In RX2200, deep in a dry canyon on the western plateau of West Asia, a group of West Asians lived. Because of the invasion of the Earth by the "Holy Roman Empire of the Universe" (HRE for short), some people who lost their hometowns could only gather here to escape the war.
"Ahem!"
This is a dirty slum, with simple tents and garbage everywhere, the air circulation is poor, and sick people are always coughing and groaning. But there is a lack of doctors and medicines to save them, so they can only hope that God can heal them or make them suffer less.
"catch him!"
The children chased and fought in the narrow tent "alleys". Although they were hungry, they still lived innocently and freely. The only prerequisite is not to run out of the canyon. This is not because the children are afraid of encountering HRE soldiers, but because the environment has been destroyed. There are deserts and wastelands for hundreds of miles nearby, and sandstorms have never stopped. There is no preparation for running out without permission. It's possible to get lost and die of thirst.
"Hey! Slow down!"
The frolicking children almost bumped into Lin Ao, who was carrying tableware. He was the only East Asian face in this West Asian slum. His parents brought him as a young boy to a nearby village many years ago to support local education, but war and disease turned Lin Ao into an orphan a year ago. He is 18 years old, but he is very frail because he always doesn't have enough to eat. Fortunately, he has good cooking skills and can make the ingredients that are difficult to eat delicious, so the residents here like him very much. ,
"Lin, hurry up and start dinner! I'm starving!" A carpenter said, covering his stomach.
"The guerrillas haven't brought water back yet, so please bear with it for now."
Although they are called guerrillas, they are actually the only strong men left who go out to find water. It usually takes two or three days to go out and bring back not much water. Fortunately, the people here have adapted to the current environment and need far less water than people outside. Of course, no one asked the guerrillas where they got the water.
Lin Ao moved the tableware to the kitchen and heard children cheering in the distance. He quickly ran towards the source of the sound, because children would only cheer like this when the guerrillas brought back water.
Because the terrain in the canyon was not convenient for driving in, the guerrillas could only park the dilapidated truck at the mouth of the canyon and cover it with a dust-proof cloth. Firstly, this can prevent parts from being damaged by wind and sand, and secondly, it can avoid satellite discovery by HRE fighters. A strong West Asian man jumped out of the passenger seat of the truck. He was dusty, but his eyes were extremely determined. He is Bashar, the leader of the guerrillas, and it is from his eyes that many people feel the hope of living.
"Bashar! How is the situation? Have the HER people been repulsed?" An old man stepped forward and asked Bashar.
"Who do you expect to drive them away? These space locusts have left everyone busy! But this time I brought back enough water for you to use for a week!"
"May God bless you! Brave Bashar!" an old woman prayed.
Lin Ao did not dare to see Bashar because he was afraid of soldiers like Bashar who would kill. He ran to a boy who was carrying a bucket - Hafi, his good friend.
"Hey Hafei! Did you bring enough water this time?"
Hafei handed the heavy bucket to Lin Ao with an unhappy look on his face. The thin Lin Ao could barely stand. Seeing him like this, Hafei smiled, joined hands with Lin Ao to move the bucket onto the cart, and pushed it away together. kitchen.
"It's really unbearable! In order to bring back this little water, we ran for a whole day in the wind and sand! If only I had known that I was as weak as you, I wouldn't have been dragged into the guerrillas by Bashar! By the way, Lin Ao , Bashar brought back some game and asked you to cook a feast for the guerrillas and deliver it to their meeting place!”
Hafei talked endlessly about his complaints along the way, and Lin Ao finally interrupted and asked:
"Hafei, did you bring anything interesting back from outside?"
"Hey kid! It's either sand or sand outside. Even if I have it, I'll be searched by those brats when I come back. It's not your turn!"
Hafi suddenly lowered his head and said thoughtfully: "But... Bashar took us to meet a group of strange people on the way..."
"Weird person?" Lin Ao asked.
"A bunch of guys in suits flying airplanes. I've never seen such an advanced airplane!"
Hafi continued: "Bashar took several uncles and the gang to the plane and said something. When they came out, Bashar and the others carried some mysterious boxes and extra water."
Lin Ao nodded. This topic was beyond his understanding and he could not continue to ask further.
In the evening, Lin Ao tried his best to cook a "big meal" for the people in the slums. Everyone was full. Everyone sat together in groups, talking and laughing, forgetting all their worries, and even There were people singing and dancing. Lin Ao had no time to enjoy the singing and dancing. He was still processing the mutton and bird meat brought back by the guerrillas. In order to avoid the shining eyes and mouths of the children, Lin Ao could only handle the ingredients sweating profusely in a stuffy corner. , these are rewards for brave guerrillas.
The guerrillas' meal was ready, and Lin Ao carried the plate through the crowd. People praised his food. Lin Ao felt that this was the happiest time he spent in the canyon every day.
The guerrillas' cave is on a low cliff. They only go there when there are meetings, and they usually eat and drink with everyone. Once you get together, you are having a dangerous meeting. Lin Ao nervously walked up the steps and carefully knocked on the door. The door was pushed open a small crack. When the guerrillas with alert eyes saw that Lin Ao was coming, their expressions immediately became joyful.
"The feast is coming!"
"Quiet! Lin Ao, come here and put down the food." Before the guerrillas could cheer that their hungry stomachs would finally be filled, Bashar scolded them and they all shut their mouths.
This sound frightened Lin Ao so much that he put the rice on the table in a panic, not daring to look into Bashar's eyes, and turned to leave. Unexpectedly, Bashar grabbed him and said, "Stay with Lin Ao and eat together. You also listen to our meeting! Okay, let's have dinner, everyone!"
Lin Ao was covered in cold sweat and dizzy as he sat down next to Hafei and looked at him with pleading eyes. But now Hafei only has eyes for meat, and he eats it hungrily.
"Everyone!" Bashar patted the table and asked everyone to be quiet before continuing: "Today I went to meet with people from the Star Alliance. They promised that as long as we do one thing for them, they will give us enough material and also Help us drive away HER!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone put down their food, some looked sad, and some looked happy.
"Bashar! Don't blame me for telling the truth. The Covenant can't even control its own space, so how can it help us?" said an older team member.
Bashar lit up a cigarette, one he smoked only when he needed it most. He said: "This is our only chance to get our home back. Do you want to stay in the canyon for the rest of your life?"
"But if we have to fight HER, where are the weapons? We don't even have a bullet for each of us now!"
Bashar waved his hand and asked someone to carry over several boxes given to him by the Covenant today. After opening it, it was actually filled with advanced weapons, including rifles, bullets, and explosives. No one had ever seen so many weapons.
"Bashar...what do the people from the Covenant ask us to do?"
Bashar took a puff of cigarette and said: "There is a military fortress 300 miles away. The day after tomorrow HER and the major forces will have a secret meeting there. I don't know what they will talk about, but what we have to do is sneak in and destroy Grab as many humanoid weapons as possible! Then kill enough space locusts!"
After hearing the plan, some people rushed forward to pick weapons, kissing the weapons like lovers, and chanting the names of their deceased relatives. But some people still asked worriedly: "But, if we don't come back from this trip, what will happen to the people in the canyon?"
Bashar stubbed out his cigarette butt and said: "This is a gamble, friends. We can't take care of everything. Trucks will bring enough food and water tomorrow. You don't have to worry about your families here. It's harmful to keep them here." They, there is no medicine or water in this ghost place. Every time we set out, we have to take away people who died of illness and bury them. If we stay any longer, everyone will die!"
No one raised any objections, and Bashar saw trust in everyone's eyes. He happily left the table and patted each comrade on the shoulder. Everyone nodded to him, and everyone agreed with his plan. When Bashar walked to Lin Ao, he looked at Lin Ao who was sweating and restless. He hesitated for a moment with his raised hand, and then patted Lin Ao heavily on the shoulder.
"Child, you have to come with us tomorrow."
