Lucas kept his fingers on the hem of Theresa's shirt like he always did. No... he gripped her with a little more intent than usual. ... The next morning, every member of the alliance scheduled for duty returned to their positions. Theresa received a thick packet of reports from Bennie. Satisfaction washed over her. Bennie had compiled everything related to overseas supplies, listing every usable resource still beyond their borders. He recommended pulling all foreign stock into the alliance. The zombie war would stretch for years. Technology had to surge ahead, which meant resources mattered more than anything. They needed what the world still had left. He pushed for a larger navy and a specialized unit dedicated to running global collection routes. From now on, whatever could be gathered abroad would be brought home to the Blazing Sun Alliance. Population recovery mattered just as much. A baby boom needed to begin. Bennie had drafted entire reports solely discussing demographic strategies. Theresa read each one, approving every page. She retrieved the high-tech warship blueprints she had kept tucked away. It was time. Production could finally begin. Oceans would no longer be obstacles. Supply networks would move faster than ever. She flipped through Bennie's population proposals again. One line about boosting marriage rates caught her eye. A wedding was a wedding—whether five couples joined or five hundred.She could make it grand. She suggested, "Here's what we'll do. Once spring arrives, we host a mass wedding. Get word out now. Anyone who signs up gets a luxury dress or tux, diamond rings, a banquet, a new home, and I'll officiate personally. "Any couple who welcomes a baby within a year earns 10,000 points each. From today onward, every expense for every child is fully covered by the alliance." The moment Bennie heard her idea, his face practically glowed. "That's genius." He immediately pushed the announcement to the entire alliance. The reaction exploded. "The leader's planning a huge wedding for us after spring!" "She's giving out free gowns, rings, everything—sign up before the list fills!" "She's incredible!" "We were thinking of tying the knot already. Getting her blessing? Perfect timing!" ... At Spark Camp. "Charlotte! You hear the news? The leader is arranging a mass wedding!" Declan limped across the grounds to find his sister, excitement written all over him. Spark Camp had suffered one of the two worst casualty counts in the last battle. Fewer than ten survivors remained. Charlotte and Declan were both alive. Declan had lost a leg saving someone. Charlotte winced when she saw him hobbling toward her. "Please, Declan, not today." Declan insisted, "No chance. The leader wants people to settle down. You'd better secure your future while everyone's rushing to marry." Charlotte snapped back, "You're so excited about settling down—why don't you get hitched first? You go first, then I'll agree to something."Declan's eyes narrowed. "You're promising that?" "Yep. Bring home a wife, then I'll talk. Stop harassing me." Charlotte moved away briskly. "Then meet your sister-in-law." Declan's brooding face softened into a smile as a woman emerged from behind him. "Hi, Charlotte. I'm Karina. Your brother saved me. I'm sure you know who I am." Charlotte blinked in surprise. Know you? Obviously, you were the woman Declan had torn his leg off saving. Declan introduced, "This is my wife, Karina Peterson. We're planning to register at the mass wedding with the leader officiating. Your turn now." Charlotte almost rolled her eyes. She drew a quiet breath, faced Karina, and muttered, "Karina... my brother only lost a leg. Don't lose your love over that." Declan and Karina exchanged a look, struck silent. Half a minute ticked by before Declan exploded. "You brat! I'm getting married, and you think you can dodge forever?" Charlotte shot off like a startled cat. She stared at the massive sprawl of the alliance for a moment, then sprinted straight toward Theresa's office. She barely had any friends left. The only person she trusted was Theresa. She raced across the building. Just as she reached the office door, she smacked straight into a broad-shouldered wall of a man.