07. The first settlers

The time passed quite fast. Mario would from time to time get weird reports about Emma's strange actions and would wonder at first.

But lately, she started hoarding animals, plants, all kinds of foods. The food she bought from different kinds of companies all together could feed huge cities for decades. ''Is she donating this stuff?''

He could find traces of buying but where the stuff went no one really knew. After a while, he gave up asking. She is probably donating the stuff but doesn't want to do it under the eyes of the public so she probably is doing it under her hand.

How cute. The funny thing, no matter how much she spent she was able to earn double the amount.

But the last report made him furrow his eyebrows. ''Woman... what are you up to?''

Ammunition to support the whole country in multiple years of fight, bombs, missiles, cars, helicopters.

Her own satellite in space, the whole field of solar panels, wind blades and even nearby river had small hydro energy plants. What is she planing??? Wait... the hell??? She is gathering soldiers and letting them sign a confidentiality agreement.

He smiled suddenly and scratched his three days beard. He pressed the button on the phone and ordered. ''Contact her and tell her whole unit is interested under the condition she provides for families as well.''

Let's see what kind of strange idea this woman has. Or does she has some informations no one else does? His eyes narrowed as he saw the last line. ---Emma Thompson asked Minister of Defense to private dinner.---

Dinner was not like a normal dinner. She sat in a private room in one of the famous restaurants and smiled at five men that sat opposite of her with flabergasted expression.

''You want to do what?'' the Minister of Defense was really stunned and interested in the conversation.

''I actually bought the underground shelter your ministry gave up. I plan to close it completely and disappear out of the world for a few years. I found people that would like to join me in and try to survive inside without direct touch to the outside. We plan to live like in case of catastrophe or worse. I plan to test the human ability to adapt to new space and life.'' She sat there looking completely calm and confident.

''Why?'' he couldn't understand.

''Why not? I am rich. All I wanted to see I did, all I wanted to experience I did. Isn't the next step for humanity to live on other planets. Think of this as a preview to it. Few thousand of people living together for years without to be able to see the outside world. Isn't that a good idea?'' She acted like a spoiled rich woman that just wanted to something fo fun.

The ministers had their own worries but were happy such a test could be done without them wasting state money.

They came to one conclusion. ''Fine. It is accepted. We will talk to the president and ask him to make this piece of land as your own region or private state. If this is successful your name will come into history books.''

She just waves her hand. ''No thank you. Not interested.''

They sighed in relief. They found out she is extremely rich and if she continues gathering money she might as well buy herself island and make her own state its not like she wanted the whole county. Just the estate where the shelter is to be her own zone.

''Do you need any help with the test?'' Minister of Health asked curiously.

Emma Thomson just nodded. ''I will need those that would be interested in such life. I can include their family members as well as we have enough space. I will need teachers, scientists, mechanics and many more. The team you would send to the next planet, only with the whole family. Those that want to join but leave family outside are not welcome. I need them to fully focused on their tasks inside.''

Hearing her words they stopped asking further. It seems she has some of her own plans. The worst thing that can happen she fails, but seeing her so rich they knew she won't lose anything so they just let her play around. She invested a bunch of money into next space exploration just to cover their eyes.

When she left the restaurant her eyes flashed and she chuckled. If they knew only.

The moment she saw huge gates filled with busy peopel she felt happy and content. This time it won't fail. Suddenly she heard a manly voice next to her and she almost jumped. Turning her eyes towards the voice she recognized the man.

''Uhm...Mario whoever right? What are you doing here?'' She was really curious.

''Didn't you ask for units with family members. We all brought our family members heer and are willing to do the task you give us.'' His eyes were for a moment warm but suddenly turned serious.

She turned her head towards multiple trucks filled with people and raised her eyebrows.

''The family members were collected and all brought here. What now?''

Hundreds of people stood in front of a huge metal wall and waited.

A small woman in comfortable jeans and a white shirt climbed on one of the trucks and rose her hands to attract attention. But everyone spoke. She sighed and suddenly heard the manly voice ... ''Let me?''

She shrugged and stepped a bit back to let him stand in front of her. Suddenly strong yell boomed over the people's heads. ''Silence!!!''

Clamors stopped and everyone turned attention to teh small woman that came around him. He sighed and gave her a megaphone. She gratefully smiled, turning her eyes in little crescents.

''One ...two... oh it works...'' Everyone laughed but then it ebbed as she started talking.

''My name is Emma Thompson. You all signed the agreement so I can now openly talk about what will happen now. I invited all of you to join me inside the shelter for the next few years. It will test the possibility of survival in the next stages of human life. The space travels will soon start all over and peopel might want to leave the planet and stay on the planet. But leaving without family will cause them to be unfocused and deconcentrated. So we choose to include whole families in teh process. What if you could do that and start a different life on another planet and never be able to return. Wouldnt be teh best to use what you have and just survive.''

She breathed in and looked at their various expressions. ''Of course, you can give up now and leave, but the moment you do, you definitely all need to go and never have a chance to join again. Why? It's my rule. I will not forgive any mutiny just to tell you that. Our only punishment will be kicking the whole family out of the place and blacklisting them for life. As you all signed the agreement I am not worried that you will talk. But still, do not speak about this until we come out again. After all, this is just a test. Those that are ready to live in the underground for the next decade will go to the right side and enter the busses that will drive you to your accommodations those that give up will be paid for your wasted days and will be sent back home with trucks. Please choose now.''

She just climbed down and sat in her newest armored car that came on the market. Actually all the cars, trucks and other vehicles she changed into bulletproof and durable to any kind of attack.

Mario stared at teh care disappearing in front of his eyes as his eyebrows scrunched more and more. He knew this type of vehicle. Having so many safe cars on the same spot is not normal.

His crew surrounded him and awaited further orders. ''Did you bring all the family members?''

Everyone nodded except two men. ''My mother is still on the plane and his wife is somewhere in the bus. We need to wait for them.''

''Boss, this situation...'' All of them were veterans and knew when the situation turns like this it is not just some stupid excuse like a test.

''She used this idea to stop those people in digging too much into her secrets and movements. It seems this thing is real. Jackson takes the helicopter and get your wife. Patrick, you take the other one and get your mother. It seems this place will turn ugly soon.'' He gave everyone duties and took long steps into the huge gaping mouth of his future home.

But he didn't feel uncomfortable... At all...