May Peace Grace Us

Chapter 50: Deficiencies

Aila more or less figures out the ratio of the liquid she will be distributing to their populace after a few tests and consultation with Travis and others with scientific and medical background. Due to her being too focused on her own things, she forgot that there are people more qualified than her in doing some things. More people who could share the burden she is carrying.

There are at least a hundred to two hundred odd people in the base. Each of them are a talent of sorts in a diversity of fields. The Justine family likes to cultivate talents and has made sure each servant of theirs will have relevant education and whatever their needs to fully bloom. And through many generations, most of their generational servants have been numerous and most of them still view the Justines as their closest kind and benefactors.

This number does not include those who were brought over like those who attempted a coup in their base and those who unfortunately became a zombie at the first outbreak. So there might be more than her estimation as Aila has not asked for real time statistical data of their current population.

When Travis came to know of her little ‘experiments’, this was her excuse in the face of outsiders, he was raging because he was not included in the making at all. He is of medical origin, things like this is something of an obsession deep in his blood and bones, thus the reason for his great upsetness. He even threatened a hunger strike if he is not included next time Aila will do such a powerful thing.

The old servants who specialize with all sorts of medicine marveled the liquid. They systematically test it using the state of the art equipment that was hidden by her uncle Martin in his mansion. It was then she remembered that her uncle was once a person in the medical field and was a member of a research team before he became a businessman. Luckily James and his spawn has not found this lab and was relatively intact with many standard and up to dated equipment and supplies. 

It was then further studied by them with the help of those young medical students among them before they decided to crystallise the liquid like some candy. In this form it will be easier for others to consume and distribute to the people. Not to mention this will also make sure that they can put certain limits on the consumer at the same time. They planned to advertise it as some sort of vitamin so that there will be no suspicion of the origin of these enhancers(they collectively call them this for convenience sake). Children who were with them will also have no resistance in eating them.

This idea came when Aila said that she wanted to distribute this to everyone to get stronger together. Arguing that the world is not so safe that they can afford people dying because of some means. Knowing fully well that what she made will at least make sure they will not be easily sick and mutate when injured and bitten by zombies, Aila took out all her persuasion skills to convince these people.

As expected, according to their long time practice of their profession, they did not easily agree to what Aila had proposed. They asked for time and testing before it will be popularized to others. They even threw back her words that they really cannot bear the loss of people, so Aila could only compromise wherein the enhancers will be given to selected people for testing.

So the crystalized form will not be sent out to the population at least a year later. Aila really cannot say anymore and just let them do their speciality.

When Aila returned to her villa she was pouting and upset. In contrast to her was the smiling Travis who was happy to talk with like-minded people. Liza who was with them was a little absent-minded because she was refuted from consuming the remaining transparent liquid.

“You’re back.” Judith said as saw the three children entering the villa. In her arms was the jubilant Henerick who was happy to see the three back to their home. “How’s your day?”

“Tiring”

“Fulfilling”

“...”

“I see, good job for surviving the day.” Judith accostomly said as she welcomed them home. 

“Likewise to you.” The three replied to the mother.

They did not know when it began, but everytime they returned they said this to each other. It might be that they wanted to congratulate their safe return or something. And this practice was spread among the people in their base. Sooner or later if the base gets to last long, this will become a culture unique to them alone.

Judith asked them to wait for the others for a little longer before they will have dinner. Which the trio did not have a problem with as they want to rest after their stressful day. Thinking that food is more fragrant when they all eat together, therefore waiting for them is no problem.

It took an hour before everyone gathered together and they ate their dinner in a happy mood. Stephen was the last one to arrive because he has organised the next set of people to guard at the walls. The incident this morning has really awakened people’s fear and the braver ones needed some encouragement to provide safety to everyone. So to stabilize the next patrol, he especially stayed with them longer and taught them a thing or two of what they should do and not do when they are in danger.

“It seems that I should join them out there too.” Judith said as she listened to the excitement the people before here had experienced. “It seems that in this house I am the most useless one for not contributing much.”

“Don’t think like that auntie.” Felix said as he detected the depressed mood Judith has. “It is understandable that you are not with us in what we do because you are taking care of little Henerick. Even without being out there you are helpful enough just by taking care of the young.”

“Thank you for comforting me Felix.” Judith smiled at the sweet boy. “But I am concerned about my inability to do anything more for everyone. During our journey here, I have the least kill count. Not to mention I am the most sheltered one among us. Isn’t it a little unreasonable for a grown up like me to be protected by you kids? Even if it is, I refuse this arrangement. I can also fight like you guys can do.”

The others looked at each other in a silent discussion before Bella spoke out for everyone. “We understand what you are feeling auntie. But currently those who go on the patrol have some experience or at least trained in similar jobs. People who did not have relative experience are temporarily not allowed to be there.”

“Temporarily? Was there any plans for training of sorts that I can partake in?” Judith directly took the key point.

“Yes.” Felix was the one who spoke this time around. “Aila has proposed a military style training for everyone in the base. There isn't any specific arrangement for it, but we planned a test drive tomorrow. The first schedule is before the sunrise and the second will be before the sunset. I planned to have an overall idea of everyone’s limit first before any finalization will be made.”

“You did?” Judith directed this question to Aila.

“I did.” Aila bitterly said as she could feel her mother’s eyes on her. “I suddenly had an enlightenment that the division of labor is too uneven. There are many people concentrated on the plants and of the livestocks while there are lesser people on the patrols. Later on after I called people in my private lab, I realised there are many vacancies I have yet to establish for others to fill. Such as those who are responsible for the medical needs and of the technologies. So maybe in a week or so me and Cindy will conduct a thorough research on what we lack before we will slowly make up for our deficiencies.”

“That sounds good.” Alexa said. “Need some help from me for that research?”

“If you want to join, feel free to join in Cindy and I will be thankful for any extra hand with us.” Aila said.

Alexa, happy with her response, focused on her meal again as others began talking with various topics over the table. Under her nonchalant actions, no one has noticed the dimming of her eyes for some reason. And even if someone has noticed it, it was gone in a blink of an eye to address it. 

In this manner they concluded for them. With exhaustion in body and spirit everyone directly hit the bed and slept immediately. Though the night did not let them sleep for long.