Chapter 18: In-Person Summit at the Blackwoods' Estate
The morning sunlight spilled across the sprawling grounds of the Blackwoods' estate, bouncing off the polished glass of the greenhouse and glinting on the wide driveway where luxury vehicles had already begun to arrive. Ava stood at the edge of the terrace, surveying the scene with a quiet thrill. For weeks, the plans had existed only as data points, simulations, and video calls. Today, everything was real. Every family, every resource, every laugh and sigh, would converge under one roof.
"Wow," Zephyr muttered behind her, hands stuffed in his pockets. "This place… it's even better than the simulations."
Brian smirked, leaning against the railing. "Of course. Reality always outshines even the fanciest interface."
Lyra nudged Alyssa, whispering, "Bet Zephyr's already plotting which corner of the theatre room he'll claim as 'command central.'"
Alyssa rolled her eyes but smiled. "Let him. It's harmless… for now."
Kael stood slightly apart, arms folded, quietly observing the estate. "It's big," he said simply, "but we need to stay focused. We're here for planning, not sightseeing."
Ava nodded. "Right. Let's get inside before the rest of the families arrive. The theatre room is prepped, and we'll need all the screens active for the supply routes and resource projections."
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The families trickled in, arriving in sleek vehicles or luxury SUVs, each carrying the weight of influence, resources, and a flair for drama. First to arrive were the Slades, Davis and Oriana, along with Theodore lounging in the backseat with a smirk that suggested amusement at the entire gathering. They entered with air of casual superiority, Zephyr trailing slightly behind, obviously thrilled by the grandeur.
"Finally," Davis Slade announced as they walked in. "A meeting where my money can actually accomplish something useful."
"Don't let him intimidate you," Zephyr whispered to Ava, "he'll just make everyone nervous before the coffee even arrives."
The Emberlys arrived next, Lyra and Alyssa leading their parents, Oliver and Ariana. Their approach was far more coordinated than the Slades, every step measured, every bag checked. "Emergency medical kits," Lyra said quietly as she walked in, "just in case anyone trips over their own ego."
"Or Zephyr," Alyssa added with a grin.
Next came the Lakspurs. Liam and Mildred, accompanied by Brian, carried documents, laptops, and small tablets with spreadsheets already running simulations of delivery routes. "I've mapped all probable supply lines," Brian said proudly. "Optimized for speed, security, and minimal fuel usage. If we're going to move all this stuff efficiently, I've got it covered."
Finally, the Stormbringers arrived, Kael at the wheel with George and Mia in the back. Even in a casual arrival, there was an unmistakable aura of authority; every movement precise, every glance alert. Kael's younger self walked in with a quiet confidence that required no words.
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The theatre room welcomed them with its giant flat screen, plush seating, and ambient lighting. Ava guided everyone to their positions, Cream Puff hovering in the center, casting tiny motes of light like a gentle pulse of energy across the room.
"Alright," Ava said, clapping her hands, "here's the plan. Everyone's here. Let's review our resources, projected supply runs, and strategies. First, let's go around and recap each family's specialty. That way we're all aligned."
Davis Slade leaned back, arms crossed. "Go on, then. Slades first. We fund anything you deem necessary. Money moves faster than people, and it's far more polite about it."
Zephyr bounced lightly in his seat. "Yes! Finance, funding, buying power, yadda yadda. Basically, if you need it, we can acquire it. That's all you need to know."
Oriana Slade added, "We can also fund transport and security contracts if required. Consider it a full-service package. But we do expect reports, ideally daily. Zephyr will insist on oversight, naturally."
Brian raised an eyebrow. "Daily reports? You make it sound like a corporate takeover."
"Every successful operation deserves scrutiny," Davis said smoothly. "And I enjoy seeing the kids actually take the reins."
Kael smirked. "Don't encourage him. He'll start asking for bonus points for coordinating snacks."
---
Next, Oliver Emberly leaned forward. "Medicine. Health care. Biotech. Hospitals and research labs. If anyone needs treatment, we cover it. Field kits, mobile labs, emergency transport—we've got it all."
Ariana added, "We'll track supplies, track medical stats, and make sure everyone stays healthy. Illness is the enemy, and we'll neutralize it before it becomes an issue."
Lyra tilted her head. "That includes crops too, right? Plant diseases, pests—anything biological falls under your radar?"
Ariana chuckled. "Precisely. You're thinking strategically. Well done."
---
Brian piped up next. "Logistics. Transport. Moving anything from point A to point B. Blackwoods' farms, Emberlys' medical kits, Slades' resources—we ensure it arrives intact, on time, and efficiently. Maps, routes, timing, fuel optimization… we've got it all running."
Liam Lakspur leaned in. "We've modeled contingencies for weather, accidents, and unexpected detours. If something goes wrong, we have alternatives queued up."
Kael nodded approvingly. "Good. Because chaos is inevitable. Might as well plan for it."
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Claire Blackwood then spoke. "Food. Agriculture. Storage. Farms, livestock, warehouses. The QQ Farm system is already online, giving us real-time data. The more we collect, the more Energy points we accumulate. These points help unlock modules and upgrades later."
Matteo Blackwood added, "We'll coordinate supply runs to ensure food reaches the necessary points. Efficiency is key, but we also need redundancy. We don't want shortages."
Ava added, "And the system has scouted a base site for us—a perfect location. Defensible, outside disaster zones, with space for farms, warehouses, and expansion. Consolidating resources there will maximize efficiency and Energy points."
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Kael finally spoke up. "And military oversight? Stormbringers will plan supply security and emergency protocols. Any hostile interference, we handle it. Nothing moves without our coordination."
Mia Stormbringer gave a small nod. "Correct. We've assigned units for perimeter security and convoy protection. Nothing slips through unnoticed."
Zephyr raised an eyebrow, clearly delighted. "So basically, we're unstoppable. Money, food, medicine, transport, security… check, check, check, check, check."
Lyra rolled her eyes. "Don't get carried away, Zephyr. Coordination is key. If anyone messes up the chain, it all collapses."
Alyssa grinned. "Which is why we're here. To prevent collapse. And to laugh at Zephyr while we do it."
---
The conversation flowed naturally from there. Maps of supply routes were projected onto the flat screen. Warehouse stockpiles were displayed as glowing holographic panels. Every family contributed input, debating the fastest routes, the most efficient load distributions, and potential risks.
The Slades argued over funding priority: "Why buy fifty units of fertilizer when twenty are enough?"
The Blackwoods countered: "We're maximizing yield. Redundancy ensures survival and increases Energy points."
The Lakspurs overrode minor arguments with logistics calculations: "We can transport the fifty units with minimal extra time and fuel. Route efficiency is 97%."
Stormbringers rolled their eyes at the minor chaos but added: "If you insist on extra loads, we'll secure them. But no improvising en route."
Emberlys reminded everyone: "And we have to account for medical safety and biological control. Contamination or illness anywhere reduces efficiency and might cost Energy points."
Ava watched it all, mentally tallying: coordination, progress, banter, efficiency, morale—all in perfect, chaotic harmony.
---
Hours passed with strategy discussions, supply planning, and laughter interspersed with serious considerations. Occasionally, Zephyr would dramatically suggest, "What if we deploy drones to follow supply trucks? Bonus Energy points?"
Lyra would retort, "Bonus chaos points more like it."
Kael quietly approved the practicality behind the suggestion anyway.
By evening, the families had agreed on the first coordinated supply run routes, which resources to prioritize, and the schedule for Energy point tracking. The system had already calculated projected gains based on warehouse stock and efficiency, giving everyone a tangible sense of progress.
Ava projected the system-scouted base site one last time before the meeting ended. Hidden valleys, elevated terrain, defensible walls, and nearby water sources glimmered on the screen. Parents whispered their approval, impressed at the foresight.
Dinner was served in the estate's dining hall, where laughter, joking, and light teasing dominated conversation. Zephyr tried to persuade everyone to wear "official supply run uniforms," Brian quietly drew maps on napkins, and Kael sternly reminded them to focus—but even he was smiling.
The flat-screen displayed the streams of automated harvests flowing into the warehouse. Even the unseen layers of folded-space hummed quietly beneath the interface, the system silently coordinating every crop, animal, and product. Ava watched the numbers tick upward—Energy, efficiency, yield—and for the first time, she felt a flicker of unshakable confidence.
"This isn't just survival," she said softly, eyes on the dashboard. "This is strategy, creation, and control. Every cycle, every harvest, every decision—we're shaping our future."
Zephyr leaned against a glowing wheat panel, grinning. "Step one, survive. Step two, automate. Step three… apocalypse domination?"
Lyra rolled her eyes, smiling despite herself. "Let's not get carried away."
"Domination or not," Ava murmured, "we're no longer waiting for the world to end. We're building it. One cycle, one harvest, one system-calculated decision at a time."
Ava lingered in the theatre room for a moment...
She smiled at the ticking numbers. This time she didn't feel fear, she felt possibility.
.....Countdown: 350 days, 16 hours ,40 minutes ...
By the time the families retired for the night, the day had left everyone mentally stimulated and physically drained. Tomorrow would bring the first supply runs, coordination in action, and the start of a new phase in their plan.