Chapter 727: Chapter 727: Electric Fence

"Jonas Lucas said that once the electric fence is up, they’ll electrify it. Any person or animal that touches it will get a shock. It’s a bit dangerous, but it should deter those who try to sneak into our territory."

"Were they badly hurt?"

Wendy shrugged. "Not really. Two slashes to the abdomen and shoulder. He seemed full of energy when I saw him, so I figure he’ll be back to normal in no time."

"And that’s not serious?" Evelyn Ford didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

"I spend all my time at the hospital these days. A case like that isn’t considered serious, not really. At least all his limbs are intact. Once he’s healed, it won’t affect his quality of life."

Wendy had a point. Having survived this long, all anyone could ask for was to have their body and mind intact. Fortunately, the base was relatively humane. Even with how difficult conditions were, they didn’t abandon the elderly, the disabled, or the mentally infirm.

"It’s not easy for the base. It’s incredibly difficult to manage every single aspect of keeping so many people alive. Actually, the leadership is divided on what to do with those who can no longer work. Some administrators believe that since they’ve lost their ability to work and can’t contribute to the base, and they’re living in pain anyway, euthanasia should be an option. Of course, if someone were to accept euthanasia, their family would receive some compensation. But other administrators think that’s too cruel. They hold a deep reverence for life and believe that as long as a person is alive, no one has the right to end their life."

Wendy sighed after listening. "Both sides have a point. Some people are truly in agony just being alive. It’s hard on the medical staff and even harder on their families. It might be better to just let go and put an end to all the suffering. But looking at it another way, if we let them choose euthanasia, even if it’s their own choice, the other residents would definitely question the base’s methods. That would be terrible for morale and unity, especially since the base is focused on stable development right now."

As for the final outcome, that wasn’t something they could decide.

Wendy rested at the small courtyard for a day before returning to work at the hospital. Evelyn Ford had everyone continue planting vegetables in the space.

「On the second Sunday」

Wendy returned and told everyone that the electric fence along the border was complete. The base had powered it up, so they no longer had to worry about outsiders coming to seize territory or cause trouble.

In addition, Wendy brought back another piece of news.

"Those people who were paralyzed from the poisoning... they all chose euthanasia. They’re the ones who brought it up with the hospital. They said they didn’t want to go on living in misery. The hospital reported it to the base leadership, and after several days of discussion, they finally approved it."

Wendy’s mood was noticeably more somber this time. The whole affair had hit her hard.

Officer Graham talked with her for several hours before she was able to work through her feelings on the matter.

Evelyn Ford and Ronan Kendrick would occasionally take a stroll through the base. A small playground had even been built by the lake, where many children and elderly people gathered to exercise each day. The base itself was growing larger, now more than double the size it was a year ago. Though the roads were still dirt, a water truck came by to spray them down daily, and the roadsides were lined with trees and Four Seasons Green.

Sometimes, Evelyn Ford would run into old acquaintances. Everyone was working hard and trying to live their lives. Dr. Turner finally had a new set of clothes and shoes, but he was busier than ever.

Yolanda Lawrence and the others could now stand on their own two feet. They had moved into better houses and were earning more than they had a year ago.

Everyone and everything was getting better.

Evelyn Ford and Ronan Kendrick sat on a bench by the lake, feeling the cold wind blow. She’d been feeling a bit melancholy lately.

"What’s wrong? You seem down."

Evelyn Ford sighed. "In the blink of an eye, I’m already thirty-two."

Ronan Kendrick stared at her for a long moment. "I can’t tell. You haven’t changed a bit. You look just the same as when I first met you."

"That’s the problem. You and I haven’t changed at all, but everyone around us is getting older. Zoe and Annie are growing up, too. Ronan, if we never change... what will people start to think?"

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