Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse!

I'm not gonna lie but when I heard Jessica mentioned the word 'airport', I was half-doubting if she was speaking the truth. However, my face showed a hint of surprise, and a faint smile was formed on her face. Owning an airport was huge but the huge drawback was the distance between our bases.

I discovered that she was living in Pampanga but this was the first time I heard that she reclaimed an airport with her group.

"Are you talking about the Clark International Airport?" I tried to confirm.

"Yes, that's the one. The only one in my place, if I remember correctly." Jessica replied.

"That's something huge to have at your disposal. The nearest one here is a few cities away but it is closer because everything in this region is tightly packed. However, the first one we encountered was from that place and unless it was cleared by a group like yours, it probably is infested." I looked back at her.

"So, is that something nice to offer? For your guns?" Jessica replied.

"It is something useful but it is something I don't have the use as of now. As you can see from the roof, I have a few helicopters and what I need most is fuel to run them. Besides, unless I'm making an international flight, I wouldn't have much use of airplanes. However..." trailed.

"However what?" Jessica was slightly dismayed, the same as Eric and Jane.

"I will have a use for them in the future. I couldn't reveal much of my plans yet since they're still ongoing inside my head but I just need more time to consolidate my plans because I still have a lot going on. Each project I start comes with several smaller projects or even another full-blown project and I need to plan them carefully. Anyway, you guys are living inside one of the country clubs, right? The one near a river?" I explained then I asked a question.

"Whoa, how did you know we're living in that place?!" Eric interjected but Jessica and Jane were surprised.

"I don't, but it's the logical choice. Location-wise, it's much easier and faster to plant more crops than to build high and sturdy walls. I'm guessing you are occupying one or two of them which are right next to each other. The country clubs over there offer a lot of housing space, high walls, huge plots of land due to the golf courses, and access to maybe the Sacobia River because it's much closer to the airport. You'd also be given a bonus of food items and luxury goods inside but you'd be super lucky if a DDR Camp was formed inside which I think didn't happen with you. However, I'm guessing your group managed to get ahold of a few weapons from the DDR Camps that were overrun but the number is too few and you're just starting to get low." I formulated a guess based on past conversations and knowledge from their general area.

Eric and Jane were staring at me with mouths agape while Jessica looked at me even more deeply. It seemed I hit the nail on the head dead-on and Jessica was thinking if she made a slip and revealed everything about her camp beforehand. A bit of tension was forming between us and I completely understand from what their reactions were coming from.

Sensitive information on one's base should be kept with utmost secrecy and any information that leaked out, even just the exact location, could be tantamount to giving your base away in a silver platter in the wrong hands.

Jessica and I were not as close to trusting in each other completely but my simple guess made them vulnerable in their eyes. It was because they already know a few things inside my base but the three of them could be simply silenced and information on their deaths could easily be fabricated.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't spend all that trouble to have you three checked with my doctors just to lead you on with a false sense of security. I'm here to make friends and let's just consider this a little bit of shock therapy. If you forgot, I remember telling you that I value information more than anything else. I could've guessed that any other day but it wouldn't be classified as correct and reliable information unless going to that place directly or your confirmation based on your reactions. In the end, I only confirmed that you three are in a group, you're low on guns, have an airport, and have set up base in one or two country clubs." I explained to ease some of the tension.

They were in deep thought but Mauricio, Cathy, and Dr. Amante walked out of their office.

"Mrs. Cathy, I'll see you tomorrow morning with Mr. Mauricio, okay? Have a good night's sleep and my husband and I will take good care of you." Dr. Amante smiled before excusing herself.

"S-Sorry we took so long..." Cathy said as she squinted her eyes.

"No worries, how did it go?" I asked.

"It's better than expected. What are you guys talking about?" Mauricio replied.

"Oh, I guessed something they're trying to keep a tight lid on and I'm trying to assure them that I wouldn't kill them by poisoning their food, twisting their necks, or stabbing them in their sleep." I replied casually.

"Wha- don't joke about things like that!" Jane exclaimed.

Eric was shocked and speechless but Jessica just breathed a sigh of relief. She just shook her head and we eventually told Mauricio and Cathy about what happened.

"Hmm, I can't believe you accidentally threatened and then joked around morbidly with a sheriff. I thought what Oscar said about you was a lie but you're just getting comfortable eh?" Mauricio gave a smile as Cathy chuckled.

"So you're actually a sheriff? I could see that happening based on a few things. Anyway, we'll get more comfortable by heading to my place over a plate of good food. I bet some of them have started eating but my aunt would always save us a plate." I said as I stood up and lightly stretched my body.

We drove for a short bit but surprise was plastered on their faces once more when they saw the inside of the compound. It wasn't because of the pressure like the gates exuded but because of how homey it felt. I introduced them to my people and they were warmly welcomed. Zeus greeted them next but I was carrying him the whole time because he jumped on me the moment my foot reached the compound. After that, the kids then politely introduced themselves before they went back to their parents.

When I laid down Zeus, Kaley walked up to me and handed me a plate. Mauricio and the rest were guided to the table by my aunt and they were given plates as well. We had a hearty meal with breaded fried chicken eaten over rice, combined with a creamy vegetable soup.

"Wow~ This is really good!" Eric exclaimed.

"Eric! Be courteous at least!" Jane nudged him.

"What? It's free food!" Eric was eating messily.

"There's more where that came from! Don't worry!" Aunt Sharon replied.

"Seconds please!" Jane did a 180 much to Eric's surprise.

We soon finished eating with everyone then we started the meeting. Rin was already informed beforehand that we would have guests so a few things from our daily report were omitted, especially about our ability to manufacture high-quality bullets. They could have an inkling that we could but unless proven or confirmed, it wasn't correct or reliable information. They don't have the power to force us to reveal that card because they might wake up a sleeping giant.

When the meeting ended, we gave Mauricio and Cathy a separate room, the same as Jessica, Eric, and Jane. Mauricio and Cathy decided to rest early in Oscar's house while the three decided to join us in the gym. They wanted to see more on what's going on a daily basis and they were shocked when they discovered that my group was throwing down and having a sparring tournament every night, after every lesson.

As expected, Jessica was trained in a few things but she wasn't able to beat our elites that were training every single day. She managed to beat Ashley and Alex by using experience but when she got to Vera, it started going downhill. Cynthia even beat her and it surprised Eric and Jane who were just watching from the side with snacks.

"Whew, it feels good to sweat but how I wish I never stopped training. I kinda lost my edge and I discovered it when I fought that other Rus- her name is Vera, right? I wish everyone in my place are doing the same things you are doing here..." Jessica said as both of us took a water break.

"It's never too late to start again. They might just need a little~ bit of shock therapy." I chuckled.

Jessica chuckled as well as she remembered our conversation earlier. However, I excused myself because Mikhail was waiting for me. I decided to challenge him every single day possible so I could test myself with someone that exceeded my strength by several folds. It was a great way to learn more about my physical limits and one day break through them.

Mikhail was even learning about his own weaknesses and he was also slowly overcoming them. It was a win-win for both of us but most importantly, I could let loose for a bit when I was fighting him.