Chapter 205: Eggplant Enters a Gentle Haven
West Mountain Military District is located at the far eastern part of the base.
When the base was constructed, the officials specially designated a marked area, built a high wall, and separated the military district from other areas.
Not far from the military district, there is a two-story building with a security team signboard hanging on the door.
Two military personnel from the district, along with five security team members, continue to conduct patrols.
It is not shift change time, so the security team area is deserted.
The military base's main gate is tightly closed.
Meng Ci sees Lu Chen leaning out the driver's window, handing an ID card to the gatekeeper while pointing to Meng Ci's car.
The soldier waves, and the barrier is lifted, allowing them to pass.
Shen Que follows Lu Chen and drives the car in unobstructed, parking in an open space. The two men get out of the car.
Around the base, there are six-story buildings. At the center is a parade ground where many soldiers are running, chanting cadences.
Some soldiers are training in bayonet drills and hand-to-hand combat.
Lu Chen notices Meng Ci looking at the soldiers practicing bayonet drills and sighs.
"In the post-apocalyptic world, bullets have become scarce."
"Now, unless absolutely necessary, firearms are used sparingly."
After all, bullet production requires specialized equipment and materials. Prior to the apocalypse, they had prepared, but the materials were limited, and some equipment was damaged.
Currently, researchers are actively working on developing and repairing them.
So, Lu Chen has the soldiers focus on physical training, reserving bullets for critical situations.
Meng Ci nods.
He remembers that in the novel, in the later stages of the apocalypse, zombies rampaged.
Those zombies were like indestructible pests. Even if shot in the head, they could still wander around with half a head unless the vital point was hit.
The vital point is situated at the base of the skull, where there is a crystal-like object. Only by removing and destroying this object can the zombies be killed.
However, this crystal has no value for psychics.
It only functions to control the zombies.
The three men walk to the innermost part of the military district, where Meng Ci observes the police dog training area.
A trainer is training several military dogs to perform tasks like crossing high bridges, going through tunnels, and navigating obstacles.
A military dog navigating the obstacles, after detecting the scent of Eggplant, runs toward Meng Ci and the others, disobeying commands.
Its trainer, tightly holding the dog's leash, issues commands, trying to get it back on track.
The other female dogs, sensing Eggplant's scent, also become restless.
They start spinning in place, and some even begin to urinate on the spot.
There were two male dogs that, after smelling the eggplant, began barking warnings, attempting to drive it away.
"Woof! Woof! Woof!"
The barks sounded like curses.
For a moment, the eight military dogs present erupted into loud barks.
Meng Ci heard the howls of these military dogs and felt like his ears were going to go deaf.
At the same time, he understood why the military base was located in such a remote area, surrounded by farmland.
These military dogs were truly too noisy.
The eggplant, more intelligent than those military dogs, became agitated upon seeing the police dogs but, without Meng Ci's command, did not dare to move or bark without permission.
It could only keep circling around Meng Ci and Shen Que, whimpering softly to convey its wishes.
Lu Chen glanced at the obedient eggplant, then at the military dogs, feeling embarrassed.
These dogs were not even as capable as a domesticated wolf. It seemed they needed more rigorous training; they were too ineffective.
"Comrade Meng, may I ask how you trained the eggplant to be so well-behaved?"
"Why is it so obedient?" Lu Chen was genuinely envious.
Meng Ci answered honestly, "The eggplant was trained by Shen Que, I had nothing to do with it."
Lu Chen immediately turned his curious gaze to Shen Que.
Shen Que remained calm and composed.
"I only trained the eggplant's physical skills," he said. "I didn't train it in other areas."
"The eggplant is intelligent and figured it out on its own."
The implication was that Lu Chen's military dogs were too unintelligent.
But Lu Chen looked at the disobedient military dogs, sighed inwardly, and admitted that they were indeed unintelligent.
Then he wondered if Shen Que was holding back.
"Meng classmate, Shen classmate, I previously mentioned that if you joined the security team and became official members, the offer still stands."
"Would you consider it again?"
Recruiting them would be beneficial, so Lu Chen brought it up again.
"And I can guarantee that you will have absolute freedom."
"No need," Meng Ci refused again.
After all, soldiers are duty-bound to obey orders, but Meng Ci didn't want to follow commands.
But if he became a soldier, he would impose self-restrictions, forcing himself to obey orders.
Therefore, Meng Ci did not want to do so.
Lü Chen felt regret and turned his hopeful gaze towards Shen Que.
Shen Que said with a calm expression, "Meng Ci does whatever I do!"
...
It seems he's in love.
Afterward, Lü Chen shifted his expectant gaze towards Eggplant.
It's fine, preserving its intelligent genes would suffice.
So Lü Chen beckoned a trainer over.
"Colonel Lü!"
After returning the salute, Lü Chen introduced Comrades Meng Ci and Shen Que to the trainer.
"This is Comrade Meng Ci, and this is Comrade Shen Que."
"This is the wolf they raised, which we brought in to help solve the military dogs' issues—Eggplant."
The trainer saluted them and expressed gratitude.
Meng Ci replied that there was no need to thank them; they were just helping Eggplant with its biological needs.
"Meng classmate, Shen classmate, I mean having Eggplant taken down for individual sessions."
"So Eggplant might have to stay in the military zone for a few days. Is that acceptable?"
"If you're concerned, I can arrange for you to stay here," Lü Chen offered.
Meng Ci looked at the fierce military dogs and then at the trainer's eager expression, and nodded. "That's fine."
"But we won't be staying here. I trust Colonel Lü wouldn't force us."
Meng Ci stroked Eggplant, worried about the coming days for the wolf.
After all, Eggplant had just reached adulthood and now had to face many military dogs. He hoped it would give its all and not end up exhausted, requiring a long recovery period.
"Thank you for your trust, Meng classmate. We've prepared ample food for Eggplant, so it won't get discouraged."
"Then have Eggplant go with Instructor Li now," Lü Chen said.
"Alright."
After a moment's thought, Meng Ci knelt down and earnestly whispered into Eggplant's ear, giving it careful instructions.