Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse!

I was soon calmed down by the two and we eventually made the Raptor go inside once we fully folded the gate to hug the walls. We could take care of the deadheads coming for us but I wanted the engine of the Raptor to be turned off because we might spend some extra time exploring this area.

In a sense, this place could be called a temple because of the main area but we soon discovered that it also acted as a small museum because of the existence of a few Chinese weapons displayed on racks or behind glass displays. There were also murals painted on the walls depicting their history behind a few replicas but what I wanted to know was if these weapons could be used to aid us with taking care of the dead.

Most of the items on displays were staves but I discovered a few that sparked my interest.

Side by side on the wall were four Monk's Spades placed horizontally. They were long wooden poles with a crescent-shaped blade on the end while having a flat spade-like blade on the other. It was traditionally carried by monks on their travels and it was even featured on some games bearing more intricate designs.

Moving a few steps toward a small shrine, a Pewter Staff in common terms was placed right before the area where offerings were collected. It was a staff topped with several rings that were sometimes used as a rhythmic instrument for chanting prayers and the like. It could be used as a weapon but it was originally designed to be a noisemaker, either for announcing a monk's presence or warding off animals.

"Are we taking those back?" Kaley asked.

"Hmm? Not all of them and only the items we like. We still haven't checked their storage area so we might also uncover some essential items. As long as it could fit the Raptor, we could bring it back with us." I replied.

"Bro, some of them could be easily made by Unc Zeidrick and the rest back home, right?" Jared added.

"Yeah, some of them could be easily made but yeah, if you took interest in something, you could take it back home. How about switching from that cavalry sword we found before?" I replied as we walked into another area.

"Hmm, if we find that huge one with the rings on it that Grandmaster Yi uses, I might consider changing from this." Jared chuckled.

"Heh, could you even wield that? Well, you aren't even using it that much and you're just basically using it like a machete." I replied, smiling.

"I don't know what the two of you are talking about but I'm guessing it's game-related. I bet the ones you take back would suffer the same fate as the Guandao you have on display at your armory." Kaley added, shaking her head.

"C'mon, that thing is a little special even more than that longsword we took from Damien. We just need to find the right owners, that's all. They're my precious..." I replied while changing my voice in the last part.

"Ugh, please don't say it like that." Kaley got goosebumps.

"Anyway, how about you? Do you have something particular in mind? You could always have something custom-made back home like Mikhail's axe." I looked at Ibarra.

"Hmm, I'm interested in the spears we found in the other room but I wanted to remove the red tassels and if possible, allow it to be made with metal and maybe allow it to be broken and snapped back into two parts so it wouldn't be as unwieldy in tight spaces." Ibarra had his hand under his chin, thinking.

"That sounds easy enough to make. When we get back, I'll grab ahold of Unc Zeidrick and explain to him what you wanted to be made. It would maybe take him a few hours to a few days depending on how intricate it could be." I replied.

"What? They'd really do that? I'm just speaking my mind but- nevermind. She- umm I would really like to have something like that." Ibarra nodded a few times.

All of us caught that slight slip-up and we didn't discuss further. However, Jared was smiling wickedly.

"Okay~ fucking spill the beans! Who's she? Someone from the DDR Camp? Woodlands? Or the compound? You're too quiet and direct I didn't think you'd already have someone this early. A soldier then?" Jared chuckled.

"Yeah..." Ibarra replied but Kaley and I immediately noticed the difference in tone.

'I guess it's the extra dog tag he's wearing...' I thought to myself.

"Do you miss her?" Kaley asked solemnly.

"Yes, of course. Every single day." Ibarra nodded a few times.

"Shit man, sorry for bringing that up. You guys been together for a while?" Jared asked but Kaley's expression turned into something different.

"Jared, umm-" Kaley was about to say something but Ibarra answered Jared.

"Oh, umm- quite long to be honest." Ibarra was slightly taken aback.

'Wait...' I thought to myself.

"You guys have kids?" Jared casually asked.

"Umm-" Ibarra's face turned to the same expression Kaley was wearing when Jared started to ask questions.

"What? It's normal to have-" Jared was about to continue but Kaley stopped him.

"Jared shut it." Kaley said while widening her eyes, trying to signal him.

"What? It's normal to fuck each other and eventually have a kid or two. I'm just ask-"

"No, it's not! He's talking about his sister!" Kaley exclaimed.

"Well… in some states in the- Ow! Why-"

"JARED!!!" Kaley shouted as she kicked his shin.

"How did you even know that?!" Jared started rubbing his shin.

"My mom talks to him every single day! I would learn a thing or two in passing! Happy?! Oh- umm, sorry that I know a bit about you and your sister..." Kaley exclaimed but she threw a worried look at Ibarra and immediately apologized.

"N-No… it's okay. You'd learn more about me eventually." Ibarra replied, faintly smiling.

I was already facepalming but I almost burst out laughing when Jared continued talking. Ibarra, on the other hand, didn't take offense and he was just shaking his head in amusement. Kaley made Jared switch with Tatiana watching the Raptor and it was silent for a moment. It was then I discovered the story that Ibarra was deployed in the same area his older sister was and the rest was history.

"Can we know her name at least? I know the story but I didn't catch her name..." Kaley said.

"Oh, no problem. Her name's April, April Joy Ibarra." Ibarra replied with a solemn expression.

"That's a good name, can we call you Francisco?" Kaley asked.

"Umm- no. I'm already used to getting called by my last name so… it gives me goosebumps too so please… no." Ibarra replied, giving a weirded out expression.

We started laughing but Tatiana soon found us carrying a couple of long wooden boxes held tightly by a rope. She was smiling wickedly as she handed me both of them.

"Now, you fucking owe me. Big time." Tatiana was smiling from ear to ear.

We gave her a curious look but I slowly slid the lid on top after untying the rope holding them together. One of the boxes was much heavier but the other one had more intricate designs. As soon as I lifted the lid covering them, I almost ripped my cheek from the smile plastered on my face.

The one on the intricate box was a Jian or a Chinese longsword that had intricate designs even up to the scabbard. It looked ceremonial with the inlaid gold and jade ornaments but the edges were fucking sharp and the sword itself was ready for use. It was well-balanced and it was for one-handed usage. Two or three more fingers could be added while gripping it but the intricate pommel would mostly get in the way.

'The fuck is this kind of sword doing here?' I thought to myself as I checked the other box.

The other one that was much heavier had a Dao or a Chinese saber that was slightly curved. It had simpler designs compared to the Jian but its blade was thicker by a few notches compared to a normal one. Aside from that, sabers would always be single-edged but a few inches of the back edge was sharpened, making it viable for thrusts as well. This blade was also for single-handed use but the design of the handle could allow two-handed grips.

"I checked them the way you did last time. Those are authentic, correct?" Tatiana chuckled.

"He can't hear you now. I'm sure of it." Kaley chuckled as well.

"Well, those are really cool swords. I just wanted a spear more. The one my sister wanted to make." Ibarra replied.

"I could fucking hear all of you. Just let me imaging where I'll display them, okay?! My precious~ Where did you find them? Is there more?!" I exclaimed while almost uncomfortably caressing them.

"..." the three.