Surviving the Apocalypse with my Multiplier System novel Chapter 225

A few months later...

Rayne woke up early. Today would be the base's first harvest and it was a big occasion for everyone.

All of the farmers were already up and working, even before the sun rose, getting everything ready for the harvest today.

Rayne got ready and skipped to the farmland to help with all of the action.

Many of the others woke up early as well, trying to be part of the action.

Rayne looked at the fields and saw the beautiful and lush vegetables. There was lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, potatoes, onions, carrots, and many other beautiful vegetables.

The farmers were setting up crates and baskets near each of the plots where they would be harvesting today.

"Are these strawberries?!", exclaimed Rayne happily. She knew that there were plenty of vegetables that were planted, but she didn't know they even had strawberries!

One of the designated farmers walked over and washed a ripe strawberry in a bucket of water, handing it over to Rayne.

"Yes! We managed to plant a few strawberry plants this time. We're hoping to expand the farm to accommodate more berries to make jams and preserves in the future".

Rayne accepted the big ripe strawberry, happily placing it in her mouth. Her eyes squinted from joy as the sweetness from the strawberry filled her mouth.

"Wow, it's the most delicious strawberry I've ever had!", she exclaimed after she finished eating it.

The farmer smiled, "Thank you. They're my pride and joy. I come from a family of farmers, and strawberries were always the plants I cared for the most. When the disasters happened, the first thing I packed was these seeds"

Rayne's eyes widened, "You mean these strawberries are from the seeds you brought?".

She initially thought that all of the seeds they used for planting the fields were the ones that she provided from the warehouse.

However, knowing that their settlement had such passionate people who were willing to plant their treasured seeds warmed her heart.

The farmer smiled and nodded, "I'm just happy that I could continue this legacy. These seeds are a special and unique breed. Now they won't be lost forever".

Rayne looked at the thriving plants and thought about the other settlements she'd been to. While she left many seeds behind when she left Fred's ranch, they were mostly staple vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers.

Even the chicken farm settlement seemed like they had a few fields. "It would be nice if we could set up some sort of trade route between our settlements", she mumbled to herself as she continued to walk around the fields.

Trade had always been vital to growth by providing new goods that places didn't have before.

If she could set up a small trade caravan that went from place to place, she would be able to upkeep relations with the other settlements. It would provide the resources necessary for these settlements to grow and accept new refugees.

About an hour later the entire settlement was up and congregating around the fields. Everyone was tasked with a small section of the field, harvesting all of the ripe vegetables from that area.

Rayne joined in, harvesting various peppers from her section. They were all plump and juicy, shining brightly under the green leaves of the plant.

"Our farmers are very skilled", she said to Julian who was harvesting cucumbers in the adjacent area.

"They are indeed, I'm surprised at how much we were able to grow on this moderate size field", he smiled, throwing a cucumber at her.

Rayne caught the cucumber and placed it in her basket, shaking her head at him.

Just today's harvest would fill the remaining empty shelves inside the food warehouse and refrigerators.