Chapter 66: Different Paths, Same Destination [Seeking Data!]

"Such vintage equipment. How many years ago was this ancient human footage recorded?"

"Sociology +8"

"It must be from before the Amber Era. Those in the footage are the ancestors of humanity."

"Although the equipment is ancient, it's unexpectedly reassuring. Praise the Omnissiah!"

"Our planet's equipment isn't even as advanced as theirs..."

"..."

The commander pulled back his heavy sleeve, glanced at his watch, and said to the messenger:

"He has ten minutes."

The order was issued.

Not long after, a young man wearing a thin coat, carrying a briefcase, and wearing only a fleece hat appeared before the commander.

"Hello, I am Robert, a Level 4 Agent of the Foundation."

After introducing himself, Robert reached out his hand.

His hand hung in mid-air for a while, but he did not wait for the commander to offer his own.

Robert was not offended; he maintained a standard smile and withdrew his hand.

The commander kept a straight face, his voice like the biting cold wind:

"You may address me as Commander."

"I hope we cooperate pleasantly during this operation, but I do not wish to see your Foundation taking any unnecessary actions."

Robert nodded to show his agreement:

"Our researchers are already on their way."

The commander did not pay attention to this, instead asking:

"Up to this point, we still have questions that need answering."

"The Alliance scientists believe this is a mass outbreak of rabies. Why does your Foundation believe this is a zombie virus?"

Robert brushed the snowflakes off his briefcase, opened it against the wind, and took out a file bag sealed with wax.

Handing it to the commander, Robert explained:

"Inside are earlier eyewitness reports, as well as all research data the Foundation has gathered on this matter to date."

"Once you have read this document, all your questions will be answered."

The commander took the file bag, removed the documents, and began reading with his back to the wind.

However, the more he read, the more solemn his expression became.

A moment later, he neatly put the documents back and handed the file bag to a guard:

"I need this document to reach the Supreme Commander and the Chief Science Officer at the fastest possible speed."

Afterward, he stood with his hands behind his back, pondering for a moment, then looked at Robert:

"What do you need?"

Seeing the ice had been broken, Robert quickly stated the authorization the Foundation required:

"We will dispatch C and D-class personnel to participate in the investigation; they will be managed directly by the Doctor."

"At the same time, we need several terminal patients for drug testing."

"Furthermore, I must remind you: this virus is far more terrifying than the Alliance imagines. If handled improperly, the consequences will be unimaginable."

The commander ignored Robert's final words; he casually pulled a stack of letter paper from his coat and wrote a few lines of quite scrawled text with a pencil.

Then, he tore off the sheet and handed it to Robert:

"I agree to the Foundation's request, and I will also take responsibility for the potential consequences."

"After obtaining consent from the patients' families, you may select no more than ten severe patients to participate in the research."

"But this does not mean they have become your Foundation's lab rats. I must emphasize that they are still the people of the Alliance."

"Even if they truly turn into the 'zombies' you speak of, as long as there is a possibility of a cure, the soldiers of the Alliance will not abandon them."

"Until the Supreme Command and the Chief Science Officer change the orders, we will continue to maintain order, continue to administer rabies vaccines to the bitten populace, and rescue the comatose patients."

Seeing the main force about to drive past, the commander shook the snow off his body, said nothing more, and returned to the tracked vehicle.

"Woo—"

Amidst the wind and snow, the white tracked vehicle moved forward, merging into the convoy.

"No way, I thought they were going to exterminate zombies."

"Same here. Now it looks like they're going to participate in rescue efforts or maintain order."

"If a terrifying plague really broke out, social order would indeed be impacted."

"Feels like the Foundation's reputation wasn't very good back then...?"

"Speaking of the extent to which human moral standards have degenerated, the Company is the first to plunder resources from less advanced civilizations and the first to flee when disaster strikes."

"..."

The barrage scrolled within the live stream, but Jing Yuan had many thoughts.

He felt as if he had returned to that time.

Watching his teacher fall into the Mara-Struck state, while he himself was powerless.

He felt as if he saw that day again.

Master and disciple turning their blades against each other.

He wondered if the people there, watching their relatives turn into zombies, would pray for a miracle to descend, just like his former self.

Yanqing, standing to the side, saw his teacher sighing since a moment ago and couldn't help but feel worried:

"General, may I ask why you keep sighing?"

Jing Yuan teased the sparrow that had landed on his index finger and looked at the trees outside the window.

That tree had been growing there since he first entered the General's Mansion; it seemed to have remained the same for many years.

He wondered how many generations of sparrows it had seen off, and how many Xianzhou stories it had witnessed.

And the Xianzhou beneath his feet, how many births and passings of Xianzhou people had it witnessed?

He suddenly smiled:

"Just thinking of an old friend."

"An old friend I haven't seen in many years."

Before Yanqing could say anything, he flicked his index finger slightly, letting the sparrow fly out the window.

The footage continued.

Only then did the audience understand why such an army was needed to come and take over order.

Domestic cats and dogs had all gone mad.

As long as they saw a person, they would approach regardless of the cost, attempting to bite.

Even hyenas would obediently give way.

Holding his gun, a young soldier carefully checked the street.

His squad had received a call for help not long ago:

Someone had discovered a group of cats and dogs wandering the streets, behaving strangely and attempting to prey on young children.

And his comrades had already left the station to assist in maintaining order.

At this moment, he spotted a dog.

The dog's state was clearly wrong; it was wandering aimlessly in the freezing cold like a drunk vagrant.

The dog also spotted the young man.

In an instant, it rushed toward him as if crazed, instinctively barking.

The young soldier calmly raised his gun, aimed at the torso, and pulled the trigger.

The bullet accurately hit its torso, but it didn't spray blood, nor did it stop the dog!

It continued to sprint as if it hadn't been injured at all!

And more mad dogs were startled by the sound of gunfire, emitting chilling cries.

The young man panicked. ===== CHAPTER 68 =====