Armed Train in the Apocalypse

But he wasn’t optimistic at all.

When it comes to power transitions, you never know what the outcome will be until the very last moment.

He was prepared to engage in a long-term struggle with the ”Imperial Envoy” left behind by the conductor.

He didn’t expect that they would depart the very night the modifications were completed.

Not even planning to stay for a single night.

So decisive that it made him feel a bit uneasy.

Someone from the logistics team called away Hu Shuo, probably because there were some issues while moving the lab equipment.

Old Yuan quickly walked up to Wan Hao, handed him a cigarette, with a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

”Really leaving?”

Wan Hao hadn’t smoked for many years, but he still took it, walking to the windowsill and lighting it silently.

The armed train had already moved under the stairwell building.

The blue-black train was parked on the ground, letting the acid rain erode it, its cold, rugged stance inspiring awe.

Wan Hao, with a touch of self-mockery, said, ”It’s a bit like being tossed out as trash...”

Old Yuan also lit a cigarette, and hearing this, blew out a smoke ring, ”You’re comparing all fifteen thousand of us to trash.”

”To the conductor, burdens and trash are no different.”

The sound of acid rain beating on the roof intensified, and the searchlights inside the base turned the rain curtain into a pale wall of mist.

Hundreds of workers were sprinting with sealed boxes between the stairwell building and the train, with water droplets condensing on the surface of the boxes, shining with a metallic sheen under the cold light.

Twenty defenders with bulging muscles trudged through the rain with water purifiers on their shoulders.

A senior crew member stood at the forefront, shouting hoarsely, ”Forward, forward! Watch your step, don’t slack off! The whole train’s drinking water depends on him in the future!”

These workers were handpicked by the crew, covering nearly every occupation that would be taken together in time.

Besides them, there was a batch of train manufacturing experts, assigned to the research and manufacturing teams respectively.

Finally, there were the three hundred soldiers selected by He Jie.

A total of over six hundred people, whose quality could not even be compared to the previous passengers.

Moreover, even the cooks or odd jobs among them were Evolvers.

Car No. 3, formerly a double-decker sightseeing car, now had its entire side open; workers shouted as they lifted the water purifier up, and someone immediately stepped up with tools to connect and install it.

The pipelines had been pre-installed, and the installation wouldn’t even take thirty minutes.

Various equipment was also being carried onto the train for installation.

Roaring sounds came from the basement as more than a dozen heavy trucks carrying supplies rushed onto the train.

Logistics team crew members swiftly stepped forward to carry out final supply verification and entered it into the system.

Sitting inside the dining car, Su Huan looked at the terminal in his hand, which displayed real-time updates of the supply stock-in situation.

The devices for maintaining the train’s livelihood were the first to get on board, having been pressure-tested many times already, no need to mention it further.

This move mainly focused on several laboratories and workshops and the supply reserve.

Both the busy people outside and the visibly rising progress bar reassured the conductor greatly.

Outside the car, the night descended, with acid rain carrying a chill slapping on the ground.

Lights inside the car created a mirror effect, reflecting the busy Yu Yue walking in.

”What are you busy with?”

Su Huan curiously asked.

Yu Yue rolled his eyes at him; it was the task you assigned to me, and you’re asking me!

”Recording the stock-in supplies of Car No. 6.”

Su Huan then suddenly remembered that the other party had a responsibility as a warehouse manager.

”Is the conductor in?”

A husky and heavy voice sounded from outside the dining car door, instantly drawing the attention of the two.

Yu Yue set down what was in his hand, walked over to open the door.

The door had both electronic and mechanical structures coexisting, and with a touch, it was easily slid open.

Outside stood a broad back clad in an army-green raincoat.

Recognizing his face, Yu Yue was slightly surprised, moved aside a bit, and let the other party in.

Warmly asked, ”Is there something you need?”

The visitor was Wang He, who, although holding a low position, was still an old member of the armed train; Yu Yue had only boarded a few days before him, considered part of the same batch.

Wang He was a bit nervous, ”I have something to say to Boss Su, no need to go inside, standing here by the door is fine.”

Su Huan’s ears moved when he heard the term ”Boss Su.”

Somewhat speechless, he said, ”Don’t just stand at the door pretending, get in.”

Hearing Su Huan’s somewhat low voice, Wang He looked visibly less tense.

Walking into the car, he immediately saw the conductor sitting on the orange cat sofa, with two agile soldiers sitting on the other side.

The layout inside the dining car hadn’t changed from before, only the space was much larger, with some extra idle areas.

Looking at the acid rain dripping off his raincoat onto the floor, Wang He belatedly removed his raincoat.

”Sit.”

Su Huan pointed to the sofa opposite.

”No, no.”

”If you’re not sitting, then kneel; I don’t want to have to look up at you.”

After being jabbed at by the conductor, Wang He awkwardly sat on the sofa.

Although only in a little over a month, as Conductor Su Huan’s position became more solid, the number of people seeking shelter on the armed train increased.

Even those bluntly asking him for favors before became reserved.

”Why aren’t you busy loading the train, coming to me for what?”

Su Huan asked with interest.

Wang He hesitated for a moment and said, ”It’s just... I want to stay behind.”

”Stay behind?” Su Huan raised an eyebrow in surprise.

”Yes, I’m not saying I want to leave the train, I just want to serve the conductor in another way, I...”

Su Huan waved his hand, interrupting his clumsy declaration of loyalty.

In this regard, Hu Shuo and the others were far better.

”You mean you want to stay at Shun’an Station Base?”

Looking at Su Huan’s questioning gaze, Wang He resolutely nodded.

He didn’t want to constantly wander precariously.

He liked the solid feeling of sleeping on the ground, enjoyed the spacious spaces, appreciated having a place to walk around after meals.

That’s why he gathered the courage to approach Su Huan.

”I see...” Su Huan smacked his lips in disinterest, thinking the guy had found some incredible secret to report.

”Then go ahead and tell Wan Hao, just say I said it, and move up a rank in treatment according to what’s on the train.”

Seeing Wang He’s incredulous expression, Su Huan felt a bit helpless.

”When have I ever stopped anyone from disembarking? Although you are considered a core member, I’m relatively soft-hearted, speak to me openly if there’s something to say, as long as I’m in a good mood, there’s never much principle...”

”The armed train is always democratic...”

Thinking it might be the last time seeing him in this life, the conductor, soft-hearted, added a few more words.

Wang He was greatly moved by the words.

Expressing profound gratitude, he departed from the train.

Su Huan resumed his calm expression, ”Anything going on around Wang He lately?”

Yu Yue thought for a moment and said, ”I heard he recently found a wife inside the base, sixteen years younger than him.”

”Old cow eating young grass, shameless.” Su Huan chuckled in silent laughter.

Yu Yue turned red in the face, gave him a fierce glare, and turned back to her tasks.

Her whole presence exuded the allure only mature women have.

Her waist swayed, stirring many thoughts.

The two jested while bodyguards Bai Lu and Giraffe paid no attention, silently sipping their tea.

As long as the conductor hadn’t issued any orders, they would just stay put obediently.

Su Huan, feeling sentimental, took out his conductor’s log.

Thinking for a bit, he hadn’t even started writing when someone came visiting again outside, and Yu Yue, upon hearing the sound, went to open the door.

With a slightly stalled expression, she turned to look at Su Huan squinting his eyes.

”Someone else wants to stay behind.”

”Ha!” Su Huan let out a cold laugh, ”Drag them out and beat them to death.”

Immediately, a wail for mercy sounded outside the door.

Beside him, Bai Lu’s eyes lit up, just about to stand up, but was pulled back by the speechless Giraffe.

This idiot, can’t you tell the conductor is just joking?

Yu Yue sighed lightly and waved them off, allowing them to scurry away as if relieved.

Su Huan didn’t even bother to look at those people, fearing accidentally remembering their faces, hence compelled to give them a hard time.