Otilia, having understood the gravity of the situation, carefully examines the Raiders's rifle. Her expert eyes analyze its design and components. It becomes evident that this is not a common weapon. It's a piece of advanced technology, a stark contrast to the crude weapons that were known to be in the possession of the Raiders. Their armaments were usually salvaged relics from the pre-collapse era, remnants of a long-lost society. Engraved on the rifle is a brand that Otilia recognizes: "Starfield Corp." This triggers memories of a time when the world was still intact, an era when space exploration was a shared dream of humanity.

"Could the Raiders have stumbled upon these weapons in an abandoned facility?" Otilia reflects aloud, her thoughts racing as she contemplates the implications.

As they arrive at Eureka, memories flood Michele's mind as they enter the settlement. The place now stands as a haunting shadow of what it once was. Just hours before, he had discovered the Raiders threat while investigating the mysterious radio silence.

Michele presents footage from the surveillance cameras, showing the chilling Raiders attack. Amidst the chaotic images, Otilia spots Toronto. An evil man with whom she has dealt in the past, he remains an unsettled issue.

"Damn, it's him!" Otilia hisses between her teeth, her eyes narrowing as she gazes at Toronto's image.

"Who's Toronto?" Michele asks.

"A snake masquerading as a man." the blonde leader responds metaphorically.

"He's the enemy we're after. He seems to be the leader of the Raiders." Brina chimes in.

The suits and weaponry the Raiders wear in the videos surprise both Milano and Brina.

"How did they acquire this technology?" Milano wonders aloud.

"They must have scavenged it from somewhere." Brina comments, crossing her arms.

"I'll analyze these videos. Meanwhile, gather anything salvageable." Otilia orders.

Otilia instructs the team to scour the structure for water, food, and technology that haven't yet been looted. Michele, already familiar with the layout, joins Brina and Milano in the operation. Despite the situation, the trio manages to exchange some light-hearted banter, attempting to lighten the tension-filled atmosphere.

"Look who's stepping up when it's time to carry the heavy stuff. Maybe you should pitch in a bit to pay us back for the ride." Milano jokes, hoisting a box of supplies.

"Can you handle this water crate?" Brina challenges Michele with a sarcastic grin, pointing to a blue container.

Michele engages in the banter with a faint smile, but it's clear he remains plagued by sadness and distress. Brina decides to give him a nickname: "Zombie."

"Zombie?" Michele raises an eyebrow in a mix of surprise and confusion.

"Yeah, you look like a battered zombie fresh out of those old horror movies." Brina explains with a playful smile.

Milano laughs and adopts the nickname too. "There you go, Zombie, carry these boxes to the Caravan."

Michele might want to protest the nickname, but he's already lost the will to care and passively accepts the teasing. He doesn't care about much anymore, and in a way, it's as if he's already dead. Maybe "Zombie" is a fitting name after all.

Brina rolls her eyes. "You're no fun."

Michele doesn't retort and starts moving the crates.

As they continue to salvage resources, Michele musters the courage to approach Otilia. He hands her his mother's pistol with a serious expression. "I think it should be in more capable hands than mine."

Otilia remains silent.

"I killed one of those bastards, but it didn't save the ones I loved."

"You killed a Raider?" Brina asks, surprised.

Otilia observes the weapon carefully, then nods, signaling to Michele that he can keep it.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"For now, hold onto it. We might get attacked, and I want everyone to be able to defend themselves." Otilia refuses. "Once we reach Rinascita, if you want, you can hand it over."

Michele gazes at the gun in his hands, lost in thought. A hearty pat on the back brings him back to the present.

"So, you're not completely useless, Zombie!" Brina chuckles.

"Captain, the storm is approaching. Should we take refuge in this domus?" Milano asks Otilia.

"I assessed its damages and remaining energy. It's not capable of adequately protecting us and surviving the storm." Otilia responds.

"We should head back to Rinascita and relay what we've learned." she orders.

"But it's madness to venture outside in these weather conditions!" Michele exclaims.

"Despite the adverse weather, the Caravan can still travel at a reduced speed thanks to its reinforced structure." explains the blonde leader.

"Even if it doesn't mind the wind, visibility due to sand would still be zero!" the boy retorts.

"Ever heard of radar?" Milano responds sarcastically. "Don't worry, leave it to us."

The Caravan then resumes its journey towards Rinascita's underground bunker.

The vehicle moves forward steadily at a slower pace, encountering no resistance despite the weather conditions. Michele gazes out of the window as sand gusts assault the desert.

"Impressive, I never thought the Caravan could weather a sandstorm like this."

Michele expresses surprise as the Caravan faces the storm, maintaining a slow but steady speed. He can't help but marvel at the fact that the vehicle withstands the extreme temperatures, which exceed 50 degrees Celsius outside.

"Rinascita has access to advanced technology through the collaboration of scientists and engineers within the community." Otilia explains. "We're well-equipped to handle extreme situations."

Brina approaches Michele, intrigued by his wonder. "How have you survived with that shoddy equipment you had, Zombie?"

Michele smiles weakly. "Maybe I've been lucky... or unlucky, depending on the perspective."

The vehicle slowly advances in the scorching sand. The storm envelops everything and makes it impossible to see through the windows. The darkness of the storm has even obscured the sun, casting an eerie shadow over everything. However, the temperature doesn't drop. The sand is so hot that it would probably burn upon contact, even if adequate shelter were available.

The Rinascita bunker is still quite far away. Communications are out of service at this distance. At the current pace, it will take about a day to reach it.

The Caravan has been designed to operate autonomously and is essentially a mobile base. Its ample cargo capacity allows for long-distance travel and the retrieval of more resources along the way. The massive six wheels adapt to any type of terrain, while the powerful batteries provide incredible autonomy. The thermal insulation is so effective that the vehicle can withstand temperatures exceeding 60 degrees Celsius (140 F), while still maintaining a habitable environment inside thanks to the efficient air conditioning system.

The solar panels on the vehicle's surface continue to charge the batteries, thus increasing autonomy during the journey.

As the Caravan moves away, Michele watches the sandstorm descend upon Eureka, dismantling everything in its path. Pieces of metal and glass fly through the air, shattering into small fragments. Otilia's decision not to stop at the Eureka domus proves wise, and Brina can't help but feel fortunate to be guided by such an experienced and cautious captain.

The Caravan's journey from the desolation of the small Eureka domus to the secure underground bunker of Rinascita is an epic battle against the fury of nature. The sandstorm envelops the desert with its relentless violence, transforming the surrounding environment into a chaos of wind and sand that even obscures the sunlight.

Inside the Caravan, the members of the team huddle together, seeking comfort in each other's proximity as the vehicle pushes forward laboriously. Visibility is reduced to just a few meters, with the sand seeming to merge with the air itself, making it difficult to discern the boundary between land and sky. The deafening sound of howling wind seeps through the vehicle's walls, creating an eerie backdrop for the entire journey.

At the wheel is Milano, his face serious and concentrated. He relies on the Caravan's sophisticated radar to navigate through the storm. His hands grip the wheel tightly as he precisely adjusts the vehicle's speed, trying to ensure it moves safely through the tumult of sand. His eyes are fixed on the radar screen, as he tries to avoid invisible obstacles that may lie in his path.

The heat inside the Caravan is oppressive despite the efficiency of the air conditioning system. Beads of sweat run down the strained faces of the crew members as they try to find comfort and solace amid the infernal storm. Otilia sits near the window, her eyes fixed on the sandstorm. Her determination can be seen in her gaze, her will to guide the team through this natural nightmare.

Michele sits next to her, still holding the photograph of his family in his hands. His lips move silently, perhaps reciting a prayer or an intimate thought directed at his loved ones. His expression is absorbed, as if he's in a world of his own, distant from the storm and the struggling vehicle.

Brina observes the scene with silent empathy. She sees the pain in his eyes, the way he clings to that photograph is a tangible sign of his suffering. She wants to say something to comfort him, but words seem inadequate in the face of such sorrow.

"Hey, Zombie, how old are you?" Brina asks in her usual teasing tone, trying to lighten the mood.

"I'll be nineteen in a few weeks." Michele responds apathetically.

"We should throw you a birthday party!" Milano exclaims, completely forgetting for a moment about the situation and Michele's mood. Otilia gives him a stern look, conveying that he should stay focused on driving.

"I'd rather not... It's not a day worth celebrating." Michele dryly remarks.

"Come on, Zombie, a birthday is always a reason to celebrate." Brina comments.

"Yeah, but my birthday falls on June 21th."

Silence falls inside the vehicle.

Everyone knows what that date represents.

The Summer Solstice.