Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again. - Chapter 374

Chapter 374: Elsewhere.
While fortress four and some of its territories remained fully protected from the blizzard and frost stones, the rest of the world experienced disaster each in their own tragic, chaotic way.

In camp Pitbull, there was a mix of emotions_ shock, panic and then wonder. After the bubble shield had been installed, no one believed that it would be anything more than an oversized umbrella. The five governors that had found shelter there and held positions of leadership on the base still couldn’t believe it.

One of them had even directly mocked the soldiers from fortress four when they were working to install it.

Some had mocked Linda for her senseless belief in everything that came from fortress four. She was the figure head of the base, but deep-down undercurrents were swirling.

She was not superhuman and Governor Hotchner was. Hotch, as people called him, wanted the throne but he was wary of fortress four which backed Linda. And now that Linda had handed over the territory, he was even more dissatisfied.

He was hopeful that the bubble would fail and then he would have a reason to step in and justify taking command. So, like others that were curious, he was outside, watching the frost stones fall.

All through the night, the bubble had held firm. Linda was like a dog with a bone when it came to the gel. She had set alarms, barking at people to apply gel as soon as soon as they went off.

In fact, they were applying the second round of gel for the day. Everyone was nervous because a giant frost stone the size of a car had just landed on the bubble and it made an explosive sound.

The ground was trembling.

It bounced off the shield and fell on the bubble again. The noise was repeated. The giant frost stone fell to the ground, joining an already forming mountain of frost stones.

Children pointed at the bouncing stones and laughed. Adults stood with wide eyes, jaws dropped. Some filmed the sight on cracked phones, capturing what felt like a miracle.

“I knew this would work.” Governor Hotch lied proudly. “Linda you were right about accepting to become Fortress four territory.”

Linda Chan rolled her eyes. “Sir….you were strongly against it.”

The governor made a grunting sound. “We would have loved to be consulted first after all; we also play a vital role in the running of the base. But anyway, it has worked out for the good of everyone so there is not much to complain about I suppose.”

Everyone ignored him_ because for the first time in months they felt really safe from natural disasters. If nothing was getting inside, they could at least sleep with their eyes closed.

Fifty percent of their problems had been solved.

“Let it go Hotch.” Governor Russo told his friend.

The two men had an uncanny resemblance. The same height, 5’8. The same weight and build, the same nose and sandy blonde hair. But they were unrelated. People used to call them the presidential twins because they shared the same ideas, pushed for the same policies and someday one would run for president, and the other would be vice president. They even happened to be the same age, fifty-eight years old!

Their weird existence had birthed a great friendship between their families, and they had come to Camp Pitbull together.

It was the first time they were standing on opposite sides. Hotch was convinced that it was because he had awakened and Russo had not.

“You don’t understand.” Hotch replied. “Times have changed. The world is being reshaped. Hades Quinn and his wife understand this, and they are taking advantage of our ignorance. I just want to make sure that we are in the top one percent when this is all over.” He looked at Linda who was back to shouting about the gel. “We can be the ones giving orders or taking them. I for one prefer giving them.”

Russo lit a cigarette, guffawing softly. “Is this because you can no longer run for president?”

Hotch sneered. “They say the apocalypse will end in five years. By the time it wraps up, I am sure the people will be ready for a superhuman president.”

“In that case, keep your head low and survive.” Russo advised his friend. “You need to be alive to be president. Fortress four will keep us alive and safe. That is what we need the most right now. Besides, a new world means new problems. You should first understand what those problems will be and how you will fix them. If you stand out right now and prove to be weak and useless, you will become a joke.”

Hotch looked away from Linda, hiding his dissatisfaction and unwillingness behind a smile as he waved at a group of children.

****

In Silverdale, the mood was different. Adam stood on a wooden empty crate in the center of the town, voice booming across the crowd. “You, see? I negotiated with the government! I secured this protective shield! If not for me…all of you would be dead.”

The crowd cheered.

His men exchanged glances.

They had been right there when the government troops arrived.

Right there when Adam almost peed in his pants upon seeing the advanced weapons.

Right there when the gel packets had been tossed at them like an afterthought.

Right there when he claimed the bubble was some kind of spy shield.

Now he was bathing in stolen glory.

Those that cheered wanted to badly believe that someone was in control. Someone strong. Someone capable. Someone looking out for them.

But others whispered among themselves, especially those who had seen Adam’s trembling.

“We need a new leader.” One guard said.

Those nearby agreed. “Strong leadership…..not this joker. The soldiers took all the food because he failed to control the situation.”

A frost stone struck the shield with a thunderous crack, shaking the ground. The crowd gasped. Adam flinched violently, nearly falling off the crate.

But when he recovered, he lifted his hands proudly. “Do not fear! The shield holds! You are safe under my leadership.”

His men rolled their eyes. But no one challenged him_ not yet.

******

Kalmoor was a settlement of people that chose joy over fear even at the end of the world. The people there responded in the most unexpected way. During the night, they had not dared to come out.

But slowly, after a new day launched, they came outside, daring to bask in the safety of the bubble.

They danced.

Music instruments echoed, voices rose, children laughed as the frost stones slid harmlessly off the shield.

“You only live once.” An elderly woman shouted as she spun around slowly.

They held hands. They sang. They rejoiced because Kalmoor had always lived on the edge of survival_ and now for once they could walk around confidently.

*****

Deep in the old mining town of Hunkerville, the frost stones had shaken the hill so violently that people thought the world might collapse on them. But it did not. For the first time in months, they did not hide underground.

Many stood at the entrances of the tunnels, watching the bubble glimmer as the frost stones exploded against it like fireworks.

Kent was standing near a warehouse, distributing some of the supplies that had been left behind. His wife was blowing bubbles with their son.

His sister karly walked to him, three men in tow. Their faces were smudge with dirt because they had been digging another tunnel.

“We found something in the ground.” She said in a grave tone.

“Besides spiders and rats?” Kent asked.

Karly nodded. “It’s a stone, but nothing like I have ever seen. Gilly touched it once, screamed and fainted. You should come and see it for yourself.”

Kent frowned. Was it too soon for them to celebrate their safety?