Chapter 24: I Really Want to Join
At noon, on the basement level of the Hive.
Andrea rarely had a day off.
She slept until she woke naturally. Ever since joining the security team, her days had been filled with training and missions. True rest had become a luxury.
Sunlight filtered through the artificial skylight above, casting a clean, bright line across the floor.
She lay in bed for a moment, staring at it in a daze, before finally sitting up.
After washing up, she changed into loose loungewear and walked into the dining room.
A simple lunch had already been prepared—sandwiches, a fruit salad, and a glass of milk.
Amy sat across from her, quietly eating.
Andrea sat down, picked up a sandwich, and took a bite. Only then did she notice something unusual.
Her gaze shifted slightly.
"Your legs…" Andrea frowned. "What happened to them?"
Amy froze for a fraction of a second. "What?"
"Your walking posture," Andrea continued. "When you came in earlier… your knees looked off. Red too. A little swollen."
Amy instinctively lowered her gaze.
It was true.
Her knees were slightly red and swollen.
A faint blush crept onto her face, but she quickly masked it by casually taking a strawberry and popping it into her mouth.
"Oh, that?" she said lightly. "Yoga."
Andrea raised an eyebrow. "Yoga?"
"Yeah. I started recently. New pose. It's… intense on the knees."
Andrea studied her for a moment. "Since when did you start yoga?"
"Just recently," Amy replied smoothly. "You know, just trying to stay active. You train all the time, so I figured I should too."
Andrea hesitated, then nodded.
"Don't overdo it. Your joints are sensitive. You'll injure yourself."
"Got it, got it."
Amy quickly changed the subject.
"Are you off today?"
Andrea nodded. "Rare day off."
She glanced at her sister. "What about you? Shouldn't you be working today?"
Amy smiled softly. "I took the day off."
"For me," she added.
Andrea's expression softened slightly. She reached over and ruffled her sister's hair.
"At least you still have some conscience."
After lunch, the two sisters left the residence.
The artificial sky above was a calm, endless blue, with drifting white clouds that never changed.
The lawns were perfectly trimmed. Even the flowers planted along the paths were artificial—yet strangely beautiful in their perfection.
Andrea looked up.
"Sometimes I really can't tell…" she murmured. "Are we underground… or on the surface?"
Amy linked her arm through hers.
"Does it matter? As long as it feels real enough."
They walked slowly through the quiet community.
In the distance, elderly professors played chess outside the community center. Clothes swayed on laundry lines in Brock's yard. Children ran across the park, their laughter echoing brightly through the air.
Andrea exhaled softly.
"It really feels like… another world."
Amy nodded. "It's better than the world above."
They reached a bench near the park and sat down.
Andrea watched the children for a long time before speaking again.
"Amy… do you think this world will ever return to normal?"
Amy thought for a moment.
"I don't know," she admitted. "But at least… someone is trying."
Andrea didn't respond. Instead, she quietly held her sister's hand a little tighter.
Above them, the artificial sky remained bright and flawless.
But neither of them forgot—it was still a lie.
CDC — Third Floor Office
Sandra stood at attention.
"Boss, you called for me?"
Wu Fan didn't look up immediately. Instead, he tapped a stack of documents on the desk.
"I need you to take someone to the University of Georgia."
Sandra frowned slightly. "That's several hundred kilometers away."
"I know," Wu Fan replied calmly. "There's no time limit. Go slowly. Prioritize safety."
He leaned back in his chair.
"Observe the situation. If there are survivors, rescue them if possible. If not, withdraw and return later with reinforcements."
Sandra nodded slowly.
"And one more thing," Wu Fan added.
"The university has a library. Bring back everything you can—books on science, engineering, medicine, biology. Computers too, if possible."
Sandra blinked. "Books?"
"Yes," Wu Fan said firmly. "Those may be more valuable than survivors."
He turned toward the window.
"I don't want this world to fall back into ignorance."
Sandra remained silent.
Outside, the wasteland stretched endlessly.
Finally, she spoke.
"If we run into my family…"
"You may look for them," Wu Fan interrupted. "As long as it doesn't interfere with the mission."
Sandra's eyes softened.
"Understood. Thank you, boss."
She turned and left.
When the door closed, Wu Fan leaned back and exhaled.
Another key piece had left the board.
Sandra was one of his most capable leaders—disciplined, trained, reliable.
Now she was gone for an uncertain period.
The rest… were still inexperienced.
He needed someone to hold the line.
Wu Fan picked up a phone.
"Bring Rick to me."
Ten Minutes Later
Rick entered the office.
"You called for me?"
"Sit."
Rick obeyed.
Wu Fan studied him briefly. "Sandra is away on an expedition. I need someone to train the new security personnel."
Rick raised an eyebrow. "You want me to be an instructor?"
"Yes."
"You're a former police officer. Ten years of experience. You're qualified."
Rick thought for a moment. "Will they listen to me?"
Wu Fan smiled faintly.
"If they don't… you know how to make them listen."
Rick gave a short laugh.
"I've dealt with worse."
"I'll do it."
"No," Wu Fan corrected calmly. "You will do it well."
Rick nodded and left.
System Interface
Wu Fan opened the Hive interface.
[Honeycomb Mall]
Food & Water Supplies
Weapons & Equipment
Vehicles
Humvee: 100 points
Armored Vehicle: 150 points
APC: 200 points
Nuclear Submarine: 200,000 points (locked)
Aircraft
UH-60 Black Hawk: 250 points
V-22 Osprey: 300 points
C-130 Hercules: 300 points
Special Systems
Satellite Sky Eye System: 100,000 points
Current Points: 5,320
Wu Fan exhaled slowly.
Still far from enough.
Everything truly powerful… remained out of reach.
He closed the interface.
Outside, Rick was already training the new recruits. Their expressions shifted from doubt to focus within minutes.
Wu Fan watched quietly.
"This one… is usable," he murmured.
In the distance, the ruins of Atlanta still smoldered under the haze.
He turned back to his map.
And continued planning the future.