Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again. - Chapter 334

Chapter 334: A prison base.
Sunshine raised her hand to finish Helena off. It was a surprise to her that the woman still had some breath in her. At that moment Major Elio and O’Toole burst in with two medics.

Elio fired his gun, and the bullet cracked through what remained of Helena’s dark skull. Sunshine waved her hand over the corpse and encased it in an ice coffin, planning to shatter it as they were leaving.

“Ma’am!” O’Toole shouted like they were standing worlds apart from each other. “Are you okay? Did she hurt you?”

Major Elio approached her. “Townsend told us you needed help.” He sounded worried and it showed in his eyes and the frown on his face. “Robot boy and Hadrian will have our heads if you return with so much as a scratch on your pinkie.”

Sunshine rolled her eyes. “Robot boy!”

“Is it a lie?” Elio asked her. “He has a robot leg, and he and his family are always giving the rest of us nicknames. But on a serious note, are you hurt?” He squinted, eyes roaming over her.

Sunshine gestured to the boy. “I am fine, but the children inhaled some toxins. I gave them antidotes but to be on the safe side, they should visit the medic bay, especially the boy.”

O’Toole scooped the boy up carefully, turned and ran off. The girls were also taken out by the medics.

Sunshine sank back against the cold walls panting softly. Sweat beaded her forehead. Her entire body buzzed from the electricity she had unleashed. Her mind and body were finally processing what she had just been through. “Ooh….those kids.” She whispered.

Major Elio sat close, dusting ash from his uniform. He tossed her coconut bean and gave her a firm nod. “You protected them, you did good ma’am.”

“Even if I almost got them killed?” She asked.

Elio shrugged. “Helena was never going to surrender peacefully. And consider this, she only had three kids as hostages. Imagine what would have happened if she escaped and had an entire base captive? I heard she was emitting poison from her skin and breath.” He shook his head. “By breaching suddenly, we caught her off guard. Her ability was also new. Imagine the damage someone like her can cause when they are fully in control and strong?”

Sunshine closed her eyes. She had seen someone like that in her past life. He never liked people, and they didn’t like him back.

“You are very considerate and kind, Mrs. Quinn.” Townsend said, “I do not even understand how those children are alive. Good job.” He gave her a thumbs up.

Elio’s lips curled upwards. He took a guess that Townsend was angling for an invitation into Fortress four. If it was redemption he sought, he had earned it.

She managed a faint smile, scratching the surface of the coconut bean with the nail of her right-hand thumb. “What about the Gadriel’s?”

Townsend’s expression darkened. “Frank and his brother Chester are dead. Molly….she gave up when I tell her that Helena had taken her child hostage in the tunnel. I think she fainted.”

Sunshine looked toward the tunnel entrance where the children had been taken. “Which one is it?”

Townsend hesitated, then pointed. “The boy that was badly affected.”

Sunshine’s shoulders sagged. “No mother deserves such a nightmare,” she whispered.

The brief rest she had taken came to an end ten minutes later and they left the tunnel. Outside, smoke was rising from different areas of the base. Some people were wailing over bodies of loved ones that had died.

Molly Gadriel’s heart wrenching sobs were the loudest. Not a single person was bothering to comfort her. In fact, many were glaring her, especially the innocent that had been harmed by those who led the coup.

In the midst of this, there were others that were gathering food and supplies, wanting to be ready for whatever was to come next.

A few clever people were being helpful, helping soldiers apply gel to strengthen the bubble shield again.

“Where are the watchers?” She asked Elio.

The birds had entered the base and yet they were all gone now. Not even one was on the bubble as usual.

Elio shook his head. “They flew off with a superhuman that Father Nicodemus captured.”

Sunshine’s heart skipped a bit. “And the priest?”

“Administering last rites to the dead before they are set on fire.” He replied.

She nodded and then ordered for everyone to gather. Soldiers foraged every corner of the base and gathered the residents.

Sunshine stood on the top step of the main residence, flanked by major Elio and Father Nicodemus. She looked out at the weary faces before her. Men, women and children who were confused about what was going to happen to them next.

She took a deep breath. “I will be quick with my announcement,” She began, her voice carrying through the crowd. “This base will no longer be what it was. It will be rebuilt and repurposed, order shall be restored here. From today henceforth, it will be turned into a tightly guarded prison.”

Murmurs erupted immediately. Fear. More confusion.

Sunshine raised her hand. “None of you are actually criminals. Some of you may have done some bad things but nothing prison sentence worthy as far as I know.

The prison base will be under the command of Fortress four. You will all be relocated to other areas of residence on the mountain. Those that wish can stay back here and work as prison stuff.

Of course, you have to qualify for the jobs. Your salary and benefits will be paid by us.”

More murmurs increased.

Sunshine raised her voice. “You will not have to worry about food because the entire mountain is now Fortress four territory. You will have access to security, markets, schools and medical bays.”

Then Molly raised her hand. “Does that mean that if can return to Fortress four? I have to see my son, and he was taken there.”

Shaking her head, Sunshine denied her request. “You are forbidden from accessing the major areas of the base. You will be moved elsewhere, and your son will be returned to you as soon as he is better.”

Molly wailed. “Please! have mercy on this poor widow.”

The silence that followed was heavy. Then a voice rose above Molly’s cries_ Townsend’s.

“Mrs. Quinn I would like to be in charge of this place!” He shouted puffing his chest proudly. “I know every corner, every passage. I can be the prison warden.”

Major Elio crossed his arms, unimpressed. “You have a bad reputation of taking bribes, Mr. Mayor. Not exactly warden material.”

Townsend tapped his chest earnestly. “Sir I have learned my lesson! I swear it. Besides I cannot cross the Quinn’s anymore, circumstances have changed. Let’s just say I know where my bread is buttered and I am eager to keep it coming.” He bowed dramatically.

A ripple of chuckles run through the crowd.

Sunshine eyed him for a long moment. “You cannot hold the position, ultimately it needs a superhuman to handle.” she said decisively “But you can be the second in command since you are familiar with administration. One wrong move and I will end you Townsend.”

Townsend swallowed and nodded vigorously, relief flooding his face. “You will not regret it; I will make sure things run smoothly. You will get regular updates.”

She gave him a curtain nod. “Engineers will arrive tomorrow. When construction starts make sure my people are comfortable.”

“Yes ma’am.” He said, saluting awkwardly.

Sunshine turned to leave, the squad followed. They entered their trucks and left. Molly Gadriel’s wails followed them.