Chapter 160: 160
“A few at a time, a few at a time. A few of them could help with anything on the inside of the compound or outside since I’m sure they have gone outside for their own supplies. We’d need more people to take care of the upkeep of the place we’re occupying if we need to get more land.” I thought to myself.
“Wait, kid. Is that talk enough? I know you know them from your shop from there but I think we should interview them as well. They’ve gone outside and not to sound too paranoid; we don’t know what they’ve done to still survive at this time.” Oscar said.
“It’s fine. I can see it in their eyes that they haven’t done anything yet.” I replied.
“I agree with your observation. Are you sure you’re just a simple businessman? I think you have the sense for what I do.” Marisha chimed.
“Now I don’t understand what the two of you are talking about. Is it the psychic thingy you always do?” Matthew chimed as well.
“Heh. Real eyes realize real lies.” I replied.
“I’m not good as her though.” I thought to myself.
“Are you going philosophical on me now? Did you invent that?” he asked.
“C’mon now, every idea must’ve been thought by someone else already without us knowing, though we can’t be sure to know who had the idea first. Got that line from Tupac though.” I replied.
I first took a glance at the soldiers and they seem to not care for me taking a few strong people for my camp. The guy in command is still sifting through the list while some of his soldiers would go inside to call for them but some would be reported to have left the camp or have perished. I’m counting the number of soldiers at this place and there seems to be more here compared to the one that we went to before.
“Let’s see the next batch of people.” I thought to myself.
“Next, Josh and Patrick. Come here as well.” I told to the couple where one has long hair and one short though there’s a few highlights here and there. Let’s just say that in this country, they wouldn’t be what you call ‘conventional’.
“Hey Josh, remember me?” I asked.
“Oh~! You’re the son of Mrs. A-” I cut him off.
“Please just say Mrs. Ishiyama’s son or Sky. Please don’t say their names.” I said.
“…” Kaley was silent but she glanced at me.
“Oh… right… I’m sorry. Are you taking the two of us as well?” he asked with a soft voice.
“Yeah. I got something going on at my place and your talents could definitely be used there.” I replied while I scratch my head.
“Oh! Need a haircut or something huh? I can notice a few strands overlapping on your ear. Of course, sweetie~ I could do anything for you and your people there. It’s a little hard here to be honest since we need to get our own food. We’re barely making it with the two of us and I’d rather work for someone again so we two don’t go out. A few groups here are starting to not take us with them.” he smiled while his partner did as well. They went back to their quarters to get their belongings.
“Next, Christian, Margie, Angel and Alona.” I said to a family that is patiently looking at me waiting to be called. They’re looking a bit famished and Christian; their dad is looking much worse.
“He must be the only one going out for them.” I thought to myself.
“Sky!” Angel happily called. She walked up to me and hugged me tight.
“Sky, know her from somewhere?” I heard Kaley from behind.
“She’s Angel, an old friend when I was still in elementary. She’s an English teacher while Alona over there is still in highschool.” I replied.
“Oh, I see.” Kaley said.
“Always territorial.” I thought to myself.
I ruffled Angel’s hair and looked at Christian.
“How’s the day going Mr. Christian? You’re looking a bit thinner, you guys okay?” I asked.
“It’s harder than usual but we’ll always pull through.” he replied.
“Sky, who’s she?” Angel said while she let go of me.
“She’s my wife, Kaley.” I said with a straight face while Kaley blushes and Matthew almost rushed me. Oscar was laughing heartily while Marisha tried to calm her husband.
“Oh… is that so…” Angel replied weakly.
“Better luck next time sis!” Alona said from the back.
“Is that really you? It’s been a while since I last saw you.” Christian replied.
“*laughs* Well, I learned how to fix the truck with my uncle so I rarely made a call. I believe the last time you saw me was when I was still in 1st year of highschool. That’s a few years back. Anyway, want to come with me? I could use your help there though there’s no pay.” I joked.
“You’re really taking my family? *laughs* Been really close with your dad, we’d always give and take. I never asked a penny from him but he always leave me something that is above what I charge my customers.” he replied as he scratched his head.
“Of course, we need people there with your skills as well. Not to mention Mrs. Margie was the one who fixed my teeth before.” I replied as his eyes lit up and Margie came close to me.
“Oh, look at you! You still remember that?” Margie came up to me but she’s looking up with a bright smile from her perfect teeth.
“Of course. Pack up while we interview a few people here that we don’t have any idea who are yet. Don’t take too long though.” I said as they separated with us.
“Got a few laborers, salon workers, mechanic, dentist and a teacher for skills. What comes next will be the hard part. Medical personnel and soldiers.” I thought to myself.
A few which are surmise are medical staff are wearing white robes are nervously looking at me while a few younger people with built bodies and short-trimmed hair are standing in attention in one corner. Their uniforms are not all the same though. A few are from the army, navy and the air force. There were a dozen soldiers standing in attention and seven medical staff that they are willing to hand to us.
“Oscar, take all of the soldiers here but we need to interview the doctors after.” I said.
“We’re taking them all?” Oscar asked.
“Yeah, Project TFH.” I replied.
“Oh~ I like where this is going~” he said.
“What’s Project TFH?” Matthew asked.
Both of us nodded while making a devilish smile. The soldiers watching us shuddered from looking at our reactions.
“You guys are pretty lucky but you guys are damned to hell at the same time. Anyway, if you survive it, you’d be among the elites.” Oscar said.
“W-wait. If my guess is correct, you’d be taking us away?” one guy that seemed to be the one speaking for their group said.
“Yeah. Your CO here gave you to us, it’s either that or you’d be continuing what you guys are doing here until… you know… until this whole thing is over or you breathe your last. You’re not really part of their group even if you’ve been trained.” I replied.
“…” he was silent.
“Well, who the hell are you?” One of the soldiers there standing tall with bags under his eyes said.
“He’s the guy, you idiot!” said one female soldier standing at complete attention.
“He’s that guy?” the other soldier with a bald head asked.
“You guys are hopeless. That’s why you’re all stuck at your ranks.” Another female soldier wearing common clothes said.
“Ranks doesn’t matter now! You’re just one rank ahead from us but your one of the black sheep like us.” The bald guy snapped back.
“I don’t care if he’s that guy. I think I could take him.” The tall guy replied.
“Try to beat me first before you spout nonsense.” Another guy with a muscular body said.
They all are now starting to bicker while I’m still in front of them. Oscar’s brow is twitching as if it’s saying: ‘Why the f.u.c.k did you choose these f.u.c.ks?!’
I kept on watching their actions while I noticed that Marisha and Kaley are doing the same.
“They seem close but there is a clear divide and the person that speaks for them isn’t that great in exerting his authority over them. I could be wrong though; the big guy is definitely the strongest one out of them but strength isn’t everything in a fight. The guy speaking to them is always keeping an arm’s length distance from everyone and seem to hate skin contact. The tall guy seem confident but he’s scared of the big guy. The female who spoke earlier with the short hair seems to be the 2nd in command in their group even if they’re all from different divisions. The others seemed to be normal trainees but we never know until we spend more time with them. I’ll let Oscar handle them back home or even Tatiana. They’ll get whipped up in shape soon enough.” I thought to myself.
I broke their bickering with a loud clap and said, “If this was bootcamp you’ll be doing push-ups until I said stop. Better shut the f.u.c.k up and listen to me. Give me your names.”
The other guys stood attention but the tall guy has a hidden sneer slapped across his face.