Chapter 208: Trap
"Alright... Alex, let me go back and discuss it with my people. If everyone agrees, I have no objections, of course." Ke Wenhua forced a smile, gritting his teeth.
He was starting to regret joining the refuge with the group led by Peng Le.
If Alex decided to use force against them, they would have no way out and would have to fight to the death. In such a scenario, given the power Alex held, they would likely suffer significant losses, or even total annihilation.
"Good! This kind of thing is like a love affair, mutual consent from both sides. I can't force you to accept my help, right? Hahaha," Alex said with a hearty laugh.
Hearing Alex's words, Ke Wenhua couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. As long as Alex didn't force them, it was still manageable. Although they were facing shortages of supplies, exhaustion among their personnel, and many casualties, at least they still had the freedom to choose.
At worst, they could turn around, leave, and search for a new refuge elsewhere.
After bidding farewell to Alex with Liu Feifei and his group, Ke Wenhua walked briskly towards his convoy.
Just as they returned to the convoy, the sound of armed helicopters came from behind.
Two armed helicopters arrogantly flew above their heads.
The terrifying black-armored tank emerged from the refuge base like a primordial beast, intentionally or unintentionally pointing its cannon at them.
"Damn it! What does this Alex mean? Didn't he say we were free to come and go as we pleased? Didn't he say we could choose whatever we wanted?" Liu Feifei clenched her small fists in anger. "Wenhua, you must not agree. I don't trust this Alex; he's definitely not a good person."
Ke Wenhua frowned tightly, watching the armed helicopters passing overhead and the armored tank not far away seemingly eyeing them, his face turning pale.
"Captain! Something's not right! On our way down the mountain, a large group of zombies suddenly appeared, and there are many mutated zombies! It seems to be a zombie tide," a reconnaissance soldier rushed in, looking at Ke Wenhua with a serious expression.
"What?!" The people who were discussing were instantly scared, their faces turning ashen.
Ke Wenhua was so frightened that he stood up abruptly. Having just experienced a zombie tide, the mention of it made them all shudder.
"How did the zombie tide suddenly appear?! We have no defenses now, and our ammunition is running out! What are we going to do?!" Another captain-like young soldier asked anxiously.
"Damn it! How could there be a zombie tide in this wilderness?!"
"Everyone has witnessed the power of a zombie tide. Even the city defense force couldn't hold it back. Although this wave of zombie tide may not be as massive as before, given our current situation, how can we possibly defend against it?"
"We should run! Staying here is a dead end!"
"Run where? In this wilderness, the way we came has been blocked by zombies. How can we run?"
"I think we should agree to Alex's demands, give him the heavy weapons. This way, we not only get shelter but also supplies. Our injured comrades will have a place for treatment!"
"No, if we hand over our weapons, what if this guy goes back on his word?"
"Then let's fight our way out!"
Other soldiers also anxiously started debating.
At this moment, Ke Wenhua's radio crackled to life with Peng Le's voice: "Captain Ke, the zombie tide is approaching. Please don't misunderstand. We sent armed helicopters and tanks just to resist the zombie tide. Our battalion commander asked me to tell you that if you agree to his conditions, you can immediately take refuge in the shelter.
If you don't want to join us, when the zombie tide arrives, don't blame us for the indiscriminate shelling!"
Upon hearing the radio message, everyone present fell into silence instantly. Peng Le's words seemed like both assistance and a threat.
"We have no way out now." Ke Wenhua clenched his fists tightly, forcefully hitting the table. "We can only agree to Alex's demands and temporarily seek refuge in their shelter!"
"Someone, quickly transfer our tanks and other heavy weapons to the people in the shelter. I'll go talk to Alex immediately about seeking refuge in the shelter!"
With no other options left, Ke Wenhua and his people finally made a decision.
Behind them, the terrifying zombie tide loomed, while ahead lay the refuge with formidable firepower.
They had no other choice; they were at an impasse.
The gates of the refuge base opened, and a fully armed squad of soldiers rushed out, taking charge of the tanks and other heavy weapons from Ke Wenhua and his group. Only then did they open the gates, allowing Ke Wenhua and the others to enter the shelter.
Once inside the refuge, Ke Wenhua and his group breathed a long sigh of relief.
With walls and powerful firepower for protection, they should be temporarily safe.
Although their most relied-upon tank and heavy weapons had been reluctantly handed over to Alex, at least they were safe for now.
"Alex, look, the zombie tide has reached the outside of the shelter. We should unite and face the common enemy together, guarding the refuge! We are running low on ammunition, and many people are already injured. Could you please provide us with some ammunition and medical supplies?
If there's a doctor, that would be even better," Ke Wenhua, who had just settled in, immediately approached Alex, seeking the supplies promised earlier.
Ammunition, medicinal herbs, and food were now their urgent needs. Taking advantage of the approaching zombie threat, Ke Wenhua aimed to leverage their collective defense to request these supplies from Alex.
"Oh, hehe." Alex, sitting calmly in his office chair, smiled and said, "The zombie tide has already receded, Captain Ke, you don't need to worry. We are quite safe now."
"What... what... the zombie tide has receded?" Ke Wenhua was suddenly dumbfounded.
Given the recent situation, the zombie tide was bound to reach the refuge base. However, how did it mysteriously recede?!
"Damn it!" Ke Wenhua cursed inwardly. If he had known this, there was no need for them to rush into making decisions. Even if they wanted to stay, they could have negotiated further. Now, they had handed over all the tanks and heavy weapons to Alex, and their people willingly walked into the lion's den!
Without heavy weapons and surrounded by Alex's people, they had no way out now! Their fate was entirely in Alex's hands!