Chapter 1300 Star Sea (105)
The bar was packed with over three hundred people.
The survivors of Base D01359, upon receiving the news, rushed over as soon as they could.
Since the fall of Tampas Star three years ago, they have been forced to cower in this small base, day and night hoping for the Empire to reclaim this planet.
However, as days went by, everyone's hope slowly faded, and they were on the verge of despair.
The arrival of Wang Chen from the sky undoubtedly rekindled the fire of hope among the survivors.
The Empire has already recaptured the Tampas Star Cluster and is trying to solve the energy radiation issue on Tampas Star...
These great pieces of news brought tears of joy to everyone, with many hugging each other and even shouting slogans.
"Long live the Empire!"
In this atmosphere, the bar owner took out all the stored liquor and distributed it for everyone to enjoy.
But not many people were appreciative; most glared at him angrily.
Some even cursed him outrightly.
The bar owner, treated this way, didn't dare to retort, awkwardly wearing a sheepish smile, looking very pitiable.
But Wang Chen had no shred of sympathy for him.
Through talking to Lu Kui, Wang Chen learned that more than a year ago, Base D01359 had already encountered issues, with various equipment and facilities failing gradually under the influence of unknown energy.
As the base engineer, Lu Kui and his team tried every means possible, using available tools and materials, they managed to create a rudimentary lighting and ventilation system, barely sustaining the basic operation of this underground base.
Unexpectedly, the bar owner and a group of people led by Iron Tiger, relying on a few War Professionals, forcibly took control of the base, hoarded the reserved supplies, and established a so-called set of rules.
Under the oppression of these guys, most people in the base lived a hard life and were even forced to go to the surface to gather supplies in exchange for food and water.
Many who went to the surface never returned.
When talking about this, the bar owner couldn't help but complain: "It's not that I don't want to give everyone food, but the supplies of this base are only one-tenth of normal levels. Without frugal usage and reasonable allocation, they can't last for years."
"Pah!"
Lu Kui spat a thick glob at the other: "You guys enjoy lavish food and drink daily, how much do you give us as rations? We even have to risk going to the surface to find supplies in exchange, have you no shame?"
The bar owner was speechless.
The Iron Tiger and others he relied on were all controlled, no longer able to act rampant.
Wang Chen frowned: "Is it true that the supply reserve is only one-tenth?"
Lu Kui sighed: "It is true. Our base is considered to have more; I've encountered people from several other bases, and their situation is even worse. Many warehouses are empty!"
This should not be right.
Wang Chen immediately sensed there was something off.
With the Empire's strength and technological level, having built so many underground bases on Tampas Star, they surely provided enough supplies to ensure normal operation.
A person nearby sneered: "Nothing surprising, the pre-war supply allocation of Tampas Star was always supplied by the Wanhai Group. Surely, they embezzled with some collaborators."
Lu Kui's expression changed drastically: "Shut up!"
This topic was too sensitive. Even though everyone knew it well, speaking it out loud was courting death.
The Wanhai Group is a very famous conglomerate, with assets counted in trillions, crushing a few small figures would be too easy.
That person also realized the danger and sullenly closed his mouth.
Wang Chen chuckled: "Let's not talk about that for now. Engineer Lu, do you know the route to the nearest base from here?"
"The nearest is Base B00785, about a hundred kilometers away from us."
Lu Kui answered without hesitation: "Base B00785 used to be connected to our base by an underground passage, but it was destroyed two years ago and cannot be reopened."
"However, some of our people have encountered their Hunters on the surface; it's said that there are still tens of thousands of survivors at B00785."
Base B00785 is classified as a large-scale base, capable of accommodating up to one hundred thousand people, definitely offering better conditions than D01359.
Wang Chen couldn't help but ask: "Didn't you ever think of going to Base B00785?"
"How could we not think of that..."
Lu Kui smiled bitterly: "But we are not War Professionals; the underground passage is blocked, and we're not confident about traversing the surface to get there."
In fact, some did leave D01359 to go to B00785, but those who walked over a hundred kilometers, whether encountering mutated creatures or the Nether Tribe, the outcome could be easily foreseen.
Unless absolutely necessary, who would want to take such a risk?
And is B00785 really better than D01359?
It's hard to say!
"It's bad!"
At this moment, someone rushed into the bar, shouting loudly: "Our gate is under attack, likely by the Nether Tribe Hunter-Killers!"
Nether Tribe Hunter-Killers!
The bar instantly erupted, many people squeezing together in fear, while others tried to flee outside.
To the survivors of Tampas Star, the Nether Tribe Hunter-Killers were a nightmare-like existence!
No one expected them to show up here today.
Some, in their terror, glared at Wang Chen with resentment, clearly blaming him, the outsider.
"Keep an eye on these guys."
Wang Chen handed his shotgun to Lu Kui: "If anyone causes trouble, shoot them. Don't show mercy."
"I'll handle the Nether Tribe outside!"
He indeed wanted to see the Empire's or humanity's great enemy, unexpectedly they came to him first.
As Lu Kui stood in a daze, Wang Chen had already left the crowded bar, quickly heading to the entrance of Base D01359.
From a considerable distance, he could already hear the dull thuds of impacts.
Before the steel shield gate lay empty, the other guard was nowhere in sight, and this thick protective door now bore several protrusions, all quite alarming to see.
Thankfully, the steel shield gate's material was hard enough; after several unsuccessful rams, the Nether Tribe Hunter-Killers outside fell silent.
It seemed they had withdrawn.
However, within Wang Chen's perception, several ghostly figures were wandering outside, clearly not giving up.
Boom!
The next moment, alongside a deafening crash, the steel shield door was forcibly dented a large bulge, with the surface cracking all over.
The next wave of impact followed closely.
This time, the steel shield gate couldn't withstand anymore and was directly breached!
A ferocious monster suddenly charged in.
Nether Tribe!
An indescribable evil presence surged forward, causing Wang Chen, who was guarding behind the door, a jolt in his heart, his eyes becoming extremely sharp.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
The large-caliber shotgun in his hand instantly roared angrily.
Simultaneously firing, Wang Chen caught a clear glimpse of the attacking enemy: matching exactly the description of the Nether Tribe Hunter-Killers in the records!
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Here's the second update.