3113: PROJECT SSS The Nightfall Crusade (BOOK I ASIA)

CHAPTER 2 (A Million People)

Year 3113 of October

Four years later . . .

Evelix Space Station

It took place before the end of the world, four years ago, when nobody could have ever imagined that it would become a reality. The land, which used to be teeming with people, lush living things, and even water, had been completely overrun by zombies, making it impossible for any living thing to continue existing there. The world had billions of people living on it, but the population that managed to survive the apocalypse was only one million. These survivors are now living in a space station that was constructed by people who believed that something like this would occur; it is ironic to say that the prediction was true.

No one is aware of the origin of the virus, who was liable for its creation, or where the person responsible may be now. The people who had gone and survived were still trying to adjust to the new world that they had been thrust into. After all of those years had passed, the Evelix planet seemed to just pop out of nowhere, as if it already knew what was going to happen in earth's future. There was a great deal to discover on this planet, which was identical to our own, and there was a lot of room for expansion. It was almost as if a brand new house had been constructed specifically for them to live in. Because the virus disseminates so quickly, there is no way for anyone to avoid being exposed to it in time. It propagates as if it were resting in the air, and if a person had come close enough to smell it, they would indulgently have become infected with it.

Still, at this point in time, those people who had survived, including those officials that had created the space station, still don't know where the virus came from, and the only thing that they can think of that answer is to go back down to earth and get a sample of it to analyze there. It is recommended that each and every piece of evidence supporting their theory about where it originated be inspected, but the question is: who will do so?

Daniel was now among the one million people who were stationed inside the space station, and he was a member of the military. They were selected specifically and had to go through a series of tests and training sessions before being chosen. On the other hand, Sarah had turned herself into a nurse, to keep her mind occupied and prevent her from dwelling on the events of her past. She volunteered her services to be a nurse and to provide the care that people required. Sarah can always count on Daniel to be there for her in her time of need, as can Sarah herself.

"Are you taking another look at the planet?" Ross said, a fellow recruit who quickly became his friend after he was selected to serve in the military.

He was already aware of his presence upon entering the room because it was Halloween and there would be a party in the area later that night, but Daniel would not be attending. He turned his head in the direction he was facing and smiled at the sight of him dressed in such a repulsive costume.

Daniel was not accustomed to being in crowded places, so he couldn't even stand in crowds and couldn't even move an inch, so he was just going to stand there and look at the people dancing or drinking. He does not feel at ease interacting with the general public, despite the fact that soldiers similar to them would be seated in VIP areas. Sarah had invited him the day before and was already in the process of preparing a costume for him, but he flatly refused to attend the event. Sarah, however, did not budge in her determination to push him to the edge of his tolerance because she, too, was aware of who he was. He understood that Sarah needed to get out and have some fun because if she didn't, she would lose her mind. He is grateful that she wants to encourage him, but it's just not really his thing. She admitted to him that up until this point, she had not accepted the fact that her parents and younger sister had become carriers of the disease and that she was still trying to move on with her life.

“What are you wearing?” he ridiculously asked, pertaining to the costume that he was now wearing and he had himself turn to take a good look at him.

Ross gave him a roll of the eyes and a raised brow. “Duh! It shouldn't be that obvious, should it? he said that and sometimes Daniel couldn't help but feel like he was gay, or maybe it was just his behavior, but whoever he is—he will completely accept him, and it doesn't change a thing about his friendship for him.

After maybe twenty minutes of debate between him and Ross telling him that he was wearing a bat instead of being a Dracula himself, Daniel had found himself tossing his exhausted body to his bed. It had been many days since he had given himself the peaceful indulgence of being in his room all alone and no one would ever disturb him, particularly now that everyone was quite busy preparing for the party that they were attending.

He exhaled deeply and then, with deliberate motions, he closed his eyes, with the intention of falling into a deep restful sleep. "This is the life," he uttered under his breath.

Even though he was already accustomed to being alone ever since his parents passed away, he was thankful that they had a peaceful death and did not become infected with the virus like the rest of those who had died. It's not that he thinks they won't be able to make it through, he's just saying that he has no idea what he would do in the event that something like that ever occurred. It's possible that his faith led him to believe that he was supposed to go through life toughly and by himself in order to fulfill the purpose that was intended for his existence.

"I miss you mom and dad," he whispered out of the thin air and was ready to doze off when his beeper beeped.

He groaned and didn't want to open his eyes and it was like he was feeling unlucky in desiring to rest. Daniel scratched the back of his neck as he got the beeper and read the message on it.

"Office meeting now"