Humanity's Hope

Hearing this voice, Dr. Jenner was somewhat stunned. After the military and other researchers had left one after another, aside from the couple, they hadn't heard anyone else's voice for a week.

The voice in the earpiece didn't stop.

"Hey!"

"Is anyone still there?"

"I am Leon Castor."

"I want to talk to you."

Dr. Jenner held the earpiece but didn't answer. He looked up at his wife and asked, somewhat at a loss:

"Melpha, what should we do?"

"Should we respond to him?"

Dr. Melpha silently approached the display screen, bent down, and stared at the figure that had suddenly appeared, observing carefully.

In his twenties, about 1.9 meters tall, strong build, handsome features, wearing riot police armor with a gray-green county sheriff's uniform underneath.

He held a modified baseball bat, densely covered in bloodstains.

Melpha's brow tightened. She controlled the camera to pan across the square in front of the gate.

What surprised her was that the seven or eight zombies that had been wandering the square all this time had all been killed.

Melpha pondered for half a minute, then turned on the switch on her earpiece, lowered her volume, and spoke in a hoarse voice:

"I am Melpha Pascal, research director of the Atlanta CDC."

"Mr. Leon Castor, may I ask, what is your purpose in coming here?"

Phew, finally a response. If they hadn't answered, I'd have had to force the door open after a while.

Leon felt relieved. He looked up, facing the camera, and spoke in a steady, deliberate voice:

"Good afternoon, Dr. Melpha. I am Leon Castor."

"I came here to discuss a cooperation that would benefit both sides."

The female voice on the loudspeaker was silent for a few seconds, then asked in a flat tone:

"Cooperation? Sorry, Mr. Castor, I don't quite understand what you mean."

"This is one of the most professional pathogen research institutions in the country. There's nothing we can cooperate with you on personally."

Leon listened, his expression unchanged, and said with certainty:

"No, Dr. Melpha, I know very well that you need help right now."

"The CDC's supplies must be severely insufficient."

"How much longer can your food and electricity last?"

"Without outside help, do you plan to stay inside and wait to die?"

The voice on the loudspeaker fell silent. After several dozen seconds, it spoke again:

"Mr. Castor, how do you know this information?"

Leon shook his head.

"That's not important, Dr. Melpha. But I can tell you."

"On my way to Atlanta, I encountered a researcher who had fled. He was bitten by a zombie. I don't know his name, but before he died, I learned this from him."

The loudspeaker was silent for another moment before speaking:

"Let's assume that's true."

"Mr. Castor, you should know the situation outside better than we do. The CDC does need a large amount of supplies, and it needs a long-term, stable supply."

"But with your personal strength alone, it's basically impossible."

"Moreover, the CDC is a research institution. Even if we receive sufficient supplies, we can't provide you with any help beyond pathogen research."

"As I said before, it seems there's nothing we can cooperate on."

Leon laughed once, then suppressed his smile, his expression turning serious:

"Indeed, as things stand now, you can't really help me with much."

"But I know that the Atlanta CDC is likely one of the few remaining pathogen research institutions in the world."

"If we lose this place too, humanity may never be able to defeat the Zombie Virus."

"I will do my utmost to establish a settlement in Atlanta, to gather the good people struggling in this disaster."

"We will work together, support each other, defeat those damned zombies, rebuild our homes, and protect humanity's hope."

Leon's gaze was firm, staring at the camera as if he could see through the lens to the people on the other side.

"Dr. Melpha, are you willing to trust me?"

"To become my companion."

"Are you willing to gamble once for the future of humanity?"

That is also my goal.

The female voice on the loudspeaker was silent for nearly a minute before speaking hoarsely:

"What a grand idea."

"Mr. Leon Castor, we can't just fully trust your words like this."

"But, as you said, for the future of humanity, I am willing to give it a try."

Clank, clank, clank—the armored door at the entrance slowly opened.

"Come in, Mr. Castor. Let's discuss your so-called cooperation in detail."

Dr. Melpha was around forty, plain-looking, with a stern expression. What left the deepest impression were her deep, piercing pale blue eyes.

After Leon entered the CDC, this sharp and capable research director held nothing back. She gave Leon a very detailed introduction to the base's current situation, including material reserves, various equipment and machinery, and the current progress of the virus research.

"So, what you're most urgently lacking right now is virus samples, followed by a large amount of diesel or gasoline for the generators?"

In the conference room, Leon sat back in a leather chair, arms crossed, asking with a serious expression.

"Yes. Currently, the base's power supply can last about thirty days. Due to the death and escape of many researchers, our food and daily necessities are relatively sufficient to support about a hundred people for three months."

"As for the most important virus samples, we've already used them all up."

"Without virus samples, all related research will come to a complete halt."

After saying this, Dr. Melpha tapped the table, her voice urgent.

"So, Mr. Castor, we need you to obtain new virus samples for us as soon as possible."

"Every minute delayed means the antibody serum will succeed one minute later."

"I know it's very dangerous out there, but..."

Leon shook his head nonchalantly and spoke sincerely:

"It's fine, Dr. Melpha. That's exactly why I'm here."

"Don't worry about my safety. I've already lived alone in that environment for a month. I know how to protect myself."

"Just tell me how to obtain those samples."

Hearing that Leon had already survived alone outside for a month, Melpha's expression softened slightly. Her tone warmed as she said:

"Your ability is admirable, Mr. Castor."

"We currently need four types of virus samples."

"First, the blood and DNA of ordinary humans surviving in the outside environment. Second, the brain tissue and flesh of still-active zombies. Third, the brain tissue and flesh of already-dead zombies."

"Fourth, the brain tissue, blood, and DNA of living humans infected with the Zombie Virus."

Leon frowned, about to speak, but Dr. Melpha continued:

"Of course, I won't force you to get the fourth type of virus sample. But I hope, if conditions allow, you can help us obtain it. It's very important for the research on the Zombie Virus."

"The more hosts for each type of virus sample, the better. Preferably no fewer than ten per type."

"Every half month, these samples need to be replaced."

"This is a long-term task."

"For today's task, just collect the virus samples from those freshly dead ones in the square."

Leon nodded. This task was no challenge for him.

"I'll go collect those samples before dark."

"Now, let's discuss my terms."