Phi-Fic Chapter 603: Lifeline on the Ruins
Chapter 603: Lifeline on the Ruins
By ten o'clock in the morning, the sun had grown scorching. Following their planned route, the Falcon Squad had completed their initial reconnaissance and control of the city's three main streets. They had eliminated scattered pockets of resistance, rescued several trapped civilians, and dispersed a few small bandits attempting to take advantage of the chaos to loot.
Their next target was the Black Wind City West neighborhood in the northwest of the city. Intelligence suggested there might still be some elderly, children, women, and the wounded in need of assistance. However, it was also possible that the area was occupied by a few stubborn enemy defenders or had fallen into chaos due to a lack of supplies and order. The safety of the people was paramount; control and restoration of order were imperative.
The road to West Street was even more difficult to navigate, and the signs of fighting were even more obvious. Almost no buildings on either side of the street remained intact; bullet holes abounded, walls collapsed, and some areas even required detours. The air was thick with the pungent smell of blood and gun smoke.
"Captain, a large number of civilians were found gathering outside the West Street area. It looks like... the situation is not good." Zhao Yan's voice was filled with a hint of worry.
The drone footage sent everyone's heart clenching. The open space outside West Street was crammed with a dense crowd. Most were ragged, emaciated, and many bore wounds. Some sat or lay, helplessly waiting. Cries, groans, and arguments mingled in a desperate din. The West Street gates were firmly shut, and it looked as if some strong men with clubs were guarding the entrance, preventing anyone from entering.
"What's going on? Why are there guards here?" Team member Sun Mei couldn't help but ask. She is the youngest member of the team and is kind-hearted. Her eyes turned red when she saw this scene.
"Maybe they're afraid that people outside will rush in and cause greater chaos. Or maybe... there's a problem inside." Lin Wei frowned. The situation was more complicated than expected.
"Captain, should we break in by force?" Zhang Lan rubbed his hands ready to go.
"No," Lin Wei immediately rejected the idea. "There are a large number of civilians and injured people inside. Forcing our way in could result in innocent casualties. Furthermore, we don't know the exact situation inside yet." She thought for a moment. "Li Na, move the drone closer and carefully observe the gate guards and the situation inside the courtyard. Zhao Yan, try to send someone in secretly to investigate and see if they can uncover the truth."
All instructions were carried out methodically. The drone cautiously approached, transmitting a clearer image. West Street seemed bustling with activity. Several doctors in uniform could be seen rushing about, and the corridors were littered with wounded. The guards at the gate, though nervous, wore a look of fatigue and resignation, not like those of a desperate enemy.
"The drone image is coming!" Zhao Yan reported.
"Chen Xi, broadcast."
"Attention, citizens of the western neighborhood of Black Wind City! We are the Falcon Squad of the Fengchen Guards of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and we have been ordered to take over and assist in restoring order in Black Wind City. Please open the gate immediately and send a responsible person out to communicate. We have doctors and supplies available, and our goal is to rescue all those in need. Please don't be afraid, we are not the Black Wind Gang!"
The announcement was repeated several times, and the crowd at the West Street entrance began to stir. They looked at the Falcon Squad with eyes filled with anticipation and confusion. The guards at the entrance were also whispering, appearing hesitant.
About ten minutes later, the heavy iron gate of West Street finally slowly opened a crack, and an old man wearing a mask, a stained white coat, with gray hair and tired eyes walked out, followed by two equally tired doctors and several burly guards.
The old man walked up to Lin Wei and took off his mask, revealing a face full of wrinkles and anxiety. "Are you really here to help?" His voice was hoarse and dry.
"I'm Lin Wei, captain of the Falcon Squad." Lin Wei showed her ID. "Old man, we are from the Great Zhou Dynasty. We're here to liberate this city and help you rebuild your homes. How are the wounded and sick doing now? How can you help?"
The old man saw Lin Wei's sincere eyes, and his tense body instantly collapsed. His eyes turned red and he almost cried: "That's great... That's great... You're finally here! We can't hold on any longer!"
The old man's name was Wang Deshan, the village head. He told Lin Wei that after the battle began, West Street became the hardest hit area, with a huge influx of civilians and soldiers. Medicine, equipment, food, and water were extremely scarce. Before the Black Wind Army was defeated, they looted the remaining food in West Street and injured several villagers who tried to stop them. Now there were nearly a thousand wounded and doctors in West Street, but fewer than ten doctors were able to move. Medicine was almost exhausted, and even clean water was almost gone. Those gathered outside were people who wanted to come in for medical treatment or to search for lost relatives, but they were unable to accommodate them. They had to guard the gates, otherwise the consequences would be disastrous if they lost control.
"Li Zheng Wang, don't worry, we will report the situation here immediately, and medical support and supplies will arrive soon." After hearing this, Lin Wei felt heavy in her heart. She immediately reported the serious situation in West Street to the command center through the encrypted channel and requested emergency medical support and supply delivery.
"Until reinforcements arrive, our Falcon Squad will temporarily take over security in West Street and assist you in maintaining order." Lin Wei made a prompt decision. "Zhang Lan, Wang Fang, take two people to guard the main gate and organize the residents outside to line up for registration. Reassure them and tell them that supplies and doctors will be arriving soon, and we will provide treatment in batches. Zhao Yan, Li Na, you will be responsible for security within West Street, screening for suspicious individuals and ensuring the safety of medical staff and the injured. Chen Xi, Sun Mei, follow me and assist Li Zheng Wang and the others in handling emergencies. Everyone else, stand by on your motorcycles and be ready to respond to any emergency!"
"Yes!" The team members responded in unison and took quick action.
Lin Wei followed Wang Deshan into West Street, where the stench of blood and disinfectant intensified. The corridors and hallways were filled with the groaning wounded. Some were wounded by bullets, others by collapsed buildings, and many were ordinary people suffering from chronic malnutrition and illness. Several doctors, each with a weary expression, gritted their teeth, yet persevered.
Seeing this scene, Lin Wei and the team members' eyes moistened. This was the cruelty of war, this was the evil result of Black Wind's rule. They had no time to grieve and immediately threw themselves into their intense work.
Chen Xi and Sun Mei, both from medical families, immediately sought out doctors to assess the most pressing injuries and, using their own first aid kits and limited medications, helped address any critical situations. Lin Wei, following the guidance of Wang, the village chief, inspected various areas of West Street, gaining a more direct understanding of the situation.
Just then, there was a commotion outside. "What's going on?" Lin Wei immediately asked through the communicator.
"Captain! Someone is trying to force his way in at the gate, saying that his wife is about to give birth and the situation is urgent!" Zhang Lan's voice was filled with a hint of anxiety.
Lin Wei's heart tightened, and she said to Wang Deshan, "Li Zheng Wang, I'll go take a look!"
Rushing to the door, he saw a ragged middle-aged man emotionally trying to push Zhang Lan away, crying, "Let me in! Please let me in! My wife is about to give birth! She's dying!" Behind him, several equally anxious family members were joining in.
Zhang Lan and Wang Fang were trying their best to calm him down, but the man was so agitated that he was almost losing control. The crowd around him also started to make noises.
Lin Wei parted the crowd, walked up to the man, and said in a deep voice, "Calm down! We're here to help, not to stop you! Where's your wife? What's going on?"
The man saw Lin Wei, as if he had grabbed a life-saving straw, and cried, "Master! My wife is in the corner over there. Her water broke, her stomach hurts so much, and she's bleeding a lot! Please save her!"
Lin Wei looked in the direction he pointed and saw a thin woman lying on a tattered door panel. Her face was as pale as paper, her breathing was weak, and the sheet beneath her was stained red with blood.
"Sun Mei! Bring the first aid kit here immediately! Chen Xi, contact Wang Lizheng and prepare the delivery room. We need to send her in!" Lin Wei made a prompt decision.
"But Captain, the situation inside..." Zhang Lan was a little hesitant.
"Rules are dead, but people are alive! These are two lives!" Lin Wei said sternly. "Zhang Lan, you are responsible for maintaining order. Tell everyone that we will prioritize emergency situations. Please be patient!"
Soon, Sun Mei ran over with an emergency kit and quickly performed a preliminary examination on the woman in labor. Her face was serious: "Captain, the situation is very critical. She has lost too much blood and there are signs of a difficult labor. She must be sent in for professional treatment immediately!"
Lin Wei signaled the team members and several enthusiastic civilians to carefully lift the door panel. Under the guidance of Wang Deshen and several doctors, they quickly sent the woman in labor to a temporary delivery room and called a midwife.
Seeing the delivery room door close, Lin Wei breathed a sigh of relief, but the sense of urgency in her heart intensified. She once again reported to her superiors and emphasized the urgent situation of the patients in West Street.
About an hour and a half later, the roar of helicopters could be heard from the horizon. Two transport helicopters, loaded with medical personnel and supplies, landed in an open space in West Street. The sight of a group of attractive female doctors and boxes of medicine, food, and water being unloaded caused thunderous cheers to erupt from the West Street neighborhood.
Wang Deshan burst into tears and held Lin Wei's hand tightly: "Captain Lin... thank you... thank you all... you are the saviors of Black Wind City!"
Lin Wei watched the busy figures, the light of hope rekindled in the eyes of the people, and felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction. This was the meaning of their battle. The sunlight shone through the broken walls of West Street, illuminating her face with warmth and brightness. The Falcon Squad's mission was far from over, but they had already sown the first seed of hope in this shattered city.