Chapter 218: Seed
Chapter 218: Chapter 218: Seed
Transparent glass skywalks extended from both sides of the building, connecting to various specialized cultivation greenhouses nearby. Above the entranceway, a holographic projection updated temperature, humidity, soil fertility, and other metrics in real-time, brimming with a high-tech vibe.
Director Palmer was already waiting at the entrance. His hair was sparse and gray, and his figure was so thin that a gust of wind could seemingly blow him over. Though his face was etched with deep and shallow wrinkles, warmth seemed to hide within those crevices. His bright, energetic eyes exuded a natural approachability.
After stepping out of the vehicle, Francis Grant immediately introduced them. "Director Palmer, this is Luna Dawson. Luna, this is Director Harry Palmer of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the absolute pillar of our base’s agriculture. Let’s head inside the greenhouse for the handover; the water molecules outside can easily cause the seedlings to mutate."
Director Palmer hurried forward, his voice gentle yet filled with anticipation. "Hello, Miss Dawson! Thank you so much for your effort. We keep the ion purification system running around the clock in this greenhouse, terrified that the seedlings might come into contact with external water molecules and get ruined. Ever since Colonel Grant called to tell me you had seedlings, I’ve been looking forward to this every single day. I’m so glad you’re finally here!"
Luna Dawson smiled and nodded, her tone bright yet perfectly polite. "Hello, Director Palmer. You’re far too kind. It was no trouble at all."
The group chatted as they walked to the center of the greenhouse.
At Francis Grant’s subtle look, Luna Dawson focused her mind. Three large bundles of tender green pomelo saplings appeared out of thin air on the sterile platform inside the greenhouse. "Wendeng, Shatian, and Sanhong pomelo saplings. They have stable yields, are exceptionally hardy, and are perfectly suited for a greenhouse environment."
Director Palmer’s eyes suddenly lit up. His thin hands gently pinched the branches and stroked the leaves. His fingertips trembled, and his breathing grew shallow. "Top-tier seedlings! They’re still so full of vitality. Captain Dawson’s spatial ability truly can keep things fresh! It even perfectly insulates them from the influence of external water molecules!" He examined the saplings over and over, visibly moved. "In this apocalypse, ordinary water molecules can easily cause seedlings to mutate upon contact. These babies are an absolute lifeline!"
Although the base still had some properly preserved crop seeds, various cultivation experiments had drastically depleted their inventory. Nowadays, seeds were truly more precious than stars.
Francis Grant stared at the sterile platform. As if possessed, he leaned close to Luna Dawson and probed in a hushed voice, "Captain Dawson, since you have fruit tree saplings... do you happen to have any other seeds? The base has been experiencing food shortages for far too long. If you had rice or wheat..." His tone carried a hint of expectation and undeniable urgency.
Luna Dawson glanced up at him, a sly smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She deliberately dragged out her words. "Other seeds, hmm? That’ll cost extra."
Francis Grant froze for a moment, then was both amused and exasperated by her mercenary act. He rubbed his temples helplessly, yet his eyes shone with thrilled excitement. "What do you want? I’ll scrape together whatever Crystal Cores you need!"
"Five Fourth-stage Crystal Cores. Not a single one less." Luna Dawson held up a hand, tilting her head playfully. "I’m offering original, unmutated seeds that can be used for future breeding. They’re far more precious than those pomelo saplings."
Francis Grant nodded immediately, his tone resolute. "No problem! I’ll have someone bring them over right away!" He could hardly conceal his excitement, his voice actually trembling. In the apocalypse, unmutated crop seeds were the ultimate symbol of hope.
"No rush. Inspect the goods first." Luna Dawson waved her hand with a smile. With another thought, two bulging burlap sacks landed heavily beside the sterile platform.
Luna Dawson had mixed some wheat and rice seeds grown in her spatial dimension’s black soil and irrigated with the spirit spring water, combining them with high-quality, pre-apocalyptic original seeds. She hoped the research institute could use these crops to feed more people in this apocalyptic wasteland. She had even thoughtfully included sweet potato, radish, potato, and sugar beet seeds—a veritable "buy five, get one free" deal. She figured that asking for merely five Crystal Cores was truly a bargain. She could undoubtedly be considered Dawson the Great Philanthropist.
Following that, Luna Dawson unzipped the sacks with a loud ZIP. Golden wheat and plump rice grains gleamed with a natural luster. The kernels were tight and entirely devoid of any mutation, with some seeds being unusually large and robust.
Francis Grant stepped up beside her, his eyes brimming with gratitude. "The Crystal Cores will be here immediately!"
Gripping the cultivation rack inside the greenhouse, Director Palmer’s body trembled slightly. He slowly crouched down. His bony hands carefully scooped up a handful of wheat and brought it to his nose. He took a deep breath, and scalding tears cascaded down onto the grains. "They’re original seeds! Truly unmutated original seeds! With these, the base has a real chance of growing proper food! Captain Dawson, Colonel Grant, you are the great heroes of this base!" He wiped his tears with his sleeve, choking on his sobs so much that his words were barely coherent.
Director Palmer nodded repeatedly and waved at the distance. Several researchers in protective suits hurried over, pushing a specialized transport box.
"Be gentle!" he ordered sternly. "Place them in the core cultivation cabin and activate the dual purification mode. Monitor the data twenty-four hours a day. Report to me even if there’s a 0.1-degree deviation!" As he spoke, he personally adjusted the branches and leaves of the saplings, terrified of bruising the tender buds. "Miss Dawson, rest assured, I will personally stand guard in this greenhouse. I absolutely won’t allow the slightest mishap to befall these treasures!"
Watching this, Francis Grant was equally thrilled. He quickly tapped his smart bracelet, about to order someone to bring over the Crystal Cores.
Luna Dawson grabbed his arm to stop him, her eyes curving in a bright smile. "Three Wood-element, two Fire-element. Don’t grab the wrong ones." She turned to Director Palmer. "I’ll leave these saplings in your capable hands, Director Palmer. Oh, and my grandfather, Zachary Olson, will be starting work at the research institute in the next couple of days. I hope you’ll take good care of him." She mused that she was spending her days doing nothing but pulling strings.
Harry Palmer was already entirely immersed in the perfection of the seeds, feeling as though he were floating on clouds. Hearing her words, he became even more delighted. "Colonel Grant already informed me! A Third Rank Wood-element with an accelerated-growth superpower! That’s exactly the kind of talent I’ve been praying for! Don’t you worry about a thing, Captain Dawson!"
Luna Dawson spent the rest of the day in the vehicle. After touring the Academy of Agricultural Sciences with Francis Grant, they headed over to the heavily guarded military zone in District One. They bustled about for several hours before finally returning all the various supplies one by one. After all, she had already collected the Crystal Cores, so she had to see the job through properly.
Having been busy all afternoon, each of them drank a vial of nutrient solution. As Francis Grant put it, they had to set an example by being the first to consume anything produced by the base, ensuring that the survivors could eat with peace of mind.
Luna Dawson curled her lip and said, "Colonel Grant, you’re truly stingy. You didn’t even provide a decent afternoon tea."
Francis Grant looked awkward upon hearing this. "How about you come back to the command center with me now? I can have the small kitchen whip up something to eat, though it certainly won’t meet the culinary standards of Captain Dawson’s household."
Luna Dawson waved him off. "Forget it. I’d better just head home. Dinner will be served there in an hour or so anyway."
"Ahem... Then I’ll drive you home now."
The two got into the vehicle. Just as Francis Grant started the engine, he seemed to remember something and added, "This mission to escort the survivors went exceptionally smoothly. We successfully fended off consecutive sieges from two massive waves of zombies and mutated creatures, ensuring the safety of the masses and preserving all sorts of military base supplies. Because of this, the base is planning to hold a commendation ceremony in the District Four plaza."
Luna Dawson looked confused. "A commendation ceremony? Alright, when is it?"
"It should be within the next few days, right after we finish settling these hundreds of thousands of survivors. Just wait for my notice," Francis Grant said, turning his head to smile at her.
"Alright, alright." Luna Dawson nodded. With that, she reclined her seat, adjusted into a comfortable position, and lay back with her eyes closed to rest.