Lao Bao and others transferred from the bus to the subway and entered from the subway entrance. The light dimmed instantly.
People circled back and forth in the flickering downward tunnel, occasionally going around some landslide areas.
The subway system in the "East 725th District" is generally a remnant of what it was before the Third World War. After the war, the population dropped by two-thirds. It was neither necessary nor sufficient to support any large-scale infrastructure work. Fifty years after the war, it was
In the nearly forty years of colonization, people have essentially just been cleaning, digging, and repairing in the ruins.
Of course, there are also some newly built places that are said to reflect the level of interstellar civilization, such as the "Blood Moon Hook", but what does that have to do with ordinary people?
On the way, Lao Bao and others met the flow of people entering from other subway entrances. Most of them were office workers, and they were all well-dressed. The jobs in the city center were basically decent, and everyone's conditions were relatively good.
.
As for those who can't find jobs, there are also some in this passage. They are the homeless people who are huddled on the edge of the corridor and in the corners, either sleeping soundly or staring at them with their eyes open.
These people can be said to be lucky. They were stuck in a gap that the security team and the joint defense team had not taken care of, and they were able to sleep here for a while. But soon, as the shift staff came on duty, these people would be bombarded.
Go out and wander in the large suburban area at the foot of "Blood Moon Hook", looking for food, looking for work... whether it is legal or illegal.
In the crowd, Old Bao yawned, and his eyes swept over the homeless people on both sides and the dirty walls covered with malicious or meaningless graffiti on which they relied. A long time ago, it was said... Well, Old Bao watched it when he was a child.
Passing by, exquisite and gorgeous advertisements are arranged in an orderly manner on both sides of the descending corridor. The impressive handsome men and beautiful women, jewelry and scenery are dazzling under the spotlight, telling the prosperity of the commodity society. However, wars and every few
High-energy tides that occur every year destroy everything.
It's not that there are no businessmen in the middle who want to rebuild the business, but several consecutive violent battles and local wars among the separatist forces have resulted in no one being able to survive for a long time, and no one can trust the orderly environment here anymore.
As for large financial groups, they have more convenient channels.
"It seems that we came too early today." Chang Xin glanced at the homeless people on both sides, but did not pay more attention to them.
Some of the people traveling with him were more direct, intentionally or unintentionally showing off their gun holsters under their coats, which was enough to scare some of the unsettled elements among them.
Chang Xin laughed again: "Sure enough, we feel safer when we are in groups. Last time I went back to the city to take the exam, I came back late..."
Someone answered: "Didn't you mean to break that man's front teeth?"
"Then I ran away, otherwise we might meet again in the sewers."
"You are overthinking it. They are too lazy to deal with it and will probably meet your body here."
"What was the result of the last exam...?" Lao Bao asked.
"It's not very good. The standards for the Affairs Officer exam are only one in a million, and it's just a written test. For interviews, it just depends on luck." Chang Xin said, changing the topic, "Damn, I just forgot to buy some outside.
Bread, my stomach is growling now..."
Others laughed: "There's nothing we can do about it. There should be free lunch at the Intelligent Management Center."
"Then you really think too much."
"Yes, I did. I got up late this morning, and I didn't cook. I just grabbed some sandwiches and healthy food!" As he spoke, Lao Bao slowed down, took off his backpack, and stuffed the top
He pulled his uniform aside and rummaged through his bag.
"No need to go to such trouble, I'll take care of you at the Intelligent Management Center."
As Chang Xin said this, his steps slowed down, and soon he and Lao Bao were pushed to the edge by the crowd.
"Pad your belly first."
While talking, Lao Bao had already taken out the sandwich and handed it to Chang Xin.
The two people were separated by an arm's length, but with such a distance, something unexpected happened.
A huddled homeless man in the corner next to him suddenly jumped up with a low roar, jumped forward, and grabbed the sandwich in Old Bao's hand.
This happened suddenly, and he succeeded with one blow.
Both Lao Bao and Chang Xin were stunned for a moment. It turned out that Lao Bao reacted faster and reached back to grab the homeless man's arm that had not yet been retracted.
The homeless man didn't hesitate at all. He smashed his free hand back, and with a cold light flashing, he slashed towards Old Bao's chest.
Bloody light burst out, and Old Bao let go of his hand and fell backwards. His backpack also fell. The homeless man snatched it away and ran away with all his strength.
Chang Xin supported Lao Bao, but he had already taken out a gun with his other hand. With a bang, the bullet hit the ceiling of the corridor: "The Public Security Department is handling the case!"
As soon as the gunfire rang out, almost everyone in the descending corridor made a move to throw themselves down at this moment, which did not prevent the screams from spreading.
However, the robber also acted in the same way, but he looked like a wild dog scrambling for the ground with four legs. He had already wrapped the sandwich in his mouth, and had a backpack slung around his neck. He was dodging left and right among the people lying down, and his speed was actually faster than two dogs.
The legs run even faster.
Chang Xin raised his gun and took aim, but seeing this situation, he hesitated and did not fire.
"what happened?"
The companions who had distanced themselves from the front turned around and came back. Almost all of them were armed with guns. They were all shocked when they saw this scene.
At this time, the robber had disappeared behind the corner of the passage.
"Old Bao?"
"What's wrong with Uncle Bao?"
"what's the situation!"
"Ahem!" Old Bao coughed hard, struggled to sit up from Chang Xin's arms, and covered his chest, "I met a bag snatcher, nothing else, just that my uniform was stolen... Contact the nearby joint defense team.
, he looks like a habitual offender at first glance, he can run faster than a wild dog!"
"Uncle Bao, are you okay?"
"It's okay, I just scratched my chest. Does anyone have any hemostatic spray?"
A group of people were in a hurry again.
The bleeding on Lao Bao's chest stopped, and his face turned a little pale, but he still managed to smile and said: "It's really like hunting geese all day long, but the geese pecked me blind... Why don't you go to the mental management center today to let others laugh?"
Chang Xin helped him treat the wound while shaking his head: "Just be satisfied, the knife grazed the ribs and almost penetrated the heart."
Old Bao laughed and sighed: "It's a scratch, not a stab... That knife is very sharp, and that guy should have been strengthened by the 'High Energy Tide'. The possibility of distortion is not small, and it is a source of danger. Don't just call it a joint defense team."
Please notify the nearby security station as well.”
No matter how embarrassing it is, everyone is still a professional, and they quickly start to argue.
At this time, most people in this long downward passage began to come back to their senses, and as if to ward off evil spirits, they bent down and quickly walked around the area, including the homeless people on both sides.
The corridor was quite quiet for a while, with only a group of people from the Public Security Department chatting.
"The joint defense team was very proactive this time. They said someone would come over soon to learn about the situation."
"Just in time for them to go to work. That 'wild dog' should have bumped into them. I wonder if they were caught."
"hehe."
"I just knew..."
Chang Xin thought for a while and said: "If nothing else, we still need to communicate with them when it comes to uniforms and gunfire. In this way, Uncle Bao and I will deal with it here. You can go first. You will be delayed for at least half a person."
Within hours, we rushed over.”
"Okay, but let's wait until they come over before we leave."
There were no further troubles in the follow-up. When the joint defense team arrived, the young people from the Public Security Department left first, leaving only Lao Bao and Chang Xin. In fact, it didn't take long, although it was not a system.
, they often appeared together as "minions" on weekdays, not to mention that the joint defense team was still one level lower, so they didn't embarrass them and were quickly released. The team leader on duty today even sent someone to buy them breakfast.
.
By coincidence, it was just a sandwich and milk.
"Although it's synthetic fat... it's better than nothing."
After eating in two or three bites, Lao Bao and Chang Xin also got on the subway. It was still the peak commute time, and although the carriage was not particularly crowded, there were no seats. The two of them stood in the carriage, suddenly looked at each other and smiled, and then
Start chatting.
By the time they arrived at the Intelligent Management Center, it was already past one in the afternoon, much later than expected.
The reason for the delay was a "big event" in the city that affected several blocks.
The Intelligent Management Center, one of the spearheads, was also within the affected area. After the riot squad controlled the situation and dispersed the crowd, Lao Bao and Chang Xin were able to enter the Intelligent Management Center. Under the guidance of self-propelled machines, they signed in and performed basic tasks.
Physical examination.
Three or four hours had passed since the robbery, and the "new injury" on Lao Bao's chest had been recorded in the intelligent management system. It was also displayed on the intelligent management center. The doctor in charge just glanced at it, asked, and confirmed.
If the conditions were met, he was allowed to pass and given the key to the isolation room.
After coming out of the physical examination center, Lao Bao breathed a sigh of relief: It was hard to pass the test, but this is another test.
As one of the important contacts of the rebels in the "East 725th District", Lao Bao has done countless illegal operations. Without special treatment, he would not be able to escape relevant inspections, so he ran to the abandoned mining area to let others know.
Brother Aka helped with the renovation.
The healing condition of the old and new wounds was the reason why he had to wait until last night for the reconstruction and upgrade surgery.
The surgical wounds left by the hasty transformation were covered up by this morning's accident.
Well, even if he does this, there are still some flaws. He cannot fool him alone and needs the cooperation of others.
"Speaking of which..." Not far in front of her, Chang Xin held two drinks in her hands and raised them with a smile, "It's my turn to treat you. Natural milk, you get what you pay for."
There is also a plastic bag on one of his arms, which looks like a dazzling array of snacks and snacks.
"Go to your room or mine?"
Lao Bao laughed: "Go to my place...the things at the Intelligent Management Center are not cheap."
I took one of the paper cups and it was still a little hot in my hand. I saw that I had just bought it.
He opened the lid and took two sips: "Okay, that's the taste! When I was a kid, who thought it was a good thing..."
"Now it's my invitation, Uncle Bao."
Lao Bao laughed loudly, and the two of them found Lao Bao's room in the isolation area. At this time, Lao Bao had already drank most of the entire glass of milk. He smacked his lips when he swiped his card to open the door: "The Intelligent Management Center should also be fully mechanical.
Production line, one or two sips are fine, but if you drink too much, it smells like engine oil..."
As he spoke, he pushed the door, but his hand was soft at first and he didn't push it open.
Chang Xin, who was behind, had already caught up and bumped into his back. The door opened this time, and Lao Bao stumbled two steps inside, dancing around to find his balance.
At this time, I discovered that there seemed to be some abnormal shadows in the house that should not exist.
Lao Bao's heart sank and he wanted to control his body, but at this time, a desperate numbness invaded every corner of his body.
He was like a piece of wood, hitting the floor of the isolation room hard.
Behind him, the door was closed. Chang Xin walked past him, accurately threw the glass of milk that had no entrance into the trash can, and placed a dazzling array of snacks and snacks on the edge of the only table in the small room.
The lights in the room were turned on, and there were shadows in the small room. Three or four figures, maybe more, looked at them with cold eyes.
A double image had already appeared in Lao Bao's eyes. The implanted device sensed the abnormality in his body and wanted to mobilize his strength.
But at this time, a needle had been inserted into the naked back of his neck.
From the ceiling, a mechanical spider hung down, locking his limbs and cutting its fangs into the back of his neck.
This is Lao Bao's conjecture and guess.
Because he had seen similar arrest scenes before, and occasionally dreamed about it at midnight, he had thought that such an ending would happen to him.
He muttered: "What luck."
Right in front of Old Bao's eyes, as if within reach, were the polished leather shoes and the handsome young man they supported... He was actually a candidate for his son-in-law, but he only discussed it with his old wife who died young.
Twice, in the end, due to my daughter's rebellion and the special status of the liaison officer, I was unable to express it in words.
In fact, it should not be the liaison officers who develop new members, let alone the people around them...
But how many good boys and girls are there who can come in handy?
Sure enough, the examination season is the blood exchange season...the old blood is drained, where is the new blood?
Lao Bao's consciousness became increasingly blurred, but his body slowly stood upright under the control of the "mechanical spider" attached to his back.
In a daze, he saw more faces in the room, but in the end his eyes stayed on Chang Xin's face.
The latter touched his nose and said: "I'm tired, Uncle Bao... Also, thanks to you, the interview for the affairs officer went relatively smoothly, I should pass it."
Lao Bao's eyelids drooped, and everything in front of him became strange and bizarre, but Chang Xin's voice was still clear to his ears:
"The struggle of people without hope is ultimately hopeless. We must always engage in something with hope."
Five minutes later, Chang Xin came out of the room with empty hands, as if he had done nothing and was just passing by.
He adjusted his uniform a little, looked forward, and walked towards the end of the long corridor without looking back.
Behind him, the magic talisman dragged the dark chain and stared at his back. After a moment, it disappeared silently.