Chapter 418: Solution, Surging Undercurrents

Chapter 418: Chapter 418: Solution, Surging Undercurrents

Laura Lowell paused, a hint of helplessness in her voice.

She said in a low voice, "Captain Brooks, please understand.

In the early days of the Central Base, there were indeed several incidents where mutated creatures that weren’t fully tamed or were startled lost control in densely populated areas, resulting in survivor casualties and property damage.

Since then, the regulations have become extremely strict.

We have a responsibility for the safety of all survivors."

Justin Brooks’s brow furrowed.

These Four Seasons Deer had been a huge help, transporting supplies, serving as mounts, and even providing warnings and assistance during minor dangers.

They were incredibly useful, and thanks to Flora Sullivan’s special affinity and her relationship with the herd’s leader, they were exceptionally obedient and almost completely non-aggressive.

He tried to negotiate.

"Administrator Lowell, these deer are truly docile. We have dedicated personnel who can completely control them; there will absolutely be no problems.

They are crucial to our team. The loss would be too great if we have to abandon or isolate them.

Is there any way around this?"

Laura Lowell thought for a moment, her fingers tapping a few more times on the light keyboard as if looking something up.

After a moment, she looked up and said, "How about this, Captain Brooks.

According to regulations, if you insist on keeping this Deer Herd and have a Player who can effectively control them, I can submit a special application to my superiors.

If it’s approved, you might be allowed to set up a dedicated, temporary enclosure with quarantine measures for them in the ground-level work area.

The Player in charge of taming them will need to be registered and will bear full responsibility for management and safety, and the herd’s range of activity will be strictly limited.

What do you think? I need to ask my superiors immediately."

Justin Brooks knew this was likely the best outcome he could hope for. He glanced at Seraphina Sullivan and Flora Sullivan and saw Seraphina give a slight nod.

He then said to Laura Lowell, "Then we’ll have to trouble you, Administrator Lowell. We are willing to comply with the base’s regulations and apply to house the Deer Herd in the ground-level work area."

"Alright, please wait a moment while I make the call." Laura Lowell nodded and walked toward a small workstation with communication equipment.

...

While Seraphina Sullivan and her group were negotiating a solution for the Deer Herd, news that "several more large sanctuary teams have arrived" was already spreading like ripples through the circles of various factions and individuals already settled in the underground area.

In a relatively pleasant residential cabin in the middle tier of the underground area, several well-dressed but shrewd-looking men were gathered.

"Have you heard? A few more groups have arrived—Vorlag, Meridia... and I think some from the north, too."

A refined-looking man with glasses spoke slowly, fiddling with an Energy Crystal in his hand.

"Of course, we’ve heard. The news is all over the entrance," another man, burly with a scar on his face, said with a grin that revealed a set of stark white teeth.

"More people means more Players. Fresh blood... Our Hound Squad lost several good members in the last instance. We’re in need of reinforcements.

Besides, newcomers... they usually don’t know the lay of the land here yet. They’re easier to deal with."

A middle-aged man who seemed to be their leader was smoking a cigarette made from a mutated plant, wreathed in smoke.

His gaze was sharp. "We’re not the only ones thinking this. Ironwall, the Night Owl Squad—those outfits are probably watching, too.

New Players, especially those who look capable but haven’t figured things out yet, are hot commodities.

Their resources, information, even the gear on their backs... it’s all good stuff."

He stubbed out his cigarette and gave his orders. "Brienne White, take two men and go to the observation area near the entrance. Don’t get too close. Use your far-sighted ability. Focus on anyone with unusual gear, mutated creatures, or a distinctly different air about them.

Note their characteristics and likely Ability tendencies.

Scarface, go find out the basic situation of these sanctuary teams and where they’re being quartered.

Move fast. Don’t let the other outfits beat us to it."

"Got it, Boss!" The man with the glasses and the scarred man replied in unison, a glint of excitement in their eyes.

’More fat sheep... no, fresh blood, delivered right to our door,’ the leader muttered to himself, lighting another cigarette.

Similar scenes were quietly playing out in various corners of the Central Base’s underground area, among different teams, factions, and even individuals with their own special agendas.

For Seraphina Sullivan’s group, who had just arrived after a grueling journey, entering the base did not mark the beginning of safety and comfort. Instead, it was the prelude to another smokeless war—a competition and game of wits for survival, resources, and influence.

Within the high Walls, danger was ever-present.

"It seems housing the Four Seasons Deer is a real problem," Seraphina Sullivan said, looking at Laura Lowell, who was communicating with her superior, and at the curious or scrutinizing gazes from all around.

She wasn’t worried about where she and Flora Sullivan would end up, but if the Deer Herd wasn’t handled properly, it would not only mean losing a major asset but also attract unnecessary trouble.

Justin Brooks and Wesley Moore walked over.

Wesley Moore’s expression was grim, but his tone was firm. "Comrade Sullivan, you and Flora have helped us so much on this journey, whether it was providing food, warning us of danger, or providing crucial combat support.

Don’t worry. We will do everything in our power to solve the problem with the Deer Herd. We won’t let you be disadvantaged."

Justin Brooks nodded in agreement. "That’s right. Administrator Lowell has already gone to apply. If they can allocate a space in the ground-level work area, we will coordinate security and logistics."

Seraphina Sullivan shook her head, her expression calm.

"Where we live doesn’t make much difference to us, as long as we’re guaranteed basic safety and relative freedom."

Her gaze swept over the floating surveillance drones and the towering perimeter walls in the distance.

Her tone was light. "Besides, I have a feeling that while this Central Base seems grand and peaceful, what lies beneath the surface is probably not so simple."

She had a keen sense that beneath the orderly facade, an undercurrent had never stopped surging.

The vast population of survivors, the complex mix of Players, the limited top-tier resources, and the various desires amplified by the apocalyptic environment.

This place was no paradise.

Justin Brooks and Wesley Moore exchanged a look, seeing the same worry in each other’s eyes.

How could they not know? But as leaders, their first duty was to maintain morale.

As the three of them were waiting for Laura Lowell’s response, a fierce argument and commotion suddenly erupted from another security checkpoint for the underground area not far away!

"Damn you, Connor Webb! It was you! You killed my sister and my niece! You bastard! How dare you still be alive?! You deserve to die—!!!"

A man in ragged clothes, with bloodshot eyes and a crazed look, lunged out from the waiting crowd.

He was brandishing a sharpened piece of metal.

He stabbed straight toward a fat man in the line who was surrounded by several women.