The vaccine project no longer required Si Nan’s cooperation, and Zhou Rong was free. He received special central approval to lead the original 118th Sixth Squadron along with civilian volunteer Si Xiao Nan, forming a temporary unit to execute a targeted breakthrough mission at the Su North border.
However, an unexpected guest joined the team just before departure – Ning Yu.
“Dr. Ning is from Su North, though he didn’t stay there for long,” said General Zheng.
“He reported wanting to join as a military doctor and visit his hometown, and his superiors specially approved.”
Zhou Rong questioned, “Isn’t he supposed to be in the laboratory?”
“The vaccine has preliminary results. He says all major global laboratories are working on it, and it makes no difference with or without him.”
Zhou Rong felt something was off but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.
“Do well, Colonel Zhou!” General Zheng patted his shoulder encouragingly. “You’re leading the most highly configured special forces squad. Don’t let your superiors down!”
“…” Zhou Rong coldly replied, “Sir, you might not know, but Ning is a terrible military doctor. He’s less skilled at bandaging than me. What if he kills the entire team…”
The old general was both amused and exasperated: “Stop talking nonsense and get going!”
However, Ning Yu wasn’t as troublesome as Zhou Rong had imagined, and was much more approachable compared to his initially sarcastic and caustic demeanor.
The seven-person squad, along with their armored vehicle, was air-transported to Dunhuang, Gansu. The urban area had already been carpet-bombed, leaving few zombies. The challenge was the tourist groups stranded at historical sites during the virus outbreak, now completely zombified. To protect cultural relics from excessive damage, a special forces squad was deployed for a sweeping clearance.
Zhou Rong’s plan was to first eliminate zombies outside the scenic area, then use the military-developed high-concentration Alpha pheromone lure to draw the living dead from Mogao Caves to the Gobi Desert, where they would be eliminated by vehicle-mounted rocket launchers. He left Ning Yu in the armored vehicle, strictly instructing him not to open the door or exit under any circumstances, before charging out with his team, guns ready.
It was peak tourist season when the virus broke out, and though many zombies had already fled, those remaining were formidable. As soon as they exited the vehicle, zombies rushed towards them.
