Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again. - Chapter 349

Chapter 349: A different Crosstown.
Dawn had not truly broken; there was no sun to be seen_ only a faint light in the heavy cold, pushing through the storm like dying coals behind smoke. The three trucks pushed against the wind slowly like dying trains on frozen old slippery tracks.

They had been driving for hours. Even with the pyrokinetics and their fire, the effects of the unnatural cold on them could not be kept away. The tires were degrading, some windows had cracks, fuel in the engine had thickened. As for the paint, it was all scorched.

The trucks were on their last lease of life, and everyone could only hope that the journey would end soon.

Moon was sleeping, curled beneath a woolen blanket with her body leaning against a window. Some of her hair was spilling over her face. Her breathing was slow and calm. Unlike others that stayed up with worries, she had slept through the journey all night.

“Moon….Moon, wake up,” Charmaine whispered, shaking her shoulders gently. “We are almost there.”

Her eyes fluttered open. For a moment she smiled_ half dazed and warm, stretching like a kitten from a long nap. But the smile vanished the instant she turned toward the windshield.

Her breath froze in her chest. “High walls!?” She quietly said to herself.

Massive, towering walls surrounded Crosstown like a fortress. Guard towers jutted upward, armed men pacing along the top with rifles slung over their shoulders. Searchlights sliced through the fading morning darkness.

It had taken on the appearance of maximum-security prison and she did not recognize the place at all. There had been no walls when she had visited. Crosstown had been a loose, disorganized settlement of doomsday preppers, conspiracy theorists and nut jobs ripe for shaping. Easy for her to manipulate and build influence in.

But now…..

Moon stiffened. A cold, creeping dread slithered over her spine. For this much change to happen it meant that someone capable had taken over. Someone strong enough to build walls and control the people inside during the apocalypse. Was it a different superhuman?

In her previous life, Cassius had ruled this place. The same man that she suspected had stolen her lucky bracelet. She had left him back at the Rainhounds mountain but some doubts creeped through her mind. He was not a fool after all so it was possible that he had also left that hell.

Had he come here? Was he the one with the bracelet? Could he have managed to activate it once again? Had she made a mistake in kicking him to the curb so soon just because she had managed to get her hands on the bracelet?

Moon’s heart hammered but she forced herself face into a blank mask. She could not allow the people she controlled to sense her worry.

Charmaine noticed anyway. His brow furrowed. “What’s wrong?”

“Stop the car.” Moon ordered.

He blinked. “Why? We are right_ ”

“I SAID STOP THE CAR!” She barked sharp enough to make him flinch.

The truck screeched to a halt. The two behind followed suit. Charmaine immediately sat upright, ready to question her, but Moon raised her hand and he fell silent.

She grabbed the binoculars from the dashboard and climbed halfway out of the window, pressing them to her eyes. It was brighter now than when the trucks were just rolling into the outskirts of the town so she could make out what was happening.

Cross town’s gates were bustling_ a line of cars, exhausted humans and handmade wagons waiting to enter. Armed guards paced back and forth at the entrance of the gates, registering people, inspecting cargo, questioning anyone who tried to walk past and arresting those who tried to force their way inside. Vehicles rolled out as others rolled in.

This all confirmed her theory that someone had taken charge. In her last life, Crosstown did have gates and a wall, just not this quickly.

She noted immediately that the guards were experienced and well trained like soldiers. If they were not soldiers, maybe they were well trained private mercenaries or bodyguards. People like them would shoot first and ask questions later.

Moon’s pulse thudded, each beat louder than the last. She wondered how she was going to get past the gates. If these marauders realize I am scared they will not hesitate to slit my throat before I can blink, Charmaine cannot really control them. I promised them a new life and lifetime supplies. If I fail to deliver….I am dead.

Charmaine pulled her back down. “Something wrong?” He asked.

Moon handed him the binoculars with a tight jaw.

He looked through them. “Looks like someone has taken over this territory.”

There was a loud bang on the door, it was Jared_ second in command. He left his truck and marched over to theirs. He knocked on the window and Charmaine lowered it.

“What is going on? Why are we stopping?” His suspicious gaze rolled over Moon.

Charmaine’s fingers flickered to dismiss him. “Nothing Jared, go back to your truck.”

After he left, Charmaine started the car. “My men will not be happy if we do not get those supplies. We should get inside first and figure out other things from inside.”

“Your right,” Moon said. “Only I have access to the bunker, my supplies are in there. All we have to do is get inside.”

The trucks lunched forward. With every moment they drew closer, Moon’s heart grew louder and sharper, ramming against her ribs like a trapped animal.

She planned to escape in her head. If things go wrong, I will run….run and claim to be kidnapped for my knowledge on the apocalypse.

The trucks reached the long queue leading to the gates. The noise of activity grew louder_ shouting from people and guards, idling engines, the clatter of metal gates opening and closing.

Nobody could miss the sight of superhumans showing off their strength for easy entrance. They were forced back and told to wait like other people.

Moon forced herself breathing to slow. Her palms were clammy. She wiped them on her coat. She called one of the women that came from inside, pushing a cart that smelled of coffee. After buying one cup, she asked her who was in charge of the base.

“Strauss.” The woman answered.

Relief settled on her features, then she let out a small nervous laugh. Why did I think that Cassius was in charge here? Of course it couldn’t be. He is probably stuck at that mountain.

Even though that relieved her, she could still feel the pressure of the possibility of not being allowed in. By the time it was their turn, Moon was sweating heavily despite the cold.

A guard stepped forward. “Identification.”

None of them had any.

“It’s the apocalypse man….we lost everything including the national identity cards.” Charmaine explained,

Moon lifted her chin. “I am Moon Raine. I own a bunker in Crosstown. Its ID is CT-REBORN DN-67K.”

Charmaine quickly added. “And we are all her family.”

Moon shot him a glare_ the lie was sloppy, too fast. He needed to shut up and let her do the talking.

“Step out of the vehicles,” the guard ordered.

Everyone did_ except Moon, she hesitated. Just a fraction too long. Enough to draw eyes.

“Ma’am,” the guard repeated. “Out. now.”