"You definitely don't want to send people up a tower dozens of meters high to repair equipment during a walker horde or bad weather!
"And besides, the small wind turbines suited to our current technical level generally aren't very efficient. The return on investment is too low."
Elena paused, then continued, "As for solar power… all the solar photovoltaic panels the search teams brought back before have already been installed on the roofs of Rock Fortress's main buildings and several key buildings at Blackberry Ranch.
"Right now, together with Rock Fortress's hydropower, they make up an important part of the base's electricity supply. On clear days, especially during daylight hours, they can effectively supplement our power and reduce our reliance on fuel generators."
A trace of regret entered Elena's voice. "But solar power output depends directly on the area and efficiency of the photovoltaic panels. The panels we have now are all we've got.
"I asked around. Knoxville's city center and its nearby suburbs have basically been swept several times already. The chances of finding new solar panels are getting lower and lower. If we want to significantly increase solar power generation, the search teams will probably have to move toward farther cities."
Calista listened in silence. Elena's analysis was realistic.
Energy was one of the bottlenecks limiting Rock Fortress's development.
After the apocalypse, all human activity had ground to a halt. No one was producing. No one was mining.
Knoxville's resources were indeed gradually being exhausted, at least the parts that were easy to access.
"I understand," Calista said slowly. "It seems that, for long-term energy security and other supplies, expanding the base's range of activity is unavoidable."
A map had already begun to take shape in her mind.
Around Knoxville, there were Asheville and Charlotte in North Carolina, Chattanooga and Nashville in Tennessee, Gainesville and Atlanta in Georgia, and Huntsville in Alabama.
The straight-line distance from Blackberry Ranch to those cities was all within four hundred kilometers, though after the apocalypse, travel time would probably be much longer.
The search teams could indeed expand their operating range.
Just then, a somewhat urgent bleat drew their attention.
It came from the livestock quarantine area. Several people seemed to be trying to give a more detailed checkup to a goat that refused to cooperate.
Looking at the livestock, lively yet unusually "fragile," Calista could not help sighing softly and murmuring to herself.
"Having more livestock is a good thing, but disease is a concern. It would be great if the base had a professional veterinarian…"
She thought of Hershel, the old farmer whose rich experience had made him almost indispensable to Rick's group in the early part of the original story, especially when it came to livestock.
"Right now, we're relying entirely on careful observation by people. For preventive medication, we can only use the human antibiotics we've stockpiled. That's too wasteful, and they may not even be the right treatment. When the weather gets hot next year, if foot-and-mouth disease breaks out, or some other epidemic…"
Calista did not continue.
In the original story, the plague in the prison that began with the pigs had taken so many lives. It was a bloody lesson.
Elena understood her concern.
Just as the atmosphere grew heavy, a timid but clear voice cut in.
"Um… Miss Norton, Professor Elena, I-I might be able to help a little."
The speaker was Ming, who had just finished measuring a section of the water flow.
At some point, she had walked over, her hands nervously twisted together.
Calista and Elena both looked at her.
Elena was a little surprised. "Ming? What do you have in mind?"
Ming took a deep breath and gathered her courage. "Before the apocalypse, my family ran a traditional Chinese medicine clinic in Arizona. Both of my parents practiced it.
"They wanted me to inherit the family business from a young age, so they taught me a lot of the basic theories and methods. I know medicinal herbs, and I understand some acupuncture, tuina massage, and… prescription preparation."
Ming paused, glanced toward the livestock in the distance, then continued. "Although it's mainly used for people, many of the principles overlap, especially prevention and conditioning.
"I know some formulas that can strengthen livestock's resistance and help prevent common gastrointestinal illnesses and respiratory problems. They may not work as quickly as antibiotics, but they have fewer side effects and cost less."
Ming began speaking faster and faster, as if afraid someone would interrupt her. "Also, the herbs aren't that hard to find. A lot of them are really just plants. The Great Smoky Mountains are full of vegetation, so they might grow there.
"Or when the search teams go to nearby cities, they can keep an eye out for herbal medicine shops. There should be a lot of stock left. Dried herbs can be stored for a long time, and even if we can't find certain specific ones, some local plants with similar effects can replace part of them."
After finishing, Ming looked at Calista uneasily, waiting for her reaction.
This sudden piece of information surprised both Calista and Elena.
Elena spoke first, clearly interested. "Preventive herbal medicine… That's an entirely new approach. Using natural medicinal herbs to improve the overall health of the livestock and reduce dependence on antibiotics. From the perspective of preventive medicine, that's very valuable."
Calista looked at Ming. This petite girl, who usually did not speak much in the team and always kept her head down while working, had unexpectedly come from that kind of family background.
"Are you sure these methods work on livestock too?" Calista needed confirmation. This concerned the safety of important base assets.
Ming nodded hard. "I'm sure! I've seen my parents use it to treat and prevent illness in neighbors' pets, and the results were very good. It's just… I only understand it in theory. I don't have much hands-on experience, so I'll need to explore and test things."
Calista thought for a moment.
This was an opportunity. Even if the results were not significant, there would not be much to lose.
But if it worked, it would be a huge gain.
"Good, Ming!" Calista made her decision. "From today on, in addition to assisting Elena with the water project, you'll take on an extra task: overseeing the base's preventive herbal medicine and healthcare work.
"Start by testing it on the livestock. Once it proves effective, we can promote it for people as well. You can make a list of the medicinal herbs you need and give it to the combat teams in charge of reconnaissance and scavenging, so they can watch for them when they go out.
"Begin with the simplest and safest formulas. If you need tools or run into any problems, report directly to Leah or Rickson."
Ming's face instantly lit up with joy. "Yes, Miss Norton! I'll do my best!"
Calista smiled. "Don't call me Miss Norton. I'm younger than you. Just call me Calista."
Then Calista looked at Elena. "Elena, Ming's work may take up some of her time. Your project…"
Elena waved it off readily. "It's fine. The basic survey of Blackberry Ranch is almost finished. Next comes more physical labor and actual construction. Ming's new task is just as important to the base. Besides, interdisciplinary application is very interesting, isn't it?"
She gave Ming an encouraging smile.
Calista watched as Ming excitedly ran back to continue working, even her steps much lighter than before. The anxiety in Calista's heart eased slightly.
...
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