บท 63: Don't Think About Taking Away
The next day.
Alice and Hurley woke up early and wandered around the grain warehouse. Surprisingly, the villagers did not obstruct them. As they passed the granary, Alice discreetly observed it, noting that there was no guard in sight. It seemed the villagers hadn't realized that the food had "appeared out of thin air" again.
At eight in the morning, the rest of the convoy members began emerging from their rooms one by one, each with a satisfied look on their faces. Craig gathered everyone, stating that since they had reached an agreement with the villagers, they could now return to the base and report the news.
During the gathering, Alice covertly observed their every move. When Craig mentioned moving the food, the expressions of several people visibly soured.
Good, the fish were starting to reveal themselves.
"Craig, why bother going back to the base? Can't we stay here?" a man struggled for a while before finally shouting out loud.
This statement voiced what others were thinking. Another person didn't hold back either, "I've decided to stay in the grain warehouse. That food belongs to us, and no one is taking it away."
"That's right, count me in. If you guys insist on taking it by force, you'll be our enemies."
Craig stared at them in astonishment, his face completely darkening, "What do you want to do? Rebel?"
Two men took out their guns, pointing them at Craig, "I think everyone was wavering last night. Since that's the case, why not stick to our own thoughts? Isn't it better to stay here together? The food back at the base is not meant for us. Consider it carefully yourselves."
As soon as these words were spoken, three more men stood on the opposite side, also aiming their guns at Craig's head.Craig, sorry. We, too, are striving for a better life. There's a saying, "Man dies for wealth, bird dies for food." We are defending our interests as well."
"Do you think getting rid of us will ensure your safety? The Base has sent people with supplies, and they're on their way. You can't escape," Craig regretted bringing in unreliable allies. If he had known, he wouldn't have used them.
The defiant men who had betrayed Craig shrugged indifferently, "By the time they arrive, this place will already be an 'empty city.' Thinking of competing with us for food? Not a chance."
Another man looked at Hurley and his companion mockingly, "Give up the struggle, join us. Isn't it better to live a good life here together? The grain storage has a hundred thousand tons of food, and the villagers are willing to accept us. We won't have to worry about food anymore. It's a win-win situation. Why not accept it?"
"Craig, we don't want to make things difficult for you. Now you have two choices: either join us in betrayal, or it's either you die or I live."
Craig's face turned ashen, silent and unresponsive.
Alice approached Hurley and whispered, "You really hit the nail on the head. The villagers' goal is to make them turn against each other. They're just watching, reaping the benefits when the time comes."
Alice returned the food, unbeknownst to the villagers, harboring deep hatred for them. The fate of these traitors wouldn't be much better.
When they were both weakened, it would be the villagers' time to close in.
Hurley coldly stated, "They've been brainwashed. Now we're just waiting for Craig's decision."
Just as Alice was about to speak, she saw Craig look at them and ask sternly, "Anyone else betraying the Base? If so, leave now."
Craig would never betray!
The remaining dozen or so members of the supply team hesitated. After a while, one person silently walked to the other side and raised a gun."Think about the scene where you have to work yourself to exhaustion back at the Base just to get a bit of food. Are you sure you want to give up the chance to eat a decent meal?" Three more people stepped forward in the crowd, raising their guns; these were the same guns Craig had provided them. He felt a pang of resentment.
Soon, only Craig, Hurley, Alice, and Cecilia remained from the supply team.
Craig looked at them coldly, "You better think this through. Once you choose betrayal now, don't even think about coming back to the Base."
A man sneered, "Why would I go back to that crappy Base? I have no supplies, only the dorms to stay in. Do you know how disgusting it is inside? Those people are dirty, smelly, and some like to steal things. Robbery and fights are common occurrences. I have to worry about my safety all the time."
"Isn't it better to be with the villagers? Plenty of food, plenty of women. When the time comes, get married, have children – a life without shortages of food and drink. That's the way to live."
Craig's gaze darkened, realizing their decision was firm. He turned to Hurley's group, "Have you made your decision?"
Alice nodded, showing no fear on her face. With a Gatling gun and ample bullets, she had nothing to worry about; dealing with them would be a breeze.
Hurley's expression remained unchanged. He glanced at Alice and chuckled, "We two must be on the same side."
Craig sighed, "It's not the time for romance and love."
Cecilia weakly spoke up, "Craig saved me when I was being bullied. I can't be enemies with them."
Kobe, who had been listening silently, applauded, leading the applause. He looked at the traitors with a warm smile, "Welcome to the team. Let's take down these four today, and the two women will be yours."
Upon hearing this, the men couldn't help but feel excited. Although Alice remained cold, it sparked a sense of conquest in them. Thinking of Alice submitting to them, their desires were stirred."Kobe, I knew you didn't come to invite us with good intentions." Craig glared at him.
Kobe made a disdainful sound, sneering, "Thought you guys were smart, but spring hasn't come, and it seems your brains haven't grown either."
Suddenly, Craig burst into laughter.
Kobe's smug smile froze, "What are you laughing at?"As people facing imminent death, they should be kneeling and begging him. If he was in a good mood, he might spare their lives and let them be slaves or something.
"I'm laughing at your lack of brains. If you could figure it out, how could I foolishly fall for it?"Craig said and then pulled out a whistle, blowing it.
Everyone looked puzzled at his actions. At that moment, over a hundred people rushed in from outside the grain storage. They were wearing uniforms, holding guns, moving in a disciplined and well-trained manner.
The traitors were dumbfounded. How could this happen?
Craig explained, "The reinforcements from the Base arrived early the day before yesterday. We planned to attack last night, but you suddenly invited us, and I wanted to see what you were up to. Turns out, you were just trying to make these guys betray."
The traitors were furious, "Why didn't you tell us earlier?"If they had known the Base's reinforcements had arrived, they wouldn't have chosen to betray. Craig had included them in his calculations.
"I was planning to tell you before the attack, but plans changed. I decided to keep it a secret, and it turns out I gained a lot from it." Craig looked at them coldly.Now put down your guns, and I'll spare your lives. Otherwise, don't blame me for not recalling our old friendship."
The traitors panicked and immediately dropped their guns, hands raised in surrender, "Craig, we were wrong. We won't join them."
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง