Wasteland Survivalist: A Scientific Guide to Post-Apocalyptic Survival

Gu Lang hovered the drone about fifty meters in front of the lighthouse, at the same height as the top of the tower.

I swiped my finger across the remote control screen and turned on the spotlight.

Two white beams of light illuminated the top of the lighthouse.

On the circular observation deck, two figures standing in the lights were completely enveloped in bright circular spots of light.

The two men looked up at the drone abruptly and reacted simultaneously.

He took a few steps back, then turned and fled towards the stairwell.

Gu Lang immediately turned off the searchlight, plunging the top of the lighthouse back into darkness.

Instead of pressing the call button, he let the drone hover in the air, giving the other party time to process what had just happened.

If the searchlight is kept on, the two people will only feel that they have been locked on and are about to be attacked.

Turning off the lights means withdrawing the threat and giving the other party time to observe and assess the situation.

About three minutes later, two heads popped out of the lighthouse window again.

Seeing that the other side did not take out long-range weapons, Gu Lang manipulated the drone to continue approaching the lighthouse.

Given that the megaphone is one-way and the drone has no microphone, he couldn't hear what the other person was saying.

So he has to speak and the other person has to listen.

If you want the other person to express their opinion, you need to ask questions.

So, Gu Lang pressed the call button on the remote control screen.

"This is the Chinese Navy's 2208 vessel. If you hear this, please wave to signal us immediately."

After being repeated three times, four hands and two heads slowly rose from behind the glass.

Even in black and white night vision footage, the two men's dejected expressions were clearly visible.

The waving gesture also seemed weak and listless, revealing a sense of despair.

"We just received your signal at sea. If you need anesthetic drugs, we can provide assistance."

Upon hearing this, the two men immediately turned to ecstatic expressions and returned to the lighthouse lookout tower.

This time the waving became much more enthusiastic, with one person even clapping above their head.

"We expect to approach in half an hour. Please wait at the dock at the bottom of the lighthouse."

Gu Lang released the button, paused for a few seconds, and then added a sentence.

"Do not carry any weapons. If any signs of aggression are observed, we will immediately use artillery fire."

After exchanging a glance, the two started jumping around and waving frantically.

Gu Lang seemed to see two hamsters from the Land of Light giving thanks for their kindness.

The engine started, and the anchor chain slowly retracted.

He maneuvered the speedboat at a low speed of 8 knots, heading towards the lighthouse.

The outline of the lighthouse reef gradually grows larger in the night vision footage.

The island is very small; a speedboat can circle it in just one minute.

To the north is a rocky beach, and now that the tide is out, large areas of black basalt are exposed.

The east side faces the open sea directly, and the waves are larger than those on the west side.

After confirming that it was safe, Gu Lang slowly brought the speedboat to the makeshift dock.

Two figures were already standing on the dock. When they saw the speedboat approaching, they simultaneously raised their phones, turned on the rear flash, and waved them.

Their movements were stiff and hurried, like two drowning people desperately waving for help in the dark.

Gu Lang came to the bow of the ship, turned on his headlamp, and shone it on the military first aid kit he was carrying in his right hand.

Show the other person the red cross logo prominently printed on the outer shell of the first aid kit.

Then he pointed to the first aid kit, then to the two people on the dock, and with a flick of his arm, threw the first aid kit over.

The first aid kit flew in a short arc and landed on the dock platform.

One of them rushed forward, picked up the first aid kit, held it in his arms, and ran two steps toward the lighthouse.

He suddenly stopped, turned around, and bowed twice in the direction of Gulang.

The other person next to him clasped his hands together and kept saying something.

It was hard to hear clearly through the wind, but the tone of voice was obviously tinged with tears and gratitude.

Gu Lang quickly raised his hands and pressed them down, making a "stop" gesture.

He then pointed to the phones in their hands and shouted, "Turn off the lights! Turn off the lights! It's dangerous!"

Upon hearing this, the two immediately turned off their phone flashlights.

The dock was plunged into darkness again, with only the sound of waves crashing against the rocks remaining.

"I'll come back tomorrow morning after it gets light to get some information from you."

Gu Lang slowed down his speech to make sure that the other person could hear each word clearly.

"Okay! Sure! I'll be waiting for you here at seven o'clock tomorrow morning!"

After receiving a clear reply, Gu Lang turned around and returned to the cockpit, maneuvering the speedboat slowly away from the dock.

Return to the original deep-water anchorage and re-anchor.

The speedboat arrived at the lighthouse on time the next morning.

The surface of the tower is coated with anti-rust paint, which gleams with a grayish-white luster under the light of a cloudy day.

A fishing boat has appeared on the dock, with a small outboard motor hanging at its stern.

An old man sat on the dock platform, wearing a gray jacket, with gray hair and old-fashioned metal-framed glasses, fishing.

Upon seeing the speedboat appear, he quickly stood up and waved his hands vigorously.

After Gu Lang reached the shore, he threw a rope ashore and squatted down at the bow of the boat.

Using the ship's side as cover, he gripped the rifle that had been placed in advance with one hand.

The catamaran has a very high freeboard, allowing for a commanding view of the other side.

The man was around sixty years old, and his skin was roughened by the sea breeze.

But his eyes were bright, with a sharpness unique to someone who has worked in technology for many years.

"Hello, comrade in the Navy! The first aid kit last night was a huge help, I don't know how to thank you enough! May I ask your name?"

"Just call me Song Zhong. What's your name, sir?"

"Oh, my name is Jiang Yong."

Working at the meteorological bureau, this lighthouse was also the meteorological observation station I used to be stationed at.

After the nuclear war broke out, my family and I fled here for refuge.

Gu Lang pointed to the fishing boat beside the dock: "Is this your boat?"

"Yes, a lighthouse standing alone at sea is too conspicuous; it can be seen from a great distance on the sea."

We felt unsafe, so we set up another refuge on the shore.

The residents usually live in two groups, and this small boat is their means of transportation to and from the area.

After receiving the first aid kit last night, I called everyone back from the treehouse.

My daughter-in-law is about to give birth, so we need enough help.

Gu Lang thought to himself, "Just as I thought. That treehouse in the mangrove forest is their backup base."

This family was more organized than he had imagined, using the lighthouse as one of their observation posts and outposts.

The treehouse serves as a forward base for venturing onto land to gather supplies, and can also act as a hidden backup refuge in case of danger.

The two maintain contact through concealed infrared light signals, avoiding putting all their eggs in one basket.

This approach is a wise choice in the apocalypse.

Just as he was about to ask about the surroundings, the sound of a baby crying suddenly came from behind the door at the bottom of the lighthouse.