Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Virginia
The sun had just risen, casting a golden hue across the white walls of the resort. Over five thousand people were gathered in the open central plaza—workers, guards, families, medics, engineers, and volunteers. The tension was heavy in the air, mixed with curiosity and silent hope.
At the makeshift podium, flanked by watchtowers and security, Jessy stepped forward first.
He adjusted the mic and spoke with his signature calm, reassuring tone.
"Everyone," Jessy began, "we built this place because we saw what was coming. Some of us knew early, others came along the way—but now we're all here."
He paused, scanning the crowd.
"This is our home now. And to protect it, we need to stand together. Not as employees or strangers—but as a family. We have food, water, and shelter. But we'll need more than that… We'll need each other."
The crowd nodded and murmured, some clapping softly.
Next up was Ray. He was always the passionate one.
"I'll be blunt!" he said, stepping to the mic. "This world is changing. You've seen the news. The sickness. The chaos."
He raised a hand.
"We're lucky to be here. But don't mistake luck for safety. It won't last unless we make it last! That's why we're not going to sit around. We"ll work and defend.
A few cheers erupted.
Finally, I stepped forward.
Silence fell over the crowd.
I took a breath and looked out over the sea of faces—men, women, children, teens, the elderly. All of them depending on what we'd built here.
"I won't lie to you," I began. "The world we knew is gone. Maybe not officially yet—but soon."
I let that sink in.
"We built this place not just to survive—but to build something better."
"But strength doesn't come from stockpiles or walls. It comes from people."
I looked at the guards to my side. At the farmers behind them. At the children in the front rows, sitting quietly on crates.
"That's why starting today, we're beginning a new system. A new currency. A new way of life."
"We call it: Units."
I held up one of the rugged phones.
"Each of you will have an account. When you work, you earn Units. These Units can be used for extra food, better housing, medicine, tools, even saving up for leadership training or equipment requests."
People began murmuring.
"It's fair. It's transparent. It's earned—not given."
I motioned to Max and the digital board lit up behind me. The first Unit salaries appeared on-screen:
Work & Unit Rewards (Per Day):
Role Daily Units Earned
Handyman - 5 Units
Farmer / Fisherman - 8 Units
Builder / Carpenter = 10 Units
Medic / Nurse = 15 Units
Cook / Food Staff = 7 Units
Janitorial / Cleaners = 6 Units
Teacher / Educator = 9 Units
Blacksmith / Repair Tech = 11 Units
Engineer / Electrician = 15 Units
Doctor = 20 Units
High-Risk Ops (Volunteers) = 20–25 Units
All essential needs (basic food, shelter, water, and medical emergency care) are free. Units are used to access upgrades, luxuries, tools, and rewards.
Food & Meal Upgrades
Extra full meal (meat & sides) = 3 Units
Special snacks (canned goods, chips) = 2 Units
Pack of chocolate or sweets = 4 Units
Coffee or energy drink = 2 Units
Fresh juice or milk = 1.5 Units
Alcohol ration (small bottle/beer) = 5 Units
Housing & Comfort
Basic bunk (free, default housing) = 0 Units
Private room (shared) = 10 Units/wk
Private room (solo, mid-tier) = 20 Units/wk
Luxury suite (resort-style, limited) = 40 Units/wk
Upgrade with fan/heating = +5 Units/wk
Family housing (private cabin) = 30 Units/wk
Tools, Equipment, & Services
Basic toolbox (hammer, nails, etc.) = 8 Units
Hunting knife or survival gear = 12 Units
Flashlight with batteries = 5 Units
Solar power charger (personal) = 20 Units
Radio communicator (short-range) = 15 Units
Repair or tailoring services = 4–10 Units
Bike (manual) = 35 Units
Medical & Health
Scheduled check-up = 2 Units
Cold/fever medicine (over-the-counter) =3 Units
Prescription meds (non-life-saving) = 5–10 Units
Custom diet request = 6 Units/wk
Minor surgery or dental procedure = 25–30 Units
Education & Skill Training
Basic education for kids (free) = 0 Units
Advanced courses (tech, medical, etc.) = 15 Units/month
Combat or firearms training = 10 Units/course
Promotion certification (leadership) = 25 Units/course
Personal Care & Morale Boosters
Hygiene kit (soap, toothbrush, etc) = 2 Units
Haircut or grooming = 1.5 Units
Clothes upgrade (military/civilian) = 6–10 Units
Entertainment credits (movie night) = 3 Units
Personal time in garden/library = 2 Units/hr
"You'll get your Units digitally. You can use them in the internal market. Food and water are already covered—but if you want more comfort, more tools, more freedom, this is how you earn it."
A woman in the front row raised her hand.
"So we don't use money anymore?"
"No," I answered. "Money won't matter soon. Units will."
A former cook smiled, nudging her friend. "Hey, 7 Units for cooking isn't bad. That's more than my last boss paid me."
A teenage boy shouted, "Can we volunteer?"
I nodded. "All volunteers are welcome. But you train first."
More murmurs turned into excited chatter. One of the older men raised a hand, "I used to teach middle school. You got room for teachers?"
"Absolutely," I said, smiling. "We'll need you."
I stepped back to the mic one last time.
"This is more than currency. It's a culture of merit. You work, you earn. You contribute.
I raised a clenched fist.
"No more dead weight. No more waiting for help. We help ourselves. And we help each other."
The crowd erupted into cheers, some clapping, others whistling. People were smiling, whispering, already thinking about where they could best contribute.
That was it.
A new economy.
It was a quiet afternoon—at least on the surface.
A soft breeze rustled through the leaves of the garden I had built weeks ago. Rows of vegetables, herbs, and flowers were already sprouting, tended by volunteers who found peace in the soil. Beside it stood the old resort lounge, now repurposed into a warm, welcoming library—lined with donated books, encyclopedias, farming guides, and even a few classics from my personal collection.
Max approached me on the balcony overlooking the central plaza, tablet in hand. He looked pleased, but I could see the weight behind his eyes—he knew how much this moment meant.
"Sir," he began, "all of the children from the orphanages you've supported across Florida have arrived."
I turned to him, brows raised. "All of them?"
He nodded firmly. "Every last one. Along with their caretakers. That brings our total population to 5,439."
I felt a lump form in my throat. Years ago, when I began pouring money into those orphanages, I wasn't doing it for recognition. I did it because I was one of them once—alone, and abandoned.
Now, they had somewhere to belong. They had me.
Just as Max finished, Troy arrived, walking with purpose and dust on his boots from the ongoing supply logistics.
"Sir," he greeted, nodding. "The squad to Virginia is already en route."
I looked at him seriously. "Which vehicle?"
"One of the armored Humvees. Fully stocked with rations, fuel, medicine, water purification tablets, gear, and ammunition—enough to last a year."
"How many men?"
"Five," Troy replied. "All armed. And most importantly…"—he reached into his jacket—"I gave them one of our satellite radios."
I nodded
Troy pulled out a tablet and displayed a satellite image.
"They're heading to the largest orphanage you ever built—in rural Virginia. Over a hundred children still inside, with only a few dozen adults."
I studied the map carefully.
The estate was massive—a mansion-style property surrounded by a five-meter concrete wall, isolated but accessible. It had wells, gardens, open land, and dense tree lines.
"With minimal upgrades," I murmured, "that place could be turned into another stronghold."
Troy nodded. "Exactly my thoughts, sir."
I looked him in the eye.
"Can we trust them?"
"The captain is one of your original twenty bodyguards," Troy said without hesitation. He's been with you since day one.
That gave me some comfort.
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