Ryan's thoughts tumbled into my mind. But this time, they were much fuzzier.

He picked up the battery and shot me a look that held a complicated mix of emotions. In the end, he said nothing and just strode out of the meeting room.

With him gone, all that remained was the sounds of my squadmates' heavy but suppressed breathing.

"Alice." Matt put a hand on my shoulder, "Take a deep breath. Don't waste your breath getting angry over him."

I looked up and forced a smile. "I'm fine. I'll go check on Clara to see how she's doing."

Just as I was about to open the door, I heard her sobbing inside.

"Isn't this battery precious? It's my fault my body's so weak… If it weren't for you, I don't know how I'd survive," she muttered pitifully.

Ryan's voice was so tender that it sounded unfamiliar to me. There was even a sense of satisfaction as he spoke. "What nonsense. It's not like I'm the only one you have left."

Clara responded in a delicate voice, "I only have you. You're so smart and strong. I trust you the most. The others don't know how important your research is, but I do.

"No matter how strong Ms. Ashford is, can she kill all the zombies? Only you are doing the truly noble thing by developing a serum for all of mankind."

Ryan interjected excitedly, "That's right! When I successfully create the serum, everyone will have antibodies. We'll never fear the zombie virus again! We could even coexist with the zombies!"

Outside the door, my squadmates and I exchanged stunned looks. Ryan had never been to the front line. He had no interest in battlefield data or analysis.

In truth, the zombie virus had stopped mutating a year ago and had not produced another massive outbreak. Though there were still many zombies roaming the earth, there would come a day when they could all be eradicated.

Ryan's notion of coexisting with the zombies was an absolute joke.

Matt kicked the door open, and my squad barged in. Ryan straightened himself reflexively. Clara was wrapped in an electric blanket, eyes wide and innocent-looking.

"Thanks for coming, Alice. The battery wore out quickly. It only powered the heat for ten minutes before going dead," she complained.

I ignored her and went straight to Ryan. I lifted his chin and looked straight into his eyes.

"Explain your research," I demanded.

Ryan's face flushed red. "Let go of me! How can you be so rude to your husband?"

I was about to ask more when the thump of rotors sounded from outside.

Matt's eyes lit up. "That's the sound of the aircraft's engines! We got lucky. They landed somewhere close to the safe house."

Of course, we were lucky. After all, the tracker on my wrist wasn't just for show. Even if we couldn't respond, they could still find us. Otherwise, I wouldn't have handed over the battery so easily.

Considering that the main show was about to play out, I lost interest in pressing Ryan further. I led my squad quickly toward the ground.

The fragile Clara no longer walked in dainty steps. She clutched her makeup bag and ran even faster than Ryan.

We boarded the aircraft one by one. However, the soldiers at the hatch stopped Clara.

"You need to show boarding authorization."

She pouted in annoyance and yanked the wildly out-of-breath Ryan forward. "Go on, Dr. Costa. Tell them who I am."

Ryan gasped for air as he flashed his badge arrogantly. "Take a good look. I am Ryan Costa. Colonel Ashford is my wife. Step aside now."

Clara hastily chimed in, "I'm his most valued assistant and secretary, Clara Gibson."

The soldier scanned the list, and his frown deepened. "I'm sorry. Your names aren't on the list. Also, there is only one seat left in the aircraft."