The End Of Life

Mark laughed as he heard Donald. Donald looked at him, confused if he told something funny. After collecting himself, Mark looked at him and said with a completely crazy smile, "You need not worry about that. They won't live for long. I will take care of that filthy group when I get back from my trip to Evergreen city." 

Donald gave a nod and asked, "Evergreen city?" 

Mark nodded and said, "Yes, Evergreen city. My friend is probably stuck in the national museum or his hotel. I need to go for him. I can't leave him out." He had an impulse to move out this second, but it would be too risky and he knew David would need to rest and spend some time with his daughter. 

Donald remembered Mark already mentioned going to the Evergreen city, but forgot. He remained silent for a few seconds and said, "Then do some work for me." looking into Mark's eyes. Donald was taking a decision to use the favor Mark owed him. Mark smiled as he heard this. 

"What is it, General? Before you tell, decide once again. I only owe you one favor for the jeep. Are you sure you want to use it here?" with the same smile. He didn't like to owe favors and wanted to get this done. 

Donald already thought this through. He can't have any soldiers to go out on a mission before they fully set up the base. He couldn't take that risk. Sending Mark who owed him a favor was the best thing he could do at that moment. He looked at him and nodded. 

Noticing that the general nodded, Mark motioned him to continue. 

"The military base at Evergreen city has probably set up communications once again using the military satellites. I need you to go and transport some equipment from there to here, so we can have our own communications up." Mark raised an eyebrow hearing this. 

He knew that the Evergreen city had a military base because all the 12 major cities in the nation had one. Evergreen city was bigger than Stargaze city, even though both of them were classified as major cities. It was more advanced than Stargaze city. But knowing the military could set up communications again only in the span of 2 weeks was still shocking. 

But Mark had one more doubt, "You say 'probably', so you yourself aren't sure about it?" 

Donald nodded and said, "Yes, this is only an assumption. Evergreen city has the famous engineer of our nation right now. He was supposed to give a lecture, but then this happened. Knowing my friend, the general stationed there, I guessed they might already have them up."

Mark nodded as he had no problem. They only asked him to transport the machine. If the machine itself wasn't ready, he wouldn't be able to do anything about it and Donald would lose his favor. In the end, it worked out for him pretty well. 

"Just so that we are on the same page, general. If this machine you ask me to transport is not ready and would take some time, I will be returning immediately. I don't want to stay there for long." Donald nodded as he knew the gamble he was taking. He could only pray that his friend would have acted quickly and asked for the communications to be ready. 

"Alright then General. If you do not have anything else to say. I would like to go and rest." standing up from his seat. Donald nodded and shook Mark's hands, before calling for Steve who was waiting outside. 

Steve entered the room and noticed the discussion came to an end. Donald asked him to show Mark the way to a living quarter to take a rest. Steve nodded and went out with Mark following him behind. 

Steve looked over his shoulder and asked Mark, "Do you want to eat first?" 

Mark nodded as he was pretty hungry and didn't eat anything after breakfast in Suzie's house. Steve led the way to the cafeteria and both of them took a plate and got some food served by the workers. 

"What did my father and you talk about?" while eating. 

Mark shrugged his shoulders and said as he swallowed, "Nothing special. I asked him to stay away from a place, I want to take care of it personally. He then used his favor." nonchalantly. 

Steve was shocked hearing the first sentence. He thought Mark was asking for territory and wondered how his father agreed to such a request. Mark noticed the slight variation in Steve's emotions and knew he misunderstood but didn't bother to correct it. 

But before Steve could ask about what place, he heard the 2nd sentence, making him shocked more. He wondered what the important thing was about his father asking Mark to use the favor so quickly. It has only been 2 days since he got the favor. 

He knew he couldn't get into the details as it meant for him to not listen to them. If he was, then why would his father ask him to remain outside, while he had his talk with Mark. After having the meal, they both exited the building and went into another one, which was to the other side. 

Mark noticed normal people going in and out of the buildings and knew it was the living quarters set up for the people who passed the blood test. Both of them entered and Steve led the way and both of them climbed the tall building. 

But as they reached the 6th floor, they were stopped by a soldier and were asked for the reason. Steve explained the situation and once they knew it was from General Donald, they let them pass through. I confused Mark, what is so different about this floor compared to the rest.

Steve noticed Mark's confusion and said, "This floor is mainly used by the upper people in the camp, like my dad and others. So we need permission to come here."