Chapter 217: Setting Off for the Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Chapter 217: Chapter 217: Setting Off for the Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Kevin Keane tossed a tube back into the box. "Nutrient solution combined with normal food should be fine, but if someone relies solely on it long-term, their intestinal functions, chewing abilities, and jawbones will degenerate. It also comes with other side effects..."
Lynn Shelby massaged his throbbing temples and let out a heavy sigh. "Kensington Base is sparing no expense to take in survivors without even collecting entry supplies. They have no choice but to rely on nutrient solutions for emergencies. Official announcements state that the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables inside the base has completely broken down. They are entirely dependent on the pre-apocalypse national reserves of frozen meat and various dry rations to hold on.
"Calculating based on the base’s future capacity of five million people, even if the food is preserved perfectly without spoiling, Kensington’s total food reserves can last for two years at most."
A heavy silence fell over the group at his words, weighing down their hearts. In the apocalypse, food was their absolute lifeline. If the reserves ran out in two years and they still couldn’t produce a stable supply of staple crops and meat, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Evan Olson suddenly furrowed his brows and snatched the nutrient solution right out of his grandfather’s hand. "Grandpa, you shouldn’t drink this," he said with unwavering resolve. "It digests and absorbs way too quickly. It’ll mess with your blood sugar."
Grandpa’s hand trembled slightly, and the light in his eyes dimmed. "It’s the apocalypse," he murmured softly. "Just being alive is good enough. Who has the luxury to care about health anymore? Just look at the survivors outside. They’re more than satisfied just to receive a ration of nutrient solution."
While they discussed the nutrient solutions, the base’s broadcasting system flared to life again. It continuously looped updates on the rescue operations in neighboring cities, along with the number of people rescued from Corbin and the list of casualties.
The final sentence rang out clearly: "Celestia will never bow to the apocalypse! Our government will never abandon a single citizen’s life!"
As the broadcast looped the casualty list, all traces of their earlier banter vanished. Everyone harbored their own heavy thoughts. The observation room lost its usual clamor, leaving behind nothing but the quiet sound of their breathing.
The moment they passed through the third buffer gate, the entire area was drowned in the cheers of survivors who had just entered the base.
The sheer joy of surviving the disaster washed over them. Some embraced and wept, others kissed passionately without caring about the stares of onlookers, and parents tossed their children high into the air. The bright laughter of the kids mixed with the shouts of the adults, scattering the gloom that had hung over the apocalypse for days.
Luna Dawson flicked her fingers, and two off-road vehicles appeared out of thin air. She waved at her family. "You guys head back to the villa and rest up first. I’m going to the Agricultural Research Institute with Francis Grant to finalize the matter with the seedlings."
Grandpa pulled his collar closer and reminded her with a smile, "Go on, go on. Just know your limits and don’t squeeze them too hard. This old man will be working at the Agricultural Research Institute from now on, so I’ll definitely keep a close eye on the seedlings you provide."
"Don’t worry, Grandpa! With Director Palmer watching over things and your superpower, it’s a sure thing!" Luna flashed a peace sign. "I’ll handle the Crystal Cores. When you all get home, take a shower and catch up on some sleep. We’ve been running around for over half a month, so don’t push yourselves too hard."
Rhonda Dawson hugged Hector tightly and softly urged, "Then stay safe, and come back early."
Lynn slumped into the car seat and waved lazily. "Hurry up and go. I can’t stay awake any longer. I just want to lie flat and sleep for a whole day."
Mrs. Dawson said, "We’ll head home first then. We really can’t keep our eyes open anymore. Luna, be careful out there."
Rollo chimed in with a loud, "BARK, BARK!"
Kevin, however, frowned and remained rooted to his spot. He scanned their surroundings and said, "I’ll go with you to the Agricultural Research Institute. If anything happens, I can lend a hand."
Luna leaned in, patted his arm, and gave him a sly smile. "We’re already at the base. It’s perfectly safe here. Even the toughest workhorses need a breather! You guys are exhausted, so just go back and rest." She lowered her voice and added, "Besides, I have my dimension as a cheat code. Who could possibly beat me right now? Relax!"
Kevin stared at her for a few seconds. The worry in his eyes didn’t fade, but he finally relented. "Alright." He looked back at her with every third step he took, a reluctant sight that made Luna struggle to hold back her laughter.
Pinky watched Kevin get into the vehicle, let out a "CROAK" to say goodbye to Luna, and hopped right over to Kevin’s side.
Once her family’s cars had driven far into the distance, Francis Grant walked over, looking both helpless and amused. "Do they think I’m going to eat you? Do I really not look like a good guy?"
Luna shrugged and pulled open the car door. "You never know. For all we know, you could be a wolf in sheep’s clothing."
Francis was left speechless.
Seeing his dumbfounded expression, Luna urged him on. "Let’s go. Director Palmer is probably wearing a hole in the floor waiting for us."
With three hundred and thirty thousand people needing to be settled, the entire base was swamped with work. Francis had no choice but to drive the military off-road vehicle himself. The moment her observation period ended, he had eagerly rushed over to pick Luna up.
As soon as they got in the car, Francis pulled a small pouch of Crystal Cores from his jacket. "Mission rewards. Take them."
Luna happily snatched the pouch, her eyes sparkling brightly. "Thanks, Boss Grant!"
From the corner of his eye, Francis noticed Luna sitting in the passenger seat, intently examining the three newly acquired Fourth-stage Crystal Cores. He chuckled and teased, "You already have quite a few Fourth-stage Crystal Cores, don’t you? Still haven’t looked at them enough?"
Luna swung her legs, her eyes curving into happy crescents. "You have no idea. The pressure of being a captain is huge!"
"Do you want to join the Special Operations Department? The government will cover all your Crystal Cores."
"Crystal Cores are precious, but freedom is priceless. Colonel Grant, don’t even think about tying down our Sunset Squad."
"Alright, alright. Whenever there’s a mission involving High-level Crystal Cores in the future, I’ll come to you first."
"No problem!" Luna agreed readily.
Numerous orphans who had lost their families were being transported away in military trucks. Their vehicle happened to be following right behind a truck packed with kids. Many of the children were clinging to the soldiers’ arms, poking their heads out to curiously observe the world outside.
The interior of Kensington Base had gradually stabilized, exuding an air of peaceful tranquility. All school-aged children were being settled into the orphan community in District Two, which also housed primary, middle, and high schools that separated the students by age and grade.
While Luna had her eyes closed, spacing out inside her dimension, Francis looked at the tender faces of the children in the truck ahead. He couldn’t help but steal a glance at Luna, his eyes brimming with complex emotions and words he hesitated to speak.
Just as he spent the entire drive hesitating, the vehicle pulled into the grounds of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
An endless stretch of intelligent, climate-controlled greenhouses sprawled along the terrain. The silver-white alloy frames, paired with highly translucent nano-films, stretched as far as the eye could see. Rows of small patrol drones hovered steadily above the greenhouse roofs.
Crisscrossing automatic irrigation pipes for nutrient solutions were laid out across the ground. Dozens of researchers clad in sterile hazmat suits worked methodically with the assistance of intelligent robotic arms.
Luna couldn’t help but marvel, "The security here is even stricter than in the villa district!"
Francis sighed helplessly. "Yeah. Every single crop is incredibly precious. They are strictly irrigated with purified water provided by Water Ability Users. Furthermore, every batch of purified water delivered here must pass rigorous testing. It’s only used for crop irrigation if no abnormal superpower fluctuations are detected. People monitor the temperature and humidity around the clock; they can’t be left without an incubator’s observation for even a second."
Luna was taken aback. These plants truly were as precious as gold.
Francis paused, seemingly recalling something, and slowly said, "The test results for Susan Vaughn’s Superpower Water came back. The research institute did indeed discover that it could influence a person’s consciousness to a certain extent. However, after Susan Vaughn’s death, that effective trace of her superpower completely vanished along with her."
The corner of Luna’s lips curled up as she looked at Francis. "Yeah, thanks. I figured as much," she said gratefully.
Seeing that Luna was in a rather good mood, the corner of Francis’s own mouth tugged upward involuntarily.
In the very center of the cultivation zone, a streamlined, grayish-black alloy building rose from the ground. Its exterior walls were embedded with massive, flexible holographic screens that continuously updated various crop growth data and environmental parameters.