Chapter 32: Expansion
The shelter around the CDC was expanding and soon several buildings and houses were completely cleared, streets were sealed off to prevent walkers from entering and vehicles were moved off the main streets.
People with knowledge of mechanics took it upon themselves to disassemble and obtain special parts to repair other vehicles. All the cars were deprived of their gasoline and very soon they were all in continuous motion.
A week passed very quickly, and under everyone's observation the training mission was deemed to have completed one cycle, and the follow up was survival class by the Dixon brothers.
Of course, this does not mean that the training is over.
The week is just to familiarize everyone's fighting consciousness, and this is so that they will not feel lost when they face the walkers in the future. After all, what can make people grow is always real combat.
Under special techniques, as long as they do not encounter a large crowd of walkers, everyone should eliminate the walkers with cold weapons.
Since Merle talked to Airon last time, he has been very quiet. Except for his foul mouth, not much has changed. But he hasn't done anything out of the ordinary. Airon doesn't know what he's thinking, but no matter what Merle's thoughts are, he will always be prepared.
In contrast, Daryl's change in attitude surprised Arion. Since considering him in the hunting plans, Daryl's attitude towards him has inexplicably improved.
This also made the following survival training in the field much easier. After all, there is still a big difference between sincere cooperation and coping.
Today, Guillermo's people had officially joined as guards in reserve, they all had a team and were ready to respond to an enemy attack at any time.
Today, Airon was no longer in the CDC. While Mike and a military squad were in charge of clearing locations and with the help of people were collecting supplies from far away places.
So Airon was exploring farther places with Rick, Guillermo, Shane, Glenn, T-dog and Morgan.
Now many people are gathered around a road full of cars.
"This place sure is problematic in terms of mobility..." With a wry smile, Airon looked at the map hoping to find the prison where Rick and his people took refuge.
"I think we should move on, look at this spot here? This is a suburban factory. I've been to that place before. It's a big area full of factories, no problem occupying that spot."
T-dog is arguably the most experienced about the surrounding understanding in terms of orientation.
Many people like to stay in their city and very rarely travel, so it would be a mistake for now to move elsewhere and quite possibly this is one of the reasons why at least in the beginning the story focuses only on Atlanta. Another reason is that transportation is an inconvenience in the latter days, but as long as it is not in rural locations, there are very few vehicles on the road.
Originally Airon's idea is to grow his force in Atlanta, he needs to lead one of the strongest and most united communities of at least in the surrounding area. For this, he needed to have different safe settlements in the city and accurate communication.
"No, I'm afraid that in the factory for now it can't be considered to do that! What we want is a shelter, this must maintain a unique value of safety and low modification cost."
"If we look at the factory, the cost of covering the outside would be too high." Rick made his point and everyone agreed.
Guillermo stood next to him, frowning and looking at the map in front of him, he didn't seem to have a clear idea so he picked up his gun and stepped to the side.
"I'll scout around and see if I can find a suitable place."
"Let me come with you, we'll be safer if there are two of us." Glenn also took his gun and followed him.
"Be careful you two. Use the radio and contact us if any situation arises" Airon looked at the two of them, gave them some instructions and then kept looking at the map.
In fact, he wants to go to the prison in Georgia. Although he knows it is somewhere in Georgia, he is still hesitating whether expanding now will be a good idea. For now, he wants to consider visiting Hershel's farm first and save that group of people that would be very useful for them to start developing agriculture.
Hershel's tragic death left a deep impression on him when he first looked at him.
Due to the soft heart of many people, they forgave enemies and that caused the ruin of many good people.
It can be said that everyone paid the price for them and lost the prison that was a good place to live.
Morgan pointed to a large open space of a road on the map and fixed: "Have you observed it? There's a big open space on this side of the road. I think there should be a farm nearby, what do you think of the land?"
"It is an open place, if we will find an unused residential building in the central location and we can renovate it."
Airon upon hearing this proposal simply shook his head and said after a while, "Although the farm has good land and glimpse lacks secure defenses. Even if we build a circle around the perimeter, that for now would consume us a lot of manpower and materials, which we can't afford now."
"It will also be difficult to create strong defenses. Not to mention the new survivors that have been arriving at the shelter. I think the ideal would be a place designed for many people to live, and that is away from the city, with solid defenses on the outside."
Everyone was silent for a while, they knew that was not a good place, but the problem now is how to look for such a perfect place.
Just as Airon was about to suggest naming the prison, he looked at Rick's expression that lit up.
At this moment, Rick, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly said, "Airon, there really is such a place as you said!"
Several people looked at Rick, and Rick looked at Shane beside him, smiled and said, "It has good terrain, there are walls, far away from the city! Can't you think what I mean?"
Shane scratched his head, frowned and thought for a moment, suddenly it dawned on him and he exclaimed, "Prison!"
"Yes, the prison! It meets all our requirements and has full facilities, a mess hall, an infirmary and an armory! Now the question is, do any of you know where there is a prison nearby?"
After Rick finished speaking, he turned his head and looked at the people around him. They looked at each other in dismay and all looked at T-dog in unison.
T-dog's expectant expression gradually turned darker in everyone's eyes.
"Wait a minute! What do you all mean by looking at me like that? Because I'm black I need to know where the jail is? Is that what you mean? I'm a religious man!"
Hearing the speed of T-dog's speech, Airon rolled his eyes and interrupted him.
"Dude, we just think you're more familiar with the surrounding area, and the chance of knowing is the best, that's all!"
The rest of the crowd nodded as well and Morgan patted T-dog on the shoulder, T-dog was speechless and said, "Sorry, I really don't know!"
Airon conned on radio and informed Merle and Daryl's group that they were not far from the place with some people hunting. "Zz... Merle, can you hear me? Answer me quickly!"
"Zz... haha, this is your old friend Merle! Is there anything I can do for you, our respected leader!"
"Zz.... Speak words we can understand! I want to ask you something, do you know where a prison is near Atlanta?"
"Zz... What, do you have an old friend to find? Hehehehehe!"
"Zz... Merle! Do you know I can stop enabling you to drink alcohol?"
"Zz... It's okay, I'm just kidding! Yeah, there's a prison in west Georgia near Atlanta, what's the big deal?"
"Zz... Do you know where it is?"
"Zz... I just know it's west of Georgia, I don't remember the exact location, bite, I've never been to it, why do I need to know where that damn prison is? You think he visited them like it's a church?"
"Zz... It's okay, I get it! You can go on with what you were doing!"
"Zz... Yeah, whatever!"
"Merle has changed a lot, you're amazing! He's not a person who submits easily." Shane had overheard the conversation between the two, so I can't help but say, since they arrived from the city of Atlanta, Merle's attitude changed a lot.
Airon said casually, "He's true to his way of life, not that he's really someone bad."
Shane nodded as he heard those words.
"Bang!!!"
"In the woods in the distance, there was a loud gunshot!
Then Glenn's horrified voice came over the intercom.
"Zz.... Guys! We're under attack! Oh my god, Guillermo's been shot, come quick.