Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse!

Obviously, a regular ol' RC Car had no fucking chance of climbing up unless the vents themselves go up in a slope—in which this place didn't—but Ken had long wanted me to test out his modded RC Car made to climb up vertical vents almost like a dumbass kid trying to imitate a certain Marvel character with spider powers.

It was possible due to its frame allowing the modded wheels to stretch/shrink so that it would stick closely to the walls—with limited length, of course—and then let its also modded motor do its thing.

I may have some reservations about its grip but it's much, much better than having a baby crawl through it and check the "Broodmother's" remains.

Then again, all sorts of things could've gotten into this vent system but it was a little better for the masses to see something that they could've assumed its remains. Of course, I, myself would still assume the worst and think that the little bastard was out there but yeah, it would be a little sad for a non-believer like me to appease everyone else from a delusion.

However, I'd still tell them my thoughts and they were free to interpret that in any way they could.

'I could only have everyone else think the same way as me by a small amount—and forcing them to think like me was just bad as people forcing their beliefs into others…'

It didn't take long before our RC Car was put inside the vents and had it recording while having LED lights on so we could see some shit, but it also didn't take long—and didn't have to test Ken's modifications to the car—when we discovered an octopus looking motherfucker that had tongues for its tentacles and a human brain for its… you know… head.

From the display, it looked like an octopus was charred to bits but still kept most of its original shape the same way—and as luck would have it, we would be able to easily collect it from the vents by cutting off one portion of it, taking the specimen out, and then finally welding it back in.

Look, I wasn't a vent expert because I'm not an impostor—old reference, I know—but we should take our Ws then and again and save the worrying and overthinking later.

So yeah, we easily had some people take out the Broodmother and divvied up the remaining shit to be done to our group, like closing off these connecting stations, cleaning them up, making sure #2's okay, picking up casings, documentation, etc.

Then Mayor Iskoh walked up to me:

"Hey… I heard that you're planning to have a group settle down here?"

I nodded, "Yeah, Artem's with a few supplements since this area needs serious cleanup. This is probably the reason that they're never-ending, they just keep churning out more and more soldiers— I mean, if they have parts to work with, that is."

He tilted his head slightly as he thought for a bit, "Hah… would it be a bad thing if I have my own group do the same thing for the other connecting station?"

"Why would it be bad? That's great. Makes for a good stop for your other groups, more reach all around, we'd have neighboring groups that close to each other, etc…"

"Yeah, yeah— you'd still help with clearing the other station though, right?"

"Of course, why'd you ask?"

"Well~ Since your group's here and all, I'm inviting you all to stay the night at my place so you don't have to drive the same way like last time. I mean— you could continue to refurbish this place and setup camp but it would be better for everyone if they sleep in a soft bed, right?"

I nodded a few times before I called Artem over.

As he made his way with Katya, I informed him of my plan to have his group turn this place into their little safe haven—and Katya was as excited as he was to be out here where the thick of the fight was.

It'd be less comfortable and they'd have to be in their toes most of the time—but this arrangement was just perfect for their needs and then some.

But yeah, the arrangement was that we'd still send them a constant delivery of supplies and anything that they might not be able to procure around these parts but in the future, I would love this place to stand on its own.

It'd be possible if I supplement them with a support team that could farm, take care of animals, fix vehicles, build shit on whatever materials were available, etc.

"But this wouldn't be your permanent address, alright? But yeah, you're free to make this place of what you will though do remember that we're supplementing your group with the younger generation rotating over time plus a few others to take care of some of your needs.

You'd have to take care of them as well and not just be permanently outside—and of course, you'd have to always have your radios on in case we need you for a longer trip."

Artem nodded with a faint smile, "Can I pick which friends to have over? I have some friends who would've loved to join us here."

"Sure. Just give me their names and I'll have Rin talk to them."

"Great."

Then Mikhail cut in from the back, "Hey."

I gave him a fist bump, "Hey, yourself. What's up?"

"I heard what you guys just talked about— C-Can I drive and stay with Jessica for a week or so?"

Katya rolled her eyes, "You don't wanna move here with us?"

Artem lightly chuckled, "We're not moving here, this is just for convenience, Katya."

I replied to Mikhail, "Who are you going with? Just you?"

"I know the way."

"Bring at least a handful of people with you but like Artem and Katya here, if I call for you, you come, is that clear?"

Mikhail chuckled as he gave me a pat on the back, "Heh, I didn't even think that you'd agree. I just tried to ask you to see how you'd react!"

I shook my head, "Then I changed my mind—"

"WHA— You—"

"I'm not even sure who you're going for, there's Gina in Cuervo Heights—"

"AH, FUCK! I FORGOT ABOUT HER! SHIT! I NEED TO FUCKING THINK!"

"HAHAHAHAHA!!!"

In any case, we eventually found ourselves in Mayor Iskoh's fold—though even if he was insisted on, Morales wanted to spend the night with his wife instead. Still, some of his officers came in as proxies and we had a nice meal with everyone else.

Well, it wasn't like everyone in my team came with us as they still had families and other responsibilities at home so yeah, we wouldn't put a dent in the mayor's food stock—but I can't be too sure of that statement either because Tatiana and Quinn were with us.

So for dinner, we had a good mix of vegetable and seafood dishes—with an obvious wallop of rice in each serving.

It was complimented with a nice fruit punch and some ice-cold beer for the adults—and yeah, a cup of joe was also available for the caffeine enjoyers.

And not to put a damper on the good vibes and nice atmosphere, we were eating at the same place I did some very, very ugly things to people who did unspeakable things to innocent kids.

'Just proves people are still the worst of the lot… Including me…'

Kaley and maybe even Tatiana recognized the place from the footage but they mostly kept a straight face as Kaley nudged in a little closer to comfort me while Tatiana just continued as is and wharfed down everything in front of her.

Then I heard a familiar voice from behind:

"Asshole."

"Wha—" I turned around and discovered it was Jude, "Hey— Jude, what's up?"

"Asshole!"

I was confused, "Huh?"

"You left me!"

"What?"

"You fucking left me!"

"The fuck are you talking about?!"

"In Subic! You fucking left me—"

"YOU WERE IN SUBIC?!"

"ASSHOLE!"

"OH MY FUCKING GOD— THEN YOU SHOULD'VE SAID FUCKING SOMETHING! NO ONE FUCKING NOTICED, DUDE!"

"Wut?"

"SERIOUSLY?!"

"Ah, shit— FUCK! Then fuck it, my bad— Have you had the cup noodles in the cafeteria yet? They're good if you mix in some chili powder—"

"..."

"What— Why are you all silent on me? I said it's my bad, right?"

"Sure… And no… Haven't tried the cup noodles— Have you had any real food yet? You're still skinny as fuck, you know? It wouldn't hurt to have some muscle!"

"I've heard that sermon before… Look, I do cardio whenever I could, I just can't build that much muscle if I have to force myself to eat 2000 calories! I can barely do 1500!"

Then Quinn cut in, "Holy fuck, you are a miserable shit, ain't ya? Word of advice, get your bloodwork done and shit. You are maybe one of the few people that actually needs a Testosterone shot…"

'Wai— That's might just be the case…'

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