December 9th, 2023. At Sugarloaf Mountain. Richard stood at the best viewing spot, flanked by Sara on his left and Lisa on his right. His arms were casually draped over their shoulders, The air was crisp and clear, providing an unobstructed view of the expansive landscape below.

The view was beautiful, with trees dotting the landscape and the distant horizon stretching out before them.

Sara, observing the calm scenery, remarked, "It’s surreal, isn’t it? Out here, it feels like the world hasn’t changed."

Lisa, still looking around, added thoughtfully, "Yeah, it’s strange. There are places like this that seem untouched, while the rest of the world is... you know."

Richard nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "It’s the contrast that makes it even more striking. That’s why in any outbreak, sparsely populated areas like this are safer. Fewer people, fewer problems."

Graves, who had been standing a respectful distance away, approached them. "Sir, the barbeque is ready."

"I see, let’s return then," Richard said and made their way toward the area set up for the barbecue. The President of the United States had arranged this as a farewell gift for the Blackwatch team before their return to the Philippines. It was an informal picnic, a gesture of gratitude and camaraderie in the midst of global chaos.

The aroma of grilled meat filled the air as they approached the picnic area. A large grill was sizzling with an assortment of meats, and nearby tables were laden with various sides and condiments.

President Barry, donning a casual chef’s apron, greeted them with a warm smile. "Glad you could make it, Richard. Consider this a small token of our nation’s appreciation for what Blackwatch is doing."

"Didn’t know you could grill, Mr. President," Richard remarked with a light-hearted tone, as he shook President Barry’s hand.

President Barry laughed, "Well, Richard, there are many things you pick up when you’re leading a country. Grilling happens to be one of the more enjoyable ones."

As they settled around the grill, each member of the Blackwatch team helped themselves to the barbecue. The grill was full of various meats, from juicy steaks to tender chicken, all cooked to perfection under President Barry’s watchful eye. The side tables were filled with classic barbecue accompaniments: coleslaw, baked beans, corn on the cob, and a variety of salads.

Richard, Sara, and Lisa filled their plates and found a spot at one of the picnic tables. Graves, ever vigilant, took a modest portion before resuming his watchful stance a short distance away.

The team ate mostly in silence, savoring the delicious food and the tranquil environment. The President joined them at the table, engaging in light conversation. He shared stories about past barbecues and outdoor events at the White House, creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Lisa, usually quiet, seemed to enjoy the meal immensely, occasionally expressing her delight in the flavors. Sara and Mark occasionally exchanged thoughts on the taste and quality of the food, appreciating the break from their usual rations.

Throughout the meal, the President’s security detail remained discreetly on the periphery, ensuring the group’s safety while maintaining a respectful distance to allow for a private and relaxed gathering.

"So what’s your plan, Mr. President, if we kill Lin Feng?" Richard asked.

"Hmm..." Barry took a bite of his barbeque before answering. "We will rebuild of course. Rebuilding will be a massive effort, not just physically but socially and economically as well. We’ll need to restore law and order, rebuild communities, and reestablish global trade and relations. It’s going to be a long road to recovery, but we’re prepared to take it on."

Richard, after listening to President Barry’s vision of rebuilding, posed another crucial question, "What about the countries where the government has completely collapsed? What’s the plan for those regions?"

President Barry set down his fork, pondering the question. "That’s a significant concern. In places where governments have collapsed, the situation is more complex. Our priority will be to stabilize these regions, possibly through peacekeeping missions or humanitarian aid. We will collaborate with international organizations like the United Nations and NATO to help establish interim governance structures."

"But there is no United Nations or NATO because the representatives of those countries are gone...right?" Richard said.

"You’re correct, Richard. The traditional structures we relied on have been severely compromised. However, we’re working on establishing new channels of communication and coordination with whoever is left in charge, or whoever has stepped up to fill the void in these countries."

"Haven’t you considered...taking over those countries?" Richard asked, his tone taking a more serious turn.

The question momentarily caught President Barry off guard, his expression turning contemplative. "Taking over isn’t the right term," he replied cautiously. "Our goal isn’t to exploit this crisis for territorial gains. It’s about providing stability and support where it’s needed most. If a region is completely devoid of governance and is in chaos, our intervention would be strictly humanitarian and aimed at rebuilding, not conquering. Why would you even ask that question?"

"Nothing special really, I just think it would be a cool idea, you know?" Richard said, chuckling. "Like, come on, Mr. President, this is a new world brought by Lin Feng. A new order must be made right?"

"Is the reason why you ask that because you want to take over the world after this crisis?" Barry asked, his brows narrowing.

"Oh—don’t look at me like I’m going to actually do that, Mr. President, it was just a random thought that crossed my mind," Richard quickly clarified with a slight smile, trying to lighten the mood.

Well, in Richard’s mind, unifying the world after this crisis would be a better choice. Why, because he doesn’t want some form of systems that plagued the world before the apocalypse to return. He understood some of Lin Feng’s goals as to why he wanted to eradicate humanity even though the justification wasn’t enough to genocide the entire human race. The world was indeed broken in many ways before the outbreak, but Richard believed in fixing it rather than annihilating it.

As the barbecue wound down, and they started to clean up, Richard shared his thoughts with the team. "Later, we are going to return to the Philippines and continue our fight with Lin Feng. This is where things are starting to get more serious and tough now. Lin Feng is going to be more proactive and we should be on our guard. Like I said, we are going to finish this war within the year 2024."