Chapter 18: The Coalition
We arrived at Green Lake by mid-morning. The compound had grown since our last visit, more barricades, more guards, more survivors inside the walls.
The guard at the gate recognized us. "You're the group that helped Lucas clear the Convention Center. Go on in. He'll want to see you."
We found Lucas in what looked like a command center, a small office building inside the compound where maps covered the walls and people coordinated supply runs and defense rotations.
"Ethan," Lucas said when he saw us. "Good timing. I was about to send someone to check on you. Heard there was fighting at your base last night."
"News travels fast," I said.
"The General's people have been active. They hit three survivor groups yesterday, including yours." Lucas gestured at a map. "They're consolidating territory, trying to become the dominant power in Seattle. Anyone who doesn't join them gets raided or killed."
"That's why we're here," I admitted. "We need to talk about your coalition."
Lucas smiled, not smug, just understanding. "I thought you might change your mind after last night. Come on, let's talk somewhere private."
He led us to a small office where we could speak without being overheard. Once the door closed, his demeanor became more serious.
"Let me lay out what I'm building here," Lucas said. "The Green Lake Coalition isn't just a survivor camp. It's the foundation of a new society. We've got rules, resource distribution, democratic leadership—"
"Democratic?" I interrupted. "You're not in charge?"
"I'm military leader," Lucas clarified. "Combat decisions, defense strategy, clearing zombie threats. But Captain Sarah handles administration and resource management. We've got a council that votes on major decisions. Nobody has absolute power."
That was... surprisingly enlightened for the apocalypse.
"What would joining entail?" Maya asked.
"You'd maintain your base at Cascade View, it's a good location and we need outposts throughout the city. But you'd be part of our supply network. We share resources, information, military support. When we face major threats, you'd be expected to help. When you need help, we'd provide it."
"What about our supplies?" I asked. "We've stockpiled a lot. Do we have to share everything?"
"You contribute what's fair. Ten percent of resources goes into the communal stockpile for emergencies. The rest is yours. We're not communists, people keep what they earn. But we help each other survive."
"And leadership?" Maya pressed. "Who decides what's fair? Who makes the calls?"
"The council," Lucas said. "Seven members currently. Sarah, me, three other survivor leaders, and two elected representatives. Decisions require majority vote. If you join, you'd be eligible to join the council eventually, you're high-level, capable, with your own territory."
It was a good deal. Better than I'd expected, honestly. Lucas was building something functional, not a dictatorship.
"What about the General's Army?" I asked. "They're not going to stop raiding. Eventually, there'll be conflict."
"I know," Lucas said grimly. "That's why we're building the coalition quickly. Strength in numbers. The General has maybe two hundred fighters now. We've got seventy-five, but we're growing fast. In a month, we'll outnumber him."
"And then what? War?"
"I hope not. I'd rather negotiate, establish territories, avoid bloodshed. But if the General keeps killing innocent survivors..." Lucas's expression hardened. "Then yes, we'll fight. And we'll win."
I looked at Maya and Lisa. Maya gave a slight nod. Lisa nodded more enthusiastically.
"Okay," I said to Lucas. "We're in. Cascade View joins the Green Lake Coalition."
Lucas stood and extended his hand. "Welcome. I'll have Sarah draft the formal agreement. You'll get coalition marks, identification that shows you're under our protection. Raiders will think twice before attacking you."
We shook hands. It felt significant, like we'd just chosen a side in a war that was coming whether we wanted it or not.
"One more thing," Lucas said. "I've been planning a major operation. Week two, we're going to hit a resource cache I found, a National Guard depot with weapons, ammunition, medical supplies. Military-grade gear. I want your team on that mission."
"Why us specifically?" I asked.
"Because you're high-level, you work well under pressure, and I trust you." Lucas pulled out a map showing a location south of Seattle. "This depot could supply the coalition for months. But it's in hostile territory, zombie infested, possibly raiders too. I need people I can count on."
"When?" Maya asked.
"August 29th. Day fourteen. That gives us a week to prepare, recruit more fighters, plan the operation properly."
I considered it. A National Guard depot would have incredible loot. But it would also be extremely dangerous.
"We'll do it," I said. "On one condition."
"Name it."
"You tell me about your SSS-rank ability. How it really works. What its limits are." I met his eyes. "If we're going to fight together, I need to understand your capabilities."
Lucas studied me for a moment. Then he nodded. "Fair. My ability is called Precognition. I can see roughly three seconds into the future, enough to predict attacks, dodge incoming fire, position myself optimally in combat. It's not mind-reading, and it's not perfect. High-level enemies can move so fast that even knowing what they'll do doesn't help. And the skill drains mana quickly, I can only use it actively for about ten minutes before I need to rest."
"That's still incredibly powerful," Maya said.
"It is. It's why I've survived this long, why I can fight enemies above my level. But it's not invincibility." Lucas looked at me. "Now your turn. How did you know about the Sentinel Tower? How did you know the Stormbreaker sword would be there?"
I'd known this question was coming. I'd prepared an answer, not the full truth about transmigration and the novel, but enough truth to be believable.
"I've got a skill," I said carefully. "Reader's Privilege. The System gave it to me as a unique ability. It gives me... intuition about events. Information I shouldn't have. I can't control it, and it's not always accurate, but it warned me about the sword."
It was close enough to the truth to feel honest.
Lucas absorbed this. "So you've got some kind of information advantage. That explains a lot." He didn't press for details. "That's useful. Between my precognition and your information skill, we make a good team."
The door opened. Captain Sarah entered with papers. "Got the coalition agreements ready. Three copies, one for us, one for you, one for records."
We signed quickly. Just like that, we were officially part of the Green Lake Coalition.
"I'll assign you a radio," Sarah said. "Emergency frequency, so you can call for help if needed. And here...." she handed us armbands with a green lake symbol stitched on them. "Coalition identifiers. Wear them when you're in coalition territory."
With paperwork complete, Lucas walked us to the gate.
"One more thing," he said quietly. "I'm glad you joined. You're good people. Smart, capable, not just out for yourselves. Seattle needs more survivors like you."
"We'll see if you still think that after the depot raid," I said, half-joking.
Lucas smiled. "I will. See you in a week for the briefing."
We left Green Lake as official members of the coalition. It felt surreal, seven days ago, I was a homeless teenager running from my abusive family. Now I was a level 6 survivor with a legendary weapon, part of an organized faction, preparing for a military operation.
The apocalypse was strange like that. It destroyed everything, then forced you to rebuild faster than you thought possible.
"So," Maya said as we walked back toward Cascade View. "We're part of Lucas's group now. How do you feel about that?"
"Relieved," I admitted. "And nervous. We just picked a side. That means we've also picked enemies."
"The General's Army," Lisa said.
"Not just them. Any faction that opposes the coalition. Any raiders who want coalition resources. We've made ourselves targets by choosing sides."
"We were already targets," Maya pointed out. "At least now we've got backup."
She was right. Independence had been an illusion anyway. In the apocalypse, you either found a group or you died alone.
We'd found our group.
Now we just had to survive long enough to matter.
---
[END CHAPTER 18]
Current Status:
• Ethan's Level: 6
• Ethan's Points: 586
• Maya's Level: 4
• Lisa's Level: 3
• Faction: Green Lake Coalition (Official Members)
• Base: Cascade View Apartments (Coalition Outpost)
• Next Mission: National Guard Depot Raid (Day 14)
• Days Survived: 7
Days Since Apocalypse: 7 (One Week Complete)
---
*Author's Note: First major arc complete! The team has joined the coalition, established their place in the new world, and set up the next major challenge. Week two will feature the depot raid, faction conflicts, and the growing threat of the General's Army. Power levels are climbing, stakes are rising, and the story is shifting from pure survival to faction warfare. Thanks for reading!*
If you enjoy this chapter, please vote with your Power Stones! It helps a lot! 💎