"This also aligns with the fundamental requirements for leaders in a crisis environment. Another female, between the ages of 16-18, possesses a rare telekinetic superpower with a strong index. Logically, her superpower is the most reasonable method to open the floodgates. Thus, conversely, it implies that the male assuming the role of leader has a superpower that yields a higher efficiency than brute-forcing the door open, suggesting something in the category of magnetic control or inorganic manipulation."
"The third gentleman is robust in build, aged between 26-35, wielding an M556 light machine gun equipped with 7.62×51mm rifle bullets. This gun has a firing rate of 650 to 950 rounds per minute and weighs 21.5KG. He carries a heavy metal sword on his back with the hilt facing right, indicating he is right-handed, yet he can easily fire the machine gun with his left hand, a testament to his immense muscular strength. Though there’s no evidence of him possessing any superpower, it’s clear he’s a warrior of strong survival ability and armed prowess."
"The fourth little girl is young but skilled in using firearms. It’s not apparent whether she has a superpower or not, but from a sociological standpoint, there are only two reasons for bringing such a young girl in the flight from danger: either the young miss has some special abilities and value, or she is a relative of an important team member."
"The last person did not get off the vehicle, and only part of the image was captured by the camera; a female, around 25 years old, responsible for driving, presumed to be a technician or someone with low combat capability..."
Ding Junyi held up the mobile screen to magnify, and while her delicate face had lost its color from hunger, her eyes were piercingly sharp.
"This is a 30-year-old Whale 03E heavy gas turbine locomotive and a 14-year-old Huanxing 7F electric locomotive, both of which are freight-grade and lack a nuclear power drive system, relying on liquid fuels and the rail electrical grid to operate. Behind are five passenger carriages that have been modified, and the external armour of the train suggests they were customized by a special factory, suggesting a series of modifications on the inside."
Xu Wen frowned and looked over, "So, Director Ding, what does this all mean?"
Ding Junyi’s gaze moved to them, "Evidently, this train was meticulously crafted as a mobile refuge. These individuals are also not in a temporary alliance. Currently, the Federation’s intercontinental and Eternal level trains are all capable of global travel, equipped with nuclear power energy. Therefore, the purpose of such a powerful survival team risking coming here is possibly to resolve energy issues."
Han Qiming nodded, "With so many zombies also trying to get in, I also don’t think their motives are as simple as just for food and water."
Zhao Yan was somewhat anxious:
"But we can’t help them with the energy problem, can we? All the intercontinental and Eternal level trains were transported away during the great migration..."
Ding Junyi inhaled deeply, and with a calm voice, turned her eyes to the silent train’s cockpit on the monitor.
"That’s not the case."
Click, click, click, Ding Junyi rapidly worked on the system. She pulled up a surveillance log, then continued, "Before the power system of the 95th floor went offline, the surveillance showed that there is a Gemini 11R nuclear power electric locomotive at the cargo terminal station. This was intended as a spare power train set for the intercontinental level trains and was left at the terminal station during the great migration. This may be what they want, so from our current analysis, we may have three types of bargaining chips we can negotiate with them."
"What bargaining chips?" Zhao Yan asked urgently.
"First, we possess the P3 level high-access authority of the Underground City and understanding of various sectors, in addition to the information about this Gemini 11R nuclear power electric locomotive. We could also cooperate to help them access resources in other areas. This team is small but with strong survival capabilities, so I believe this accounts for 70% of the value. The second point is the experimental data from our biological laboratory and some documentation from the former Federation Underground City. Though these may not necessarily be important to survivors, they could be of value when considering an exchange of interests with the current Tianqi Federation, accounting for 29%."
Zhao Yan frowned at the woman, "And what is the remaining 1%?"
Ding Junyi’s gaze was cold as she looked at them.
"That would be us. As long as we are alive, we possess foundational intellectual value, labor value, and sexual value."
Upon hearing this, Han Qiming’s expression changed, and he objected with the air of an old scholar, "Preposterous, we are after all high-level scientific team members of the Federation Government. Even if we were to exchange our services with the Federation Government, our value would surely exceed mere labor value, correct?"
Ding Junyi glanced at him.
"You’re too naive. When I talk about the value, it includes you as well."
Han Qiming was utterly shocked, "Wha-wha-what?!!"
As soon as these words came out, Zhao Yan and Xu Wen both had strange expressions on their faces.
There was a time when they never could have imagined that they would be traded based on their fundamental value, and that their potential value... was only 1%...
"Director Ding’s analysis is quite thorough, but is just an access permission or a navigation enough to risk their lives to save us?" Zhao Yan, pale with hunger, barely had any energy left, and she did not quite agree with Ding Junyi’s analysis, but she had no other ideas at this point.
"Right, and that train is still on... the 95th floor, that place is already..." Xu Wen said with a face full of fear.
Ding Junyi calmly continued, "The three points I mentioned are strategies for us, and these are the only chips we have. Of course, there is an asymmetry, and it’s possible that all three combined are still less valuable to them than a box of food. That’s for them to assess, but I believe we don’t have any better options."
Everyone fell silent upon hearing this.
On the other hand, Lin Xian and the team members exchanged glances upon hearing the descriptions from Xu Wen and Ding Junyi.
Chen Sixuan looked at Lin Xian and was the first to speak, "Based on what they said, this Underground City has fallen, and daylight hours are few. It will definitely be difficult to search for supplies under these circumstances."
"Unless we move at night too, but that would be too dangerous. Not to mention the unknown underground creatures, just the hundreds of thousands of people in the Underground City who have fallen... We don’t know how many zombies and monsters there are."
"So we don’t go in to rescue them?" Sha Sha said, "Didn’t they mention they could provide resources for trade?"
"Hey! Lin Xian." At this moment KIKI spoke up, "Why not listen to what they can offer, and if it’s not satisfactory, we don’t have to bother with them. After all, we have backup energy, and we can think of a way to get in ourselves."
"Rushing in ourselves is too rash."
Lin Xian raised his eyebrows and said, "This Underground City is comparable to a small city; it’s unknown how complex it can be. It’s not difficult to get in, but what happens after that... "
Unless he encountered the control of an intelligent system, his Mechanical superpower opening ordinary mechanical doors was not difficult. But for an Underground City with a complex and vast system, it was impossible for the Mechanical Heart to cover the entire Underground City. If he tried something like that, he might just kick the bucket before even finishing covering the first level.
In addition to the inner part of the city already being unsafe and overrun, any slight recklessness could trigger a chain reaction, resulting in them not getting anything and being forced to flee in a panic.
With these thoughts, Lin Xian pressed the answer button.
"Let’s hear your conditions now."