The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 721

Thinking Nicole just didn't know much about the base yet, the assistant explained, "The requirements for joining the military are strict, and the training is intense, but food and housing are the most secure.

"If another major disaster hits, the base will take care of its soldiers.

"Regular workers mostly do manual labor. The base provides housing, and while the conditions aren't as good, they're still much better than living outside.

"Scavenging used to be worth it. It was dangerous, but one good trip could cover two or three months of expenses.

"Now, there's almost nothing left to find. Most trips are a waste of time."

With so little left to scavenge, some people had turned to robbing other scavengers instead.

No one dared cause trouble inside the base, of course. They usually set up ambushes outside or confronted other groups directly. Whoever won took the supplies.

Some even targeted criminal hideouts.

Either way, scavenging had become dangerous, violent work.

Since they got along well, the assistant advised them to reconsider. "Scavenging really is too dangerous."

Nicole gave a helpless smile. "We'd like to join the military, too, but we still have a kid to take care of."

Every family had its own circumstances, so the assistant stopped trying to persuade them. In the end, the choice was theirs.

Back at the administrative hall, Nicole took out five cartons of expired cigarettes and eight bottles of name-brand whiskey.

The housing office couldn't appraise those items, so they sent her to the trading center to have them converted into base points.

After the appraisal, Nicole and Zeph were still short the equivalent of about 30 pounds of food for six months of rent.

Nicole didn't want to use grain, so she made up the difference with more whiskey.

Once the paperwork was finished and they had the keys, Nicole noticed it was still early and thought about asking about the submarine.

"Should we look into it?"

Zeph shook his head.

"This isn't like outside. The people we need to be careful around here are the military. We just got here, so asking about something like that right away might draw attention. Let's wait and find another way to learn more."

He understood military and law enforcement systems better than she did, so Nicole took his advice. "Okay."

They drove back to House 196 in Zone B.

The detached house had two floors, three bedrooms, and a living room, with about 860 square feet of space. It was simple but comfortable enough.

Zeph wrapped an arm around Nicole.

"As long as we don't give up, maybe that day will come."

Nicole fell into a deep sleep. At some point, she vaguely heard someone calling her name from downstairs.

She thought she was dreaming and was too exhausted to fully wake up until Zeph nudged her.

"I think someone's here."

They had been under constant stress for so long that once they finally had a chance to relax, they slept like rocks. With Cola keeping watch, neither of them felt the need to stay alert.

The voice sounded familiar. Nicole got up and pulled back the curtain.

Four people in military uniforms stood outside, two men and two women.

Nicole's eyes widened. It was Jeremy, Hughie, and the others.

She immediately brightened. "You guys made it in, too?"

They hadn't just made it in. They'd joined the military.