Chapter 401

Chapter 401 Ark Camp Three
Ark Camp One was built on the grasslands, Ark Camp Two stood in a small town in the Gobi, and Ark Camp Three lay hidden deep among the mountains.
Tilting her head back, Theresa studied the towering camp built into the mountainside before turning to take in the outer perimeter. Beyond the security fence lay a bottomless abyss.
Whoever had chosen these sites knew what they were doing–remote, hard to reach, and easy to defend.
With enough supplies stockpiled in advance, one could theoretically survive here for a long time. Maybe even fulfill the original purpose behind building these camps–outlasting the zombie apocalypse.
Too bad they had betrayed everyone from the very beginning.
Once she had taken in the surroundings, a group emerged from the gates of the camp. The people in white masks spotted them.
“You’ve arrived.”
“My condolences.” Morgan stepped forward, handing over the gift he had prepared along with the fruit basket and funeral wreath Theresa had brought.
The people in white masks froze for a moment when they saw the wreath in particular. Where on earth did they get this? No one would have thought to stockpile funeral wreaths when they were preparing supplies.
It was, unexpectedly, a touching gesture.
They accepted the wreath and smiled politely at the visitors in green masks. “Please, come in.”
Behind them, the delegation from Ark Camp Two had also brought gifts, though it was obvious the reception was different.
“So, you’ve come too,” one of the white masks said coldly.
“We’re here to pay our respects to Mr. Slade,” a member of Ark Camp Two replied politely.
“Go in. The white–masked man took their offerings without another word and let them pass.
It was good they had come–if they hadn’t, the others would have sought them out.
Theresa followed the group inside Ark Camp Three.
It resembled Ark Camp One in its cutting–edge, high–tech design, but the layout here was inverted. The bottom three levels housed the ordinary residents, while the upper two floors were reserved for the elite.
Access was tightly controlled. The only way up was by elevator, and every elevator required a keycard both in and out. A card only worked for one’s designated floor.
One could sometimes sneak to a higher floor by following someone with higher clearance, but if one couldn’t scan one’s way out, alarms would sound and security would drag one away.
O
1/3
10:33 Fri, 22 Aug
Chapter 401 Ark Camp Three
Every single person here was monitored with strict precision.
+5 Free Coins
Led by the white–masked guides, their large group split across several elevators. The higher they went, the– more luxurious the decor–and the fewer the people.
At last, they reached the fourth floor.
“Please stay here tonight,” one of the white masks said. “Tomorrow, we’ll take you to attend Mr. Slade’s memorial.”
Everyone nodded.
Temporary access cards were distributed–one per household. These allowed movement anywhere from the fourth floor down, though the core work areas were off–limits. Still, they were free to wander.
Theresa entered her assigned room. Quentin, Tyger, and Kyle were sharing another.
She had barely settled in when there was a knock at the door.
“Who is it?”
Peering through the peephole, she saw Morgan in a green mask.
“What do you want?”
“I told you before I’d show you around, but we never had the chance. Tonight, I’ll take you on a tour of Ark Camp Three.”
“Sure,” Theresa agreed easily. “Let me go find my people—”
“I’ve already made arrangements for them. Just the two of us will go.” He held up a temporary access card. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ
He was the only one with it. One card per household–and finally, he had a chance to spend time with her alone.
Theresa eyed the card dangling in his hand and grinned. “Fine. Just the two of us, then.”
Soon, the elevator descended toward the first floor.
KI Camp must not have elevators, huh?” Morgan remarked inside the lift.
“Of course not,” Theresa said. “We’re dirt–poor out there. We get around on our own two feet, and all our communication’s done by shouting.”
Morgan chuckled. “Conditions outside are really rough. You’ve had it hard.”
“It’s not the hardship–it’s bad luck. And no matter what, you don’t blame the government.”
He turned his head toward her. You’re something else, you know that?”
Theresa said nothing.
Through the mask, his tone took on an almost godlike condescension. “No matter how hard your life’s been before, meeting me is the moment your fate changes.”
2/3
O
10:33 Fri, 22 Aug
Chapter 401 Ark Camp Three
This time, she fell silent, nearly choked on the sheer arrogance.
Just then, the elevator doors slid open on the first floor.
|||
O
< +5 Free Coins