As they drove for a few more days, the atmosphere around the group was tense, and the weight of their mission success was still heavy on their minds. Conversations were scarce and repressed, everyone lost in their thoughts. The journey back was faster than before, without the previous accidents that had slowed them down.
Emma finally stopped the RV in front of Aries Base, its tall walls looming large against the horizon. The setting sun cast long shadows. The guards outside the gates tensed, their suspicion showing as they eyed the approaching vehicles. Their weapons were drawn, ready for any sign of trouble.
Cassidy emerged from the vehicle in the back, her confident walk breaking the tension. She approached the guards with an air of authority, her voice cutting through the silence. “Tell my dad we’re back.” Her voice was steady, but there was an undertone of urgency that the guards didn't miss—the seriousness of her tone, coupled with the urgency in her eyes. The guards exchanged glances, hesitating for a moment. One of them, a man with a scar running down his cheek, nodded and disappeared inside to deliver the message. While the vehicles were allowed to drive in and waited inside the base.
As they waited, Emma took the opportunity to stretch and glance around, her eyes catching every detail of their surroundings. It was exactly like what she remembered from her past life.
Cassidy's calm outside covers up the anxiety simmering beneath. She knew they had to report their success in getting supplies and the discovery of the research rooms and the meaning they held. Her hands gripping Mila’s arm next to her hard. Mila side-eyed her but still let her hold on.
Minutes felt like hours as they waited. Finally, the guard returned, gesturing for them to follow. “Come on in. Commander’s waiting for you.”
Emma exchanged a look with Cassidy. “Let’s go. Stay sharp,” she whispered to Amy, who nodded, her eyes wide.
As they moved inside, the group couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. They had returned with more questions than answers, and the truth they had uncovered about the government’s involvement in the creation of zombies was a heavy burden to bear. Have they been fighting for the wrong people this whole time? The people who are planning to take away their lives.
As soon as they walked into the room, they saw a man sitting at his desk, his posture rigid with focus. The walls were decorated with maps and tactical charts, proof of the base's ongoing efforts to survive and strategize in the apocalypse. Cassidy ran over to him, her arms in the air full of joy. "Dad!" She hugged him tightly, almost lifting herself off the ground with the force of her hug. "Did you miss me?"
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Cassidy’s dad, a stern-looking man with a well-trimmed beard and a commanding presence, quickly hugged her back. "Of course I did." His voice softened, contrasting sharply with his tough outlook. He looked over at the group standing at the door and gave them a nod of acknowledgment. "Thank you for your services. How was the mission?"
As Cassidy caught him up on the mission, his eyes scanned the group, lingering on the new faces of Amy and Emma. His brows raised high in curiosity. "So, who are these two young ladies?" His tone was friendly but held a note of authority.
Cassidy turned to introduce them. "Dad, this is Emma and Amy. They’re from Autumn’s base. The people you told us to find for the mission. Emma saved us so many times. We would have died without her."
Cassidy’s dad looked at the two girls standing in front of him with surprise. Both of them looked skinny, but their appearance looked fresh compared to the others who looked tired. In a normal world, free of zombies and supernatural powers, he might never have believed Cassidy. But now, in an apocalyptic world, appearances were deceiving. He could see a toughness in their eyes and a confidence in their stance.
He extended his hands to shake theirs. “Thank you for joining us and helping us so much. I can’t express how grateful we are for what you’ve done.”
Emma and Amy both stepped forward, taking his hand in turn. Emma’s grip was firm, and she looked him directly in the eyes. “It was the right thing to do, Commander. We’re all in this together.”
Mr. Zheng nodded appreciatively. “Call me Mr. Zheng,” he said with a warm smile. “We’ve heard a lot about Autumn’s base, but seeing you here, I’m even more impressed.” He had not expected two girls to be the leader of a base that according to his rumors was so powerful.
Amy, her usual bubbly self, chimed in. “We just did what we had to do. But your team was amazing too. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
“So what is our price for having you guys help us?” Mr. Zheng asked, leaning forward slightly in his chair, eyes fixed on his daughter.
“Twenty-five percent,” Cassidy answered proudly, a confident smile on her face.
Amy quickly cut in, “Umm… actually, it’s forty percent.”
Cassidy swung her head back to look at Amy in surprise, “What?”
Mr. Zheng waved his hand dismissively. “That is fine. Cassidy and all of you, your lives are worth way more than that.” The rest of the group nodded in agreement, relief washing over their faces, they would not like to see Emma not liking them. Emma’s smile grew wider, satisfied with the outcome.
As the conversation settled, Mr. Zheng looked outside, noticing the fading light. “The night is settling in. Would you guys like to stay here tonight?” He looked directly at Emma. Even though Amy had talked more than Emma, he felt like Emma was the one in charge.
Emma smiled at him, “That would be nice.”
Xyla raised her hand enthusiastically, “You guys can stay at my house!”
Mr. Zheng chuckled at Xyla's enthusiasm. “It’s settled then. Xyla will host you for the night.”
After finalizing the arrangements for the night, Emma and Amy left the group with a guard who offered to give them a tour of the Aries Base. Emma didn’t need a tour, as she already had a good sense of the layout from her past life, but she understood that there were probably some things Mr. Zheng needed to discuss without outsiders in the room.