When the gunfire finally died down, the only sound left was the faint hummm of the auto-turrets cooling down.
I slumped onto the cold metal floor of the control room, back against the console. My legs felt like they were filled with lead; I didn't even have the strength to wiggle a toe.
Shadow sprawled next to me. His golden fur was matted with dried black blood and dust. The majestic "Host" now looked like a stray dog that had just rolled in a mud pit.
"Hey." I nudged him gently with my foot. "Alive?"
"Shut up..." Shadow didn't even open his eyes. "This Lord is recuperating. That last kick... I think I pulled a muscle in my back."
I couldn't help but laugh. My chest shook, pulling at my wounds, making me grimace in pain.
Ding!
A crisp, pleasant System chime rang in our heads like heavenly music.
[Congratulations!] [Sector C Shelter Defense: VICTORY!] [Threat Clearance: 100%] [Transferring Base Main Control Authority...]
Blue screens cascaded data like a waterfall. But this time, it wasn't virtual game stats. It was hard hardware status.
[Identity Acquired: Node C-03 · Supreme Commander] [Core Link: Established] [Current Base Status:]
Power System: Online (Load 45%)
Defense System: Standby (Ammo: Medium)
Environment System: CRITICAL POLLUTION (Immediate action recommended)
Storage: Empty
[Reward: System Energy +100 (Progress: 150/100. Return Condition Met!)]
"One hundred energy points!"
My eyes lit up. This meant we could return to Reality anytime with our loot.
But I didn't rush. A flashing yellow warning icon caught my eye: [Environmental Control Module].
I clicked it. A detailed architectural blueprint appeared. The air quality index for the entire shelter was off the charts. Red zones indicating "Bio-Hazard" were everywhere.
Below the map, a button glowed:
[Initiate Global Purge Protocol]
Description: Utilize reserve high-pressure air and solvent to physically clear and sanitize polluted areas.
Estimated Cost: Power 5%, Reserve Solvent 10%, Industrial Water 200L.
"No System Energy needed?" I was surprised.
"Duh."
Shadow opened one eye, looking at me like I was an idiot. "Humans built this base. It runs on electricity and water. What does System Energy have to do with it? The System just hacked the interface for you. gave you a skeleton key."
Realization hit.
Makes sense! If I had to spend precious time-travel currency to sweep the floor, this base would be a scam.
"So..." I looked at the cost. "Because we fixed the generator and have power, we can use this?"
"Correct." Shadow flicked his tail. "Your hard work wasn't wasted. Now, press the damn button. This smell... is worse than the worst latrine I've smelled in the apocalypse."
I looked out the door.
The hall, the corridor, the doorway—piled high with hundreds of zombie corpses. Black blood flowed like a river. Limbs hung from the walls. The stench of blood was strong enough to knock a man out.
"If I had to clean that myself, I'd be sweeping until next year."
I didn't hesitate. Slammed my finger on the [Global Purge] button.
"Execute!"
VMMMM! CLACK!
Mechanical sounds came from inside the walls. Hydraulic pumps and fans starting up.
Then, hidden vents in the floor, corners, and ceiling opened simultaneously.
WHOOSH!!!
A high-pressure air current, strong enough to knock me over, swept through the space. Not random wind. Calculated aerodynamic flow. Like invisible hands, it pushed the corpses, limbs, and even coagulated blood clots toward massive recycling chutes that opened at the base of the walls.
"Holy crap! Black tech!" I was stunned, holding onto the console to keep from sliding.
I watched the power drop from 98% to 93%. It hurt my heart, but watching the mountain of corpses disappear was incredibly satisfying.
Then, nozzles sprayed white mist.
High-efficiency disinfectant stored for god knows how long. Chemistry still stable. The mist neutralized the rot and blood smell instantly.
The whole process took less than three minutes.
Wind stopped. Mist cleared.
I opened my eyes. Couldn't believe it.
The floor was shiny. Metal reflecting the lights. Not a drop of blood left. Scorch marks and stains on the walls faded. Air was crisp and clean, a bit cold, but the nausea-inducing stench was gone.
If not for the bullet holes in the walls, I would have thought the battle was a nightmare.
"That electric bill... was worth every penny." I muttered.
[Purge Complete.] [Biomass Recycling... Obtained Organic Fertilizer x50kg (Stored in Waste Silo).] [Cleanliness: 100%]
"Finally looks like a place to live." Shadow nodded in satisfaction. He strutted into the control room, hopped onto the commander's leather chair (leather was cracked, but soft), spun around, found a comfy spot, and issued his order:
"Scooper, I'm hungry. Serve dinner."
I looked at his "Lord of the Manor" act and laughed.
"Yes, My Lord. Dinner is served."
I walked to the corner where we dumped the Reality supplies.
Most food rotted due to "Energy Conflict," but Shadow had a stash in his System Space. Plus, we found a few cans of military Spam in a toolbox while searching the electrical room.
Pre-apocalypse hard currency. Shelf life: forever.
I took out the Spam. "Applied" for two water bottles and a steel bowl from Shadow's inventory.
Crack.
Pull-tab opened.
Rich meat smell wafted out. Cold, compressed meat block. But right now, it smelled better than foie gras.
I sliced it thick with my knife.
"Yours." I pushed a full bowl of meat slices to Shadow.
"You know your place." Shadow dug in, eating noisily.
I kept a can for myself. Ate it off the knife.
First bite. Salty grease melted on my tongue. Satisfaction rushed to my brain. I squinted in pleasure.
"Good... so damn good."
I leaned back, looking at the bright lights, listening to Shadow eat. A peace I'd never felt before washed over me.
We survived. Not only that, we owned this place.
Electricity (needs fuel). Water (groundwater system green). Defense. Clean floors. Canned meat. In this hell, we built a tiny heaven.
I swiped the screen, pulling up the "Facility File."
"Civil Defense Node C-03..." I read. "This wasn't a parking lot. It was a military shelter designed for nuclear war. No wonder the firepower is so heavy."
I looked at the diesel reserve: [35%].
"Shadow," I said. "We're safe now, but resources aren't infinite. Generator burns oil. Cleaning uses supplies. Water is stock. When it runs out..."
"Then rob someone."
Shadow swallowed the last piece of meat, licking his lips. Disdain in his eyes. "Or buy it. Trade for it. You have System Space. Smuggling goods between worlds... you afraid you can't feed this house?"
He looked at me. "We are low on supplies. After these cans, we starve again."
"I know."
I nodded, serious now.
"So, we have to go back to Reality." I patted my pocket with the 200+ energy points. "Next time we come back, I'm bringing everything. I'm turning this place into a real fortress."
System panel popped up.
[Main Quest Update: Territory Expansion] [Current Level: Lv.1 (Small Shelter)] [Next Goal: Upgrade to Lv.2] [Requirements:]
Stockpile: Build formal storage. Stock 30 days of food/water.
Energy: Find alternative energy or refill diesel (Current reserve: 7 days).
Population: Recruit at least 1 Survivor with specialized skills (0/1).
"Recruit survivors?" I frowned. "I have to feed people?"
"How much work can you do alone?" Shadow rolled his eyes. "This base is huge. Maintenance alone will kill you. You need helpers. And the System said 'Specialized Skills'. Not dead weight."
I thought of Lin Ze. If he were alive, his chemistry knowledge would be invaluable. Pity...
"Fine. One step at a time."
I stood up, stretched. Bones popped.
"Fed and watered. Time to go home."
I looked at Shadow. "I'm going to sleep on a soft mattress for three days straight. And... cash in the gold."
I patted my backpack. Filled with gold jewelry looted from zombies and ruins.
"Me too." Shadow hopped down, rubbing against my leg. "I want Reality chicken legs. Fried. Crispy. Oily. And get me a soft bed."
"No problem. All you can eat!"
I waved my hand grandly.
"System, open Return Channel."
[Confirm Return.] [Cost: 100 Energy.] [Destination: Reality · Skyhaven City Rental.]
The blue pillar of light descended.
This time, no fear. No confusion.
I looked at the clean control room. Our steel fortress. Confidence filled me.
Flash of light. Man and dog vanished.
Only the green signal light on the console remained, blinking stubbornly in the dead apocalypse. Like a beating heart.