Chapter 96:
Winter stood in a dimly lit room filled with about a dozen other individuals, each wearing the same patched but sturdy combat gear. The tension was clear as they waited for the officer at the front to speak. The group was composed of enhanced individuals—those like Winter who had gained extraordinary abilities during the apocalypse. As expected, these abilities made them valuable assets but also painted them as outsiders, even within the base.
He tugged at the strange collar thing he and the others had been made to wear as soon as they changed into their uniforms. At least he had been able to keep his rifle, they didn’t know it was one of those "magical Items" that had appeared in the new world.
The officer, a grizzled man with sharp eyes and a scar running down his temple, began the briefing. "You’re here because you’ve got what it takes to do what the rest of this base can’t. Outside the walls, it’s chaos. Mutated creatures, rogue scavengers, and remnants of the mist—those are just the obvious threats. Your job is to secure resources, scout for threats, and, above all, keep the base safe."
A holographic map flickered to life on the wall, displaying the surrounding areas. Pinned markers indicated supply caches, known enemy zones, and scouting routes. "You’ll be working in squads. No lone wolf nonsense," the officer barked. "Each of you is expendable if it means the survival of the base. That’s not a threat; it’s reality. Stick to your team, and you might live long enough to see the next supply run."
Winter’s gaze shifted to the map. He recognized landmarks from before the apocalypse, though they were warped and unrecognizable now. His thoughts briefly wandered to Zara. Was she settling in? Did she feel safe? He’d seen the fear in her eyes earlier, though she tried to hide it.
He couldn’t blame her, getting separated so soon also set his nerves on edge.
"Enhanced individuals like you are under constant watch," the officer continued, pulling Winter’s attention back. "You’re powerful, but that makes you a liability. Try anything funny, and the collars around your necks"—he gestured to the small metallic bands fastened to each of their necks—"will ensure compliance. You have some freedom, but don’t mistake that for trust."
Winter instinctively touched the cold metal around his neck, resisting the urge to scowl. So that’s what it was for. The others also had varying reactions to the revelation.
The officer pointed to a large, reinforced gate displayed on the map. "That’s your first mission zone. You’ll be securing a downed drone that contains critical data on the mist’s activity. Expect resistance—both from the environment and whatever’s out there waiting to kill you."
A soldier handed out packs containing basic supplies: rations, weapons, and communication devices. "Gear up. Move out in ten," the officer said before stepping away, leaving the group in tense silence.
As Winter checked his equipment, his mind wandered to Zara again. "Calm down," he mumbled to himself. "She’ll be fine, she’s tough."