Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again.
Chapter 68: One pregnant resident.

Chapter 68: One pregnant resident.

"Quinn." Poncho spread his arms out and suddenly hugged Hades like he was seeing an old friend. "Man is it great to see you. I figured that you would be here since my boys delivered your weapons here."

Hades pushed Poncho away. "You haven’t answered my question?"

Poncho took a step back. "I need you to take in my family Quinn. Before you turn me down, I brought weapons in exchange and three vans with food. I was going to send them to my cousin, but family can let you down sometimes. I am afraid that when it comes to a choice between mine and his, he will choose his.

This place on other hand, I know that you have been taking in strangers, professionals in all fields. You are doing business, and I can work with that. The world has turned into shit; everyone is losing their minds.

Fear has got everyone by the balls man. This place is far from the city, you have that giant ass gate, soldiers and I am guessing food and medicine. Can you take them in? I brought you stingers, starstreaks, a couple of FN-6’s and Igla’s." He leaned towards Hades and whispered, "Missiles."

Hades was impressed; missiles were welcome. Poncho had more than earned his family a place at the base. His breath smelled like garlic though.

Hades leaned back and nodded, "You brought me missiles and food. How can I say no to that? There is more than enough room for them here."

He gestured at Sunshine with a thumbs up and she invited Poncho’s family to start registering. The gates were opened and the vans with supplies and missiles drove in.

They were offloaded from nearby. Soldiers raised their brows when they saw missiles, those that could be launched by hand and drones.

Major Elio pulled Nimo aside and whispered to her, "He is Poncho, the arms dealer! Isn’t he wanted in like six countries including ours?"

Nimo shrugged. "At least four of those countries will not exist in less than a year." She answered.

"And how do your friends know Poncho?" The major asked.

Nimo gestured at the armed men on the walls and all around them. "I am guessing he sold them weapons. Hades Quinn is a billionaire; it is not unusual for him to know some unsavory characters."

Twenty minutes later, the offloading was done and Hades gestured for Poncho to register.

Poncho shook his head. "I cannot stay amigo, business is booming. Send word in case of anything, I am in Dravago bay."

Hades could not believe his ears. Was Poncho looking for death?

Sunshine was not too shocked. Poncho was like many mercenaries in the apocalypse that traded weapons and supplies. They became salvagers that formed the first guilds. Others turned into mist walkers, hunting mutant beasts for sale.

A dark-haired pregnant woman slipped through the small crowd of Poncho’s relatives, twelve in total. She moved from the back to the front. "Ponchinello Delgado what do you mean by that? You said that you could get us to safety here and then the men would join us later on. Why are you saying that you are going back to continue with business." Her fingers dug into his sleeves, a silent demand for the truth.

Poncho grasped her hands, holding her gaze with unshakable focus. "Rosario had I told you the truth would you have come? I am certain that the answer is no." He paused, inhaled sharply and breathed out. "What is important is your safety, this is the safest place I can think of.

Business must continue, we need to make enough money during this time when everyone is buying weapons in bulk. If things slow down, I will return, I promise. You just stay here and give birth to our little one." He kissed the top of her head. He turned to his oldest son. "Pico, take care of your mother."

Pico was twelve years old. He took his father’s words as a military order. A brief tear-filled goodbye followed, and Poncho left with his men.

Sunshine and Hades turned to Rosario, the only pregnant woman at the base. Her stomach was very prominent; she seemed to be seven to eight months along.

"A pregnant woman!" Hades mumbled to himself. "Did you not say that being pregnant was risky during the apocalypse?" Hades asked his wife.

Sunshine nodded. "I did. Her situation cannot be remedied; she is already heavily pregnant. It is a good thing we have doctors and supplies. But this reminds me to have the information center remind everyone about the availability of free condoms and birth control. I don’t want to ban people from having babies, but I need to dissuade them from doing so for now."

"Are you on birth control?" Hades asked her as they started to walk.

Sunshine froze and her head turned quickly. Her somewhat wide eyes met his. "I am not...." She answered slowly like she was not sure of her own answer. "Should I be?"

She found herself unnaturally unnerved. What did the question mean? Hadn’t they agreed to a platonic relationship? Was he looking to change the terms? And what was wrong with her? Why had she answered his question with a question?

Hades in the meantime was struggling to find an answer. He had never wanted to take back a question so much in his life. If he said she should be on birth control, she might think he was planning to initiate an intimate relationship. If he said no, he risked closing the door on a possible relationship in future. The future was unpredictable; he did not want to close that door just yet.

Both of them were saved by Nimo who showed up with a huff and fire in her eyes.

"I cannot believe that he just left her here and left to make more money. Does he not realize that she is about to pop and we are now living in dangerous times?"

Another person caught up to them, a young soldier named Philip. Nimo stayed because she was aware that Phillip Harg had a sharp mouth that sprouted careless words.

"Ten seconds Phil." She told him.

"I... we are all wondering." Phillip paused, hesitating before blurting out. "Are you planning to welcome everyone to the base? I... mean the resources...." He was a little hesitant to mention criminals. Some people were muttering about that.

"Did you not here me say that I knew them?" Sunshine snapped. "They also came with weapons and food. Worry about keeping this place safe and leave the resource problem to us." Sunshine said, her voice left no room for further discussion.

With a toothpick dangling from his lips, he offered a clumsy bow, making it very dramatic with arms stretched. "Whatever you say, madam president." He sauntered backwards, flashing Nimo with a grin that she found annoying.

"Suni, he has a point you know, after tomorrow thousands are going to flock here hopping to get refuge, with your soft heart I do not think that you will just watch them cry and beg." Nimo spilled her thoughts.

Gazing at the sky, Sunshine let out a tiny chuckle. "I am afraid that your heart is softer than mine Nimo. Poncho was an exception, he brought missiles. If I was going to let everyone in, I would not have insisted on three walls and an impenetrable gate."

She had lived through one apocalypse. More than anyone there, she knew the importance of being selfish in such times.

After tomorrow, even ants would have to prove their worth to crawl on the ground within her territory.