By now it was December, and the streets were still alive with bustling markets. "Theresa!" A little girl, maybe ten, spotted her and came running over, all excitement. Theresa stared at the child, who had grown so much she barely recognized her. It took her a good three seconds. "You're… Yuki?" "Yep!" Yuki grinned, planting herself next to her. "It's been ages since I last saw you." "Yeah, it really has. I honestly thought you'd stayed this tall." Theresa reached down to ruffle her hair. The first time I met Yuki, she was only six. I blink and somehow four years slip right past me. She's already turning into a young lady before I know it. "Yuki!" Pearlina Dunn, Yuki's mother, called out from across the street. "Mom, I'm right here. Theresa's with me." Her shout turned every head on the street. The people living in Blazing Sun Camp's base hurried over with bright smiles, all trying to greet Theresa at once. "Theresa." "How have you two been?" Theresa finally had a rare moment to breathe, so she chatted with them for a bit. "Theresa, we've been amazing. We're eating real meals every day." "We can even eat out. We can order anything on the street." "Theresa, look at my new clothes. We get new outfits every time the seasons change." Everyone crowded around her, showing off what they had bought and the fresh clothes they were wearing. This was the apocalypse. A world crawling with zombies. Yet these residents were here in brand-new outfits. Everything Theresa had promised them had been delivered. Not one promise left empty. What they had now was even better than what she initially told them. No one could hide their excitement. "Theresa, everyone in the alliance is jealous of our camp. Blazing Sun Camp is unbeatable." "It's because you're the one leading us.""Theresa's the best!" "I second that!" Their voices tumbled over each other, and something warm spread through Theresa’s chest. She smiled without even noticing. She had never really pictured what kind of person she wanted to be, but her path finally felt clear right now. She wanted to lead more people. She wanted them alive. No matter what came their way. She stepped out of the crowd with both hands stuffed full of gifts. Meat, vegetables, fruit, drinks. She collected things throughout the entire journey. Lucas ended up with half the load hanging off him. He could barely walk, and Theresa finally had to order everyone to go home. … Then she hopped on an electric bike and hauled everything back to her office. She still had a stack of reports waiting for approval. Bennie had been pulling all-nighters just to write them for her. Theresa had already signed off on several. Theron was now building large trap zones and defense belts in both Branford and Crestmont, strengthening the military line that protected their buffer zones. The three Ark Camps were digging out military equipment and clearing zombie belts. Alliance credit bonds were issued in huge quantities. Funding poured into weapons and military gear. Other than a small group handling basic supplies, everyone else had shifted into full-time weapons production. Theresa's system kept spitting out small warships one after another, as if she were stamping them out. The entire camp had entered a wartime state of mind. Weapons and gear rolled out in batches, and she could afford the burn. Four years into the apocalypse, other camps could barely feed themselves. Meanwhile, her stockpiles continued to multiply every year. She went from early primitive accumulation to the massive haul from capturing cities. Even natural disasters hadn't slowed down her farmland output. Her supply reserves had grown to a frightening scale.One day of production was enough to feed the entire base for a year. Everything else could be thrown into industry and weapon manufacturing without a second thought. Additionally, Theresa boldly launched a socialized child-rearing program. A public sperm bank, artificial plus natural pregnancy, and rapid population growth. The camp would raise every child born. Any woman who gave birth would receive a substantial reward of credits and supplies. It became the first place in the apocalypse where the birth rate shot upward instead of collapsing. Theresa signed Bennie's latest progress report with a clean stroke. … The next morning, Bennie showed up in a rush with dark circles under his eyes. "All the reports are done?" Theresa looked up from the documents she had just finished approving. "Perfect timing. I'm ready for a few more." "Just kill me already." His expression turned dark the moment he heard her. He almost coughed up blood right there. "If I kill you, where am I supposed to find another employee this good?" Theresa grinned at him. "Bennie, you're capable, so you get more work. I believe in you."