OutBreak Survival

"We'll stop for now with these," you say, answering C.C. "We need to give them their choices before we return to the ship and consider the results."

You face the three women still processing their resurrections. "Girls, we're going upstairs to talk in the main room. Unless you want to sit here in the dark without power, I advise following."

Your Spectral Hand floats ahead, casting brilliant white light up the stairwell. Ashley scrambles after it immediately, Jessica hesitating only a moment before following. Amanda glances around the dimming room, then hurries to catch up.

The group climbs back through darkness until sunlight through broken windows floods the main library floor. Dust motes drift through afternoon rays. Your people spread out naturally - Rin positioning near the circulation desk, Kurumi settling against a bookshelf with clear sightlines, Albedo choosing a position that blocks the main exit. Maria sits on a study table edge. Rika remains standing, rifle ready.

You gesture toward some intact chairs arranged in a rough semicircle. "Please, Sit."

The three women sit hesitantly, clustered together like prey animals. Ashley's hands won't stop moving, touching her face, her arms, confirming she's real. Jessica keeps staring at Albedo's wings. Amanda's breathing comes too fast.

"Questions first," you say, taking a seat opposite them. "Then I'll explain what's happened and what choices you have."

"What year is it?" Ashley asks immediately.

"Still 2024. Wednesday afternoon. The zombie outbreak started almost four weeks ago."

Jessica makes a strangled noise. "Four weeks? I've been dead for four weeks?"

"Close enough," you correct. "According to the sheet on your corpse, You died three days into the outbreak. That was just over three weeks ago."

Amanda's voice shakes. "My family - my parents, my sister-"

"Probably dead, sorry." you say flatly. "Most major cities fell within two weeks. Seattle went dark twelve days in. Portland the day after that."

Amanda doubles over, sobbing.

Ashley's gaze locks on you. "You said we're dead. Past tense. You brought us back. How?"

"Magic," you reply simply. "Resurrection spell."

"That's - magic isn't real-"

Your Spectral Hand drifts closer to her face. She flinches back.

"Magic is real, germs evolved while the government attempted to disprove magic." you say. "Zombies are real, a virus or disease that evolved magic before humans could prove magic to the government. Dimensional travelers-" you gesture toward Albedo, Robin, Rin "Various anime and game characters - are real, for an unknown reason they started dropping into this world. The world you knew ended four weeks ago when a madman shipped the zombie problem across the world before anybody could detect it."

Jessica finds her voice. "Why? Why bring us back?"

"Testing," you answer honestly. "Resurrection is a new capability. I needed to understand how it works, If it would work, what the psychological effects are, whether it's viable as a strategic tool."

"We're experiments?" Ashley's voice rises sharply.

"You were corpses," you counter. "Now you're alive. Whether that's better depends on what you do next."

Amanda looks up through tears. "What do you mean?"

"You have choices," you say. "First choice: you were resurrected without your consent. As agreed beforehand, if you want to be dead, I'll kill you. Clean, instant. No pain."

All three women stare.

"Second choice: I can teleport you anywhere you want. There are communities forming - some land-based, some Navy vessels. I have contacts. I can get you to safety, or at least to people trying to survive together."

Ashley leans forward slightly. "Or we could stay with-"

"No," you cut her off immediately. "The sanctuary I've built is for dimensional travelers. The only way you'd be allowed to stay with us is as half-naked servants. Likely sexual. I doubt that's an option you'll accept."

All three faces show revulsion.

"As expected," you say. "So your real choices are: death, teleportation to a survivor community, or walk out that door and try your own second chance at surviving the zombie apocalypse."

Jessica's voice is barely audible. "Those are terrible choices."

"I didn't say they were good choices. They are however the choices I can offer, a choice that most of humanity didn't get." you reply. "We all heard it before, life and reality doesn't care about fair."

You settle into a chair, hands folded. "I'll answer whatever you need to know before you decide."

Ashley speaks first, voice shaking. "You said there are communities. What kind? Where?"

"Navy vessels are your best option for normal and functioning," you reply. "Captain Webb's coalition is rebuilding fuel supply routes globally. Ships, multiple tankers, coordinated distribution. They have power, food systems, medical facilities."

Jessica looks up. "What about on land? Cities?"

"Sacramento and Los Angeles are becoming travel hubs. Phoenix has a militant community taking over. All three have people working toward electrical grid restoration, but it's slow. Months, maybe years before anything resembles normal."

Amanda's voice is barely audible. "My family lived in Seattle. You said they're probably dead."

"Most major cities were overrun within the first week," you confirm. "The more people, the more dependent on constant resupply and travel. When those stopped because of the zombies... People start fighting over food. I'm sorry."

She doubles over again, sobbing. Ashley reaches toward her hesitantly, then pulls back.

"If we choose teleportation," Jessica says slowly, "you just... send us there? No strings?"

"I'll scry first, make sure you're not appearing in the middle of a zombie horde or hostile territory. Then I teleport you, done."

Rika shifts her rifle. "Navy integration means military discipline. Structure. Rules. Some people need that."

"Some people can't handle it," Rin counters. "Depends on the person."

Ashley looks between your group members. "You're all together. Why can't we-"

"I already explained," you interrupt. "Half-naked servants. Sexual availability. That's the only option for staying with us, and I doubt any of you want that."

All three faces show revulsion again.

"Exactly," you say. "So your real choices are Navy vessels, land communities, or walking out that door to try surviving alone."

Amanda looks up through tears. "Or you kill us."

"If you request it, I kill you," you agree. "Clean. Instant. If that's what you want."

Silence stretches. Robin's sprouted eyes track the approaching zombies outside. Kurumi watches with clinical interest. Maria stands perfectly still.

Finally Ashley speaks. "I want... I want to go to the Navy. I can code, I can help with systems. I need structure right now."

You nod. "Understood. I'll arrange it."

Jessica hesitates longer. "I was studying psychology. Maybe... maybe I could help people. On one of the Navy ships. If they need that."

"They do," you confirm. "Survivor trauma is widespread. Your skills would be valuable."

Amanda's voice breaks. "Send me back. Please. I can't... everyone's dead. My parents, my sister, everyone I knew. Just send me back."

Ashley makes a strangled noise. "Amanda, you don't mean-"

"I do," Amanda whispers. "I don't want to be here. I didn't ask to come back. Please."

You stand, gesturing toward Ashley and Jessica. "I'll teleport you first. Amanda, wait here."

"Scry." You focus your attention outward, magical sight rushing across California.

The USS Portland's flight deck materializes in your mind's eye - clear, empty save for a few crew members securing equipment. Perfect.

"Message," you say, directing your words through the spell. "Captain Webb, two survivors teleporting to your flight deck in thirty seconds. Both requested Navy integration. One's a coder, one's got psychology training."

Webb's voice returns immediately through the magical channel. "Understood. Medical standing by."

You turn to Ashley and Jessica. "Ready?"

Ashley nods shakily. Jessica clutches her arms around herself.

Your Spectral Hand floats to Ashley first, settling on her shoulder. "Teleport."

Mana drains - Ashley vanishes in a flash of white light.

The hand moves to Jessica. "Teleport."

Another flash. Gone.

Silence fills the library. Your group forms a loose circle around Amanda, who stands in the center, arms wrapped tight around herself. Tears still streak her face.

"Amanda," you say evenly. "Before I honor your request, I need to test something. Mind control spells. Charm Person and Dominate Person specifically."

Her head snaps up. "What? No! You said you'd kill me, not-"

"Brad," Rin interrupts sharply. "That's fucked up."

"I agree." You meet Rin's gaze. "She's already chosen death. Testing on her serves dual purpose - we learn how these spells function, and she gets what she asked for afterward. If I can cast mind control, others can too. We need to know how it works, what the tells are, how to resist it."

C.C. speaks quietly. "You know it's against your ethics, but still testing mind control spells."

"Yes," you reply. "On someone who's already chosen death."

Kurumi tilts her head. "Pragmatic. I see few timelines where similar testing occurs. Results vary dramatically."

Maria crosses her arms, expression calculating. "You're saying this is intelligence gathering. Testing on dimensional travelers or allies would be unethical. Testing on someone who's chosen death anyway is at least efficient."

"While efficient, not something I'll be celebrating about." you confirm. "If someone tries this on any of us, we need to recognize it immediately. This provides that data."

Rika's voice is flat. "Logical. Efficient use of available resources. Still fucked up."

Albedo nods slowly. "Pragmatic. The strategic value outweighs the ethical discomfort. She has already consented to cessation."

"I didn't consent to being your fucking lab rat!" Amanda's voice breaks. "Just kill me already!"

You're already casting. "Charm Person."

Mana flows - twenty-five points draining. The spell settles over Amanda like invisible silk.

Her expression shifts immediately. The tension in her shoulders eases. She blinks, looks at you with sudden warmth.

"Brad?" Her voice softens. "I... sorry, I was being dramatic. You're just trying to help, right?"

C.C. makes a low noise. "Complete personality rewrite. Instant."

You step closer. "Amanda, how do you feel about me?"

"You're... you're great." She smiles, tears still wet on her cheeks. "I mean, you brought me back. That was incredible. I was being selfish, asking you to... I shouldn't have..."

"What about your family?" you ask. "Your sister, your parents?"

Her smile falters slightly. "They're gone. That's... that's sad. But you're here. You've been so kind to me." She reaches toward you hesitantly. "Can I... can I hug you?"

Robin's sprouted eyes track every micro-expression. "False memory construction? She's inventing history to justify current feelings."

"No, not false memory creation, just reinterpretation. The memory of the conversation shouldn't have changed, the spell however changes her perception as being told by a trusted friend." You correct before testing further. "Amanda, would you be willing to obey the group as a half-naked servant?"

Her face lights up. "Of course! I mean, if that's what you need, Brad. You've been so kind to me, I want to help however I can."

"Then take off your shirt and pants. Show us you're ready for your new job."

Her smile falters. She takes a step back. "I... no. That's not... I mean, I'd do it if I had to survive, but you wouldn't actually make me do that."

"Interesting, and good." you murmur. "Charm Person creates emotional reinterpretation - she views me as a trusted friend now, which means she applies friend boundaries to requests. A dangerous stranger or authority figure might get compliance, but friends don't humiliate friends."

Rika nods slowly. "Social context matters. The spell doesn't override her entire value system."

"Dominate Person." Mana drains - forty points. The spell settles over Amanda like a second skin.

Her posture goes rigid. Eyes unfocus slightly.

Take off your shirt and pants. Pose for us.

Amanda's hands move to her shirt hem. She pulls it over her head mechanically, revealing a simple white bra. Tears stream down her face as she wipes them away with one hand, then unbuttons her jeans. She steps out of them, standing in bra and panties, arms at her sides.

"She's crying," Maria observes quietly. "Still aware. Still herself."

Walk to that bookshelf. Straighten the books.

Amanda moves immediately, fingers organizing spines with careful precision.

Return here. Kneel.

She obeys instantly, dropping to her knees in front of you.

"Full compliance," you announce. "She retains consciousness, personality, interpretation of orders. But I doubt she can resist or deliberately misinterpret. Verbal and telepathic control both work."

Albedo's golden eyes narrow. "You intend to keep her."

"That's the question," you reply. "She chose death because her family's gone and she has nothing here. Decent reason, but selfish by her own admittance. We could kill her now, honor her request - or we could use her. Put her to work."

Rika's expression hardens. "You're talking about slavery."

"Governments have done it for decades," you counter. "Taxes, conscription, prison labor, suicide prevention. Amanda chose death. I'm offering her productive servitude instead. Also Rika, you remember Riveria's deal - I'm conquering Alfheim, which means thousands of deaths and needing childcare. Amanda could be the first of many I dominate for that work. Unless you're volunteering for decades of diaper changes?"

"That's not the same and you fucking know it," Rika snaps.

C.C. speaks evenly. "You're suggesting indefinite mind control slavery as preferable to honoring a death request."

"Not indefinite, we'll keep a record of their starting conditions and date like any occupation and release them once the cost of their survival has been paid, Plus with benefits no government ever provided," you reply. "Sustenance, Vigor, Aging Reversal, Regenerate. She'll finish service the same age or younger than she started. Hell, that's a selling point - work for me, don't age. They might hate me when I eventually give them their autonomy back, but they'll be alive and healthy."

Rin crosses her arms. "You're rationalizing."

"Partially, I'm being pragmatic. Should we swing back to Dallas Costco? Charm or Dominate those three traumatized women? They're invalid right now, easily victimized. Time under mind control lets them stabilize."

"Brad," Robin says quietly, "this is wrong."

Kurumi tilts her head. "I see several timelines. Some where you kill the girl now. Some where you keep her. It's too early to know about results."

Maria's violet eyes are cold. "The consent context doesn't include 'I'll force you to consent later.' That's the opposite of consent."

Amanda, put your clothes back on and step outside. Hold the door open.

She moves immediately, pulling on her jeans and shirt with mechanical precision. Tears still stream down her face as she walks to the library entrance, pushing the heavy door wide and standing in the threshold.

"This is exactly why I asked a larger group to come," you say, turning to face the others. "If it was just me, Albedo, and Kurumi, we'd probably be returning with four mind-controlled slaves right now."

Rika's jaw tightens. Her rifle shifts slightly in her grip.

"Rika," you continue evenly, "would you please put a bullet through the defenseless mind-controlled girl's head to comply with her request?"

"You're phrasing it that way specifically to piss me off," Rika snaps.

"Yes," you agree. "I am. Because I agree with all of you that mind control violates the resurrection consent agreement. That doesn't mean I have to enjoy accepting that a young woman depressed about her dead parents is asking us to kill her. Especially when she admitted it while charmed, and the benefits of my 'slavery' are objectively better than any occupation in known history." emphasizing the word with air quotes.

C.C. watches you carefully. "You're backing down."

You pause, turning to C.C., "That makes it sound like I was in opposition." before turning back to Rika." Kill her as she requested, I'll keep the hiring idea for later consideration."

Rika stares at you for three long seconds. Then she raises her rifle, steps past you toward the door.

Amanda stands perfectly still in the doorway, holding it open. Tears continue falling. Her expression shows awareness - she knows what's happening, knows she can't stop it.

"I'm sorry," Rika says quietly.

The rifle cracks once. Amanda's head snaps back. She drops instantly, body crumpling on the concrete outside. The door swings shut behind her with a soft click.

Silence fills the library. Maria's violet eyes are cold. Robin looks away. Kurumi tilts her head, studying your expression with clinical interest.

"You backed down," Albedo observes. "Strategic flexibility or genuine moral limit?"

"Neither and both," you reply. "The idea has merit for future consideration. Using it on someone who chose death crosses the line we agreed on."

Rin exhales slowly. "Good. Because that was fucked up, Brad."

"I agree, you don't hear me celebrating about it." You check your mana - still 209/280 personal, Network at 1,073,807/5,008,300. "A few zombies still in the area. We leave now or deal with them first."

Rika chambers another round without looking at you. "Your call."

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!