Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse!

As soon as Oscar said that, everyone in the compound simultaneously looked in his direction like a kid bringing out a pack of gum.

"The fuck are you all looking at me like that?!" Oscar exclaimed.

"I don't know… maybe you forgot to tell everyone about something fucking important?!" I shouted back, widening my eyes to tell him that he should've started with the most important news.

"U-Umm... ah- you know… R-Rod is coming in t-two days..." Oscar embarrassingly said after scratching his head a few times and looking away.

"Mm-hmm~" I was already shaking my head because I knew this would happen sooner or later.

"What?! He'd be dropping by Iskoh first but he said they might spend a few more days on Iskoh's place depending on the circumstances." Oscar added as he sat down, grumbling.

"Is that all? Is the US President also coming?" I replied with a mocking tone.

"That's all! The fuck would the POTUS come in here for?!" Oscar exclaimed.

"Then that's good for us. I thought I'd be picking who to send back from Avalos or Honassan for the samples we collected but I guess we'd be riding with them in the coming days." I said.

"Speaking of samples, is there any way we could get those dangly things from the place you came from? Would be better if they came back with those, right?" Oscar suggested.

"That would be extremely difficult unless we send a convoy with most of our people. I'm even afraid the president might just send a few missiles down that area to clear it in one swoop." I replied.

"What if that's the only choice?" Johnny chimed.

"What do you mean?" I replied, turning to him.

"I mean what if the better choice is to just blow that place up? I'm into studying them and all but the time they've spent doing it hasn't made much advancement. We've only known one sure cure and it's violence." Johnny stated.

"You're right but I'll hold on to that thought for now. I would like to confirm with my own eyes that it's dead than to assume it got blown to bits. Dropping in napalm is a bad fucking idea because it would spread to everything, burning everything it touches. For now, let's follow my plan and make that the last resort, okay?" I explained.

Johnny nodded a few times and we continued with our discussion.

"Ibarra, this is just a prototype but give it a spin!" Unc Zeidrick handed him his custom spear.

"You're done already?" Ibarra replied.

"We already have something to copy from so it was done just this noon. The only thing we did differently was removing the option of screwing it on and off. It would take some time to do that so see these holes on the other side and the metal nubs on the other? Just push it in and twist it so it would lock in place. Doing the same thing also detaches it but you need to apply a bit of pressure. We made sure it wouldn't be loose so it had a lot of tension to keep it together." Unc Zeidrick explained.

"Thank you… you also changed the shape of the spearhead..." Ibarra commented as he examined it.

The detachable spear they made was composed of wood and steel and it was a few inches higher than Ibarra's head. As Unc Zeidrick described, the two parts could be detached and reattached at will by applying pressure and a twisting motion to slide the nubs away or to secure them with the holes. It was wood on the surface aside from the parts where the two parts could be joined together and the spearhead itself. The metal parts run through the inside of the wood, acting as a very long tang or the back portion of the component of a blade or a spearhead.

The weapon could act as a spear or a walking stick when the two parts were attached together or a rod and a short spear when detached and used hand in hand. To make the rod side a little more deadly, they added what looked like a small counterweight to act as a small mace. On the spearhead side, instead of making something symmetrical, Unc Zeidrick made it look like a miniaturized version of the guandao I have at my armory. It could still be used to thrust because they also sharpened a portion of the back of the spearhead.

"We're not sure how you'd store it so we modified this bag where billiard sticks used to be placed in. You could only place it in here while it's detached and the spearhead wouldn't be sticking out." Raphael added, giving Ibarra the bag.

"Thank you, I'll put it to good use..." Ibarra said but he still couldn't express his emotions well from the gift.

"Dad..." Russel interjected.

"Yeah?" Unc Zeidrick turned to him.

"That looks fucking sick, can you make me one too?" Russel asked, expecting a yes.

"What? This? You aren't even proficient in using the goden- that fucking unicorn bat and you're looking for another weapon? Eh~ I'll think about it~" Unc Zeidrick just gave neither a yes or a no.

We discussed a few more things after but we ended the meeting on a high note. My people knew their jobs and they're doing it as it should and sometimes even more than required. I couldn't say that it was easy or even lucky to have a place as successful because everyone rolled their sleeves and dug deep the moment they were needed. This place wouldn't be standing without each and everyone inside the compound because sometimes, picking the right people from the start could mean everything.

'I guess I could say being born in the family I have and meeting the people that I treat the same could be the only thing attributed to luck...' I thought to myself.

As we were cleaning up, Mauricio approached me.

"Hey, Cathy and I talked to the doctors and they said that the operation is in five days. They've run some tests and all they need is more prep time. I can't thank you enough but I'd have to ask another favor. I left people to look after my shops but I still need to be in there in person. Noah contacted me and he needs to be on our farms as well." Mauricio said.

"That's not a problem actually. The old man actually likes you both and it's nice to have people with him to talk to when he's in his house. He talks with his daughter from time to time and with his buddies, but he's kinda like me when he's alone. Marisha also looks after her in the morning so it wouldn't be a problem." I replied.

"Thank you. I know five days is actually short but it feels like it's a long time. I just wished the operation and healing could be done before the new year. Cathy, you see, she likes to look at fireworks..." Mauricio gave me a genuine smile as he looked down.

"Hmm? That's not a problem at all! You see, we're the only ones left here, right? All the holidays could be dictated by us! Heck, we could have Halloween again! Christmas? Well- we didn't actually celebrate it but we fucking could celebrate it now if you wanted to! Hmm, New Years' is a little tricky because you know… fireworks and all but I could set it up remotely so it goes off from afar!" I tried to cheer him up.

"Hmm! That's a great outlook, I'd tell Cathy what you told me. I bet she'd cheer up because she's a little down that I'd be away for a while. Anyway, just giving you a heads up on what I'd be doing these coming days. I wanted to meet the president for once so maybe I'll drop by when I have the time. Thanks again." Mauricio chuckled as he offered a handshake.

We shook hands and then we went our separate ways.

I went to the gym with everyone and I did my routine workout while knocking out anyone that wanted to test what they learned from attending our classes. However, the people watching the others spar was a lot more substantial because this time, someone managed to score a clean hit against Tatiana.

It wasn't a knockout but Tatiana wasn't able to get up for a few moments because her head was spinning.

'Needs a bit more power but she fucking did it.' I celebrated inwardly.

"Fuck, not you too…" Tatiana was shaking her head, trying to get her bearings.

"I just got lucky~ Are you really down? He knocked you out last time~" Kaley cheekily smiled.

"Hmm, let's see if you're still lucky then!" Tatiana managed to get up and she lunged at Kaley a few steps in front of her.

However, the bell immediately rang, and the spar ended without a clear victor. Kaley would've won completely if she followed it up by mounting Tatiana and pounding her but I'm sure that Kaley was watching out if Tatiana was really discombobulated. Being held in the ground with Tatiana would spell all sorts of trouble and that was why most of her classes were just striking techniques. Sparring almost every single day would make them learn of each other's moves so it was a smart play for Kaley to pull out a move from my repertoire.

We soon finished our training then Kaley and I took a shower together.

"Hey, umm… can you wear a blindfold later?" Kaley mentioned as she was scrubbing my back.