102

Stay Alive

Chapter 102 – The World We Have Lost

“Zz… Descending. Package secured.”

Alan stepped out of the helicopter as soon as it landed. His eyes scanned the largest military base they had reclaimed a few months earlier. Rows of fighter jets stood in maintenance, gleaming like silent giants. His gaze fixed on Joel, who approached, followed by several others.

“Have you resolved the problem?”

Joel nodded, glanced at the people Alan had brought, and said, “Everyone who serviced your helicopter was interrogated. We found who was responsible. After extracting the information, we executed everyone involved.”

Alan gave a brief nod, then turned to the newcomers. “These men have the talent to lead. Make sure they receive the proper training. If they pass the trials, make them leaders.”

“That will be done.”

Joel walked alone with Alan, speaking in an unusually quiet tone. “I refused to take the winter plan. I knew you would come back.”

“No, you just didn’t want to take the mantle of leadership. I know the dead still haunt you.” Alan understood Joel’s past, and he knew he had to be careful not to let it weaken him in the future.

When they reached an open area, the waiting elite soldiers stood at attention and saluted. “Glory to humanity!”

“Glory to humanity, my soldiers!” Alan returned the salute, then looked over the thousands of fresh recruits standing before him.

“As you all may have suspected, humanity has been lost in the hearts of men and women. Slowly, we have abandoned the values we grew up with, the morals that once defined us as good in our lives.”

“Good and evil no longer exist. The metaphors have changed, and now only one truth remains: move forward or remain in the past. Live or die. Hunt or be hunted. The world we remember—the one we long for in the dead of night—is gone. Therefore, it is our duty to build a new world. And that is why we will become the Unification—a single government to lead all.”

Everyone knew exactly what Alan meant. He intended to dominate the entire world under one rule, no matter how many had to die to achieve it.

The plan was laid bare. All that remained was to hear the soldiers’ response. Alan didn’t have to wait long. A thunderous roar of approval rose from the crowd.

“Glory to humanity!”

The soldiers saluted again, their eyes burning with conviction. That fire gave Alan the certainty he needed to move forward.

The next step was clear: secure the states bordering Mexico to amass resources. Above all, Texas was essential. To reach it, they first needed to take Arizona.

Lee watched the soldiers standing in formation and Alan delivering his speech. From what they knew, they were now in a Nevada base that would serve as the staging ground for their expansion.

If things continued like this, Lee was convinced they could succeed. A safe place—one where everyone could finally belong.

“What do you think?” Lee asked Kenny quietly.

Kenny looked around and answered, “They’re not bad people. They’ve just learned to survive—same as we did.”

The world had been lost. That was something everyone needed to accept.