Chapter 17
New World, Possibly Same Problems

After discovering a bizarre zombie that is a mix of different games, everyone is on edge as they realize that they got screwed over. The area is surrounded by walls and turrets that have been set-up to prevent anything from getting in. There are plenty of tents around yet many have to sleep in shifts just to keep an eye out for trouble as they are armed with a few sniper rifles and hunting rifles they managed to keep. Thanks to Jeb and Jose, they even managed to duplicate the titan mechs for a bit of extra security.

In the center of this settlement, there is a yurt where there is a cavern under it made by dwarves. Everything is already set up with much of dwarven architecture with the halls being twenty feet tall. The whole place is lit by strange glowing stones that give off a lot of light as if they're electric floodlights.

Our heroes and Marcus are in these halls with Jeb going, "Damn! Those dwarves really work fast."

"I'll say." Jose agrees. "They are an industrious bunch."

"Come on guys." Marcus says as he enters one of the room, "We need to discuss this."

They all enter a circular room with stone chairs and a round stone table. They all take their seats as they discuss the situation they are in on this new world.

"So," Marcus begins, "the new government screwed us over."

"Now I highly call that fair." Liga speaks, "This is a completely new solar system and completely new planets. How could they possibly know that this world has some infestation issues?"

"Fair point." Marcus reluctantly agrees as he cross his arms. He looks over at Muammar, "Any luck getting in contact with other micronations?"

"I did managed to contact President Kevin Baugh of Molossia." Muammar confirms. "He is having difficulty running things and placed near a desert, but he sounded like he is holding up. I did warn him of the zombies of this world and issued martial law. I also contacted with the people of Ladonia, Kingdom of Lovely, Arkovia, and Libertad."

"What's Libertad?" Tsuki asks.

"It's not really a nation, but a resistance movement from Far Cry 6. They created a nation on a similar archipelago to the west in the ocean under the same name as their group. Turns out that they managed to score some major communications equipment. I warned them of the zombie situation and they're already warning the other nations."

"What kind of communications equipment?" J.H. asks.

"They didn't say."

"Well that solves that problem." Marcus says as he pulls out a pack of gum. "Now, about the name of our nation. I've decided to call it, Exilia. Home for the exiles. Actually, I'm hoping to unite the other nations and call it, the United Confederacy of Exiles. Since we are basically living in exile, I think it has a nice ring to it."

Yet Uma says, "Shouldn't we be more worried about the zombies right now? I think that should be our top priority."

"I'm thinking long term." Marcus looks at Muammar, "Actually, Muammar, I might need your help contacting Libertad and all the other micronations to see if any of them are interested." Then he starts to look sly, "Pluuusss... I need your help keeping the dwarves fed with your infinite storage space."

Muammar laughs, "No problem. Feeding a hundred dwarves is like feeding five whole regiments."

Speaking of dwarves, one enters the room and it appears to be realistic. "Oi!" he rudely shouts, "We're fecken hungry! We need nourishment and lots and lots of spirits!"

"Coming." Muammar gets up and heads out. He looks back, "You guys go ahead and discuss things, do a war with the undead or whatever."

"Later!" Tsuki waves goodbye.

Everyone else say goodbye to him before he close the door.

J.H. says, "Tell those dwarves to go easy on the explosions!"

Muammar walks beside the bearded small man as they head to the dining hall.

"Aye lad, you got some really good friends there." the dwarf compliments.

"I sure do." Maummar says proudly. But he rubs the left side of his shoulder.

The dwarf notices, "Somethin' wrong there?"

"Oh, just remembered something from a long time ago."

"Eh?"

"Nevermind."

"So about the damn zombies." Jeb starts the discussion. "How should we go about? We can't just ignore it."

Jack looks over at his phone, "According to what we got, the zombies are a mixture of the blood plague, the Last of Us mushroom, the Harran virus and the rage virus. If we just leave their corpses after killing them, they'll produce spores. The rage virus part means they can infect other people just by spitting or vomiting blood in the person's eyes, ears, nostrils and mouth. Yet thanks to the Harran virus part, they are weak against UV lighting judging by the way the bloater was trying to avoid the sunlight from the windows."

Jose cracks his knuckles, "Guess we should make a few devices and hazmat suits to deal with some modifications."

"I could whip something up." Jeb tries to think about it. "Just need to create some weapons that involve UV lighting and something to combat the spores."

Uma thinks about some things. "I would like to study the amino acids, the spores and the actual contents of this strange zombie virus. Since they are a mix of 28 Days Later and The Last of Us, we might expect many capable of running. But back on my professional subject, if we can study them, we would get a good idea what this zombie virus and shrooms actually are and be able to combat them more efficiently."

J.H. then says, "How about something that can paralyze them? Just because they're corpses, doesn't mean they don't have a functional nervous system. I mean, the brain of the undead is still active with some of the nerve wiring being able to maintain some motor skills like running, grabbing and the whatnot. Basically, they still need to move to be able to infect and eat."

Jeb thinks about it, "So, something that effects their nerves. Gases won't work since they need a respiratory system. Electricity might work, yet requires something more...finesse."

Jose looks at Jeb, "Maybe we can make something useful tomorrow."

Marcus then speaks, "That might work if we hope to expand and more refugees and exiles come through. Plus, I have something in mind for the type of culture our new republic can be."

"Oh?" Tsuki has taken an interest. "What kind do you have in mind?"

Marcus smiles, "Weellll... I have been playing a computer game back at Big Sky that wasn't supposed to come out until 2021. It's like the Civilization games, but has something better. It's a game that let's you choose your cultures as you advance through the ages. Like you can combine Babylonians with Greeks then later Celtics. Basically, you can choose and combine cultures pending on what kind of civilization you want it to be. But you have to choose one per era."

"Sounds like fun game!" Tsuki has taken an interest, "Can I play!?"

"Not now, Tsuki." Jack finds some humor. "Maybe another time."

"So what do you have in mind?" Uma and Liga asked at once.

Marcus thinks about it, "To tell you the truth..." He looks up while thinking, "I'm thinking something a bit less focus on European. We already had enough of that back in the USA or whatever it calls itself now. Same with the Latin Americans. So..." He looks at everyone around them, "I'm thinking something a bit more like something more eastern and African. I did write it down." Marcus pulls a piece of paper out from his right jean pocket. "Here."

The others then look at the little piece of paper Marcus wrote. It's a bit smudge but still readable.

What Kind of Cultures to Have

Harappan, Zhou, Egypt (Ancient & Modern), Achaemenid Persia and Industrial Age Persia, Aksumite, Celtic, Greek, Khmer, Umayyad Caliphate, Edo Japanese & Modern Japanese, Haudenosaunee, Joseon, Ming, Zulu, Modern Turkey and India.

J.H. looks at Marcus, "Did you just get these from the game?"

Marcus chuckles as he rubs the back of his head.

"There are a few European ones here." says Liga.

"Yeah, but I thought I might add a few things to it. For example, take the Vortigaunts and Mudokons. The Mudokons are highly spiritual and shamanistic that had lost their culture due to enslavement. So, I decided to give them a mix of Celtic, Haudenosaunee and Zulu. Two out of three of these cultures do have some some shamanistic elements as well as a deep respect for nature. Combine that with what little there is of their own, they can create their own civilization if they can. I even spoke with some of the leaders of the Mudokons and the Vortigaunts and they like the idea, but they choose to stick with us."

"Well that's something." Jack is impressed. "Guess you really do have what it takes to run a country of your own."

"I wouldn't let that go to my head." Yet Marcus starts to look concern, "But we may have other issues coming up. I heard some rumors that we may have more refugees coming over."

"Where did you hear these rumors?" J.H. asks.

"Just something that people are saying. So we may have to get rid of the zombies quickly and efficiently in order to colonize the valley. And fast, because who knows how long before the new refugees will arrive."

"I think you're taking this rumor a bit too serious." Jeb speaks his mind.

Marcus looks down with his hand on his forehead, "With things are now, I'm not taking any chances."

Jose gets up, "I'll see what I can whip up."

Jeb gets up as well, "Might as well." He looks at Jose, "Up for another all-nighter?"

"Mejor que sentarnos sobre nuestros traseros."
Translation: "Better than sitting on our asses."

"We'll see you guys tomorrow."

The two leave and start to get to work on making the weapons necessary for combating the undead.

"Speaking of undead," Uma speaks, "where exactly do these zombies come from? From my understanding, the zombies are based-off of something from medias such as the Green Flu from Left 4 Dead, the Tyrant Virus from Resident Evil or something stupid like COVID-19 from Coronavirus Zombies. Here though, they are a mixture of some of the stuff from various games. Almost as if they're from someone's mind rather than a collective one meant for someone's Fanfiction."

Wink, wink.

Tsuki thinks about it, "Come to think of it, yeah, you're right. The zombies Jeb and Jose discovered are a mix of a lot of known gaming crap. So this planet might have been part of someone's mind at any given point before manifesting into our reality." Tsuki heads towards the door, "Hope we have internet. I need to investigate where exactly are they from." She turns and does a cute anime pose for everyone, "Too-da-loo!" and heads out the door.

Marcus looks at Jack, "I didn't know she can speak French."

Jack looks at Marcus, "That was French?"

"A pēlā, haʻalele ka hapalua o ka hui." Liga says.
Translation: "And thus, half the group left."

Marcus speaks, "Guess you four are our volunteers to deal with the zombies then."

J.H. goes, "WHAT?!"

"Sorry," he shrugs, "but they are using their talents and such for legitimate reasons."

"I thought Jeb and Jose are going." Uma states.

"Well, we do need someone that knows some medical procedures to train any future doctors."

"I'm in!"

Liga raises her hand, "Here!"

J.H. says, "Dammit." He looks at Jack, "It looks like it's just us two, Jack."

"Actually," Marcus relays what he has plan, "the two of you will assist Jose and Jeb out on the field to test the weapons against the zoms. Uma and Liga will do the best they can to teach some of our people the best they can with training in medicines, surgery, basically medical stuff. Never know when we get more exiled people coming in with injuries or any form of sickness. Many will be quarantine, but we don't have enough supplies or manpower to do so. That is where Muammar comes in. He'll set up a few tents and many quarantine 'bubbles' while helping me with communications as well as supplies. The Mudokons may have a few healing abilities along with the Vortigaunts and the dwarves' magical healing, but it may not be enough. Plus with Halloween in two days, things are gonna get a bit more scary assuming that this world will have terrors appearing from the veil. Tsuki will monitor things happening on Earth for the time like she has been with her radio show. As for me, I have a lot to do to set up the Republic of Exilia. Setting up constitutions, doctrines, bill of rights, as well as negotiating with many other nations about setting up the United Confederacy of Exiles so we can stand together in this new part of the galaxy, or, wherever we are."

Jack stands up, "Okay, okay. We got a shit ton of work that needs to be done. But I do have some research that needs to be done, such as the black tome I was given."

All eyes peer at Jack as Liga asks, "That old tome you've been reading for a while as we made to the moon?"

"Exactly. It may hold the key about our current situation. Maybe. Hopefully." Jack sits back down before he goes into detail about what little he read from the tome on the way to the moon. He talked about the explorer and says something about how mankind's creations would appear one day.

"How the fuck does a Roman man from ancient times know about the future?" J.H. asks and is confused.

"I don't know, but I'm hoping to read more and find something in it. A clue or some sort of sign."

Marcus stands from his chair, "Well, best to get ready. Once you, J.H., Jose and Jeb test the weapons in the valley and possibly claim a settlement, I'll let you get to work on that. As of now, this little meeting is over. Get plenty of sleep, for tomorrow, we have a lot to work to done."

Everyone then heads out and go to their tents. However, Jack has his own bedroom ready in the dwarven halls.

He goes inside of his room and locks the door with the room illuminated by the crystals on the walls. All there is in his bedroom is a stone and hay bed with many sheets and blankets and a few pillows of various shades of blue. Above is a crystal chandelier that has yellow crystals that turn on when the sun is out. There are a few desks made of stone with a few books stacked and the black tome in the center of one of the desks. Jack approached the crooked leather office chair that looked like it came from a junkyard as he takes his seat. He turns on one of the lamps with the same crystals as he studies the tome while having a book that translate the Latin words written on the pages. Rather than sleeping for the day ahead, he studies. Almost obsessive.

Yet he immediately slam the book shut after a few pages after feeling some sort of presence. He feverishly look around yet doesn't see anyone or anything. What he felt is the same presence that he and his friends felt from Big Sky. Not taking any chances, he takes the tome and lock it in a drawer. It may not be made of the strongest metals the dwarves can forge, but still has plenty of locks and chains to keep it safe. Jack then checks outside of his room to be sure.

Coming down the hall, J.H. comes walking to check, "You okay, man?"

"I think so?" Jack is not entirely sure.

"You felt it too, huh?"

"Yeah." Jack looks down the halls, "There's something watching us."

"I came here to make sure you're not staying up late. But it looks like someone is already doing that."

"Well, guess I'm off to bed then after a quick shower and a quick brush. Good night."

AN: Hey everyone! I hope you guys had a good Halloween despite these difficult times. And speaking of the Humankind game, I made a little something. Here you go:

topic/234238/184531817/1/New-Culture-Mods

Until then, see ya next time.