Zhao Yuan had developed an uncanny sense of feeling since she was a child—a rare awareness that gave her the ability to distinguish when she was dreaming and when she was truly experiencing reality.
Like last time—that had been no dream. She had genuinely let her consciousness travel back to that place, and if she hadn't been forced back, she might have stayed even longer.
So tonight, she had resolved not to roam. Yet she was startled to find herself standing in a completely different world. It clearly wasn't her own, feeling less like an active presence and more like a lingering memory, even though she was certain she had never stepped foot there before.
Still, she did nothing to fight it. Following her body's instincts, she snuck silently into a massive organization that seemed to have imprisoned countless different species.
Deep within its depths, all alone on the top floor, was a single, special woman. Staring into the woman's closed eyes, Zhao Yuan was just beginning to formulate a plan when a sudden, loud noise echoed behind her, jarring her awake.
Opening her eyes to the familiar ceiling of her private room, Zhao Yuan sat up, the vivid image of that woman still lingering in her mind. Shaking off the strange vision, she got off the bed and began getting ready—after all, she had a long day of work ahead of her.
The moment she finished dressing, Tom appeared right on cue, knocking gently on her door before prompting her to join him in her office.
He was dressed officially in a sharp, tailored suit, making her pause and stare for a brief moment before she took her seat behind the desk and powered on the system terminal.
"Today, we might be taken to a desolate location," she announced once he had settled down opposite her. "The last time I was at that second place, those people did not seem to have a shelter nor a leader. So we will begin by serving them as much as we can. Even if we have to do it for a couple of days, it's good so we can observe and choose who to appoint as a leader."
She explained the plan she had mapped out while getting ready, looking at his composed face. "What do you think?" she asked, hoping he would share his thoughts.
Tom smoothed the front of his suit jacket, his expression as calm and measured as ever, yet his sharp eyes reflected the swift calculations running through his mind.
"Serving meals to establish an immediate presence is a sound psychological tactic, Boss," Tom began, his voice low and steady. "Desperate people are far easier to manage when their immediate physiological needs are met. However, if that second place is as lawless as you recall, relying solely on food distribution without a visible, overwhelming show of structure could trigger a riot rather than order."
Zhao Yuan leaned forward, genuinely intrigued. "Go on."
"If they lack both a shelter and a centralized leader, they exist in a state of pure territorial anxiety," Tom explained, placing a handsomely bound notebook onto the desk. "If we simply hand out food, the strongest scavengers will monopolize the supply, drive out the weak, and view our presence as a resource to be raided rather than an authority to be obeyed."
He outlined three distinct, highly pragmatic adjustments to her plan:
Staggered Rationing with Mandatory Registration: Instead of open food distribution, establish a strict, single-file intake corridor reinforced by Mike and Leah. Every survivor must register their biometric wrist chit to receive a meal. This immediately forces accountability, creates an accurate headcount, and identifies potential agitators early.
The 'Scout' Incentive for Leadership: Rather than observing from a distance for days to pick a leader, create temporary "Cell Captains" on Day One. Task small groups of survivors with basic organizational duties—such as managing line order or clearing debris—in exchange for extra rations. The natural leaders, as well as the subversives, will expose themselves within hours under the pressure of responsibility.
Immediate Perimeter Staging: Before setting up the food line, deploy a temporary structural boundary using the mobile unit's baseline defense grid. A physical barrier instantly communicates that while we offer aid, we command the space.
Zhao Yuan listened intently, a slow smile touching her lips as Tom finished his breakdown. His suggestions seamlessly filled the operational gaps in her initial draft, turning a simple relief effort into a tactical takeover.
"Setting up Cell Captains on the first day will save us at least forty-eight hours of passive observation," Zhao Yuan agreed, tapping her screen to adjust their operational parameters. "And using the defense grid as a temporary intake bottleneck prevents a rush on the counter."
"Precisely," Tom replied with a crisp, respectful nod. "We establish the rule of law before we hand over the first plate of food. That way, when we eventually select a permanent shelter leader, the population will already be conditioned to accept our administrative authority."
"Excellent work, Tom," Zhao Yuan said, her fingers flying across her terminal screen to update the deployment schedule. "Have Leah and Mike prepare the intake barriers. Once the gateway opens to that second place, we execute immediately."
She paused mid-tap, the image of leaving Ben in charge crossing her mind, and suddenly froze. A thought struck her, making her look up from her screen to voice her sudden concern.
"Wait... if we go with Mike and Leah, what about Cindy and Ann?" she asked, her brow furrowing slightly as she considered the two women who would be left behind.
Besides, she had already been planning to eventually put Cindy in charge of managing that second place once it was stabilized. It only made sense for Cindy to join the expedition now so she could familiarize herself with the land, the people, and the terrain from day one.
"Can you ask them all to join us in here?" she told Tom, leaning back in her seat. "I need to make an announcement before we depart."
Tom gave a crisp, understanding nod, stepping back from the desk. "Right away, Boss."