The roar from beneath Qinghe Base grew louder as the ground around the command centre continued sinking.
Cracks spread through the nearby streets and climbed the walls of several buildings. Windows shattered, utility poles tilted, and frightened survivors pushed against one another as they tried to escape the collapsing area.
A five-story residential building leaned dangerously to one side.
"Everyone, move away from the buildings!" Commander Han shouted through his radio. He turned to the soldiers near him and ordered, "Stop sending people underground. Redirect the evacuation toward the eastern training grounds."
One of the officers looked at him in alarm. "Commander, the training grounds are exposed. If the zombie army breaks through the walls..."
"Whatever is beneath us could enter the shelters first," Commander Han interrupted him. "Get the people above ground and spread them out. We cannot allow thousands of survivors to become trapped in one place."
