Apocalypse Survival Guide for a Beta [GB] - Chapter 72

The office fell into silence.

Wu Zeyue remained seated, her hands clasped together, her expression cold and serious. Across from her, Lou Tiannan stood with an unreadable look, his deep-set eyes slightly darkened, revealing no visible emotion.

“This concerns the entire Federation?” Lou Tiannan parted his lips to ask.

“Yes.” Wu Zeyue’s gaze was resolute.

Lou Tiannan took a step forward and asked, “On July 8th, three months ago, where was the rescue mission for the First Squad executing their orders? Ten days ago, where was the rescue that was supposed to assist our Third Squad in completing their mission? When my teammates were trapped in danger, where was the Federation? And now, what right do you have to ask my teammate, whose survival is still uncertain, to contribute anything to your research?”

His voice was low, like the surface of a stormy sea, concealing the raging waves beneath.

Wu Zeyue looked at him and said, “Lou Tiannan, you should understand that in the grand scheme of things, some sacrifices are unavoidable.”

Lou Tiannan’s tone grew colder. “So in your eyes, we’re just pieces on a board, ready to be sacrificed at any moment?” He stepped closer and locked eyes with Wu Zeyue without backing down.

Wu Zeyue’s expression remained unchanged. “You are the Federation’s defensive line. This is your duty.”

‘From this day forward, we join the Federation’s military defense. We are the Federation’s most crucial line of defense. The Federation’s military defense never retreats!’

The old oath echoed in his ears and the office fell silent once again, the air seeming to freeze in place.

After a long pause, Lou Tiannan let out a slight laugh and said to Wu Zeyue, “Bringing you the Primal Blood Vaccine is the last mission I will ever complete for the Federation.” With that, he turned and walked toward the door.

“Lou Tiannan!” The sharp screech of chair legs scraping against the floor cut through the office. “Have you really made up your mind?”

The black military boots remained still in place. Lou Tiannan neither turned back nor spoke. After a few breaths, he lifted his foot again and resumed walking.

Wu Zeyue stood behind the office desk, watching as the office door opened. Lou Tiannan came to a stop, facing the Federal Army General, He Yan, who was about the same height as him.

Lou Tiannan reached up, removed his epaulet, and handed it to the General. After giving a formal salute, he left the office.

Behind him, Wu Zeyue’s gloved fingers trembled slightly beneath the desk.

***

Inside Aurora Church, Clair had also received news that Lou Tiannan had brought the three doses of the vaccine back to the Federation.

“Lou Tiannan returned with three vaccine doses. The meeting between the General and Lou Tiannan did not go well. Lou Tiannan removed his Federal epaulet on the spot and handed it to He Yan.”

Even though only Wu Zeyue and Lou Tiannan had been in the Federal office at the time, Clair still knew the details of their conversation.

“Your Excellency Bishop, what should we do about the vaccine?” one of Clair’s trusted aides asked uneasily.

“Let them have it. Our own drug is nearly complete. A vaccine without a primer is nothing more than a regular antibiotic.”

Since Coomber and his people had not intercepted the vaccine en route, allowing Lou Tiannan to bring it into the Federation and deliver it directly to Wu Zeyue, tampering with it was now impossible. But what did it matter? It was just an incomplete vaccine, so there was no real threat to them.

Clair was unconcerned. To him, the Federation was already something he held in the palm of his hand. The only person who mildly intrigued him was Lou Tiannan, a soldier of both courage and intelligence, loyal to his comrades.

However, anyone who was bound by personal ties had a glaring weakness.

Lou Tiannan’s subordinates, his so-called brothers-in-arms, were all his weaknesses. In Clair’s eyes, none of them were worth fearing.

What concerned him more was the entity inside the observation chamber. That thing had told him She was about to awaken. Yet, after all these days, none of Her vital data had changed.

Clair traced the outline of the massive cocoon through the glass wall, his eyes burning with fervor. He murmured, “It’s been a year… you’ve slept long enough.”

***

Outside the glass walls of the research institute, Wu Zeyue stared intently at the vaccine doses being delivered inside.

Under Xiao Hehua’s meticulous oversight, the Federation’s pharmaceutical research capabilities were highly advanced. When the apocalypse first broke out, Xiao Hehua had ensured the survival of their entire research facility and secured most of the top scientists.

Of the three vaccine doses, one would be sealed, one kept as a sample, and one used for research.

In less than a day, a 1:1 replica of the Primal Blood Vaccine would be produced.

However, without the missing second dose, could the vaccine still save the ordinary people struggling to survive in the apocalypse?

Someone stood slightly behind Wu Zeyue. It was Federal Army General He Yan. If one looked closely, they would notice that his facial features bore a sixty percent resemblance to Lou Tiannan. In a low voice, he said, “Commander, he has left the safe zone.”

“Do you think he can do it?” Wu Zeyue’s tone, for once, carried a rare trace of uncertainty.

“He can,” He Yan replied.

“You really have a lot of faith in your son,” Wu Zeyue sighed. “Let’s hope so.”

From the moment Aurora silently rose to power in the apocalypse, Wu Zeyue had been wary of them. Any collaboration with Aurora was always kept minimal.

Yet, from her lofty position, Wu Zeyue had ultimately underestimated the allure of hope and sanctuary for the people in an apocalyptic world. That allure was like long-awaited rain after a severe drought, immense and irresistible to ordinary survivors.

A single baseless rumor, the Enigma whispered from person to person was enough to propel Aurora into rapid prominence. Public support shifted toward them at a speed Wu Zeyue had never anticipated.

In just one year, Aurora’s influence had grown so powerful that the Federation could no longer shake its foundations. If Aurora were merely an unambitious religious group, that would be one thing. But during a visit, He Yan had inadvertently discovered something unsettling about the Aurora Church.

However, given the current state of the Federation, even uncovering the truth did not change the fact that they were powerless to act. Many of the Federation’s ability users had families who were devout followers of Aurora. If tensions escalated into outright conflict, war would be inevitable. And Wu Zeyue knew that if war broke out, the Federation would lose.

Now, with the Primal Blood Vaccine in their hands, perhaps Aurora’s influence could be diminished, even if only slightly. All that remained was to hope that Lou Tiannan would succeed.

***

Lou Tiannan entered the Federation’s safe zone alone, carrying the box containing the Primal Blood Vaccine. When he left, hidden within the lining of his combat uniform were detailed schematics of the Aurora Church and a thumb-sized communicator.

The communicator bore the emblem of the Federal Army. It was a high-ranking command-level device that Wu Zeyue had discreetly passed to him in the brief moment their hands simultaneously pressed down on the vaccine box during the exchange.

With a light tap of her knuckles, she had concisely informed him that there were surveillance cameras in the office. Using a coded conversation, she revealed that Aurora was planning a coup and that he needed to stop it.

Only then did he realize just how dire the Federation’s crisis had become.

As he left, he crossed paths with his father. In that fleeting moment, using the passing of his epaulet as cover, he managed to obtain the schematics. Without breaking stride or changing expression, he walked straight toward the outer perimeter of the safe zone.

His face remained unreadable as he exited the Federation Commander’s office. No one dared to search him.

Or rather, no one dared to even approach him.

As Lou Tiannan approached the entrance of the safe zone, a squad captain from the security team attempted to stop him. However, under Lou Tiannan’s gaze, the man hesitated and quickly stepped aside. Once outside, Lou Tiannan moved swiftly, taking multiple detours and using buildings for cover before slipping back into the bunker.

The people inside the bunker immediately gathered around him when they saw him return.

Lou Tiannan was overjoyed to see that not only was Zhu Liang awake, but he had also awakened an ability.

Zhu Liang asked, “How is the Federation holding up?”

“Not well.” Lou Tiannan shook his head. He briefly described the situation inside the Federation’s safe zone. Upon hearing this, everyone’s expressions became heavy.

“We have a new mission,” Lou Tiannan said in a low voice.

Bai Chuan covered his ears and leaned against Lin Bai, unwilling to hear anything about the Federation’s troubles. Whatever they wanted to do was their business and he had no intention of getting involved. Before his green hair even brushed against Lin Bai, Lou Tiannan grabbed him by the collar and hauled him over to Zhu Liang.

Bai Chuan’s eyes widened as he shook out his shirt in dissatisfaction. “Captain Lou, what are you doing?!”

Lou Tiannan remained calm. “We’re in a meeting.”

Bai Chuan was about to argue that the meeting had nothing to do with him when he caught Lin Bai’s gaze. He grumbled but ultimately fell silent.

Lou Tiannan explained the relationship between the Federation and Aurora in simple terms.

After hearing him out, Tang Mary scoffed. “You don’t even need to think hard to know that working with that damn cult won’t end well for the Federation. Might as well rely on Red Sand that Bai Chuan and I run!”

Tang Mary sat on a chair she had created with her ability. She wore a modernized Chinese dress, high heels still on her feet, and her hair styled in an elegant updo. When silent, she looked like a refined noblewoman. But the moment she spoke, she carried the sharp air of a rogue.

Bai Chuan chimed in, “Exactly! Hey, Lin Bai, Eastern District Five doesn’t look too safe right now. Why don’t you just come back to Red Sand with us?”

“Oh! That’s a great idea!” Tang Mary agreed. Bai Chuan had finally said something useful. Vera wasn’t safe there.

To their surprise, Lin Bai firmly rejected the offer. “The Federation is in crisis. As its citizens, how could we abandon it at such a time? Besides, my partner was most likely infected by Aurora’s zombies inside their research institute. If that’s the case, then Aurora is the true murderer of my partner. I must go to Aurora and take revenge!”

To others, Lin Bai’s words sounded like a declaration of deep devotion to his partner.

However, Bai Chuan and Elena, who knew that Lin Bai was a bionic human, understood the hidden message that Lin Bai wanted to go to Aurora.

Neither of them was foolish. After a bit of thought, Elena was the first to realize what it meant; Mi Xing was indeed trapped inside Aurora.

A moment later, Bai Chuan also understood. Their boss had to be inside Aurora.

Tang Mary didn’t fully grasp the underlying meaning of Lin Bai’s words, but she did understand one thing; Vera was going to Aurora.

In that case…

“Lin Bai, you’re absolutely right! I’m a citizen of the Federation too! How can we let those cultist lunatics trample all over us?” Tang Mary’s stance shifted instantly. She acted as if she had never even mentioned Red Sand moments ago, now looking completely invested in the Federation’s struggle.

Elena added in a gentle tone, “If the nest falls, no egg remains intact. I must do my part.”

Bai Chuan followed up, “If we don’t get rid of Aurora, they’ll just keep deceiving more people! If they really manage to breed a Zombie King, we’re all doomed! We have to stop them!”

Zhou Yu and the others were dumbfounded by how quickly Tang Mary and Bai Chuan changed their stance, even Lou Tiannan felt a hint of suspicion.

Xi Ya also climbed into Lin Bai’s arms. “Mom, I want to go with you too!”