Chapter 111 Tessa The Smart Manager


    Lucas instantly came to mind-Theresa remembered him asking for the camp’s radio frequency not long ago. And now, here he was.


    A notification chimed.


    “Theresa,” Tessa said, “we’ve established a connection. Would you like to hear the message?”


    “Go ahead,” she replied.


    With a snap of her fingers, Tessa activated the loudspeaker. The recording began with Lucas’s voice, followed by an unexpected exchange between him and Tessa’s Al interface.


    Lucas had attempted to reach Theresa directly, introducing himself and requesting a conversation about an urgent issue. However, Tessa had intercepted the call, introducing herself in her usual quirky fashion and dering herself Theresa’s smart manager.


    Amused and mildly exasperated, Theresa listened as Lucas informed Tessa that Kl Camp had detected a severe cold front expected by month’s end. Concerned about possible shortages, he proposed a joint expedition to seize control of the central provision depot in the East. Before ending the call, Tessa insisted Lucas give her a proper farewell-something he eventually did after a long pause.


    When the recording ended, Tessa cheerfully asked how she’d done.


    Theresa simply said, “Thanks, Tessa.”


    The AI beamed on screen, spinning yfully. “My pleasure! Shall I’send a response?”


    “Yes,” Theresa said. “Ask what supplies they can contribute, how we’ll split the resources, and how risky the mission is.”


    Without dy, Tessa converted the reply into a signal and transmitted it back to K1 Camp.


    Lucas’s voice crackled through the speaker. “Theresa, the central supply depot in the East is holding over ten thousand tons of grain-rice, corn, wheat-and there’s a major oil reserve on-site too. Security is minimal, with just a skeleton crew, and the surrounding area is wide open and mostly deserted. But here’s the twist-it’s not just a mission for the two of us. I’m hoping our camps can work together, along with a few smaller groups. I’d really like you to be part of this.”


    Theresa immediately grasped the situation. Lucas had spotted a golden opportunity and wanted to loop her in, partly as a way of repaying her past help.


    Of course, with multiple camps involved, her slice of the pie wouldn’t be huge. But since she had nothing to lose-and no clue where the depot was anyway-there was no reason not to take the chance.


    “Sweet Tessa, let Lucas know I’m in,” she said with a smirk. Tessa gave a quick blink and transmitted the


    message.


    Not long after, the radio buzzed again with a male voice: “Great. I’ll send someone to pick up both Ms. Hall and the lovely Tessa shortly.”


    Theresa was left staring at the speaker, utterly speechless.


    “How did you respond to Lucas?” Theresa asked.


    “I didn’t have to,” Tessa replied, her digital eyes glinting with pride. “This is live trantion-they’re hearing everything you’re saying right now!”


    Theresa fell silent, finding no words for that.


    Before long, Tessa chimed in again—an alert shed on the screen. A military transport vehicle had just rolled into their territory. A quick nce at the UAV’s live feed confirmed it: the license te was familiar. Lucas didn’t waste time. Whoever he’d sent clearly knew they of thend.


    The door of the vehicle swung open, and out stepped someone Theresa hadn’t seen in a while-Graham.


    “It’s me!” he called out cheerfully.


    Woof! Woof! Woof!


    Five dogs came bounding out to greet him-Lucky, Cash, Ace, Snowy, and Summer. Grahamughed as he knelt down to pet them. “Still the best weingmittee around!”


    Kyle, who had been sorting supplies nearby, heard the noise and headed over.


    “Graham?” he said in surprise.


    “Hey, Kyle! Guess what-I’m here to pick you up!” Graham grinned. “Looks like we’re teaming up for another mission.”


    Kyle looked puzzled, unsure what was happening.


    Right then, Theresa stepped outside. “Kyle, get your gear ready. We’re heading out with them.”