Elena picked up a pen and gestured across the map.
"However, the best water source in my opinion is Black Bear Creek, about 3.5 miles northwest of here. It's a second-level tributary of the Little Tennessee River. The flow is stable, and the water quality is quite good."
Her finger traced along the map, then she suddenly looked up.
"Miss Norton, do you know how much higher the creek sits compared to our base?"
"From the mountaintop you can see the water flowing downhill," Calista said, recalling what the patrol had described as she looked at the blue line Elena had marked. "The elevation difference should be pretty significant. I can't give you an exact number, but we definitely won't have to pump the water uphill."
"That makes things much easier."
Elena's eyes brightened. She picked up a pencil and drew a dotted line across the map.
"If the elevation drop is large enough, we won't need pumps at all. We can let gravity do the work.
We divert some water upstream, run a sturdy pipe down along the slope, and guide it directly to the base. That would be ten times better than having people carry spring water up the mountain by hand."
Kevin suddenly remembered something and chimed in.
"I went out that way with the patrol a few days ago. The banks are full of trees, so the pipes would be easy to hide. Walkers won't easily notice them, and we won't have to worry much about other people spotting them either."
He scratched the back of his head.
"The only problem is one stretch where we'd have to go over a small hill. There are a lot of rocks there, so laying the pipes might be a bit difficult."
"Still better than dying of thirst," Ben said, getting excited as he leaned over the map.
"And if the water current is strong enough, it could drive a machine. A small generator might actually work."
Calista hesitated.
"Our current generator units are barely enough to keep Rock Fortress running. We can't spare one for experiments right now."
Aleksei, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. His Russian accent was noticeable.
"I can repair generators. If we can find old parts, even rusty ones, I can try assembling one. That way we won't have to touch the generators already running at the base."
Listening to them talk back and forth, Calista felt the tension in her chest ease.
She had expected this discussion to take much longer. Instead, the students seemed even more eager than she was.
"As for how exactly to do it, I'll rely on your expertise," Calista said, leaning back in her chair.
"But there are a few things we need to clarify first.
First, the water that reaches the base must be safe to drink. It can't be worse than the mountain spring water we're using now.
Second, make a list of the pipes, tools, and materials you need, and be specific.
Third, try to keep the noise down while working. Drawing a large walker group would be a disaster.
Fourth, if you don't have enough manpower, calculate how many people you'll need and how long the job will take. I can assign additional workers from other teams in the base."
Elena nodded and pulled a notebook from her backpack.
"No problem. Over the next couple of days I'll take them to survey the site.
Ming will test the water quality to determine whether filtration is necessary.
Kevin and Ben will map out the route with me and find the easiest path for laying the pipes.
Aleksei will search the base for old mechanical parts. Even leftover equipment from an abandoned hydroelectric station could be useful."
She paused and looked at Calista seriously.
"Miss Norton, I can't guarantee success. This won't be easy.
We might need to dismantle drainage pipes from abandoned houses. Cement will have to be scavenged from town. And when we're laying the pipes… if walkers show up…"
"If walkers come, we kill them," Calista interrupted calmly.
"As long as we don't attract a full walker horde, it won't be a problem."
She had full confidence in Rock Fortress's combat strength.
"You focus on the plan. If you need people, guns, or vehicles, I'll provide them.
If this project succeeds, the base won't have to worry about water or electricity anymore. And you won't have to worry about people thinking you're freeloading, right?"
That last sentence struck home.
They had been at the base for almost a week. Aside from fixing small things and testing water samples, they hadn't done any heavy work.
Some of the mercenaries had been giving them uneasy looks.
Ming's face flushed slightly as she gripped her thermos.
"We'll do our best. We'll have a reliable plan ready within two days."
"Good. Then get started."
Calista stood up.
"Each of you can request a weapon. Knife or gun, your choice. Or you can have the patrol team send escorts. Leave early and come back early. If you run into a walker group, don't fight it head-on. Retreat first."
Elena had already started packing up her notebook. She glanced back with a smile.
"Don't worry. Engineers are very good at finding ways around trouble."
The students followed her toward the door.
Ming, walking last, suddenly turned around.
"Miss Norton… if we really succeed in bringing the water here, could we… could we keep one faucet just for us? I'd like to wash my face with hot water every day."
Calista laughed and waved her hand.
"Not just a faucet. Once we have stable power, I'll install a water heater for you too."
The moment the door closed, excited voices erupted outside as the young group searched for tools and people.
Calista walked to the window and watched them join a patrol team before heading toward the forest. The morning mist parted behind them, revealing a patch of bright sky.
She picked up the map from the table and pressed her finger against the mark for Black Bear Creek.
"I hope you can make it work," she murmured softly.
No matter the outcome, Rock Fortress was moving toward becoming more professional and sustainable.
She had just turned around, intending to check on the troublesome gap in the barbed-wire fence, when a faint cough sounded behind her.
Someone pinched the back of her neck.
"Ow!"
Calista shrank her shoulders slightly. She didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.
Only one person in the entire base could approach her silently like that, had grown much closer to her after their recent trip together, and still dared to mess with her like this.
She turned around irritably.
"Leah! How many times have I told you not to sneak up on me!"
Calista thought to herself: I kind of miss the cold, aloof version of her from when we first met.
Leah stood behind her, still looking sharp and cool in her combat uniform, the same striking presence she had in the original story.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
"What's wrong? Being the boss make your neck stiff? I was just helping you loosen up."
She reached out again, trying to ruffle Calista's hair, but Calista quickly tilted her head and avoided it.
Maybe it was because of the bond with her sister.
Maybe it was because Rock Fortress was thriving.
Or maybe it was simply because Leah was only twenty-eight.
Either way, the current Leah was a little more lively than the one in the original storyline.
"Cut it out." Calista slapped her hand away. "What did you want?"
Leah withdrew her hand and leaned casually against a nearby sandbag barricade, arms crossed.
"Nothing major. I just forgot to mention something. A couple of days ago, when we were bringing the equipment back from Atlanta, we ran into a group on the road."
"Oh?"
Calista raised an eyebrow.
"What group?"
...
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