In the afternoon, all the original members of Rock Fortress, along with the hundred-plus newly arrived survivors from the temporary camp, were gathered in the open space in front of the main building, forming a dense crowd.
Calista stood on a slightly elevated step. Leah and Rickson stood just behind her on either side like guards, their sharp eyes scanning the crowd below.
Core members like Mike, Carver, Turner, and Bossie were positioned around the perimeter, their hands resting casually on their weapons while maintaining vigilance.
Calista's pale-gold hair fell loosely over her shoulders, almost glowing under the sunlight. But it was the authority in her gray-blue eyes that made no one dare underestimate her.
In her hand were the finalized details of the points system and a stack of personnel assignments.
"Quiet."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried enough force to instantly suppress the murmurs below.
All eyes turned to her.
"First, welcome to Rock Fortress."
Her opening was direct and concise.
"This is not paradise. It's just a refuge in the apocalypse. If you want to survive here, you follow the rules."
She paused, sweeping her gaze across the crowd. Confusion, hope, unease, all kinds of expressions surfaced.
"Starting today, Rock Fortress will implement a contribution points system."
She raised the document in her hand.
"Food, medicine, drinking water, better living conditions, even weapons and ammunition will no longer be distributed for free. Everything must be exchanged for points."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd.
Many of the newcomers looked shocked, even panicked.
Calista continued without pause.
"How do you earn points? By working. By contributing to the base."
She began listing the main ways to earn them.
"Join the search teams or reconnaissance teams. Go out and gather supplies and information. Points are awarded based on value and risk level. These earn the most."
"Join patrol teams. Maintain security inside and outside the base. Points are calculated by the hour."
"Use specialized skills to serve Rock Fortress. Medical work, engineering, repairs. Points will be awarded based on evaluation."
"Participate in construction. Clearing Blackberry Ranch, reinforcing defenses, agricultural labor. Points are based on workload."
"Complete assigned daily chores. Laundry, cooking, cleaning. These earn basic points to ensure minimum survival."
With each point she listed, the noise in the crowd faded further.
People began to think seriously, especially the National Guard soldiers and those with skills. Their eyes gradually lit up.
"The more you work, the more you earn. The less you work, the less you earn. No work means no reward. That's the rule of Rock Fortress."
Her tone was firm and absolute.
"The detailed exchange standards will be posted after this. Mrs. Howard will oversee all registration and verification, assisted by Guillermo and Miguel. It will be completely fair. Anyone is free to monitor the process."
At that moment, Sergeant Miller suddenly shouted,
"Understood!"
The twenty-plus soldiers behind him echoed in unison.
"Understood!"
Their response set the tone. Many civilians who had been hesitating began nodding as well.
It sounded fair. And more importantly, it gave them hope.
But not everyone accepted it.
From the crowd, a man in his forties with a sallow face and shifty eyes suddenly shouted,
"Wait! This isn't right!
You saved us, treated us, fed us. Wasn't that your responsibility? And now you're doing this? You're basically forcing us to die! We don't have the strength for heavy labor. Isn't this just bullying?"
Several others nearby muttered in agreement.
"Exactly. We just got out of that factory. We're not even recovered yet."
"Wasn't this place supposed to be safe? Why are we risking our lives again?"
"Aren't you supposed to be good people? If you're good, you should help us to the end…"
The atmosphere immediately turned tense.
Those who intended to earn their place glared at them in disgust, but some weaker individuals wavered.
Before Calista could respond, Rickson stepped forward, locking his gaze onto the man.
"Bullshit! Who the hell owes you anything?
You think our food and medicine fell from the sky? Calista stockpiled it herself. My people risked their lives to get it!
Don't want to work? Fine. The gate's over there. Walk out and see if the walkers and raiders out there care about your situation. See if they'll feed you out of pity."
His presence was overwhelming. The man and those around him turned pale and stepped back, unable to meet his eyes.
Leah spoke next, her voice cold.
"Good people? We never said we were good people.
We're just trying to survive. And we're willing to give others who want to survive a chance.
If you're looking for a free ride, you're in the wrong place."
Calista raised a hand, stopping them before things escalated further.
She looked down at the troublemaker and the others like him, a faint, chilling smile forming on her lips.
"You're right," she said calmly. "We did save you. We gave you treatment and food."
The man's expression shifted, a hint of smugness appearing.
But Calista continued.
"So you owe Rock Fortress. Now it's time to pay it back. With your labor."
She pointed at them one by one.
"You. You. You. And you.
Everything you consumed yesterday has already been converted into point debt.
Mrs. Howard, record it. They have three days to work it off. If they can't, they're out."
She paused and swept her gaze across the entire crowd.
"Don't talk to me about morality. And don't even think about using it against me."
"I have no morals."
"I have rules."
"Follow the rules and work, and you'll survive here. You might even live well."
"Break the rules and only take without giving…" her eyes turned sharp,
"then get out of my territory. Or try challenging the rules and see what happens."
Her voice remained soft, almost sweet, but no one dared underestimate her anymore.
The man's legs gave out. He nearly collapsed, not daring to say another word.
The entire area fell silent.
You could hear a pin drop.
Calista looked away, her tone returning to calm.
"The points system is now in effect. Assignments will be announced shortly. Dismissed."
There was no applause.
But no one questioned her anymore.
The crowd dispersed slowly, filled with a mix of emotions. Excitement, pressure, anticipation, and a growing sense of respect for this young leader.
The National Guard soldiers immediately stepped in to help maintain order, guiding people to read the posted rules.
Calista stood on the steps, watching the crowd begin to move.
Leah stood beside her, letting out a soft laugh.
"You're getting more and more commanding when you speak."
Calista shot her a smug look.
"To deal with people like that, you have to be tougher than they are."
...
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