This was something she should have explained to everyone from the start.
"You probably don’t know this, but while Levi Young usually just makes medicine for everyone, he’s no ordinary Pharmacist. He used to work at the Central City Research Institute, where he specialized in researching an Antidote for the Zombie Virus—and he made progress. The Type III Zombie Antidote currently sold at the Central City Apothecary is partly thanks to his contributions. But a place like The Research Institute... I don’t need to tell you what it’s like. A young man like him, even a genius, isn’t just handed a major project. That’s why he came here with me. His greatest wish is to find a complete cure for the Zombie Virus. And the Zombie you all captured is clearly very special. He believes it has immense research value and might be the key to developing the Antidote."
"So, after he was able to ensure the Zombie was completely incapacitated, and with my permission, he took it back to his lab."
"As a precaution, after careful consideration, I also sent Ben to assist him. No matter what, the safety of our base members is the number one priority. I am absolutely certain of this."
"And speaking of Ben, let’s talk about the second matter you brought up."
Paige Summers looked at the young man again.
"You don’t understand why Ben didn’t show up that night? In that case, I can only say you’re not qualified to be a member of The Guard!" After a pause, she turned to Mason Hayes beside her. "Captain Hayes, you tell him why I say that!"
Mason Hayes took a deep breath and nodded.
He scanned every member present, his eyes blazing, and shouted, "The Deputy Base Chief was overseeing the battle that night, and I was in full command. Do you really not understand why we didn’t call for heavy reinforcements from the base? Think back to our time in Southreach! Every single one of us had to leave the city at the crack of dawn to hunt! Why? Because we needed to eat, to have clothes, to live better! Back then, we were a sharp blade! A blade that could sever the head of any Zombie or Mutant Beast! But look at yourselves since we came here! What have you become? You’ve started becoming reluctant to leave the base. You don’t want to take risks anymore. You’re starting to just wait around to die!"
Mason Hayes roared with all his might, his nostrils flaring as he gasped for breath, clearly enraged.
"But have you ever stopped to think that if you keep sinking this low, you’ll all become a bunch of useless trash!"
"Can the safety of this base be protected by a bunch of useless trash?!"
"Yes, there’s no shortage of food or drink in the base, but if you can’t even defend it and have to rely on others, why should the base support a bunch of useless trash?!"
"If you want to keep on living well, then you need to repay the base that provides for you with every ounce of your strength! You have a duty to fight for it, even to the death!"
"It pains me when we lose team members, but can any battle be without casualties? When you see your fallen comrades, your job isn’t to blame others. It’s to reflect on yourselves and ask, ’If that were me, would I have had what it takes to survive?’"
"..."
All the members present were berated until they were thoroughly ashamed. Mason Hayes’s frustration was so intense, it was as if he wanted to crack open their skulls and rip out all their foolish ideas!
In the end, after the group was sent to the training grounds for punishment with grim faces, the young man who had spoken up for his "brother" was taken away by Mason Hayes for individual punishment.
As for what would happen to him, Paige Summers didn’t pay it any further mind.
She quickly drew up a list of names for the upcoming departure and had Mason Hayes go assemble the team.
When Mason Hayes received the list, he looked like he wanted to say something several times but held his tongue. He wanted to explain, but he just couldn’t find the words.
Paige Summers smiled and said frankly, "You don’t have to say anything. I understand. When you have a lot of people, you inevitably have a lot of different opinions. I won’t hold this against you or anyone else. Marcus Monroe trusts you, and so do I. Besides, if we’re really going to assign blame, I was also derelict in my duty. After all, few people can think of danger when they are in comfort. We should probably keep a little pressure on everyone..."
"I understand. You can rest assured, this kind of thing will never happen again!" Mason Hayes promised.
Paige Summers nodded and said no more.
The incident wasn’t major, but it served as a wake-up call for her.
A small kindness earns gratitude, but give too much and you create resentment.
The base’s management system still had its flaws. Fundamentally, they shouldn’t have been allowed to develop such a sense of dependency.
She took this opportunity to call another meeting with the administrative staff remaining at the base.
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