In the Survival Base, aside from the rows of factory sheds, a single completed building stood in the central area-the only real structure inside.
This was the command center of the Survival Base, and where Star City's top brass lived.
The sudden outbreak of the apocalypse had devastated Star City's official apparatus. Many department heads were gone, and the internal hierarchy was in shambles.
Worse, the loss of mobile signal had severed all contact with the capital. That vacuum of authority had planted seeds of ambition in more than a few minds.
At this moment, seven or eight people sat around the conference table inside the command center, deep in discussion.
All of them were senior figures from Star City's military and political leadership.
"The first phase of rescue operations is essentially complete. Students from several key universities, residents from priority neighborhoods like Jinghe Garden and Qingzhu Garden-over three thousand people brought safely back to base." Vice Division Commander Liu Yong leaned forward. "When does the second phase begin?"
He was currently the highest-ranking military officer in Star City. The division commander and political commissar had both died in the disaster, leaving him in charge.
"Vice Division Commander Liu, let's start with the difficulties and losses from this operation," said Ma Zhongguo from the head of the table. Star City's mayor.
The political side had suffered equally. The deputy mayor, the party secretary-all dead. But the mayor had survived.
Star City was a provincial capital. Ma Zhongguo's position carried real weight.
In peacetime, military and political spheres stayed in their own lanes.
But these weren't normal times. Cooperation was no longer optional.
Someone had to lead.
And as the highest-ranking official left alive in Star City, Ma Zhongguo had stepped naturally into that role.
"Our biggest problem is ammunition," Liu Yong said, his voice heavy. "We don't have enough. Most of the time, our soldiers were fighting hand-to-hand. The casualties were... significant."
"Then the second phase can wait." Ma Zhongguo's tone was measured, unhurried. "We have two more pressing issues. First, your ammunition. Second, daily supplies."
"We already have over ten thousand survivors in this base. Daily consumption is enormous, and our stockpile is running thin. We need to send teams out for supplies immediately."
"As for ammunition-there's an Arsenal in your garrison district, correct? Get those weapons transported back. That should cover us in the short term."
"But there are still survivors out there waiting for rescue!" Liu Yong's jaw tightened. "Every day we delay, the death count doubles!"
"Vice Division Commander Liu, rescue can't be reckless." A man seated below Ma Zhongguo spoke up. "We solve the core problems first, then we can rescue more effectively. Without supplies, the people we bring back will just starve."
"This..." Liu Yong exhaled. "Fine. When do we move?"
"Assemble your people and depart as soon as possible. Two groups-one to the Arsenal for weapons, one to the Walmart Supermarket, a little over ten kilometers out, for supplies."
"Understood."
Liu Yong nodded and left the conference room to rally his men.
Ma Zhongguo watched him go, something unreadable shifting behind his eyes.
Soon the others received their assignments and filed out. The conference room emptied until only Ma Zhongguo remained, still seated.
A moment later, the door at the back of the room opened quietly. A middle-aged man stepped through.
Wang Zhenhong. Head of the Wang family-Star City's most powerful clan-and a man who had maintained an exceptionally close relationship with the mayor for years.
Ma Zhongguo showed no surprise. He gestured to the chair beside him.
"Sit."
Wang Zhenhong didn't waste time on pleasantries. He sat and looked directly at Ma Zhongguo.
"Mayor Ma. My earlier proposal-have you given it thought?"
"No rush." Ma Zhongguo tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "Most of the military still answers to Liu Yong. We need to get control of the armed forces first."
"If Liu Yong is that much of an obstacle, why not just...?"
"No. Not yet." Ma Zhongguo's voice was flat. "We still need him to fight."
"Understood."
Just then, a commotion rose outside the door.
Knocking followed.
Both men frowned.
"Hide."
"Right."
Wang Zhenhong slipped back through the rear door without another word.
"Come in," Ma Zhongguo called.
The door opened. A soldier entered and snapped a salute.
"Mayor, there's a group of university students outside demanding to see you."
"University students?"
"Yes sir. The ones from Zhongxiang Academy."
"What do they want?" Ma Zhongguo raised an eyebrow.
He waved a hand. "Fine. Let them in."
"Yes sir."
Moments later, Tang Weiwei, Qin Wei, and the others filed in.
"Hello, Mayor Ma. We apologize for the intrusion," Tang Weiwei said, her tone polite but direct.
"What can I do for you?" Ma Zhongguo regarded them with mild curiosity.
"Mayor Ma, we'd like permission to leave the base. The guards at the gate won't let us through. We were hoping you could help."
"It's nothing but zombies out there-extremely dangerous. You barely made it into the base alive. Why would you want to leave?"
"We need to go out and kill zombies to grow stronger. Sitting around in here is a waste of time," Qin Wei said bluntly.
Ma Zhongguo frowned. "Without sufficient strength, going out there is suicide. You're all pillars of this nation's future. I can't let you throw your lives away."
"We can handle ourselves. Several of us are already Tier 3, and everyone else is at Tier-2 Peak. Regular zombie hordes aren't a threat to us," Qin Wei said with confidence.
"Oh?" Ma Zhongguo's eyes lit up. "Heroes truly do emerge from the young."
He paused, considering. "With strength like that, I suppose keeping you cooped up here is indeed a waste."
"However, the rule against unauthorized departures exists for a reason. If I make exceptions, it compromises base security."
"How about this-I'll assign a few people to accompany you. With them along, the guards won't stop you."
"That..."
Tang Weiwei's brow creased.
"Don't worry, they can take care of themselves. This is the only solution I can offer right now. Or, if you'd prefer, give us a few days to work out a proper policy, and you can head out then."
"No-please go ahead and arrange the escorts. Thank you, Mayor Ma," Qin Wei said quickly.
Wait a few more days? By then they might fall too far behind to fight effectively.
Tang Weiwei and the others left the conference room.
"It seems Mayor Ma has taken an interest in those students?"
The rear door opened again. Wang Zhenhong emerged, unhurried.
"In this new world, you need powerful Evolvers in your pocket if you want to stay standing." Ma Zhongguo smiled.
---
On the other side.
"Team Leader Tang, what's wrong?" Qin Wei asked, watching Tang Weiwei's persistent frown.
"I'm trying to figure out why Ma Zhongguo insisted on sending people with us," she said.
"He told us why. With his people along, the guards won't block us," Qin Wei said.
"Are you stupid?" Tang Weiwei turned on him. "I genuinely don't know how you've survived this long. With his authority, one word is all it takes to let us walk out that gate. Why bother with the extra step?"
She walked away, as if prolonged exposure to Qin Wei might be contagious.
"..."
Qin Wei frowned. When she put it that way, it did seem off.
"Sijie, what do you think?" He turned to Fang Sijie, who'd been silent the entire time.
Fang Sijie glanced at him. "Brother Wei. If Mayor Ma tried to recruit you, what would you say?"
"Recruit me?" Qin Wei blinked. "He's the mayor of a provincial capital. Why would he bother with us?"
"Forget whether he would or wouldn't. Just answer-would you agree?"
"Hell no. We're free on our own. Why tie ourselves to someone else?"
"Good. Remember you said that."
"What's with you? You're being weird. You seriously think the mayor wants to recruit us?"
"Not sure. But keep our people from getting too friendly with whoever they send. And don't show them everything we can do."
"That's a pain in the ass. Why not just refuse the escorts entirely?"
"It's not your call anymore. You refuse them, we don't leave."
"......"
"Fine."