388 Called Out, Another Mission from the Military (1/2)

Day 62 - 12:32 PM - General's Office, North District, Bay City Settlement, Pasay City, Metro Manila

The day of the worrying event had passed with another all-nighter. Half of the night was because of the remaining work Mark had to do while the other half was because of another horde of infected appearing near the vicinity of Bay City Settlement.

It was a considerably big horde. There were about a thousand infected in it. Because of the last event with the [King Type], the military started to practice high alert with infected hordes attacking the settlement. After all, no one would know what kind of infected could be present within the horde. Another [King Type] appearing was also possible.

Still, such cases of hordes randomly attacking the settlement were normal. According to Mei and Odelina, it had always been like this. This alert, right now, was because the people were still paranoid about the last event.

Leaving the horde aside, Jaeya's predicament yesterday was settled with her adopting the child as her own. Mark had no qualms about it. Although he was also interested in the babies called [NeoHumans], he was more interested in the growth of infected babies. Unfortunately, he already scorched the entire building to ruins before they left that place. Since he secured that everything inside that building would burn, Mark did not think that any of them would survive.

Nevertheless, having her adopt the child created a positive effect on Jaeya. Her chaotic mind had gained a bit of stability, and Mark could already read her emotional fluctuations. It was a good start for her recovery.

As for the rest of the night, Mark finished using up all the blood bags he had. The remaining blood bags left after he modified another vehicle for their use, and modifying the lorry was more than enough for the simple modifications he made on the vehicles of his friends. He even had enough to make a few swords and spears.

Right now, he was on in front of the General's office and was about to enter.

With Angeline and Paula's usual routine of visiting Mei, they told him that the General wanted to talk. As Mark had no problems with it, he left after lunch and wore his usual mask.

When the personnel in the lobby saw Mark, they immediately guided him even if it was not needed. They also informed the General that he was already here. Nevertheless, Mark was not led into the office he knew but another room not far from it.

”General, the visitor is here.”

The soldier that accompanied Mark knocked on the door.

”Let him in.”

The voice of the general could be heard.

Hearing that, the soldier opened the door and let Mark enter before leaving.

A long table in the middle, quite a number of chairs and a whiteboard at the back. This was not an office but more of a conference room.

Inside the room, there were several people present. Of course, he was not surprised as he already detected their mental fluctuations even before he entered the building. He was quite unsure why they were here though. Nevertheless, the reason why the General called him might be because of these people.

Aside from the General, there was Professor Isaach Co, Nia, Allen, Captain Dela Rosa, and Major Lopez. Unexpectedly, four more people were here. They were Rosamie, Emika, Mikio and Professor Chervil Sandoval.

”Surprise! You didn't expect that we're here, right?”

Emika cheerfully shouted before anyone could even say anything.

This caused everyone in the room to look at her while feeling awkward.

”Emika, mind your manners.”

Rosamie reprimanded her daughter.

The green-haired girl covered her mouth, but her expression made everyone doubt whether she was listening to her mother.

On the other hand, Mark ignored her antics and turned to the General.

”Hey Uncle! Don't i- mfmph!!!”

Emika was displeased being ignored and wanted to complain, but several tree root-like vines twirled around her face covering her mouth. Unlike the boisterous Emika, her younger brother was more mature and understanding.

”I'm sorry about this.”

Rosamie apologized with exasperation.

Nobody inside the room had problems with it. It seemed that they were already used to seeing her behavior. In the least, her antics were still acceptable as a child. As for the other, the General, Nia, and Allen looked at the unsuspecting Professor Co while slightly shaking their heads.

”So, why did you call me here?”

Mark asked the General.

”Please, take a seat first.”

The General replied.

Mark took the seat and the General finally spoke.

”Our settlement, no, not only Bay City Settlement, even the Quezon Settlement are already buried in debts to you and your group.”

That statement made the other two military officers nod. Not only that, but General Perez and Captain Dela Rosa also had personal debts to Mark.

”Still, we needed your help once more.” The General continued. ”We had a mission for you and your group.”

Hearing that, Mark frowned. As he already finished with what he needed to do here, they would be leaving in a few days. He had no extra time to deal with Military troubles. The General should already know that.

Seeing that frown, the General was not disheartened. He looked at Professor Isaach to continue.

”Don't blame Miguel. This request came from me.”

The Professor said making Mark turn to him.

”Actually, what we wanted you to do will not deviate from your current goals and schedule.”

He then turned to Chervil.

”As you know, Chervil is our best botanist here in Bay City. He even successfully researched and created the new variant of rice which could address a percentage of food shortage we had in another month or two.”

As the Professor said that, Chervil nodded while Emika was looking proud of her Uncle Chervil. Her proud look, however, was obscured by the tree roots covering half of her face.

”There is a problem, however.” The Professor continued. ”Since this settlement is surrounded by the Manila Bay in the west and infected cities on the other sides, we are wasting his talent.”

Chervil looked down. While he did not want to voice it, it was true. His specimens for research were lacking and there were not enough places here in Bay City to test his research. As a botanist, his research was about flora, something that this settlement could not provide.

”I see...” Mark spoke. ”You want me to bring them to Quezon. Is that it?”

Since the mission was about Chervil and the Professor said that it would not deviate from his goals, it could be the only possible explanation.

”It's good that we didn't have to go further into detail.” The General smiled. ”Also, we already know that you work like a mercenary. If you accept the mission, we will give you these.”

The General nodded at Nia who took out a suitcase onto the table and opened it.

Inside the suitcase, ten fruits could be seen.

Of course, he recognized those fruits and could not help but look at Mikio.

”So, it's true that you know about it.” Professor Isaach spoke. ”It is one of our research we don't normally disclose to others. Like the things about [Neo Humans].”

Hearing that, Mark looked at Nia who hung her head low.

”Don't be angry at her.” The Professor shook his head. ”She did not say anything. But it is not hard to know what happened when she led you and Miss Mei into the restricted area after the checkup of a baby you brought. There are also surveillance camera's there and the soldiers and personnel on guard will report to us. Don't be a bad influence on Nia, she actually tried to lie. But you know, she is really bad at that.”

Then, the Professor continued.

”I still don't know why you get to find the good stuff here in the apocalypse.”

That last sentence was more of a grumble due to envy rather than a lecture.

Of course, as they had to stop the Professor from saying too much, the General asked.