If the Base breaks, I fix it.

It’s what I do.

I woke up at 0600, like usual. I left the Barracks and walked past the Training Grounds, like usual. The Trainees were learning how to use firearms, like usual.

The Trainees excelled at using firearms. They used to miss their targets often and improved over time.

But they still learn how to use firearms.

It’s what they do.

On the way to breakfast, at exactly 0630, I noticed a crack in one of the windows in the west hallway.

This was not like usual.

If the Base breaks, I fix it.

Instead of eating breakfast, I went to the Supply Hall. I flipped through my ring of keys and unlocked the first door to the hall, then the second. It was very important to keep our supplies safe. There would be no more supplies, our Commanding Officer had said.

In the second-largest supply closet, next to a small stack of concrete blocks, was a thick pane of glass. I pulled out my notebook and made a note (in small handwriting, to conserve ink and paper) that we would need an Alternative to glass panes, as I was using the last one.

I carefully carried the glass pane to the Conference Room on the top floor, where the Committee presided. They were always in their seats by 0700. The Committee would review my use of supplies, for the good of the entire Base.

The Committee trusted me. The Committee knew I would use our resources wisely. I always did.

I approached the bench where the Committee sat, their faces shrouded. Behind them on the wall was a large copy of the Master Blueprint, which governed how the Base would be built and maintained. The Master Blueprint was the single source of truth, and no deviations could be made in the structure or building materials of the Base, except for approved Alternatives.

I solemnly held up the pane of glass before the Committee, then carefully lowered it and pointed to the west hallway on my own copy of the Master Blueprint. The Committee turned to each other and quietly deliberated for a few moments. They then turned back to me and nodded in unison. I nodded back and left, practically feeling their stares on my back.

I hurried toward the west hallway, weaving between practice patrols and Energy Managers inspecting corroded light bulbs. I carefully popped out the cracked pane and replaced it.

I sighed in relief.

The west hallway was like usual.

The Trash Depot was just a short walk away. I took the cracked glass to the Janitor, who accepted the broken pieces and added them to a pile of other transparent objects. A few workers could be seen sifting through piles of debris, no doubt looking for Alternatives to materials for their duties. They would have to notify the Committee, but Alternatives were usually accepted to keep operations running smoothly.

I had time for lunch before my daily Base inspection. I headed to the Cafeteria, where they were serving meat slabs and potato mix, like usual. There used to be other kinds of foods on specific days, but they ran out long ago. Meat slabs were the accepted Alternative.

The Food Servicer, slack-jawed, gave me a slab and a stare, like usual.

I sat at my provisioned Cafeteria chair and picked a tooth out of my slab before biting into it, like usual.

*  *  *

It had been raining for days. The rain hurt, so it was more important than ever to maintain the structure of the Base.

I was fixing one of several new leaks in the roof of the Barracks using potato mix (an acceptable Alternative to caulk) when it happened.

CRACK.

The leak in the corner of the Barracks stopped dripping and started pouring as part of the ceiling and adjoining wall collapsed, shattering two windows in their wake. Three Trainees, resting from their duties, were sprayed with glass shards and brick fragments. They cried out as rain fell through the open ceiling, droplets sizzling on their skin and burning holes in their red uniforms. They tried to run from the room, but all three collapsed before making it to the hallway, shaking in pain and confusion.

This was not like usual.

Fortunately, I would be able to fix the Barracks, as I was on the other side of the room and only sustained minor injuries. However, looking at the pile of rubble before me, I knew that none of it could be recovered. I also knew that there were limited building supplies left in the Supply Hall.

I had to find Alternatives.

I spent hours in the Trash Depot searching for materials. I found suitable Alternatives for the glass windows in some plastic sheeting, but nothing sturdy enough to replace bricks or concrete blocks.

With no solutions, I had to approach the Committee.

I showed them the plastic sheeting, and after some debate, they nodded in acceptance. I then showed them a piece of the broken brick wall, indicating that I had no Alternative.

As if expecting this, one Committee member waved someone else in – a Food Servicer. They were pushing a large cart, upon which sat heaps of meat slabs. It was clear that the slabs had been processed quickly, as there were more teeth sticking out than usual, and a few of them had glass shards or bits of red cloth embedded in them.

But no matter.

There were enough of them to repair the Barracks.

This was a perfect Alternative.

I borrowed a hazard suit from an Energy Manager to protect myself from the rain and repaired the wall and windows in a matter of hours. The wall oozed, but gradually hardened under its protective layer of potato mix. Once it was fully set, no one would be able to tell the difference.

I stood back, admiring my work.

If the Base breaks, I fix it.

It’s what I do.