It was seven o'clock on the morning of July 21st, 2023. At Richard's original unit, Lisa and her classmates were getting ready for the day ahead. Lisa opened the refrigerator to check for available food, while Denise and Angela went through Lisa's wardrobe to find some clean clothes.
"I'll make breakfast," Lisa announced, reaching for a pack of hotdogs and a container of nuggets. "It's a good thing that my brother brought groceries before the apocalypse happened."
Ella chimed in, "I'll help you, Lisa."
"Thank you, Ella," Lisa responded appreciatively. "You can go ahead and cook the rice while I handle these." She motioned to the hotdogs and nuggets.
Denise and Angela quickly found clothes that suited them, a small moment of normalcy amid the unusual circumstances.
"Hey, Lisa, did you check if we still have running water and a working heater?" Denise asked.
"Yeah, I already checked it this morning," Lisa reassured her.
Ella began measuring out rice and water, getting the rice cooker ready. The sounds of water running and utensils clinking against pots and pans filled the air.
Lisa glanced over at Ella, who was gazing at the rice cooker with a distant look. A heaviness seemed to linger on her face, and Lisa empathized with her. The incident from the previous night must have taken a toll on her, both externally and internally. There was no denying the impact such a terrible event would have on someone as innocent and cheerful as Ella.
"Hey, Ella, you doing alright?" Lisa asked gently, placing a comforting hand on Ella's shoulder.
Ella blinked, seemingly startled by the touch, and then offered a faint smile. "Yeah, Lisa. I'm... I'm trying to be."
Lisa nodded in understanding, recognizing the struggle. "Just remember, we're all here for you. If you ever need to talk or anything, we've got your back."
Their conversation took a slightly different turn when Lisa's tone shifted with anger. "Niel is a monster who got what he deserved," she said firmly.
Ella's expression tightened, a clear sign that Lisa's words struck a chord. "Let's just not talk about him right now, okay?" she requested. "I don't want to hear that man's name."
"I'm sorry," Lisa responded softly, realizing the effect her words had.
Shifting her attention back to breakfast, Lisa continued her task. Meanwhile, Denise, Angela, Joan, Rose, and Amy took turns using the bathroom to bathe and change into Lisa's extra clothes.
Thirty minutes later, the breakfast was ready. Plates and utensils were set out on a small table, and the aroma of cooked food filled the unit.
"I'll take a bath first before I eat," Lisa said, grabbing her personal towel and heading toward the bathroom.
But before she could enter the bathroom, the doorbell rang.
"It must be Richard!" she thought instinctively.
She hurried to the front door and swung the door open. There, standing before her, was indeed her brother, dressed in a military uniform.
"I have brought you some MREs…" Richard's voice trailed off as a familiar and delicious aroma struck his nose. "Wait…"
Richard entered the unit and saw her classmates gathered around the small table eating hotdogs and nuggets.
Lisa's classmates were surprised by Richard's sudden appearance.
"Oh, I forgot that we have that," Richard rubbed his head, smiling sheepishly. "Well, it looks like I don't have to bring MREs…"
"Sir Richard…do you want to join us?" Denise asked, a hint of awkwardness in her tone.
Richard considered it for a moment, then shook his head with a grin. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm fine."
And then he heard the door closed, Lisa locking it.
Richard turned towards Lisa. "Lisa? What are you doing? I'm supposed to leave—"
"Brother…can you stay here with us for a while?" Lisa requested with a cute and innocent expression.
Richard hesitated as Lisa just used her powerful weapon to sway.
"Fine, but only for ten minutes as I'll have to return back to the command center. I have unfinished business."
Richard sat on the sofa and flickered his gaze back at Lisa's classmates. He noticed the clothes they were wearing.
"I see that you are wearing my little sister's clothes," Richard noted.
Her classmates simply smiled shyly in response, probably embarrassed to talk to him.
Lisa settled into the seat beside him, her gaze shifting in his direction.
"Brother…is it okay for me to ask you questions about what's happening right now?"
"I don't have all the answers about the apocalypse but I'll do my best to answer your question," Richard said.
"Okay, brother. First off, how come you are the leader of this private military company? My classmates and I were thinking about it when you left yesterday. You rarely go out, and mostly stay here."
"Lisa…" Richard began. "I wish I could tell you the truth but I can't. What's important right now is that you are here with me, where I can protect you. That also goes to your classmates…" he paused, glancing at Lisa's classmates who blushed as they were touched by his words.
"Is that so…" Lisa said softly. "But you are their real leader? You are not just acting for someone?"
"You can ask every soldier in this condominium and they'll answer with the same name, Richard Gonzales, head of the Blackwatch Private Military Company."
Lisa furrowed her brow; it appeared her brother wasn't inclined to reveal his secret. Forcing him to divulge it seemed destined to result in a dead end.
"Okay, brother…my next question is…did you reach out to Mama and papa? Are you planning on rescuing them like you did to us?" Lisa asked.
Richard's eyes widened slightly, he just forgot about his parents. His mind was occupied with saving his little sister and building his troops.
"I'll order a rescue operation as soon as possible," Richard said.
"Sir Richard!" Denise suddenly called.
"Yes?"
"Uhm…ehh…is it okay if you can rescue my parents as well?" Denise stammered.
"Can I ask for the same favor, Sir Richard?" Angela chimed bashfully.
"Us too…"
And all of them voiced their request to save their family.
Richard hummed aloud, contemplating. He had expected this to happen, Lisa's classmates asking him to save their family that are probably stuck in their homes. But he is fully aware of his limitations. Despite having powers to mysteriously summon military personnel and hardware, he couldn't save everyone in this world.
"Our resources as of right now are very limited," Richard began to explain. "I can't risk sending our precious helicopters in the open as they could be brought down by the monster that confronted us yesterday. But it doesn't mean that I won't do anything. If your houses are near here, I could probably send a few of my men."
Hearing that, the girls lowered their heads in disappointment. Their hopes had been momentarily raised, only to be met with the harsh reality of the situation. They understood that Richard and his team were doing everything they could, but the limitations were stark.
Denise, Angela, and the others exchanged glances. They appreciated Richard's honesty and his willingness to offer help within the constraints they faced.
"Thank you, Sir Richard," Denise said. "Even if you can't promise anything, knowing that you're trying means a lot to us."
Angela nodded in agreement. "Yeah, thank you for everything you're doing. And thank you again for rescuing us yesterday. I will never forget it."
Richard's lips curved into a gentle smile as he rose from his seat. "No problem. Oh, by the way, before I forget, there will be an orientation in the function room on the eighth floor at ten o'clock. Make sure to attend to know about the changes I'm going to make."
After saying that, Richard left the unit and headed to the command center.