Rebirth: 100 Days Before Doomsday - Chapter 201

Chapter 201: Trouble at the Doorsteps
Since temperature in volcanic winter was dangerously low, keeping the greenhouses warm was a priority. Grace utilized the mutated plant she had acquired – one that produced a liquid capable of generating heat. She mixed it into the soil to help maintain a stable growing temperature for the plants.

Because of the thick layers of volcanic ash in the sky, the sunlight was blocked which didn’t left natural photosynthesis as an option. So they relied on the artificial lighting.

They set up a combination of – hand-cranked and pedal-powered generators which could provide a consistent energy source, fire-based reflectors using metal surfaces to amplify light and heat, and glowcap mushrooms which were rare mutated fungus Grace had found. These mushrooms emitted a faint natural glow and could be used to provide a minimal light source for the plants.

With no direct access to fresh water, they started melting the ice and then purified it using another mutated plant that produced a powdery harvest which could neutralize toxins in water.

Despite having a strong team of twenty plus people who were working hard, it took about two whole weeks before the first seedlings were planted. It was mostly because of the amount of work they had to do, and also because it took four to five raids to secure enough soil, fertilizer, seeds, and other materials for the greenhouse.

They grew – spinach, kale, lettuce, chard, mustard greens, carrots, turnips, beets, radishes, sprouts, micrograms, and about secen varieties of mushrooms, along with a few fruit trees that could survive.

The first time a single leaf of spinach unfurled, Captain Harlow let out a laugh. “I never thought I’d be so damn happy to see a vegetable.”

Grace smirked in response. “Enjoy the moment. It will be weeks before you get to eat any of it.”

As the days passed, Greenstone Residential Area started becoming stronger.

The three raid teams continued securing food and medicine. The security team kept the perimeters secured and ensured no external threats could enter Greenstone.

The greenhouse team maintained the crops, ensuring they thrived despite the harsh conditions. And then there were those residents who were in none of these teams but were still trying to be helpful in their own ways.

Over the months, thus last group – that had sixty-seven people in it, cleaned up all the building within the area. They secured all the furniture, clothes, kitchen supplies, food – if any, and such other supplies that could be used.

For the first time since the apocalypse began, these people started feeling like they weren’t just surviving, but we’re actually living again.

And that’s when trouble arrived.

– – –

One evening, as Grace was inspecting the greenhouse levels, Kevin found her with a grim expression decorating his young and handsome face that had her turning all her attention to him.

“We have a problem.” He announced the moment he was close enough for only her to hear him.

She glanced at the residents working in the greenhouse before turning back to Kevin. “What kind?”

“The kind that comes with a heavily armed group heading straight for Greenstone.” Kevin’s voice was just as grim as his expression when he announced the depth of this trouble.

Grace’s expression didn’t change, but her mind was already calculating the possibilities. “How many?”

“Too many for it to be a scouting party,” Kevin admitted. “Could be twenty, maybe more.”

“They are coming for the food,” Rune said as he entered the greenhouse. “They must have heard about us.”

Of course.

After three long months of constant raids, a lot of nearby areas had started noticing them, and what they were up to. They knew that Greenstone had food now. Greenstone was surviving.

And that made them a target.

Grace exhaled slowly, then looked at Kevin. “Get everyone inside. Lock down all entry points.”

Kevin nodded and left immediately to carty out the order.

As Grace and Rune headed outside, they were met with Captain Harlow who informed them that Davian was already at the wall.

“We could try negotiating.” The soldier suggested.

“They won’t want negotiations,” Rune said darkly. “They’ll want to take everything.”

Grace already knew that. Desperation made people savage. And they weren’t prepared to hand over what they had built with so much difficulty and hard work.

She lifted her gaze. “We are not letting anyone take Greenstone.”

–

The entire settlement moved into defensive mode. The main gates were barricaded. The snipers took position on the rooftops nearby the perimeter. And the general public was ordered to stay away from the perimeters and continue with their work.

As the enemy group came into view, Grace studied them from the guarding area built on top of the wall. She noticed how this group was well-equipped, armed, and were moving with purpose.

A man, probably their leader. stepped forward before calling out, “We know you have food. Hand it over, and we won’t kill you.”

Grace was unable to hold back her smirk. It was hard not to when looking down at such people who couldn’t analyze the situation properly. She wondered what gave that man enough courage to speak such nonsense.

[Scanning completed.]

2025’s familiar voice filled her head at that moment, pulling half of her attention toward the information that the little creature started relying to her the very next moment.

[The man who just spoke has level three fire power. The woman standing at his left had level two power of strength. There are three more people in the team with superpowers, all at level one – fusion, rock, and strength.]

Listening to 2025’s assessment, she could finally understand why the leader down below sounded so sure about his threat.

She leaned forward and placed her elbow on the railing in front of her, placing her chin over the back of her palm. Her voice was filled with mockery as she spoke loud enough to be heard by those standing two meters below her.

“Have you mastered your fire already? Are you sure you will not end up setting one of your own people at fire by mistake if we ended up battling?”