Professor K raised his head and looked Theresa in the eye. "Yes. It's our goal to create a new civilization—a zombie civilization." Theresa's breath caught when she heard him say the last two words. "A zombie civilization? What are you talking about?" Professor K sneered. "We have had so many human civilizations over the course of history, don't we? So, why can't we have a zombie civilization? You've seen it, haven't you? You've seen that they're capable of evolution, just like us." "Early-stage zombies are chaotic and disorganized, but they gradually develop a certain self-awareness as they evolve. If you know your history, it's how we, humans, learned and adapted over time." "The Starborn Order's goal is to help zombies evolve. We want to help them develop a brand-new world order." At this point, Theresa didn't think Professor K was just some mad scientist. No, the things coming out of his mouth were so ridiculous she didn't think there was a word on Earth that could describe what inhumane thing he'd become. In the end, she could only ask, "Why?" "Human civilization is stagnant, primitive. We're stuck in our fragile carbon-based lifeforms, forced to live with all sorts of limitations. "We have short lifespans, and we have to rely on so many things just to survive—food, water, and even air. Our biological needs have restricted us from achieving anything worthwhile. Humans are destined to be a thing of the past." "But zombies are different. Their genetics have mutated so that these restrictions, these chains, are no more. They don't age. They don't die, and their physical abilities far surpass normal humans. "They've even developed abilities—special abilities tailored just for them. Their evolution promises them infinite potential. Zombies are the superior species." Then, Professor K looked at Theresa and declared solemnly, "They're the future. The future of civilization itself." Theresa fell silent as she tried to make sense of his delusions. "So… what you're saying is that your idea of evolution is turning every human into a zombie and letting zombies rule the earth." "I suppose that's one way to look at it. Out with the old, in with the new. A zombie civilization promises so much more.""But what does that civilization have to do with us? Have you forgotten that you're human too?" Professor K shook his head, utterly unbothered. "I'm willing to embrace the change." "What about your dog, then? Are you going to accept your fate when you turn into a zombie and rip your dog apart with your teeth?" Professor K fell into deep silence in the face of her scathing words. The dog pressed itself against him with a whine, nuzzling its head against his palm. The warmth under his fingertips made it impossible for him to give her an honest answer, or any answer at all. He patted his dog as the silence stretched on. Eventually, he murmured, "Regardless, Starborn Order's Project Genesis cannot be stopped once it's been executed. There's nothing you can do now." Then, he turned his wheelchair and left with his dog. It looked like he planned to spend whatever time he had left with it. Theresa didn't stop him. She watched Professor K and his dog leave, her shock and dismay gradually leaving her as it was replaced by something that burned. Then, she cursed loudly, "F*ck! These lunatics are beyond saving!" After she cussed the Starborn Order out, she yelled at the top of her lungs, "Bennie!" Bennie, who had been rushing through the reports, d*mned near teleported to her with how fast he ran to get to her. "Theresa, I wasn't slacking! I've been working on your plans this whole time!" "Plans can wait. Right now, I need you to broadcast something globally. Contact every base we can reach and offer whatever it is they want. Hell, you can even tell them we'll give them any supplies they want. "I don't care what you do, but I want every base on earth to join the Blazing Sun Alliance and officially declare the Starborn Order our enemy!" she bellowed, exuding a bloodlust so strong that it made Bennie flinch. She didn't care what lofty goals the Starborn Order had with this so-called zombie civilization. The only thing she knew was that she was a human. As a human, she would never, ever coexist with those freaks of nature.Because of that, she would rather die than even think about breathing the same air as the Starborn Order. Bennie stared at her wide-eyed, confused and terrified. Still, he wasted no time getting the job done. After all, he really didn't want to get on her bad side, especially not now. After he sent out the announcements, Theresa summoned Lucas, Theron, and all the other Blazing Sun Alliance camp leaders. She didn't beat around the bush as she told them what she knew about the Starborn Order. Once she was done, every single one of them could barely believe their ears. "Let me get this straight. Are you saying that we're stuck in this freaking zombie apocalypse because the Starborn Order decided to play God?" "Yes," Theresa said. The Starborn Order had discovered the zombie virus and studied it before releasing it to the world. As for why they did this? They wanted a better and improved world order. "Those god*mn mother*ckers!" Theron slammed his palm against his armrest, shattering the solid wood. Every camp leader could feel their fury boiling over the cauldron. The virus outbreak had taken their families, their partners, their friends! Some had turned into zombies; others were eaten by zombies or had died because of the chaos. Their lives had turned into hell on Earth in mere seconds. None of them would ever forget the terror and suffering when the outbreak first began.