Ch 10-Conspiracy Theories and V

Zian had to make plans for the apocalypse. First of all he needed money , property and food. How true was the saying that you cannot eat money especially in the apocalypse. Money was a useless commodity in the apocalypse. Those who had food and weapons were king!

His apartment in New York would definitely need to be sold as it was one of the epicentres of the apocalypse. There was no use for it so it was better to sell it sooner than later for about 2 million dollars . While he needed to stay in school for another few months as soon as he was done they needed to get out of NYC.

Next find an ideal location. A base . A save haven.

This couldn't be a huge base but neither small. They needed man power to defend against zombies but couldn't have people stirring up trouble. The best solution was to gather up trusted allies. So basically the King family and their loyal subordinates, Dad's good friends and Mother's Company talented and reliable subordinates. Not forgetting Zander's army buddies and well as his own few friends during the apocalypse.

The base also needed to be in an area with fewer people and with fertile land that included a good water source.

In Wyoming, when he had travelled to scavenge there were many natural borders and fewer people compared to other places and cities. Possibly buy a few farms and use those acres of land? Build a huge barrier around his fortress for protection?

It was the ideal place but the worrisome thing was the mutant plants and animals. As well as which area to buy and start developing into the base.

In his bank savings account was about 5 million dollars and his trust fund was around 20 million dollars. It might seem like a lot of money but it was not. For now ,without his dad's permission he couldn't access his trust fund so had only 5 million dollars working capital right now.

In the apocalypse the most important things were water , food and shelter .Things that required a hell of a lot of money and would have to wait until he convinced his father about the apocalypse. It was better to start collecting food a bit later so weapons were next on the list were weapons and cars. Not easy to get legally but in abundance in on the black market. Zander's family could organise weapons later but he could start now and tell them later.

Coincidentally, he knew just were to look. To find Venice , probably his only trustworthy friend slash business partner during the apocalypse. Sadly, he too died tragically in his last life leaving Zian friendless and lonely

+++

In a dangerous and risky area of the Bronx there was an abandoned building that hosted an illegal fighting ring.

Walking past all the filth, booze , smoke and groupies Zian took a seat outside the arena. His whole being giving of alienation and coldness wearing full black. Even his face was covered up by sunglasses and a cap. He was tall, not a giant like Xander at 188 cm but a decent 179 cm so he was big enough not to look like fresh meat to the thugs around him.

' Smash'

A man with steel grey eyes spat out some blood and wiped his cracked lips before dodging the next punch that came his way. He was shorter and less muscular compared to the man across from him but definitely faster.

As the behemoth with an orange Mohawk charged at him he backed up and gave a solid roundhouse kick that got his opponent to strike an iron post and fall to the ground .Just like that the fight was over.

The winner jumped out of the ring ignoring the cheering, girls and dangerous figures who wanted to claim him for their own team. He was used to it by now and wasn't interested.

+++

Zian slightly followed his old friend to a homey diner called ' Grandma's Pies' . Due to his tracking and disappearing skills in the apocalypse Zian could successfully stalk the vigilant fighter without getting caught.

Once he walked into the dinner in its retro 70's style many eyes glanced his way before looking away.

Zian sighed and found his target. He decided to give a straightforward method a try. Walking up to Venice's booth and slide himself across from him.

" V? " Zian called out looking at the man wafting down pancakes like it was his last meal on earth.

Venice gulped down his bitter black coffee before looking at the guy across from him whom he definitely did not recognize but somehow felt a string of familiarity.

"Depends on whose asking. "His grey eyes not quite so hostile but neither friendly.

" Zian Hayes. You don't know me but I know you. I have a job for you."

Zian began explaining while Venice sat with a blank expression on his face listening.

Venice sat with a slight dazed look on his face before he gave an abrupt laugh that brightened his whole person . He finally looked like a young carefree man instead of a tough street fighter with connections to the mafia.

" Man ,I really think you are f*cking nuts ! "

Looking at Zian's clear eyes and calm attitude before he dropped his amused smile and sobered up.

" Look, as long as I get paid I don't really care if you want to prepare for some kind disaster or whatever else. But why me? How do you know so much..."

Zian stopped to consider how many half - truths and lies he should tell before Venice shrugged .

" Zian right, for all I know you could be a cop? But... more than my brain I trust my gut. Right now ,my gut is telling me to trust you.So I don't freaking care about your shit and maybe I'm going crazy ..."

Venice just groaned and took one last swig of his coffee.

" Well ,whatever as long as I get paid!"