Limited by parts shortages, only two defense systems had been built. Future production would require scavenging machinery components and solar panels – though two units sufficed for the camp's current population.
One dawn, Mofang transformed into a helicopter and vanished toward the city under rising sunbeams. Last night's crude radio signal had pleaded: *Over 100 survivors at Jiangcheng New District Middle School. Food nearly exhausted. Immediate rescue needed.* After deliberation, Zhang Xiaowen approved the mission. First step – reconnaissance.
The river route proved optimal. Jiangcheng's waterways offered safer, faster transit than battling through urban hordes. New recruits swelled the guard team to twenty – including the girl who executed the thin leader and six reformed thugs now wearing proper uniforms.
"Today we rescue survivors," Zhang Xiaowen addressed two neat rows of guards before piles of SWAT gear. "You've trained with weapons. Now learn obedience – independence gets us killed. Ten minutes to gear up. Dismissed!"
As the team scrambled for equipment, Mofang's helicopter form buzzed over suburban landscapes at car-beating speeds. The revamped monitoring center now displayed its live feed on a quadruple-screen array – altitude, velocity, humidity data streaming alongside real-time visuals.
A building flashed by – survivors waving white sheets from windows. The system automatically timestamped their location on satellite maps. Mofang flew onward, prioritizing the hundred over individuals. Cruel calculus, but necessary.
Below, rooftop survivors in the city center gaped upward. The sniper girl scrambled onto an AC unit, tracking the blue-red helicopter through binoculars. "Who...?"
Alarms blared in the monitoring center as a bearded man raised his rifle. Mofang dodged behind buildings with fighter-jet agility, the survivor's marker turning caution-orange on maps. "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?" The sniper girl yelled at the smirking gunman. "That could've been our ticket out!"
"Relax. Just testing reflexes," he shrugged, watching the drone vanish between skyscrapers.
Back at camp, guards marveled at "high-tech goggles" distributed by Zhang Xiaowen – their HUDs displaying basic radar and comms. "No leaks about this tech. Understand?" She masked nervousness behind her scarf. These devices surpassed earthly engineering – dangerous knowledge in wrong hands.
The team checked gear solemnly. Black tactical uniforms finally gave them professional bearing – lions in sheep's clothing no more. Twin sisters hauled a crate of rations to the docks where boats awaited.
Three hours later, Mofang's cameras captured the target – New District Middle School's barred windows crammed with pale faces. Thermal scans confirmed 112 heat signatures. The helicopter circled once, broadcasting: *Rescue arriving via river. Prepare for evacuation at dusk.*
As survivors erupted in cheers below, Mofang noted decaying fences and dwindling food stores. This would be tight – but doable. They'd need every minute of remaining daylight.