Surviving the Apocalypse

New Alliance

By the time the new Earth users finished their first lesson, each had managed to obtain level 2 because of the use of their powers so extensively. They had managed to separate the Shanty town from the rest of the Camp that would begin rapidly expanding, after they finished encasing it in the protective wall that would protect them from the worst of the zombie hordes. It made it very apparent to the people inside who couldn’t or wouldn’t work that the new directive was no joke. The only two access points were where they could exit to go into the wastelands to scavenge for useful items themselves, or into the Camp where guards were stationed to give them work assignments within the Camp so they could get basic supplies. The only way they would be allowed registration and permanent entry, was if they selected a permanent position on their own, or allowed themselves to be assigned to one. The agreement that they would work their assigned shifts without complaint to receive the benefits of residency.

Just after breakfast was served, 3 Cargo trucks and SUVs arrived filled with supplies and people that were experts in the construction methods to give Camp Epsilon the much needed boost to their facilities while their own teams were leveled up the same way as the Epsilon Earth users began their work on the fence again. Each of them used to how it would go as they used their initial energy to make as much fence line as possible before getting their first dose of Evojuice and repeating the process until they had been given both. When they completed the initial fence around the shanty town structures that separated the Camp, they went to the new expansion area and began constructing the walls they could there while James and his crew of 20 level 5 earth ability users were constructing the new barracks that would become the first true shelters of Camp Epsilon. Unlike the ones of Camp Epsilon, each of them could construct multiple buildings from a single burst of energy. By the time they had finished building the fence for the day, 20 Barracks capable of housing 6,000 people had been constructed as well as the first 40 greenhouses that would enable Camp Epsilon to begin growing their own food as the drilling rig for their well arrived at the Camp and was guided to where they wanted the primary well for the entire Camp.

All of the residents were amazed that Camp Hope had this kind of ability, their power and skill showing them just how far behind Camp Epsilon was despite having more than twice the number of people. Even the old and infirm inside the shanty town learned that however they could contribute to the Camp would be accepted for residency, more than 500 of them joining the rest of the Camp by lunch time. Only the truly stubborn ones who refused to contribute to Camp Epsilon or the Alliance remained inside, thinking they would find a way to game the system.

Lunch however showed them how wrong they were as the guards kept them from entering the main Camp without selecting a temporary work assignment. More than one was forcibly rejected when they tried to force entry so they could beg for scraps from those who were actually working. The fighting inside the shanty town was apparent to the residents who could hear it, none of them feeling any sympathy for them as the choice was theirs alone. They had barely been working for 6 hours on the first full day of the new system, and they already understood that caving to those who wouldn’t contribute was a waste of energy and resources that they could ill afford. Just before lunch finished, Crystal stepped onto a table to address the residents. Her voice was being projected over the new sound system that they had reactivated, so even those in the shanty town would be able to hear her speak.

“Today marks the beginning of the change, where we will either come together as one Camp for the good of all who reside here. Or we will fall apart because of the old divisions that used to matter. Now, we know the only thing that matters is that we face what is coming with every bit of strength and resolve we possess!” she announced to a cheer from those inside the Camp that had just eaten a filling meal while most in the shanty town realized that this would be the new normal so long as they didn’t join. “Today marks the day that the last of humanity stands united against the Zombies, determined to not just survive this hellish nightmare, but to thrive while we do so. Any that are willing to help us help them, are more than welcome to join our Camp. Your hard work along with the work that every one of us does will ensure that we will survive long enough to find a vaccine to protect ourselves. AS WELL AS CURE THOSE ZOMBIES WHO REMAIN ONCE WE DO!” Crystal yelled emphatically not knowing the full extent of the plans that Hanna had made.

As the day came to a close it was obvious those in the Camp were not used to this level of work, as most of them fell unable to keep going after 10 hours of exhausting work. Even the ones who had went out with the rest of Squad one and all of Squad 2 had learned how to be effective, two of the trucks they had taken packed full of food supplies and equipment to make their kitchen more effective at cooking meals. The smell of the canned meat they had found driving those in the Shanty town crazy as only a few of them had dared venture out to forage for wild plants and scavenge what they could from around the zombies who made it extremely dangerous to move around quickly.

Hanna watched from the room of the command center for Camp Epsilon as their defenses kept improving because of the construction her people had managed to create with their abilities. The sounds of fighting coming from the shanty town were completely ignored by the guards and those in the Camp, no one caring as they knew how basic the requirements for entry into the Camp were. The penalty for breaking that promise however was severe, as no one was banished from the Camp for failing to perform work. Nor were they thrown back into the shanty town, the only escape being another Camp willing to take them in, or execution as the survivors would not risk making even one more zombie intentionally. Hanna and her team that was here would remain until lunch the next day, all of their people getting crash courses in how to construct using their abilities, as well as how to combine their efforts to make plants grow and produce food fat quicker than any of them thought possible. Most of the ones assigned to be the new gardeners and farmers having a plant based ability that would allow them to increase the effective growth and production of plants that would feed them through the rough winters that Hanna was telling them were coming their way.

At 0500 they began the combat training that they had promised every new resident of Camp Epsilon would be happening, all of them putting just as much effort into that as they did their work before they had breakfast and began their own tasks. Each of the Camp Hope leaders giving their final lessons to those who would remain a part of Camp Epsilon so that they would know exactly what to do and more importantly the most effective methods they had found this far.

After lunch the entire Camp went back to work except for Crystal and Lt. Colonel Dickson as Hanna explained that despite the initial work in Camp Epsilon being complete, Crystal’s lessons were far from over. The only difference being that Hanna fully intended to take her to Camp Hope so she could get a real lesson on what a functioning Camp should look like.

“So, you have 2 options, the choice being completely yours. First option, you select 4 guards to join you for your protection, and you get the lessons yourself and relay what your people need to know yourself. Second option, is you select 4 people that will be the heads of their respective departments, and all 5 of you come learn the lessons you need to from our people. Either way I will ensure your safe return here by dinner time tomorrow, along with what you need to start the second phase of making your own Camp self sustaining.” Hanna told her.

“Which areas do you suggest we focus on and bring with us? I trust you will keep your word on ensuring our safety until we return, but what could you possibly give us more than the knowledge you already are?” Crystal asked.

“Well, I would recommend you Construction head, gardening, farming and your doctor. As far as what else we can offer, you will understand more when we get to Camp Hope. I could tell you now, but until you actually see it and the lessons we have planned, you likely won’t believe it is possible.” Hanna told her as she summoned the 4 people that had been suggested.

Bryce Whitaker who was going to be the farming head was wondering why exactly they were building chicken coops, pig pens and cow and goat pens when he was forced to come with Crystal. They were all in the SUVs that Hanna’s team had brought, the drive to the research lab taking exactly half an hour before they pulled through the gates. When they went straight down the road for another 20 minutes before they came to the manned wall, all of the people from Epsilon were amazed that these walls were 30 feet tall and 10 feet thick. As an added safety measure there was a wall on either side of the vehicles that went another 70 feet, the trucks entering one at a time for entry. The outer gate closed and the underside of the trucks inspected prior to the interior gate opening and allowing them to actually enter the outer Camp where the factories, farms and houses for the residents were located.

“Holy s**t, you actually have enough power and people to operate factories?” Crystal asked realizing that two of the factories were functional.

“Electrical power, yes. Manpower, no where near as much as we would like. We have the machinery to employ 1,000 people over the course of a day, but only about 250 actually working right now. Most of our manpower is focused on construction, gardening and farming.” She said as they passed a grain field that was being harvested by the automated equipment before the field was turned and replanted over the course of the next few days.

“Why operate them than, isn’t that a waste of manpower?” Bryce asked.

“Not at all, as the one factory is making ammunition and bombs that are used to eliminate the zombies. The other is processing our surplus vegetables into things that can be stored for the winter without spoiling. Both are critical to our long term survival.” Hanna said as they looked around.

“How does your Camp survive if it is so spread out?” Michelle Parker asked noticing that the houses that were occupied out here were few and far between.

“This isn’t the actual Camp, all this is a secured area that my Camp has expanded into so that the main Camp isn’t quite as crowded. We will be to Camp Hope in about 5 minutes.” Hanna told them as they sped across the cleared roadway.

All 5 of them were amazed at what they were seeing, as thousands of acres of crops were very apparent to them. They all knew they would be able to support many thousands of people for months with what they were growing before they turned off the road and saw the first glimpse of the actual Camp. The ones who had thought the outer walls were impressive were absolutely stunned when they saw the actual walls for Camp Hope, the massive gates able to hold all 3 of the trucks side by side with the SUVs. As soon as the exterior gate closed and slammed shut Hanna smiled.

“So, you all are probably wondering what exactly it is you about to learn here. This is the hands on portion of the experience, where you will see how what you have just begun to work on can be done when it is complete. So, let’s step out and get the medical assessment out of the way.” She told them.

“Medical assessment?” Bryce asked.

“We call it that as it is the medical personnel that perform it. Essentially they will be checking to ensure you haven’t been bitten or exposed to the virus before you are cleared to enter. It is the first thing anyone who exits that gate there must do upon entry. Not even I am exempt as Camp Leader, despite my armor and skill.” Hanna said as the men went with the other men and the women did the same on the opposite side of the gate.

Hanna kept them all there while the rest were screened, all of them passing with flying colors before being given more comfortable clothing to wear while inside the Camp as only Scavengers and Guards were allowed to carry guns. Anyone with knives, swords or handheld weapons were allowed to keep them, as nearly every member of the camp had one as well. When they finally cleared the last wall and could see the actual Camp, all of them were so stunned they stopped and stared as they saw the overflowing gardens and greenhouses, along with all the animals they could now see and hear.

Crystal recovered first as she looked at Hanna. “So all that beef, pork and chicken you gave us…” she trailed off as they heard some of the cows moo.

“Raised and butchered right here in Camp Hope. Current milk production is geared towards butter and cheese, but we are hoping to expand it considerably in the spring when all of the heifer’s give birth to their calves. We will have more prepared for butchering in roughly 4 months, but until than what meat we have already given you is all we can spare for the moment. Other than chicken, we seem to have more chicken than we can reasonably use before the next set of chicks will be big enough for butchering. This is what you are here to learn and see, and as I said, I could describe it. But seeing it is far better than just having it described to you.” Hanna said as they watched the section leaders return to their own tasks.

“How many people could you house here?” Crystal asked making Hanna chuckle.

“In the Camp itself, 5,000 for the moment. In the bunker, we can now house 7,000. But it isn’t utilized for the moment as it is our emergency fallback in the event we are overrun by zombies.” Hanna told them as Peter ran up.

“Hanna, we have broke through the collapse into level 6. We can have the machinery moved inside of an hour to allow the guards inside to eliminate the zombies.” He told her out of breath.

“Leave it for tomorrow if we can. Have Lucas assign a five man detail to stand watch in case they break through. Have everyone else rest and gather their strength, for I have a feeling we are going to need it as soon as we pop that cork.” Hanna told him.

“How in the hell do you keep control of all this?” Crystal asked as her people agreed about wanting to know.

“Control? Not a chance, I merely command and lead. The people who came to teach you, are the ones who control their individual sections. James is our Construction Foreman with a seat on the Command Council, Peter is our Mine Foreman with a seat on the Council. Pamela is out Head Gardener and controls the greenhouses and plant farms. Hector controls the cattle, pigs and foul. Doctor Harrington is our Lead Researcher, Nathaniel leads our tech infrastructure and development. All in all there are 15 people who make up our Command Council that are actually in control of their own little part of the Camp. Commanding a base like this isn’t about controlling every little thing. Believe it or not, we have rules here that may as well be the laws of the old world. Everyone knows what they are, as well as knowing they are expected to follow and obey them. Not even the Section Commanders control every aspect of their own domain, we instruct, inform and show them what has been decided upon.” Hanna said as Melissa ran up to her.

“Please tell me you will be here for a few hours.” She said as Hanna smiled.

“Will be here the rest of the day as well as tomorrow. What’s up?”

“We need to discuss the rest of the trade list and the prices we wish to charge not just our allies at Camp Epsilon, but anyone else willing to trade over time.”

Hanna nodded looking at her. “I guess you have my undivided attention for the afternoon. Plus we have someone who can help us determine what a fair price should be, atleast where our current and future allies are concerned. Crystal Johnson, this is Melissa Frost, Camp Administrator of Camp Hope and my second in command. If she tells you something isn’t possible, you might as well listen as not even I can change the answer.” Hanna said making the introductions.

“You are the new CO of Camp Epsilon.” Melissa said extending her hand. “Welcome as the first guests of Camp Hope, hopefully you enjoy your visit and learn how our Camp is supposed to run.”

Crystal laughed a little at the way she said it. “Sounds like you have your hands full.”

“Hands, feet, pretty much anything that can be full is full. But I love my job and wouldn’t change it for the entire world out there, even if it were zombie free.” Melissa told her bluntly.

“Well let’s get this off your plate at least, this way we will know now and forever what we charge the people we like, the people who ally with us, and we may as well set up an asshole tax price as well.” Hanna said making both women laugh as the other 4 people went to the area where they could learn the most from the people who did the work in their respective areas.