The Endgame Chronicles (by Hugh White) novel Chapter 292

Chapter 292

“How did we run into a mega drought?”

Inside Hope Base, Alex stared at the climate analysis report and fell into deep silence.

After spring started this year, a severe drought hit.

Humans were an incredibly resilient species. Even with the zombie virus at its worst, as long as people could catch their breath, they would restart production, rebuild, and eventually fight back.

Zombies alone weren’t humanity’s greatest threat.

But zombies plus natural disasters?

That was practically a recipe for extinction.

When their smaller bases threw everything they had into restoring production during Haylight League’s city recapture efforts, they quickly realized something was terribly wrong.

A drought.

Ever since the blizzards and cold snaps ended, there hadn’t been a single drop of rain. Now it was already May, and the weather was getting hotter by the day.

Within days, ternperatures shot past 104°F.

All the hard-won production they had struggled to rebuild was basically finished.

Just then, Alex heard a broadcast on the radio.

“Listen up, idiots. This is the Haylight League. We’ve taken the north side!”

Alex’s heart nearly jumped out of his chest.

He listened in shock as Robert transmitted the announcement word for word. For the first time in his life, the phrase “idiots” felt painfully accurate. It was absolutely aimed at him.

Hayley had won again.

She had pushed into the city in this insane heat.

In less than six months, she had taken two entire districts.

Hayley was unreal.

He couldn’t even restore basic production, yet Hayley had endured massive logistical pressure and steadily chewed through the city block by block.

Alex’s heart pounded uncontrollably.

After a long moment of stunned silence, he turned to Margaret. “Send a message to the Haylight League. I want to organize a full inter-base meeting.”

On Hayley’s side, after clearing the final street, everyone began collecting the spoils.

Urban resources were on a completely different scale. They couldn’t even compare to the scraps they had struggled to find in

small outlying towns.

Once the city fell, supplies poured out like treasure that had been guarded by zombies.

Malls, shops, pharmacies, hardware stores, furniture outlets, gold and silver, gemstones, jewelry, clothing, appliances, both

1/2

+15 Bonus

large and small…

An endless flood of supplies was unearthed.

And of course, there was Hayley’s reward.

Ding!

[Congratulations on capturing a new urban district!

[Reward: 5th-generation fully intelligent nuclear power plant *1. Five operators required. Can be placed anywhere within your

territory.]

Hayley, who was helping move supplies, grabbed Griffin.

“Leonard, Tommy, you keep working here. I’m heading back first.”

Leonard and Thomas didn’t find it strange this time. They were used to it. Hayley had done the same thing last time.

They watched as Hayley dragged Griffin away. Her hand was cuffed to his. She got into the vehicle and drove off once again toward her shelter.

During this entire period, Hayley personally kept Griffin under watch.

Wherever she went, Griffin went with her.

She absolutely didn’t trust leaving him at the shelter.

Even with Ruby there, she wasn’t sure Ruby could keep Griffin in check. This guy needed to be watched by her personally. She never let him out of her sight.

On the road, Hayley was in a great mood.

One of Griffin’s hands was cuffed to hers. His other arm rested against the car door as he studied her with obvious interest.

“What’s got you in such a good mood?”

Hayley glanced at him. “Be more loyal to me, and I’ll tell you.”

Griffin laughed and raised his free hand to swear an oath.

“I swear, from now on, I’ll be absolutely loyal to you, Captain Gorgeous. I’ll never betray you, never run, and I’ll follow you through life and death. If I break this vow, may I die without a grave, die in pieces, leave no remains, be reduced to ashes, fall into the depths of hell, be devoured by a million evil spirits, and never find peace.”

ľ

+15 Bonus