Atlas and the Portal Crushers finally finished the exhausting task of separating all of the refugees into manageable groups. Three hundred people were no longer just a group, it was a mob. Barbara took charge, her mind already racing through the next steps. She had always been a take-action kind of person, and now wasn’t the time to slow down.

“Attention, everyone,” Barbara began, addressing the gathered doctors and nurses with a commanding presence. “We are establishing a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, or MASH Corps. Given the nature of our environment, it is imperative that we remain adaptable and efficient. Prepare to operate under conditions markedly different from those in a conventional medical facility.”

The medical professionals, still processing the situation, listened with rapt attention. This was exactly the type of speech they were used to. Allowing them to kinda feel like things were kinda normal. Well, as normal as getting sucked into a portal could get. Barbara continued, her tone steady and authoritative.

“Let me be clear: the wasteland operates by its own set of rules. The protocols and conveniences you are accustomed to may not apply here. The immediate focus will be on triage and stabilization. You will encounter a range of injuries and conditions, some of which are far beyond the typical scope of medical practice. We will not always have access to ideal supplies or sterile environments.”

She surveyed the group, noting their focused expressions. “Expect to manage wounds with limited resources, and prepare to address complications that may arise from exposure to environmental hazards and radiation. It is essential that you are proficient in improvisation and resourcefulness.”

Barbara’s gaze grew steely as she addressed the gravity of their situation. “In this setting, your clinical decisions will carry significant weight. You may face situations where you must prioritize one patient’s needs over another’s due to constraints in resources or time. These decisions, though difficult, will be critical to our settlement’s success.”

She paused, allowing her words to resonate. “Despite these challenges, your expertise and dedication are invaluable. Every life saved will be a testament to your skill and resilience. Embrace the opportunity to adapt and innovate in the face of adversity. Your role here is crucial, and together, we will strive to make a tangible impact.”

Barbara concluded, her voice resolute. “Welcome to Fort Bone. Prepare yourselves for a demanding yet profoundly rewarding experience. Let us proceed with the setup and integration of the MASH Corps.”

With that, she turned and began setting up the unit, her demeanor reflecting her unwavering commitment to the task at hand. The doctors and nurses, inspired by her leadership, moved into action, ready to face the challenges ahead.

‘‘‘

Mohammed spotted Mrs. Harrington and Victoria Langston among the crowd. He pushed through, heart racing. Finally, people who understood what he was about.

"Mrs. Harrington?" he called, unsure if she'd even recognize him.

She turned, her sharp eyes narrowing before widening in recognition. "Mohammed! I can’t believe it. How did you—?"

"I should be asking you two the same thing," Mohammed replied, shaking his head. "Victoria, right? Still with Global Horizons?"

Victoria smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. "Well, I was. Now it seems like we’re all in the same mess."

"How did you end up here? Last I heard, you were writing travel guides about... retirement in Mexico, right?" Mohammed said, trying to lighten the mood.

Victoria laughed softly. "Yeah, Mexico. Warm, cheap, full of good healthcare options. I had just finished going over the cost of living in Tulum when—well, you know the rest."

"Yeah, the portal,” Mohammed said, looking at them both. “You two are probably the first people I’ve seen here who actually get it."

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Mrs. Harrington frowned, "Get what?"

"How to navigate... this," Mohammed gestured around them. "I mean, none of these people know about planning, about strategy. They’ve been surviving, but we’ve used to leading industries."

Victoria tilted her head. "You’re thinking of forming some sort of group, aren’t you?"

"Exactly," Mohammed said, his voice dropping to a lower tone. "The Portal Crushers aren’t using me the way they should be. But with us, we could establish something real. People will follow leaders who offer more than brute strength. Resources, organization... even retirement options, if we ever manage to build a real society."

"Thailand’s got an expat community that's thriving for that," Victoria quipped. "Cheap living, modern amenities. If we can find a Chiang Mai out here, we might have a chance."

Mrs. Harrington crossed her arms, considering. "This wasteland isn’t a boardroom, Mohammed. It’s war. What exactly are you proposing?"

"We use what we know—what you know. Mrs. Harrington, you've led a technology firm through the trenches before. Victoria, you’ve guided people to new lives. We can guide these people here."

Victoria chuckled. "And where would we guide them to? The best retirement spots in the wasteland on $1,000 a month?"

Mohammed smirked. "Something like that." He glanced around, lowering his voice further. "But first, we need to show them we can do better than what they have now."

Mrs. Harrington nodded slightly. "I see. Alright, Mohammed. Let’s see where this goes."

‘‘‘

POV : BELIEF SETTLEMENT

Major Cromwell scanned the chaos unfolding in the Belief Settlement. The mixed group of three hundred had completely overwhelmed the place, people running around in panic, shouting for answers. His jaw clenched as he assessed the situation.

"Not ideal," he muttered under his breath.

Oliver stepped up beside him, visibly shaken. "What do we do now, Major? This isn't what we trained for."

Cromwell shot him a look. "This isn't my first time dealing with panicking civilians, Oliver. Just didn’t expect it to be this sudden."

He turned and raised his voice. "Troops, form up!"

The twenty five original soldiers gathered quickly, standing at attention. They weren’t much, but they were all he had left. Behind them, the newly drafted members of the Belief Settlement fumbled into line, far from polished but at least responsive to commands.

Cromwell’s eyes swept over the group. "Alright, listen up. There’s no cavalry coming. We’ve got no new military reinforcements in this batch, so it’s up to us to get these people in order. By the numbers. We do this like we trained—clear, precise, and no room for panic."

He motioned to the crowd. "Split them into manageable groups. Find out who their skill sets, what they need, and start setting up camps. I want assessments within the hour. You’ve got your orders. Move out!"

The soldiers, despite their small number, dispersed immediately, organizing the masses with the practiced authority Cromwell had drilled into them. It wasn’t ideal, but they’d make it work. They had to.

Oliver watched the scene unfold, a hint of awe in his expression. "You think we’ll be able to keep control?"

Cromwell straightened, his face hardened. "We don’t have a choice. Control is all we’ve got."

…

POV : FAITH SETTLEMENT

The refugees continued to pour into the Faith settlement, their confusion and panic amplifying the already volatile situation. Nadir’s hand tightened around the hilt of his sword as the Red Fairy's latest victim exploded into a spray of red mist. Amid the chaos, he saw his chance.

‘Kumar's peacekeeping nonsense is over,‘ Nadir thought. The settlement was supposed to be a beacon of faith, not a shelter for indecision and passivity. Without a second thought, he lunged forward, his sword striking cleanly through Kumar's chest. The older man gasped, wide-eyed, before crumpling to the ground.

A ripple of shock spread through the crowd as Kumar’s followers stared in disbelief. But Nadir had been planning this for weeks, quietly gathering supporters, loyalists who saw things the way he did. They sprang into action at his signal, swiftly taking control of key positions around the settlement.

The panic among the refugees intensified, their frantic movements and cries filling the air. The Red Fairy looked down on him. Nadir’s heart pounded in his chest—had he just made a terrible mistake?

Hovering above, the Red Fairy turned in the air with an mocking smile. She twirled in place, her glittering wings catching the light as she surveyed the scene below. Nadir’s blood ran cold for a moment, wondering if her wrath would fall upon him next.

But instead, the Red Fairy's grin widened. "Ah, I love a good coup," she said sweetly, her voice dripping with amusement. "Congratulations, Nadir."

Nadir blinked, caught off guard. Then her hand sparkled, and she flicked her fingers toward him.

‘‘ACHIEVEMENT ACCOMPLISHED‘‘

‘‘TITLE: The Coup of Faith‘‘

‘For successfully overthrowing your leader in the midst of chaos and taking command of a settlement. Who needs legitimacy? Not you!‘

‘Bonus: You receive a mana bonus when dealing with any government kiosk in an opponent’s settlement.‘

The Red Fairy blew a kiss and giggled, "Toodle ooh, bitches!" before vanishing into a burst of red light.

Nadir stood frozen for a moment, then straightened. A coup ‘and‘ an achievement. Things were starting to fall into place.