New days – new problems.

So, it seems to you that the “flame” of another problem has been extinguished. For a while.

In the following days, your daily routine continues.

Organizational work as a mayor of The Green Oasis requires intellectual strength, willpower, eloquence, and patience with the shortcomings of subordinates.

Your character becomes more demanding and strong-willed.

The habit of leading little by little affects your person.

You justify these changes by the fact that you are responsible for the lives of everyone in the settlement, for the general well-being.

And this is true.

Although, some are clearly unhappy.

For example: in order to comply with the new laws regarding living in the isolated ghoul’s quarter, it was necessary not only to separate this area from the main territory of the settlement with a wall.

It was also necessary to allocate additional squads of guards for patrols and the capture of violators.

According to the new rules, just as ghouls are forbidden to stay in other quarters for more than a day, so the rest of the inhabitants of The Green Oasis are forbidden to stay in the ghoul’s quarter for more than a day.

Therefore, the guards have to constantly catch violators.

And also: violators must be punished.

For this purpose, you ordered the construction of a prison. This prison is located a little away from the settlement – ​​in one of the rooms close to the surface of that very old bunker, the continuation of the exploration of the territory of which you ordered.

By the way: the removal of rubble and exploration of the dark underground corridors of the bunker are progressing, albeit slowly.

Ben and Gregory the Scribe constantly report to you on the progress of this exploration.

So, you continue to lead the growing settlement.

Day after day passes. Month after month.

How much time has passed since you and your small group left the mountain settlement of your tribe?

Probably about two years have passed...

Among the population of The Green Oasis, the majority are no longer windriders. Due to the influx of refugees, the number of ordinary humans has increased. Windriders now make up less than half of the inhabitants.

The settlement is expanding.

New houses are being built.

Defenses such as walls and towers are being erected.

Trade with other settlements allows you to exchange surplus food for various useful things.

But...

It is in the sphere of trade that the following problems have arisen.

Your settlement really has a lot of food.

Extremely high soil fertility contributes to this.

But your settlement needs a constant influx of medicines, building materials, ammunition, tools and other things.

The things that were found in an abandoned, dilapidated bunker are good. But these things have long been in short supply. Only trade with other settlements allows you to satisfy the growing needs of the inhabitants of The Green Oasis.

And so, in such circumstances, one evening in your office, Ben and Tina, finishing their usual reports on events in the city and other routine, tell you something alarming.

"Dar... something strange is happening..." - Tina says timidly.

You look questioningly into her beautiful dark brown eyes.

"Captain... Hmm... Mister mayor! I am embarrassed to talk about this. But my people from distant patrols confirm the presence of a serious problem..." - Ben's voice shows concern.

"Are you both kidding me?! If it is so important - then shouldn't you have said it right away, instead of wasting time discussing routine things like another punishment for violators of the laws?! Tell me - what is the problem?" - you exclaim impatiently, demandingly looking at your subordinates.

"Trade caravans... They have not come to the settlement for too long..." - Tina says.

"What direction are we talking about? The northern direction?" you ask.

"That applies to all directions... There have been no caravans for a month now. There are still enough things in the warehouses... But if this continues, the situation will get worse." Ben says.

"What have you done to find out the reasons? Or did you decide that I would come up with a solution for you?" you ask grumpily.

"A week ago, scout groups were sent out to remote areas of wastelands in all directions..." Tina's voice sounds like she wants to justify herself.

"Results?" - you already have a premonition of some kind of shit.

Your two closest assistants exchange worried glances.

Tina looks guiltily at the floor.

Ben sighs and answers your question: "Of the four patrols, only one returned. The rest disappeared without a trace. The fourth patrol found the remains of a looted trade caravan in the south. Lots of corpses. No valuables."

You nervously tap your fingers on the wood of the table, thinking about the situation.

Finally, you say: "It seems that someone is trying to isolate our settlement in a blockade ring and cut off all trade links. Begin mobilizing the militia immediately. I need everyone who can hold a weapon in their hands!"

"The threat is still unclear... Maybe it's not that bad... Mobilizing the entire militia without specific goals can cause discontent among the inhabitants of the settlement..." - a mixture of fear and uncertainty is felt in Tina's voice.

"I am the mayor of The Green Oasis. I make decisions. The protection of the settlement is the duty of every resident in accordance with the law. For residents who do not want to comply with the requirements of the law, there is a prison. Both of you can begin to carry out my orders." - your tone of voice sounds peremptory.

Ben and Tina bow to you and leave your office.

The premonition of an impending threat in your mind is growing stronger.

At night, you are unable to fall asleep right away.