Chapter 70 Lighting Ceremony
August 13th, 2023.
Oriental Military Camp.
Richard and his Chief of Staff stood in front of the gas turbine generator installation site as the clock struck six in the evening. The evening sky displayed hues of orange and pink as day turned into night.
The gas turbine generator, a massive steel structure, dominated the scene. Engineers and technicians were busy finalizing the installation, and the generator was almost ready to co online.
Sitting next to him was his little sister, Lisa. His arms wrapped around her shoulder, and Lisa snuggled in, seeking comfort and warmth in the gathering chill of the evening.
Only the high-ranking staff of the Oriental Military Camp are allowed to attend the lighting ceremony. The survivors could only witness the ceremony when the buildings they were occupying suddenly burst into light.
"My classmates are sad that you didn't allow them to co," Lisa said, pouting.
Richard chuckled as he pinched her cheek. "That is because there are only limited seats, Lisa. The site is too small to accommodate all of the survivors at once. But once the generator is up and running, everyone will benefit from the electricity it provides."
Lisa's pout transford into a thoughtful expression. "Maybe it's just my perks of having you as my brother. Ouch ouch…stop pinching my nose," she giggled as Richard affectionately ruffled her hair.
As the final preparations were made, the atmosphere around the generator site grew charged with anticipation. Richard's Chief of Staff exchanged a knowing look with him, both understanding the significance of this mont.
A hush fell over the small crowd of high-ranking staff. The engineers, their faces streaked with gri, stepped back, signaling that everything was ready. The generator, now fully assembled and connected, stood like a sentinel ready to dispel the night's shadows.
A technician approached the control panel, his fingers hovering over the switches. He turned the knobs and pressed so buttons. After that, he turned around and looked at Richard.
"Sir, if you would be so kind as to co forward and be the one to initiate the final step," the technician requested, gesturing toward the control panel.
Richard nodded and gently squeezed Lisa's shoulder before letting her go. He stepped forward and stood before the control panel. The small crowd of high-ranking staff watched in silent anticipation.
"I think this is where a leader must make a speech," Richard said, turning around and facing his staff that had been working for him since the outbreak.
"Ladies and gentlen. Twenty-three days ago, an outbreak befell this beautiful world. It turned humans into monsters, and it plunged us into darkness," Richard began. "But tonight, right here, we take a stand against that darkness. This shall beco the symbol of hope for the survivors outside the Oriental. Our task is simple, we rescue as many people as we can and give them hope of a brighter future."
The crowd nodded in agreent, impressed by his brief speech.
Richard turned and faced the control panel. "What should I press?" he asked the technician.
"Uhm, if you would click this switch right here, sir," the technician replied, pointing to a large, red button labeled 'INITIATE.'
Richard extended his hand toward the button, fingers hovering montarily as he took a deep breath.
Monts later, he pressed it.
A low hum filled the air as the gas turbine generator ca to life. Steam and heat billowed from the exhaust. And then, one by one, the floodlights encircling the installation site flickered to life, casting a brilliant glow across the camp.
Comrcial and residential skyscrapers and buildings within the borders of the Oriental Camp glowed with renewed life as their interior lights ca on, pushing back the darkness that had shrouded them for weeks.
Richard's gaze shifted from the generator to the surrounding buildings, his heart swelling with pride.
Cheers and applause erupted from the high-ranking staff, their voices a chorus of triumph. Lisa clapped her hands with joy, her face radiating with pride for her brother. Richard bowed in front of them as if he just finished performing a great feat, acknowledging the support and camaraderie of his team.
Richard straightened up and walked over to his seat. His Chief of Staffs patted him on the shoulder and exchanged handshakes with the other staff mbers as they congratulated him on the successful initiation of the gas turbine generator. Lisa, still beaming with pride, joined him.
"It's ti for a celebration, sir," Graves bead enthusiastically.
"The bar is now open," Mark announced.
"Celebration? Bar?" Lisa tilted her head to the side. "What do they an by that brother?"
"Well, Lisa, we figured that after this lighting ceremony, the boys and I decided to celebrate. We are going to drink so beer, you know, what the boys do," Richard explained.
"Ehh? Brother I didn't know that you drink alcohol," Lisa exclaid, her hands covering her mouth.
Richard smiled at his sister's surprise. "Well, there are many things you don't know about , Lisa."
When Richard said that, Lisa let out a hum of understanding. Yeah, there are a lot of things that she didn't know about her brother.
"I'll have soone escort you back to the Air Residence," Richard said, considering and beckoning the squad he had inford earlier closer.
"Sir," the squad leader saluted.
"Make sure that my little sister reaches the Air Residence safely," Richard instructed, his tone filled with brotherly concern.
The squad leader nodded crisply. "Yes, sir. We'll ensure her safety."
The squad leader then glanced at his commanding officer's little sister and spoke. "Miss, if you would be so kind as to follow ."
Lisa nodded and followed the squad leader to their vehicle. The vehicle was the JLTV Oshkosh.
"Where do you want to sit ma'am? In the front or the back?"
"Please don't call ma'am, I'm not that old. You can simply call by my na. And yes, I would like to sit in the front," Lisa replied with a friendly smile.
The squad leader, appreciating Lisa's casual deanor, nodded and gestured for her to sit in the front passenger seat. Lisa climbed in, and soon they were on their way towards the Air Residence. As they drove through the illuminated camp, Lisa couldn't help but marvel at the transformation that the generator's activation had brought.
The streetlights that were once dark after the blackout were now casting a warm, welcoming glow on the roads of the Oriental Military Camp. Unoccupied stores at the base of the buildings were also aglow with the hope of normalcy, their interiors illuminated as if beckoning residents to return.
Five minutes later, they arrived at the Air Residence. The squad leader exited the vehicle, walked around, and opened the door for Lisa. She stepped out and nodded at the soldier.
"Thank you."
"You're welco, Lisa."
With that, she made her way inside the Air Residence, and to her unit, where her classmates were waiting.
" Oh, Lisa? You're already back! Where is your brother?" Angela asked.
"They are having a boys' night out," Lisa simply said, chuckling.
"Is that so? Co over here, we have been looking at this view since the electricity returned," Angela said, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her towards the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the illuminated Oriental Military Camp and the city.
The view was nothing short of breathtaking. From their vantage point, they could see the entire camp, with its buildings and streets now brightly lit. But beyond the borders of the Oriental Military Camp, all was shrouded with darkness.
"It's like heaven here and hell there," Lisa comnted.
"True," Denise concurred. "What are the chances that there are still survivors outside the Oriental?"
"Well, brother is doing everything in his power to save as many as he can outside the Oriental. And I wish him all the luck in the world," Lisa replied, her gaze fixed on the distant darkness beyond the camp's borders.
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