer Chen, do you have an important case?"
"No, I was just asking casually. I tried calling him earlier but his phone was off, so I was just checking with you to make sure he was okay. Tell Mister Zhongli to take care of himself. That's all."