Huh? Are they all real?.

"Oh, I see. So you might have to wait a while, after all."

Before the officer could continue, the other party waved his hand and laughed:

"Don't worry, don't worry, after all, martial law is in effect! To be honest, I actually hope you check it more thoroughly. Although we have checked it ourselves, I'm really afraid of something going wrong."

This dialogue clearly satisfied both sides.

Moreover, it was obvious that no problems could be found, since this was their own logistics vehicle fleet.

From the vehicles to the personnel, everything is spotless and there are absolutely no problems!

So they were quickly released and underwent repeated checks several times over the next fifty kilometers.

Meanwhile, the vehicles they brought were also diverted to different locations to ensure food supplies.

By the time they officially arrived at the mysterious island base, it was already late at night.

And all they had left in their entire convoy were three heavy trucks.

Looking at the final stop in front of them, everyone on the bus showed a relaxed expression.

To their surprise, the tightly closed door not only didn't open, but an armed drone flew out from inside.

This unexpected turn of events left them completely bewildered.

The leader even climbed out of the car and asked the drone:

"What's wrong?"

The intelligent module aboard the drone answered in an electronic voice:

"The level of martial law has been raised, so from now on, this base will no longer accept any personnel."

The leader asked in confusion:

"Then what about your food?"

The drone continued in response:

"There are emergency food supplies in the base, and we will use those first. So we appreciate your hard work, but please leave and accept further arrangements."

"Then why didn't you notify us when we came?"

The leader was clearly a bit resentful, which was understandable; they had been busy all this time, and suddenly they were saying they didn't want it anymore.

But the drone's voice remained devoid of emotion and warmth.

"I'm sorry, sir, this is an order that was just given. Please excuse me."

Seeing the flashing indicator light on the other side, the leader could only shake his head and say:

"alright, I got it."

With that, he prepared to leave.

But before leaving, he suddenly asked:

"But may I ask, why is it that not a single person is willing to come out?"

His tone was somewhat accusatory, and although he was unarmed, he knew his comrades behind him were ready to contact headquarters at any moment.

After all, this doesn't make much sense.

But to his surprise, the drone actually spoke to him:

"I'm sorry, sir, but according to the new regulations, nothing that leaves the base can return, and the same applies to personnel within the base."

"Therefore, in order to preserve valuable human resources as much as possible, the base has only dispatched this machine to inform you and your team members. Furthermore, the base has been instructed to minimize communication with the outside world. For the past three hours, eleven minutes and fifty-five seconds, the entire base has only accepted necessary communications from the highest level of authority."

"That's why the base hasn't contacted you directly."

This was a response that far exceeded the man's expectations. He paused for a moment before looking at the drone and saying:

"So you left the base too, right?"

"Yes, so this machine has been disconnected from the internet and will execute a self-destruct procedure after answering your question."

"Wait? You're willing to self-destruct for this?"

This was another thing that greatly exceeded the man's expectations. This armed drone was worth at least a million credits, and it was about to self-destruct after only a short time?

Can't we leave with them?

"Yes, this is the only instruction received by this machine and it must not be changed."

Startled, the man couldn't help but ask:

What happened in there?

"This machine has no comment, sir."

"In addition, sir, I also have another instruction for you: you and your team members will not be able to return to your base. You will be assigned to nearby locations."

The man was even more astonished and said:

"No, we can't go back?"

I just came out to deliver some groceries, and now I'm locked up here?

"Yes, sir, this is all for safety reasons. We regret the inconvenience caused to you and your team, but we hope you can understand, as this is for everyone's safety!"

"Has something serious happened?"

"This machine has no comment, sir."

Seeing this, the man, knowing he couldn't get any more information from her, could only prepare to go back with a gloomy expression.

"I understand, but who should we contact to report?"

"This machine doesn't know either, but someone should notify you, since this machine is already offline."

The man felt increasingly helpless, but there was nothing he could do, so he got into the car and left.

After the three heavy trucks turned around and left under the watchful eye of the drone.

This expensive drone immediately executed its self-destruct procedure.

The explosion's flames transformed into dazzling fireworks, illuminating the surrounding mountains and fields, but failing to illuminate the dark starry sky.

In a sentry post within the base, the officer who had confirmed the drone's self-destruction said to the veteran beside him:

"Isn't the higher-ups being a bit too sensitive? Each of those things costs over two million!"

The veteran shrugged and said:

“I also think it’s unnecessary, but since the higher-ups have said so, let’s just do it this way.”

The officer nodded and said:

"You're right, but who was in charge of cleaning today? The windowsill wasn't even cleaned properly!"

The officer who said this also reached out his hand towards the open windowsill and picked up a small feather.

"It looks like the feathers of a mountain finch; it's almost everywhere here."

The veteran paid no attention to the feather in the officer's hand; he simply glanced curiously at the windowsill and said:

"That's strange, I remember wiping it with a cloth this afternoon."

The officer, seemingly unconcerned, fiddled with the feather in his hand and said:

"They probably drifted over in the afternoon, so don't be surprised. After all, as I said, these kinds of birds are everywhere here."

"But weren't the bird deterrents already on?"

The base does not allow any outsiders to enter, so in order to prevent birds and the like from intruding, they turned on the bird deterrent device early on.

In theory, not even an insect, let alone a bird, should be present.

"Hmm, it was probably brought here by the wind."

The officer remained unconcerned; after all, it was just a feather that could be found anywhere.

One might be wary of another person, or of an unknown darkness, or even of a flower one does not recognize.

But would people be wary of the grass they're used to seeing by the roadside?

Obviously not.

However, the veteran still hesitated and said:

"Um, don't you think this is considered a foreign thing?"

The officer was taken aback at first, then looked at the sparrow feather in his hand with great amusement and said:

"That's it? Are you kidding me? You want me to report to my superiors over a feather, or even sound the alarm?"

"Don't be ridiculous, sir. This is just a tiny feather; it's not even the corpse of an insect!"

"Wake up, sir! If I report this, you and I will be laughed at for the rest of our lives!"

The veteran was also a little embarrassed by what was said and began to wonder if he had made a mountain out of a molehill.

"I think you're right."

The officer agreed wholeheartedly.

“You’re right, and the only proper course of action for this feather is to send it where it’s meant to be!”

With that, the officer tossed the feather into the trash can beside him and clapped his hands.

"Look, the problem is perfectly solved!"

"Yes, the problem is perfectly solved."

The veteran, realizing he had been overthinking things, smiled and nodded.

The officer glanced at the somewhat empty outpost and said:

"The higher-ups said that strict restrictions on areas will soon be implemented even within our own premises. People outside will not be allowed to enter, and people inside will not be allowed to leave."

"So, I'm a little worried about those kids. You should go check on them too. Who knows how long we'll have to stay in this state? Make sure they bring plenty of food!"

As he spoke, the officer stood up and patted the veteran on the shoulder with the hand that had just held the feather, saying:

"We don't need blankets or anything. The weather isn't cold yet. I don't believe they can let us stay like this until winter. So, get more food, preferably Type 3 military rations. Although they're an old model, they taste really good."

The veteran stood up, deeply agreeing, and said:

"You're absolutely right, so I'll leave this to you."

"Don't worry, don't worry, I'm watching. You'd better hurry up, otherwise the place will really be closed after the supplies are distributed."

The veteran walked into the base without delay.

Chapter 367 Unpredictable and Unavoidable (4k)

Urged on by the officer, the veteran walked quickly toward the base.

The supply warehouse is on the third floor. Because supplies for all locations need to be distributed at once, there are a lot of people here this time.

This is even with drones already being used for delivery.

After all, time was short and the task was heavy.

Looking at the people coming and going along the way, the veteran just wanted to get there quickly so that the supplies would not have been distributed and he would have come for nothing.

Of course, since he had been serving at this base for several years, people greeted him everywhere he went.

During this time, some interactions, such as fist bumps, will naturally occur.

But who cares?

It was just normal social interaction.

Deep within the mysterious island base.

The old man is communicating with the base commander and others.

"How's the situation?"

The commander said confidently:

"As you instructed, entry and exit from the entire base are now prohibited, and communication and movement between various locations will be restricted immediately."

"And to prevent a repeat of what happened in 90 AD, we have also made it clear that we will only conduct the minimum necessary communications."