Apocalypse: I Build A Doomsday Train Chapter 1205 - 465: Hawaii Living Dead Island (Part 2)

Their corrupted countenances contorted, eliciting more desperate, anguished cries from their throats. As the Sky Dome Train descended, the sheer force of its downward thrust created a violent vortex, carving a massive depression into the ocean's surface. Waves at the periphery surged and erupted into frothy whitecaps, while the fine grains of sand along the shore were whipped into the air, commingling with refuse and decaying detritus to form swirling shrouds of turbid sandstorms.

The zombie throng upon the beach appeared to be buffeted by an unseen, colossal hand, their rigid forms teetering precariously in the gale. Some, already missing extremities, were unceremoniously flattened against the ground. Golden sand particles, propelled by the surging air currents, impacted the zombies' putrid flesh and the remnants of structures with brutal force, generating a cacophony of splintering sounds.

Whoosh!

A piercing psionic blast echoed, causing the dense assembly of zombies to jerk their heads upward. At the forefront of the immense train, a dark silhouette stood suspended against the sky. Ryuji raised his hand, and a blade of pure psionic energy disintegrated a significant portion of the beachfront zombies into oblivion. The Sky Dome Train then commenced a gradual descent, coming to a halt in a clear expanse on the beach, adjacent to the seaside thoroughfare.

Concurrently, a multitude of drones, moving as a cohesive, swarming unit, surged towards the island's urban core, initiating a comprehensive aerial sweep.

Upon the primary command deck, Lin Xian and his companions observed the distant urban landscape of the beach, each exhibiting a contemplative expression.

Qian Deli was the first to vocalize, "We've arrived without incident and ahead of schedule; flight certainly expedites travel."

"However, it carries risks," Ning Jing interjected, dabbing a bead of cold sweat from her brow after their recent perilous escape. "If flight perpetually entails such predicaments, it is hardly an ideal mode of transport."

Luo Yang concurred, nodding his assent. "Our preference for a track-bound train remains the more dependable option."

Lin Xian advanced, drawing a deep breath. "If haste is not a critical factor, there is genuinely no imperative to court such peril through flight."

Chen Sixuan then elaborated, "The island possesses a rail spur that connects to Panama Transport City. From there, we can access the Caribbean Sea for our landing. Subsequently, we shall proceed directly through the heart of South America to Ushuaia, following the Liberation track. From Ushuaia, we traverse the Storm Strait, entering the Polar region. This particular route circumvents the vast expanse of the 13th Star Abyss at sea and lies outside the established flight paths of the North American 2nd, 10th, or Atlantic 11th Star Abysses, thereby presenting a relatively secure strategy."

"Will our journey unfold that smoothly?" Monica directed her query towards Lin Xian.

Lin Xian offered a resigned smile. "That remains uncertain. The European Storm Alliance, Dawn Center, and Noah are all converging towards the Storm Strait; we anticipate encountering them."

"Lin Xian," KIKI's voice chimed as she flew closer, "should we arrange to rendezvous with our caravan in South America?"

Lin Xian nodded in affirmation. "The train caravan will also adhere to the Liberation track. Given our current velocity, we should reach our destination ahead of schedule. For enhanced security, instruct the caravan to maintain track movement and refrain from ascending unless under exceptional circumstances."

"Our Sky Dome Train truly is remarkable!" Sha Sha exclaimed. "To achieve supersonic flight, escape that tempest, and possess such ample interior space – it's truly incredible!"

At that precise moment, the reconnaissance drones, having dispersed earlier, began transmitting their findings through interconnected nodes, relaying the summarized intelligence to Viola.

Viola, with her hands clasped behind her back, addressed Lin Xian:

"Our preliminary scans indicate a significant concentration of zombies and a limited number of uncanny evolved individuals. This city appears to have evaded any large-scale apocalyptic incursions. Based on an initial comparison of the zombie populace, they seem to consist of tourists and local inhabitants. We have yet to detect any survivor caravans or organized armed groups."

"What precisely does that imply?" Chen Sixuan inquired, her brow furrowed. "Are you suggesting that since the onset of the Apocalypse, no one has set foot here?"

"It would appear so," KIKI confirmed, producing a portable terminal and activating its keyboard. "Departing this island could only be achieved via transoceanic flights, maritime ferries, or that specific rail spur. The former two options are currently unfeasible. Unless a maritime expedition, such as the one from the Holy City, has recently landed, their sole alternative would be the Panama transit line, though that route is presumed to be fraught with difficulty. The absence of other survivor indications suggests that this particular line is no longer accessible."

"So, this location remains 'unsearched' by any external parties?" Qian Deli inquired, retracting his small folding fan with a smile. "That's quite unusual. No formidable beasts, only these docile and amiable zombies. We should be able to rest soundly tonight."

"Captain Lin," Shu Qin interjected at this juncture, "the daylight hours have not yet concluded. Would it not be prudent to venture out and secure additional resources?"

"Indeed, that is precisely my intention."

Lin Xian relaxed slightly, glancing at his chronometer. "Based on our current location and the projected distances, we are situated at the convergence zone where the 8th and 13th Star Abysses diffuse. There is a possibility of encountering a dual Dark Tide, though it should be relatively distant and unlikely to pose a significant threat; otherwise, we would likely be observing a greater number of uncanny individuals here. Nevertheless, to err on the side of caution, all personnel must return to the train by 18:00 hours."

"We still have several Level 1 Marks that require neutralization before nightfall," Chen Sixuan added, reminding them of their ongoing tasks.“Alright, this is the arrangement.” At 4:45 PM, the sun, a deep crimson, descended heavily towards the west, etching sharp shadow lines across the coastline. The Sky Dome Train’s hatch opened, and Ning Jing emerged onto the desolate earth. Close behind were the shadowy figures of Ah Bai and Xiao Qing, accompanied by several engineering drones tasked with resource transportation and information relay. “Let’s move swiftly and discreetly,” Ning Jing instructed. Concurrently, two other teams fanned out. Qian Deli, in his distinctively bright floral shirt, stood out amongst the moving figures. Luo Yang, meanwhile, expertly commanded four powerful mecha drones, exclaiming, “Finally on solid ground! These machines can finally unleash their true might!” Lv Chang followed closely, a smile on his face. “Heh, utilizing mechs to fight zombies does seem a bit overkill,” he remarked. “But the extra carrying capacity is certainly helpful. We’ve given some supplies to the Hawk Sea Group, though it might not be enough to traverse South America.” “Honestly, there’s no need for worry,” Qian Deli said, shrugging. “There are only about twenty of us. Once we link up with the main force, will we really be short on supplies?” Shu Qin, however, was more circumspect. “It’s wiser to stockpile more provisions. Our Sky Dome Train has ample space, and in this apocalypse, no one scoffs at having extra food. Furthermore, upon reaching South America, the plan might not proceed as smoothly. The Dawn Center will face significant challenges crossing North America.” Qian Deli, upon hearing this, nodded thoughtfully. “What you said brings my dear Xiao Meng to mind. Ah, how I miss her. Having her around would certainly alleviate so many of my worries.” Elsewhere, Monica boarded an off-road vehicle driven by Da Lou, while Sha Sha piloted the Flying Peach at a low altitude with Ryuji behind her. Upon learning the city’s situation, Chen Sixuan led Sun Yuzhen, Mo Xiaotian, and the young Little Yuanmiao Lou out to assist. Sun Yuzhen’s aerial abilities proved invaluable for search missions, and Little Yuan and the others, having rarely ventured outside recently, were quite excited. “Wow, it’s so beautiful! I used to dream of visiting Hawaii while I was in school. I never imagined it would be under these circumstances,” Miao Lou exclaimed from the back seat of the car, gazing out at the clear ocean. “Be careful, there are many zombies out there, and we still carry their marks,” Little Yuan cautioned. Chen Sixuan let out a sigh. “No need to worry excessively. After suppressing ourselves for so long, we deserve a little relaxation. The drones have already scouted our path; we just need to remain somewhat vigilant, but not overly self-restrained.” “No problem, I’ll keep watch over you from the air,” Sun Yuzhen said, after preparing Mo Xiaotian. She then exchanged a knowing glance with Chen Sixuan before soaring into the sky. *Woooo~* As the teams dispersed, the Sky Dome Train slowly began to ascend once more. Under the control of Lin Xian and Viola, it headed towards a branch track station in another part of the city, intending to pause for the night and utilize it as a rendezvous point. Aside from Lin Xian, two others remained: Brother Huo and Ding Junyi. Ding Junyi was presently engrossed in her latest research endeavors. Meanwhile, Brother Huo, with an umbrella and a sunbed, leisurely arrived at the train’s Sky Bridge canopy after the Sky Dome Train had settled into the track station. He opened the umbrella and began to sunbathe, much to Lu Xingchen’s amusement at this peculiar pastime. *Clang~* At the rear warehouse entrance of a large supermarket in the city, Ryuji and Monica independently unleashed powerful blows against the horde of zombies converging in the alley. Da Lou, clad in his Black Dragon Battle Armor, tore open the warehouse door, releasing a noxious odor. Sha Sha immediately deployed several small illuminating drones inside. As the lights flickered on, revealing shelves towering several meters high, everyone entered, their faces a mixture of surprise and awe. Sha Sha exhaled slowly, her eyes wide as she surveyed the immense warehouse. “We’ve truly hit the jackpot this time…” she murmured.