Chapter 80: On the Road Again

Ember and Aiden waited another few days before leaving. Making sure that the base was no longer in danger and that everyone would be able to fend for themselves when they leave.

It wasn’t hard to do. The CE completed many aspects of the base. As for them, they only needed to ensure they provide CL and AB to keep it up and running properly.

Before they left, Marcus and Alex decided it would be good for them to know more about the Geo-grid and other electrical aspects of the base. So they set off on their own learning campaign. Adrienne had already been dealing with logistics. She continued to ensure the base had enough materials.

She also asked them to bring back a few plastics and polymers on their travels, as well as any seeds they could find. Sarah had started to study the medical equipment. She was particularly interested in the cryo-stasis pods.

Ivan had always been in management. He was set to be the face of their base. He would deal with external relations. According to him, as long as it did not mess with his time in the bedroom, he would take whatever job they threw at him.

Another meeting was briefly held. Ember announced The Whispering Net. It was similar to walkie-talkies, but it covered their entire base. There was no need for them to use any actual instruments. Its connection was to the fellowship contract. They would be able to communicate with each other mentally.

The beginning of the meeting was tense as Ember had never explained to them what CL and AB really were. She had used the term sex and emotion. Still, she had never said the words out loud to anyone except Aiden.

With the previous explanation as a premise, the team was able to understand that these terms were split according to the sexual and emotional nature of the base. It did not take long to reach an understanding. Everyone on the team was intelligent.

After her explanation, the costs of The Whispering Net were explained. With an initial investment of 5000 AB and a daily cost of 500 CL, it was deemed too expensive for current use. They reasoned that the base, although able to generate CL, would not have much left over.

If what Ember told them was correct, they needed to save both CL and AB for later use. Thus, the idea of using The Whispering Net was postponed until they could get new members.

On the day Ember and Aidne left, all the members of the base came to see them off. Leaving through the corridor, Ember felt nostalgic for a brief moment. She remembered her wonder when she first arrived at the base. Leaving now, felt as though she was leaving her home behind.

Their footsteps echoed in the corridor, the faint glow of light leading the way.

“Don’t make that face,” Aiden said, pinching her cheek.

“I’m not making a face,” Ember said, pouting.

This was them. When they did not have to be the Warden/Chief and the Architect/Deputy Chief, they were just Ember and Aiden.

Aiden kissed her briefly, nipping at her lip. “Ok, you’re not pouting. But you aren’t smiling either. How about I give you a reason to smile?”

Ember rolled her eyes, holding his arm as they continued walking through the corridor. Not more than three minutes passed before the corridor opened to reveal the world they had been avoiding.

As soon as they stepped outside, the stench hit them. A sickly smell filled the air. The stench of something rotten. The air was thick with fog. The smell of rust and blood. It was unlike anything they had smelled before.

Ember and Aiden covered their noses. Their faces wrinkled as they scanned the horizon. Bodies tensed, yet they did not move. If danger was lurking, the safest place at the moment was beside the base entrance.

It had its own defensive mechanism.

Ember wondered what had happened outside to make the world smell like this. She did not hesitate to ask the CE.

CE, why does the air smell like this?

The CE’s response surprised Ember.

[The odour in the air has been persistent since the beginning of doomsday. Your senses had adapted to the contaminants in the air. You notice it now because The Eyrie’s filtration system continuously provides the purest air. Your senses now need to adjust to the contaminants once more.]

So, I’ve been breathing stinky air without noticing?

[Basically.]

Ember’s face wrinkled. Pouting, she pressed her face into Aiden’s chest. Soothing her back, he chuckled, then wrinkled his face.

“You heard it, right?” Ember asked. He nodded.

“We only need to get used to it for a while. The quicker we finish what we need to do, the quicker we’ll be able to go back home.” Giving her a peck on the cheek, Aiden continued soothing Ember until she was ready to move.

Sighing dramatically, Ember pushed away from his chest and started her trek to the bottom of the mountain. The hour flew by without them speaking. Aiden mainly played with her fingers. After descending, they found a secluded spot and released an SUV.

Their first stop was a hospital, a medical center. They needed the Neuro-silver. It was mainly used in research. It could also be found in different medical machinery. This would kill two birds with one stone. Ember and Aiden could get medical machinery and neuro-silver samples at the same time.

The cryo-stasis and med-fabs in the base were frontline machines. If they could find some regular everyday medical devices, they might be able to enhance them or use their parts to upkeep the main machines. Ember and Aiden liked the idea.

Driving for an hour, they approached Nephera General Hospital. A massive complex of sprawling buildings. According to the map they had obtained, the hospital had a state-of-the-art research wing and a well-stocked pharmacy.

They approached on foot. Arriving, they found a hospital in disrepair. The smell of antiseptic still lingered, but the smell of decay permeated. The susal sterile environment was becoming overrun with dust and earth. They entered quietly, their footsteps making almost no sound.

Making their way to the main lab was easier said than done. The shuffling of feet could be heard. It was slow, dragging. Bending a corner, grunts were heard. Immediately, they stepped back, not wanting to be seen.

Neither Ember nor Aiden had much experience with the zombies of doomsday. Before the earthquake, they rarely had encounters with the creatures. The first was them passing their home on the first day. The second was crushing them under the SUV tyres when they left.

A quick look made Ember’s stomach turn. The zombies had not yet noticed them. Ember briefly wondered how they identified prey. It was definitely not by smell. She remembered the zombies that moved by sound. This became her conclusion.

“We can’t use guns,” she mouthed. Placing her gun in the space, she replaced it with a machete. Handing Aiden one, he holstered his gun.

Stepping out, she took a step forward. This time, not disguising her steps. The creatures turned at the sound. Expecting them to shuffle towards her, she was surprised when they broke out into a sprint.

Luckily, her reflexes had been honed by the Ghost Protocol. She dodged quickly, using her strength to slice at their neck. The force of the cut took more energy than expected as well. This showed these zombies were not as fragile as they appeared. Still, the creatures were things guns could kill, so she was not entirely worried.

Aiden, beside her, made his move as well. His movements were efficient and brutal. The sound of their hacking brought more zombies. At this moment, Ember was grateful for their enhanced strength.

It was half an hour later that they were finally done, and things became quiet.

Ember glanced at the zombie heads. Although repulsed, she knew she needed to take them. She placed them in the system, shoving them to a small corner. Now, all that remained on the floor were headless zombies.

Some zombies, they noticed, were part of the medical staff. Putting on gloves, they searched for any badges they may have. Being prepared for emergencies is one thing they learned from this doomsday.

Finally arriving at the main lab, they were able to get in with ease. The doors were not powered. They slid open relatively easily.

Taking their time, they took inventory of the medical equipment they saw. There was no hurry to get back to the base. And they had no intention of running themselves ragged.

Ember asked the CE to let them know which machines had neuro-silver. When the CE pointed them out, Ember and Aiden started their dismantling project. Halfway through, a sound echoed in the hall.

It was a shuffling sound followed by a low guttural moan.

Machete’s at the ready, they stepped carefully out of the main lab. What appeared was not zombies, but a group of people.

Haggard and exhausted, but people nonetheless.

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