Chapter — The Train, the Factory, and the Survival Plan
Daniel turned to the group gathered in the convoy, the engines still roaring, their faces sweaty and tense after the confrontation in the warehouse.
"Just wait a minute," he said, walking back to the warehouse without any apparent hurry. "I forgot to get one of my weapons from inside."
Alice raised her eyebrow, suspicious.
"Are you kidding? In the middle of this mess?"
Daniel smirked.
"Trust me. Just a minute."
As soon as he walked through the doors of the empty warehouse, his expression became serious.
"System, open inventory. I want everything from this place in my inventory now."
The loli's soft and slightly provocative voice sounded in his mind.
"You're so bossy, Daniel-kun… But okay. Activating collection protocol."
In seconds, the environment around him began to disappear like video game pixels.
Boxes of supplies, hardware, spare parts, medicines, fuel… everything disappeared from view, stored in the vast 1000 cubic meter inventory that the system provided.
Daniel watched with satisfaction.
"With this, we guarantee enough to keep the convoy and the group going for weeks, maybe months, if we're smart."
The loli finished with her playful voice:
— There you go, everything stored. Inventory: 17% full. You can still get a lot more stuff, you know?
Daniel nodded and walked calmly back to the convoy.
Cut to scene — Convoy on its way to the Automobile Factory
The vehicles advanced through the deserted streets of New York. Armored buses, tanker trucks and reinforced cars. Each engine running was one more step towards survival.
The group, now united, headed for their next objective: an old automobile factory in the industrial zone. A place big enough to shelter them, fortify the vehicles and, who knows, save more lives.
Inside the main bus, Daniel reviewed the data he had. More than ever, he needed to understand who was by his side.
List of survivors and skills:
Marcos: Experienced mechanic, great at adapting and repairing vehicles. He also understood basic electronics.
Lucas: Automotive engineer, responsible for heavy modifications and improvised armor.
Alice: Former Umbrella agent, expert in hand-to-hand combat, infiltration tactics and advanced weaponry.
Jill Valentine and Leon Kennedy: Veterans in combat against bio-weapons, excellent shooters and strategists.
Claire Redfield: Field nurse and logistics coordinator.
Other civilians rescued: 15 people, including two doctors, a cook, three strong young men capable of defense and collection, and a teacher who took care of the children.
Daniel did the math.
"We're still few... but with the right skills, we can grow, survive... and fight." Alice approached, sitting next to him on the bench. "You're thinking about everything at once, aren't you?" "That's what I do," Daniel replied, staring at the horizon through the armored window. The convoy soon stopped in front of the huge factory. The main gate was rusty, but still standing. The place looked abandoned for years, perfect for what they were planning. Scene at the Automobile Factory "Alright, guys," Daniel said, gathering the group inside the huge warehouse. "This will be our temporary base. We have fuel, we have vehicles, but we can't let our guard down." Marcos and Lucas were already dismantling parts, adapting metal plates to buses and trucks. Jill and Leon were patrolling the perimeter. Alice was testing the weapons they had collected. Daniel organized the stock taken from the inventory discreetly, without revealing the system. Toilet paper, food, water, medicine, spare parts, improvised weapons… The group was impressed, but no one suspected the true origin.
"We found this in the warehouse before we left," Daniel lied matter-of-factly.
Hours passed in the factory.
The vehicles began to transform: steel bars reinforcing windows, armored plates on the doors, special tires. Tanker trucks ready to support the convoy for long distances.
The children played safely inside the controlled area. Claire took care of the wounded. The group was slowly starting to look like a real community.
New Scene — The Conversation between Daniel and Alice
Alice approached Daniel as he reviewed maps and attack plans.
"What next? Are we going after the Umbrella base?"
Daniel looked at her with determination, putting down the map.
"We're going to invade Umbrella, Alice. But just you and me."
She raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"Just the two of us? You're kidding.
— No. I need something they have… the Red Queen. That AI might be the best choice we have right now. If we can get access to it, it will be essential to our survival plan.
Alice crossed her arms, considering the idea.
— What about the T-Virus antivirus? Is that still in there?
— Yes. And I want to find out if we can replicate it. If we want to build a real base, with safe shelter, a population,
the stable, we'll need to control infections... and the Red Queen can help with that.
She nodded slowly, convinced.
"Okay... I like the plan. But we need more people. Heavy machinery, construction equipment... we won't last long with just makeshift fences."
Daniel smiled slightly.
"That's why the next step is to secure what we have here. Then, get reinforcements and equipment."
He turned to the group gathered in the center of the warehouse.
"Attention, everyone. Listen carefully."
The eyes turned to him. The roar of engines in the background, the clicking of tools, the murmur of children... everything went silent.
"From now on, the doctors here will take care of everyone's health. They are our first line of defense against serious illness or injury."
Two men and a woman, wearing makeshift lab coats, nodded.
— Teacher — he said, pointing to the woman with brown hair and a tired face. — You are responsible for the children. They are the future of humanity… or what is left of it.
The teacher looked at him, with tears in her eyes, but firm.
— I will take care of them. I promise.
Daniel took a deep breath.
— We will survive. We will fight. And we will build something better than this world in ruins. But for that, each one here needs to do their part. If you don't want to, you can leave now. I won't arrest anyone.
No one moved. No one left.
The next few hours were spent in intense preparation.
Daniel and Alice reviewed the infiltration plan. Leon and Jill coordinated patrols. Marcos and Lucas finished armoring the vehicles. The children slept on improvised mattresses, under the watchful eye of the teacher.
The system flashed again in Daniel's mind:
"Points available for distribution: 3 — Accumulated crystals: 845 — Remember: the System Shop contains special items."
He closed his eyes for a moment. Everything was going according to plan.
But Umbrella's invasion would be the real test.
And the time was coming.