Episode 92: The Treasure Below

"At this point, I want to believe there have to be more places like this," I said aloud as we finally stepped into the basement floor, marveling at what lay before us. The sheer magnitude of what we had uncovered made me wonder—how many other untouched facilities like this still existed in the wasteland?

Getting here had been no small feat. Thanks to Alfred and Selene working together, the lift in the building was finally operational, allowing us to access the lower levels. Alfred had to connect directly to the terminal in the basement, configuring the nuclear fusion generator to run at normal capacity just so the lift could be powered properly. Without their expertise, getting down here would have been nearly impossible.

The moment the lift doors slid open; I felt a chill run down my spine. It wasn't fear—it was excitement. The unknown awaited us beyond those doors, and judging by what we had already found in the hospital, this place could be a goldmine.

By the time we gained access, the clock had just hit 6 in the morning. Despite the early hour, none of us were sluggish. We were running on pure adrenaline and anticipation. The entire team was already awake and eager to explore the basement floor.

Scarlett and Selene were the first to descend with Alfred, clearing the area and ensuring it was safe. Once they confirmed there were no threats lurking in the shadows, Natasha, Layla, and I followed them down. And the moment I stepped inside, I felt like I had walked straight into a hidden paradise.

The basement was vast, lined with shelves and storage units filled to the brim with supplies. Unlike the upper floors, which had suffered the decay of time, this place was pristine. Everything was neatly wrapped, stored, and in perfect condition. Refrigerated units still hummed softly, preserving whatever was inside. The air here was different—it didn't carry the same heavy stench of rot and decay. It was controlled, maintained. This wasn't just some forgotten basement. It was a treasure trove that had been sealed away, waiting for someone like us to uncover it.

Alfred wasted no time. With Selene and Scarlett assisting him, he immediately went into hauling mode, prioritizing the most valuable finds first. The first thing we laid claim to was the neatly stacked boxes of Fusion Cores.

Selene crouched beside one of the boxes, running her gloved hand over the smooth metallic surface before looking up at me. "Fusion generators aren't exactly rare," she explained. "They're everywhere—especially the permanently built ones. But Fusion Cores? That's a different story. These are a depletable power source, and once they run dry, that's it. They're incredibly valuable because everyone needs them, and they don't come easy."

I nodded, understanding the significance. This wasn't just another haul—this was the kind of find that could set us up for a long time.

A sudden shout from the far end of the floor caught my attention. "Honey~ look! These Bots are still brand new!" Natasha's excited voice echoed across the room, pulling me from my thoughts.

Curious, I made my way toward her, only to be greeted by an unbelievable sight—rows upon rows of pristine Automatons still neatly packed in their original containment docks, encased in protective plastic.

Scarlett let out a low whistle as she ran her fingers across the glass covering one of the robots. "Damn… the paint is still pristine and clean. If we were to sell these, they'd be worth hundreds of coins each. Maybe even more."

Lined up in perfect formation were three types of Automatons—Doc-Bots, Nurse-Bots, and Security-Bots. Each one gleamed under the dim fluorescent lights, their exteriors completely untouched by time.

Selene tilted her head in admiration. "This is unbelievable. These aren't just functional—they're completely unused. We're talking top-tier medical and security units, just sitting here collecting dust."

I reached out, pressing a hand against the casing of a Doc-Bot. "With this… we don't just have medical support. We have fully operational personnel ready to go."

Layla, who had been silently observing, spoke up. "If we activate them and reprogram them, they could serve us indefinitely. This isn't just valuable—this is a game-changer."

Scarlett crossed her arms, smirking. "Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's load up as much as we can carry."

I grinned, feeling the same excitement pulsing through my veins. This was the kind of find people in the wasteland could only dream of. And it was ours.

"We're not selling them, babe," I said with a confident smile, my fingers brushing against the smooth plastic casing of the Automatons. "Money-wise, I've got us covered. This—this is going to be our very own force. Our workers, our protectors. In this wasteland, loyalty is hard to come by, but these machines? They'll never betray us."

Scarlett and Selene both nodded, understanding exactly what I meant.

Natasha, standing nearby, crossed her arms and smirked. "That alone makes them better than most of the labor out here. People lie, people betray, but these Automatons? They do exactly what they're programmed to do. No risks, no backstabbing."

Alfred, always eager to improve, stepped forward. "With the proper modifications, I can upgrade all of them to a higher A.I. level. It would make them more efficient, more adaptable—far superior to any standard Automaton in the wasteland."

I nodded. "That's exactly what I was hoping to hear. Alright, ladies, let's pack everything up. I can't wait to head back home, take a shower, and finally get some proper sleep."

Laughter rippled through the group, and without hesitation, we began securing our haul. Every valuable item, every Automaton, every last Fusion Core—we stored it all within my Inventory. It was an almost surreal sight, watching an entire stockpile of supplies vanish into thin air, safely tucked away until we needed it.

By the time we were finished, it was 10 a.m. CLUB MED had been completely stripped of everything valuable and useful. We had taken all we needed, ensuring nothing would go to waste. As long as it wasn't nailed to anything, it would end up inside of my Inventory. Thanks to the entire floor were contained in a preserved environment, even the furniture were brand new.

Before leaving, we did one last thing—burn the pile of dead zombies outside. The flames roared as we stood by, watching the bodies turn to ash. It was a grim but necessary act, a final cleansing of the horrors that once lurked in this place.

"Well," Scarlett said, stretching her arms. "That's one less zombie nest to worry about."

I nodded. "And one more step toward making this wasteland a little safer. Even if it wasn't our original goal, we did some real good today."

With a sense of satisfaction and lighter hearts, we left CLUB MED behind, knowing that we had not only secured our future but also made the wasteland just a little bit better.