Chapter 450 - 446: Hard-hit Area

Song Youzhi pulled open the door and saw Xiao Gao from Team A standing at the entrance. He immediately broke into a smile. "Xiao Gao, is it time to assemble?"

"Yes, Uncle Song. Are Captain Xie and the others ready?"

"Just about. We can leave at a moment’s notice. Are we meeting in the main hall on the first sublevel?"

Takayuki gave a slightly sheepish smile. "You might have to wait a little. A few people from R Country are causing a scene upstairs. It’ll be fine if everyone gathers in half an hour."

"Got it." Song Youzhi nodded. "Then you don’t need to come back and get us. We’ll head to the main hall on the first sublevel on our own in half an hour."

"Okay, thank you, Uncle Song." Takayuki nodded with a smile and took his leave.

"Sounds like it’s really chaotic upstairs, huh? Xiao Gao told us to wait half an hour before heading out."

"Captain, I packed some pastries for you all. They’re in the bag, for the road." Cen Yun nimbly finished packing a large duffel bag and handed it to Song Shijun.

"Thank you, Aunt Cen. We appreciate it."

Xie Ning glanced over. The young men were all dressed uniformly in black shirts and pants, pulling on their boots.

’When I stand among them,’ she thought, ’I have to admit, I kind of give off gang-leader vibes. Ahem.’

Everyone had a backpack and was wearing a mask, scarf, and hat. They stood in the crowded room, looking at each other.

"Prepare to move out," Xie Ning said with a wave of her hand.

"Hey, wait for me!" Yu Tianfeng called out from an inner room. "I need to bring all this lab equipment so I can run tests at a moment’s notice on the road."

"What’s the situation outside right now?"

"We’ve detected no fewer than five different toxins from a few of the patrolmen who collapsed."

"They said there were mutated insects in the sandstorm. Has that been verified yet or not?" Xie Ning pressed.

Yu Tianfeng ran out with a backpack on, shaking his head. "That’s the problem—it hasn’t been verified. This time, some other researchers will be heading to Gushang Base with you all. I’ll work with them to collect environmental samples for more focused testing and research."

"What do you mean?"

"It means Gushang Base is likely a major disaster zone."

"We can collect more samples along the way. In any case, there will be professionals to handle it."

Yu Tianfeng pulled out a handful of photos and handed them to Xie Ning. "These are recent photos from Gu Shang. Many of them are quite blurry, but take a look at this one."

He singled one out, pointing to a patch of dark, churning sand in the photo.

With her eyesight, Xie Ning could naturally make out fine, grain-like objects within the sandstorm, swarming a human-shaped husk.

The body appeared to have been completely disintegrated by the sand, leaving only a skeleton.

"Ningning, the place we’re going is bound to be extremely dangerous. Maybe you should reconsider..." Yu Tianfeng trailed off, giving Xie Ning a hesitant look.

"That ’farmhouse’ Space of yours... how many people can it hold now?"

Xie Ning shot him an expressionless glance. "The fight hasn’t even started, and you’re already planning your escape?"

Yu Tianfeng rubbed his nose. "I’m just worried about Grandpa and Grandma. They’re getting old; they can’t take the shock."

"Don’t worry. I’ll put Grandpa and Grandma inside as soon as we’re on the road."

"Then what about my uncle and the others..."

Before Xie Ning could speak, Song Youyi spoke up. "Don’t worry. We’ll take good care of ourselves."

"That’s right. Ningning gave us plenty of self-defense gear earlier. I think we’ll be fine protecting ourselves."

Xie Ning gave them a deadpan look. "Actually, my farmhouse Space can hold four people now."

’And that’s not even counting my portable villa.’

’The villa can also hold four people, but I haven’t told anyone about it except for Mom.’

’I feel like telling them would be a bit too much for them to handle right now.’

’I’ll save it for later.’

Yu Tianfeng shook Xie Ning vigorously. "Ningning, you’re a godsend! You were sent to save us."

"So, while we’re traveling, can I just do my experiments in the farmhouse?" ’And I wouldn’t have to deal with the bumpy ride...’

Xie Ning was speechless. "You’re a VIP, Doctor. If you disappear for any length of time, people will definitely notice and come looking."

She heartlessly shot down his proposal. "For now, the plan is just for Grandpa and Grandma to go in. Everyone else stays outside. No one enters unless it’s an absolute last resort."

"Okay!" Everyone was in agreement.

Xie Ning straightened the stack of photos, handed them back to Yu Tianfeng, and sighed. "Everyone, be mentally prepared."

"Judging by the photos, the environment at Gushang Base is likely even worse than ours. Braving a sandstorm that intense, especially when it might be hiding mutated insects, means this search and rescue operation is not going to be easy."

The crowd all nodded, promising to coordinate with the team and not act on their own accord.

"Don’t worry, Sis. We’ll hit whatever you point at. We absolutely will not act on our own."

Xie Ning glanced at her team members. "Where’s Xiao Huang Mao?"

"Right here!" Xiao Huang Mao came running out of a small inner room with a pack on his chest and another on his back. "Captain, how are we leaving?"

"We’ll wait for orders from the higher-ups on that," Xie Ning said, turning toward the door. "Let’s head out."

The group was squeezed into a room that wasn’t very large, and Xie Ning was starting to feel unbearably hot.

’It’s a wonder my little sister isn’t melting, bundled up like a bear.’

"Hello, Captain Xie."

"Captain Xie!"

As soon as they stepped out, people in white lab coats walking around the research area greeted them one after another.

"Hey, Xiao Xie! You’re heading out?" Doctor Fang ran over, looking her up and down. "This gear won’t do! You need to wrap up your head and face. See, your little sister’s outfit is perfect!"

Xie Ning: ...

Song Kexin gave Doctor Fang a polite, yet innocent, smile.

"Don’t worry, Doctor Fang. I’ll wrap up my head and face before I leave the underground shelter."

"That’s good, that’s good. I wish you a smooth journey!" Doctor Fang stepped forward and shook her hand with great enthusiasm. "Xiao Xie, come back soon, you hear? We in the medical bay are waiting for you to come back and help out."

Xie Ning expressionlessly shoved a pack of Nutrient Liquid into his hands. "Don’t let your subordinates starve. If you get too busy, drink this. At least you won’t be hungry."

Doctor Fang froze for a second, then subconsciously accepted the large pack of Nutrient Liquid she’d given him. He nodded, stammering, "Oh, uh, okay! Right! Xiao Xie, come back soon!"

He waved vigorously at the backs of the departing Starfire Team.

"Captain Xie, are you heading up now? The Secretary-General has requested you for a five-minute meeting. It will be very quick."

Xie Ning paused and gave a slight nod to Assistant Hu, who was standing by the Secretary-General’s side. "Understood."

"This way, please." Assistant Hu quickly gestured to lead the way, then gave a small nod to the team members behind Xie Ning. "Please wait here for a moment."

"It’s no problem, we’re not in a rush. It’s not time yet anyway. Go ahead," Song Youzhi said, also giving Assistant Hu a polite nod.

Unsure of what was happening, the team watched as Xie Ning followed Assistant Hu around a corner and into a small meeting room.

Secretary Chen and several elders were seated inside the small meeting room.