Chapter 174: Separated (6)
"Team leader. We're done replacing the battery pack to start the vehicle. Can you try to see if we can get it to start?" said one of the soldiers in Alex's team.
"Alright. Let's see if it works. Hopefully, it would because having a vehicle is much better than walking. Plus, the number of supplies we can carry on the back is ten to a hundred times much better than bringing them on our back." Alex said.
On the push of the ignition button in the driver's panel, the truck vibrates for a short moment before it no longer seems responsive. Unknown to where did it go wrong, Alex pressed the button for the second time. It was completely dead now.
"What - What's wrong?" he asked after getting down from the truck.
"From what this subordinate guessing, the fuse is likely worn down from not getting used for too long. We should be able to get a replacement from the vehicles around us. Let's disassemble some of the trucks around us to see if there's any leftover." one of the more knowledgeable soldiers said.
"Alright, let's go ahead and search for a replacement. We'll get it. As for you, keep checking this truck and see if there's a problem here and there. I don't want us to keep searching for replacement whenever we try starting the engine." Alex patted the soldier's shoulder while he speaks.
It was his intention to keep this knowledgeable soldier here to handle the truck. If even he went off to search for parts, who else would be doing the fitting when the replacement parts were found?
About twenty minutes later, they finally found a matching fuse part to replace the one used on the military truck. Of course, the replacement wasn't a total fit either. Using it temporarily might be a quick solution for now. Still, a good part has to be made or replaced later before the mismatched part ended up causing a failure.
Unlike those traditional fuel engine vehicles from Zhang Qin Feng's world, the automotive vehicles here were fully electricity-powered. The number of high-tech function chips on the control box was more than ten fuel-powered vehicles placed together. This made the caring process needed to keep the truck usable is much different from what Zhang Qin Feng knows.
The group was managed to start the military truck not long after tweaking a few parts here and there. Function like windows, automatic door, and air compression tire was all deactivated to improve the power efficiency. The only thing that was left running is the engine and a few settings related to its functionality.
"Banggggggg!" the sound of an automatic rifle can be heard from nearby. This sound alarmed the group of five in Alex's team.
"Automatic weapons? I don't think anyone from us has a fully functional automatic weapon. Be on your guard. These people might be from some other forces." Alex said. Using his index finger to point at two guys standing at the front, he ordered them to move forward to have a look. As for the three of them, they'll be on their guard and ready to immobilize the target if they found them threatening.
Here in this post-apocalypse, it was a norm to shoot first and speak later.
As for why they could do so, it was because of the existence of the Instant Recovery Spray. With one spray on the wound to keep it close, what are the worries in feeding a bullet or two on non-fatal body parts? It was the most efficient way to keep a target in control. If Satella was the one present here, she would choose to act the same as Alex did.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!" the gunshot continued. From the direction the sound traveled, it doesn't seem that the shots were pointed toward them. It's more like the gunner was trying to keep something from approaching while escaping. But they were surprised because a solo survivor couldn't explore a place like this on his own.
There were two hypotheses in their mind right now.
First, this survivor was either separated from his party or trying to escape from the enemy's pursuit. The enemies could possibly be both survivors or zombies. As for the second option, he might be the last surviving member from a failed mission and in the middle of running away for his life.
Judging from their current location, the possibility of the first option was more probable than the second.
"Leader!" the two soldiers that move forward to the nearest exit raised their fists up for Alex's attention. They seem to notice something behind the door.
"One of you two, get on the driver's side of the military truck and get ready to move at any time. We might have to escape in case there are hordes of zombies pouring out from that exit. As for the other one, follow me. We'll go and check what's wrong over there. Make sure your weapon is ready and the safety is off." said Alex as he kept his rifle pointing forward.
He signaled the two other soldiers to stay on their guard and be ready to fire at any time.
The two of them replied with a thumbs up. But in less than 10 seconds after their exchange, the gunshots continued. This time, it was accompanied by the sound of explosives.
"This is bad. To think that the survivor has explosives as well. This survivor is quite well equipped. Which forces did he belong to?" Alex asked himself.
Based on what he knew of, there's no other base as capable as their Wind Base. Some of them might have some ability to manufacture something like grenades and guns. Still, even that was in limited numbers.
"Bam!" the explosion this time is much closer than before. That's the signal this survivor is getting closer to this emergency exit.
Pulling the pin to make sure there's a bullet in his rifle's chamber, Alex pointed his gun straight at the door and waited for the moving thing behind the door to come out.
"Fucker! Open this door for your grandfather!" a very familiar voice came from the door as it was kicked open. Alex's expression changed the moment the appearance of someone he knew appeared from the door.
"BOSS!" Alex shouted his name. He intentionally shouted out loudly to make sure none of them misfired.
"Alex?"
"Talk later! Run! Run!" Zhang Qin Feng said.
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