Outside the base.
Captain Zhou had already arranged for someone to take the thing away, then led his ability users right after it.
The temperature outside the base was close to eighty degrees. Ling Jiang's ice was thick, and Lan Jin had already stunned the tentacle monster with electricity. Still, what if? Just in case, Captain Zhou had a whole group of ability users following the creature. The moment the ice melted, other ice users would step forward and reinforce it.
But even when several ice users unleashed their powers together, they still weren't as strong as Ling Jiang alone. After more than two hours on the road, the ice holding the monster had already melted almost completely.
At first, all its tentacles stuck tightly to its body as it lay on a wooden plank in the truck bed. But once the ice melted, it lost control of them. The tentacles immediately slid down and slapped against the ground.
The moment they touched the earth, they stuck fast. The monster ignored the moving truck and dragged the rest of its huge body straight off.
As soon as its entire body hit the ground, every part of it clung tightly to the soil.
Something that big falling off a truck obviously drew attention. The moment everyone got out to check, an unbelievable sight unfolded.
The tentacles fused with the ground, and in the blink of an eye, they sprouted roots and grew into towering trees. Fresh green leaves unfurled, crisp and tender.
Just as someone reached out to touch one, Captain Zhou stopped him, face grim. "Get in the trucks, now. Leave this place, quick."
Nobody understood, but after years of following orders, they didn't hesitate. Everyone piled back in and sped away. He didn't drive too far though, only to a spot where they could still see the area. Captain Zhou pulled out binoculars, watched for a while, then returned to the base at full speed.
By then, Captain Zhang was still in the middle of questioning Lan Jin and the others. After all, they'd been at the H City base for more than a day or two. It wasn't just about their backgrounds, but everything they'd gone through during that time. Naturally, the questioning dragged on.
Nobody expected Captain Zhou to rush in, his face tense, before Captain Zhang was even finished. He reported what just happened, and everyone's expression turned grim, even before the higher-ups reacted.
"We all saw it. Those tentacles were ordinary. So how did they grow into trees the second they touched the ground?"
It wasn't hard to tell the difference between forest trees and the ones outside. Forest trees had thick trunks and lush leaves. Outside, growth was slow, and most ordinary trees were long dead. The fact that this thing grew healthy trees out there made it dangerous.
"That's not the intel we had. If it's like this, then isn't the base in serious danger?"
The leaders had no choice but to treat the matter seriously.
Captain Zhang said, "But forests always form a perimeter around themselves. As long as nothing unusual happens, things inside don't come out. If that's the case, it's manageable. When you left, had the perimeter formed? Did you post anyone nearby to keep watch?"
"Yes. I left two teams. But it looked risky, so I only had them observe from a distance." Captain Zhou quickly pressed, "Captain Zhang, you've been inside the forest several times. You know more than us. Tell us what it's really like."
Captain Zhang said, "The reports already covered it. The main threat isn't the mutated beasts but the vines. Get cut by them, and…"
"Wait. The injuries should've caused mutation. Why did the last team sprout vines right away? Don't tell me it was an incomplete evolution."
One of the leaders frowned. "To be safe, Captain Zhou, Captain Zhang, take a team back and keep watch. Best case… blow it up. Leaving a ticking time bomb next to the base isn't safe."
"Got it," the two replied in unison.
But the leaders added, "As for Lan Jin's group, think about whether to bring them along. Captain Zhang, you know what I mean. For the base, it's definitely beneficial. For them, it shouldn't be too hard to accept. In the end, it's all for the base. And for them too. Everyone's goal is the same."
Captain Zhang looked troubled. "Let's take it slow. No need to rush."
"Fine. Handle it your way."
After they left the office, Captain Zhou immediately asked, "What's going on? Don't tell me the higher-ups want to target Lan Jin's group."
"No. They just think the four have great abilities. It'd be a waste for them to keep living like half-soldiers. They want the four to officially join us and follow orders."
Captain Zhou frowned. "But they might not agree. Xiao Huang's easy, his parents were base soldiers. But the other three? They don't bend easy."
Captain Zhang sighed. "Exactly."
The leaders didn't force the matter, but their tone left little room for refusal. Still, there was time. No need to rush. "Step by step. I get what the base wants, but I also get what they're thinking. Let's just see how it goes."
But when it came to blowing up the forest, how could they not involve the four?
"I'll go talk to them," Captain Zhang said. "It's a chance to earn contribution points. They won't want to miss that. And with them along, the trip will be safer."
Captain Zhou had been thinking the same, he just hadn't found a way to bring it up. With Captain Zhang taking the lead, he felt relieved.
While Zhou started arranging the team, Captain Zhang went to their shop to ask them to join the mission.
But now that they'd opened a store, they couldn't just close it every time they went out. After a quick discussion, they decided, "Lao Gao and Xiao Huang will go. Lan Jin and I will stay behind and keep the shop open. Don't worry, those two are strong. You'll be fine with them."
Captain Zhang understood, though the base would've preferred Lan Jin, even if just her alone. He hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. It's not far. We'll be back soon."
The endless polar day continued outside. With no difference between day and night, they could strike whenever they were ready.