In the sentry post shack atop the rooftop, three solar-powered night lights and several candles illuminated the space, casting a bright glow. Everyone watched the radio with eager anticipation.
Tonight's broadcast was crucial for their chances of successfully escaping the encirclement of zombies.
The time on the electronic watch struck eight, and the radio promptly crackled to life with the voice of a spokesperson from the China Anti-Biochemical Command Center:
"Good evening, fellow survivors. We hope all is well. Today marks the 14th day since the global biochemical crisis outbreak, July 24, 2023, the seventh day of the sixth lunar month, a Monday."
"Before we discuss the airdrop matters that concern you most, I'd like to say a few words.
Today is the 14th day since the global biochemical crisis outbreak, exactly two weeks. Fellow compatriots, how have you fared during these past two weeks?
I believe it has been bitter, for with the existence of zombies, our safety has always been under the Sword of Damocles, with death a daily possibility.
Zombies are terrifying, but I want to ask my fellow compatriots, have you picked up the weapons in your hands? Have you learned to use your intelligence to survive? Have you overcome your fear? Have you emerged from the grief of losing loved ones? Are you living well?"
The spokesperson's voice on the broadcast carried a hint of sorrow and choked emotion. No one among the makeshift survival team gathered around the radio spoke.
Though the broadcast contained only a few sentences, why did their eyes fill with tears?
Wu Tian, who had only ever shown her softer side to Lin Yuan, was the first to shed tears. Lin Yuan understood her feelings at that moment and reached out to hold her.
The voice on the broadcast temporarily ceased, as if to allow its listeners to release some of their emotions.
Sobs echoed through the shack, and everyone's eyes glistened with tears. They had been suppressing too much, ever since the news of the zombie outbreak, since learning of the deaths of their friends and family, since their first fight with a zombie, from confusion to fear, from the beginning until now, these 14 days, two weeks.
Each of them felt as if their souls were being torn by two invisible hands, shedding their primal fear, raising their survival instincts to the extreme, and transforming their anger into the courage to fight zombies and contend with death.
In a mere two weeks, they had been forged from ordinary citizens into people adapted to this terrifying era.
This was the rule of an era where failure to adapt meant death.
The weeping grew louder, but as they cried, the tears turned into laughter. For after all the suppression, they realized it was all worth it. They had encountered a nation that always stood by its people, trustworthy teammates, and after the disasters, a reborn self.
It wasn't just the small team on this rooftop; it was everyone across China listening to the broadcast. They were either regretting, or angry, or, like Lin Yuan and his companions, turning all their suppressed emotions into tears and releasing them.
Finally, it all turned into smiles.
Damn it, I survived!
It wasn't until the zombies below were almost aware of the commotion on the rooftop that Lin Yuan and the others regained their composure, their expressions showing obvious relief.
They had lived too hard these past ten-plus days. It was necessary to cry, to laugh, and then to bravely face the still hard life ahead.
A burst of static sounded, and the broadcast continued.
"I imagine it must have been very difficult, for life itself has always been as bitter as a song.
Fellow compatriots, no matter what terrifying weapons we arm ourselves with, it is never excessive. However, we implore you to always preserve the beauty deep within your hearts, and do not become what are called zombies.
I have always believed that the strength of the people is immense, and we will surely win this anti-biochemical war!
Our heart-to-heart talk is over. Next, we will broadcast information regarding airdrop deployments across various regions.
Following discussions between the China Anti-Biochemical Command Center and the various military safety zones, the specific details of the airdrop operation are as follows:
First, airdrops will commence on July 26th at 6:00 AM. This mission will be carried out jointly by heavy transport aircraft, medium transport aircraft, and drones, concluding after all target points have been deployed. The airdrop operation is expected to last for 5 to 7 days.
Second, airdrops will be centered around major military safety zones and bases, covering all regions of the country. Survivors located in dangerous zones or biochemical infection zones are requested to prepare multiple large, brightly colored, or easily distinguishable items, such as large stuffed toys or colorful LED lights. These should be placed near the locations determined by the first day's broadcast. Smaller items can be combined, or various patterns can be formed to make them more easily identifiable.
For survivors still indoors, please place the aforementioned types of items on window sills or tie them to window grates. If all windows are fitted with security bars, it is imperative to create a square or circular opening of at least 60cm x 60cm in the security bars before the airdrop commences, to facilitate drone identification and delivery.
Our department will utilize satellite imagery and previously established positioning data to determine suitable drop points. Therefore, if you are within...
Third, the airdrop supplies will primarily consist of weapons and ammunition, including firearms, melee weapons, explosives, bullets, optical sights, and radio equipment.
Food will be secondary, including individual emergency rations, long-lasting canned goods, and emergency water.
Note: The actual packing quantities and types of the aforementioned supplies will be determined based on satellite imagery observations. Deployments may vary in different regions and environments.
Fourth, the National Biochemical Research Group, in conjunction with satellite imagery and shared reports from the World Anti-Biochemical Alliance, has identified a giant special mutant, codenamed "Nest," within China. This mutant poses a significant threat and will have long-term, severe impacts on human survival. Therefore, locations where such mutants are present will be subjected to long-range precision strikes.
Survivors who obtain laser targeting devices (laser designators) in the airdrop boxes are requested to assist combat aircraft in pinpointing missile impact points, ensuring their own safety and referring to the user manual included in the airdrop box.
If precise positioning is not possible, you must maintain a distance of at least 1000 meters from the giant special mutant for two days after the official broadcast announces the end of the airdrop, to avoid shrapnel, shockwaves, and other blast-derived damage. Also, be mindful of zombie clusters that may arrive with the sound.
Detailed information on the giant special mutant and its observed locations will be explained in the upcoming daily reports from the National Biochemical Research Group.
Fifth, airdrop supply boxes will be delivered manually and equipped with parachutes. Drop points may have slight deviations from the actual marked points. Please be aware of the actual drop locations and assess the surrounding dangers before blindly collecting them.
For survivors who remain indoors, or those with smaller secure spaces, delivery will be assisted by two drones. The weight of drone-delivered supplies will be lower than that of parachute-delivered supplies. Weapons in such supply boxes will primarily be secondary or disassembled light weapons, and the quantity of food will also be limited. Please be aware of this.
Special Reminder: All deployed firearms will come with suppressors, but suppressors are not equivalent to complete silence. Use with caution.
The above is the notification broadcast regarding the current airdrop. Ten minutes from now, we will broadcast the latest research report from the National Biochemical Research Group."