Chapter 143: The military base

At first, they only thought they were odd shapes of metal. When they got closer, they saw what it truly was. These were people. They were scattered along the way. Some were huddled under pieces of scrap metal, others under concrete.

But they were all undeniably dead.

There was a man lying face down on the ground. Sections of his skin were blistered, and other sections appeared to be tanned and tough like old leather.

A woman was huddled over, trying to shield two young children. He skin was blistered, and the two children under her were unnaturally stiff. None of the three was moving.

The further they walked, the more people they saw. Some are still alive, others are dead. Those who saw them looked at them with a mix of disbelief and horror.

Seven people walking around in the sun as though they were on a stroll. They all knew how brutal the sun was. They were feeling it on their backs at this very moment. Their blood felt as though it was boiling, but these people, almost naked, could walk around freely.

“Water…” a voice croaked, watching them pass. “Please…”

Everyone watched as the seven walked past. Their hope for sympathy was dashed. Their anger rose instead. But even if they were angry, they had no energy to rush at the people passing by.

They could only sink back in despair, hoping their suffering would end quickly.

The seven walked past without stopping, not because they lacked sympathy, but because they had no intention of saving these people. Whether they were callous wasn’t up for debate. This was not a place where kindness is rewarded.

If they had given one person water, would they need to give it to everyone? They weren’t saints or saviours.

Sarah felt her heart constrict lightly. The way it would, when a person wanted to help but couldn’t. She was a nurse. Her field was medicine. She wanted to help these people, but she also knew what was important. She wasn’t going to put the people with her in danger, just to save one person.

The walk continued, and the corpses became numerous. Some were charred and blackened as though they had been set on fire.

Arriving at the military base, the usually strong base, had melted in sections. It was still a strong stronghold, but there were signs of dilapidation. Though not something they could control, it was evident how much the sun affected them.

Not to mention nearby, the different cars had their paint peeling and bubbling. The tyres had long melted into pools of black, appearing as bubbling tar. It was a wonder the roads were still intact.

No matter how hot the sun, the soldiers still stood guard. It was obvious they were barely holding it together. They were sweating buckets, but they still stood guard.

At the entrance, the seven stood in their skin-tight outfits. The soldiers stared at them wide-eyed.

“Well, this is a bit awkward,” Ivan quipped.

“Seven naked people standing under the blazing sun that’s threatening to kill everything in sight. Not to mention, we aren’t breaking a sweat. What’s awkward about that?” Alex asked sarcastically.

“Not naked, we’re wearing clothes. We look naked.” Ivan shrugged.

“Identify yourselves, or you will be shot.” The hoarse voice of the soldier at the gate sounded.

Ember took a step forward with Aiden.

“My name is Aiden, this Ember. We’re here to speak with your commanding officer. The matter is urgent and concerns the survival of everyone in your base.”

“You don’t have to believe us. We aren’t the ones who are about to die from the heat. We’ll stay for another few minutes to give you time to talk to your superior.”

With that, they both stepped back. The group talked among themselves. Ember, who was wearing a backpack, took out bottles of water. They had been walking for a while, and though the suits kept them cool, they still needed water.

The shimmer extended to the water in her hand. As she passed it to the others, the shimmer would protect it.

The soldiers who were still deciding whether to contact their commanding officer saw all of this unfold. They still remembered the water boiling and the plastics burning in the base. And yet, these seven people could drink cool water to their hearts’ content.

They licked their already dry lips and couldn’t help but want to pounce on them.

Ember and her group pretended to be oblivious of everything, but were laughing secretly.

It didn’t take long for them to call out to them, allowing them to enter the base.

When they entered, the place was not like they imagined. They weren’t expecting conditions to be as carefree as the Eyrie, but this was miserable. The air outside already smelled like death.

Inside the base, the smell was no better. The smell of unwashed bodies, dead bodies, rot, and decay. The metals that had melted were littered all around the place. It was clear that inside the base was not much better than outside.

As Ember and her group walked in, the eyes of the survivors and the soldiers bore into them. They saw them walking with ease into the base. It was as if the sun didn’t bother them in the slightest.

Compared to their haggard appearance, these people were obviously well fed. They didn’t look like survivors in doomsday.

A man in his fifties with a scar on his face stood waiting for them. His blue eyes were sharp and intelligent. Beside him stood a younger man. His eyes were cold and full of hostility.

Their surprise at seeing the seven flickered in their eyes before dying down. They needed to understand what they were dealing with first. For now, to them, these people were a threat.

“I am General Thorpe, this is Colonel Grant. You have five minutes to explain why we should believe you. If you can’t, well, we won’t be merciful.”

“Threats don’t really work well with us. Plus, you might kill yourself before you would kill us. Are you willing to use one of those guns now in this kind of heat?” Alex stated what no one around them was willing to say.

Aiden continued where Alex stopped. “Regardless of your threats, we are genuinely here to help you. If you think we can’t, we can leave. We are being generous by offering you a place to stay. Do not mistake kindness for weakness.”

The general said no more, pursing his lips. He gestured for them to enter the conference room. There were seven of thema nd this was the only place that could fit everyone comfortably.

When everyone was seated, the general asked.

“You say you are offering us a place to stay. But I do not believe anyone would be foolish enough to offer their resources to people who do not serve a purpose. What purpose do you think we serve?”

Aiden tapped his finger on the table. “You are right, you do serve a purpose. We want you to join us of your own free will because the alternative is slavery. And that slavery is about to come to you wrapped in a pretty bow.”

The general furrowed his brow. He didn’t understand what this young man was referring to. Is there someone planning to attack their base? They seem confident.

Waving his hand, Aiden spoke to dispel his doubts. “If someone offered you a place to live. A place where food and water will never run out. They offer you technology you have never seen. A place where this forsaken heat would no longer be a problem, would you take it?”

Aiden asked, but he knew the answer was yes. Who wouldn’t want to get away from the heat? Who wouldn’t want good food and shelter?

Thorpe narrowed his eyes. “Anyone would want to take it. But who would offer it?”

Chuckling, Aiden said, “Two groups are offering, them and us. They haven’t arrived yet. But they will. They are waiting for you to be at your lowest before they swoop in to ’protect’ you.”

“It’s just that their version of protect comes at the loss of your soul. If you are willing to take it, that is up to you, but is everyone in your base willing to accept it?”

Colonel Grant scoffed when Aiden finished speaking.

“Do you expect us to believe that? You come here looking like strippers from a sci-fi convention and think we would believe anything you say? What if you’re the ones who want our souls?”

“Fair,” Ember said. “But are you willing to take the risk? Are you willing to risk your lives and the lives of your families on a gamble like that?”

That made him pause. The lives of their families weren’t something they were willing to risk. But would it be worthwhile to believe these people?

“You don’t have to believe what we say; we can show you proof.”

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