Clara didn't wake up the next morning.
Marcus found her curled in the far cot, shivering despite the layers of cloth and emergency blankets Chris had dug up from storage. Her forehead was damp, and her eyes twitched beneath the lids. Her hands were clenched into little fists against her chest.
"She's burning up," Marcus said.
Chris was already at her side, pressing two fingers to her neck. "Heart rate's fast. She's sweating, but cold. It might be an infection. It might be nerves. Might be both."
Logan stood in the corner of the room, watching.
"She was fine yesterday," Marcus snapped. "You saw her. You let her in."
"We didn't scan for illness," Logan said flatly. "She showed no signs."
Marcus glared up at him. "So now what? You gonna execute her too?"
Chris rose quickly. "Marcus—"
"No! You kill people who break the rules. What's the rule for getting sick, huh?"
Logan didn't react. The boy's rage slid off him like wind against steel.
"She's not a threat," Chris said, more to Logan than Marcus.
"She's a variable," Logan replied.
A new System notification appeared.
Civilian Health Event Detected: ClaraStatus: Moderate Fever / Early-Stage IllnessSource: UnclearInfection Probability: 4%Panic Risk: 18% (Marcus)Containment Options:• Isolate (Standard)• Quarantine Under Guard• Treat with Supplies• Evict
Chris read the screen and shook his head. "You're not seriously thinking about kicking her out."
"I'm thinking about risk."
"No," Marcus growled, stepping in front of his sister. "You're just afraid of losing control."
Logan's jaw twitched.
Chris turned to him. "We treat her. That's the line."
Logan clicked through the prompt.
He selected Treat with Supplies.
A second prompt appeared:
Resource Use: Antibiotics x1, Purified Water x1, Medical Ration x1Projected Effectiveness: 72% Recovery RateEstimated Time: 36 HoursNote: Will increase morale but reduce reserves
He hit Confirm.
Chris stepped forward. "I'll monitor her. You don't have to."
"I wouldn't have."
Chris paused, then left the room.
Marcus didn't speak again.
He just knelt beside his sister and held her hand.
The storm came that night.
Ash swept across the horizon like a black tide, sweeping down from the north. The sky roared without thunder, like pressure collapsing inward. The turret lenses went dark for thirty seconds before re-initializing. The outer lights flickered.
Inside, Logan moved to reinforce the bunker's filtration system and check the pressure seals on the lower storage lock. Chris monitored the battery feed while Clara lay sedated in the med-bay.
It was all quiet until the alarm sounded.
Alert: Movement Detected – West GateObject Type: Cargo BoxDelivery Method: UnseenSource: Haven Collective – Confirmed (Symbol Burned on Lid)
Logan zoomed the camera.
There it was—an old metal crate, painted matte gray, propped against the outer fencing. No visible tampering. No digital signal. But right there on the lid: the crude gear-shaped emblem.
Chris looked over Logan's shoulder.
"They dropped us a care package?"
"Or bait."
The System scanned it.
*Cargo Type: AidContents:
Sealed Medical Kit (Tier 1)
Water Packets (x2)
Pre-Recorded Message (Embedded Crystal)Trace Compounds: Non-lethal tranquilizer embedded in lining (Passive exposure risk – negligible if unopened correctly)*
Chris leaned back.
"Well, that's twisted."
Logan didn't reply.
He walked to the gear table, picked up a long iron rod, and returned to the gate.
Then, in the light of the blood-orange sky, he smashed the crate open and scattered its contents in the dirt.
Not a word spoken.
Just action.
The System acknowledged the response.
Diplomatic Rejection: PublicEffect: Local Reputation: +8 Fear, +4 RespectHaven Response Predicted: Passive Provocation (Repeat Offers Possible)
Chris muttered, "You're going to make them try harder."
"I want them to."
At midnight, Clara stirred.
Chris sat beside her, monitoring vitals. The fever was down. The shivering stopped. Her breathing was slower now, but stable. When she opened her eyes, the first thing she said was:
"Where's Marcus?"
Chris smiled faintly. Watching the cameras. He's on 'guard duty' now."
She smiled too, just for a second, then faded back to sleep.
In the next room, Logan stood alone at the table.
He tapped the new prompt.
Settlement Update: Zero PointHealth Event ResolvedMorale: +6Fear: StabilizedCivic Status: Recognized (Proto-settlement evolving into Recognized Holdfast)
Another unlock appeared.
New Mechanic: Moral Alignment ShiftYour actions now determine the internal atmosphere of your settlement.Paths Available:• Iron Hand – Discipline and Intimidation• Guiding Hand – Protection and Leadership• Bleeding Edge – Fear and Sacrifice• Silent Bastion – Isolation and Power
Logan hovered over the options.
Then tapped nothing.
He shut the screen off.
The world would decide who he had to be.
He would just be ready.