The following day, preparations for the challenges ahead began in earnest. Olivia's group integrated seamlessly, sharing their knowledge of law enforcement with the group.
Weeks passed, and one by one, the other groups came back to the base with their spoils. Some brought along new survivors, while others only had resources. But that was fine. What mattered was that they came back safe and had gathered as much as they could resources.
Our population had not increased much, but our consumption was still high. However, we had enough manpower to start large-scale farming for the people. But we also had to get ready for the nukes. That's why I led a group to the military base 0-261, located on an isolated island.
We flew there in dozens of helicopters, early in the morning at dawn. My companions were Rex, Ai, Shana, Anna, and Steff, along with some of our elite soldiers. We had heard rumors about the base, so we were on guard.
We arrived in the afternoon, and the base greeted us with hostility. They didn't suspect anything when we landed, since we used helicopters from another military base. But when they asked for our identification, they were shocked to find out that we were from a random base in the wasteland. Because of that, they surrounded us with their guns aimed at us.
This was how we ended up here, surrounded by angry soldiers. "Who the hell are you to steal military helicopters? Answer!" One of them shouted at us.
"Do you really want to fight a group that has military helicopters? Besides, we came here with a goal that you don't know, but we know that you are from the military. Isn't it strange that we dared to come here?" Anna said calmly.
"Stand down," a man commanded. He was their leader. "These people know who we are, and they still came here. They must have a backup plan if things go south. People are not stupid in the outside world," he said.
"Are you the leader?" He asked Anna.
"Oh please, I'm just a soldier. The higher-ups are not foolish enough to enter enemy territory, right?" Anna said.
"I see, a representative, then. Come with me, I want to talk to you," he said.
"No, I want to talk here and now," Anna said.
"Oh? But this is the shore, it's not a comfortable place to talk," he said.
"No, this will be brief. We want an alliance with you. It's a good deal, don't you think?"
"Oh?" He smiled. "And why is it a good deal? You are just a bunch of survivors from the outside, we can't possibly be on equal terms with you, right? After all, you are lower class!" He said with a smug and disgusted expression.
"Don't you know who lives here? These people are the elite! Millionaires, politicians, and even billionaires! And you want us to be equal with you? You must be dreaming! You are nothing but a bunch of pi--"
"Kyaaaa!!!!!!" A loud scream came from the top of the resort, where the people lived. "What's that? Hurry up and check it! And you! We don't have time to deal with your proposal! Leave!" He shouted. But Anna smiled.
"We'll do that," she said. He didn't expect her to agree so easily. "Hmp!" He snorted and turned his back on us. Anna and her team quickly boarded their helicopters and left.