1 A Second Chance

Mark's eyes snapped open, his surroundings unfamiliar yet eerily familiar. Disoriented, he scanned the room and a surge of recognition hit him – his college dorm. "Why am I not in the hands of zombies?" he wondered aloud. The calendar on the wall hinted at a temporal anomaly – 17th August 2023. His mind raced, memories flooding back. In six months, on 2nd February 2024, the world would succumb to an unknown zombie virus. A second chance? It seemed impossible.

"I remember the chaos, the fear," he muttered to himself. "But here I am, back in 2023. A chance to change it all."

Determined, Mark peered at the calendar. "Six months to prepare," he mused, his gaze fixed on the impending doomsday date. This time, he vowed, he would survive.

As Mark rose from the bed, he dressed in a hurry, urgency propelling every move. The world outside awaited, and he needed supplies. "I won't let it catch me off guard again," he affirmed.

Keys in hand, Mark approached the door, ready to face the challenges ahead. Yet, a surreal twist awaited him. The keys in his grasp emitted an unexpected glow, and in an instant, a duplicate set materialized. Mark stared in disbelief at the replicated keys, a perplexed expression on his face.

He grabbed the duplicated key, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and awe. "What is happening right now?" Mark questioned the reality of the replicated keys in his hands. It felt like a surreal encounter with the impossible.

Suddenly, a melodic notification sound resonated in his mind, startling him. "Congratulations, you have awakened the Infinite Copying System," a voice echoed within Mark's thoughts. He furrowed his brow, grappling with the revelation. The system? Such things existed in novels, not in the tangible world. "What is going on?" he pondered.

As if in response to his inquiry, the system began to elucidate its nature. "The host can copy anything infinitely," the voice explained, each word resonating in Mark's consciousness. "The host can decide the quantity of copies and the replicated items will appear in the system's infinite storage space. Time doesn't work here. Condition: a sample of the product must be kept to copy repeatedly."

Mark's eyes widened, absorbing the implications of this newfound power. "So, that's how it works," he murmured, the possibilities unfolding before him. A grin crept across his face as the realization dawned. "I can copy anything infinitely. Doesn't that make me invincible? Foods, resources, everything – I don't need to worry about anything at all."

As the weight of his newfound abilities sank in, Mark's mind churned with possibilities. "I can copy anything infinitely. Doesn't that make me invincible?" he mused, a triumphant grin stretching across his face. The once daunting six-month countdown to doomsday now seemed like an ample timeframe, filled with opportunities rather than impending doom.

"But first, I need a plan," Mark declared, the wheels of strategy turning in his mind. His initial idea of buying supplies and seeking refuge in an isolated area evolved into something grander. With the Infinite Copying System at his disposal, a doomsday bunker became not just a refuge but a fortress against the impending chaos.

His thoughts turned to his mother, a symbol of his last connection to a world before the apocalypse. "I need to bring her to safety," Mark resolved, the urgency of family protection grounding his ambitions.

Mark's father's demise due to a cardiac arrest when he was twelve lingered in his memories, adding a poignant layer to his determination. Now, armed with a chance to rewrite his family's fate, Mark envisioned a secure haven for his mother amid the looming catastrophe.

"I have to create a doomsday bunker," he concluded, realizing the monumental task ahead. The vision of safety, however, demanded an abundance of materials. Research became his immediate ally, and with a swift motion, he powered up his computer, determined to gather the necessary knowledge.

The hum of the computer filled the room as Mark delved into a comprehensive exploration of bunker construction, resource requirements, and strategic locations. Maps, blueprints, and survival guides filled his screen, becoming the building blocks of his intricate plan. The Infinite Copying System, a tool of unimaginable potential, now served as the linchpin in his quest to fortify against the impending apocalypse.

Mark meticulously examined potential locations for his doomsday sanctuary. His criteria included remoteness, high ground with good drainage to prevent water accumulation, and accessibility in the USA. After an extensive search, he settled on an area in the Ozark Mountains – spanning Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The Ozark Mountains, with their rolling hills, plateaus, and valleys, provided a harmonious blend of elevation and drainage, making it an ideal candidate for his shelter.

As the digital clock ticked away, Mark shifted his focus to the next phase of his plan – gathering materials. He compiled a comprehensive list: concrete, steel, rebar, lathing or metal studs, bracing, and additional steel for reinforcement. Each item was critical to the structural integrity of the bunker, and the Infinite Copying System now held the key to an unlimited supply.

Mark's fingers danced across the keyboard, navigating through virtual marketplaces, architectural forums, and industrial suppliers. The hum of the computer became a symphony of progress as he initiated the duplication process for the required materials. "Concrete, steel, rebar – the building blocks of survival," he muttered, marveling at the power at his fingertips.

Hours blurred into one another, and Mark, engrossed in his mission, lost track of time. The room darkened, illuminated only by the glow of the computer screen. Six hours had elapsed, yet to Mark, it felt like a mere heartbeat in the race against doomsday.

With a final keystroke, Mark completed his research and preparations. The blueprint of his doomsday bunker unfolded before him, a testament to his determination and the extraordinary capabilities of the Infinite Copying System. "It's time," he declared, rising from his chair with newfound purpose.

The path ahead was daunting, but armed with a plan, a location, and an arsenal of replicated materials, Mark embarked on a journey to reshape his destiny and defy the impending apocalypse. The countdown persisted, but within the digital glow of his makeshift command center, hope and resilience burned brighter than ever.