My 100th Rebirth a day before the Apocalypse - Chapter 145

Chapter 145: Chapter 145 Kisha’s Plan
The commotion drew the attention of the soldier stationed just outside the tent, whose primary responsibility was ensuring the safety of both the survivors undergoing inspection and the medics conducting it. Although stationed outside the entrance and exit, they couldn’t help but overhear what transpired inside. Their hands trembled involuntarily upon hearing Kisha’s suggestion.

They found themselves torn between relief that Kisha’s suggestion made sense and fear of the implications. Like the medics, they were simply doing what they believed was best. While they were medics/ doctors and not experts in viral research or epidemics, their greater knowledge compared to the general populace meant that their words still carried weight and were considered credible.

Upon hearing Kisha’s warning about the dwindling human population, a sense of truth and dread settled over them, rendering them silent as they grappled with their own thoughts. Despite their fear and frustration, the medics were still doctors, bound by their oath to save lives—a mission they felt they had failed in this instance. Nevertheless, they remained determined to uphold their sworn duty. Tightening their fists in resolve, they slowly nodded in agreement with Kisha.

Before arriving at Gate 2, they had heard tales of Kisha’s formidable team and believed that such strong warriors would be invaluable for their shelter’s survival. They recognized the importance of maintaining a good relationship with Kisha and her team; offending them could lead to their departure, leaving the shelter at a significant disadvantage.

Kisha watched intently as the medic escorted the trembling girl out of the tent. The girl looked at Kisha with fear in her eyes, seeking reassurance. Instinctively, she found solace in Kisha’s nod of approval, which eased her anxiety slightly. Reluctantly, she followed the medic outside. Meanwhile, Kisha listened as the medic instructed the soldier to prepare a secure quarantine location. Their intention behind this instruction was not only to isolate the suspected individual but also to ensure that even if they were infected, they couldn’t easily escape and attack other survivors in the quarantine area.

The soldier grasped the gravity of the situation and promptly radioed in, and explained the situation, including Kisha’s involvement, the initial resistance from the person on the other side about the idea, subsided, and started to consider Kisha’s suggestion. ‘Strength really speaks in these circumstances and only strength has the right to speak.’ If Kisha wasn’t a person with strength, she knew that no one would listen to her pleas, just like in her previous lives.

Following the arrangement, the medics resumed their inspections, and this time, the process went more smoothly. Kisha and the others emerged from the tent one by one. Outside, Duke and the group awaited with somber expressions, having observed and heard what transpired. As the individual taken away belonged to Clyde’s group, Clyde felt a surge of stress, worrying about his friend’s fate. However, all he could do was keep a vigilant watch. Fortunately, aside from the girl in question, everyone else was cleared. Their injuries consisted of superficial scratches, mirroring Kisha’s disguise.

The individual who instructed the soldier outside to give Kisha and her team some leeway likely had ulterior motives. By ensuring Kisha and her team were satisfied, they sought to cultivate a sense of indebtedness, potentially leveraging it for future favors. However, this came at the expense of the majority’s safety. Kisha couldn’t shake her curiosity about the person pulling the strings. If it turned out to be the Coltons, it would pose both a headache and an opportunity for infiltration. Conversely, if it wasn’t the Coltons, understanding their affiliation was essential. With these uncertainties looming, Kisha and her team found themselves unable to relax, realizing they had returned to the lion’s den.

After Kisha successfully secured Clyde’s group’s arrival in the shelter, she entrusted them to the soldiers, including the Winters and Bald Eagles’ team, to complete their registration and accommodation allocation. This strategic move aimed to conceal their prior association with Kisha and her allies, presenting a facade of detachment. However, it was merely another layer of disguise. Later on, they planned to reunite with Kisha and Duke’s group. Thanks to Kisha and Duke’s previous successful registration of a group before embarking on their search for the Winters, they now had the opportunity to recruit more people to participate in crucial missions outside the shelter, enabling them to procure additional supplies while making sure that they wouldn’t be easily suspected.

Executing this plan seamlessly requires everyone to adhere strictly to the personas crafted for them in advance, ensuring they avoid raising any suspicion from potential enemies around. Clyde’s group serves as an effective cover, which is why Kisha readily welcomed them into their midst. Additionally, Kisha seized the opportunity to acquire supplies from them. Despite having amassed a considerable stockpile of supplies, including livestock, Kisha understood the importance of never refusing additional provisions in this unforgiving apocalyptic era.

Naturally, only Kisha and the key members of their group were aware of this plan. Some had already formed conclusions about the unfolding events, preempting the need for explicit communication from Kisha and the others. However, recognizing the necessity of vigilance to identify potential moles within their ranks, Kisha took additional precautions. She discreetly assigned two scarlet bees to each individual in the group, except for the Winters. These bees acted as covert surveillance, immediately alerting Kisha to any suspicious behavior. Despite her trust in Sparrow, Vulture, and Tristan, Kisha remained mindful of her past experiences, having learned in her previous life not to overtrust anyone because betrayal never came from an enemy but someone closer.

While many were aware that Kisha employed scarlet bees for reconnaissance, their understanding of the bees’ capabilities remained limited. They lacked insight into the specifics and extent of the bees’ surveillance abilities. Even those who knew they were being trailed were unaware of the finer details. For instance, few knew that Kisha had deployed two scarlet bees per person, with one bee meticulously concealed and transformed into its smallest form. This level of detail ensured that the full extent of Kisha’s surveillance tactics remained undisclosed to most.

Kisha could only hope and pray that they had already uncovered the lone mole within Duke’s group, and that there were no others. She also dreaded the potential impact this betrayal might have on Duke. Despite his typically stoic demeanor, the sting of betrayal could cut deep. Kisha empathized with Duke’s situation, as she understood firsthand the pain of betrayal. She didn’t want Duke to endure multiple heartaches, especially from those he considered family. Betrayal from those closest to you is among the most painful experiences, and Kisha hoped to spare Duke from enduring such anguish the second time. Because, although Duke did not say anything when they uncovered the first mole and he found out about it from Vulture’s account, she knew that he silently bled.

Kisha also made sure to deploy scarlet bees for the Winters, not for surveillance, but for security. Even though she could monitor their status through the team’s interface, Kisha knew she couldn’t always be by their side. There might be occasions when it would take time for the team to reach their location, and every moment counted. Kisha didn’t want to take any chances, especially when it came to Duke’s family, individuals he cherished deeply.