Chapter 650: Chapter 650: Traitors

The syphilis from that pregnant woman before had spread throughout her body. Dr. Turner said she had three years left to live, at most, and those three years would be filled with unspeakable suffering. Before she was taken away, she begged Evelyn Ford and Dr. Turner to save her child. It was the first time she had spoken willingly during her entire stay in the maternity tent.

When they heard the baby had died, Evelyn Ford and Dr. Turner rushed to the orphanage. The child was already on a cart. The base had established a cemetery twenty kilometers outside Eldoria, where all who died could be laid to rest.

"We’re taking him to the base crematorium. You two should say your goodbyes," the orphanage director said softly.

"The baby showed signs of multiple illnesses when he was first brought in. Combined with his mother’s condition, all his internal organs were failing. During a checkup five days ago, we found symptoms of hydrocephalus. We had been hoping we could operate."

Evelyn Ford and Dr. Turner stood by the cart, looking at the small, swaddled form. Neither of them spoke. After half a minute, Evelyn Ford took a step back.

"Director, can the baby have a grave plot as well?"

The director nodded. "Except for those who were arrested and executed, anyone else who dies can have a grave. Do you know his name? And his date of birth? Those need to be carved on the headstone."

Dr. Turner walked over. "I do."

The two of them left the orphanage. The sun was strong today, the heat making people irritable. Dr. Turner’s hair was pure white. He looked like he hadn’t changed his clothes in a long time; his jacket was riddled with holes, and the soles of his shoes were coming unglued. He had found some rubber insulation from electrical wires and wrapped it around his shoes several times to hold them together.

’Doctors get a lot of subsidies and can also receive clothes and shoes. Dr. Turner seems to be all alone in the world. He doesn’t collect new clothes, is he saving them up?’

Evelyn Ford didn’t pry. After all, everyone had their secrets. Back in her sanctuary, Evelyn immediately went to the medicinal herb fields. The laborers were all hard at work while Quincy supervised from the side, looking quite the part.

Wheat had been sown over the cotton fields. Evelyn had them set aside ten mu of land, where she planned to plant some Thai chilies and other vegetables.

In the storage area, Liam Sterling and Ronan Kendrick were organizing the base’s supplies. Evelyn walked through for a quick look and then returned to the wooden cabin.

"These laborers are actually pretty decent workers. It saves so much effort. One day of their work is equivalent to a week of ours. I mean, these people aren’t even old—their average age is only thirty-five. What couldn’t they do at that age? Yet they chose to be extremists. I’m starting to think they’re traitors."

"Several of them aren’t citizens of our country. That’s why Mr. Chase ordered them shot, to eliminate any future threat."

"What do you mean?" Everyone turned to look at Liam Sterling in unison, stunned by his words.

"That bald guy is actually Rovanese. He grew up in our country, but he was really a spy planted here. Even in the apocalypse, they haven’t given up on their malicious ambitions. They want to destroy the base’s unity and sow dissent."

Evelyn Ford’s brow furrowed. "What about the others? The ones who stirred up trouble with him, are they spies too?"

"Those people were brainwashed. They’re all collaborators."

Liam Sterling sneered. "None of them are any good, Evelyn. Just work them to death. It’s not like they’ll survive outside the sanctuary anyway. After Mr. Chase rooted them out, he formed a special team to hunt down these collaborators. If they’re caught, they’re executed on the spot. Not a single collaborator who disrupts military morale and undermines the base’s unity will be left alive."

Evelyn Ford narrowed her eyes. "Starting tomorrow, add an hour to their work shifts. Once they’re finished with the farmland, take them to the mines."

"Yes."

At eight the next morning, an alarm sounded inside the train car. Hearing it, Evelyn Ford grabbed her medical kit and teleported out of her sanctuary. When she opened the door of the car, Yolanda Lawrence was standing outside, her face etched with anxiety.

"Dr. Ford, Iris Miller is going into labor!"

Evelyn Ford nodded. "I know. Don’t worry, I’m on my way to help with the delivery."

Evelyn Ford jogged behind her to the medical tent. Iris Miller was doing all right; she was already dilated to four fingers, and they could begin the delivery soon.

"Try not to be nervous. Here, drink some brown sugar water. Don’t scream; you need to save your strength for the delivery. The baby is in a good position, so you should have a smooth natural birth."

Iris Miller nodded. "I trust you, Dr. Ford."

"Dr. Ford, Iris Miller went into labor at three in the morning. She’s been holding on and wouldn’t let us come get you."

Iris Miller managed a weak smile. "I’ve learned a few things about childbirth recently. I know it takes a while from the start of labor to the actual birth. I had it under control."

They moved Iris Miller to the delivery room. Yolanda Lawrence, Nina York, and Jane Warren stood by nervously, observing the process. As Evelyn checked on Iris, she explained each step to the three women. They listened intently. Nina York held a towel, periodically wiping the sweat from Iris’s forehead and neck.

"Dr. Ford, it’s coming! I feel something being pushed out! Ah, it hurts so much..."

Evelyn Ford was already in full medical gear. Yolanda and the others had also put on protective gowns and masks. The delivery went smoothly, taking less than an hour from start to finish.

As soon as the baby was born, its cries echoed throughout the tent.

"It’s a boy, about six and a half pounds. His complexion is a little dark, but his limbs are all intact, his cry is loud, and his heart and lungs are normal."

When she heard those last words, Iris Miller couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down her face.

"As long as he’s healthy. Thank you, Dr. Ford. The baby’s father went to work in the logistics department. He’ll come take care of me after his shift."

Evelyn Ford nodded. "You just gave birth, so get some rest. Yolanda, Jane, please clean up the delivery room. Nina, bring the baby to me."

Evelyn Ford cut the baby’s umbilical cord and then swaddled him.

After they wheeled Iris Miller back to her bed, Nina York placed the cleaned and swaddled baby beside her.

"Iris, you’re amazing! You gave birth so quickly! Boy or girl?"

"It’s a boy."

"A boy is good. He’ll be able to work in the future."

"Bullshit, girls are better. They’re considerate and smart."

Seeing that the women were about to start bickering again, Nina York barked, "Quiet down! The mother and child need to rest! Lynn, your month of postpartum confinement is over today. Pack your things this afternoon. You can leave the tent."

The woman Nina York had called out to froze for a moment. "Nurse York, can you give me a few more days? The baby is still so small."

"Base regulations state that all mothers must leave the tent and become self-sufficient after completing one month of confinement. Of course, you can collect a nutritional subsidy for your child every month until they’re three years old. You should hurry and pack, then report to the logistics department. That way, they can get you set up with a job and housing before dark," Nina York advised with good intentions.

"Oh, and one more thing. Yesterday morning, in the District One medical tent, a doctor discovered a new mother abusing her infant. The section leader made an announcement this morning: any parent found abusing their child will have their custody rights revoked by the base. If any of you are experiencing postpartum depression, or just feel unhappy or unwell, please go to the Employee Assistance Department immediately. There are professionals there who can help."

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