EverMart shopping plaza.
Jacob walked around for a good while seeing what people had to offer. He was mainly trying to find people to join Atkinson's survival group.
Of course he couldn't just pick and choose any person randomly, so he chose to scout around looking at people's actions and behavior.
He believes in his gut feelings when he sees someone trustable and reliable.
After a while, he found a couple of people who seemed to fit his liking. And after a bit of talking he allowed them to join Atkinson's group.
They hitched a ride on top of the fire truck with the insectoid humans holding them down.
Then they were on the road back to the base.
"So what happened?" Lilith asks.
"It went well actually, the boss of EverMart is most likely an enabled and I think there are more of them." Jacob answers, then adds, "I think I found two great people, they're twins and they're both mechanical engineers."
"This is great news! Muwha!" Lilith leans over and pecks Jacob on the cheeks, "Good job!"
"Hehe yeah" Jacob was happy, his whole being still intact and they stayed with him through this world of madness.
"Mommm! I want a kiss too!" Cam wakes up and looks at Lilith with his puppy eyes.
Sometimes in a world so harsh that it can crush the soul, a little bit of happiness can mean so much to someone.
After all, it's the small things with genuine thoughts that counts.
Roof of the fire truck.
"Ay big bro, you sure this is a good idea? I mean these guys could just toss us aside after we help them." Zhao Jia asks.
"Don't worry, I believe Jacob is a good person… at least as good as people can get in this world," replies Zhao Feng.
Their conversion was a little awkward as their bodies are being clamped down by disgusting distorted bone-exposing zombies.
Meanwhile at Banknetic, 2nd floor lounge.
Atkinson decided to keep the orbs safe in his void inventory, oh wait it's still inaccessible and grayed out.
Dang it, well maybe if he eats more he'll upgrade or something.
Vroom Vroom!
The car noises became louder as they stopped in front of the bank. Then they quieted down. This time a large truck was with them.
They get out and prepare to unload the contents in the truck. A few stood guard against any dangerous creatures.
"Oh they actually came! Very good" Atkinson gets up from the couch and enters the mini-vault for safety.
He got an alert from one of his insectoid humans on the roof.
He orders his zombies to bring out gold bars, jewelry, Jerry Cans, and alcohol and cigarettes. He needs food, water and weapons. Everything else is secondary, however, precious metals will be useful in the future if he can find a technician for a metalworks factory.
"Mark, you sure this is the place? There's no one here!" asks Jake as he scowls with his hands on his hips.
"Yeah yeah yeah, relax man!" Mark waves his hand.
Shortly after, three insectoid humans flew over to bring them inside. They carried their boxes and items inside with them.
"So where's your boss at hehe!" Jake shouts haughtily as he stood looking around the bank.
They were sitting down at a conference area in the bank. Soon a taller insectoid human dressed as the previous bank manager came into the room.
"Well, this is interesting!" Garry thought to himself with his arms crossed sitting down. Carl's entire squad came with him.
The business suit insectoid human suddenly grabs a walkie-talkie from his pant pocket and stuffed it in his mouth.
Krzzzzz*
White noise came from the radio in the business insectoid human's mouth.
"What the hell?!"
"Hello survivors, welcome to my trading post! What are you guys looking for?" This is Atkinson speaking through the walkie-talkie.
The business insectoid human points to the shelves with numerous items ranging from adult biology items to precious metals to jerrycans.
A insectoid human places down cups of water for everyone on the long table.
Jerry Cans are valuable because gasoline and diesel power most of the world.
As for electricity, they are generated from the burning of oil. Of course, there are wind turbines, water dams, solar panels, and nuclear plants.
Only solar panels and wind turbines are feasible right now, the water dams and nuclear plants need constant maintenance.
Obviously, they're not getting that anymore.
Eventually only those who control oil fields or rigs effectively can survive in the apocalypse. However, without the logistics of the modern world, those fuels will be processed and sold much slower.
So renewable energy is the only best option. Perhaps one day with enough people a solar panel/wind turbine factory can be restarted.
There might be more options, but Atkinson could only think of these right now. Anyways, those are plans for the future.
"You're really paranoid eh? Can't even be here in person?" Garry snorts, thinking the person controlling the insectoid humanis looking down at his group.
No one says anything. Except for Carl, "Don't speak nonsense"
Garry huffs and looks down like an immature child who can't take a hit at his pride.
Carl nods to Jake to start the trade.
"Ok, Sir so we have canned food, essence orbs and-"
"Wait a minute, you are selling essence orbs? Why?" The static voice of Atkinson came through the walkie-talkie as the business insectoid human gestures with his arms.
"Um, that's because normal people can't cultivate its essence from the orbs and the enabled have their limits to how many they can absorb" Jake explains carefully.
"Ok"
Once I get an army of insectoid humans I can just plunder thousands of essence orbs from zombie hordes!
Then I can cultivate my human brethrens with essence orbs! There is got to be a method to go beyond that barrier of absorption!
Atkinson thought to himself dreaming of the bright future in this dim world.
They bartered back and forth for a few minutes until they were both somewhat satisfied.
Atkinson got 10 orbs and a ton of canned meats and veggies for about two-hundred Jerry Cans, some adult biology items, and precious metals like gold and silver.
As for cigarettes and alcohol, they traded all of them. Truly rare and valuable commodities in this era.
From this trade Atkinson could see the real value of essence orbs. If a regular person hordes it, they will be subject to a lot of enmity. They have to be able to protect them and actually use them to their full potential.
After they were done, they spoke some pleasantries and parted on good terms. They will be regular customers in the future.
The cars and truck drove off in the distance as the sun set once again.
Atkinson orders his insectoid zombies to clean up the meeting room. Then he exits his mini-vault to check out his goods in detail.
His insectoid humans brought the canned goods in the basement in the large fridges. Atkinson thought of getting a freezer but he needs more power and the know-how of dismantling one and installing it.
The essence orbs were placed carefully on the table. Atkinson grabs his and compares it to the ones on the table.