CHAPTER 65: CHAPTER 65 OXYGEN GENERATION EQUIPMENT

Maybe many people have no concept of national contingency plans, feeling like when the country handles big disasters or unexpected events, there’s nothing special, just similar response measures, not like there’s any plan or arrangement.

But in fact, for most possible situations, small countries may indeed have no plans, but for major countries, their contingency plans for disasters and various unexpected events are far more than just one.

Many times, what you think is commonplace may very well be the preparation a country has made for certain events.

Take the familiar Federation as an example. The highest leader and commander of the three armed forces is their President, who not only holds the Federation’s highest power but also the most important nuclear launch codes.

Therefore, many people believe that as long as the President is eliminated, it would be enough to influence the entire Federation, leaving it leaderless, or if the President is kidnapped, the Federation would lose the ability to launch nuclear weapons.

However, in fact, according to the Federation’s laws, if the President dies or cannot perform his duties, the Vice President will take over. If the Vice President is also gone, then the Speaker of Congress will take over, and if the Speaker is also down, there are other government officials with succession rights behind them.

Even to an extreme point, if a biohazard or a nation-destroying disaster occurs, and the entire Federation collapses, as long as the government institution has not completely collapsed, and there are still people who can obey the Federation’s instructions, the most crucial thing is if there are military forces obeying the orders issued by the Federation government, even if several Presidents die, the Federation can still find someone who complies with the Federation’s legal stipulations to sit in that position, even if they have to elect one anew.

With this kind of backup mechanism just for a replaceable President, one can imagine how many preparations and contingency plans major countries truly have for disasters and various problems.

And as one of the common issues in underground tunnel facilities, the issue of oxygen, one of the most necessary factors for human survival, having response measures and contingency plans is a matter of course.

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"Chief Li, is this batch of supplies coming from the Hubei Province?" On the platform of the train station, a special police officer on guard asked Chief Li.

Because the train carrying special equipment hadn’t arrived yet, even though the special police were responsible for security, some couldn’t help feeling bored and wanted to chat about something.

Also, this mission was somewhat strange, though not stated, Chief Li himself was feeling somewhat uneasy.

So when someone wanted to chat about something, Chief Li didn’t emphasize discipline as usual but replied, "Yes, it should be coming from the Three Towns; the specific city wasn’t told by the city government, just that it’s very important equipment and supplies. After we receive it, we need to send it to the city government for unified distribution."

"What’s so important?" Another special police officer chimed in.

Hearing his subordinate’s question, Chief Li was also very curious about what was being transported and turned his gaze toward the person from the city government on the platform, asking, "Comrade, what exactly are the supplies we’re receiving? We know nothing, and executing a task with no information is unsettling; can you reveal a bit?"

While speaking, Chief Li took out a crumpled pack of cigarettes from his pocket, carefully took one out, and reluctantly tossed it to the city government official.

After catching the cigarette tossed by Chief Li, the official’s eyes visibly brightened, glanced around, seeing only special police officers and staff from Chief Li’s team on the platform, he then stepped closer to Chief Li and said, "Lend me a light."

Chief Li took out a lighter from his pocket, lighting the cigarette for the other, watching him take a satisfying puff, waiting for him to speak.

"This time, it’s oxygen production equipment being transported." The city government official, puffing his cigarette, lowered his voice and told Chief Li what the equipment on the train was.

"Oxygen production equipment? Does this stuff need to be handled so cautiously?" Seeing the city government official being so cautious, Chief Li also lowered his voice to ask his question.

For men, oftentimes just smoking a cigarette together can open up conversations like old friends.

The city government official, hearing Chief Li’s question, whether due to the effects of the cigarette or thinking it no big deal to tell Chief Li, blew out a smoke ring before saying, "Don’t you understand? It never needed such caution before, but now it’s the end times!"

"What’s the connection to the end times?" Chief Li still couldn’t quite grasp it but was adept at coaxing information: "If it were something like grain, I’d understand, but this oxygen production equipment... really need guidance."

"Guidance is too much, it’s just knowing slightly more than you guys." The city government official, taking a couple more puffs, finally explained, "Elementary school kids know that oxygen is produced by plants, but now all vegetation has been burned by previous fires, and without sunlight, photosynthesis is out of the question, so oxygen..."

At this point, no need to say more, because Chief Li was already taking a sharp breath.

Even if one doesn’t fully understand the importance of oxygen, everyone knows humans need to breathe; without oxygen, people would suffocate and die.

The city government official’s words clearly made Chief Li realize the importance of this batch of equipment, but what he still didn’t understand was why their special police team was tasked with escorting it.

So Chief Li quietly asked the city government official, "Brother, what’s your name? Why was such an important mission assigned to us in the special police team? Surely mobilizing the military wouldn’t be too much?"

"My surname is Li, just call me Xiao Li." The city government official glanced at Chief Li, seeing him older, and didn’t put on airs: "I’m not clear on this either but probably the city government has plans for this batch of equipment. It’s said there isn’t enough equipment for each shelter."

"What? Really? Such important stuff not enough?" This left Chief Li unable to suppress his surprise.

"Not exactly not enough; all equipment is being shipped in two batches, and this is the first batch." The city government official explained to Chief Li: "But since it’s in two batches, of course, there’s a sequence, and no one wants to wait for the next batch, right?"

"That makes sense..." Chief Li wanted to say more, but the sound of the train came from afar.

A speck of white light, accompanied by the rumbling of wheels, pierced through the darkness, seemingly slow but truly fast approaching from the distance.

Everyone on the platform couldn’t help but perk up; the train carrying the equipment had arrived.