Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse!

Jessica was looking at me with the same solemn expression she was carrying when we were introduced and when the meeting was ongoing. Aside from voicing out her opinions, when it was not her turn to speak, I noticed that she would carefully observe everyone's reactions and not just the expression of the one currently speaking. Thinking about it now, she carried herself well and she seemed to know what she was doing.

She was around the same age as Cathy and I could partially guess why she wanted to speak to me privately. By looking at my gear and mentioning that her group was conserving ammo earlier, it was fairly obvious.

"We could talk here if you want. Mauricio and Cathy were the only ones upstairs beside the inner circle of my group. Or, do you want to move someplace else?" I responded.

"I think that I want a little more privacy than that. There's a spiral staircase outside that could lead us to the roof. Can I borrow you for a few minutes?" Jessica replied.

"If you want a special deal with my guns you need to give me something of equal value in quality or quantity. If that's all we're talking about, we could make a deal here." I tried to save time by offering what I thought she wanted.

"Aside from that, I want an opinion for something else." Jessica answered.

Curious about what Jessica might actually talk about, I agreed because I still have the time and Mauricio was still getting ready. Mona saw us walk outside and when she learned of our intentions, she guided us because the way to the roof was secured by a small padlock. She unlocked it before excusing herself.

The two of us were alone on the roof and even if it was a couple of hours past noon, the sun was still covered by the clouds.

Jessica turned to me and said, "You don't look like you're in the military."

"I'm not. So, why are we here? You got a few minutes." I replied.

"Do you trust Mauricio?" Jessica asked.

"That's a weird question to ask. You're the first one to say that you're working with him and now you're asking me whether I trust him or not." I replied.

"Hmm, trust is a different matter. I work with him and I think it's the same as what you are doing. I heard he's with a new companion, the real one he adores. The last time I was here, there was this little 'unpleasant' woman and her kid with a group of friends I didn't want to spend another second with. I'm not sure about the complete details I've heard so I'm here to confirm a few things in my mind." Jessica explained.

"Well, if you want to hear it from my point of view..." I started to tell my side of the story.

Jessica listened to every single word that I said and she never broke eye contact. I was done after a few minutes and she seemed to be in deep thought.

"Okay, I'll just look at it like he got what he really wanted. I'll keep my reservations to myself but you should too." Jessica looked at me.

"I agree." I replied.

"Okay, it wouldn't be fair if I took your time without compensation so you could also ask away anything from me and I'll answer it to the best of my ability." Jessica stated.

"I want all the information you could give me about your place." I started.

"Hmm? Isn't that a bit too much compared to what I asked you?" Jessica replied.

"It is, but I heard that you could leave your place for a few days, right?" I answered back.

"And what does that mean?" Jessica's eyes squinted, trying to decipher my intentions.

"Mauricio and his wife will be coming with me to my place to see a doctor. For giving me information about your place, you get to see mine in person. That sounds like a great deal, right?" I replied.

"Then isn't that unfair for you?"

"It is, but I get to ask more questions, right?"

"..."

"While you're with us, you could think about the things you could trade me for my guns and ammo. If you offer something nice, I will give you something better than what you see here."

"C-Can I bring a few of my people then?"

"Of course."

"..."

"What?"

"You trust me already?"

"Not entirely but I trust in my people, you'll see. Besides, we're bringing a lot of items we traded back home. I could use some help."

"Help?"

"Hauling them."

"..."

It took a bit of time for Mauricio to leave everything to his workers and Noah was even asked to stay in his shop until he comes back. In the meantime, I went shopping for once and I took Kaley with me. Our bags were full of items for trade and I was given a list of what remained of the items we brought here.

The hottest commodity we have on hand aside from guns and ammo was alcohol, cigarettes, porn, and drugs.

Christopher and the rest of the soldiers knew of our intention to use the drugs we scavenged before as bait so they were on the lookout for users and dealers. A few of the medicinal marijuana we have back home are starting to grow mold so it was taken out and now used for trading along with the other goods.

People didn't give much value to the items they're not using on a daily basis so I capitalized on that.

I made sure to hoodwink people out of their medical supplies because, on the contrary, my people back home use them almost every day. If not for injuries due to training or doing tasks around the place, they were also used to teach people how to use them properly. Anyone could have a complete set of everything available but it would be useless if they didn't know how to use it.

Bandages were easy to acquire along with rubbing alcohol, antibiotics, and other OTC drugs.

However, having a good look around, it didn't take long for us to discover that certain 'services' were being offered. Even when the sun was still high in the sky, their business was booming. Aside from actually hearing what was happening between each customer by earshot, you could almost see some of them just out in the open.

A few curtains were the only covering they had on themselves and a few gaps could allow you to see everything even from a distance.

"Kaley, d'you know why that's a better business than peddling drugs?" I nudged Kaley when we walked right past them.

"What? Why?" Kaley tilted her head.

"They could wash their crack and sell it agai- OW! Kaley!"

"Stop! Are you 12?! I've heard that joke a million times before! I thought you weren't gonna fo for it..."

"Then why are you trying to cover your face?! Hmm?! You're holding it in, aren't ya?!"

"I-I'm n- *chuckle* fine! I am! Let's check that other shop over there. They seem to be selling guns..."

"You see? Isn't that hard to admit? Okay, okay, I'm happy, I'll buy you anything you want there."

"Hmph! Now you fucked up, I'll drain you."

"Really? Thanks, I guess… *snort* HAHAHAHA!!!"

"What? OH- I- It came out wrong! It's not what I- well… Stop making stupid jokes!"

Kaley walked forward in a hurry and we started looking at the display. The shop had a few pump-action shotguns, a few handguns, but no rifles. However, when I checked the ammo they had on hand, it gave me a slight headache.

A quarter of their 9mms were handloads.

I noticed immediately because of the powdered lead projectile and how the brass casings used weren't as clean or tumbled long enough. It was shoddy work but some asshole was starting to get in the way of something I have a monopoly of.

From the shops we have been to, this was the first time I discovered them.

In all honesty, it wasn't something to worry about in terms of quality because compared to mine, they were utter trash. However, in terms of the raw materials needed to produce them, that would give me some problems if another person was using them.

"Hey customer, looking to protect yourself, or deal some damage?" a young shopkeeper asked.

Then my mood immediately lightened.

"Both actually, I saw those couple of soft armors on the side and these 9mm with the extra magazines. What would you trade them for?" I asked.

"Well, to get started, what do you have?"

"I have alcohol, beer, cigarettes, weed, and something a little bit stronger. However, if you want to expand your collection here, I have a few rifles I could trade in exchange for the soft armors and half of these 9mms you have on display. Aside from that, if you could give a little information as to who traded these 9mms that are a little dirty, you could request for an item and I could retrieve it for you the next time we get back here."

"These ones?"

"Yeah, those ones."

"Wait, those rifles, what are we talking about? Do you have assault rifles or sniper rifles?"

"Umm- it's not-"

"I want the black ones like the ones you two are wearing. Oh, do they have clips too? I'd trade for a few more if you have extra clips?"

Kaley and I looked at each other before almost telepathically thinking to ourselves, "This is gonna be fucking~ easy."