In the dead of night, the night streets of Area 51, a factory area where the middle and lower floors of the city are located in the west, are still busy just after 2 a.m.
The surface of the pillars in the distance flashes red light from time to time. In the night sky, huge pillars stand in the west and extend to the edge of the ground floor. All the factories in the city are here.
These waste disposal pipes will liquefy all the waste internally and then discharge it directly into the gully through underground sewage pipes.
There are strange smells mixed in the air, including the pungent smell of metal and the aroma of food. Almost all of the people gathered here are factory workers. At this time, curses are constantly coming from the food stalls on the street.
sound.
Many factories have shut down due to this black market transaction incident. Most of the workers who are not skilled workers only have temporary contracts. They rely on the time-limited work cards issued by the factory to work. They finish the work on the same day and settle the accounts on the same day. Most of them come to the factory to find a way out.
Most of the people have only received primary school education and can read and calculate. In this kind of place, only those with good brains who can climb up the ladder, or those who know how to follow the crowd can sign long-term contracts with the factories under the company, and only those with long-term contracts can
There are corresponding welfare guarantees.
Every day, some daily necessities and mechanical supplies needed by the city are produced from the west, directly transported through underground logistics pipelines to the delivery and storage areas in the north or south of the middle or lower levels, and then distributed throughout the city through some mutant express delivery
.
Most of the workers complaining now are those who cannot go to work tomorrow. If they cannot go to work for a day, they will make less money for a day, so many people gather together on nights like this to complain and drink.
Cheap wine and something to eat.
At a fried food stall on the corner of the street, Tamai smiled and ordered a table of dishes. In front of him was a middle-aged man in his 90s who was about the same age as him. He had a bald head, pointed ears, and some splashes on his face.
He has colorful paint, dark skin, and a pair of seemingly shrewd eyes that are always filled with suspicion.
The man's name was Zedu, a technical consultant at a photoelectric conversion material factory, and an old acquaintance of Tamai.
"What the hell is going on, Tamayi, just tell the truth."
"You have to promise first before I can tell you. I have to sign the contract first. It's not a bad thing. You may be able to go to Section 10 after it's done."
Zedu smiled bitterly and took a sip of wine. Tamayi was able to enter Zedu's factory with a search warrant from Section 5 at noon yesterday and find him, but he was busy at the time, and the two of them
We agreed to come here to have a drink after Zedu finished his work. Tamai waited until late at night before Zedu came over.
"Think about it, I just believed your words before, and that's why I ended up like this."
Zedu's voice was slightly dissatisfied.
Tamai smiled helplessly.
"Who knows what's wrong with that old man? He stole control of the artificial sun, openly challenged Congress, and wanted to establish a state in the city. The past is in the past, don't mention it anymore."
Zedu snorted coldly. In order to save his life, Zedu taught 10 subjects his skills unconditionally, and finally saved a small life. However, he was not allowed to conduct research on optical nuclei for life, and was not allowed to interact with anyone.
When mentioning past events, you need to report to Section 1 every month.
"This matter requires a maintenance technician. Your skills should not be unfamiliar, and this can be regarded as a little compensation from me."
“Safety!”
Zedu said and Tamay scratched his head.
"It should be guaranteed."
"Don't say you should, it's a must."
Zedu looked at Tamai dissatisfied, staring at the contract with no content visible on the light and shadow screen next to it, and it was an orange document. It should not be a simple matter, but once it is signed, there may be consequences if he does not participate.
Troublesome, after hesitating for a while Zedu signed the contract.
After a while, Zedu's eyes widened and he looked at the contents of the contract in disbelief. There was no big content, there was only one item, investigation outside the barrier.
"Go with whom?"
"Jean."
Zedu's face became serious.
"That's what happened. Now that you've signed it, you have no choice. Mr. Jean asked me to help form a team to investigate outside the barrier. Although it is said to be an investigation, I don't know what exactly it will do."
Zedu gritted his teeth, drank half the glass of wine in one gulp, and sighed.
"I know, I will prepare. As for who you want to find? Don't go with any burden. After all, the outside world is not simple. I have been there more than 70 years ago."
Tamai nodded, he knew this, but Zedu never revealed what was outside, because after returning, he became silent.
Tamai listed the professions of personnel needed for the investigation outside the barrier, including 2 vehicle maintenance technicians, 5 tactical team members, 1 doctor, 3 investigators, plus Tamai himself, as well as Jean and Tang Rao, a total of
13 people, this is the most ideal configuration.
"What kind of benefits will you get when you come back?"
"I'm not sure about this. I'll talk to Mr. Jean slowly after I find everyone. I'll go get the members of the tactical team first tomorrow."
Zedu looked at Tamai in confusion.
"Has anyone chosen?"
"You can filter based on the physical data of mutants, but it's actually useless. The top S-class mutants' values ​​are generally around 2,000. However, considering the actual combat ability, environmental adaptability, etc., only those guys like Lightning Skeleton
It’s somewhat useful, but just in case, we still have two top combatants here.”
Zedu became even more confused.
"Who else but Mr. Jean?"
"Tang Rao."
.......
A peculiar apartment building, each floor is a 20-meter square, and each floor is stacked corner to edge. It has an oversized 400 square meters of space and balconies in four directions, allowing you to enjoy light all day long.
The 20-and-a-half-story building is located in a beautiful small garden. At this time, on the balcony covered with vines on the top half floor, Li Chu was making food on the stove nearby.
"I've been here several times but I haven't seen you. You bastard, aren't you avoiding me on purpose?"
Gene held up a bottle of wine and touched it with Tang Rao. They both took a big sip and Tang Rao yawned.
"How is that possible? It's just that I happened to be away."
Tang Raomi looked at Li Chu with a smile.
"Why are you there every time I come, but not when Jean comes?"
"Okay, okay, just say a few words. There are still a lot of things to deal with tomorrow. Now the polls have changed. Nearly half of the people think it is not easy for the Phoebes family."
Gene nodded, and Li Chu came over with a plate of peanuts. After sitting down, the three of them started to drink.
"You are going out at the beginning of next month. Have the personnel arrangements been made?"
Li Chu asked.
"Leave it to Tamai."
Tang Rao was a little surprised, but he said immediately.
"It's good to leave it to that boy. It shouldn't be too boring along the way. But Jean, it should take half a month just to go out and determine the route. From the plateau where we are, go directly to the Heavenly Punishment Tower in the center of the Pacific Ocean.
Damn, we have to cross the Eurasian continent along the way, a distance of about 20,000 kilometers. Where did you go during those months when you disappeared?"
Jean shook his head, because the route they chose was the route Jean took when he went to the Punishment Pit to bring back a large number of mimics. However, on this route, Jean disappeared for a while. At that time, they could only wait.
There is no way to send out any exploration team. After all, as gods, they cannot die.
In the end, Gene returned with a large number of mimics, enough for more than 100 years at the time.
"I have already told that boy Noah that he will bring back at least 2,000 tons of supplies this time. He is improving the vehicle."
As Li Chu said this, Tang Rao stared at him sideways.
"It's us who are doing the hard work out there."
"I know, I know. I wish you two in advance to leave early and come back early."
Li Chu said, raising his wine, and the three of them took a sip.
There are too many dangers outside the barrier, and this operation is very difficult and dangerous. Although Jean and Tang Rao can bring back enough supplies, the efficiency must be lower.
"About two months will be enough."
Tang Rao said as Jean smiled and nodded.
"If time permits, I hope you can go to North and South America. Over the years, I have monitored some telegrams from time to time. After all, that land once had the strongest United States. Our city was built on the Himalayas. I
I don’t think it was the last stronghold of mankind. If we had chosen to go to North America at that time, maybe we wouldn’t have come here.”
To be continued...