Inside the plane, Mousta was piloting while "Hana" sat beside him, monitoring the navigation devices.
In the back, Khaled and Simon sat with the injured, who were still in shock.
Khaled, in a calm voice:
"There is no longer a safe place in this world for people like us... we gathered to protect each other and any other injured... like you!"
One of the injured, pale-faced, dared to ask:
"Where are you taking us?!"
Simon chuckled carelessly:
"To eat you! Heh..."
His sister "Hana" shot him a look, so Khaled intervened firmly:
"We have a place where the mutants live in peace. We will take you there."
Then he approached Daisy, who was still stunned by what had happened earlier.
He said to her:
"Are you okay?"
Daisy breathed quickly, her eyes still tense:
"I don't know how I did that... it just happened suddenly!"
Khaled:
"What you did there was amazing... you have unique abilities... you will get used to controlling them with time, like us."
She raised her trembling hands, whispering in confusion:
"But how?! How can radiation give us superpowers?!"
Khaled smiled lightly:
"What I know is that we are lucky... we are among the few who survived it."
But she raised her voice nervously:
"At the hospital, everyone turned into mindless monsters! And others died!"
Khaled, puzzled:
"Yes, maybe it's related to our genes! Or a mutation in our bodies!"
Daisy, in a broken voice:
"First... an unknown nuclear explosion! ... then toxic clouds! ... then disease! ... then us! ... what's next?!"
Khaled:
"It's clear that there are dangerous secrets behind these events!..."
Daisy:
"What about these injured people?!"
Khaled:
"Time will reveal everything."
Daisy lifted her head... and looked out the window, as the plane pierced through the clouds, until mountain peaks appeared in the distance, towering and covered in greenery.
Daisy:
"What is that place?"
Khaled:
"The Atlas Mountains... we have a base on top of the mountain, and a shelter for the injured behind it."
Daisy:
"We are in Africa?!"
Khaled:
"Yes... specifically Algeria."
In the cockpit, "Hana" announced through the communicator:
"We're approaching the site."
Almy replied through the communicator:
"Prepare for landing."
Behind one of the mountains, the plane descended gradually until the shelter appeared beneath them: a small village surrounded by trees and plants, like a secret oasis in the middle of a ruined world.
The plane landed slowly on a hidden runway behind the mountain, and the cabin floor shook under the feet of the injured.
The back doors opened... and a man was waiting, standing still among the shadows.
Khaled smiled:
"Stan... how are you?"
Stan calmly:
"Good. How was the mission?"
Simon shot out of the plane like a flash of light:
"Hello Stan! We brought a doctor for us!" ... then he vanished at the speed of light.
Stan looked at Daisy, contemplating for a moment, then said:
"A new mutant then... welcome to your family."
Daisy didn't know how to respond except with a faint word:
"Thank you..."
Khaled gave the orders:
"Mousta, take the injured and show them their new homes. As for you, Stan, show Daisy the place... Hana and me must meet Almy to brief her on the updates."
Daisy followed Stan through a narrow path amid the trees. The place was like a quiet wooden village inside a natural garden, small houses surrounded by flowers and trees, and fresh air.
She raised her head, took a deep breath, and said:
"A peaceful place... clean air, I feel like I'm dreaming."
Stan smiled:
"This is our last refuge."
But Daisy's expression quickly shrank with worry:
"Is this place really safe?! All nations are hunting mutants! ... they could find us at any moment."
Stan stopped, looked at the plants around him... suddenly, the ground began to shake and the sound of rumbling grew until roots and branches emerged, growing before her eyes.
He said calmly:
"Even if they find us... everything is under my control."
Daisy gasped in astonishment and stepped back in shock:
"You! ... you did this?!"
Stan:
"You haven't seen anything yet."
Daisy remained silent in amazement, stunned.
Stan let out a short sigh:
"Everyone has their story... some had their lives turned into a curse by this catastrophe, and some consider it a gift from the sky..."
Daisy, in a faint voice:
"Which one are you?..."
Stan looked away:
"For me, I consider it a rebirth of myself."
Daisy hesitated, then changed the subject with a question:
"How many mutants are here so far?"
Stan ended the conversation abruptly:
"Enough questions... go rest now."
He led her to a small wooden house and pointed to it:
*"Here you will stay"... (he turned and began to walk away) ... "With you, we are now ten mutants."
Daisy nodded:
"Thank you..."
Elsewhere, Khaled sat inside the operations room with "Almy" in front of the communication devices.
Khaled:
"We are trying to save what can be saved... don't be too hard on yourself."
Almy, with tired eyes:
"I know... but seeing all these crimes day after day... it's unbearable."
Khaled put his hand on her shoulder:
"Step away from the screens sometimes... we don't want you to collapse."
Khaled turned to leave the room.
But suddenly, Almy's voice rose:
"Wait! I have a new signal!"
Khaled turned quickly:
"Where?!"
Almy, with a grim face:
"A Spanish army is moving in the coastal cities... I just saw a mutant on a store's surveillance camera running away!"
"The Core Alliance has just begun… will you be part of it? Add the story to your library!"