Weapon System in Zombie Apocalypse-Chapter 20: Working on the Essentials Part 2

Thomas crossed his arms and turned to Connor, watching as the system notification confirming the fuel purchase disappeared from his interface.

"Alright, that settles our electricity for now," Thomas said, his voice firm but calm. "But what about our water supply? Have you checked on that system yet?"

Connor gave a slight nod. "Yes, sir. I inspected the water system earlier when we ran diagnostics on essential utilities. It's operational, but we're on limited reserves."

"Give me the details," Thomas requested.

Connor pulled out a tablet and brought up a schematic of the building's infrastructure. "This complex relies on both a municipal water connection and a rainwater collection system. The municipal supply's been cut off—likely due to damaged pipelines or city-wide outages. What's keeping us going is the rainwater storage tanks and the building's filtration system."

Thomas frowned slightly. "How much water do we have left in those tanks?"

"We have about 150,000 liters stored across all tanks. Based on current usage—showers, toilets, cooking, and cleaning—we're burning through about 4,000 to 5,000 liters a day," Connor explained, scrolling through system reports on his tablet.

Thomas did a quick mental calculation. "So that gives us roughly 30 to 35 days before we run dry."

"Correct. We could stretch that to about 45 days if we implement rationing. That means limiting showers, cutting back on cleaning operations, and conserving wherever possible," Connor added.

Thomas sighed, processing the information. "We'll need a plan to secure more water soon. Either find another source like a reservoir or take control of a water treatment facility nearby."

Connor nodded in agreement. "That would be the best long-term solution. In the meantime, we'll ensure the filtration system stays in good condition. As long as it's working, the rainwater collection should provide some ongoing supply, but it won't be enough to sustain us indefinitely."

"Good work, Connor. Keep monitoring both the water and power systems. Notify me of any changes or emergencies," Thomas ordered.

"Understood, sir. I'll also have the maintenance crew check for any leaks or inefficiencies in the plumbing," Connor responded before heading off to relay instructions to his team.

Thomas stood in the generator room for a moment, his thoughts racing. The power problem was temporarily solved, and the water system was holding for now. Still, the clock was ticking. Resources were finite, and the survival of his base would depend on securing long-term infrastructure.

After spending time on his thoughts, Thomas decided it was time to take stock of the mall's remaining resources. He exited the utility sector and made his way back to the main hall.

As he walked through the vast corridors lined with luxury boutiques, his mind raced with possibilities. If this place catered to the elite, there could be a wealth of valuable supplies hidden in plain sight.

His first stop was a high-end apparel store. The entrance was framed by mannequins dressed in designer clothes. Inside, racks of premium clothing filled the space—leather jackets, high-performance outdoor gear, and formal wear.

"Could be useful," Thomas muttered as he sifted through some of the garments. He noted that many of the items were made of durable, weather-resistant materials. Tactical clothing might be scarce here, but high-quality shoes, jackets, and thermal gear could still be repurposed for long-term survival and operations.

He tapped his radio. "Phillip, have someone inventory all the clothing stores. Prioritize any useful gear like boots, jackets, and outdoor wear."

"Copy that, sir. I'll send a team over," Phillip's voice crackled through the radio.

Thomas moved on to an electronics store. He was greeted by rows of smart TVs, refrigerators, and other high-end appliances. Most of these items were useless without a steady power supply, but some smaller electronics might still be worth taking.

"Portable battery packs, power tools, radios..." He began mentally listing items that could aid the base's infrastructure.

At the back of the store, he found several high-capacity generators and portable solar panels still sealed in crates. These were a jackpot in a world where energy was now one of the most precious resources.

Thomas tapped his radio again. "Connor, I found a stash of portable generators and solar panels in the electronics store. I want them inspected and tested. We might be able to use them as backup power sources."

"On it, sir. I'll send an engineer team," Connor replied.

Next, Thomas headed toward the mall's supermarket. The aisles were largely intact, though there were signs that some people had scavenged here before. Still, shelves held plenty of canned goods, dry foods, and bottled water. He noted that the freezers and refrigerated sections were no longer operational, but the non-perishable items would be crucial to their survival.

Moving toward the pharmacy section, he found rows of over-the-counter medications, first-aid supplies, and hygiene products.

In a home improvement store, Thomas found everything from hand tools to construction materials. This store was a goldmine for fortifying the base and repairing damaged areas of the building.

He ran his hand along a stack of reinforced steel bars. "Perfect. We can use these for barricades and reinforcement."

He made a mental note to assign this store to the engineers for immediate use.

Finally, Thomas entered a high-end boutique filled with jewelry, watches, and luxury goods. He couldn't help but chuckle.

"None of this will help us survive, but maybe it'll be useful for trade in the future," he mused. For now, he left the luxury items untouched.

After spending a couple of hours exploring and taking notes, Thomas regrouped with Phillip near the center of the mall.

"Sir, teams are already moving inventory and securing the supplies. Looks like we hit the jackpot here," Phillip reported with a satisfied grin.

"Good. This place has more resources than I expected," Thomas replied.

As he just said that, he remembered something.

"Shit—"

"What is it sir?" Phillip asked.

"My classmates in the university. I told them that I will come back."

"We can conduct a rescue operation sir for your classmates, how many?"

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"Just two."

"Then it'll be easy sir," Philip said with a confident smirk.