Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again. - Chapter 344

Chapter 344: Whispers of the Drift Lands.
The simulation challenge ended within the next two hours and the squads were divided into two. It was not said but everyone that qualified had a look of pride on their face. They were the best of the best on the base.

There was one individual that had sneaked into the ranks: Hades Quinn. But who would question him? He was the owner of the base, he was technically a member of every squad, just like Sunshine.

“I told you, he is the kid with the hot mom.” O’Toole whispered to Major Elio.

“At least he has a robot leg that can kick.” Elio replied.

“And he can carry one to safety within seconds.” Phillip pointed out.

Sunshine and Nimo were designing the proper formations for the squads when Father Nicodemus flew over to them and stood by her left side. He was panting, a result of lifting the barbell and failing. And yet, the priest was not giving up.

“Father, your fighting skills have improved.” Nimo complemented him. “You even know how to use your fists now.”

Father Nicodemus smiled with unease. “We thank the lord, child.”

Nimo chuckled.

The priest stood with his usual calm and grace, the edge of his long coat brushing against the floor, wings slightly folded behind him, protruding through the slits. His face was unusually tense.

“Sunshine,” he said quietly. “May I have a word… in private?”

The tone in his voice made her pause her finger which was scrolling on the tab. She turned her head and studied his expression. He wasn’t his usual composed self. His eyes, normally bright and steady, carried the faint tremor of fear or worry. She could not decide which emotion it was.

She gave the tab to Nimo and gestured for the priest to follow her. “Of course, let’s step aside. It sounds like this is a conversation you want to have in private.”

They moved towards the quieter corner near the observation deck where the hum of the machinery could drown their voices. Sunshine folded her arms, her tone low. “Alright father, what is going on with you? If this is about the expansion of the church I am still going to turn you down.

Wait until we expand the base and then you can have your church in what used to be Jon’s base. Besides, the towns will soon be Fortress Four territory, they have bigger churches which will all be at your disposal.” Her eyes widened briefly and she added, “You can even build your own seminary.”

He exhaled slowly, lowering his voice until it was almost a whisper. “That is not why I want to talk to you. This is about the reason why I called for the meeting in the morning.”

“I was told that you cancelled it.” Sunshine told him.

He nodded. “I realized that I called for the meeting hastily. There are some things which only you can decide on first. If word of this gets out, fear will be unleashed on the base. I should have brought this to you the second it landed into my ears. It may be….sensitive.”

Sunshine’s brows arched. “Sensitive how?”

Father Nicodemus’ gaze dropped to the floor. “I was having a casual conversation with Zulu and she mentioned that the mutated chicken in the paddocks said that the watchers had taken another superhuman to the Drift lands of the Javed desert.”

Sunshine’s breath caught. She stared at him, eyes wide. For a second her mind went blank, her thoughts scattering like sand in a storm. “What? The chicken speak to Zulu. Forget that… what do they mean by watchers taking superhumans to the Javed desert?”

Father Nicodemus shrugged.

She leaned against the railing. “Are you sure about this? Zulu is unnecessarily loud and half of the words that come out of the parrot’s mouth are lies or insults.”

Father Nicodemus nodded. “That was my struggle as well. On one hand, Zulu could be spreading misinformation since she is the only mutated creature on the base that can talk.

But on the other hand, how would a parrot that has not been beyond the walls know about the Drift lands. Javed desert to be precise? I questioned her owner and she said she has never taken Zulu there.”

“And the chicken haven’t been there either.” Sunshine muttered, pulse quickening. She took a deep breath, pressing a hand to her chin. “If what Zulu says is correct then the mutated animals know about the affairs beyond the wall better than us. And they understand the watchers!!!”

“It is a benefit for us. Zulu can tell us what they talk about from now on.” Father Nicodemus stated.

Letting out heavy breath, Sunshine stared at him. “You are right. If we know what the watchers are up to, we can understand their goals finally. Maybe we can even figure out how to get rid of them for good without starting an all-out war with them.” She smiled at the priest. “You were right to come to me personally with this information. If superhumans know that watchers are kidnapping them, no one knows how they will react.”

“Some will go rogue. An us versus them kind of situation.” The priest said slowly.

Sunshine recalled the superhuman at Sheldon’s base that had been carried off by Pink and friends. “I guess we now know what happened to the superhuman from our battle at the prison.”

“Looks like it…..and he is not the only one because they used the word ‘another’ ” Father Nicodemus pointed out.

Sunshine let out a wondering winced. Who else had been carried off and from which base? More importantly, what was going on in the Drift lands. What were the watchers up to?

When she looked up, her face hardened. “I need to speak to Zulu.”

Nicodemus looked uneasy. “I…I doubt she will speak to you willingly. She’s wary of humans. She only trusts me….”

“I do not care,” Sunshine’s jaw set. “Whether she wants to or not, she’ll talk to me. If she can call me an overbearing half purple haired frigid witch on air, she can handle a face to face with me.”

Father Nicodemus looked at Sunshine’s hair, it had been slowly turning to purple in the last month. People whispered about the transformation but Sunshine did not mind.

When she suggested that Zulu’s wings be clipped, the parrot had gone on air and said some not so nice things about her.

For a moment, father Nicodemus studied her face, wondering if she would electrocute the parrot in revenge.

“Set it up.” Sunshine ordered him.

The priest inclined his head slightly. “Understood.”

“Good.” Sunshine said, her voice clipped. “And this information, let’s keep it quiet for now. I will address the superhumans personally.”

“Yes of course.” He replied. “When do you plan to address it? Every trip we take outside, we risk being carried off.”

Sunshine rubbed the sides of her temples. This was a situation she did not have a clear answer for. She needed time to figure it out.

“I will let you know when I decide. Go back to training now, we have a crocodylus to slaughter.”

The priest flew away. Lately, he did not walk unless he had to.

Sunshine walked back to her spot, watching as Major Elio directed the Junior squads through combat drills. At his side was Tank, monitoring them like an inspector.

“Tank,” Sunshine said, adjusting her gloves. “I thought you were grooming pets.”

“I finished and decided to join you.” The robot answered.

“Then activate the second simulation we prepared together.” She instructed.

“Yes Foreman Sunshine.” He answered. His lenses blinked twice, and the entire field around them transformed. The ground rippled into rough terrain, scattered with broken infrastructure. An imitation of Busker.

Sunshine let out a loud sigh. “Gather around. We will go again but this time you must fight one type of creature only_ the crocodylus ultimus. No resting people! We go even harder this time round.”

The squads assembled and Tank took her whistle, stepping in to monitor in her place.

A few minutes later, Sunshine and Father Nicodemus left the training field, they had a parrot to question.