Chapter 96: Conditions (10th Update, Asking for Monthly Tickets!!!)

“This point also aligns with the basic conditions of a leader in a crisis environment. The other female, aged between 16-18, possesses a rare telekinesis-type ability with a powerful ability index. Logically speaking, her ability is the most reasonable way to open the gate. Therefore, this conversely indicates that this male, playing the role of the leader, possesses an ability with a higher output efficiency than violently opening the door. Considering magnetic control or inorganic matter control types.”

“The third male is sturdily built, aged between 26-35, and uses an M556 light machine gun, equipped with 7.62x51mm rifle bullets. The gun’s rate of fire is 650 to 950 rounds per minute, and the machine gun weighs 21.5KG. He carries a heavy metal sword on his back, with the hilt on the right, so he is right-handed, yet he can easily use this machine gun with his left hand for shooting, indicating that his muscle strength is extremely high. Although there is no phenomenon to indicate he possesses any ability, it is enough to see that he is a warrior with extremely strong survival ability and combat strength.”

“The fourth is a little girl, not old, but proficient in using firearms. It’s unclear if she has any abilities, but from a sociological perspective, bringing a very young girl along during an escape only has two possibilities: either this little girl has some special ability and value, or she is a relative of an important member of the team.”

“The last one did not get off the train. Only a partial image was captured by the camera. Female, around 25 years old, responsible for driving the train. It is inferred that she is technical personnel or has low combat value…”

Ding Junyi held the portable screen and zoomed in, adjusting her glasses. Although her delicate face was pale from hunger, her eyes were extremely sharp.

“This is a Whale 03E heavy-duty gas turbine locomotive produced 30 years ago and a Huanxing 7F electric locomotive from 14 years ago. Both are freight-grade and do not have a nuclear-powered drive system. They rely on liquid fuel and the railway power grid to operate. Behind them are 5 modified passenger cars. From the train’s external armor, it can be seen that it is a product customized by a special factory. It can be judged that the interior has undergone a series of modifications.”

Xu Wen frowned and looked over. “Director Ding, so what does that mean?”

Ding Junyi’s gaze swept over the group. “Obviously, this train is a carefully crafted mobile shelter. These people are not in a temporary cooperative relationship. Currently, the federal government’s intercontinental-class and eternal-class rail trains are all star-rail trains capable of global transport, equipped with nuclear power. So for such a team with strong survival conditions to risk coming here, the purpose is likely to solve energy problems.”

“Makes sense!”

Han Qiming nodded. “They charged in despite so many zombies outside. I also think they’re probably not here just for food and water.”

Zhao Yan was anxious: “But we can’t help them solve their energy problem either. All the intercontinental and eternal-class trains were already moved during the great migration…”

Ding Junyi took a deep breath, looked up at the silent train cockpit on the monitor, and said calmly, “Who says we can’t?”

Tap tap tap. Ding Junyi quickly operated the system. She brought up a surveillance log and then said, “Before the power system on the 95th sub-level went offline, the surveillance showed that there was still a Gemini 11R nuclear-powered electric locomotive on the freight terminal platform. This was a backup power train set for the intercontinental-class trains and was left on the terminal platform during the great migration. This might be what they want. So, based on the current analysis, we may have three bargaining chips to negotiate with them.”

“What bargaining chips?” Zhao Yan asked urgently.

“First, we have P3-level high-level permissions for the underground city and knowledge of the situation in various areas. Besides the information about this Gemini 11R nuclear-powered electric locomotive, we can also cooperate to help them obtain corresponding resources in other areas. This team is small but has extremely strong survival capabilities, so I believe this point carries a weight of 70%. The second point is the experimental data from our biological laboratory and some data from the former federal underground city. However, these may not be important to survivors, but if we consider making some kind of exchange with the current New Apocalypse Federation, they also have a certain value. The weight is 29%.”

Zhao Yan frowned at the woman. “Then what’s the remaining 1%?”

Ding Junyi’s cold gaze swept over the group.

“It’s us. As long as we are alive, we possess basic intellectual value, labor value, and sexual value.”

Han Qiming’s face changed upon hearing this. He adopted the air of an old-fashioned scholar and said, “Absurd! We are, after all, high-level research team members of the federal government. Even if we were used for an exchange of benefits with the federal government, our value would be greater than mere labor value, right?”

Ding Junyi glanced at him.

“You are too naive. The sexual value I mentioned includes you.”

Han Qiming was aghast. “Wh-wh-what?!”

At these words, Zhao Yan and Xu Wen also had strange expressions.

They never would have imagined that they would one day be considered as basic value for a transaction, and that the probability of this value was only 1%…

“Director Ding’s analysis is quite thorough, but can just a permission or navigation make the other party risk their lives to save us?” Zhao Yan was pale from hunger and had little strength left. She didn’t quite agree with Ding Junyi’s analysis, but she had no other ideas at the moment.

“Yeah, and that train is still on… the 95th sub-level. That place is already…” Xu Wen said with a look of terror.

Ding Junyi said calmly, “These three points are our bargaining chips from our perspective, and these are the only ones we have. Of course, there’s an asymmetry. It’s also possible that all three of these combined are less valuable to them than a box of food. That’s their consideration. But I don’t think we have any better options.”

Hearing this, the group fell silent.

On the other side, Lin Xian and his team members exchanged glances after hearing Xu Wen and Ding Junyi’s descriptions.

Chen Sixuan looked at Lin Xian and was the first to speak. “According to them, this underground city has already fallen. There isn’t much daylight left. Under these circumstances, it will definitely be difficult to go in and search for supplies.”

Lin Xian nodded.

“Unless we also operate at night, but that’s too dangerous. Not to mention that unknown subterranean creature, just the fact that hundreds of thousands of people in the underground city have fallen means there’s no telling how many zombies and monsters there are.”

“Then are we not going to save them?” Shasha said. “Didn’t they say they could offer us supplies in exchange?”

“Hey! Lin Xian,” Kiki said at this moment. “Why don’t we first hear what they can offer? If it doesn’t work out, we can just ignore them. Anyway, they have a backup power source, so we can find a way to get in ourselves.”

“Trying to get in by ourselves is too reckless.”

Lin Xian raised an eyebrow. “This underground city is comparable to a small city. We don’t know how complicated the situation is. Getting in isn’t hard, but what about after we get in…”

Unless he encountered the control of an intelligent system, it wouldn’t be difficult for his mechanical ability to open ordinary mechanical doors. But for an underground city like this, the system was incredibly complex and vast. He couldn’t possibly cover the entire city with his Mechanical Heart. If he really did that, he might just kick the bucket before he even finished covering the first level.

Plus, the interior had already fallen and was unsafe. A slight misstep could trigger a chain reaction, and in the end, he might not get anything and just have to flee in a panic.

Thinking of this, Lin Xian pressed the response button.

“Now, tell me your conditions.”