Chapter 2
1012 Words
**Doomsday Countdown!**
In the heart of their desolate community, Sheng An and Hao Jingye sought refuge in a secluded spot to deliberate on matters of grave importance.
Sheng An, lost in contemplation, held an unlit cigarette between her slender fingers, her brows knitted in concentration. Beside her, Hao Jingye's fingers danced over his laptop keyboard with relentless urgency.
After a tense silence, Hao Jingye paused, licking his parched lips, his expression a tangled web of emotions. Sheng An, sensing his hesitation, urged him on, "Go ahead."
With the efficiency of a seasoned professional, Hao Jingye had unearthed the critical information they sought. "From the surveillance footage," he began, "the report appears to be true. Jiang Yu purchased a significant amount of goods at the wholesale market, lugging large bags. She then vanished into an area devoid of surveillance and reemerged with empty hands."
At first glance, this behavior seemed innocuous, yet it bristled with suspicion. Why would someone disappear into an alley with full bags only to return minutes later empty-handed? The implications were unsettling.
Sheng An nodded, her mind racing.
Hao Jingye continued, "Furthermore, after the iron bars were placed in the basement, no one moved them, and no trucks entered or exited. Only Jiang Yu was seen entering the basement at dawn yesterday."
He took a deep breath, the weight of his words heavy in the air. "Jiang Yu might be an outlier who knows about the impending doomsday."
Sheng An, ever composed, summarized, "She might be a reborn individual with spatial abilities."
Their extensive reading of speculative fiction had not been in vain; they grasped the situation immediately.
Hao Jingye's breathing quickened, his eyes wide with tension and unease. Sheng An, placing the cigarette back into its box, offered a reassuring smile. "Xiao Hao, we knew the apocalypse was coming. Why are you still struggling to accept it?"
Though her tone was light, she understood Hao Jingye's turmoil. He was a rare talent, assigned to her as an assistant by their superiors. He had just joined the "Doomsday Special Affairs Department." Accepting information and accepting reality were two different things, and even Sheng An occasionally felt disoriented.
Her thoughts drifted back to the crucial information they had. Six months ago, scientists monitored a batch of meteors and initially deemed them harmless. However, three months ago, those meteors altered their trajectory. This alarming discovery captured global attention, with scientists working tirelessly to reassess the situation. Social media buzzed with speculation, but few believed it would lead to anything catastrophic.
Until nine days ago, when the country discovered its first "outlier." This individual, possessing water-manipulating abilities, had inadvertently soaked his bed while sleeping. Thinking he was ill, he called for emergency services, only to be discovered by the state. To prevent widespread panic, the news was kept under wraps.
The first outlier was a surprise, but the second instilled fear. This person claimed to be a reborn individual from the apocalypse. According to him, the meteors triggered a global catastrophe, with a death toll of ninety percent. He was among the casualties in his previous life. His evidence included accurate "predictions" of a leader's assassination, an earthquake, and a sudden car accident. This caught the state's serious attention.
The third outlier had fire-manipulating abilities, and the fourth was an internal member of the state, also an outlier, named Qiu Yu.
The emergence of these outliers, combined with the scientists' dire conclusions, spurred the state into action. The seemingly tranquil country began to tremble internally. The higher-ups deployed disaster response plans, issued special directives, and secretly established the "Doomsday Special Affairs Department," tasked with managing the outliers with the highest authority. Sheng An was one of its leaders. Their mission was to gather these outliers, who were destined to fight on the front lines against the apocalypse.
No matter how novels depicted it or how the world changed, as long as the state existed, it would strive to maintain order, even in the face of doomsday. And they had foreknowledge, didn't they?
Hao Jingye, regaining his composure, looked at Sheng An. "Jiang Yu isn't just any outlier. She's a reborn individual we urgently need to contact. Wu Zhi, another reborn individual, has limited data. Although the higher-ups have started deploying plans, they aren't fully convinced. Jiang Yu's appearance is crucial."
Sheng An nodded, "Yes, Jiang Yu is crucial. Wu Zhi died on the first day of the apocalypse in his previous life. If Jiang Yu has been reborn from a later point, her information is vital."
According to Wu Zhi, they had only 21 days left. While 21 days might suffice for stockpiling supplies, deploying doomsday disaster response measures was extremely urgent.
Hao Jingye said seriously, "Should we immediately capture Jiang Yu?"
In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures were needed. Directly capturing and interrogating her to obtain information was the priority. Although everything seemed peaceful outside, the state had already mobilized. Otherwise, someone like Sheng An wouldn't be here. She only executed the state's most confidential and important tasks.
Sheng An looked at him, raising her eyebrows slightly, her tone tinged with amusement. "Xiao Hao, why use the word 'capture'? Jiang Yu is your future colleague, a member of our Doomsday Special Affairs Department. Let's be amicable."
Hao Jingye looked at her in confusion. Not capture?
Sheng An said, "First, report to Old Zhang."
Hao Jingye nodded quickly. "Old Zhang" was their leader. Only Sheng An dared to call him "Old Zhang"; everyone else had to be respectful. Sheng An was always right, considering things more comprehensively than he did.
Sheng An continued, "Call more people over and control Jia Qing Bay, especially Building 3. After all, she's a reborn individual with spatial abilities, so we need to guard against any other means she might have. Bring enough weapons and some tranquilizers. If she doesn't cooperate, we'll have to forcefully invite her."
She stood up, smiling. "Let's go have a chat with Ms. Jiang Yu."
Hao Jingye was stunned. Amicable? With weapons and tranquilizers... amicable? Indeed, it was still the same Sheng An!
- Writer
