Inside the Commander’s Room, Hans, the five survivor leaders, and Evan gathered for a short meeting.
"Welcome, dear survivors, to my small camp." Hans extended his hands wide, coupled with a smile.
"I am Hans Flemmens, the Commander of these soldiers. As you can see, we have been stranded in this apartment, our troops are limited, and survival, at best, is minimal. Your arrival will help improve the camp’s situation in these dire times."
"My subordinates have already assigned you your rooms. I hope everything else is in place?"
The survivors exchanged glances, shifting nervously. Through their eyes, they knew that they have no choice but to follow this Commander’s lead. For now.
"Commander Hans," the young lady nurse stepped forward and bowed, "We are thankful that you’ve taken us in, and we are very grateful. But our people are starving. If we could have food first, we would be able to..."
"You must be Nurse Lira, yes?" Hans chuckled.
"I am, Commander."
"My soldiers will bring food and water to your group. You can be at ease."
"Thank you, Commander." Lira bowed in response. Hunger was what chose them to approach these soldiers out of desperation, a reason Cody gave to them before.
Hans glanced at Dmitri’s report again before shifting his eyes back to Lira. "It’s told here that you’ve managed to hold out in that diner for two weeks. How did that happen?"
"There was food in the diner, sir..." Lira was at a loss.
"I’m not talking about the food. I’m talking about how you dealt with the zombies." Hans tapped the table in irritation.
"Erm, I killed the zombies," a toned figure stepped forward, clasping his calloused hands, "Been working hard labor most of my life. I volunteered and went outside. I punched them in the face. I didn’t like how they looked."
Hans’s eyes twitched, astounded by this person’s brutality, "And you... must be Roger Tancredi?"
"I am, sir." Roger nodded.
"Did you not get bitten by them?"
"No. My punches are quick. They will never have the chance."
"I see," Hans felt helpless, "How did you hole up in the diner?"
"Transferring a few materials. My boss said they were special, so they sent me and my other buddy. He died; I was sad about it. He was a good friend."
"My condolences."
Roger shook his head and smiled, "Need not to. I avenged him already. Punching those zombies who bit him to death."
Is punching the only thing in his mind?!
"Yeah, I... you can step back now," his eyes shifted to Lira, using her to change the topic. "As for you, you must have treated a few survivors before?"
"Yes, Commander. I have also seen with my eyes how the infection takes over the body."
"Oh? Are you willing to tell me this?"
"Yes." Lira held on, gripping her tarnished white nurse outfit and let out a soft squeal. "The symptoms are flu-like, and they mature in less than an hour. One of the survivors got scratched before. The wound was small, but they still turned in the end."
She started weeping in front of everyone. Hans felt awkward about her sudden outburst and signaled.
"It’s okay Lira. That wasn’t your fault." Cody approached her and patted her back.
"I know. It’s... hard watching someone die in front of me...!" Lira became even more emotional. Hans covered his face, thinking of Lira’s words. He wanted to distract himself out of the awkwardness.
What a small window to save somebody. Hans narrowed his eyes, thinking back to the serums that the system gave him. An hour of incubation meant he only have at most 40 minutes or so before the infected person turns.
The weeping from Lira died down, giving Hans a breather to look up and meet with her reddened eyes.
"Why has the Commander asked? Had a troop been scratched?" Lira’s question tingled Hans’s scalped.
"No..." he flustered, "I hadn’t seen how it worked so I asked you in case you know about it. I apologize if that made you emotional."
"It’s fine, Commander." Lira sighed, and so did the rest. Had the Commander spurted out something worrying, who knows how this nurse might act.
Hans was annoyed by their relieved expressions. He waved his hands, dismissing her.
"I have no need for your medical expertise as of this moment. Tend to the survivors first. I shall call you if something happens."
"I will assist the Commander when the time comes." Lira stepped back.
Hans surveyed them again and noticed a middle-aged man frowning and twitching his eyes often.
"You, over there." Hans pointed.
Everyone else shifted their bodies towards Marco. The latter was startled and stared at Hans, "Yes... sir?"
"You look like you want to say something," Hans gestured with his index and middle finger, "Come over. Say it."
"The Commander has taken us in with considerable effort, giving us food and shelter. But every saving grace comes with a price. I am wondering what the Commander shall ask of us, the work and duties we survivors must adhere to."
"Oh, you’re smart. Are you a teacher?" Hans guessed.
"I am, no I was a teacher. School life is gone now, and I doubt teaching you things will do any good."
"I see, no wonder you’re worried about the work and duties."
"Not only that, but I am hoping that the Commander would not treat us unwell." Marco’s face turned grim.
Hans ignored the threat, knowing that it wouldn’t bade well on his part antagonizing the teacher. Sure, his soldiers were loyal, but earning the survivors’ loyalty and trust was important too.
"Work well and you will be compensated well," he chuckled, "That is the rule here. Breakfast and water is a given, but if you want more, then you must earn it. Cleaning, fixing, helping the soldiers. Work posters will be given soon."
Hans raised his index finger, "One meal ticket every four hours worked, enough to fill your stomach and leave more for the next day. Crucial ones, that’s another meal ticket gained. A major contribution? Go take one more. The specific rules shall be discussed in the future. Any questions?"
"Isn’t one meal ticket too few? Are the servings large or small?" Roger thrown in his frustration, wanting to know how large that meal would be.
"The quantity is limited. You people should know how hard it is to feed a group of soldiers." Hans answered, filled with trickery.
Though his soldiers did live off on rations given by the system, he had to make these people understand that food wasn’t free and easy to get either.
"What if we choose to find food ourselves?" Marco added, insisting on an approach suitable for him.
"You are very welcome, but the zombies outside... are quite unreasonable. What do you think?" Hans retorted, waving his hands in response. "Your work here will not involve dangerous situations against the zombies. That, alone, should let you understand how much risk I am putting my soldiers in, and the comfort and safety given to you."
The Marco’s face twisted but stepped back, not wanting to argue.
The Commander was right. The soldiers were already working for their safety and gathering food for them. What right do they have to ask for more?
They had just integrated into this group recently. If they antagonize the Commander even further, it will earn the other party’s displeasure.
Hans’s eyes passed over their fidgeting figures, all of them sealing their lips tightly.
"As for the cook your group has, she will be entitled to free food every day," he added, "Your name was... Elena, right?"
"Yes, Commander sir," Elena stepped forward, her short brunette hair falling to her face.
"Good, I will assign you to cook food for the survivors from now on. Don’t worry about the soldiers, they have a cook of their own."
Elena nodded, seeing through the words that Hans blurted out. He didn’t trust them enough, nor would he let his own troops toil for their survivor group.
"You can have one assistant at most. They can enjoy your benefits as well. Pick whoever you like. You can tell me later if you’re unsure."
"I will relay the person to the Commander after this." Elena bowed and stepped back.
Hans crackled his fists and took a deep breath.
"I heard that one of you is an undergraduate student. Electrical engineering, was it? Can you step forward, please."
Cody Black, the person mentioned, followed. "Uhm, hello, sir, uh no, Commander. I am that undergraduate student..."
"Your knowledge is very vital, but your skills remain to be questioned. The office building nearby has its energy cut-off. Can you restore it?"
Cody scratched his head, sweat dripping his face. "Commander, I’m sorry but I can only diagnose what has caused the black out. To restore the electricity, you need more than me alone. And it’s not only people. Materials, uh, tapes, special wires, stuff like that. I need them too."
Hans lost a bit of interest when he heard Cody’s words, but a thread of hope remained. The materials could be procured in a hardware store.
As for his status... so what if this guy is an undergrad? Couldn’t Hans request his soldiers to gather books about Electrical Engineering?
But the nearest library might not have it. No, it’s worth a look. Much better than going to the city anyway.
Hans took note of it and looked back at Cody.
"I see. You can write down a list of materials and people you require. Send them to me later. My soldiers will gather them for you."
"The Commander doesn’t have to be courteous... with me..." Cody shivered. Even if the Commander had willingly wanted to cooperate with him, Cody knew when to step back.
Hans, seeing the young man acting nervously, chuckled and shook his head.
"Does anyone else have something to say?"
The survivors shook their heads. The initial arrangements have been discussed—food, work, and small policies.
The survivors used this meeting to gauge Hans’s personality and behavior while the latter gauged their perspectives and value. Each one had their own whims, but none had taken too far with their selfish thoughts.
The future would determine how this cooperation would go.
"Well, since that is the case, you may all leave the room." Hans dismissed them all, no longer having the energy to spend.
Dmitri and Adrian closed the door, turning their heads toward the Commander.
"What do you think?" Hans shrugged.
"Acceptable, but they all need to be monitored." Dmitri voiced out.
"I agree. That middle-aged teacher looks the most unwilling of them all." Adrian flicked his hand and spouted.
"He will come to realize that they have no choice," Hans declared with firm dedication, "but that isn’t our focus for today."
He stood up, pushed the cabinet that blocked the window near his computer setup, and looked into the open skies brightened by the sun.
"It’s time to fully secure this complex."
"Six more army soldiers has been trained and will be integrated into squad formations for patrol duty, clean ups, and surveillance over our new survival group."
"Adrian."
"Commander!" Adrian stood straight, eyes turning serious.
"Welcome your new friend." Hans smirked, followed by a loud bark of a German Shepherd dog from the outside.
Adrian’s eyes widened, rushing to the door and opening it.
The newly trained Attack Dog barked him, stood in four legs, and bent its body back. Adrian bowed in response, treating the dog as his friend.
The dog barked and trotted beside him, letting the joyous scout rub its fur thoroughly.
"So you’re named Vex, huh?" Adrian grabbed the silver name tag before putting it down, "Good boy, come to me and I’ll show you what a good handler I am!"
Hans and Dmitri both shook their heads, slightly annoyed by Adrian’s declaration and the follow-up laugh.
Hans coughed twice, forcing Adrian to stop, close the door, and return to position with Vex.
"You will get to know the dog more later. Pass down my orders first, then come with me to the third apartment building."
Hans’s eyes constricted as the cold breeze went past him, bringing an ominous feeling upon their next target.