CHAPTER 85: WHAT TO DO WITH MOUTHQUAKE?

Inside a safe base, life continued on as normal as it could be for the residents of Fortress four. Masks had become compulsory. The base did not smell great, but the people were safe and that was all that mattered.

Sunshine’s ice powers were growing smoothly. This morning, she invited Hades and Nimo to witness her progress. The system had recommended a training program for her. Snowflake creation and precision were the first skills she had to learn.

She had to form snowflakes that were no larger than a thumb and each snowflake had to have sharp edges that could slice like a dagger. It sounded simple and easy, but the skill required emotional control.

No excitement and no anger. She had to be as steady as a rock.

"Are you ready to witness my greatness?" She asked her audience.

Sunshine nodded. Nimo clapped.

Sunshine spread both hands out, targeting the moisture in the air. Small crystals were formed and took the shape of snowflakes. She directed them at a dummy, and it was cleanly decapitated.

After completing the show, she bowed dramatically while her audience applauded.

"When I awaken, I hope my powers will be this cool." Nimo said.

Sunshine made an "oomph" sound. Nimo’s powers were cool, but they were not battling combat cool like ice powers or fire or any of the elements. None the less, she was less likely to die in a fight than the rest of them.

"So, what is the name of your snowflakes that are sharper than daggers?" Hades asked her.

"Can I have your sword now?" Nimo asked. "Seems to me like you don’t need it anymore."

"Can I take a look at your training program?" Hades asked.

Sunshine looked at the time. "Oh look, it’s time to head down for training."

The trio headed down to supervise general training exercises in the second wall. Training was done a lot to kill boredom and also stop mental break downs among those that were either worried about the future or the relatives that they had lost communication with.

Television had been lost, as had the connection with the outside world. Now, residents could only visit the base theater to watch movies. They had their own news channel with local antenna’s that Sunshine had repaired from scrap got from other worlds.

Teams had been formed to come up with more creative ways of spending time.

Ariel had taken charge of approving which activities were acceptable for the kid’s section. This was because Lisha had compiled the list and it included a lot of sleeping, playing and eating.

He had criticized these as a waste of time and advocated for more educative programs.

The trio had just stepped out of the elevator when Ariel appeared and handed Sunshine a piece of paper. "This is the new children’s program I have approved of. If you approve of it, I will have it shared today."

Hades lifted Ariel and run off with him, making roaring noises. Ariel was protesting loudly, and he became louder as soon as his mask fell off and the pungent smell hit his nose.

"That kid acts way older than his age-its unnatural." Nimo commented as she watched father and son disappear into a car.

"He is super smart and always keeps things lively." Sunshine answered.

She stood outside and Nimo leaned over to look at the new program. It included story circles which Ariel had highlighted needed to be educative and taught by knowledgeable individuals.

In other words, no sock puppets like the ones Sunshine used when she was telling stories to the kids at night.

He had included field-based apprenticeships. All the children needed to start learning a trade. He had included suggestions like water filtration, milking cows, managing the gardens, beekeeping and more.

"A children’s choir." Sunshine laughed. "As cute as that sounds, watching toddlers sing is a painful experience."

Nimo laughed as well as they made it to the car and drove off. "Speaking of painful experiences, that mouth quake Helena Drew has been complaining about Ariel. She claims that the kid is being too strict on supplies because her request to get more toilet paper was denied. She uses six rolls a week and one is not enough for her." She paused and let out a loud chuckle. "Apparently your son told her to consider using leaves as an option."

The words had them both bubbling over with laughter.

"I am on my intelligent boy’s side, New toilet paper was distributed to everyone two days ago and it is the big size. How did she use hers?" Sunshine asked amidst giggles.

Nimo waved her fingers dismissively. "She is just extravagant, but Ariel will cut off her wings." Nimo chuckled, perhaps she could call Ariel to teach Helena a lesson the next time she tried to cause any trouble. "I do not know if you have heard but she has been very insufferable, if not for corporal Isaac Drew, I swear I would vote that you kick her out." She twisted her mouth.

"Trust me, the thought has crossed my mind." Sunshine answered. "The problem is that her husband is a good man, and I don’t want to kick him out just like that. Especially not in the acid rain."

The car arrived in the second wall. Maybe it was a coincidence but when they drove to the field, they saw Helena first. She was sitting quietly in a chair, drinking milk and eating cookies. The only time her mouth was not blabbering some nonsense was when she was having her meals.

"Speak of the devil." Nimo muttered.

Sunshine sighed. "Hades thinks that we should stuff her in a box and drop her off in Jon’s base the next time we have to deliver new gel. Each day that passes, I am inclined to agree with him."

Nimo whistled. "Your husband is as creative as his son when it comes to finding solutions to problems. I love that idea. We should definitely do that. I will speak to corporal Drew and ask him if he will stay over there with her or remain at his base with the rest of us. But I know that he is going to choose us. There is a reason as to why that man never took his vacation days or sick leave."

Sunshine laughed. She was not as sure as Nimo was about the decision of the corporal. Love was a strange thing. Drew had married Helena for a reason.

"How are you, by the way?" Sunshine asked her friend.

Nimo leaned her head against the wheel of the car and sighed. "I see my mother crying at least once every day. That is why I would rather be on duty than go home. Everyone is sad or scared because we cannot get in touch with Alfred anymore. We do not even know if he is alive or dead...." Nimo’s words trailed off into silence.

Sunshine touched Nimo’s shoulder. To that, she had no response. "When the rain ends, we will try to find him. I just don’t know where we will begin from."

"Lisha has the coordinates of his last location when I spoke to him." Nimo shared with her.

"Then we will start from there." Sunshine told her.

Hope was a bad thing in such times, but it was inevitable. Sunshine had managed to change some aspects of her own fate and that of many others that were living on the base.

Maybe--just maybe, Alfred’s fate had changed as well.