Surviving the Apocalypse

Negotiations

Hanna was surprised when Camp Fury returned to the larger conference room after only 20 minutes, the looks on their faces even more determined than before they talked. Within 5 minutes, the other two had returned to the table as well before Sebastian stood.

“I think I speak not just for Camp Fury, but Delta and Prescott as well when I say we would like to formally request a full partnership between our four Camps. Not just as trade partners, but full allies that assist and support one another with the things we can offer individually that may not be able to be replicated in other Camps.” He said as Brian and Damien both nodded on agreement before Hanna nodded and stood as well.

“Before we discuss all of that, we need to be clear what you are suggesting and asking. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that from now until Spring, each of your Camps is going to need a lot of work to come up to the minimum standards we would expect from any Camp in a full partnership. Expertise that we can replicate in each of your Camps, with significant time, resource and manpower costs.” She said with her Council agreeing with her assessment. “What benefit to Camp Hope are you offering that would make our investment worth the cost and risk?”

Sebastian smiled as he knew exactly what she was asking. How would they help her to help them. “Beyond the obvious trade system that we would be fools to not accept, we do some expertise that is difficult to replicate. Correct me if I am wrong, but your Camp is currently moving towards securing the 3 labs that are close to our Camps. We can offer secure staging grounds for your people, that way they do not have to travel as far in order to accomplish that mission. We can assist in securing not only the public labs, but the undeclared sites that are also part of the same network. I know we have people in Camp Fury that still have the access keys to this research lab and 3 additional sites that aren’t in the public database.” He said before Hanna smiled and pulled up the holographic map of the city.

The others were stunned at the detail, as they had identified a large number of zombies across the city. “I believe if we are going to create that level of partnership, it only be fair we are honest about our intentions. Yes, your information about the labs is correct. We have been moving to secure them for our purposes, as we fully intend to utilize them fully. If you each have personnel that used to work in these labs as scientists, we would be willing to create a centralized research station employing not just our own researchers and scientists, but yours as well. There are even a few production facilities that could be operated to benefit the Alliance, but it would mean that we all operate on the same economic system. It would be full integration into an Alliance that our first goal must be reclaim the city and unite as many Camps willing to join us for the betterment of humanity. We however have to face the reality that some Camps do not share those ideals, and we will not work with them in any way.” Hanna told them.

Each of them knew she specifically meant Camp Epsilon and those that believed in evolution at any cost. They all agreed with her assessment, as none of them believed they should force others to act and behave as if that was all that mattered.

“Just so we can be completely open, we know Camp Epsilon and 5 others near them believe we should force the ability users to evolve at any cost. You are saying not to even trade with them?” Damien asked as she nodded.

“Yes, if you wish to ally yourselves with me, it will be against that type of belief. If we are to survive this nightmare, we must hold onto our humanity. Those who chose so called evolution no matter the cost, will not benefit from our knowledge, experience or trade. We will not support them in any way, nor will we do anything more than defend ourselves from their aggression if they attack us.” Hanna told them bluntly. She knew there was no way to sugar coat it.

“I for one believe the benefit far outweighs the cost, and will help me sleep better at night knowing that we won’t be helping what is the human equivalent of evil.” Sebastian said evenly before he sat.

“Our Camp has relied on trade with a Camp that is close allied with Epsilon. Without it, they won’t survive, could the alliance support them if they decided to join us instead.” Damien asked her.

Melissa looked at them. “Between the four Camps here, we are looking at 18,000 residents. How many are in this Camp that might be interested in joining?” she asked.

“1,800, they couldn’t grow a crop to save their lives, but they do have extensive experience killing zombies. Most of them are former soldiers, their base abandoned during the evacuation during the outbreak.” He answered.

“That wouldn’t be an issue, especially if they are willing to join us and provide that same tenacity that enables them to survive paying those inflated prices.” Melissa replied making them laugh. “For anyone else with potential allies, we have limited surplus for trade, as we have to support our own Camp as well.”

Hanna smiled as she looked at them. “So long as the residents of the Camps in the Alliance are willing to do what is necessary to ensure they help us help each other, they are more than welcome. Perhaps for this base of abandoned soldiers, we teach them how to scavenge supplies to feed themselves, while getting what they need to trade for added benefit. Growing crops and raising cattle is just one part of the solution to survival. The rest is in the ruins of the old world, protected by zombies that must be eliminated before we can fully reclaim the status of being a society. That must be our combined goal, no matter how long it takes us to achieve it. One building at a time, one zombie at a time.” She declared as they all celebrated the fact that they had a common goal that each Camp would be able to contribute to while also benefiting from the knowledge and experience of the other Camps. Especially the knowledge and experience that Camp Hope had to offer them.

They all looked at the map of the city, each block showing the status of whether it was cleared or infested. The ones they had under surveillance, even showed the number and location of zombies that the system had identified. Aspects the other Camps hadn’t even dreamed of attaining yet.

“Our first goal should be securing these blocks here so we can establish a protected corridor between all of our current Camps. With any luck it should only take a week, depending on how many level 3 Earth users you all have.” Lucas said highlighting 9 blocks between the 3 Camps that prevented large scale transportation between them.

“This base here is where those 1,800 soldiers are stationed.” Damien said indicating it on the map 2 miles west of his Camp and only 1.5 miles from Camp Epsilon.

“We will worry about that when they have made a decision about which Alliance they would rather be a part of. If they choose ours, we will secure from here up, as this land here would be perfect for extending our total farmable acreage.” Hanna said as it represented 8,000 acres of tillable land. “Each Camp will also need to erect fortifications at these markers to protect the land each of you should utilize at minimum for internal greenhouses and farms.” She said showing the massive expansion she envisioned for them.

3 days later she had authorization to bring Recon Base Hidden Sight into the Alliance, with Damien, Brian and Sebastian all joining her for the initial meeting between Hanna and the man that they all called Sarge. He had been the highest ranking officer when Major Cromwell abandoned his post 2 days into the outbreak. Since then, they had kept their base free if zombies and begin doing what they could. They however had no command experience on the Base, or anyone that knew much beyond soldering. They were on the brink of collapse, and it showed in the way the men carried themselves into the meeting with her. As soon as Sergeant Miles showed himself however, she smiled before she ran over and hugged him surprising everyone.

“Little bit?” he asked when she dropped back to the ground and punched him in the arm. “What was that for?” he demanded.

“Not telling me you were coming here after school was out. We could have gotten a meal before this hell started.” She said before lightly punching him again.

“Wait, so you are in charge of Camp Hope and this new Alliance Damien was telling me about?” he asked rubbing his now sore arm.

“Yes, and I will be highly offended if you reject my offer and work with those bastards any more. They don’t deserve your men working for them.” She said as he nodded.

“We have a lot of mouths to feed, not all of them prepared for combat.” He said as she nodded.

“I hate to break it to ya old fart, but this base isn’t worth a s**t anyway. Too much work to make it into something other than a training base for soldiers.” She said as he nodded.

“Just looking for the right place to settle into. Epsilon was never on the table, but they did have decent supplies that got us through some tough spots.” Sarge said shrugging.

“How do your teams feel about splitting up? We have 4 Camps in our new Alliance, all of them would be able to benefit from the expertise your men have, as well as being able to provide them with more than decent garbage that Epsilon is charging a left nut and right kidney for.” Hanna replied making him chuckle.

Sarge nodded as he assessed her. “We operate as 8 different teams anyway. If you have 4 Camps, we can split into those 8 teams. 2 going to each Camp for security and Scavenging operations.” He said with a shrug. “Besides, it isn’t like we are being forced into saying goodbye. If we are part of the same Alliance, we will still see each other.” He said sure of that.

“Indeed you will still see one another. Or if you prefer, we can relocate you all and keep you together. Depot Oscar has open areas around it that could be converted for growing food and raising cattle.” Hanna suggested.

Sarge nodded with a smile. “my people would appreciate staying together. It has been tough but so far we have made it as a group.” He said relieved to hear her offer that as an alternative to separating them. “We of course can still supply training and manpower to any missions that require it, in exchange for teaching us grunts what to do.”

Hanna and Lucas laughed as both knew he was more interested in combat training than he was anything else. For 25 years he had been teaching it at Manfield Academy so the Cadets would be functional members of the military when they graduated. “We will get ya up and running in no time Sarge. There are even barracks there that aren’t made out of tents that won’t last the winter we will be facing. So for the next 6 weeks, everyone can essentially consider Scavenging operations suspended. We need all available manpower getting at least barrack built for each Camp and hopefully some greenhouses so you can start feeding yourselves.” She told them as she shook the large hand Sarge offered her.