May Peace Grace Us

Chapter 65: Benign Mutations

After they ironed out their course of actions, they did not waste time doing what they could. Alexa was in charge of communication and cyber security as this is definitely her strongest element. Though she was lectured fiercely by Felix about precautions, even if most laws are no longer in effect, others can still do some harm just being connected by the system.

Aila is not too savvy about these matters, but she also thinks the same as Felix. If Alexa could hack into other databases, they could also do the same as theirs. It was already a great thing they already had their research database in another internal intranet, if not everything they had might have already been snatched and used by other bases. When the manpower gets more segmented and distributed, they have to get talents in this area to hold the fort together with Alexa.

There might be some they could pull to help out Alexa, but everyone is still too preoccupied to be distributed once again. Everyone was too focused on the activities that needed physical activities rather than mental needs. Not to mention, many of their people were fighting against the depression because of great changes as well as the loss of loved ones during the period.

Under the great concern of Felix, they all agreed to temporarily pool their energy to strengthen their cyber security. Jerome, Eugene, and Harry volunteered to do the programs, while Cindy volunteered to improve the capacity and utilization of the current system. It might not seem like it as Cindy was more focused on being a perfect housekeeper, but she was a brilliant graduate with a technology-related course. So her help was very appreciated and welcomed in their little group.

The rest of the hyenas were not too capable in this matter. Although they are more or less literate about it, they dare not mess up the whole thing by recklessly joining in. Instead, they poured their energy on the existing roles they had. Travis aimed to make a breakthrough with the utilization of zombie crystal energy. Liza wanted to fill the warehouse with enough food to last for the months of winter. Felix and Bella intensified their training for the other residents of their base. And Albert teamed up with Stephen and Judith on how to handle the diplomacy that would arise the moment they establish communication outside.

Meanwhile, Aila was busying herself with remembering some interesting tidbits about this world as well as its general trends. She meant it when they did not sell out important details to themselves. There were indeed many interesting things she could send out without showing their edges much. Besides, they are still in the first year of the apocalypse, there are many things they could report without touching her reserves.

For convenience, she wrote her notes in a big journal. She could have typed it onto her computer and that is also a more convenient setup. But Felix’s concerns alarmed her that she did not feel like writing and storing her knowledge digitally. So she could only write them down and hide them in her bedroom, though she thinks it was more appropriate for her to store them in a hidden compartment in her bathroom. Even if an intruder tries to steal something from her room, it would be unlikely for them to search in her bathroom unless they knew her well or were just plain lucky.

Just as she was sorting the details in her workspace, a knock rang out from her room. This made her pause and stop what she was doing for a while. Out of habit, she piled her journal and hid it under the desk before she opened the door of her room.

The one who came to her was Cindy, who had come to let her know that Liza was calling for her presence. Cindy briefly told her that it concerned the crops.

Nodding at Cindy, Aila put her things aside and went to Liza as fast as she could. She had some idea of what it was about and subsequently thought of how to solve it. Because, unlike her former neighborhood, she did not ask for any ‘blessing’ from the for their base. Mutation of the plants might be more common than anticipated despite her doing her best to slow down or prevent them. Besides, she wanted to get a few varieties that are actually tastier and nutritious than the non-mutated ones. If she asked the world to keep their land free from the mutations, she cannot obtain those plants.

In the greenhouse, Liza was examining the weird stalk of wheat they planted. It was emerald in color and was definitely a work of art at first glance. When Aila arrived, they had already removed a grain to be sent to the labs to examine for toxicity and the entire plant was being transferred to isolation.

“A benign mutation, huh?” Aila said as she examined the plant closer now that she's near. “These can be eaten from what I can remember. The taste and the nutrition of this plant has improved too. But those with red or dark brown colors must be eliminated. I remember reports of people dying when eating them. Remove them as soon as possible or dispose directly. ”

“Can you notify me when you arrive next time?”’ Liza said as she glared at Aila, her hand on her chest from her fright.

“My steps were not concealed and you can definitely hear it with your improved hearing.” Aila only shrugged at Liza’s anger. “Besides, we should really remove those red and dark brown wheat before they emit fumes that will cause large-scale mutation to all the plants in this greenhouse. If we're ‘lucky’ enough, those variants can poison us too in the passing.”

Hearing the danger of Aila’s words, Liza moved as fast as she could. Her ability was of the plants so she only used her power to deprive the plants of their life energy. Under the naked eye, the plant withered visibly and after a minute or two, the plant was dead and safer to remove and dispose of. Though they are going to incinerate it for good measures after they are done collecting the dangerous variants.

The topic as to why Aila rushed to the greenhouse was not addressed until they were down weeding through the greenhouses. It was even forgotten as they screened the vegetables and the herbs in a separate greenhouse designated for these plants. Relying on Aila’s memory, they eliminated as much of the poisonous and dangerous ones. While those unidentified variants were isolated for testing, it was almost time for dinner according to their clock when they were done.

“I did not expect there to be so many variants appearing here even with my thorough preparations.” Aila clicked her tongue as she thought that her former neighborhood had really taken the cake for being able to grow normal plants there.

“Your efforts are still enough given that there are still so many normal varieties in comparison to the mutated ones.” Liza said as she murmured that she should have dragged Alexa to her side to do even cleaner work.

With Alexa thriving on her natural talents on the technology side of things, except for the occasional zombie hunts, none of them could remember that agriculture was Alexa’s course in college.

Compared to Liza, who is a complete layman but, due to her powers, was forced to labor, that girl is definitely more suited to work here than Liza was. That girl naturally loved plants and was a great activity for others to reign in her impulsivity and even nastier characteristics that were hidden in that cute demeanor she sports. She knows some theories and some practical experience with planting, but her greatest talent really lies more in technology than in her chosen course.

Initially, Alexa was also part of the gardening team, but the matter of the internet side of things was also a huge undertaking that cannot be ignored. With everyone more concerned about their future food reserves and about external safety, Alexa chose to shoulder the cyber side the moment they raised the matter. None of them could refute her voluntary volunteering as they are not as good as her on the matter.

“Just wait until we get to reasonably distribute our hands before you drag her here.” Aila only comforted Liza with this sentence as she piled the withered plants on a metal trash can she had commissioned especially for this purpose. Some plants might become those highly coercive ones that a sturdy container might be needed to properly dispose of them.

“Nevermind that.” Liza only said as she finally remembered the purpose as to why she had called Aila to her side. “Hey, do you have something that can make the plants here be tougher or make them a little adaptable to the changes? This greenhouse might be a good place to continue housing them, but ultimately this building will not last forever.”

“Was this the effect of you not thinking of romance as your first priority?” Aila’s brows were raised high as she said this.

“Of course not!” Liza was indignant at being doubted. “I am not a hyena for nothing! Although I am more of the airhead type, I definitely have my brains with me.”

Aila laughed lightly at the other’s blushing face. Of course, she knew that none of them were dumb and all of them were more than capable of thinking ahead in the future. She was only joking and was trying to make Liza less tense. She knew that the girl was feeling the pressure of being the major contributor to everyone’s food in the future. If Aila herself was a plant supernaturalist and had to be responsible like Liza, she was sure to feel a little crushed by the weight she was supporting.

“Just kidding,” Aila jokingly said, so as to not make the others upset for long. “There are some ideas that come to mind, but it will take some time until we can test them out. The current winter we are experiencing is still pretty tame as it will be in the future, so most of the ideas I had are not yet too useful at the moment. Wait until a year or two. Things you are worried about will have some answers by then. Speaking of Alexa, she is definitely indispensable to the plan. So you can take her as much as you want in the future.”

“Why do I feel bad for Alexa, but at the same time excited about the prospect?” Liza had a fake pity in her eyes, her mouth was forming an arc to show her real mood at the moment.

At the villa where the subject of their topic was, she sneezed loudly as a shiver was felt down in her spine. Thinking that the world was indeed too cold at the moment, she did not know that her future was already set without her knowing.