Chapter 564: Above-ground Shelter 6
In front of the Solar Lamp, a flag rose slowly. No one who hadn’t endured the long darkness could truly understand the importance of the sun.
The Solar Lamp illuminated the entire sky, and the construction of the surface shelter was accelerating toward completion.
That afternoon, Evelyn Ford left The Undercity with Wendy and Zoe.
After the long night, many people’s vision had begun to decline. The Solar Lamp was so bright that no one was used to it at first. Their eyes would sting and tear up.
Walking along the base’s paths, she watched the strangers pass by. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits. Evelyn recalled her first visit to the base, when residents had also hurried past her. Back then, they were gaunt and sallow-faced, their brows furrowed without a hint of a smile. Everyone walked hunched over with their heads down, a complete contrast to how they were now.
"Joy Ford, I feel like ever since we got the Solar Lamp, the air feels so much nicer. It’s not stuffy at all."
Evelyn Ford nodded. "You’re right. The Solar Lamp really does give off heat. It feels so warm just standing here."
Zoe, wearing a little dress, skipped ahead. "Auntie, a little bird told me that all the people from the outside villages have moved here."
"That’s great, Zoe. Any other news?"
Zoe nodded. "The birds said they couldn’t find a good place to live, so they flew back. They didn’t expect that as soon as they returned, a sun would appear here. Now they’ll never have to leave again."
Evelyn Ford smiled. ’Even the birds don’t want to leave their homes, let alone people.’
"That’s wonderful. The birds have all come back."
The three of them wandered around the base for a long time before heading to the surface shelter under construction. It was nearly finished, with the outer shell already in place. It was a spherical structure. Zoe said it looked like a bird’s nest, Wendy thought it was a soccer ball, and Evelyn Ford felt it resembled an overturned bowl.
"Auntie, is this the shelter? Are we going to live in it?"
"It is, but we won’t be moving in. People should be able to live in it in about half a month. Come on, let’s head back. It’s about time for dinner."
At the mention of dinner, Zoe’s mouth started to water.
"Auntie, let’s hurry home then!"
Evelyn Ford took each of them by the hand and headed toward The Undercity, her shoulder bag holding their oxygen packs. Even though the Solar Lamp was installed, it would still take time for the oxygen levels to return to normal. People were still dying from hypoxia these days, so anyone leaving The Undercity had to carry an oxygen tank or pack.
Evelyn Ford was in excellent physical condition and hadn’t suffered any ill effects. Besides her and Ronan Kendrick, everyone else needed supplemental oxygen to go outside.
When the three of them returned to The Undercity, they were surprised to find Rhys Chase there. They hadn’t seen him in a long time.
Officer Graham was busy in the kitchen. The spread tonight was impressive—not only was there tuna, but also king crab. The dazzling array of dishes on the table made Evelyn Ford’s stomach rumble.
"We don’t even eat this well for the New Year. We have Mr. Chase to thank for this feast today."
Rhys Chase, holding his teacup, chuckled as he looked at everyone. "In that case, I’ll have to come scrounge for food every day so you can all eat this well all the time."
Quincy smiled. "No problem. You’re always welcome, Mr. Chase."
Liam Sterling pulled two bottles of white liquor from a nearby box. "Let’s all have a drink. Today’s an important day."
If Liam Sterling hadn’t mentioned it, Evelyn Ford wouldn’t have even realized it was the Mid-Autumn Festival.
’The Mid-Autumn Festival,’ she thought. ’It really is an important day.’
"Let’s have a drink," Evelyn said. "I’ve got red wine and cocktails, and the kids can have juice. Do you want some fruit?"
"Yes!"
"Alright, I’ll get you some fruit."
Liam Sterling quickly opened another burlap sack. "Sister-in-law, I also brought some cantaloupes grown at the base. You have to try them—they’re really sweet."
"Wow, that’s amazing. I can’t believe you managed to grow cantaloupes."
After the long night, fruit could only be grown in greenhouses. They weren’t as sweet as they were before the apocalypse, but they were still delicious.
"We just took a walk outside," Evelyn said. "The Solar Lamp is incredible. You can actually feel the warmth from it."
Liam Sterling and Rhys Chase both smiled.
"The base’s researchers are pretty incredible," Liam said. "Mr. Kendrick, Sister-in-law, there’s actually something I need to discuss with you."
Evelyn Ford and Ronan Kendrick exchanged a look. "Go on," Evelyn said. "What is it?"
"We might need to get some more copper ore from you. The factory needs to produce several more Solar Lamps. Our technicians have already taken a helicopter to The Third Base, where they also need to develop them."
’The Third Base, where the Hooper Family is,’ Evelyn thought with a smile, and agreed immediately.
"No problem. How much do you need this time?"
"Three tons, same as before."
"Done. You can have it tomorrow."
Liam Sterling stood up and bowed to Evelyn. "Sister-in-law, you truly are a woman of great character. So generous."
"Ah, just serving the people," Evelyn said with a wave of her hand. "It’s what I ought to do."
Evelyn Ford went to the kitchen to help. Once all the dishes were on the table, everyone looked to Taylor Vance, expecting him to say a few words. Taylor Vance, in turn, looked at Rhys Chase, who held the highest rank among them.
"There’s no Commander here," Rhys Chase began. "I actually envy Liam, being able to fit in so well with all of you. Perhaps I’m too stiff, or maybe just too old, but I feel like everyone’s still a bit distant with me. So, I’d like to propose a toast. I hope I’ll have the chance to become part of this big family, and I hope you’ll all accept me. Mr. Vance and Mr. Lowell are the elders here; in their presence, I’m just a junior. Please, none of you need to be so formal with me."
It was rare to hear Rhys Chase speak at such length, and everyone gladly accepted his toast.
"You’re the leader, Mr. Chase. We should be the ones toasting you."
Rhys Chase waved his hand dismissively. "Please, just call me by my name. When you call me Mr. Chase, it feels like you’re still treating me as an outsider."
Taylor Vance smiled and downed the liquor in his cup in one gulp. "Alright. From now on, we’ll call you Rhys Chase."
"Rhys Chase, I hear the people from Yarrow are planning to cross our borders."
At the mention of this, Rhys Chase’s expression turned serious.
"They’re just posturing clowns. If they dare to come over, I guarantee they won’t be going back. The Yarrowans who tried to cross the border before were all eliminated. The border is now lined with barbed wire. Arden Base needed support, so our base has already sent one hundred and fifty soldiers there, along with plenty of weapons. Yarrow is not a threat."
Hearing Rhys Chase’s words, everyone felt relieved.
"I wonder how many countries on Azure are left intact."
"Probably no region or country is completely unscathed. The smaller countries disappeared first—especially Rovan, Country H, and the small nations around them. The oceans rose and swallowed them overnight. Some might have been wiped out by volcanic eruptions even before the floods came. We spent a few years at sea and even went to Westeria. Compared to other regions and countries, Westeria didn’t suffer as many natural disasters. However, it’s become a colony, occupied by refugees and the rich from all over the world."
"You actually made it all the way to Westeria? Why didn’t you settle down there?"
"A fallen leaf must return to its roots."