"...Will that be alright?"
Aiden asked back.
No matter how much the vaccine is distributed and they escape from the fear of zombies, the fear of zombies is still deeply rooted in people's minds.
To accept someone like him as a citizen?
"Of course, I know what you might be thinking. But didn't I already say that if people can accept the fear and time passes, they'll be able to accept you?"
"I see. I'll accept the request. However, I want Sadie's vaccine to be provided in advance before we depart."
"Think of it as an advance payment. Alright, departure is in one week. I'll have Sadie's vaccine prepared before then. I'll send the detailed request file through a subordinate."
Since all the information about the request had been conveyed, Aiden was about to stand up.
"Ex-excuse me!"
Sadie suddenly raised her hand.
"I want to participate in this request too!"
"Huh?"
Arian's expression soured.
"What did this kid eat wrong today. Sadie. This is adults' business."
"I've already talked with Ava about it!"
"What did you say?"
Arian's head whipped around.
Ava flinched and averted her gaze from Arian's terrifying glare and murderous aura.
"Wh-what are you going to do if you look at me like that!"
"Calm down, Arian. Ava, please explain."
Aiden mediated.
Ava seemed to be sweating as she wiped her forehead with her hand.
"Isn't it perfect evidence to show the efficacy of the vaccine!"
"You're... treating Sadie like evidence?"
Arian's murderous aura, which had subsided, flared up again.
"Sa-Sadie requested it first!"
"...Would you explain in detail? Arian, stop glaring."
"Tch...!"
As Arian's murderous aura disappeared again, Ava heaved a deep sigh.
According to Ava's explanation, she had been helping with combat skills training at Sadie's request.
As soon as she said that, she had to receive Arian's murderous aura with her whole body again, but thanks to Aiden calming her down once more, she was able to continue her explanation.
After the announcement of mass vaccine production, the government decided to deliver the vaccine to Las Vegas after a meeting, she said.
There was a lot of discussion about the transportation, but since it was impossible to move the military carelessly in the current situation, it was agreed to hire the most trustworthy junk dealer.
Since Ava, the military commander, had the highest point of contact with Aiden's group, she became responsible for matters related to the transport mission, and naturally asked about Aiden's schedule through Sadie.
"Then Sadie attached the condition that she would participate herself."
"I see. It seems the conditions of the request are changing."
"Sadie?"
Sadie was grinning sheepishly.
"To be honest, I wanted to do something together with you two again."
"You know the level of danger in this job, right?"
Aiden said, staring at Sadie.
"Of course."
"You've thought about it a lot?"
"Yes!"
"Then let's go together."
When Aiden gave permission, Sadie beamed with a broad smile.
Ignoring Arian clutching her head in agony, Aiden looked at Ava and said:
"The vaccine's effect is certain, right?"
"Of course, we've completed all human trials."
"Good, we'll make our own preparations, but I have one request."
"I'll send my adjutant separately tomorrow regarding armaments. You can request what you need then."
Aiden nodded at Ava's words.
"Then we'll take our leave. Seems like I need to talk with these two."
"Alright, do that. Let's meet at the wall gate in a week."
As Aiden's group opened the door and left, Ava sank into the sofa as if drained.
"Phew... Arian is scarier than zombies."
Ava wiped her cold sweat and caught her breath.
* * *
As soon as they returned to the apartment in Beyond, Arian glared at Sadie.
"Sadie?"
"I'm sorry!"
Arian made a dumbfounded expression at Sadie's quick apology.
But only for a moment, Arian patted Sadie's head.
"Next time, discuss these things in advance. Understood?"
"Yes!"
"Oh my, I won't live to my natural lifespan."
Though she said that, Arian seemed to recall their journey when the three traveled to LA together.
She seemed to remember the dangerous moments, and how proud she felt of Sadie for enduring steadfastly in such situations.
"What kind of training did you receive?"
Aiden asked Sadie.
"Pistol and rifle marksmanship. And combat techniques using terrain and objects."
Sadie answered Aiden's question without hesitation.
"How was Ava's evaluation?"
"She said at this level, while not as good as soldiers, I'm good among civilians."
After that, Aiden asked about the types of guns Sadie could use.
Although Ava would have trained her well, considering the importance of this request, it was necessary to understand all of Sadie's capabilities.
Because the situation was very different from before.
"Alright, I understand. I'll make preparations on my end. Arian, do you need anything separately?"
"How long do you think this journey will take?"
"I'll have to calculate that, but since we can get a vehicle, I estimate we'll arrive within 2-3 days."
"Then I'll prepare the blood I need to drink on my own, I can request it from the military."
"Okay, then let's depart at 7 AM in a week."
Like that, the three talked a bit more about what they needed, and when it got late, Arian took Sadie and left.
Left alone, Aiden opened the window and kept watching the backs of Arian and Sadie until they disappeared from view.
* * *
For a week, Aiden spent his time busily for the first time in a while.
The next day, he immediately went to the pub where junk dealers gathered and started buying up all information about Las Vegas and the route there.
Thanks to this, rumors spread that Aiden was heading to Las Vegas, but since he didn't reveal what the request was, people asked if he was changing his base to Las Vegas, and Aiden just shook his head.
The situation in Las Vegas that he bought from various sources was similar to what Ava had told him.
Although not as big as LA, it had established itself on a large scale enough to reclaim part of Las Vegas's territory, and because it had cleaned up some unstable elements around it, it had become a stable request area for some junk dealers, they said.
And regarding the route to Las Vegas, various information came out, but the best information was that the number of zombies had decreased enough to be able to drive on the highway to some extent.
However, he was also able to obtain information that although the number of zombies had decreased, a considerable number of mutants coming through the desert were spread around various places.
Aiden was rather relieved about that part.
If they could bring enough blood for Arian to drink, it might be easier to deal with mutants one by one than with a large number of zombies.
Like that, by buying various information and requesting necessary equipment from the military, the preliminary preparations for the request were being completed.
And on the morning of the request day, Aiden arrived at the gate first.
There was a jeep modified for military use, which seemed to have been prepared in advance.
In the back trunk were four 40-liter fuel cans and various weapons and magazine cases that Aiden had requested.
And on one side of the trunk was a quite large ice box, which Aiden opened to check.
It was maintaining a low temperature like a mini-refrigerator, probably modified by the military, and there were many blood transfusion packs packed tightly inside.
It seemed Ava had taken special care, so Aiden closed the box with satisfaction.
Then he examined the bulletproof vest and MP5 submachine gun for Sadie to use.
The condition of the gun was quite good, as if it had been well-maintained.
Still, Aiden carefully checked for any malfunctions or defects, and prepared two spare magazines in advance, setting them on the side of the bulletproof vest.
Then he serviced the M16A4 rifle and Remington Model 1100 12-gauge shotgun he would use, adjusting the sights to ensure accuracy, while waiting for Arian and Sadie.
10 minutes before 7 o'clock, Arian and Sadie appeared with Ava.
While Arian looked comfortable as if going for a walk in the park, Sadie's eyes were red as if she hadn't slept due to nervousness.
After roughly receiving greetings from the two, Aiden first received the suitcase containing the vaccine from Ava.
"I'm counting on you, Aiden."
"Thank you for preparing all the requested supplies without missing anything."
"This mission is important, so it was the mayor's order to spare no support. Thanks to that, we were able to send you off fully equipped."
"Hmm, then we'll be going."
"Yes, have a safe trip."
Ava shook hands with Aiden, then lightly greeted Arian and Sadie before moving away.
Before departing, Aiden unfolded the prepared map and briefly explained to Arian about the journey.
"We'll move towards San Bernardino, and if there's no major problem, we plan to travel on the highway towards Las Vegas passing through Barstow. Although we've received ample supplies, we can't know the external situation perfectly, so I intend to move with sufficient caution. The estimated arrival time is... about 3 to 4 days."
After continuing the explanation for a while, Aiden asked Sadie if she had received the vaccine well.
"Yes, I got the injection two days ago."
"Any discomfort?"
"Um... I felt a bit dizzy at first, but now I'm fine."
"I see, if you have any discomfort, tell me immediately. I've heard about the vaccine's side effects from Ava."
"Yes!"
When all the talking was done, the three got into the jeep.
Like before, Aiden took the driver's seat, and Sadie and Arian sat in the back seat.
Just as they were about to depart, Arian said something.
"It reminds me of when we first headed to LA, doesn't it?"
"It doesn't seem like such a good memory though."
When Aiden pointed that out, Arian awkwardly patted Sadie's head.
"Well, anyway, I'm a bit excited that the three of us are doing a request together again."
"Me too! I'm scared and nervous, but also thrilled."
"The situation outside is always accompanied by danger. Be careful not to get too excited."
Aiden started the car.
Vroom!
As the gate slowly opened fully, Aiden stepped on the accelerator and left the gate.
The road stretched out clear, as if the military had cleaned it up to some extent.
"...The situation is much better than back then."
"What?"
"Nothing."
Arian couldn't have missed Aiden's muttering, but she just slightly opened the window and smiled faintly while feeling the incoming wind.