Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse!

Kaley and I soon soaked in the tub then we took a quick shower before heading back into our room. Kaley started to change into a fresh set of clothes while I got caught up examining the crates of guns inside my armory. There was barely any space to put my foot in and the only way we could start checking and cleaning them was to pull a few crates outside so we could get inside.

'Tons of M4s, AR-15s, M16s, Glock 17s, and 1911s as usual… Well, I might also check the ones sent to the Old Man's armory as well… I might ask for more help with some guys because we always get sidetracked when we're it's just us cleaning them...' I thought to myself.

"Don't tell me we're gonna clean them now, I'm kinda sleepy..." Kaley mentioned, handing me my change of clothes.

"Hmm? Oh- we're not, don't worry. Umm, what are you wearing?" I said as I caught a glimpse of Kaley just about to wear a different hoodie of mine.

"My hoodie."

"Your hoodie?"

"I'm wearing it, aren't I? Then it's mine."

"Is that so~?"

"Yep, as it- Wha- Stop~! It tickles~! Sky~!"

I started tickling Kaley through 'her' hoodie as she tried to get away from me. Her face was so flustered once I got ahold of her but it didn't stop me from having my way with her. I ended up throwing her in the bed but she suddenly grabbed me and then she started kissing me wild. However, before we even got to take our clothes off, a knock came from the door.

"Sky~ Kaley~ Food's ready~" I heard Rin's voice.

"Coming~!" Kaley replied.

"No, we're not… Ow!" I cheekily whispered but Kaley jabbed me.

We just wore our war belts that contained our Maxim 9s, a couple of extra magazines, our blades, an extra fixed blade knife, and a few utility items.

We came out of the room and the three of us joined everyone in the pool area. The food was extra special because the president was present and the dish prepared was spicy carabeef soup and fried strips of cured carabao beef eaten over piping hot rice.

Everyone enjoyed the food especially Artem and the rest of his team. They devoured the serving they were given though they almost uncomfortably waited to be asked if they wanted seconds. It was amusing to see them watch Tatiana in wonder by how nonchalant she was about getting seconds herself and how she bonded with people she only met a couple of months ago. However, the time for wonder was short because they were like predators when Aunt Sharon said they could still get seconds.

Artem had to reel them in a bit but just looking at their reactions told me this was the first time since it started that they had a proper meal such as this.

'If I had to sacrifice an extra bit of food for soldiers like them, so be it. Food was never my problem to begin with and what they could do exceeds what normal soldiers could offer...' I thought to myself.

After I finished eating, the president waved me over. Kaley was still eating with Tatiana and the rest so I briefly excused myself. The rest of the old dudes were with him though Micah was also present along with Iskoh, Jade, and Jude. A few of them finished eating while the president was now having a bottle of beer like a few who had just finished eating.

"Here! Have some at least! It's just beer!" I heard Oscar offering Artem some beer as well from the background.

"Kid, I appreciate the meal your aunt is cooking as always but you don't have to do it every time I'm here." Rod said to me.

"Thank you, but we do this from time to time. It's only proper, right?" I replied with a faint smile.

"Heh, suit yourself then. You're gonna have a meeting after this, right?"

"Yeah, as soon as everyone's done."

It didn't take long before the meeting started and we soon discussed everything that happened on our side after introducing the new members of our team. After that, each person tasked with leading a group, project, or activity also came up with their reports about what happened on their side and to discuss a few things positive or negative.

Since our numbers were growing bit by bit, a few disputes here and there were unavoidable. Different people mixing with each other could either be harmonious or discordant and it could lead to problems. It could be petty or serious but the important thing was that it was supposed to addressed as soon as possible.

If a talk between both sides didn't resolve it, counseling would be offered by Marisha or different living arrangements would be assigned to them to allow time to resolve the problem. However, we were facing something much more important than their squabbles so they better think of the bigger picture and try to get along with everybody.

A few more things were discussed besides a few things that could only be discussed in private with the president but the kids stole the stage to give their own report.

"Hold up! We got to say something!" Aya exclaimed.

"Yeah! We do!" Kenny added.

"Yeah!" the other kids piled on.

"It's for your own good so listen up!"

[Listen, please~]

"LISTEN UP!"

Everyone was wearing solemn expressions when the meeting ended but the mood was slowly getting brought up.

The kids were all in a line but what's different about them aside from the helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads they were always wearing, a small toy was tucked in the pocket of their little hoodies.

"They're so cute~" Rin chuckled a few times.

"Right?!" Cynthia was smiling from ear to ear, the same with everybody.

"So, what's this about then?" I asked them.

"Okay, we found a so… a solution to your problems! Behold! Guys! Like we practiced! Here it is! Behold!" Kenny led the group as he placed his hands on the toy by his right pocket.

"Wait! We need to be angry or sad first!" Aya clapped in realization.

"Okay! I'll be angry, you'll be sad!" Kenny started to ball his fists together while frowning.

"I'll be sad too!"

"I'll be angry then!"

They took a moment to be angry or sad but they all suddenly touched their toys after reciting the same incantation earlier. It was fun as hell to watch as their expressions slowly turned bliss when they made contact with their own toys for a few seconds.

"See that?! It works, right?! RIGHT?!" the kids started to get on our faces, making us try their methods.

"OMG! IT DOES, WHY DIDN'T WE THINK OF THAT?!" I exclaimed in surprise when Peter handed me his toy raptor. He just gave me a bright smile before running back to Andrew and showing his new family his discovery.

The commotion lasted for a short while but it was fun to see everyone going in with the kids' little solution to our problems. To reward them for such a groundbreaking solution, they were given a scoop of ice cream they were longingly waiting for and each of them was in their chairs, making a mess of their faces.

"Kaley." Marisha walked up from behind us.

"Yes, mom?" Kaley turned around to face her.

"I'm waiting, okay? I want a grandkid sooner or later, got it?" Marisha kept a straight face as she left us while Zeus was following right behind.

"MOM!"

"I can't hear you~"

"Hngh~"

We soon cleared up and headed to the gym with everyone and I was actually hyping myself up because I would have new people to spar with. Sparring with Tatiana, Mikhail, and the rest that wanted to be given pointers was fun but it would be fun to test my mettle against new opponents that I had no clue what their moves were.

I was already aware that Ilya was the best in hand-to-hand combat from their group but that was the notion from the past. Every single day, people would change for better or worse and that notion would also change depending on the results.

However, Artem didn't come to the gym and I approached Bogdan to ask his whereabouts.

"Artem? Ah, I saw him wobbling earlier which was rare 'cause I see him downing bottles of Vodka easily, but Katya helped him to our house. Thanks for that, by the way." Bogdan replied.

"It was just beer too, funny that's what got him, heh. Da, the cushion was too soft I almost slept till morning!" Kristoff added, chuckling.

"Wait, who gave him the beer?" I started to get the feeling that this happened a lot of times to me before.

"Ah, your old dude, Oscar was it? Beard and all? The one with the president?" Bogdan answered.

"Why? What's wrong?" Tatiana approached us, just finished sparring with Natasha.

"Ah… I don't know how to say this but depending on a few circumstances and Katya's decision, they'll fuck till morning." I said while massaging my glabella.

I was waiting for their reaction but they all suddenly stopped what they were doing and rushed to their house.

"WE GOT TO SEE THIS!!!"

"WHO GOT A CAMERA!!!"

"DA, I HAVE ONE!!!"

"IT'S BEEN SO LONG~ FINALLY~"

"You think they'll go with it?"

"IT'S KATYA WE'RE TALKING ABOUT!!! SHE'S BEEN WAITING FOR IT HER WHOLE FUCKING LIFE!!!"

"STOP TALKING, WE NEED TO GET THERE FAST!!!"

I was confused as fuck but I was suddenly dragged by the rest of them and we were like burglars trying to get into their house as quietly as possible.

'Why am I here?!' I shouted in my head.