Hank's report was objective. "Based on our preliminary observation, their threat level is extremely low.
The old man says he was a biology teacher before he retired. The young man says he's a plumber, and his wife used to work at a community service center. The teenager is the man's younger brother.
I think they're worth taking in, especially the plumber."
Calista looked at Rickson and Leah.
Leah spoke cautiously. "A plumber's skills are definitely useful, especially once we start trying to restore the water and sewage systems in the industrial park. The teacher's knowledge could also benefit the base's next generation in the long run.
But five people, including a sick child, means five mouths that need resources immediately, especially fuel and medicine.
That will add to the pressure we're already under."
Rickson was even more blunt. "That all depends on whether they're telling the truth.
If they aren't, then are they really as harmless as they claim?
I think they need the strictest quarantine and screening, handled personally by my people.
If we find any problems, or if they can't pass the basic labor assessment, I'll recommend removing them immediately. No loose ends."
Calista listened quietly to their analysis, her fingers tapping lightly against the tabletop.
Taking them in meant the resource shortage would get worse in the short term.
Refusing them might save some supplies, but it would also mean losing potential manpower. And... it would go against a certain belief she still carried, one the apocalypse had not fully worn away, about rebuilding civilization.
"Take them in," Calista decided at last. "Same as John and the others. Quarantine and screen them. Rickson will have full authority over it. Make sure they aren't carrying disease and that their backgrounds are clean.
During quarantine, give them only the bare minimum food and water needed to survive.
Tell the plumber that if he can help inspect and repair our internal pipes or anything similar during quarantine, his treatment can be improved appropriately.
As for the child..."
She paused. "Have Evans treat her. Make sure she survives. A living child has symbolic meaning for the morale of the base."
In the apocalypse, as long as there was a next generation, there was hope.
Calista looked at Leah. "Their arrival will temporarily increase the management pressure, Leah. You handle the residents and keep unnecessary panic or hostility toward outsiders from spreading."
"Understood," Rickson and Leah answered at the same time.
Rickson immediately turned to arrange the quarantine area and screening procedures, clearly already in his "eliminate problems" mode.
By the time Hank's team escorted the five frightened survivors back to Rock Fortress, the news had already spread through the base like drifting snow.
Along the road from Blackberry Ranch to Rock Fortress, residents at work stopped what they were doing and looked over with complicated expressions.
Some showed sympathy, especially when they saw the child held tightly in her mother's arms, her little face flushed red from fever.
But more of those looks carried worry.
"Five more mouths..."
"It's this cold already, and we barely have enough firewood as it is..."
"That kid looks really sick. Could it be contagious?"
"The plumber might be useful, but what about the old teacher and the woman from the community service center? What use are they in times like this?"
Low murmurs spread through the crowd.
Under the pressure of scarce resources, even human sympathy became tangled with practical concerns.
The newly arrived survivors felt those stares and huddled even closer together.
Only David, the plumber, tried hard to straighten his back. Beyond the fear in his eyes, there was also a trace of eagerness to prove himself.
Rickson stepped forward with several guards. Without any pleasantries, he went straight into procedure. "Welcome to Rock Fortress. Now cooperate with our quarantine inspection.
All personal belongings will be temporarily held. After the physical examination, you'll be assigned temporary quarantine quarters. Follow the rules. This is your only chance to stay."
The old teacher nodded. David gripped his wife's hand tightly, while the teenager looked fearfully at Rickson and the armed guards behind him.
They were quickly taken to the quarantine area in a corner of the fortress, placed next to John's group and separated from the main body of the base.
Calista stood in a corner, silently watching it unfold.
In the apocalypse, extending a hand was never easy. Every act of kindness came with risk and cost.
But if they were too stingy to kindle even this last faint glimmer of humanity, then no matter how solid the fortress was, how were they any different from the walking dead?
...
A few days after John and Sarah passed their assessment period and moved out, David's group also passed Rickson's assessment.
The wooden door of the quarantine area creaked open, and a bone-chilling wind swept snowflakes inside.
Jim the biology teacher, David the plumber, David's wife Lisa, their young daughter, and David's younger brother Alan stood awkwardly at the doorway, officially ending several days of strict quarantine.
David's daughter's high fever had already gone down under Evans's treatment. At that moment, Lisa was holding her tightly, with only a pair of timid wide eyes peeking out as she looked at this strange new world.
Rickson and Leah stood before them, representing the rules and order of Rock Fortress.
"Jim," Rickson said, glancing at the file in his hand, "based on your wishes and ability assessment, you'll assist with organizing books and materials, and you'll be responsible for basic education for the minors in the base. Ellie will coordinate the specific curriculum and schedule with you."
Jim nodded hard, his lips trembling before he finally managed one sentence. "Thank you... thank you. I'll do my best."
"David," Rickson turned to the plumber, "you're temporarily assigned to the infrastructure maintenance team. You'll assist with inspecting and maintaining the base's internal systems, especially the water supply and simple sewage lines at Blackberry Ranch.
If Professor Elena's hydraulic engineering team needs help with piping, you'll be called in first.
I hope you get familiar with the environment quickly and start contributing."
David straightened his back, which had hunched slightly from nerves. "Understood, sir! I will!"
He knew this was the foundation for him and his family to establish themselves here.
"Lisa," Rickson said, looking at the young mother, "you're temporarily assigned to the logistics support team. You'll help the kitchen prepare meals and assist with cleaning and organizing public areas. While you're working, you may keep your child with you and look after her."
Lisa held her daughter tightly and nodded with gratitude.
"Alan," Rickson finally said, looking at the half-grown boy, his tone softening slightly, "you're still young. For now, you'll follow the general labor team, learn basic skills, and take part in work you're capable of, such as carrying supplies and cleaning.
At the same time, you must attend the general education classes organized by Jim.
Here, labor and learning are equally important."
Alan nodded somewhat blankly, his eyes still filled with fear of this vast new base.
With that simple assignment ceremony finished, the five library survivors officially became members of the base.