Chapter 34: Request for Overtime

"Apologies, Generator Sir." On the screen, 200 portions of raw food and 50 units of steel were added. Tallulah's face was marked with guilt, her brows furrowed with anger. "I couldn't retrieve all the food that was rightfully ours."

Tallulah had anticipated that White-Eye would make his move on the final batch of goods, aiming to take all the Originium in her possession. However, he turned out to be even more cowardly and cunning than she had thought.

But right now, the Generator needed her. Spending another day traveling to Zweiburg to confront White-Eye wasn't an option.

"After the storm..."

Tallulah clicked her tongue in frustration. After the storm, she'd have even more pressing matters, possibly including clashes with desperate patrol officers.

"Tallulah, don't be angry," Alina advised. "We don't have much time left. Let's set this matter aside for now."

The Generator hummed with energy, and Wang Zhan huffed quietly. White-Eye had certainly seized his chance, taking advantage of the situation. Though the materials gained were modest, the 50 units of steel came just in time.

"I'll make sure to settle this with him eventually."

Tallulah's frustration was evident. But, Wang Zhan reasoned, the original gift of Originium from Mu Ye was already a windfall. Trading it for food had created value, but the indignity White-Eye inflicted on Tallulah was unacceptable.

"Alina is right; let's set this aside for now." This loss seemed to weigh heaviest on Tallulah. "And Tallulah, don't blame yourself. You managed to secure food for us and minimized the loss. You've done very well."

"In short, thank you, Tallulah."

Wang Zhan wanted to suggest she take a break, but the workshop was already engaged in its next research project, Expanding Generator Range, leaving no time to rest.

"The workshop is under pressure. I'm sorry, but there's no time for a break."

Tallulah felt a swell of warmth. Despite the strain, the Generator Sir showed understanding and appreciation. Even though she was exhausted, how could she not continue?

"No, I should apologize." Tallulah smiled faintly, keeping her emotions in check. "By the way, the engineer Ludmilla you requested has been contacted."

True to her reputation, Ludmilla hadn't disappointed. However, Tallulah's expression shifted. "But there's an issue. The mobile city they're in is far to the south, and I've lost contact with her."

"Lost contact?"

Alina pressed for clarification.

"The message I received was from two days ago. The courier responsible for relaying it has gone missing."

"Likely perished in the storm."

Alina's face grew solemn, silently mourning the courier's fate. Tallulah continued, "We need to reestablish contact with the infected there and inform them of the Generator's location. Ideally, we should send someone to escort them here."

Sending an escort seemed extravagant, given the limited manpower at the Generator. Tallulah herself couldn't spare the time.

"What's the name of the mobile city?"

"Oganyati."

Wang Zhan typed "Oganyati" into the recruitment system. The updated patch from Mu Ye allowed keyword searches, making the task easier.

"Oganyati" brought up results: Babbage, Huxley, and a group labeled as infected engineers.

It was the same team he'd recruited previously!

"Tallulah, leave this to me. Focus on your work."

Though puzzled, Tallulah trusted Wang Zhan and Alina's reassurances.

"Thank you."

Wang Zhan opened the recruitment panel for the engineering team and initiated the recruitment process.

"Recruitment successful. The team will arrive in four days."

"A storm is projected to pass through the mobile city. Should the team be instructed to proceed immediately to the Generator?"

He selected "No." The distance was immense, after all.

Alina watched as Tallulah, now invigorated, headed back to the workshop. It seemed that Wang Zhan's words held more sway. "Sir, I'll get back to work as well."

That evening, the Generator Range Expansion research was completed. Those working on constructing the new shelters noticed a surge of hot steam released by the Generator, raising the temperature in the outer areas.

"Yes! It's heating up!"

Three infected individuals cheered as they spun their jackets in the air. Inside the workshop, the heat now allowed people to work in just their undershirts.

Tallulah, seeing the children playing around the jubilant trio, chuckled softly. Who would've thought this was just one part of the Generator Sir's grand plan?

The temperature around the Generator could increase even further.

"Will you still take off your jackets then?"

Standing beside Tallulah, Ino asked curiously.

The trio glanced at her, then at Tallulah, realizing they'd been a bit too rowdy.

"Kid, don't take everything so literally. It's just an expression of joy!"

Ino nodded thoughtfully. "I see."

Tallulah imagined what Ino might've "understood." The thought of Ino adopting these infected's rowdy habits made her uneasy. The image of Ino spinning her cane and laughing loudly played in her mind.

"What exactly do you understand, Ino?"

"When people are happy, silly actions are sometimes understandable."

Relieved, Tallulah sighed. At least it wasn't anything odd. Though her words could be sharp, those habits would take time to change—better left to Alina's patient teaching.

After all the tasks today, she was thoroughly drained.

"Everyone, I'm heading to rest," Tallulah said, stretching and grabbing her coat. "See you tomorrow."

As she left, the three infected turned to Gatling with knowing smiles.

"Hey, we heard it. You apologized to Tallulah, didn't you?"

Gatling frowned, eyeing Ino, who was crouching by a table, clearly eavesdropping.

"Ino, eavesdropping isn't what good kids do," Gatling scolded, coughing lightly. "Alina wouldn't be happy."

Ino stood, her gray eyes wide with guilt. "Sorry. I was just curious about Tallulah's affairs."

"Fine, I forgive you. Now run along, child."

After Ino left, Gatling turned back to the trio.

"I had some inappropriate remarks to make amends for. You can't use this against me."

"Why would we bother?"

The trio exchanged amused looks before one leaned forward conspiratorially.

"You heard about Tallulah getting scammed, right?"

"Scammed? Who could fool Tallulah?" Gatling felt his temper rising.

"Because of tight deadlines, Tallulah doesn't have time to confront the swindler." The three infected exchanged a look, then said in unison, "So we're planning to request overtime from Generator Sir to help her settle the score!"

"...What?"

.