How Zombies Survive in the Apocalypse

“This cannot continue.”

Inside a large conference room at LA’s city hall.

A place that still retained the atmosphere from before the zombie outbreak, this was where the leaders responsible for operating the city of LA had gathered.

Emilia Clark was one such leader, a white woman in her mid-40s.

Raising her voice towards the mayor, she spoke.

“We can no longer simply cover this up. It was an accident that caused casualties, wasn’t it? And yet you’re not even conducting a proper investigation?”

Emilia continued pressing her argument.

It was regarding the research lab that had burned down to the ground last month.

“If there are any necessary materials, we need to collect them and identify the cause. Aren’t we just leaving it unaddressed as is?”

“But investigating the scene of the research lab is extremely dangerous. It was a place studying the zombie virus, after all. Ensuring safety must come first.”

The one objecting to Emilia’s words wasn’t the mayor, but someone else.

Grace Martin, a woman of Northeast Asian descent in her 30s.

At Grace’s remark, Emilia furrowed her brow in response.

“And when will that safety be assured? If we just restrict entry like this, it’ll never get resolved, will it?”

“We’ll find a way soon. So please be a little more patient.”

“Then at the very least, we should make an announcement to the citizens.”

“We’re preparing for that as well.”

“What’s the exact date?”

“We’re currently in the process of rebuilding the research lab elsewhere. The announcement should be made at the minimum once preparations to resume the project are complete. That’s the only way we can provide hope to the citizens, isn’t it?”

“Hope? What’s that…!”

Emilia let out an exasperated chuckle.

“You need to have accomplished something to give people hope. You’re saying the research has to start over from the very beginning? Do you have any idea how many resources went into that lab?”

“That’s…”

“As the director of energy resources, let me tell you – we don’t have enough left to sustain continuing this project. Even if we rebuild the lab, we won’t be able to keep it operational.”

At Emilia’s words, Grace’s expression tensed up, appearing at a loss for a rebuttal.

It was then that the mayor, Ross Preston, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up.

Ross looked Emilia directly in the eyes.

“Is that the truth? I recall the last report stated we still had some reserves remaining.”

What Ross was referring to were the strategic petroleum reserves left behind by the former US government.

Somewhere on the outskirts of LA was a massive oil storage facility.

It was where the explosively increased domestic oil production in America shortly before the zombie outbreak had been stockpiled.

That immense reserve of oil had been one of the core driving forces enabling LA to persevere through numerous difficulties up to this point.

With oil, buses and vehicles could continue running, and power plants along with factories could keep operating.

Quite literally, it was the energy source allowing society to function.

While those reserves had been steadily dwindling, there had still been a slight surplus remaining.

But Emilia shook her head at Ross’s words.

“That was the case until last month. But not anymore. I’m sure you’re aware that Fear has disappeared, Mayor.”

Ross nodded.

It was a fact he had directly confirmed through Grace, the director of military affairs.

Emilia’s explanation continued.

“Because of that, evacuees have been flooding in from the desert. The exact number is…”

Emilia looked towards one of the men present.

He was responsible for managing evacuee intake into the city, and cleared his throat once.

“As of yesterday, 1,800. Additionally, based on the evacuees’ testimonies, the information about Fear’s disappearance seems to be rapidly spreading to other areas as well.”

“…”

“Combined with the fact that vehicle usage in the desert has become possible, it’s accelerating the influx of evacuees from much farther away as well. There’s even a possibility that over ten thousand evacuees could arrive in a single day before too long.”

The expression of the evacuee management director as he spoke those words was rather grim.

Of course, LA had been actively welcoming evacuees from the very start.

They were at a stage where they could create more by investing in manpower and technology rather than facing a shortage of resources.

However, the situation was different now.

As the dam called Fear suddenly collapsed, an enormous number of evacuees were pouring in from all directions.

Even for LA, such an influx of people was overwhelming.

“Based on these projections, maintaining long-term power generation and vehicle operations with our current oil reserves will be impossible.”

“The food situation is the same. Estimated requirements are already exceeding this year’s harvest yields. If the evacuee influx continues as expected, we’ll have to reduce rations.”

Reports of impending issues piled up from every direction.

At this, Ross let out a sigh.

The citizens’ living conditions had already been deteriorating recently to begin with.

And now, on top of that, they would need to make further sacrifices across the board, including their food rations.

It was a difficult proposition to accept.

“How about refusing entry to evacuees for the time being?”

Perhaps it was for that reason that someone proposed such a suggestion.

Immediately, Emilia shook her head firmly.

“That’s not possible.”

“But don’t we have no other choice?”

“Even so. If we reject them, do you really think those people will just obediently leave? They’ll undoubtedly gather in Huntington Beach instead. And with hostile intentions towards us, no less. That would be far from desirable.”

None of those present were unaware that the gang ruling over Huntington Beach had been formed by individuals expelled from LA for committing crimes.

However, LA was not in an openly adversarial relationship with the Huntington Docks gang controlling that area.

Rather, LA was utilizing them for missions that were too dangerous or unsavory to send their own soldiers on.

But such a relationship could only be maintained because LA’s scale was incomparably larger.

If the gang’s size grew considerably beyond its current extent, the Huntington Docks would inevitably become hostile forces against LA.

The resources they lacked, LA possessed in abundance.

Conflict between them would be all but inevitable.

“Rejecting the evacuees would ultimately create our greatest enemy right next door. We can barely handle the zombies as it is, we don’t have the leeway to deal with hostile humans on top of that. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Emilia looked towards Grace, the military affairs director, as she spoke.

It was an undeniable point, leaving Grace unable to voice any objections.

As a result, a tense silence fell over the conference room for a while.

It was Ross who broke that silence first.

“Then let’s do this. For food, reduce rations if necessary. Production will increase next year once we assign evacuees to agriculture, so I’ll try to convince the citizens.”

In other words, they would not refuse the evacuees, even if it meant making sacrifices.

At this, Grace’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Mayor?”

“And for fuel… it seems we’ll have to attempt domestic production.”

Ross gestured towards a large map hanging on one side of the conference room.

“The city of Monterey to the north used to be an oil production hub. While the distance is somewhat far, if Fear is gone, it should be manageable. If we can secure the oil facilities and refineries there, producing our own petroleum wouldn’t be impossible.”

Ross outlined a broad plan before the attendees.

It was a challenging endeavor they had avoided attempting until now, but the time had come to take action.

Ross’s gaze turned towards Grace.

“We’ll deploy the military to survey and secure the necessary facilities. Prepare an operation immediately.”

“Yes, Mayor.”

“Finally, until domestic oil production begins, we’ll rebuild the research lab but temporarily suspend any further research activities. Additionally, I’ll permit disclosing the details of the lab accident to the citizens.”

At those words, a faint smile crept across the lips of Emilia, who had initially raised the issue.

“However, the site itself will remain sealed off. Since it was a place handling the zombie virus, it could still be dangerous. Until safety is assured, entry will be prohibited for anyone.”

There were no objections raised by the attendees.

Only Grace watched Ross with a concerned gaze.

Ross continued speaking in a composed tone.

“Are there any other matters to discuss?”

No voices answered.

With that, the meeting concluded, and the attendees rose one by one to exit the conference room.

Soon after, only two people remained inside.

The mayor, Ross, and the military affairs director, Grace.

“Are you alright, Mayor?”

Grace’s tone had shifted to a softer, gentler voice, contrasting with her demeanor during the meeting.

In response, the mayor could only offer a wry smile and a slight nod.

But Grace let out a vexed sigh instead.

She understood well the implications behind the decisions made during today’s meeting.

Emilia, who had pressed for countermeasures today, was a member of the anti-Ross faction seeking to remove him from the mayor’s office.

A leader among the evacuees trying to oust Ross from his position as mayor.

That was why she had forced Ross into making such burdensome choices.

Accept the incoming evacuees, while simultaneously reducing rations for the existing citizens.

Decisions that would only undermine the mayor’s standing further.

“But Mayor…”

“Don’t worry about it, Grace.”

Ross shook his head, as if anticipating what she intended to say.

“This measly mayor’s seat doesn’t mean much to me. I don’t particularly care who becomes the mayor.”

“What are you saying… You’ve done so much for LA’s sake. Who else could possibly become the mayor if not you?”

“I’m glad that you would say such a thing.”

Ross offered a faint smile.

Then, as if a thought had just occurred to him, he changed the subject.

“Ah, by the way, how is the restoration of the research lab progressing?”

“We’re starting by acquiring replacement equipment for the destroyed items first. There was some damage, but… the entire process should be complete within a month.”

That was an impressively swift timeline.

So Ross nodded in satisfaction, and Grace continued speaking.

“However… there are people who keep coming by.”

“Who…?”

“The families of the deceased.”

Ross turned his gaze to look outside the window.

Even as he maintained that stance, he continued the conversation.

“They come often?”

“It varies from person to person, but… Ava Hill has been visiting frequently.”

“Ava Hill?”

“The sister of Nora Hill, the deceased lead researcher. Since entry to the research lab is prohibited, we’ve been turning her away. But she keeps insisting on at least having her sister’s personal effects returned. What should we do?”

Ross pondered briefly as he observed the downtown scenery.

But ultimately, his stance didn’t waver.

“That’s not possible. The site investigation hasn’t even concluded yet. Please convey my apologies to her.”

“…Understood.”

“Let’s leave it at that for today’s discussion. I’m already tired enough.”

Ross spoke those words as he rubbed his face.

His actions betrayed the weariness he couldn’t fully conceal.

At this, Grace rose from her seat, feigning an apologetic demeanor.

“I’ll always stand by you, Mayor. So if you ever need any assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

Upon hearing Grace’s words, Ross momentarily held his breath.

The faint smile that had been etched onto his face vanished.

But before Grace could register any puzzlement over his reaction, Ross had already composed his expression, offering a faint smile as he expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you.”

* * *

“Hmm…”

Below the city hall building.

Arian, who had been pressed against the outer wall, let out a perplexed sigh.

She hadn’t been able to grasp any substantial leads.

“There doesn’t seem to be any particular issue, though.”

Rather, LA’s leadership structure seemed better than Arian had anticipated.

She had expected it to be like an ordinary gang, with an autocratic boss making all the decisions.

But unexpectedly, it had a rather democratic structure instead.

Experts in their respective fields were responsible for operating different aspects of the city, while the mayor only determined the overall direction.

Of course, LA was certainly facing various challenges.

But among them, Arian couldn’t identify any crisis severe enough to threaten LA’s very existence itself.

For issues like resource shortages or the sudden surge of evacuees, they did have countermeasures of their own in place.

And any internal conflict was at most just a power struggle over the mayor’s seat.

Even that didn’t seem likely to escalate into a dire situation, based on the current mayor’s own words about a potential change in leadership.

Naturally, that wasn’t a bad thing.

It meant there were no apparent problems with this city where Sadie would be living.

And yet, something still nagged at the back of Arian’s mind.

The fire accident that had occurred at the research lab.

The fact that they hadn’t even conducted a proper investigation stirred a slight sense of suspicion within her.

However, that alone wasn’t enough to substantiate any concerns.

It was just an odd detail, nothing more.

Certainly not enough to consider it a problem or crisis for the city itself.

The only unexpected aspect was that her own superior, Ava Hill, seemed to be involved with that incident in some way.

Could it be that Ava’s sister had perished in that accident?

And judging by her actions, she appeared to be in conflict with the government over this matter.

But at Arian’s own workplace, there had been no indications of such an occurrence whatsoever.

“…”

Arian opened her eyes, which she had kept closed.

It didn’t seem like she would uncover anything more by lingering here today.

So after committing to memory the information she had obtained, Arian departed from city hall.