Day 0 0 1 #2
which we can simulate."
"What do you mean?" the same voice spoke up, and Nika saw it belonged to a tall guy with freckles and an elongated face. Nika looked him in the eyes.
"What is light? Just radiation from the Sun. There are several types of radiation, of which plants need ultraviolet radiation most. The kind of radiation that would redden your skin at the seaside and against which you use creams and oils so it doesn't harm you."
She looked at the guy provocatively and was surprised to notice that he was actively thinking.
"Ultraviolet radiation can be simulated. You're right," he replied to Nika.
"It's all about frequencies and voltages. We can make lamps or tubes that would radiate that way."
He addressed the whole table: "Making such lamps won't be a problem if we have a few people from the field of electrical engineering and decent tools."
Ana again looked at Nick, who nodded with the words:
"The tools are most likely in the warehouse, they just need to be found and used." Nick looked at the freckled guy. "What's your name?"
"Marko."
"Well, Marko, since you understand electrical engineering, gather all the people you need and look for the tools in the warehouse. After that, come to engineering on the seventh floor, where a real little factory awaits you, in which you could make what's required."
Marko confirmed with a nod. Nick then addressed the people gathered at the table:
"Marko will work with Nika on the botany to create the conditions for growing food!" Then he looked at Nika: "And what about the seeds? What's the point of conditions for planting if we have no seeds?"
Nika had expected such a question and already had an answer ready:
"Seeds aren't a problem. I can say with near certainty that if the equipment from the garden shops is up there, there'll be seeds too. And even if there aren't, you'd be surprised where all you can find seeds that would be willing to grow in suitable conditions."
"What do you mean?" Ana asked her.
"Well, simply. Popcorn, for example. The corn used for popcorn just needs to be planted in soil to sprout. The pumpkin seeds we use for snacking, we wash with salt water and plant, and in a few days they'd grow. You really have a lot of options for finding seeds in food products."
People nodded, while Nika crossed her arms over her chest with satisfaction. Finally Ana spoke up:
"Okay, people, the conditions and the cultivation of seedlings for food are the priority in the coming days, and it's already clear who's in charge here."
Marko and Nika nodded. Ana continued: "And what about space for cultivation — we're a bit cramped here, and I don't think the warehouses can be easily converted into farms."
Here Nick again addressed the table:
"On the fifth floor there's some kind of laboratory, and from the blueprints I noticed that the laboratory extends through several natural caves, in which, I believe, there'd be enough room to set up farms and whatnot."
"Are you sure there'll be enough room?" Nika asked him.
Nick answered her readily:
"I'm not sure of anything, because I haven't been down there yet. But it looked enormous on the blueprints."
"Then that should be examined," she addressed the table, "who has research experience to help me inspect the laboratory equipment and the space for the farms?"
Suddenly Vlasta spoke up, who until then had been sitting at the end of the table, behind whom loomed the enormous bulk of her husband, Erik.
"I understand laboratory equipment. I'm employed at the Institute for Infectious Diseases." She paused for a moment. "I mean, I was employed."
Everyone looked at her, first at her, then at her pregnant belly. Vlasta noticed and added: "Don't worry, it's not my due date yet, I can still walk. I'm not an invalid."
People were embarrassed by those words and looked away. Finally Ana spoke:
"That's settled, then." She looked at Nika. "It seems to me you're a perfect choice for the triumvirate," Ana smiled, "which also makes you a very sought-after person in the coming days."
Nika nodded in confirmation.
"No worries, I'm used to stress and haste. And establishing a functional system of food cultivation is something I always dreamed of. Even my doctoral dissertation was based on a similar topic."
Suddenly Tomi spoke up, who until then had silently attended the meeting:
"I'd inspect that space with them too. To check the electronics and such in the laboratory." Then he lowered his head in discomfort, because everyone looked at him.
Ana doubted his words, because she sensed the real reason Tomi would join the girls in the laboratory.
He obviously wanted to be near Nika the whole time.
Ana thought she should warn the girl, but that could wait.
Tomi wasn't violent, though he was perverted.
And he didn't seem to want to hurt the girl or harm her in any sense.
It was more as if he wanted to follow her like a little dog following its master.
So she just nodded, and Tomi returned to his silence, while approval flashed in Nika's eyes.
Ana smiled. Oh, yes. There was definitely something there.
Something still in its infancy, but something that in a very short time could burst into flame.
She still didn't understand what Nika saw in him and what exactly attracted her, but time would give the answers.
Of that she was sure. Then she raised her voice again to get the attention of everyone present:
"All right, we've resolved two important topics. The warehouse inventory and the possible establishment of farms for growing food. Which leaves us very little time to establish systems of maintenance, research, morale, and security."
Here Nick cut in. He looked at all the gathered.
"I took the liberty of resolving the problem of security and surveillance. I assume you've all met Erik."
Everyone turned toward Erik, who stirred with discomfort. Nick continued:
"Erik has already proven himself an excellent person who thinks soberly in a problematic situation. A man who has both the connections and the knowledge regarding the security of people and property. So I appointed him head of security and gave him a free hand in choosing personnel and equipment."
Many heads at the table nodded in confirmation, because many had seen Erik in action during the night, but then a female voice spoke up:
"When did you appoint Erik to the position, and did you have our authorization?" Tina looked at Nick defiantly and provocatively.
Ana huffed in frustration, and Nick fell silent. She noticed the quick look Nika shot in his direction while he seemed a little flustered. But then he collected himself and, with a forced smile, replied to Tina, who was still waiting provocatively:
"I appointed him because I know the man and can vouch for his integrity, and because, had it not been for him and his boys, the situation in this shelter today would be more complicated than it is."
Again many nodded in approval, and Nick continued:
"Erik has taken on the responsibility of making all of you as safe as possible, and that with a pregnant wife who's near her due date and who needs him most right now."
Nick turned directly toward Tina. "If you want, we can vote on that decision, and I believe Erik is ready to give up the head-of-security position, but you have to give us a fair proposal — or perhaps you want the position for yourself?"
He looked Tina directly in the eyes, at which she dropped her gaze in discomfort. But she soon thrust out her chest and answered brazenly:
"I have the right to ask, because, as far as I can see, the council consists only of YOUR friends and acquaintances, and it seems to me you control everything!"
Nick gave as good as he got:
"I say again, had it not been for us, the situation in the shelter today would be much more hopeless. Had it not been for people like Ana or Erik, this space would be total chaos, the law of the stronger — and you know what comes with that?
You know what happens to attractive girls under the law of the stronger? And what's expected of them if they want to survive?"
"This is the twenty-first century, come on, don't talk nonsense, Nick," Tina objected.
"Yes, Tina, this is the twenty-first century, and again the law of the stronger rules on the surface, except, look, up there there are no more attractive girls, and even if there are, beauty is the last thing on their minds."
That statement brought a silence that lay heavily on the hearts of the gathered. Then someone spoke up:
"Besides, who does Tina represent? I know she didn't come as a representative of the technicians, because somehow she seems like she doesn't like to dirty her hands."
People stirred at that. Questions flew left and right, while Tina stood in a quandary. Then Ana spoke up:
"As far as I can tell, Tina came accompanying that hooligan Erik threw out. That was the guild in charge of morale."
"Typical," came from the crowd. "Gold-diggers always find some thugs to look after them." A crowd of confirming voices and nods.
"ENOUGH!" Ana raised her voice. "What are we? A mob? Where do you get the right to judge someone? As far as I know, we haven't yet chosen the judges who should decide someone's guilt."
People quieted down. Ana had experience in dealing with people and knew how to calm a situation before it escalated. She continued calmly:
"Tina did come as the representative of the people in charge of morale. How she got the votes, and whether she got them at all, I don't care. But at this table, until re-election, she has the same right to sit as every one of you does. And you, Tina…"
Ana looked sharply at the girl, "don't provoke, and don't use the fact that you called yourself my friend, because with this behavior you're on thin ice."
Tina muttered something, but looked defiantly now at Ana, now at Nick. Ana determined she'd have a lot of trouble with this girl in the future. But she'd deal with that problem when it came. For now she again addressed the gathered:
"Erik as head of security. Who supports Nick's decision to appoint him? Hands up if you agree."