Chapter 28
An opportunity in the rain.
Lu Li carefully recalled what he knew about those Flying-type Pokémon. Apart from a few with the Drizzle Ability, most Flying-type Pokémon probably hated rainy weather.
That thought put Lu Li considerably more at ease.
A bold idea came to Lu Li. "Sister Jun, I have a bold idea."
Since the rain had made the skies relatively safe, could they take the opportunity to do something else?
"What do you have in mind?" Jun Shutong asked curiously.
"Remember that Water Station you mentioned?" Lu Li asked.
"You mean we should fetch water while it's raining?" Jun Shutong looked at Lu Li, realization dawning on her.
Lu Li nodded.
Jun Shutong asked worriedly, "But have you thought about what happens if someone gets soaked and catches a cold? With the conditions at the Camp right now, anyone who catches a cold will just have to tough it out."
"There's a Pharmacy nearby," Lu Li said seriously.
"And we can drive there," he added.
Pokémon had habits much like those of many animals. On rainy days, aside from those that enjoyed being out in the rain, most would seek shelter.
This was a rare opportunity for the Camp, and it came with a time limit. If they missed it, they would have to wait for the next rainy day.
Most importantly, even boiled rainwater could only serve as an emergency measure. Boiling water could kill germs, but it couldn't remove chemical contaminants.
And crucially, the longer the survivors waited before using rainwater, the better it would be for them.
Based on his understanding of Pokémon, their arrival in this world would definitely affect ecosystems across the globe. Those changes might be disastrous for humanity, but they would benefit nature.
When the time came, the Pokémon born specifically to deal with pollution would clean up the environmental damage caused by industry.
"The Clothing Mall on the third floor is bound to have waterproof jackets or raincoats. There's no telling when this rain will stop. We don't have much time," Lu Li continued, trying to persuade the wavering Jun Shutong.
"Eight people, two vans. Just one successful trip would guarantee at least a month's water supply for the Camp," Lu Li added, raising the stakes.
At those words, Jun Shutong took a deep breath and gritted her teeth. Finally, she gave a solemn nod.
"We'll do it your way. I'll go get people together now. But... you're not coming on this trip. If I don't make it back, you must keep everyone alive."
Lu Li looked at Jun Shutong with mixed emotions. He had originally intended to go with her, and had even considered leading a team to the Water Station himself.
He had never expected Jun Shutong to take on this dangerous task herself, much less leave him behind at the Camp.
Perhaps moved by Jun Shutong's noble character, Lu Li blurted out on impulse, "I was the one who suggested this. If anyone's going, it should be me."
"No." Jun Shutong shook her head, rejecting his suggestion in a tone that brooked no argument.
Worried that Lu Li might take it the wrong way, she explained, "You've never been to the Water Station. You don't know the roads, and I know which route takes us past the Pharmacy."
Turned down, Lu Li could only compromise, though he still refused to give up. "How about we go together?"
"If something really goes wrong, having you there won't make a difference. The Camp needs you more. Compared to me, you're the one who can give them hope." Jun Shutong looked at Lu Li solemnly.
Jun Shutong knew her own limits. Kindness and a gun alone weren't enough to give the Camp hope. Someone had to lead humanity as it adapted to this "new world."
In her eyes, Lu Li was that person.
Lu Li was calm enough, and his research into Magical Beasts ran deep. He had even figured out some of their habits. That was what the Camp needed.
The gun in her hand could only deter other humans. It couldn't do much against those Magical Beasts.
Jun Shutong was also a woman of action. She swiftly divided the people in the Camp into two groups: one would take advantage of the rain to collect more rainwater.
The other would accompany her to the Water Station to collect bottled water. After selecting seven sturdy men, she led them out of the mall.
Back at the Camp, Lu Li sat on a bench and sighed.
It seemed all he could do now was pray to Arceus that Jun Shutong would return safely.
Why not pray to God? Once Pokémon descended upon this world, it was no longer under God's jurisdiction.
Fatty Lei, who had also heard the news, came over to Lu Li.
He gently patted Lu Li on the shoulder. "Lu Li, don't worry. Sister Jun will definitely make it back safely. It's pouring out there, after all. You said yourself that their chances of success were at least seventy percent."
Lu Li glanced at Fatty Lei and immediately saw that he, too, was only pretending to be calm.
Rather than call him out, Lu Li instructed him, "Use every empty bucket we can and collect as much water as possible. With rain this heavy, I'm afraid it won't last long."
"Don't worry about that. I specifically had people clear out three shops to store water in," Fatty Lei assured him, patting his chest.
"Remember to prepare hot bathwater for Sister Jun and the others ahead of time, so they can take a hot bath as soon as they get back," Lu Li added.
Fatty Lei made an OK gesture.
He had already taken care of all those things, actually. There was no need for Lu Li to remind him.
But he wouldn't point that out. When a leader gave an order, you simply followed it. Even if you had already done it, you still had to pretend you were acting on the leader's instructions.
Having entered the working world straight out of high school, Fatty Lei knew these workplace social niceties all too well.
He might not have much experience as a leader, but he had plenty as a subordinate.
After exchanging a few words with Lu Li, Fatty Lei went back to directing everyone.
Lu Li stared absently at the walkie-talkie in his hand, hoping to hear Jun Shutong's voice come through.
Twenty minutes later.
A burst of static came from the walkie-talkie, followed by a pleasant voice.
"Lu Li, this is Jun Shutong. We've left the water at Entrance Seven. Get some people down here to carry it in. We're going to make another run while it's still raining."
With that, Jun Shutong cut off the transmission without waiting for a reply.
Hearing this, Lu Li sprang from his seat.
"Little Lei, get some people and come with me to Entrance Seven to bring in the water! Sister Jun brought the water back!" Lu Li shouted excitedly.
Hearing this, Fatty Lei
was just as excited.
"I'll get people right away."
In less than a minute, Fatty Lei arrived at the Emergency Exit with a group of people.
He had brought fourteen people in total, including six elderly people.
At a time like this, though, Lu Li could hardly afford to be picky.
"Keep quiet in the Emergency Exit. It's raining outside, so there might be Magical Beasts sheltering in the mall. Too much noise could attract them," Lu Li warned everyone.
Thanks to Lu Li's warning, everyone walked as quietly as possible. The other exits from the Emergency Exit had all been locked and could only be opened from inside, so there was little chance of a Magical Beast slipping into it.
When they reached Exit Seven, they saw the bottles of water stacked by the door.
"My God! This much bottled water could last the Camp a month!" Everyone stared wide-eyed and excited at the water, which almost completely blocked the entrance.