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墨書 Inktalez
No matter how reluctant Liu Squad Leader was, without anyone supporting him, he had no choice but to agree with Zhao Squad Leader's decision to search the basin first. With limited light sources, even with six of us, we could only search in one direction at a time. To determine the area of the basin, we decided to continue straight ahead and cross through it.
There were no footprints on the path ahead; every step left behind the marks of pioneers. As Liu Squad Leader pointed out, this was the lowest point of the basin. After a short distance, the slope began to rise. Without needing to look for footprints or remain vigilant for potential ambushes, we quickened our pace. In just ten minutes, we reached the other end of the basin and saw another entrance to a passage.
Liu Squad Leader appeared excited by this discovery, as if hope for finding an escape route had been reignited. Seizing the moment, he struck down Zhao Squad Leader's enthusiasm, saying, "We can't do anything else until we find a water source; there's no time."
I had to admit that Liu Squad Leader's words were quite persuasive, and Zhao Squad Leader's face immediately fell with disappointment.
I spread out my paper and marked this point on the sketch. I said to Zhao Squad Leader, "We need to walk around the basin to determine its area and how many Water Inlets there are, as well as their directions. Only then can we figure out our position relative to the Ground. If there's an escape route, it should be near the Yadan Landform Group, but of course, that depends on luck."
Zhao Squad Leader listened intently, his excitement returning as he blushed. "If we can locate Bunker One's position, we might be able to contact them through the Walkie-Talkie."
I thought for a moment and felt it was better to be realistic and not let him hold onto false hopes. After all, he was currently the highest military commander here; any mistakes he made could cost us all our lives. "I don't think so. Our Walkie-Talkie signals can't penetrate dozens of meters of ground. With the Black Sandstorm raging outside, the signal is too unstable; it's hard enough to contact headquarters even on the Ground. Unless we wait for the Sandstorm to pass before trying, there's little hope. You have more experience with Sandstorms than I do; do you think this one will end soon? If not, finding water is our top priority. Otherwise, even if we manage to contact headquarters, we won't last until help arrives."
My words instantly drained Zhao Squad Leader of his spirit. I sighed inwardly: this guy really wasn't suited to be an independent commander.
Seeing Zhao Squad Leader looking dejected and unable to communicate effectively with him, I shared my thoughts with Xiao Guolin instead. Xiao Guolin supported my idea and immediately discussed it with Zhao Squad Leader for a while. Afterward, we began exploring clockwise around the perimeter of the basin.
This basin was indeed large; it took us half an hour just to make one complete circuit. We discovered a total of eight Water Inlet exits spaced fairly evenly apart. I marked each Water Inlet on my sketch and noted which passage seemed to lead toward the Yadan Landform Group. Without anyone speaking or leading us, all six of us unconsciously returned to the edge of the crack in the basin.
One thing was certain now: this stone platform and crack marked the center of the basin—at least it couldn't be too far off. We gathered around the stone platform and ate a little something; after walking so much, we were exhausted and kept our heads down while eating in silence.
I shook my water bottle; it made a loud noise. Without finding water soon, we wouldn't last much longer. I reluctantly unscrewed my military water bottle cap and took a sip to wash down some dry rations that were choking me. I had saved more water for those waiting by the Escape Pod since they could only wait in place; if they didn't see us return, there would be no hope left for them. But could we even make it back? This question plunged me into deep thought.
"Time doesn't allow us to hesitate; we must go down immediately," Liu Squad Leader said as he stood up after a brief rest.
Hesitation was not an option for someone skilled in indecision, and Zhao Squad Leader was unable to make that call. I could even tell that if it weren't for the Walkie-Talkie and the only Powerful Flashlight being inseparable, he would have divided the team into two groups—one to search for the underground location corresponding to Bunker One, even if it meant doing so in the dark. We all sat on the ground, and no one responded to the suggestion.
On this matter, Xiao Guolin, Cao Mingzhe, and I had discussed it during our break and reached a consensus. Whether it was to find water or locate Song Guilong, going down into the crevice was imperative. However, I also wanted to get something from Liu Squad Leader. We could all see that he was more eager than anyone else to go down, and I wanted to seize this opportunity. I asked the other two for help. As for how they could help me, it was simple—by not expressing their opinions.
Only Liu Squad Leader stood up, giving the impression that he was the only one in favor of going down into the crevice, but that wasn't entirely true. Zhao Squad Leader had to go down; everyone was waiting for his stance. Without the Powerful Flashlight for illumination, climbing down along the crevice felt less appealing than simply jumping in.
I lit another cigarette and blew a smoke ring in Liu Squad Leader's direction. Zhao Squad Leader's throat moved slightly, and there was a subtle change in Liu Squad Leader's expression; both were struggling with their cravings for nicotine. I took a deep drag and exaggeratedly exhaled. He must be feeling quite anxious right now, I thought as I glanced at Liu Squad Leader.
"Zhao Squad Leader's reluctance to go down has its difficulties. I can accompany you," I said softly as I stood up and walked toward Liu Squad Leader. "However, I can't fully trust you. To ensure my safety, I would like you to hand it over to me for safekeeping."
I gestured toward the item hanging around his neck.
I deliberately approached Liu Squad Leader with this statement; in the darkness, no one would see what I was pointing at except for him. I knew what this action implied; neither Zhao Squad Leader nor Xiao Guolin would agree to my request, but Liu Squad Leader was different. Right now, his overwhelming goal was to descend into the crevice and find Song Guilong. However, given his current physical condition and lack of control over the lighting equipment, he had no choice but to seek support—the minimum being a source of light. In my hand was a penlight; although I hadn't turned it on, it must have appeared bright and glaring in Liu Squad Leader's eyes.
His purpose for coming out to find water was precisely this; I felt he might not even intend to return alive as long as he could achieve his goal—he should be willing to make significant concessions.
As expected—or perhaps unexpectedly—Liu Squad Leader reacted quickly, seemingly having made this decision long ago and just waiting for me to say those words. As soon as I finished speaking, he removed his Micro Submachine Gun and swung it toward me.
"Don't!" came Xiao Guolin's voice first.
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