Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again. - Chapter 311

Chapter 311: Academic review.
The morning light filtered weakly through the thick layer of frost that clung to the bubble shield. Mist was rising from the shield as it melted the snow, turning it into water. The watchers were relaxing in the warm water, dipping their feet as if they were at a spa.

Outside, everything was still buried under ice and the wind was moaning like some forgotten ghost. But inside the base, warmth thrived. The air smelled faintly of cinnamon porridge and delicious fresh cakes.

Laughter echoed through the base as the residents listened to the familiar voice of Zulu on the radio, broadcasting like she did, every morning. The parrot had got the job after winning a majority vote on the base. People loved to hear him scolding others and talking crap.

Lisha was the unwilling co-host, and she made sure to say this every time the 7 a.m. show started. It was a two-hour broadcast that ended at 9 a.m. and it accompanied residents through morning training.

“Let’s talk about flamingos.” Zulu started.

Lisha groaned. “Are you going to talk trash about other birds?”

“Calling them spoon-faced oversized giants without real beaks is not trash talking. It is fact sharing.” Zulu replied.

Around the base, many were listening and laughing. Even in the corridors of the second wall kindergarten where parents had gathered for the academic review day. It was the first of its kind in the base.

Castiel had woken up before dawn and burst into his parent’s room with his tiny mittens in hand to make sure that the woke up. ” Mommy, daddy wake up, you cannot be late!”

He had said these words for the tenth time during breakfast. The excitement he had been obvious in the glimmer in his eyes. Sunshine had never seen a child so excited for his parents to review his academic performance.

Hades had chuckled and pulled Castiel into half a hug saying, “You have reminded us since last night, little champ. We’ll be there.”

And they were.

Sunshine had left the command center in the hands of Hadrian and Nimo that morning. She had told the committee that that she had ‘urgent personal reasons that required her attention.’ She instructed that they go ahead with surveillance of the outer towns. She was not going to miss her son’s academic review day for anything.

She was heading there with Hades now, laughing as they listened to the concluding remarks of Zulu while Lisha shouted “Cut the feed” in the background. It was always chaotic when the show was ending.

“If the watchers control who mutates, they must have deliberately chosen the parrot.” Day commented as he parked the vehicle on the side of the footpath.

Hades laughed as he stepped around and opened the car door for Sunshine. She accepted his hand and stepped out, being careful. She did not want her white dress being ruffled by anything. As a first-time parent at such an event, she wanted to make Castiel proud.

“You look nervous.” Hades said to her, brushing her hair back with his fingers.

She slapped his hand away. “Cass made me promise to be the most beautiful mother in the class and I have to deliver.”

“If it helps, you have no competition.” He said, smiling gently. He meant it. Lisha had designed her and Rori had styled her hair. She looked like she was attending a high-class social gathering. A white dress, a pink fur around her shoulders and matching high heeled pink boots. Lisha had emphasized the importance of the pink crocodile skin bag.

Sunshine looked gorgeous, she had nothing to worry about. People were already turning heads and looking at them.

When they arrived, the classroom was already bright with color. paper stars dangled from the ceiling, and hand painted art lined the walls. Tables were lined with projects that the children had done.

Professor Muffin, the stout, cheerful man who managed the kindergarten, wore his usual mismatched sweater and glasses which were lightly fogged from his breath.

“Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Quinn!” he exclaimed, clasping Hades’ hand warmly and bowing slightly to Sunshine. “Welcome to academic review for the young ones.”

Sunshine exhaled. “Thank you, professor.”

Professor Stout laughed. “Your boy is such a delight. He uses every chance to tell us how proud he is of his mother.”

Sunshine smiled softly. “We are proud of him too. Thank you for being patient with him. We have heard so many good things about you professor.”

“And we hear never ending unbelievable stories about you Mrs. Quinn.” The professor adjusted his glasses, his eyes crinkling.

Sunshine laughed.

“What can you tell us about our son?” Hades asked.

The professor spread his hands, “He is a good boy. Associates well with others. Shares his toys. Always listens, always eager to learn. He is very kind and generous. It is clear that he is taught well at home.”

Sunshine felt her chest swell with quiet pride. Hades looked at her, his hand resting lightly on her back. “That is because he has a loving, attentive mother,” he said sincerely.

Sunshine’s throat tightened. She hadn’t expected to feel that emotional. “He is an easy boy to love.”

The Professor gestured for them to follow him. “Thank you for allowing us to have this day by the way.” He said to them. “It is not easy establishing normalcy in an apocalypse. Times are strange but having school, a routine…this….it helps the children.”

Sunshine nodded, that was the goal. The smiles on the faces of children and parents conveyed this. Some of the people there were not even parents. they were just residents that were interested in participating.

They toured the classroom together, pausing at each small wooden desk. The children’s projects were displayed proudly_ bright paintings, uneven cut shapes, simple crafts made from recycled metal scraps.

Castiel joined them and tugged his parents towards his section. His name_ “CASTIEL Q.”_ was written across a cardboard label decorated by blue stars.

He showed them his artwork: a scene of them at home, even white was included. “This is our family,” he said seriously, pointing at the image. “The family that I love so much.”

Hades smiled, brushing a hand through his son’s soft hair. “Yes, that is our family son.”

Sunshine crouched down beside him. “You got the details right Cass; you did a good job.”

Castiel’s smile widened.

After they left the kindergarten, they took Castiel to the kid’s section of the only convenience store in the base and let him pick whatever he wanted.

Ariel, the manager, folded his hands and looked on_ disapprovingly. “You are going to pay for everything that you are taking.”

“Oh, come on honey that is not necessary.” Sunshine dismissed her hand with a wave. “These are our things. And you are only supposed to be here on supply restocking day.”

Ariel stood his ground. “I cannot let you take things freely just because you are my family. It is not fair to the others, and it will only promote corruption.”

Hades’ jaw almost dropped. “Corruption?”

“Yes.” Ariel said, nodding. “And I will be held accountable for missing stock so pay up.”

Hades huffed. “Your mother and I own these supplies!”

Ariel gestured with his hand, “pay up.”

Castiel was busy filling up his shopping cart. He chose a fox toy, some candy, a scarf, books, and more toys, whether they paid or not he was not leaving any of his things behind.

Hades paid, reluctantly.

Ariel was satisfied.

From there, Castiel was dropped off at his grandmother’s place. Then, Hades and Sunshine left for the command center. The massive screens were already powered on, each showing different parts of the towns of interest.

Some were static, others were dark. The moment Sunshine walked in, everyone straightened and became more attentive.

“What is the situation?” She asked, standing near the cameras. “What or who is living around us?”