Rewrite the Apocalypse dream (by Dee Cari) novel Chapter 338

Chapter 338 Virobane Production

Finished

Dante puffed up again, cooing something long and clearly self-satisfied, tilting his head to give Joanna his best angle.

–

Raven snorted. “He says — ‘a Valentine like me only comes once a lifetime. You’d be lucky.”

“Ok, ok, enough already!” Joanna said, exasperated but laughing despite herself, gently setting him back down on the perch before he could start up again. “I need you ready in a few weeks, Dante. We may need messengers running between bases soon, so rest that ego and save the energy for flying.”

Dante cooed once, offended, but settled onto the perch with as much dignity as he could

muster.

Joanna gave Raven’s shoulder a light squeeze and headed back out of the animal cave, boots crunching over the snow as she crossed the courtyard toward a cluster of containers set apart from the rest – the lab, which doubled as the base’s small hospital. Stepping through the heavy door, she left the cold behind for the sterile warmth inside. White sheeting hung along one wall, shelves lined with jars and vials, and in the center of it all, Michelle and Warren stood hunched over a long table crowded with potted stems of the virobane plant, its pale, faintly glowing leaves rustling under the lamplight.

Nearby, holding a tray of vials with careful, deliberate movements, stood Leo’s aunt skinned, eyes clouded but alert, moving with none of the mindless hunger Joanna had come to associate with the infected. Just quiet, careful patience.

grey-

Warren spotted her first and straightened, a proud grin spreading across his face. “Boss! Production’s going great – we’ve got a thousand vaccines ready, all from the virobane.”

Joanna’s eyebrows rose. “A thousand? That’s incredible, Warren. Great work.” She glanced between him and Michelle. “How have things been otherwise? Anyone need real medical attention?”

Michelle shook her head, wiping her hands on her coat. “Barely anyone. A couple of minor accidents — someone caught a hand in a container hinge, one of the kids took a fall off the containers during Levi’s morning runs – nothing serious. It’s been quiet.”

Joanna nodded, relieved, then glanced toward Leo’s aunt, who continued setting vials onto a shelf with slow, methodical care. “Any new data on her?”

Michelle’s expression turned thoughtful. “She’s improved a lot since we started. She understands everything now – full conversations, complex instructions. She communicates through grunts and gestures, but it’s clear and consistent. Nowhere near where she was when Leo first brought her in.”

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Chapter 338 Virobane Production

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Finished

Warren crossed his arms, tone gentler. “We’ve been testing different concentrations of the virobane root on her directly. It’s slowing the progression, maybe even reversing some of it. But-” he hesitated, glancing toward the woman, who continued her careful task, seemingly unaware or unbothered by the conversation happening about her. “We don’t think she’ll ever be fully human again. Not completely. This might be as close as she gets.”

Joanna nodded, glancing between the two of them. “I gave samples of the vaccine to Glacier and Fletcher before I left – chances are they’ll want to place an order for a supply run soon, once word gets out to the other groups they’re working with.” She glanced around the lab once more, satisfied. “Everything here looks solid. Great work, both of you.”

Michelle beamed, and Warren gave a small mock salute before turning back to the virobane stems on the table.

Jolie, Joanna thought, reaching out through the mind link as she stepped back out into the cold. Call a meeting for this evening, after dinner. Same group as before you, Levi, Raven, Virginia, Noah.

–

Got it, Boss, Jolie’s voice echoed back a moment later, distant but clear.

With that settled, Joanna made her way across the courtyard toward her own room, Bubbles trotting along beside her, tail flicking lazily now that the excitement of the pigeon incident had worn off.

Her room was easily the largest in the base – a converted double-wide container, reinforced and insulated, more studio apartment than military quarters. A queen-sized bed sat tucked against one wall, piled with thick quilts stitched together from salvaged fabric. A small kitchenette lined the opposite wall – a narrow counter, a two-burner stove, a stocked shelf of dry goods and jars, and a compact fridge humming quietly in the corner. A door beside it led to a small private bathroom, complete with a real shower, a rare luxury she’d made sure to build in early. In the center of it all sat a worn but comfortable couch facing a squat iron stove, currently cold and dark.

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