At 10:00 AM. on Day 212, Egon and Alfred returned to the water station. Alfred walked on his own. But his face was pale. His movement was stiff.
A few minutes after, Egon called everyone together.
"Today I bring you good news." he began.
"Where is Charlotte?" Monica immediately asked. "Why isn't she here?"
"She's dead." Egon said.
They all were shocked. "How did it happen?" Monica asked.
"She was killed." Egon answered.
"By who?" Kastner asked.
"A group of extreme Miners." Egon answered.
"Like, children?" Steffi asked.
"No, mine workers. A group of savages from the outside. They were very evil. And we killed them all. Don't think about it twice."
"Why are we just hearing of this?" Professor Kastner asked.
"It wasn't worth mentioning, really. As I said, don't think about it. They don't exist anymore."
"we're being fattened for aliens. Aren't we?" steffi asked.
Egon ignored him. "I have good news to deliver." He paused to build anticipation. "I am pleased to formally announce that our mission is complete. All objectives achieved."
"You found the survivors?" kastner asked.
"Yes, we have successfully located the group of survivors." Egon's smile was unshaken.
"So they're safe?"
"They're dead." Egon said lightly. "Can't really send signal from a grave."
The professor's face fell. A mixture of sadness and acceptance crossed his features. "How did it happen?"
"Extremists. Terrorists. Whichever you prefer." Egon said, still smiling, almost mocking. "Very bad people. Very, very bad people."
"This is a serious threat," Kastner said. "We must return to the shelter."
Egon's tone softened. "We are safe here. You are safe here. All of you, as long as you stay me and Alfred."
"How come?" Kastner asked, "Charlotte was close to you. Wasn't she?"
"We've eliminated the terrorists we could find. The danger is no more." Egon said firmly. "And we'll keep looking out." Egon replied.
"So you intend to stay here?" Professor Kastner asked with suspicion.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, we are considering staying here. For at least six months." Egon said.
"No, we're supposed to go inside," Monica said anxiously. "It's not safe out there, isn't this what the council says?"
"The outside is not safe," Egon agreed. "But the station is. We have clean air, water, and the supply shipment is six hours away. It could last for decades."
Kastner's voice dropped. "You never planned to return. Did you?"
"Not in the near future, No."
Silence stretched.
Kastner asked again. "And the communication loss?"
"Yes." Egon said, his smile sharpened. "It's all my doing. I blew it apart. I also blew some storage units. Food. tools, medicine. All gone. I left the weapons, of course. And the water pipes feed a swamp now."
Monica's voice cracked. "Why in the fuck would you do that?"
"To reduce the numbers." her dad murmured.
"Exactly!" Egon beamed. "I knew you'd see it."
A heavy silence hung in the air until Alfred spoke.
"You have a choice," He said. His voice was weak, but steady. "Go back to the shelter—risk your life for a chance to survive. Or stay here in this safe haven. Watch the greenery shine in the sunlight every morning."
Egon spread his hands, still smiling. "Take your time to choose. Risk? Or a life worth living? If you decide to leave, take one of the two vehicles here and head to the wall as fast as you can. But don't be an asshole—ask your fellow survivors if they want to come with."
One by one, the answer formed, not spoken but understood. They stayed.