Chapter 124: Gearing Up for the Wasteland

The Special Pollution Cleanup Department always prepared quickly and efficiently.

Shortly after Lu Xin and Gecko’s ‘trip’ request was approved a tall modified vehicle pulled up downstairs at the Security Hall. At the same time a Support Team staff member came upstairs and handed a checklist to Lu Xin and Gecko.

“Looks like they’ve prepared just about everything…”

Gecko listlessly opened the checklist going over it item by item.

Lu Xin glanced at the long list his expression showing surprise. “They prepared this much?”

“It’s all necessary…”

Gecko glanced at Lu Xin and explained with a sigh, “Fifty boxes of military rations one hundred packs of compressed biscuits; thirty jin of purified water a water filtration system with two replacement filters; two emergency medical kits a surgical set; two simple tents two sleeping bags; two high-powered flashlights four batteries a basic solar charger; one latest-issue military map two compasses;”

“Ten thousand Alliance Coins usable throughout the northern region; two gold bars; four sets of special Ability User restraints—three for them one spare; plus my personal gear: one standard-issue handgun with four clips fifty rounds of standard ammo and twenty special rounds for the custom 14.9mm ultra-long-range sniper rifle. And three utility daggers.”

“Two flare guns six flares.”

“Two special Wasteland satellite phones one basic signal receiver.”

“A set of radio equipment two walkie-talkies…”

“Also a change of clothes each two sets of basic mess kits and three wholesome magazines to pass the time.”

…

Lu Xin listened dumbfounded. “Why so much stuff? We’re only going to be gone for ten days…”

“Sigh I’m worried this *won’t* be enough. Who knows what we’ll run into out in the Wasteland?”

Gecko sighed again. “Take the water filter for example. Food and water are critical in the Wasteland. People used to living out there can find clean water and drink it maybe boiling it first. But us folks from the High-wall City? We might get sick just looking at it. Getting diarrhea in the Wasteland can be a death sentence.”

“Then there are the rations money gold…”

He continued slowly his voice tinged with resignation. “Once you leave the High-wall City you’ll inevitably have to deal with Wastelanders. And when dealing with them the two things you absolutely need are weapons and currency.”

“Currency is especially key.”

“Alliance Coins are accepted in all the major High-wall Cities but some folks in the Wasteland won’t take them. That’s why we need gold as backup. And for some groups even gold is useless; you have to trade with food.”

…

Initially Lu Xin hadn’t thought much about Gecko’s claims of Wasteland survival experience. He mainly brought him along because he needed a driver. But hearing how knowledgeable Gecko sounded now Lu Xin started to take him more seriously. It looked like bringing Gecko along had been the right call after all…

“Still it’s clear Old Chen really spared no expense for you…”

Downstairs Gecko’s eyes lit up when he saw the specialized Wasteland vehicle waiting for them.

He circled the vehicle excitedly touching here patting there.

“Why do you say that?”

Lu Xin didn’t get it. *Isn’t it just a car?* he thought.

“Heh heh…”

Gecko popped the hood peered inside for a moment his satisfaction growing. Slamming it shut with a grin he said “This is clearly a military-grade Humvee custom-modded by the research team. High chassis wide body V10 naturally aspirated engine 6.8L displacement modified intake and exhaust supercharger kit for a heart enlarged fuel injectors tuned ECU… pushing 1099 horsepower like a thirty-year-old virgin! Plus bulletproof glass heavy-duty six-barreled Gatling guns… this damn thing…”

His eyes practically glowed. “It’s a steel behemoth!”

Lu Xin listened utterly lost. “Isn’t it just a car?”

Trying to show some interest he asked “You sure it can handle running outside the city?”

Gecko turned giving him a look of utter disdain.

Lu Xin felt a pang of insecurity. “I mean it’s fast outside the city too right?”

“Don’t worry!”

Gecko yanked open the door slid into the driver’s seat and slapped the steering wheel. “I bet this thing could fly!”

Lu Xin watched the staff load their supplies piece by piece even pointing out where everything was stowed for easy access. As the Special Action Team leader he signed off on the inventory grabbed his ID then opened the passenger door and slid in. “Do you need to stop by home tell your family?” he asked.

“Nope!”

Gecko grinned. “I’m a lone wolf. Besides Linda nobody cares where I go. We can head straight out of the city.”

“Oh.”

Lu Xin nodded. “Before we leave the city head over to Moon Terrace first. You know my address.”

“Why?”

Gecko gave Lu Xin a surprised look. “Don’t you know time is valuable right now?”

“To pick up my family of course.”

Lu Xin looked back at Gecko surprised. *You might not have family but I do…* he thought.

Gecko whipped his head around to stare at Lu Xin.

Seeing how serious Lu Xin looked Gecko’s expression slowly turned peculiar.

His face paled slightly.

“Starting engine…”

Gecko didn’t say anything else. He turned activated the voice ignition started the car and silently drove Lu Xin strictly following traffic laws until they reached the old apartment building where Lu Xin lived. He stopped the car.

“So…”

He kept his eyes fixed on the steering wheel not daring to turn his head his voice strained. “Do you… need to go up and get them?”

“No need.”

Lu Xin sat quietly in the passenger seat.

“You should probably…”

Gecko’s voice trembled slightly. “Help with luggage maybe…”

“They’re already in the car.”

Lu Xin turned to Gecko smiled and said “We can go now…”

Gecko glanced at the empty back seat in the rearview mirror swallowed hard and silently started the car.

As the car slowly pulled onto the main road Gecko kept sneaking glances into the rearview mirror unable to help himself. Finally he couldn’t stand it anymore.

After wrestling with himself for a moment he suddenly forced a smile and did something Lu Xin never expected…

“Uh hello Uncle Auntie Sister! My name’s Gecko. I’m Mr. Lone Soldier’s colleague you know a good friend…”

He actually started making small talk. “It’s really nice to meet you all…”

“…You must be happy to meet me too right?”

“Hahaha no need to be so formal…”

…

“Hm?”

Lu Xin looked up from the files he was reviewing in the passenger seat and glanced at Gecko.

His expression was rather odd.

Plenty of people had been spooked by his family before but Gecko was the first one to try making conversation with them despite clearly not seeing anyone.

Sighing inwardly Lu Xin looked up. Ahead the city’s massive steel drawbridge was slowly lowering.

A breeze drifted in from outside the city walls carrying a scent distinctly different from the air within.