C3 Scout

Chapter Three: Reconnaissance

"Honey, stay close to Mommy, okay?" Gu Ming called out to his wife and daughter, descending from the war chariot under his wife's anxious eyes.

Armed to the teeth and accompanied by Lucky, Gu Ming was kitted out in full combat gear—a pistol, a crossbow, a Tang sword, and a backpack stocked with food, water, and medical supplies.

Had Zeus been able to connect with the satellites above, Gu Ming wouldn't have needed to scout the city himself. The satellites could have easily scanned the area and provided detailed road conditions.

His scouting mission was crucial to determine which roads were passable and which were blocked. He'd mark these on the map, planning to retreat by nightfall. In case of an emergency, finding a secure safe house to spend the night was the plan, though it came with risks. Unfamiliar territory and the nocturnal reign of zombies made it perilous, not to mention that even during daylight, survivors scavenging for food could pose a threat. In this post-apocalyptic world, dying over a loaf of bread had become a grim reality.

The fields flanking the highway, untended by human hands, were overrun with weeds in just a week. Given more time, nature would surely obscure all remnants of human cultivation, erasing the evidence of human existence with the passage of time.

Gu Ming, with Lucky's heightened vigilance post-gene drug enhancement, walked for over ten minutes without incident. Lucky's pre-apocalypse alertness had been impressive, but now it was exceptional, significantly boosting his chances of survival outside the safety of the chariot.

Soon, they reached the city's entrance, where several side roads branched off. Lu Ming consulted the map, identifying the western route as the quickest path through the city.

The silence of the desolate streets was eerie. Not a sound to be heard, the city seemed abandoned. But Gu Ming knew better; it was unlikely there were no survivors or zombies. Humanity's resilience meant it was improbable they had been wiped out so swiftly. In the midst of crisis, there was always the possibility of opportunity.

Strolling down the street, Lucky pricked up his ears, alert to the dangers ahead. Gu Ming was well aware that the shops and residential areas lining the road were teeming with zombies. Any loud noise or the slightest hint of blood could draw them out, and blood was their siren call. He made a point to walk in the sunlight, wary of what monsters might leap from the shadows of the cooler, shaded areas. It's always best to err on the side of caution—recklessness can lead to disaster.

Lucky came to an abrupt halt, prompting Gu Ming to unsheathe his Tang sword. Despite a week of practice, his aim with the crossbow and handgun was still unreliable. The sword was a quicker, surer option; a clean beheading was all it took to take down a zombie, and Gu Ming had the strength to do it without fail.

Peering into a clothing store that had caught Lucky's attention, Gu Ming surveyed the chaos within. Clothes were strewn across the floor, shelves toppled and askew, and a scattering of bones lay in a corner. Sensing trouble, he patted Lucky's head, signaling a swift departure. There was no need to risk their necks for mere clothing when his war chariot was already stocked with a bounty of brand-name goods.

The duo pressed on, and after half an hour without encountering a single survivor, Gu Ming couldn't help but wonder about the fate of Purple County's 200,000 residents. Had they all succumbed to the zombie plague, or had the uninfected managed to flee the city? He found it hard to accept either possibility.

...

At Wan Jiaole Supermarket, Gu Ming stepped over the scattered goods and bones as he made his way through the aisles. Lucky patrolled the passages while Gu Ming swiftly gathered useful items—milk powder, shampoo, and other essentials that would save him a trip to the war chariot's store.

After stocking up from several shelves, he decided against taking more. Space was limited, and it was only fair to leave some supplies for other survivors. With his external cheat, he was well-supplied with food and didn't need to hoard. There was no point in being ruthless; after all, they were all fellow countrymen.

"Lucky."

Gu Ming whispered, and Lucky bounded over to him.

Together, the man and his dog traversed the landscape, scavenging whatever useful items they could find. Despite their long journey, they hadn't encountered a single survivor, which was unsettling. Gu Ming felt a twinge of anxiety—he should have known to purchase a drone from the war chariot shop earlier. "What a fool I've been," he thought with a silent sigh.

"Come on, Lucky, time to head back."

Gu Ming had lost the desire to continue. The county felt eerie, especially since he had encountered numerous survivors in other cities over the past week. This place was an anomaly. He couldn't afford to take risks; he had a wife and daughter to think about. If he perished, the chariot system would vanish, and his family wouldn't stand a chance in this post-apocalyptic world.

It took an hour to return to where they had parked the chariot. It was just as they had left it—unchanged. Gu Ming had chosen an open area with few buildings to park, allowing for a quick response in case of emergencies.

"Zeus, open the door."

"Darling, you're back."

"Yes, I've returned."

"Daddy!"

Gu Ming barely had a chance to sit before his daughter clung to his legs. He indulged in playtime with her for a moment.

"Okay, Nannan, Daddy has to work now. Go play with Lucky."

Ye Xiaomei understood her husband had matters to attend to, so she encouraged Nannan to play with Lucky. The little girl complied and was soon happily playing with the dog.

"Honey, how did it go? Can we leave tomorrow?"

Ye Xiaomei's voice carried a note of concern. A week had gone by, and she knew Gu Ming was anxious about his parents, especially since communication had been cut off for two days. While there were fewer zombies in the countryside, the number of mutated creatures remained unknown.

"We didn't even make it to the city center before we had to pull back. Something's not right there. Don't worry, I'll send out a drone to scout the area."

Gu Ming reassured her with a smile, gently patting her hand.

Upon reaching the back of the workshop, Gu Ming settled in front of the workbench and prompted Zeus to bring up the exchange item list. He located the most affordable drone, which required ten energy points, along with various materials such as steel, wood, and plastic. With a quick click on the exchange button, the drone materialized on the floor in an instant.

"Zeus, can you pilot the drone?"

"Sir, I can."

Gu Ming picked up the drone and left the workshop, heading towards the cockpit. Off to the side of the cockpit, a staircase led up to the second floor.

On the second floor, Gu Ming found a spiral staircase at the center. Climbing it, he reached an indentation with a cover on top. He lifted the cover to reveal the view outside, placed the drone in the open, and entrusted Zeus with the task of sending it soaring into the sky.