***
Safe Zone 1.
A gigantic settlement had been erected in Central Europe. It housed the largest amount of humans out of all the Safe Zones. For hundreds of miles, many structures that had once been grand cities were modified and partially rebuilt in order to accommodate the masses.
Stores, skyscrapers and storied houses were put to good use.
The revived lands were turned into large farms where many crops were being grown. Large water bodies were purified by the advent of Mother Earth's life energy, making the water clean and safe to drink.
Humans didn't waste the chance. While death was knocking the door, the masses used all the expertise they had learned and cultivated before the apocalypse to use the natural resources wisely.
Many people of different origins and backgrounds were working to keep themselves alive. Joining hands and making this settlement a better place to live. Even though human conduct was not perfect, all strive and conflict couldn't possibly overshadow the looming fear of the consequences of non cooperation.
Solar panels were erected everywhere, making full use of solar energy to power essential appliances. Naturally, this was apparent in all Safe Zones, only the scale differed.
Hydro-electric energy was also used, the cables for distributing the energy running underground to connect to major facilities that were built to accommodate food production, weapon production and purification.
Others went to the massive reinforced wall that encompassed the hundreds of miles worth of human activity. It wasn't just made of stone, but thick metal beams were arranged within it to increase its steadiness. It rose up to 400 meters, with a width of almost 100 meters.
On top of it were numerous large solar panels running power to the inbuilt defensive artilleries within. Outposts could also be seen all over the wall.
At the centre of the settlement was a gigantic fortress, that rose up to 300 meters. It was roughly two hundred thousand square meters.
It had a concrete and metallic visage, with hundreds of floors. There were also different and distinguished sections. Four were half the size of the tallest one in their midst.
Within one of the sections, was a spacious room where dozens of computers were strewn about and showing different footages ranging from aerial video, to thermal visuals and a vast amounts of data.
Some were monitors pinned to the walls and connected to laptops, passing data continuously.
In the midst was a girl with large round rimmed glasses, sitting in a black swivel chair. She had shoulder length orange hair and was donning a white coat.
She swivelled from one computer to the other, biting the pen in her hand, then jotted down a few things on her notebook. The next second she rushed to the computer on the desk and began typing frantically.
She did this as she looked at the footage on the largest monitor in the room.
What she saw appear on the monitor made her dart out of the room at bullet speed.
*
In another spacious room with a brown, polished oval table, 6 different men and women were seated around it.
Some were holding documents or tablets while discussing issues pertaining to the safety of the Safe Zones...as well as humanity's safety.
Most were dressed in formal attire; suits, white collar shorts etc. Even in the apocalypse, civility was a great way to keep the mind calm even if it was in clothing.
The room was well it, and a large screen was on the wall showing footage recorded by the satellite.
Yes. Satellite.
When the enemy had come, all the satellites in outer space has been taken down, falling to Earth or being completely obliterated and having their scraps remain floating in the void of space.
The remnants of a remote sensing satellite were found near the coasts of Europe facing the Arctic sea.
This type of satellite monitors and detects movements through the radiation emitted for example electromagnetic radiation. It was convenient for the situation that was happening on earth, but the damage it sustained during its descent was tremendous.
Fortunately, the geniuses of the world were put to work, along with some technologically potent innate abilities to fix as well as enhance the satellite and create miniature ones from blue prints that would assist it.
The one who operated it through her innate ability, Tech Witch, was the girl with orange hair, Rena.
The massive amounts of radiation emitted by Stragglers helped her in pinpointing their location as well track their movements from the modification of the satellite. Unfortunately, sometimes higher grade Stragglers were too fast to keep up with, such that even if she saw their destination, the response would be too late, like the attack on Safe Zone 2 by the first ever Grade S.
"So, Mr Newman, have you considered the issue we proposed?" an African American woman with thick black hair and a slim figure asked.
"Mrs Williams, the idea of a united Utopia within Safe Zone 1 is a pretty idea at best. Our scouting teams have discovered that these creatures are becoming more and more sensitive to life energy. Carrying out a massive reallocation of all humans to this Zone would be unwise. We'll risk getting ambushed," a Caucasian middle aged man with dark hair and a stout figure.
"Indeed, but you have to realise that if we resume to face this enemy whilst divided we will inevitably fall sooner or later. I say it's worth the risk," a Russian man with a stern look on his face spoke.
"Ridiculous! Are you seriously willing to sacrifice a lot of people for a miniscule chance at gathering the entire remnants of humanity and putting a strain on the resources here?! The divided Safe Zones were Mother Earth's way of quickly responding to the threat and providing refuge!" a bald Caucasian man with an army vibe slammed the table in protest.
"That's not necessarily true. This might actually be in our favour. If all humans congregated here then Mother Earth could use the energy from the other Safe Zones to consolidate Safe Zone 1, possibly even expanding the area of influence," a Chinese man who looked to be in his 60s said.
"You think the Stragglers will watch them waltz all the way without putting up a fight?" Mr Newman asked.
"We have the strongest human on our side, and he is as benevolent as they come. Surely he can handle the task," the Russian man retorted.
"Let's not put a heavy burden on him just yet. You fail to remember that it's only been three months since the apocalypse. We have limited knowledge and resources for such a grand endeavour. We could lose it all with the snap of a finger. Let's wait. The enemy's movements suggest that it's probing. The most likely target is the crystalized life force in this place. I'm sure Rena and her team will-" Mr Newman was interrupted by a loud bang that came with an orange haired girl.
She bolted through the door and wheezed as she held up her glasses that were about to fall.
The look in her eyes screamed of urgency and exhaustion as she took in a deep breath and spoke.
"Another attack! Thousands of Stragglers are converging towards Safe Zone 4!" she said in a loud voice, jolting everyone in the room.
"Theoretically, given that the numbers almost double those from the attack on Safe Zone 2, its safe to assume that there is a Grade S. Reinforcements need to be assembled immediately!"
"Right!" Newman said. "Contact the other Zones and have them gather Elite Invigorated to assist! Now!"
He barked at the two Invigorated who were on standby within the room.
"Should we issue KingMaestro189 too?"
"No. He's a commander. We can't have him running around every time a Grade S shows up. We have competent Invigorated too. Send Aryan and Mei."