Allistor held up a hand.  “I was thinking about just that this morning.  I want to go to the car lot and find the keys for the two trucks and the Mustang that are still intact.  We’ll bring them back here.  I’m going to sell the Mustang on the open market.  From the research I’ve done, it should bring us a butt- … err, a great big pile of money.” He winked at Chloe.

“We can hook one of the trucks up to the trailer and use both trucks to gather what we can use.  A group of us will go out together.  There is strength in numbers.”

He looked at Michael and Ramon.  “From the snoring that was happening in the infirmary earlier, you two need some sleep.  There are several unclaimed sleeping quarters.” He paused as they all thought about the three friends they just lost.  “You two grab a place and get some sleep.  You’ve got the rest of the day off.”

Michael nodded.  “Thanks.  But… I have to ask.  Who put you in charge?”

Allistor opened his mouth, then shut it again.  “You are absolutely right.  Nobody did.  And maybe one of you is better qualified.  The system chose me to establish this Stronghold, but we’re not really sure why.  So if one of you thinks you’d rather lead…” He opened his arms in a gesture that encompassed the entire table.

“I’ll do it!  I wanna be boss!” Chloe shouted, raising her hand and wiggling her fingers.  Nancy hushed her but was smiling at her irrepressible child.

Allistor grinned at her as well.  “Anybody else?”

Michael shook his head.  “I don’t want the job.  And I meant no offense.  Just trying to catch up.”  Ramon nodded his agreement.

Sam spoke up.  “Allistor has done a fine job so far.  I vote we let him keep doing it until he screws up or someone else steps up.”  He raised his hand, and one by one the others did too.

Allistor was half disappointed.  He had mixed feelings about running the community.  On the one hand, town building was one of the things he loved to do in his games.  But here, the lives lost were real, and the deaths were permanent.  It was a huge responsibility.

“Alright.  I need two of you to come with me to the car lot.  We’ll figure out the proper keys and bring the vehicles back here.  Hook up the trailer, put the Mustang on the market, and then get to salvaging.   Also, it would be good if somebody could go upstairs and search the sheriff’s station and City Hall for some paper and writing utensils?  Organizing everyone and everything would be much simpler if we could write stuff down.”

Sam and Meg volunteered to go with him.  Lilly and Amanda said they’d go upstairs and poke around.  He warned everyone to stay on their toes.