The four of them looked at Captain Zhang. "So what identity are we supposed to take? We can't really do much else. Don't tell me you want us to be teachers."
When he didn't answer, everyone froze. "Wait, seriously? Teachers? You've got to be kidding."
They weren't even sure they could teach, and compared to security guards, teachers were an even worse cover for protecting kids.
Captain Zhang quickly explained. "No, listen. If this were before the apocalypse, the higher-ups would never assign something like this. But it's different now. I heard Lan Jin and Xiao Huang learned their combat skills from Ling Jiang and Lao Gao. The higher-ups want you four to go to the kindergarten and teach some basic lessons. You'll mainly handle the little kids. As for elementary, middle, and high school, I'll assign others."
Thinking it over, it wasn't completely unreasonable. Kindergarten kids were too young, so starting with simple defense moves did make sense.
But sense, my ass. Was the base out of people? If they could spare instructors for the older kids, why couldn't they do the same for the younger ones? The whole thing reeked of nonsense.
Lan Jin voiced her doubts, but whether Captain Zhang or the higher-ups cared was another story.
Once they got back to the base, the five of them went through a quick health check. Captain Zhang then drove inside and had people unload the amusement equipment from the truck.
Lan Jin's set was brand new, almost identical to the one Lan Qiaoqiao played with in the space. They were inflatable structures, meant for kids to climb on and play.
The only difference was that before the apocalypse, those things had to be outdoors, and strong winds made them unsafe. Now, inside the base with the protective shield, that risk didn't exist.
So did the base already have equipment like this? Originally, yes. When every city still had its own base, each one received a set. But over time, they broke down or got damaged. By the time it was A City's turn, they had none left.
Lan Jin's set came just in time. With a proper play area, the kids finally had somewhere to let loose.
Of course, it wasn't free. The contribution points would be transferred into Nana's account. That way no one could tell who owned the space, and the base got much-needed supplies. A win-win.
…
Captain Zhang's orders came fast. He'd told them that day, and by night, they were notified they'd start work the next morning.
The shop could just shut its doors, no problem. But what about the vegetables?
No choice. Captain Zhang assigned a plant-type ability user to look after them. After planting three rounds already, they desperately wanted these crops to survive.
The four went to work at the kindergarten, and no one was happier than Lan Qiaoqiao. She was so excited she nearly got smacked by Lan Jin. In the end, she settled down, and the next day they all went together.
The first day wasn't bad. The kids just had an extra class they'd never seen before, something new and exciting.
But as more classes went by, the base's atmosphere grew stranger. Watching Nana guard the kindergarten gate with Captain Zhang every day, Lan Jin asked, "Why do you have Nana out here? People can't even enter normally anymore."
Nana's behavior was odd. Every time someone came in, he'd sniff them. Some he let pass, others he pawed at insistently.
People who didn't know better thought Nana just liked certain people. In truth, animals were more sensitive than humans. With scent alone, he could detect what others couldn't and lock onto those with problems.
That explanation clicked for Lan Jin. She realized Captain Zhang's real plan. But she'd been watching too, and Nana was pawing a lot of people. Not just kindergarten teachers and base members, but even older students.
There were way too many people with issues.
She couldn't sit still anymore. "There are too many shady people here. If something really happens, the four of us won't be enough. When are you going to wrap this up?"
"Soon. Just wait a little longer. The higher-ups already have a plan."
Honestly, she didn't trust them. "Are you sure there aren't insiders among the higher-ups? This is life extension we're talking about. It's not immortality, but it's enough to tempt anyone. What if your clearance isn't high enough, and they're holding you back?"
Captain Zhang shot her a glare. "You've been living in this base all this time, can't you trust it a little? Stop overthinking. Just do your job. The base has arrangements."
"You'd better have it arranged properly. We can't afford even the smallest slip."
With that, she turned and left. Captain Zhang wanted to curse, but since it was Lan Jin, he swallowed it back. How frustrating was that?
A few more days passed, and the school district only grew more tense and guarded. Then Captain Zhang finally revealed, "We're about to close the net. These next few days are critical. Whatever you do, don't drop the ball."
"Of course not."
The four answered together. But could it really go smoothly?
Of course not.
On the very day before the base was set to strike, swarms of mutated creatures suddenly poured into every district.
At first, they were just tiny black bugs. Their only danger was their numbers. They'd bite, leaving swollen, painful welts, but nothing worse.
They were easy to deal with, whether with abilities or insecticide.
But when the mutations kept coming, when they grew bigger and bigger, some teams couldn't hold them back anymore. Screams and panic echoed through the base. Once the creatures got out of control, people started thinking about escaping.
And once one person tried to run, countless others followed.