جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 190

"It's the apocalypse. Cut the dramatic act. You're her brother, not her enemy. If you care about your sister, then show it. There's nothing embarrassing about that."Right after Hayley said that, a slip of paper fluttered down from above."This is my base's radio frequency. If you two ever make up your minds, contact me anytime. I can take at most 30 people from your base."She could do good deeds, but she wasn't stupid.She couldn't afford to take everyone from their base. Their people were not the type she could support.The string of numbers landed right in front of Malcolm, and he quickly reached out to catch it.As soon as he did, Hayley's truck started up again. The engine roared, and her vehicle shot forward, speeding down the straight highway.Malcolm watched their truck disappear into the distance, the paper clenched tight in his hand.Scarlett sat beside him, pouty and staring out the window.After folding the slip carefully into his pocket, he nudged Scarlett's arm.

"Don't worry about it. I'll walk around first. When Captain Caldwell is done, I'll go say hello," Hayley said."Alright, then I'll go with you," Derek offered. "No need. Get back to whatever you were doing. I don't need a chaperone." Hayley waved Derek off. She came here with a very clear goal, and she didn't want anyone tailing her.Derek hesitated for two seconds, then handed her an ID badge and a pager. "This is a management badge. If anything comes up, flash it, and no one will stop you. Or use the pager to reach us. This button calls me, and this one calls our captain.""Okay." Hayley pocketed everything, smiled as Derek walked off, then turned and headed straight toward Base K1's shantytown district.This place was packed with people.Perfect.Of course, Hayley wasn't planning to take just anyone. She wanted people with skills, specialties, or, if she got lucky, someone with a research background.Just then, she noticed a commotion."You useless deadweights, get out

A few minutes later, all of them finally understood that Hayley was actually a leader from another base. Hayley told them clearly that if they followed her back, they would get three full meals with meat a day, and they wouldn't have to do anything except research. She would even get them proper lab equipment again.After hearing that, everyone looked at each other in disbelief, then slowly turned toward Cyril.Cyril thought for a long moment before saying, "Captain Reid, we still have family members.""How many? And who are they?" Hayley asked.Cyril took her to their living area. Inside were six middle-aged women, three kids around eight or nine years old, and one elderly woman in her sixties. They were all doing small handiwork, mending old clothes and repairing backpacks, probably trying to earn a few points on the side.After looking them over, Hayley nodded. "I can take all of them. But once they get to my base, they'll need to work. I don't take anyone who contributes

"What are you doing out here?" Liam strode right up to Hayley."I'm here to take some people," Hayley said as she pointed behind her. "This group of 21. I want to bring them to my base. Name your price."In base-era rules, residents were considered valuable property. No base would casually let people walk away.Liam's gaze swept over the group of exhausted civilians. "If they're willing to go with you, then let them go. However, they can't take any supplies. Anyone leaving Base K1 leaves everything behind.""Fine." Hayley agreed without hesitation.That was an apocalypse standard. The base fed you and kept you safe, so everything you owned was technically the base's property. If you walked out, you didn't get to take a single grain with you.And honestly, that was already lenient.Big bases like K1 still allowed people the right to leave. Most small bases didn't. In a lot of places, residents weren't residents at all. They were assets. Trying to defect meant you were dead.Ha

Liam froze at the shout from inside, as if remembering something terrible. "Ms. Reid, how about we go eat outside instead?"The moment he finished speaking, another roar exploded from the living room."Liam! Did you steal my cookies?!"Liam froze.Hayley watched as an elderly man with white hair came stomping out in slippers, face wrinkled but lively, absolutely furious as he marched straight toward Liam."You stole them, didn't you?"Liam hesitated before saying, "Grandpa, I have a guest."Only then did Samuel Caldwell notice the unfamiliar young woman behind Liam. In an instant, the old man's expression shifted from rage to dignified seriousness."Liam, this young lady is…""This is Hayley Reid."Samuel's eyes widened with delight. Clearly, he had heard the name before. "So you're Hayley! Nice to meet you. I'm Liam's grandfather, Samuel. Thank you for saving my grandson so many times!"Hayley glanced at Liam, who gave her a small nod. She smiled politely. "It was not