May Peace Grace Us

Chapter 71: Venture out

Spring was a hectic period of time to be in. In normal times, people will be busy with their various arrangements like festivals or for some people in rural areas, this season is their planting period. Such a situation is not very different in the apocalyptic era.

Only that spring is the season where zombies are like local tourists in summer.

The continuous melting snow has revealed to them some zombies they did not notice existing under the deep pile of snow the earth was covered in. Like hibernating beasts, they sprang up under the sun’s rays, ready to find human flesh to fill their otherwise strangely still functioning stomach. Honestly, Aila decided not to think of the semantics as to why zombies can still ‘digest’ things despite most of their own flesh being now rotten and decisively no longer fresh. She kinda forgot logic when writing supernatural stuff and only followed the mainstream, which she really regrets, because her living in a world she created has put her at a disadvantage.

But that is now besides the point.

The thing was that she really had some hindsight when she was writing her book. In her second life, she was more or less accepting of the changes because of ignorance. But when she received knowledge of the fundamental structure of this world, came some inconsistency as well as some sense of cringe when dealing with the said matters.

Like how zombies’ presence in the world was more of a problem than the fact the world is more of the real thing to be wary of. Zombies might be the one on their faces, but the harshness of the world is what really kills people. Animals and plants will no doubt leave humanity in the dust in the near future. If people still cannot wake up earlier and still cling to preoccupied notions, extinction is what awaits them.

“The team to get out today was no. 5. The exit gate will be the northern gate, while the west gate should be your entry upon return.” Stephen announced the small platform in the gymnasium before he dismissed the rest to go to their designated posts as usual. The batch of people in training was gathered here every time they finished their exercises. Depending on the one in charge, they also do live combat training here.

“Why!” Jerome groaned publicly. He did not care if others looked at him with envy to get out there and experience hot-blooded actions, he just did not want to get out there at all.

“It’s not that bad,” Aila said, as she and Jerome were a fixed team since they had reorganized the distribution of manpower of the base. Bella was mad for not being on the same team as her, but ultimately allowed it as she more or less trusted their foolish hyena.

Just after spring had come, they had made a great shuffling of manpower all over the base. The hyenas mainly stay in their roles as leaders of their departments, but they are more flexible now and have a little breather to do things outside their fields. They had all the people they had placed in areas where they could be useful and it has effectively reduced the burden and strain on their workflow.

“I have so many things to do at the lab!” Jerome said blankly to Aila. “There are so many projects and there are so many things to do. This trip is estimated to be at least three days long. Imagine the paperwork I have to do after I return.”

“I could imagine it very well,” Aila simply said. After all, she also has her own pile to clear up in her office. Those papers are really a menace and she quite regrets stocking quite a load of them and them making her suffer this much. “Remember I am inserted to all departments where I am needed. Do you think my paperwork is less than yours?”

Jerome whined as compared to Aila, his mountain of paperwork was indeed a hill next to hers. Who told Aila to be so involved in almost all areas that she cannot specialize in one place at all? Not to mention, Aila really cannot be without anything to do. She is still hiding from the Ferrers up until now, even if the marriage talks are all burnt to the ground for so long.

“Enough of your laments,” Eugene said as he approached the miserable duo. “You have ten minutes to prepare before you and your team will depart. No one is allowed to be late at assembly time, okay? No repeat of team no. 2 this time around. And by the way, Travis will be with your team this time around too. He is already in the RV waiting for you guys, so don’t make him wait for too long.”

“Roger!” The two replied in sync before facing the group of five awaiting their instructions.

Most of the people in their team were familiar faces, especially Billy, who now practically worships Aila as his idol. He has changed greatly compared to when Aila first saw him, but he still has this rebellious streak in him that is only restrained by Aila’s deliberate influence. A savage little pup was how Aila described this guy.

“I’ll give you five minutes to pack everything we will need on this trip out. No more, no less than enough, I warn you all. The key here was mobility as well as adaptability. I don’t want to see anything unnecessary in our supplies, okay?” Aila instructed the group before she dismissed them to gather what should be needed. Instructing them to meet up at the assembly time at least three minutes before the gates will be open to them.

Aila and Jerome also went to the nearest basic supply area. But unlike the rest of their team, they went to the special area given only to team leaders. Initially, this place was not planned at all, but the other team members were uncomfortable with too much equality present in the team. Something about the absence of a clear dividing line of hierarchy breeds a wrong outlook in an organization, so they had no choice but to make a separate area dedicated to each leader.

The insides were not much different from the other team members’ supply area. The only thing that differs here from what the general public has is more specialized equipment like communication gadgets that only leaders get to distribute to their teams on the day they leave the base. There are also more supplies of enhancers in the hidden compartments for the leader to distribute as awards to their teams. A privilege that Harry and Travis have discussed is being a good motivator for people to work hard.

Aila took her most durable mountain bag to store the supplies she would bring. She settled more on the easy to carry food and condiments, a bottle of water because they had a water supernaturalist with them, and three whole vials of enhancers which she attached to her necklace as a pendant for safekeeping. She also made sure that she had weapons and some basic survival essentials with her before she left the room. Besides, Travis was with them, he more or less had more than supplies to share with them if necessary. Not waiting or checking for her team, she headed directly to the northern gates as announced.

Billy was there first when she arrived. As instructed, the boy did not dare to bring too much in his bag. But he is more or less complete in essentials, much to Aila’s satisfaction.

The rest of the team arrived one after another and, like Billy, Aila made a quick inspection of their bags before she gave them a walkie-talkie each. She then looked at Jerome, who was running late to the agreed time. She is definitely going to smack him in the head after he arrives. It’s not nice to keep others waiting even if they are close to each other.

“Sorry.” Was all Jerome said before the people above the gates signalled that they would be opening the gates now.

With no time to scold him, Aila made everyone get in the RV to get ready to get out. The RVs are really the most worthwhile investment she has ever made before the apocalypse has fully descended upon their faces. At least with this vehicle, they don’t need to worry too much about their accommodation whenever they go out.

Stepping on the accelerator at full speed, they made a quick distance from the base. In just a few minutes, they are out in the open while zombies gather in their direction. Their goal for this trip was to visit the area of Ferrers to gather some gas and oil and other supplies they will be needing in the future. Their guests have told them they were forced to abandon their things there because the winter has been so harsh that they risked being brave in the unknown. The zombie population nearby the area is also worrying, so they have to leave sooner or later. This prompts them to take so little with them and have their "wealth" left behind.

Aila and the rest think that it is a waste to not get those supplies for themselves, so they tell the Ferrers of their plan to retrieve them. Although it is not wrong for them to get them under the rule of survival in this time period, they still possess some courtesy to ask for permission from the owners who are obviously alive and on speaking terms like them. In exchange, they will ask for some of them as a fee for sheltering them as well as transporting those supplies with them.

“How far was the compound exactly?” Travis asked as he took out a map from his space. “I have to calculate the oil expenses we will incur on this trip.”

“Just pass the mountain road.” Aila responded as she trailed her eyes on the zombies following them. “Reaching the place was fast, but those behind us and those waiting for us in the compound was the one that will drag out time out here. Will it be okay in an hour now if we stop to clear those behind us?”

“I have no problem with it personally,” Travis said with a harmless smile on his face. “I need to vent out anyway.”

The other team members shivered when they saw Travis' smile. Although they knew that none of the leaders were quite simple, they did not expect this guy, who was often indoors, as scary as Bella aura wise. One really cannot judge a book by its cover.

“As much as I want to go on a rampage, can you guys spare some attention to me please? Not familiar with the roads here.” Jerome said as he pointed at the forked roads in front. “Which way? Left or right?”

“Take the right road.” Aila instructed. “It will lead us to the mountain road I mentioned. Though the left road will also take us to our destination, it will let us waste some more time on the road. Perhaps on the way back we’ll use that road for the petrol station there. But for now let’s just take the mountain road.”

As said by Aila, they really did take the shortcut to their destination. But it did give them some hiccups along the way. The animals are quite active nowadays and they meet a stray coyote on the road. So they were delayed a little on the road. Taking advantage of them dealing with the coyotes, they also clear the zombies trailing them. Making them harvest a bunch of crystals made Travis less irritated about him being out of his laboratory.

“We’re near.” Aila announced as she took note of the traces of living people nearby. “And it seems like there are occupants here, contrary to what the Ferrers said.”

“Considering that it was in the middle of winter when they left, it is understandable if they did not notice these people’s presence.” Jerome commented. “But it did not change the fact that it is annoying to face these people.”

Aila couldn’t agree more. If there are people here, there is bound to be some semblance of order here. She prays the one who overlords this community of survivors is reasonable enough to avoid petty conflicts.