[698] Giving in
That's why he was unfamiliar with the place. It took Zhao Qiang half an hour to find a city. He didn't know anything about American tastes. In short, according to Chinese dietary concepts, American food was simply inedible. However, Zhao Qiang still packed two big bags and flew back to the TV station with them. Looking at the surroundings from the air, he saw that mutants often appeared. After several dozen hours of development, their scale had grown extremely large.
Zhao Qiang descended from the rooftop and entered the television station. Yang Shiyun and Tang Na were talking in a room, while Lina sat far away in a chair, seemingly oblivious, as if she didn't exist. When Zhao Qiang wasn't around, the two girls could get along peacefully, but their conflict resurfaced when he appeared.
Yang Shiyun cheerfully greeted Zhao Qiang. Tang Na stood up, took a few steps, then stopped; to her, she was an outsider. Yang Shiyun proudly took Zhao Qiang's arm: "Zhao Qiang, you're back! How's the situation outside?"
Zhao Qiang put his backpack on the ground and said, "This is bad. There are mutants everywhere. The survivors are becoming increasingly less likely to survive."
Yang Shiyun asked, "Has the United States taken no action?"
Zhao Qiang said, "The situation in the city is very complicated right now, and it's impossible for the government to carry out a rescue."
Yang Shiyun asked, "Do they really have to die?"
Zhao Qiang said, "Only by gathering everyone together, and with the help of fighter jets, might we still have a chance. However, if we gather too much together, we'll be vulnerable to attacks from mutants. In short, the situation is very complicated."
Donna's face darkened: "Why New York? Why America?"
Yang Shiyun said, "Could it be that you hope it's our country?"
Donna said, "New York is the center of our United States. Our country has suffered a great loss this time."
Yang Shiyun said, "Anyway, you've already moved fast enough, so this time it's time to stop and rest."
Donna fell silent. Zhao Qiang handed her a backpack: "Take this to the captain and the others. Tell them that we will be retreating to the university campus in the southwest in two hours. If they want to come, they should be prepared. If they don't want to go, I won't force them."
Donna nodded, picked up a bag of food, and went to find the captain. The fighting had caused the television station's internal motors to stop working; only the emergency lights were on. Live broadcasting was impossible, and given the current situation, it was questionable whether any survivors would even be able to watch television. The television station had lost all strategic value. As for broadcasting outside New York City, that was strictly prohibited in the United States; they did not allow the unauthorized dissemination of information about the virus.
Zhao Qiang and Yang Shiyun wolfed down their food, especially Zhao Qiang, who knew time was tight, so he ate very quickly, his mouth full of food, and he couldn't even speak.
Bang, bang, bang, someone knocked on the door. Yang Shiyun opened the door and saw the captain. He said to Zhao Qiang, "Mr. Zhao, you asked us to go to the campus with you, but have you thought about whether there will be any dangers on the way?"
Zhao Qiang said, "Absolutely. Half of them might die on the way."
The captain said, "If that's the case, why do you still dare to let us go to the campus?"
Zhao Qiang said, "If we stay here, there might be no one left. You decide what to do."
The captain looked troubled. If Zhao Qiang had said this an hour ago, he would have ignored it and might even have slapped Zhao Qiang. But having just experienced the monster attack, the captain knew very well that without Zhao Qiang, the TV station would have been captured long ago. Staying here would mean no replenishment of ammunition and food, and even if there were no more monster attacks, they would starve to death.
The captain was having a hard time making a decision, and what was worse, he couldn't contact headquarters at the moment. All the decisions had to be made by him, and one wrong move could kill the innocent staff of the TV station.
Zhao Qiang and Yang Shiyun put down their food and stood up. "Captain, we're leaving first thing tomorrow morning. Whether you stay or leave is up to you. We need to rest now. If anything happens, fire a signal."
The captain nodded and left; he needed to consult with the soldiers and the television station staff. Regardless of whether they decided to stay or leave, the infected mutants did not attack the television station that night. Perhaps the deaths of two monsters had severely weakened them, and they could no longer attend to the battlefield here for the time being.
The room was completely dark, and the firelight outside gradually died down. Yang Shiyun could hear her own heartbeat. She lay down next to Zhao Qiang, and neither of them spoke. Suddenly, Yang Shiyun turned around and hugged Zhao Qiang.
Zhao Qiang seemed to have wanted to hug Yang Shiyun for a long time, and the two embraced tightly. Yang Shiyun said, "Brother, I want you to treat me the way you treat them. I don't want to be just a computer, I don't want to be just a chip without feelings or consciousness. I want feelings, I want love."
Zhao Qiang's hand touched Yang Shiyun's chest. At this moment, he could no longer distinguish between Yang Shiyun and Wei. The two had merged into one. Who cared? As long as Wei was still by his side, what did it matter if there were two of them?
There was a knocking sound at the door. Zhao Qiang reluctantly let go of Yang Shiyun, whose face was flushed with anger: "Ignore her, it's Donna. I'll have Lina deal with her." Lina had already been arranged by Yang Shiyun to be in the office next door.
Zhao Qiang said, "What if something happens? Anyway, she's already ruined our good fortune."
Yang Shiyun snorted and went to open the door. Donna stood outside with a smug look on her face. "What? You're asleep? I'm here to tell Zhao Qiang that I'll be leaving with him tomorrow morning, and several of my colleagues and friends will also be leaving with him. We'll follow you wherever you go. If the country allows us to leave the New York city area, we're willing to go and try our luck with Zhao Qiang."
Zhao Qiang said, "We won't be leaving the city for the time being, so what you said is impossible. Besides, the United States has many ways to save people, but the government has no intention of letting these people leave the New York city area unless the virus is completely eradicated."
Donna sighed. "Yes, we might end up dying here, but we're lucky to be alive today, aren't we? That's all. Goodnight, see you tomorrow morning. Don't leave us behind."
After saying that, Donna closed the door. However, even though she left, Zhao Qiang and Yang Shiyun's interest was interrupted. For a moment, the two stopped thinking about being intimate. Yang Shiyun's phone vibrated, and she quickly took it out of her pocket to answer it.
“…Okay,” Yang Shiyun replied after only a few words, then handed the phone to Zhao Qiang. “It’s my grandfather on the phone.” Yang Shiyun’s voice was filled with trepidation, as she clearly remembered the significant conflict between Zhao Qiang and her grandfather.
Zhao Qiang took the phone but didn't speak first. He was saving face; he hadn't done anything wrong and there was no need for him to back down to Yang Zhaoxi. Besides, he was abroad now, so what could they do to him?
"Zhao Qiang?" Yang Zhaoxi didn't have time to argue with Zhao Qiang.
Zhao Qiang then replied, "Yes."
Yang Zhaoxi gave a wry smile: "What, are you still angry with me?"
Zhao Qiang said, "Angry? Not at all. I'm incredibly happy right now. The moon is really different in foreign countries. It's lively here, there are things to do every day, and it's very exciting. I don't have to be schemed against by certain people behind my back all the time."
Yang Zhaoxi quickly interrupted Zhao Qiang: "Zhao Qiang, I know many things have made you have opinions about me. Now is not the time to find out who is right and who is wrong. Humanity is facing a major disaster. Although the biohazard originated in New York, it is not difficult for it to spread to the country..." The biohazard in New York is already known all over the world. It's not that Americans like to be flamboyant and don't like to cover things up like the Chinese, but this crisis is just too fast and too intense. Americans can't hide it even if they want to.
Yang Shiyun mouthed to Zhao Qiang, begging him not to embarrass her grandfather, otherwise the relationship between the two would be difficult to maintain.
"...The country is paying close attention to the situation in New York, but the United States has blocked all information from the outside world. Even the information they release is not entirely trustworthy. Fortunately, Shiyun's cell phone signal has not been blocked, so we want to know what will happen in the biohazard crisis in New York."
Zhao Qiang said, "It's very serious. Those infected have absolutely no chance of survival. Their speed and strength will increase greatly, and they can easily harm uninfected humans. Moreover, there are mutated creatures that have emerged, with combat power comparable to tanks. If this virus were to leak out, it would cause a disaster for all mankind, and so far there is no medicine to treat it."
Yang Zhaoxi paused for a few seconds: "Then you two should come back quickly. If things are as you say, and the United States uses nuclear weapons to destroy the entire city if it loses control of the situation, it will be very dangerous for you to stay there."
Zhao Qiang said, "We will leave when necessary, but not now."
Yang Zhaoxi said, "Can't you find a cure with your abilities? Like the last diarrhea crisis, didn't we handle it very well?"
Zhao Qiang said, "These two viruses are completely different, and that time it was purely by chance, and had nothing to do with my own strength."
Yang Zhaoxi asked, "Then what is your reason for staying?"
Zhao Qiang said, "We need to find a treatment."
Yang Zhaoxi said, "I'll do everything I can to help the Chinese people who are staying in New York, if possible." This was Yang Zhaoxi's real purpose. In fact, the level of the biohazard crisis in New York was almost exactly as reported by the special agents, and Yang Zhaoxi had already known this beforehand.
Zhao Qiang said, "I will do my best." He then handed the phone back to Yang Shiyun.
Yang Shiyun spoke a few words with her grandfather, Yang Zhaoxi, and responded in a low voice before logging off. The United States had blocked all external signals from the New York city area. Not many countries knew the specific situation in New York. Once the true situation here was leaked, it was conceivable that even if the Americans did not actively destroy New York, countless countries would force them to do so, because if the virus were to leak, it would be a world-class disaster.
Yang Shiyun then received several satellite photos from China. She handed her phone to Zhao Qiang. It turned out that a large-scale project was underway outside New York City. Judging from the current signs, the Americans seemed to be intentionally building a huge steel wall outside New York City to trap the entire city and try to contain the virus within it.
(Thanks to reader 244548842oo coins for the reward, and thanks to Dragon for the monthly ticket support)
Volume 2 [699] Evacuation
[699] Evacuation
"Is this method feasible?" Yang Shiyun asked Zhao Qiang.
Zhao Qiang said, "Who knows? If we combine that with America's powerful fighting capabilities, maybe we can contain these infected people."
Yang Shiyun asked, "But what if they are mutated creatures, like the two we encountered today? If just one of them escapes, it could ruin the Americans' big plans. If it spreads like wildfire, it will be beyond human control."
Zhao Qiang said, "It wouldn't be difficult to eliminate the monster if we used a company of soldiers. The Americans believe they are invincible in terms of military strength, so it's normal for them to have this plan. In addition, the government has to put on a show of controlling the virus, otherwise how could international public opinion let the United States off the hook? As for the United States to destroy New York with a nuclear bomb, this is simply unacceptable to the United States, which has always valued human rights. There are still countless survivors scattered in the New York city area. If a nuclear bomb comes, everyone will be finished."
Yang Shiyun looked at the map and pointed to her university, saying, "This place is far from the outer city's defense line. Is it appropriate for us to go here?"
Zhao Qiang said, "It's definitely not suitable, but there's no other way unless we can move those devices away."
Yang Shiyun nodded, "Then let's go. I believe the Americans will also realize the importance of that equipment, and they will take the initiative to help us protect the laboratory."
As dawn broke, Zhao Qiang and Yang Shiyun, along with Lina, were fully prepared to depart. Zhao Qiang handed the compression gun to Lina, whose consciousness was now controlled by a chip. She could accurately control the compression gun, which would also increase the combat effectiveness of the retreating troops.
The captain was already waiting in the lobby on the first floor. The lobby was dilapidated and a far cry from the grandeur of the TV station. Several security guards from the TV station looked terrified, a far cry from the superior air they had when patrolling the TV station yesterday.
Upon seeing Zhao Qiang emerge, the captain went to greet him: "Zhao Qiang, the signal from headquarters has been established, and they have agreed to let us proceed to the location you mentioned."
Zhao Qiang nodded. The problem was obvious. The Americans also knew the importance of those devices. Although this unit had few personnel left, they were veterans who had experienced the battles against the monsters. Their mission to protect the laboratory would be a formidable force.
"Since that's the case, what are we waiting for? Let's go." Zhao Qiang said to the captain. After yesterday's battle, the captain's troops had very little ammunition left, which was easy to carry. As for food, they were completely out of supplies. The only thing they had in abundance was personnel. The TV station staff, plus some of their families, numbered nearly three hundred people. It was impossible for all of them to reach the laboratory safely. They could only hope that as many as they could escape, that would be the best they could do.
Donna mingled among the TV station staff when Zhao Qiang beckoned to her. Confused, Donna walked over, everyone around her staring. Donna asked, "Is something wrong?"
Zhao Qiang said, "It's alright. If anything happens, I can take care of things if you're by my side."
Donna felt a warmth in her heart; cultivating good relationships was indeed extraordinary. She secretly glanced at Yang Shiyun. Although she knew Yang Shiyun was the sister of Zhao Qiang's girlfriend, even a blind person could see that this girlfriend's sister had a special relationship with Zhao Qiang. Therefore, Donna had to consider Yang Shiyun's reaction. Fortunately, Yang Shiyun didn't say anything.
The captain arranged the retreat formation. He led most of the soldiers to protect the flanks and rear, while Zhao Qiang and Yang Shiyun led the way. Ordinary soldiers could only use bullets to attack the mutants, but now that bullets were running low, it was impossible to break through the encirclement with a hail of bullets. Therefore, Zhao Qiang's strength had to be used effectively, especially his small gun, which was the best tool to kill mutants. Mutants were best at group attacks, and the compressed gun could take out a whole group at once. Moreover, it was a close-range lethal weapon, making it the most suitable for dealing with mutants.
As the large group left the TV station, they encountered the first wave of mutant attacks. There were about fifty of them. Before Zhao Qiang could even make a move, Yang Shiyun and Lina each fired a shot, and these mutants were blown to smithereens. Occasionally, some escaped due to the angle of the shots, but the captain arranged for several gunmen to pick them off, and a few bursts of fire took them down.
"Get in the cars! Get in the cars!" the captain shouted, but there weren't enough vehicles available. They had to search for a vehicle that could still be started outside the TV station, a process that took a full twenty minutes before the team officially set off. However, with vehicles, the speed increased, although the road conditions were poor. They had to use compression guns to clear the road surface from time to time. Meanwhile, groups of mutants would often rush out from the roadside, shouting loudly. They charged at the vehicles with great force, and those that couldn't be eliminated in time would ram their heads into the vehicles, bite and tear them with their hands, leaving the vehicle exteriors pitted and even some windows shattered. However, with Zhao Qiang sniping with his electromagnetic gun at any time, these mutants didn't cause any major trouble.
Zhao Qiang kept scanning his surroundings with his X-ray glasses. Any mutant within his attack range, even if they were hiding behind buildings, would be doomed under the electromagnetic gun's fire. His accurate and timely shooting amazed all the American soldiers. Many hidden mutants were not even visible to the naked eye, but Zhao Qiang shot them and they were dead, their bodies crashing out of cover.
As they got closer to the laboratory, the captain couldn't help but show his delight. The soldier next to him flattered him, saying, "Captain, you're really our lucky commander. Even mutants aren't all that great."
Perhaps it was a case of being too happy too soon, but then came the sound of hurried, heavy footsteps. Everyone's expression changed. They were already familiar with these footsteps; it was the approach of huge, mutated creatures. They were rushing over, step by step, on the asphalt road.
The captain's face immediately went from joy to sorrow. He shouted, "Everyone, quicken your pace and charge forward with the team in front!"
Zhao Qiang heard the heavy footsteps, of course. He said to the driver, "Drive faster. Try to get as far away as possible."
Thump, thump, thump. In less than a minute, the footsteps seemed to be right in front of us. A building by the roadside collapsed with a loud crash, and a huge creature covered in black fur appeared on the highway. With a single stomp, it crushed a car to pieces, killing seven humans on the spot. Fresh blood seeped out from the gaps in the car. The lewd roadside mutants became even more frenzied, rushing forward despite the bullets, biting and chewing at the wrecked car.
Zhao Qiang jumped out of the car with a whoosh, shouting, "You guys keep going, I'll block it!"
Yang Shiyun naturally understood that there was no time to delay. She fired a shot ahead, clearing away the abandoned car blocking the way. "Let's go!"
The driver had floored the accelerator, and the car roared past, followed by a line of cars full of TV station staff. The people who had just been filled with joy were now deathly pale.
Zhao Qiang carefully examined it but couldn't figure out what the monster was. Its black fur was particularly eye-catching, and it looked like a giant dog, except that its snout was very short. Its most powerful weapon was its legs, which were thicker than an elephant's. One stomp of these legs would definitely destroy a car. When it saw Zhao Qiang jump over, it glared and raised its front legs to stomp down on Zhao Qiang.
Zhao Qiang's running shoes accelerated, and his body shot into the giant dog's belly in a flash. The dog missed its footing and with a loud bang, the roadbed collapsed. The giant dog's footing landed on a sewer, which collapsed under the dog's stomping, creating a large hole in the road. The giant dog, having failed in its attack, immediately retreated, trying to expose Zhao Qiang, who had burrowed under its belly, so that it could stomp on him again.
Zhao Qiang immediately fired from under the giant dog's belly. He gave the compression gun to Lina, leaving him with only the electromagnetic acceleration gun. He fired ten bullets at once. Although the giant dog was enormous, its body couldn't withstand the electromagnetically accelerated bullets. Instantly, ten bullet holes appeared under its belly, from which black blood gurgled out. The giant dog roared and retreated even faster, crashing into a building behind it and collapsing it. This giant dog was far less agile than the monsters in front of it.
Zhao Qiang leaped onto the dog's back, infuriating the giant dog, which swung its tail violently, trying to sweep Zhao Qiang off. However, Zhao Qiang was much more agile, leaping to avoid the giant dog's tail and firing at the back of the dog's head. Thud, thud, another row of bullet holes appeared on the giant dog's head, causing it excruciating pain. It aimlessly bumped and crashed around, surrounded by collapsed buildings and billowing dust. The collapsed buildings blocked the road, trapping vehicles that couldn't pass in time. Mutants swarmed forward, and at least a hundred people died instantly.
The captain's eyes were burning with anger. It was no longer possible to bring the entire team to the laboratory. Zhao Qiang had previously estimated that only half of the people would survive, and now a third of them were dead. The captain suppressed his grief and shouted to the remaining vehicles, "Move!" Then he and the other soldiers fired their guns without hesitation.
The drivers saw what was happening behind them, and when they heard the captain's shout, they panicked even more. As a result, two cars lost control and crashed into a lamppost on the side of the road with a loud bang. Another car rear-ended them and stalled. Mutants ran over from both sides, letting out piercing roars. The two drivers were so frightened that they hurriedly restarted their engines. The car that crashed into the lamppost was lucky; it quickly reversed a couple of steps and caught up with the convoy again. But the car that stalled kept trying to restart, but to no avail. A dozen or so mutants ignored the machine gun fire from the captain and the others and rushed up, smashing the car window with a bang. They grabbed the occupants from inside and bit them, and the screams of agony could be heard for miles.
The captain's rifle ammo was exhausted, and the soldiers around him were almost out of ammo as well. The mutants charged forward, their numbers seemingly endless. They didn't even flinch in the face of the hail of bullets. Even as their own kind were reduced to dust, they continued their charge without blinking. Once they caught a living person, there was only one outcome: they would be frantically bitten. Screams echoed through the convoy.
Zhao Qiang was furious. Although these Americans had nothing to do with him, they were all the same as mutants. Zhao Qiang couldn't remain indifferent. However, the giant dog was very strong. Although its attack power was not very sharp, it was still difficult for Zhao Qiang to kill it. He had already shot fifty bullets into its head, but the giant dog was still standing.
Zhao Qiang didn't have a compression gun on hand, otherwise the situation would be a little better, but now using an electromagnetic gun to deal with the giant dog is like stabbing someone with a needle. No matter how deep the needle goes, it won't kill anyone.
Volume 2 [700] Back to the Lab
[700] Back to the Lab
With a whoosh, an off-road vehicle sped up, and the captain hoisted a rocket launcher from the vehicle. "Zhao Qiang, this is for you," the captain said to Zhao Qiang, holding up the rocket launcher. He knew that he had to free Zhao Qiang first before he could go and rescue the others.
Zhao Qiang heard the captain's shout, and the giant dog certainly heard it too. It seemed to realize that the rocket launcher posed a threat to it, so the giant dog raised its leg and stomped on the captain.