chsdbacks Chapter 28 Rescue Operation
Chapter 28 Rescue Operation
After deciding to launch the rescue operation, Chen Haotian and Tony did not immediately set off rashly. Their high intelligence made them well aware that in a post-apocalyptic environment, impulsiveness often meant death. They needed more intelligence, a more comprehensive plan, and more thorough preparation.
Over the next two days, the two men used the armory as a base to carry out a series of intensive preparations. Their primary task was to establish stable communications with the Delta Research Station.
With his top-notch technical skills, Tony further optimized and debugged the old military communication equipment. He used the trace energy extracted from the void crystal to stabilize the signal transmission source and attempted to amplify and reduce the noise of the received weak signal. Chen Haotian offered suggestions from the side, combining the original body's knowledge of electronic engineering with the transmigrator's unique keen perception of the nature of energy, helping Tony find some energy resonance points outside of traditional technologies.
After several attempts, they were finally able to have a fragmented but relatively clear conversation with each other.
"Delta Research Station, this is... the Armory temporary outpost. We have received your distress signal. Please report your current situation in detail." Chen Haotian spoke into the microphone, his voice calm and clear.
A burst of static came from the other end of the communicator, followed by a slightly hoarse but excited middle-aged male voice: "My God! Finally... finally someone received it! Thank God! We are from Delta Research Station, and I am the head, Dr. Alan Wesker. We've been trapped in the underground facility for over three weeks!"
Through intermittent communication, Chen Haotian and Tony gained a general understanding of each other's situation. Delta Research Station was originally a semi-official cutting-edge biotechnology research institution, focusing on virology and genetic engineering. When the disaster struck, they survived thanks to their sophisticated underground facilities and strict isolation protocols, but the original team of dozens had dwindled to only seven, including Dr. Wesker. Their food and medicine reserves were running low, and most critically, the external air intake of the ventilation system appeared to be partially blocked, causing problems with internal air circulation and a slow rise in carbon dioxide levels. Worse still, in recent days, the zombies gathering at the main entrance of the underground facility had become unusually active, seemingly attracted by something, constantly assaulting their reinforced defensive doors, which were already showing obvious signs of deformation.
"We suspect... we suspect that some experimental samples inside, or... or even some kind of biosignal emitted by us, attracted them." Dr. Wesker's voice was weary and tinged with fear. "The main entrance won't hold for much longer... We tried to break out through the backup emergency exit, but... the situation there is worse."
Chen Haotian and Tony exchanged a glance, both seeing the gravity in each other's eyes. The situation was worse than they had anticipated. It wasn't just a shortage of supplies, but also an environmental crisis and the imminent danger of a breach.
"We need to know the detailed structural diagram of your underground facilities, especially the locations of entrances, ventilation shafts, and emergency exits, as well as the weapons and defenses you currently possess," Chen Haotian calmly stated, his tone leaving no room for argument.
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the communication line, seemingly during an internal discussion. After a while, Dr. Wesker's voice came through again, tinged with a hint of helplessness: "Structural diagrams... we can provide an electronic version, which we can transmit to you via a low-frequency data link. But our weapons... we only have a few standard-issue pistols and limited ammunition, mainly for internal security; external defense... relies primarily on the robust structure of the facility itself."
Tony couldn't help but interject, his tone laced with his characteristic sarcasm: "So, you're a bunch of unarmed... uh, nearly unarmed geniuses, hiding in a suffocating metal can that's about to get its door smashed down?"
Dr. Wesker seemed taken aback, but the situation was beyond his control, and he could only bitterly admit, "...that's basically it. Our expertise is in research, not combat."
After obtaining the structural map, Chen Haotian and Tony immediately began planning their operation. The electronic map showed that the old biotechnology park was located in the western suburbs of the city, covering a vast area. Most of the above-ground buildings were destroyed, but the underground facilities extended five levels deep, with a complex structure. The main entrance was located in the underground parking garage of a main building in the center of the park, while the blocked ventilation shaft was located on a secluded hillside at the edge of the park. The emergency exit connected to the city's underground drainage system, but according to Dr. Wesker's description, something even more dangerous seemed to be lurking there.
"We'll split into two groups." Chen Haotian gestured on the map, his eyes sharp. "One group will launch a feint attack to draw the attention of the zombies gathered at the main entrance, creating an opportunity for the other group to enter through the ventilation shaft. Although the ventilation shaft is narrow, the fact that it can be blocked means there's a passage to enter, and the defenses there should be the weakest."
"A feint attack needs enough firepower to create chaos and draw aggro," Tony interjected, tapping his fingers on the main entrance. "I can use materials from the armory to temporarily modify a few still-functioning vehicles, add remote control equipment and explosives, and put on a grand 'fireworks show.'"
"The infiltration team will be responsible for clearing the ventilation ducts and eventually entering the facility to guide the survivors to evacuate." Chen Haotian looked at Tony. "Infiltration missions require flexibility and precision, and are not suitable for large-scale firepower. You will be responsible for the feint attack and creating chaos, while I will be responsible for the infiltration and support."
Tony raised an eyebrow but did not object. He knew that although Chen Haotian looked like a frail scholar (at least more frail than he himself looked), his special abilities derived from runes and his calm, almost ruthless mind might be more effective than his impromptu inventions in complex environments.
"No problem, I guarantee I'll draw all the attention of those walking corpses." Tony snapped his fingers, a look of eager anticipation on his face. "It's time to show the world what 'Stark-style' chaotic art really is."
With the plan finalized, the two immediately split up to prepare. Tony plunged into the armory's garage and weapons depot to begin his "artistic creation." He selected two relatively intact military jeeps, removed unnecessary parts, added thick steel plates as makeshift armor, then fixed remote-controlled machine gun turrets (modified from stockpiled heavy machine guns) to the roofs, and finally stuffed the vehicles with military explosives and Molotov cocktails, creating remote-controlled car bombs. He also prepared several still-usable drones for reconnaissance and dropping small explosives.
Chen Haotian focused on his infiltration equipment. He chose a lightweight and flexible combat suit, inspected and maintained his selected assault rifle and silenced pistol, and prepared ample ammunition, a first-aid kit, climbing tools, cutting tools, and most importantly—several canisters of hyperbaric oxygen and a gas mask (to deal with the potentially polluted air in the ventilation ducts). He also made sure to bring the last of his "energy water" just in case.
On the morning of the third day, as dawn broke, the air was filled with the chill and stillness of the approaching day. Chen Haotian and Tony drove a reinforced military truck away from the armory, heading west towards the city. Behind the truck towed Tony's "masterpiece"—two remote-controlled jeeps loaded with explosives.
The journey through the occupied zone was exceptionally difficult. They had to navigate around the dense clusters of abandoned vehicles and hordes of zombies on the main roads, often navigating narrow alleyways and even smashing through obstacles in their path. The roar of the engine inevitably attracted the attention of scattered zombies, but they were quickly dealt with by the truck's sturdy body and Tony's occasional bursts of fire from the light machine gun welded to the truck.
The closer they got to the west of the city, the more dilapidated the surrounding scenery became, and the density and activity of zombies increased significantly. Several previously unseen mutants even appeared – there were "Hunters" who moved swiftly on all fours, and "Vomiters" who were bulky and seemed to be able to spew corrosive liquid.
"Looks like this place really is a 'disaster zone'." Tony frowned as he looked out the observation window at the hellish scene. "What on earth is that research station researching?"
Chen Haotian didn't answer, focusing instead on driving while sensing the faint fluctuations of the runes within his body. In this world of death, the runes seemed more active than in Marvel, as if resonating with some kind of negative energy permeating the air. This made him vaguely uneasy, but he had no time to delve into it at the moment.
As planned, they parked their car at a relatively secluded abandoned factory about one kilometer from the biotechnology park. This location could serve as the starting point for the feint attack and a temporary rear base.
"Communication check." Chen Haotian put on his headset and switched to the encrypted channel with Tony and the research station.
"Feint team in position, fireworks ready." Tony's voice trembled with excitement.
"Infiltration team, in position, awaiting signal," Chen Haotian responded, his voice steady.
"The research station has received you... May God bless you." Dr. Wesker's voice was filled with tension and anticipation.
Chen Haotian took a deep breath, checked the equipment one last time, and nodded to Tony.
"Operation begins!"
Tony grinned and jumped onto a motorcycle next to the jeep carrying the remote-controlled device. "Watch me!" He started the engine, and the motorcycle roared as it sped off towards the main entrance of the park. The two remote-controlled bomb jeeps, with their motors humming, followed him unmanned, like loyal suicide soldiers, rushing towards that land of death.
Chen Haotian slung his pack over his shoulder and, like a ghost, silently blended into the shadows of the ruins to the side, quickly stealthily making his way towards the ventilation shaft marked on the map. His figure flickered among the broken walls and rubble, his movements swift and precise, avoiding the senses of the scattered zombies. In his cunning and calm eyes, there was only a clear objective and a well-defined plan.
The rescue operation officially began.