They reached Souta's base, where the gates opened wide to receive them. They gasped in awe as they beheld the fortress that would be their new home. They felt a surge of purpose and anticipation as they entered the stronghold.
Souta, standing at the front, greeted them with a warm smile. "Welcome to our sanctuary," he said, his eyes sparkling with sincerity and conviction. "Here, we build not just walls but bonds that can endure the hardships of this world."
The refugees, who had suffered under the tyranny of the trade market, found themselves in a place where compassion and cooperation reigned. They reunited with their loved ones, and made new friends, as they followed the spirit of resilience and unity that Souta had instilled in them.
The transition marked the birth of a community based on mutual respect and shared values. Souta's vision, which he had expressed in his stirring speech, became a tangible reality. The trade market's people, who had been oppressed, became active participants in creating a society where everyone was valued, acknowledged, and empowered.
Souta and his companions arrived at their base, where they were greeted by Jenny and the other survivors. "Jenny, these are the people we rescued from the trade market. Can you take care of them?" Souta asked.
"Of course, I'll do that. But you should rest too, Souta. You look exhausted." Jenny replied with concern.
"I'll rest later. I have something important to do first. Wait for me in the house until I come back." Souta said with a smile.
"Okay, be careful." Jenny nodded.
Souta and Ai left the others and headed to a dark room, where a man was tied to a chair. The man was the son of a politician who was in charge of the trade market, where people were sold as slaves or experiments. He had a cloth over his eyes and mouth, preventing him from seeing or speaking.
Ai removed the cloth from the man's face, revealing his terrified expression. He looked around, trying to figure out where he was and who had captured him.
"Where am I? Who are you?" He shouted in panic.
Souta pointed a pistol at his head, making him flinch. "We are the ones who will ask the questions, not you. If you don't want to die, answer us truthfully." Souta said coldly, cocking the gun.
"What do you want from me?" The man stuttered, fearing for his life.
"We want to know everything. About your father, the trade market, the evil traders, and anything that values, satify us and we'll let you live." He then glare at him, "Don't try to lie to us, or you will regret it." Souta said, pressing the gun against the man's forehead.
"Okay, okay, I'll tell you everything. Just don't kill me, please." The man said, begging for mercy.
"Good. Start talking." Souta said, lowering the gun slightly.
The man swallowed hard. "My father, Roa, was a politician who was assigned to establish a safe haven for the people. But he was killed by the general of the military, Roy. He was against the trade market and the evil traders, but they assassinated him," he said hesitantly.
"Liar," Ai said.
"What? No, I'm not lying! I'm telling you the truth!" the man protested.
Souta pulled the trigger, shooting the man's left foot. The man screamed in pain.
"PLEASE!!! STOP IT! I'M TELLING YOU THE TRUTH!" he repeated.
Souta shot his right foot, making him scream louder.
"STOP! STOP IT!!! DO YOU NOT KNOW WHO I AM!? WITHOUT ME YOU CAN'T STOP IT! SOON THEY WILL—" he tried to say, but Souta shot his toe.
"AUGH!!!!" He scream and start crying, "please! Stop it, I'll tell you everything just make it stop!" Then again Souta shot his other toe
"DO YOU WANT ME TO TALK OR NOT!? AT LEAST GIVE ME TIME TO FCKING TAL—" Then again Souta shot his foot
The man cried out, begging for mercy. But Souta didn't stop. He kept shooting his feet and toes, until the man was a bloody mess.
"Are you ready to talk now? Don't waste our time," Souta said coldly.
The man looked at him with a dull and lifeless expression. He didn't care if Souta killed him now.
"The man who killed my father was me. I did it because I was greedy and wanted to take over everything. The general opposed me, but the evil traders backed me up and gave me supplies. They also threatened the other politicians and the people, so no one could stop me. I was the king of the trade market, until you came along. You ruined everything I worked hard for! You're the reason I'm like this now!" he shouted, trying to break free from the ropes.
Souta looked at Ai, who nodded.
Souta then shot the man in the heart, killing him instantly.
"Ai, do it," Souta ordered.
Ai walked towards the dead man and placed her right hand on his head. Her hand glowed red. After ten minutes, she stopped.
Ai analyzed the data she had extracted from the dead man's mind. She detected a high level of threat and urgency. She decided to inform Souta of the situation. "Souta, we have a critical problem. The government has a covert plan to launch nuclear missiles at the major cities. They have the codes and the missiles secured. Their objective is to eradicate the remaining civilization and establish a new world order. They devised this plan a week after the outbreak, and they will execute it in a year. That is next month," she said in a calm but serious tone.
Souta felt a shock wave through his body. He could not comprehend what he was hearing. "They what!?" Souta exclaimed, "Why the fck would they rely on nukes!? They know fully well that nukes are bigger threat than the zombies!"
Ai nodded. "This plan was their last resort. They had some prerequisites that had to be met before they could initiate the launch. One, the government had to be dead or incapacitated. Two, the military had to be hopeless or corrupted. Three, the virus had to worsen or mutate. And four, all of the surviving higher-ups had to consent to the decision," she explained.
"Damn it, this is insane. We can't just go to the military base and tell them to stop. They won't listen to us. They probably don't have any power or authority left. That's why they're desperate. We have no other choice but to prepare ourselves for the worst," Souta said.
He looked at the dead man's body, feeling a surge of anger and disgust. He was the son of the politician who was in charge of the trade market. He had killed his own father and collaborated with the evil traders. He had caused the suffering and death of many people. And he had almost succeeded in his evil plan, if not for Souta and his companions.
"What do you think is the best solution for us here?"
"Souta, considering the imminent nuclear threat, my optimal suggestion is to locate and secure a substantial underground bunker capable of accommodating our entire community. The nature of nuclear strikes demands an enclosed space that provides protection against radiation, fallout, and external hazards.
Once the bunker is identified, initiate a swift evacuation plan, prioritizing the relocation of all community members to this secure facility. The bunker should be equipped with essential supplies, including food, water, medical resources, and sustainable living conditions.
Utilize my analytical capabilities to assess potential bunker locations based on safety, accessibility, and resource availability. Time is of the essence, and swift action will be crucial in ensuring the safety and survival of our community in the face of this unprecedented threat.
While the nukes cannot be stopped, strategic preparation and relocation to a secure bunker will enhance our chances of weathering the aftermath and safeguarding the well-being of our community members until it is deemed safe to resurface." She answered like an A.I
"I see.. A Bunker huh… so the base that we worked hard to build will just be destroyed?"
"From a technical standpoint, the base will indeed sustain significant damage from the nuclear impact. However, your paramount focus should be on prioritizing the safety and well-being of your community members, including yourself. The structural integrity of the base is secondary when compared to the preservation of human lives.
Redirecting resources and efforts towards establishing a secure and sustainable environment for your people is advised. Post-nuclear survival necessitates prioritizing shelter, supplies, and a strategic plan for the continuity of human existence. You have the capability to construct a new, safe base for your community, ensuring their resilience and survival in the aftermath of the impending nuclear event."
Souta sighed, "You're right, we can still build another if that happens" he said. "Let's go now, it's getting late, Jenny and the others are still waiting for me"
Souta and Ai left the room, leaving the corpse behind. They had a mission to accomplish.
As the sun set, painting the sky with vibrant colors, the community gathered for a feast. They saw people from different backgrounds and walks of life sitting together, sharing stories, and forming connections. They witnessed the power of hope and collective effort in transforming their lives.
The journey was not without its challenges, but within the walls of Souta's base, a flame of humanity burned bright, lighting the way to a future where the wounds of the past served as a reminder of the strength forged in adversity. And so, under the starry sky, the residents of Souta's base embraced the promise of a new era, ready to face the unknown together.