Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 1195: Chapter 911: The End of the Rainbow

After catching her breath for a moment, Ai Qing picked up the briefcase and once again traversed the alienated darkness, returning to the mutated world beyond the gate.

Even if the pollutants had been sealed again, all that had deeply changed could not be restored. Instead, it began to spiral more out of control.

She had tried her best, only ensuring the task was completed.

Only that much.

Yet, for some reason, her steps paused beside the ’Security Chief’.

”Miss... Miss Ai, is the inspection... inspection over?”

Pajero squirmed, the bloated shell muttering, ”We, our work... is meticulous... meticulous... no, no mistakes, right...”

”Yes, that’s right, no mistakes.”

Ai Qing paused and nodded: ”This is all thanks to everyone’s dedication.”

”But, but... why, why... do I feel...”

Pajero’s voice sharpened, uncertain whether it was a moan or a wail: ”I feel... not quite right... is there something... something wrong? Strange... what’s strange...”

In the silence, Ai Qing lowered her eyes, sighing without a sound.

”Mr. Pajero, here, I represent the Decision Room to thank you for your sacrifice for the safety of Current Circumstances.” She looked at the terminal in her hand and suddenly said, ”If I were to issue a purification directive, would you comply?”

A scream-like alert sound erupted from the terminal in Pajero’s hand.

The command representing the highest authority emerged from it.

Illuminating that numb face.

In the muddled whirlwind of thoughts, a moment of realization surfaced, bringing painful understanding.

”So... is that how it is...” he murmured softly, ”Pollution... pollution... spreading...”

Ai Qing said nothing, waiting quietly.

Until he lowered his head deeply: ”Please... please come... come with me...”

Once more, he turned around, squirming forward.

When the first thread of confusion was explained, the world before him felt especially unreal.

The artificial sunlight, the green lawn, the colleagues coming and going, and their manner during conversations.

Yet everything seemed so normal, but what was wrong?

Couldn’t understand...

Just painful, afraid, truly sad.

He stared blankly at it all, shedding tears in silence.

For a long, long time, he turned around and opened the office door.

Opened the safe.

Picked up that red telephone.

”Announcement... announcement to all β01 personnel... emergency state... repeating, emergency state...” he paused, the bloated shell gradually hunching over: ”Please... all personnel... gather at the shelter...”

After completing all of this, it was as if he had lost his strength, leaning back in his chair, staring blankly at Ai Qing across the desk.

The red glow of the alarm illuminated her face.

”There must be... some mistake somewhere...”

He feebly protested, raising his tentacles to cover his face, as if weeping, mumbling sadly: ”We’ve... worked here... for fifty years... clearly... there was no problem...”

Ai Qing remained silent.

Until the alarm’s sound ceased from outside the window.

In the surveillance, all the members followed the guidance, entering the door of the underground shelter.

”Does it have to... be this way?” Pajero murmured to himself.

Ai Qing still did not speak.

Just quietly looked at him.

Until that red button was pressed, flames and high temperatures spewed from the cracks of the ’shelter’, screams and doubts continually coming from the communication device.

And finally, there was nothing.

”Purification... directive, completed.”

Pajero’s tentacles twitched, clutching a handgun, struggling to lift his head, pleading: ”Now... there’s only... one left...”

”Thank you for your cooperation.”

Ai Qing nodded, took the gun, aimed at his face, and asked the final question: ”Is there anything you want to say?”

”Why... did you... tell me...”

”Perhaps, it’s out of sympathy.”

Ai Qing thought for a moment and solemnly told him: ”Sympathy among fellow weak ones.”

”I’m sorry, I cannot help you, nor do I have the ability to free you. At most, I can only be like a half-hearted fool, making you choose for yourselves.”

She said: ”This is all I can do for you.”

”No... choice...”

Pajero spasmed, tears flowing, hoarsely mourning, ”Only increasing... the pain...”

”Perhaps.”

Ai Qing replied: ”But a rational death and an ignorant downfall are different. Even if it’s just to show resistance, one must strike back against the enemy.

If you submit, then the past persistence will have no value.

I shall testify, Mr. Pajero, you have not willingly fallen. Until the end, you were members Astronomical Society could be proud of.”

In the prolonged silence, there was light in Pajero’s cloudy eyes.

”Will there... be redemption...”

”Maybe not.”

Ai Qing lowered her eyes and softly bid farewell: ”If there comes a day, let’s meet again in Hell.”

She pulled the trigger.

No more hesitation.

With a low sound, a piercing crack appeared in Pajero’s head, flames spread, engulfing the still-twitching mutated shell, swiftly bringing about extinction.

In the final moment, it seemed Pajero revealed a liberated smile, lips moving, wanting to say something.