Ever since Merle let it slip and called Calista "blonde sweetheart," earning himself another beating from Leah and a solid round of "correction" from a few mercenaries, he'd started calling Calista "Boss."
Calista might be exactly his type, a beautiful, sexy blonde, but Merle didn't dare try anything again.
Dixon was tough, but he wasn't an idiot.
"The base doesn't support idlers, and it definitely doesn't keep dead weight. Once your left hand is good enough to handle a gun," Calista continued,
"you'll join us on operations or go with the search team. That's where you belong. Don't stay here causing trouble for me."
Merle paused, clearly not expecting that kind of arrangement. But instead of getting upset, a fierce grin spread across his face.
"Hell yeah, now that's more like it! I've been bored out of my damn mind here! Chopping walkers or people sounds a lot better than playing nurse all day. Don't worry, boss, I can handle a gun with my left hand just fine!"
As they left the medical station, Leah suddenly remembered something.
"Oh right, there's still someone without a proper role. Morgan.
His son, Duane, is already helping take care of the livestock with Jimmy. Should we have Morgan help Mrs. Howard with registration? He seems pretty upright."
Calista shook her head immediately, her tone firm and final.
"Absolutely not. Morgan's too soft. If we put him in charge of records, the moment someone begs him, he'll start handing out extra points."
Letting someone like that handle the system would turn one exception into ten. That kind of thing could ruin everything.
Leah thought about Morgan's personality and had to admit Calista was right.
"Then what do we assign him?"
"Morgan wants to work, doesn't he?" Calista already had a plan. She intended to place him somewhere with minimal direct interaction with people.
"Let him work with Mr. Howard and Joey on agriculture, or help plan the farmland at Blackberry Ranch.
Give him something solid to focus on. And since Tom is a mechanic, we can free him up to handle maintenance full-time."
The overall assignments were now clear.
They went to find Mrs. Howard.
Just as Mr. Howard had predicted, the former elementary school teacher was delighted when she heard she'd be in charge of such an important and technical responsibility. She immediately slipped into a serious, meticulous mindset.
"Don't worry, Calista, Leah," Mrs. Howard said firmly. "I'll keep everything fair and precise. Every entry will be recorded clearly.
I used to manage hundreds of students. Now it's just Guillermo and Miguel helping me. I'll handle it just fine."
Then she hesitated slightly.
"What about the chores I used to handle, like laundry and cooking?"
"Hand them over," Calista said without hesitation. "Martha and Mira will take charge.
There are plenty of able-bodied women among the new survivors. We can organize them to handle these communal tasks.
They'll earn basic points for it. Not much, but enough to cover their needs. If anyone wants to take on other work, they're free to choose."
"That's perfect," Mrs. Howard said with visible relief.
"It reduces our burden and gives the newcomers a way to integrate and earn their share. They won't feel like they're just living off others."
With everything settled, Calista had Leah notify Guillermo and Miguel and send them to report to Mrs. Howard.
She then called in Martha and Mira, officially handing over base logistics to them. They were instructed to recruit from the newcomers and form a logistics team, with all work calculated under the points system.
As longtime members of Rock Fortress, they felt the weight of responsibility, but they were eager to take it on.
Calista then went to find Morgan, who was helping distribute tools at the temporary camp.
"Morgan."
"Miss Norton?" Morgan quickly set down what he was holding and straightened up, looking slightly tense.
"I've got a job for you," Calista said calmly. "Mr. Howard's agricultural team needs help. You'll work with him from now on.
Duane is already taking care of livestock with Jimmy. They earn points for their work. You'll earn points too."
Morgan froze for a moment.
He clearly needed this kind of clear role and sense of belonging, rather than just passively receiving help.
"Alright. No problem. I'll do my best."
Calista nodded and left without another word.
Morgan watched her go and let out a long breath, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his chest.
Calista understood Morgan well.
At his core, he was a kind man. Before the apocalypse, that had been a virtue. Now, it was a burden.
Since arriving at Rock Fortress, everyone around him had found their place. Even his son had a role. But he himself had been drifting, helping here and there, never truly belonging.
He wanted to contribute. He wanted to prove his worth, not be an extra burden.
Calista's direct, even slightly commanding assignment wasn't offensive to him. It felt like acceptance.
What reassured him even more was seeing his son with a proper role and a companion in Jimmy.
Duane was smiling again, no longer constantly gripped by fear. That mattered more than anything.
...
Meanwhile, Rickson found Sergeant Miller and Corporal Wilson, who were helping set up new tents.
He pulled them aside and got straight to the point, explaining the points system and the plan for reorganization.
Miller and Wilson exchanged a glance, not particularly surprised.
After seeing Maya's squad's attitude toward Calista and the overall structure of the base, they had already figured things out.
Delta Force had just been a hopeful misunderstanding born out of desperation.
In this world, the government was long gone. Finding a well-organized, powerful group like this was already a stroke of luck.
"Mr. Rickson," Miller said seriously, "we understand.
There's no government anymore. All that matters is survival. Miss Norton and Rock Fortress saved us and gave our men and these civilians a place to stay."
Wilson nodded firmly.
"That's right. We know what we owe. Whether it's joining the defense force or anything else, we'll follow orders."
Their response was even more decisive than Rickson had expected.
It was clear they had already accepted reality and were simply looking for a reliable group to belong to.
"Good." Rickson smiled and patted Miller on the shoulder.
"Then it's settled. For now, your people will form a reserve defense unit.
You and Wilson will be in charge. Resume training as soon as possible and get familiar with our defenses. You'll receive the same points and treatment as our people. Missions and patrols all earn points.
"Yes!" Miller and Wilson answered in unison, instinctively about to salute before Rickson stopped them.
"No need for that here. Just remember it."
Rickson chuckled.
"Get back to it. Training schedules and assignments will be sorted out soon."
The two men left, their steps noticeably lighter.
With a clear role and identity, no longer drifting aimlessly, they had finally found a sense of direction and belonging again.