Rewrite the Apocalypse dream (by Dee Cari) novel Chapter 209

Chapter 209 Planning A Rescue

Finished

Julian gave everyone their special communicating bracelets. Once it was worn, the devices slowly dissolved in their skin leaving no trace behind. Everyone felt a flutter in their heads when information downloaded so they all knew how to message Joanna.

Maps of Westridge cover the dining room table. The whole team leans in, their focus absolute. “I’ll give the soldiers and their families the freezers and extra generators,” Joanna says, her voice cutting through the quiet. “But tell them to hunt what they can. Have them scavenge for building materials such as metal, and cement while we’re away. If there’s a giant haul, I can grab it when we get back,”

Caleb taps a spot on the map. “A heat wave will hit next year. Water will be scarce. We should dig a reservoir while we can.”

Joanna’s eyes stay fixed on the maps. “I can dig a reservoir in the back of the storage space and fill it with snow. The priority right now is Levi.”

Briggs’s usual stoic features soften with a flicker of a hopeful smile. “So the Levi extraction is a go?”

Joanna nodded. “Yes. I also felt another shift in the Level 14 upgrade. I think I can teleport longer distances. So tonight I wanted to try it. If I could get to Westridge I will check how I feel.”

Jolie spoke up “Boss, are you saying your teleport skill drains your energy?”

Joanna nods. Uncle Nate asks, “Isn’t your teleportation upgraded with zombie cores?”

Before she can answer, Briggs adds, “I noticed you were exhausted when we were moving through Eldon. I guessed your power could be energized with your spring.”

Joanna meets their concerned gazes. She rarely speaks about her limits, and it’s clear they don’t know the cost. “My teleportation is tied to my storage space-the family heirloom. It’s a separate power, one the spring can’t rejuvenate. That’s why I was so drained in Eldon.”

Kailee connects the dots. “But your strength is different. That’s why you absorb cores.” A quiet understanding settles over the room. If Joanna pushes her teleportation too far, she’ll have nothing left to fight with until she can rest.

Joanna offers a faint, reassuring smile. “I’ll be fine, but I need to be careful. The jump to Westridge is the true test.” Her eyes drift toward the window, focus sharpening. “What should I do about Dante, though? He’s outside laying eggs, but our departure window is closing.”

Raven, who was currently holding onto Titan, lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Joanna, I can’t be totally sure, but I think Dante wants to join our base. I accidentally eavesdropped on his flock. They were admiring our base, but mostly, they were hyping you up. They said a human who can fly like them was clearly destined to be a high-ranking dignitary in the Pigeon Federation. Honestly, you’re basically a Queen to them.”

Julian’s arms crossed so hard his chair creaked. “Dante,” he said, with the careful enunciation of someone who had been personally wronged, “is a menace. He’s a bloated cassanova. He struts around like he owns the place, and everyone just-” he gestured vaguely at the room, “-lets him. We have eggs. Plenty of eggs. We have more eggs than we will ever need. Nobody needs Dante’s eggs.” He paused. “I don’t trust him.” Titan let out a small bark as if in agreement.

1/3

10:42 am

Chapter 209-Planning A Rescue

Finished

A wave of synchronized eye-rolling ripples around the table, and a shared, unspoken agreement to ignore Julian hung in the air.

Joanna turns to Briggs. “The rest of my people-Ryan’s group, the pharmatec scientists, Mrs. Klein, and Willow-I need you to integrate them.”

Briggs gives a single, sharp nod. “Consider it done. They’re good people. We’ll put them on maintenance and kitchen rotations.”

Joanna’s smile is genuine. “Thanks. Partner them with some of the families. I don’t want them isolated. Also, we need to give up any other supplies in Dillon if I am leaving tonight. We may need more ways to feed your troops.”

“Understood,” Briggs says. “I hear Ryan is an expert survivalist?”

“He’s the real deal,” Uncle Nate adds. “He can build and hunt.”

“It’s why I brought him,” Joanna says.

Allen smirks. “I thought you just liked his top-tier RV.”

Joanna’s smile turns smug. “That, too.”

RJ redirects the group’s attention. “Boss, who’s accompanying you to Tech Valley?” Joanna takes a moment, her eyes scanning the faces around the table. “Here’s the mission roster. Staying behind: Uncle Nate, Allen, Raven, and Titan. Caleb,” she locks eyes with him, “it’s your decision. But Kailee-I absolutely need you by my side.” Caleb speaks up, “Can I stay in your space? I only need to emerge once we’re in Tech Valley. I can sense so much more when we’re there.” Joanna nods,/her expression resolute. “Alright, then you and everyone else will come with me.”

Joanna and everyone exited the Storage Space landing in the underground shelter. Half of the team went to organize the move for the families, while Joanna, Julian, Raven, Titan, and Allen walked towards Dante and the his pigeons.

A few yards away, Dante was in his element. The massive, mutated pigeon strutted across the perch like a monarch inspecting his troops. Surrounding him was a thick blanket of cooing, bobbing pigeons, carefully guarding a cluster of oddly shimmering, oversized eggs. When Dante spotted Joanna, his chest puffed out so far his feathers rattled. He let out a low, booming coo that sounded suspiciously like a trumpet fanfare.

“Look at him,” Julian muttered under his breath, his hand twitching toward his holster. “He’s doing the victory lap. I’m telling you, Joanna, he’s planning a coup.”

Raven giggled, scratching Titan behind the ears. “Oh, relax, Julian. He’s just showing off for his Queen”

As if understanding her, Dante flew down directly to Joanna, tilted his head, and dropped a pristine, glowing egg right at her boots. He blinked his large, glassy eyes, giving a theatrical bow.

Joanna glances from the egg to the giant bird, then pointedly at her watch. The gesture is enough. “Dante,” she says, her voice sharp enough to cut through the cooing, “I’ll accept these, but that’s it. We’re leaving for Westridge now, and I have a mission after that.”

Raven steps forward, her focus narrowing on Dante. She closes her eyes for a brief second, a flicker of

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