Apocalypse Chapter 94: Extra 1 – Tales of  the Spark Base (1)

Chapter 94: Extra 1 – Tales of  the Spark Base (1)

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

Winter, 2256, Nebula

Hu Hechu stood on the great river-crossing bridge, anxiously yet expectantly staring northward. Seeing him pacing around like an ant, the team members chuckled, “Captain Hu, don’t worry. The convoy will be here soon.”

Hu Hechu nodded and gave a nervous smile. “Yeah.”

It had been six years since he joined the Spark Base. He had witnessed its growth from nothing—a small, weak village—into one of the nation’s top bases. Over those six years, he had evolved from the quiet, awkward Hu into a capable leader: Captain Hu.

All this was thanks to Jiang, who at the dawn of the Great Crisis had led them down a different path. Other bases paled at the mention of mutated flora and fauna. They built towering walls, labyrinthine underground shelters, and fortified refuges from steel and concrete.

The Spark Base, from the very start, embraced these mutated plants and creatures. With the help of the bloodthirsty vines, the base cleared vast fields. Through the joint efforts of other mutated species, they sought survival. Now, everywhere in the Spark Base, mutated plants and animals flourished—they had become inseparable members of the community.

As the Spark Base’s territory expanded and its fame grew, more and more people flocked from all directions to join. This year’s census showed nearly two million permanent residents.

Other bases began to imitate Spark’s model. Today, the Spark Base has established friendly ties with more than eighty bases across the country. As these connections deepened, many survivors reunited with long-lost family and friends.

With this recent diplomatic breakthrough with the Northwest Base, Hu Hechu found his own family. Upon learning that Hu Hechu’s father and sister were still alive, the Spark Base sent espers far northwest to bring them home.

Today was the day his family would arrive. Soon, a convoy appeared on the approach road. The vehicles slowed on the bridge, and the lead car’s door swung open. Two dusty, trembling figures stepped out.

When Hu Hechu recognized their faces, his eyes instantly welled with tears. His voice hoarse, he dashed forward, shouting, “Daddy! Sister!”

Daddy Hu and Sister Hu froze for a moment. Then the old man staggered toward his son. “Xiao Chu!”

Sister Hu burst into tears. “Brother—brother!”

The family embraced and cried together, a scene that brought tears to the eyes of the onlookers. The Great Crisis had torn families apart, but thankfully those who survived could finally reunite.

After their emotions settled, Hu Hechu thanked the brothers who had helped bring them back. Then he invited Daddy and Sister into his car. “Dad, Sis, I’m taking you home!”

Looking at the imposing vehicle behind Hu Hechu, Daddy Hu was taken aback. “That’s an expensive car, isn’t it? I’ve seen those at the old base. Only top-tier espers get to drive them.”

Hu Hechu helped his father forward. “This is just our base’s most common car. Ordinary people can buy it too.”

He wasn’t trying to reassure his father. This was the car Hu Hechu himself had purchased last year with his points. It was the third-generation civilian model made by the base—while not as powerful as the reinforced vehicles used on missions, it was more than sufficient for everyday use within the base.

Daddy Hu nodded repeatedly. “Good, good!” He kept sizing up his son. His boy was taller and stronger now. His complexion and expression showed he’d been well cared for at the Spark Base.

Just as the family was about to get in, a sudden splash echoed beneath the bridge. Blood-red vines of the bloodthirsty creeper rapidly climbed the pillars up to the bridge’s surface. Daddy Hu and Sister Hu turned pale, trembling. “The… bloodthirsty vine!”

The bloodthirsty vine was their nightmare. Previously, espers sent on missions had encountered it—none survived. Several bases in the Northwest had fallen to it, with no one escaping.

Daddy Hu had once glimpsed the bloodthirsty vine from afar—a hellish sea of dark red tendrils. Their hard-won reunion was now threatened by this terror! This was it—they were doomed!

Daddy Hu wrapped his body around Hu Hechu, shielding him from the advancing vine. But the imagined pain never came. Instead, Hu Hechu’s calm voice soothed them, “Dad, Sis, don’t be afraid. This is our base’s Little Guaiguai. It won’t hurt anyone. It’s our good friend.”

Without powers, Daddy Hu and Sister Hu were the lowest of the low at the Northwest Base. They knew nothing of the Spark Base and, when sent away from their old base, thought they were being punished for some crime.

Sister Hu opened her eyes, still doubtful, just in time to see a huge fish flop onto the side of the car. Dozens of big fish were being tossed onto the bridge by the bloodthirsty vine, which twined its tendrils toward everyone, making a heart gesture. “Welcome, welcome~”

Sister Hu’s expression was complicated. “It… it talked…”

Hu Hechu smiled. “Our Little Guaiguai doesn’t hurt people. It even helps us. See for yourself.”

He turned to Little Guaiguai. “Little Guaiguai, this is my dad and sister. They’ll be living at the base from now on.”

Little Guaiguai waved its vines. “Welcome, welcome~” It then curled a vine around another fish and tossed it to the car. “Eat fish~”

Daddy Hu finally relaxed. “Really doesn’t hurt…?”

Weren’t mutated plants and animals supposed to be ferocious? Why was the Spark Base’s bloodthirsty vine so well-behaved?

On the way back to the base, Hu Hechu explained, “Because Little Guaiguai is a mutated plant tamed by our team leader Jiang. See, its color’s different from the wild bloodthirsty vines.”

Wild vines were dull, but Little Guaiguai’s color grew brighter with every rank it gained. Now that Jiang was a level-five esper, Little Guaiguai’s main tendrils had grown five in number. If set loose outside, it would be the nightmare of all unruly mutated plants and animals.

Daddy Hu nodded repeatedly. “Your team leader Jiang is really amazing!”

Hu Hechu proudly gripped the steering wheel. “Yeah. First, I’ll take you both home, then I’ll bring you to meet Jiang. Without Jiang, I probably wouldn’t be here now, and our family wouldn’t have a chance to reunite.”

Sister Hu’s attention drifted to the window. Since entering the Spark Base’s territory, she’d been curious about the fields outside. “Brother, what are they planting in those fields?”

Hu Hechu explained, “Right now, the most common crops are winter wheat and rapeseed. Don’t worry—the seeds we plant have all been carefully selected after mutation. They’re safe. Our family even has five acres now. When you and Dad have some free time, you can farm too.”

Sister Hu’s eyes lit up. “Brother, the base you’re at now is really amazing.”

Hu Hechu smiled. “Yeah, and it’s all thanks to Jiang and the others.”

As the Spark Base grew, the original village had transformed into a proper town. To better protect the people, espers had spread out to live in different areas, and Hu Hechu lived in Tangqiao Town.

When the Spark Base was first established, Tangqiao Town was just a large collective of several villages. Now it had a train station, shopping mall, hospital—everything a town should have.

Hu Hechu’s house was on the eastern edge of Tangqiao Town: a two-story villa with a large yard. Behind the yard lay a road and farmland. He pulled the car to a stop and said with a smile, “Dad, we’re home.”

Sister Hu exclaimed, “Such a beautiful house!”

Hu Hechu unloaded their belongings from the trunk. “This is our home now.”

Inside, the father and daughter were amazed all over again. The house wasn’t just equipped with water, electricity, and heating—it was decorated with warmth and care. Back at the Northwest Base, only espers had enough food, clothes, and a good place to live. Daddy Hu sighed, “Son, it’s a good thing you’re an esper.”

On the way to the Spark Base, he’d already heard that his son was part of its core team—a high-level esper. He hadn’t expected the base to treat espers so well. Hu Hechu looked a little confused. “Huh?”

Daddy Hu pointed at the cozy house. “If you weren’t an esper, our family wouldn’t have reunited, and we wouldn’t be living in such a nice house.”

Hu Hechu chuckled and waved him off. “Dad, you’re wrong about that. Even if I weren’t an esper, I could still live here. These houses were designed by our base’s engineers and built by the construction team. Any resident with enough points can apply for one. Our neighbors next door are regular people.”

Daddy Hu and Sister Hu looked incredulous. Hu Hechu smiled and said, “Forget it. If I told you now, you still wouldn’t believe me. Anyway, everything’s unpacked. Let me take you to meet Jiang?”

Just as they were about to leave, Sister Hu pointed to a beautifully framed picture on the wall. “Brother, what’s this? I saw it several times on the way here—at the entrances of every village.”

Hu Hechu looked serious. “That’s not a painting. It’s the blueprint of our base.”

Six years ago, when Jiang first showed this blueprint, everyone in their squad had been captivated by it. The fan-shaped base had mountains, rivers, and plains. Towns big and small scattered across it like pearls, connected by thread-like highways…

Six years later, Jiang’s blueprint kept expanding and improving. The fan had grown wider and wider. Hu Hechu pointed to a red dot on the fan. “See, that’s Tangqiao Town, where we live.”

Daddy Hu and Sister Hu leaned in to look closer. “Oh yeah, there are words here.”

Hu Hechu laughed. “Do you think I’d lie to you? Alright, Jiang’s almost back. Hurry and get ready—we’re going to meet him.”

Daddy Hu replied, “Coming, coming.”

*

It was Saturday, and the entire Jiang family was busy at the activity center. Jiang Rong and Guan Shao needed no introduction—they were always tied up with work, even during holidays. Jiang Hao and Jiang Xiaoheng had a special program today and had been rehearsing lines since early morning. As for Jiang Yuan, she was buried deep in her winter break homework.

After Jiang Rong and Guan Shao finished setting their next work assignments, they glanced over at the three kids. Six years had passed, and the children had grown into young teens. As they matured, their appearances changed noticeably.

Jiang Hao had looked somewhat like Guan Shao when he was little, but as he grew, he didn’t resemble him much anymore. Still, his temperament was very much like Guan Shao’s. Despite his young age, he was already a level-two esper. He was still too young now, but as he grew older, his abilities would become even stronger.

Jiang Xiaoheng’s features were softer and more like Jiang Rong’s. The D32 element only suppressed his powers—it didn’t stunt his physical growth. Xiaoheng was handsome and had a gentle temperament. He was one of the most popular students at the Spark School.

There’s an old saying: children resemble their parents. Jiang Yuan bore a surprising resemblance to Xiaoheng, about fifty or sixty percent alike, though her brows and eyes were more delicate. But now Yuan was frowning, clutching her workbook as she squeezed between her two brothers. “Brother, I don’t know how to do this…”

Both brothers put down their scripts and peered at Jiang Yuan’s homework. “Let me see…”

Among the three, Jiang Hao and Xiaoheng were top students; their studies never caused Jiang Rong a moment of worry. But Yuan was a textbook example of a struggling student. Where the brothers might grasp a problem after one explanation, Yuan needed to practice many times over.

Thankfully, Xiao Hao and Xiaoheng were patient and never looked down on Yuan. They tirelessly tutored her, going over things again and again. Jiang Rong glanced at the three kids and smiled faintly. Then his eyes returned to the files on his desk.

A knock came from the door. Guan Shao spoke softly, “Come in.”

Lin Meng, heavily pregnant, pushed the door open. She smiled and gently reminded, “Are our two little hosts ready? The show is about to start.”

Jiang Hao jumped up quickly. “Sister Meng, we’re coming!”

Jiang Xiaoheng stood, gently brushing Yuan’s ponytail. “Yuan, I have to step out for a bit. You can put this question aside and wait for me to come back to help you, or you can go find Daddy and the others.”

Jiang Yuan nodded. “Okay, brother. Good luck!”

No sooner had the kids left the office than cheerful music began playing over the loudspeakers.

Seeing Lin Meng’s heavy frame, Jiang Rong asked with concern, “Little Lin, you’re almost due, right? You should rest when you can. Your health is most important.”

Lin Meng smiled and handed Jiang Rong the file she carried. “It’s boring staying home, so I came out to get some fresh air. Pan Pan isn’t on duty today, so I’ll be heading back with him later.”

The “him” she mentioned was Pan Pan, part of the esper team. Unexpectedly, Pan Pan and Lin Meng had hit it off. The young couple met and fell in love at the Spark Base, got officially registered, and were now expecting their first child.

The base had assigned them a new home, and espers often saw the couple’s sweet affection. Inspired by their example, many other espers had also found their true loves. In a few days, Hanyu was getting married too. After a moment of silence, Guan Shao said, “Little Rong, don’t send Pan Pan on the next mission.”

Jiang Rong smiled. “Got it. He’s been taken off the list.”

Lin Meng grinned, “Thank you, Captain Jiang, Commander Guan!”

Another knock interrupted as Leilei and Hanyu entered, each cradling a cat. Leilei held a pure white long-haired cat, while Hanyu carried a round, fluffy tabby.

Though both were holding cats, their styles couldn’t be more different. Leilei had blossomed from a sweet student into a stunning young woman, barely dressed against the cold winter month, flaunting her slender waist. Hanyu, on the other hand, was bundled up like a ball.

“What’s going on? So happy?” Lin Meng smiled. “Captain Jiang and Commander Guan gave Pan Pan a break. By the way, Hanyu, how’s the makeup artist?”

Hanyu nodded with satisfaction. “Superb. Your recommendations are always reliable. By the way, did you buy or rent your wedding dress when you married Pan Pan?”

Hanyu’s fiancé was her college senior. Before the Great Crisis, they had feelings for each other but never crossed paths again. Fate brought them back together at the Spark Base, and now they never wanted to be apart.

The two girls whispered excitedly about wedding plans. Leilei handed her long-haired cat to Jiang Yuan. “Here, your cat.” Then she plopped down on the sofa with a sigh.

Jiang Rong looked puzzled. “What’s wrong, Leilei? Feeling down? Did you have a fight with Chunlan again?”

Leilei groaned. “My mom’s in menopause and nagged me a dozen times this morning. My ears might grow calluses. Captain Jiang, Commander Guan, please give me a mission. I can’t take my mom chasing me around all day—I’m about to throw up.”

Jiang Rong and Guan Shao exchanged knowing smiles. “No field missions lately. Just hold on a bit longer.”

Leilei gave up and hugged Jiang Yuan, who was still working on homework. “Hey, Yuan Yuan, my ears are growing calluses. Come keep me company for a while?”

Jiang Yuan was serious. “Okay, but only after I finish my homework. Brother said, ‘The early bird catches the worm.’ I have to work harder. You play with Mimi first, and I’ll join you when I’m done.”

Leilei was speechless. “You guys are too competitive.”

Jiang Rong got up and tidied the files on the desk. “You two keep chatting. Guan Shao and I are heading to the vehicle factory.”

The Spark Base’s vehicle factory had been operational for two years, managed by Chiang Jinhu’s team. Just now, Chiang Jinhu sent word that the fourth-generation civilian car was rolling off the production line today and invited Jiang Rong and Guan Shao to take a look. This was great news, and Jiang Rong couldn’t miss it.

As they packed up, Jiang Yuan asked, “Daddy, my essay topic is ‘My Dream.’ What should I write about?”

Jiang Rong paused. His eldest daughter had just asked a great question. “Yuan Yuan, what kind of person do you want to be when you grow up?”

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Yuan said seriously, “I want to be like Daddy—someone who leads everyone to have enough to eat.”

Jiang Rong was very pleased. “That’s perfect. Just write down what you think.”

Yuan giggled. “Okay!” Then she wrote a line in her notebook: My dream is to be someone like Daddy, leading everyone to have enough to eat.

Leilei watched in silence, utterly speechless.

As they stepped outside, a cold wind blew in their faces. Guan Shao opened his jacket and draped it over Jiang Rong. “It’s chilly; don’t catch a cold. Wear your coat.”

Jiang Rong tilted his head back, letting Guan Shao button his coat. “Aren’t espers less likely to get sick the higher their level? We’re both level five now. Do we still catch colds?”

Guan Shao smoothed Jiang Rong’s collar, looking at his increasingly handsome face. His heart stirred. Seizing the quiet moment, he took Jiang Rong’s hand and kissed the back of it quickly. “Better safe than sorry.”

Their car was parked in the activity center lot when another vehicle pulled in. Guan Shao looked up. “It’s Xiao Hu. He must have brought his family.”

Daddy Hu and Sister Hu saw the legendary Jiang Rong and Guan Shao for the first time. Daddy Hu hurried forward, grasping their hands. “Thank you, thank you!”

Then the old man suddenly sank to his knees. Jiang Rong and Guan Shao rushed to help him up. “Uncle Hu, what are you doing? Xiao Hu, stop him!”

But Hu Hechu dropped to his knees with a thud, and Sister Hu followed suit. The tall, silent man’s eyes reddened as he bowed deeply toward Jiang Rong and Guan Shao.

“Captain Jiang, Commander Guan—if not for you, I’d be dead by now, and we would never have reunited. You’re the benefactors of my entire family. I can’t repay your kindness. Please, accept this token of our gratitude.”

Without Jiang Rong and Guan Shao, there would be no Spark Base today, no miracles in the apocalypse, and no joyful reunions.

 

 

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