13: Ch 13.
Looking to the Future 13: Ch 13.
Looking to the Future As I expected, the girls are pretty surprised by the bunker itself, although Anna is a little too excited about being “technically” inside a car.
I grab snacks and drinks for everyone before we head to the meeting table.
Derricc is being fat and just scarfing down chips and candy while the girls explore the meeting room.
It’s honestly amusing to see the girls reactions compared to Derricc’s nonchalant attitude towards things.
“Alright everyone, we have had way to much happen in too short of time.
I figured that now would be the best time to organize our thoughts.” So with that our meeting began and up until the system appeared, everything went pretty smoothly.
Here’s where it might get complicated.
“Erik, I believe the entity put you in charge of a system that will basically take your skillset and amplify it to a whole new level.
I mean think about.
It already sounds like a system that’s designed to have you organize and distribute tasks and missions to the right people while also trying to recruit more people to further grow.
In our last life humanity survived the apocalypse but was struggling to rebuild.
I’m pretty sure this system needs humanity to be rebuilt for some reason.
The system also seems geared towards helping us so for now I think we go with the flow and try to rebuild society from the ground up.” Derricc says which is surprising considering he sometimes doesn’t think like this.
“Unfortunately we aren’t going to be equipped to deal with many people before the apocalypse so we’re going to have accept the fact that we won’t be able to save people and that most of the world would likely perish before the system can truly put us in a position to start a rebuild.” Anna says gravely.
We all instinctively allow a minute of silence after that statement.
I look at Derricc and I can already tell that this will be especially hard on him.
Derricc is someone who wants to help those in need if he can and do right with the defenseless but he too knows he can’t do much about this.
I have to remember to keep an eye on him as it gets closer.
“Erik, it looks like the system has capped us off already.
It gave each of us our personal systems to help us run our personal departments but no clues as to what we are supposed to do with it at this current time.” Ashley makes a good point and i spend a few moments scrolling through the screen.
“I keep coming back to this thing that it says about it’s recommendation to recruit specialists.
With Ashley’s statement, I’m starting to think that we have to recruit more specialists before we can get an idea of what to do.
Don’t forget our survival chances went up after we all got our titles.” The group nods in agreement, however the next issue arrived.
“So, any ideas on how to find these so called specialists.
Especially considering we don’t even know what we’re looking for.” Anna comments I immediately scratch my head and try to not be noticed and fail miserably.
“Erik darling, you already have the answer don’t you.” Ashley looks at me expectantly and I’m trying so hard not to hesitate but it’s not working.
“I do actually, and I honestly can’t think any better for this.
I just….well I don’t know if I can face them again.” “Erik, my boi, you don’t mean them do you.” “Yeah I do, it makes sense if you think about it.
There’s 6 empty specialist, and we worked with 6 other basically peerless geniuses like us for a long time.
Isn’t it too much of coincidence that the system waited until we had people who forced us to open up and allowed us to form bonds that allowed the system to form because it recognized those bonds.
It’s safe to assume that we’d have to find people we are already connected with to round us out.” “I hate it, it’s life facing my worst nightmares all over again and idk if I can handle it.” “We said we’d protect them this time right, we can’t do that if we can’t face them.” “How are you so calm about it.” “I’m not, it’s taking every ounce of will power to keep myself from succumbing to my fears.
But we don’t have a choice.
We need them to survive what’s coming anyways.” Derricc looks at me with a sad look.
“We do this together ok.” “Together” “Umm boys”, Ashley interrupts, who are you talking about.” “Our comrades in arms.
The ones who survived 15 years of hell only to die in front of us throughout the apocalypse”, I say as Derricc and I struggle to fight the tears coming down.
“They’re among the best of the best in the world at what they do but the apocalypse proved to be too much for us and despite our expertise, it couldn’t match our inability to handle the threats.” “Oh yeah, I remember you talking about your unit but didn’t say much about the people themselves.
When you put it like that I can start to see why you two turned out like you did.” Ashley walks up us and wraps us in her arms and lets us stand there in silence.
Anna comes by and joins us as well.
The trust and reassurance we have with each other grows everyday as evidenced by the fact that the girls are becoming more accepting of our traumas and learning to let us battle through it as needed while also letting us know they’re here for us.
We seperate and go back to our seats.
We start to make preparations to try and find these people only to hear a knock on the hood.
Immediately Derricc and I’s first reaction is grab our pistols nearby and get ready to confront these people.
We take the girls to the back part of the room and I have Derricc stay right behind me as we approach the ladder.
The knocking turned into panic knocking as it gets more frantic.
Then we hear some yelling.
“Boys, are you in there, if you are please answer!
Please be in there!” We can tell it’s a female voice but one with an accent.
“You don’t think Erik.” “There’s no way right,” I say as I put my gun away.
“Derricc, grab my pistol, and be ready to fire if needed.” “Why are you the one taking the lead on this?” “Really, you’re doing this now Derricc.” “It’s an honest question.” “It’s because I brought everyone here thinking it was safe and yet someone knows of it.
I’m taking responsibility what happens.?
“Fair enough.” “Alright on the count of 3 I’m opening this.” The knocking is getting more frantic so we get ready to move quickly.
“1” “2” “3” I pop the hood open only to hear a voice I wasn’t expecting “Hey big man, you really are alive.
I’m so glad.” She reach’s down to give me a hug.
“Blondie, it’s you” I breathe a sigh of relief.
“I’m glad to see you.” “Oh, I brought someone with me” “You mean I brought you along.” “Red, you’re here too.” I can’t believe this luck, what are the odds.