It was evening again, but the central square of the Black Gold Base was still filled with people. The laborers who had returned with a harvest had all returned, and everyone was looking forward to their turn.
Little Four, who was in the queue, hugged his bag tightly and looked around vigilantly. He was afraid of seeing Machine Gun's accomplices. On his way back from the lab, he was lucky not to have met Machine Gun, but he felt even more uneasy.
It wasn't because he was weak, but because of his instincts. Sooner or later, people would find out about Leopard, and sooner or later, they would come looking for him. Everything around him seemed normal, but in fact, there was a hidden danger.
Little Four didn't want to think too much about it. There was only one thing he wanted to do now, and that was to heal himself as soon as possible and then return underground to save Ding Meng.
In Leopard's bag, there were quite a few good things: eight nutrient solutions, four healing agents, one blood-generating agent, and a few scattered diamonds. Surprisingly, there was a red and blue diamond that was about the size of a pinky finger. Other than that, there was also a gas explosive pistol in the bag.
Little Four didn't dare to take the gun, because the base absolutely prohibited laborers from carrying weapons. If he was found out, he would be cruelly punished by the mercenaries.
However, things happened faster than he imagined. As soon as he walked through the iron gate of the exchange center, the scanning beam from above turned from green to purplish red in an instant. Then, the iron gate glowed red, and the alarm was immediately triggered.
"Warning, warning, target number 2187, A-class danger level …"
Rank-A was considered a very dangerous level in the base. Usually, they were the ferocious labor leaders who had killed too many people and were specially taken care of by the base. Such a person was like a bomb that could explode at any time.
At that moment, the crowd didn't have time to disperse. Sadler's whip flew down from the stairs and tightly wrapped around Little Four's neck. Little Four felt as if a pair of iron hands were strangling his throat, and he almost stopped breathing.
Then, two mercenaries flew down and knocked him to the ground with a few punches and kicks. Little Four didn't resist, and just hugged his head tightly. He didn't have the ability to resist, and he knew that resistance was useless. Besides, he was used to it. If you didn't get beaten up in the base, you couldn't be considered a qualified laborer.
It wasn't until the mercenaries tossed him into the lobby of the exchange center that he saw clearly that the person sitting on the sofa this time wasn't Vader, but Machine Gun.
What made him most uneasy was that Machine Gun's attitude seemed very gentle, completely unlike his usual ferocious and ruthless appearance.
Machine Gun walked over and helped him up. "You're badly hurt."
Instead of asking about the whereabouts of the leopard, he was concerned about his injuries. Little Four didn't know how to answer, "I …"
As soon as he opened his mouth, he was interrupted by Machine Gun. "This healing agent of yours can't deal with it at all. Fortunately, Commander Vader took care of us and allowed us to use the medical bay under special circumstances."
As soon as he finished speaking, the alloy door on the eastern wall opened automatically, revealing a spotlessly white private lounge. Vader was standing beside the medical bay, smiling. He seemed to have been waiting there for a long time.
Little Four was no fool. From Machine Gun and Vader's seemingly gentle smile, he could already smell the danger. However, the medical bay was right in front of him. How could he resist something that even Ding Meng couldn't refuse?
The protective cover slowly closed and rotated slowly. Dense white light spots sprinkled down from the medical bay, and Little Four entered a state of deep sleep.
Vader turned on his wristwatch, and the virtual screen began to display the treatment information:
Target Condition: Weakened 59%
Target Symptoms: Unidentifiable, Infection Level: 41%
Remarks: 116 cases of the same disease, exclusive range: Black Gold Base; Cases: Number 93, Number 116, Number 788, Number 811, Number 821, Number 923, Number 948, Number 1077, Number 1114 …
A series of overwhelming numbers refreshed on the screen. Machine Gun couldn't help but ask, "Is it that mysterious infection?"
Vader nodded. "You did well this time."
This confirmed that the unidentifiable unknown infection in Little Four's body was the mysterious poison that all of the medical facilities in the base were helpless against.
Machine Gun said, "If I remember correctly, he went to Area PC35 with that newcomer, Number 8028. I think his name is … I think his name is Ding Meng."
"Ding Meng?" Vader was a little surprised. He hadn't expected Ding Meng to be involved.
"Sir, do you know this person?"
Machine Gun regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth. How could the high-ranking leader of a mercenary group know these lowly and lowly laborers?
Vader, on the other hand, appeared very calm. "I have some impression of Number 8028. I've also heard him mention Number 2187. Their recent harvest has been pretty good."
Machine Gun's eyes finally lit up. He looked at Little Four, who was still sleeping in the medical bay. "Looks like he knows the exact location."
Vader said, "Then we'll have to see if Number 2187 is willing to tell us."
Machine Gun sneered. "I have ten thousand ways to make him tell the truth."
Vader immediately glanced at him. "You seem to have forgotten the rules here?"
Machine Gun immediately lowered his head. "I'm sorry, sir. Don't worry, I've always followed the rules."
"It's good that you understand."
Vader also turned his head to look at the medical bay. His eyes were shining. "How long will it take for your men to find the exact coordinates?"
Machine Gun looked troubled. "Sir, Area PC35 is a newly developed area. Many areas are densely mined. At the same time, the terrain is rather complicated. Also, the people who went there …"
Vader's expression immediately turned cold. "I want the exact time, not your explanation."
Machine Gun pondered for a moment. "Three days. We'll definitely find it in three days."
Vader coldly said, "That's too long. I'll give you a deadline. You must find it within twenty-four hours."
Machine Gun didn't say anything. If he wanted to find the exact location in Area PC35, which was comparable to the capillaries of a human body, within a day, he would have to increase the mercenary group's manpower by three times. However, this was almost impossible. Vader didn't have the authority to mobilize, and Machine Gun also didn't have the ability to summon people.
Vader seemed to know what he was thinking. He suddenly said, "I have to remind you. Since this Number 2187 knows the exact coordinates, then that Ding Meng might have already arrived there."
Machine Gun suddenly came to his senses. "Sir, you mean …"
Vader nodded slowly. "That's right. We can make an exception and reward those who have made significant contributions to the base. In the mercenary group's contract, the entrusting party clearly stipulated this point. We have the authority to do so. Furthermore, I can also convey this point on behalf of the Supreme Commander. No matter who it is, as long as they find the source of the virus and let us research a cure, we will give them freedom and let them leave this place …"
He patted Machine Gun's shoulder. "You've been in the base for almost six years. There are some things that I think you can see more clearly and understand better than anyone else."
Machine Gun nodded slowly. Gritting his teeth, he said, "I understand, sir. I guarantee that you will know the exact coordinates within twenty-four hours."
As he said this, he turned his head to look at Little Four in the medical bay. His malicious gaze revealed traces of undetectable viciousness …