Chapter 550: The Civilians Are Protected

Leng Pan stopped beside him. "You say that as if you expect us to feel guilty."

"You sent thousands of infected creatures into our world and destroyed the only stable route between our planets."

"You invaded Earth, controlled our people, and used zombies to attack survivor bases. Losing your Passage is a consequence, not an injustice."

The prisoner looked at the burning alien wreckage before quietly asking, "What will you do with me?"

"That depends on how useful you remain."

Little Vine curled around his ankle.

He quickly entered the aircraft without asking another question.

Assistant Yao lifted the vessel into the air.

Tayi City disappeared behind them as they flew toward Qinghe Base.

Lu Zhen contacted Ouyang Jin during the journey.

"The zombies have entered four streets," Ouyang Jin reported. His breathing was heavy, and metal struck metal somewhere near him. "We destroyed two giants, but there are at least five more outside the broken wall. The command subject is forcing the ordinary zombies forward while the stronger ones remain behind."

"Do not pursue the command subject," Lu Zhen warned. "Hold the inner line until we arrive."

"We might not have enough ammunition."

Leng Pan leaned toward the communicator. "Use fire and wind to move the zombies into narrow streets. Silk can seal both ends, then Blaze and the strength ability users can attack from the roofs."

Ouyang Jin understood her plan. "We will try it, but the affected survivors are becoming restless again."

Leng Pan looked toward the alien prisoner. "The control network should have weakened after we destroyed the transport vessel."

"The command subject might be carrying an independent controller," the prisoner explained. "If it enters the base, it could reconnect with anyone who still has control particles inside their body."

"Could Little Vine remove the particles from everyone at once?"

"No. There are too many people."

Lu Zhen studied the map of Qinghe Base. "Then we must kill the command subject before it reaches the survivors."

Captain Wei’s weak voice entered the communication. "I can find it."

Commander Han immediately objected, "You can barely remain conscious. Using that device again could kill you."

"The controller already damaged my ability core. If I do nothing, the outcome will not change."

Leng Pan frowned. "Captain Wei, do not connect to the network until we arrive. Little Vine might be able to protect your ability core while you search."

Captain Wei remained silent before replying, "I will wait."

The captured aircraft reached Qinghe Base several minutes later.

Smoke covered the northern section, and a wide gap had replaced part of the outer wall. Thousands of zombies filled the streets beyond it.

Qinghe Base’s soldiers had created barricades from overturned vehicles and broken concrete. Ouyang Jin’s group defended the largest one while ability users attacked from the surrounding buildings.

Assistant Yao lowered the aircraft toward the eastern training grounds.

Lu Hao was waiting when the hatch opened.

Electricity covered his arms as he approached Lu Zhen. "The civilians are protected. I should go to the northern side."

Lu Zhen stepped out and looked at him. "Lu Tao said you believed I was not here to order you."

Lu Hao glanced toward his younger brother.

Lu Tao immediately looked away.

"I remained at the training grounds," Lu Hao said.

"That is why we will discuss the rest later."

Lu Hao nodded, but his attention moved to the northern smoke. "Can I fight now?"

Lu Zhen looked toward Leng Pan.

She finished studying the battlefield before answering, "You and Shade should enter through the eastern street and attack the giants from behind. Do not chase anything beyond the wall."

Lu Hao’s eyes brightened. "I can do that."

Shade released a howl before running beside him.

Leng Pan turned toward the others. "Vanish, take the alien prisoner to Captain Wei. Little Vine will keep both of them under control. Sonny and Assistant Yao should protect the aircraft. Lu Tao, continue monitoring the command signals."

Lu Zhen reached for her hand. "Where are we going?"

"The northern barricade."

He glanced at the thousands of zombies between them and Ouyang Jin’s group. "Would you like to enter quietly?"

Leng Pan’s water ability spread across the street and lifted broken pipes, abandoned containers, and every remaining drop inside the damaged system. "After what they did to this base, I am not feeling quiet."

Lu Zhen’s flames covered the water without turning it into steam.

He smiled at his wife. "Then we should make an entrance they will remember."

Together, they sent a burning wave through the northern street.

The zombies closest to them disappeared beneath water and fire, while those behind were thrown against the ruined buildings.

Ouyang Jin saw them from the barricade and released a relieved laugh. "You took long enough."

Leng Pan and Lu Zhen landed beside him.

"We were destroying an alien Passage," Leng Pan replied. "What is your excuse for allowing the wall to fall?"

Ouyang Jin pointed toward the largest giant zombie moving through the smoke. "That."

Before Leng Pan could respond, Lu Tao’s voice came through the communicator.

"I found the command subject. It is not outside the base."

A red signal appeared on their map.

It was moving beneath the eastern training grounds, directly below the civilians.

The zombie attack on the northern wall had only been a distraction.

Lu Tao enlarged the map until the red signal beneath the eastern training grounds became clear.

"It is moving through one of the tunnels created by the burrowing unit," he explained through the communicator. "At its current speed, it will reach the surface in less than five minutes."

Leng Pan looked toward the northern barricade. Thousands of zombies continued pressing through the broken wall, but Ouyang Jin’s group had regained control of the nearest streets after their arrival.

She turned to him. "Can you hold this position?"

Ouyang Jin looked at Lu Zhen’s bloodstained coat before replying, "We can hold it for a few minutes, but the command subject might send the zombies into another formation once it realizes you have left."

"Captain Wei should be able to disrupt the network after Little Vine reaches him."

Lu Zhen studied the horde beyond the barricade. "Do not pursue the stronger zombies if they retreat. Their purpose might be to pull you away from the base."

Ouyang Jin nodded. "Go. We will keep them outside this street."

Leng Pan contacted Vanish. "Where are you?"

"I just reached Captain Wei. The prisoner is examining the device attached to his head."

"Leave them with Little Vine and come to the northern barricade. We need to reach the training grounds immediately."

Vanish appeared beside them less than a minute later. His face was pale from using his ability repeatedly, but he held out his hand without complaining.

"I can take one person at a time," he explained. "Who is going first?"

Lu Zhen looked at Leng Pan. "You should go. I will follow on the next trip."

She tightened her hold on his hand. "You are injured, and Vanish is already exhausted. What if he cannot return for you?"

"I can reach the eastern side without him."

"In five minutes?"

Lu Zhen glanced at the distance between the northern barricade and the training grounds. "Probably not."