One week later, the final systems check was complete.
What had once been an empty clearing surrounded by dense forest had transformed into something no one thought possible. In just a single month, the underground bunker designed by Mia had been fully constructed and operational.
Even the engineers from Alps Builders could hardly believe it.
Luis stood beside Mia near the control panel of the main access chamber. Screens displayed live feeds from every section of the underground structure: power systems, air filtration, water purification, and temperature control.
"Everything is stable," one of the technicians reported. "Air circulation is normal. Backup generators are functional. Water filtration system is online."
Another worker from Aetherion nodded while checking a tablet.
"Security systems are working perfectly too. Cameras, sensors, and door locks all synced."
Luis folded his arms and exhaled slowly.
"One month," he said quietly. "I still can't believe we pulled it off."
Mia stared at the monitors with calm satisfaction.
"It had to be done," she replied. "There was no other option."
Around them, several workers moved through the final inspection checklist. Every system had been tested multiple times over the past week.
And every time, the results were the same.
Perfect.
The entrance chamber had been reinforced with multiple layers of protection.
Three massive steel doors had been installed, forming a triple-door security system.
Before anyone could enter the bunker, they had to pass through each stage one by one.
The first door opened into a decontamination chamber, where anyone coming from outside would be sprayed with disinfectant mist.
The second chamber required biometric verification and manual authorization.
Only after both stages would the third door unlock.
Luis placed a hand on the steel surface of the final door.
"This thing could stop a tank," he said.
"Hopefully we'll never have to test that," Mia replied.
"But if someone tries to force their way in, they won't get far."
Protection was necessary. Anything could happen in the future they were preparing for.
They couldn't take chances.
The bunker itself had been built as two separate residential sections.
One was designed for Mia and her parents.
The other belonged to Luis and his family.
Both underground homes were spacious and fully equipped, but Mia had insisted on keeping them separate for privacy.
However, the two bunkers were not completely isolated.
Hidden beneath reinforced corridors were connecting tunnels, allowing both families to move between areas when necessary.
Several important facilities were shared.
A medical room, fully stocked with supplies.
A training room where they could maintain physical strength.
And an isolation chamber, designed in case someone became sick or infected.
Luis walked through the tunnel connecting both sides and looked back toward Mia.
"Your design is incredible," he said. "Everything is efficient."
Mia gave a small smile.
"It had to be."
That evening, the atmosphere in the forest clearing was completely different.
The machines had stopped.
The construction equipment was quiet.
And for the first time in a month, the workers could relax.
Frederick, Luis's father had decided to organize a small gathering to celebrate the completion of the bunker.
Nothing extravagant.
Just something simple.
Tables had been set up outside near the bunker entrance.
Stacks of pizza boxes were placed in the center along with trays of sandwiches, fries, fried chicken, and other food that could easily be eaten by hand.
Coolers were filled with bottles of beer and soda.
Workers from Alps Builders and Aetherion gathered around, chatting and laughing.
Everyone looked exhausted.
But they were proud.
Luis and Mia helped bring more food from the truck.
"Here," Luis said, placing another pizza box on the table.
Mia handed out paper plates.
"Everyone worked hard," she said. "They deserve this."
Nearby, Michael, Mia's father stood beside Frederick. The two men quietly discussed something before stepping forward.
Frederick raised a bottle slightly to get everyone's attention.
"Alright everyone," he called out.
The workers slowly quieted down.
Some still held slices of pizza or bottles of beer.
Frederick looked around at the crowd.
"I want to start by thanking all of you," he said. "What you accomplished here in one month… most companies would say it's impossible."
A few workers chuckled modestly.
"But you did it," Frederick continued. "And you did it with precision, dedication, and professionalism."
Michael stepped beside him.
"We're proud of every one of you."
Frederick nodded.
"Because of that, both Alps Builders and Aetherion Land & Holdings have decided to reward everyone here tonight."
Some workers exchanged curious looks.
Frederick continued.
"You will all receive a payment far beyond the amount originally agreed in your contracts."
Murmurs spread across the group.
One worker blinked in surprise.
"Wait… seriously?"
Michael smiled slightly.
"Yes. You earned it."
But Frederick's expression slowly turned serious.
"There is another reason we wanted to speak with you tonight."
The workers grew quiet again.
Frederick took a slow breath.
"What we're about to say may sound unbelievable."
A few workers glanced at each other.
Michael crossed his arms calmly.
"But we trust you," he said. "Every one of you."
Frederick looked at the group carefully.
"In the coming weeks… something very bad may happen to the world."
The workers stared in confusion.
Frederick continued.
"There is a strong possibility of a global outbreak. Something dangerous."
A man near the back frowned.
"Like… a disease?"
Frederick nodded.
"Yes."
Another worker scratched his head.
"You mean like a pandemic?"
Michael answered calmly.
"Something worse."
Silence spread across the gathering.
One worker raised his hand slowly.
"Sir… are you serious?"
Frederick gestured toward Mia.
"Mia can explain."
All eyes turned toward her.
Mia stepped forward, speaking calmly.
"We don't know the exact date," she said. "But we believe something may happen within the next month."
A worker looked worried.
"How do you know that?"
Mia hesitated for a moment.
"There have been reports recently," she explained. "In a country near Africa, there was an unusual infection case."
Luis looked at her.
She continued.
"In the news timeline I expected… that case wasn't supposed to appear until next month."
Some workers looked confused.
Mia folded her arms slightly, thinking.
"I can't fully explain it. But something may already be changing."
Luis studied her expression.
She looked thoughtful.
Almost concerned.
Inside her mind, one thought repeated.
Is this the butterfly effect?
She hadn't changed much since returning to the past.
But somehow, events were shifting earlier than expected.
And that worried her.
A worker finally spoke again.
"So… what are we supposed to do?"
Frederick answered firmly.
"Prepare."
Michael nodded.
"You lose nothing by being ready."
Another worker shrugged.
"I mean… that makes sense."
Someone else laughed nervously.
"Well… I guess stocking food wouldn't hurt."
Frederick raised his bottle again.
"That's all we're asking."
The workers slowly nodded.
The tension eased as people returned to eating and talking.
But many of them now looked thoughtful.
Luis walked beside Mia quietly.
"You think things are changing?" he asked.
Mia looked toward the bunker entrance.
"I'm not sure."
She crossed her arms.
"But if the infection already appeared somewhere… we can't delay."
Luis nodded.
"What do we do?"
Mia spoke quietly.
"We start stocking the bunker immediately."
She looked serious now.
"Food, medical supplies, protective equipment."
Luis gave a small smile.
"Sounds like another long planning session."
Mia nodded.
"Yes."
She looked back at the underground entrance.
"And we should talk about it tonight."
Because if the future was already changing…
They needed to be ready sooner than expected.