Chapter 9: The beginning
Early in the morning the sun began to shine outside a King Country hospital. At this time, Rick Grimes was lying in the hospital bed, his eyes were closed and he was in a comatose state.
It had been three days since the shooting, so Rick did not know that yesterday the outside world was undergoing tremendous changes.
...
At this moment, Airon was in the CDC control room with his group and the "Emergency Action Advisory" issued by Washington DC was playing on the television.
"Looks like it's time to act." Airon thought to himself.
He knew that after the onset of the Apocalypse, the security of the CDC was reinforced by military and barricades, tanks and guns were set up on the outside whose purpose was to minimize the advance of the walkers
But he also knew that when the situation became untenable, hundreds of corpses were strewn all over the pavement and the place was practically abandoned.
At least within the first ten days, Airon was aware that security at the CDC would be safeguarded, but then the outside would no longer be safe and that is when he had to be prepared.
For now, his authority inside the CDC was not much and that prevented him from acting freely, so by then when the security was under his control, he could do as he pleased and be practically the leader of this area. And by then, he needed to be ready to receive survivors and have a high store of memories that he had previously prepared.
"Get your gear ready, we'll have to move very soon." Airon said directly to the others.
"Understood!"
No one knew what was going through Airon Darcy's head, but as they well knew, if there is a person smarter than the others, there is no need to challenge or contradict him, the smart thing to do is to follow his instructions to the letter.
After seeing how chaos was starting in the outside world, all the soldiers who were recruited by Airon decided to do as he said.
"Airon, what exactly are we going to do?"
Tylor knew Airon much better than the others, he was the one who practically contributed to all the plans that Airon had made.
Hearing this question, everyone in the room looked at Airon. They didn't mind knowing what they had to do, but it would be good to prepare mentally.
"The resources that we gather we need to bring closer to the CDC, as much as it pains me to say it, right now my authority is not the one I want, but later that can change and for now we need the resources to keep this place safe."
Without waiting for more questions, Airon didn't look back and walked toward the lab to share his plans.
Now, the Janners and Airon sat in the office next to the lab.
The couple looked at Airon with serious faces. They could not understand why Airon wanted to leave. The current CDC is arguably the safest place in the world.
"Airon, is there something special you're going out for, are you going to save your family like the others?"
Edwin Jenner was very puzzled. When they persuaded Airon to agree to come to the CDC together with his team, the other party did not mention his family, so now Edwin thinks the only reason is because Airon collapsed.
"Edwin, Candece, I have no family in this place. I have my own reasons for leaving this place along with my team, and not only are they my reasons, but it is also to keep them safe. Let me tell you my plan in detail."
Airon frowned, looked around, walked over to a glass board, picked up a pen and wrote down; Energy, supplies, experimental subjects, weapons, time and then spoke.
"Over the past few days, I have taken the liberty of checking many places in the facility. In terms of energy, fuel reserves are not bad, but we don't know how long we will stay here!"
"Even now it is unknown whether they will be able to develop a cure. So, in order for me and my team to keep this place safe we must move. If the weather persists for a long period of days, the fuel reserve is a big problem."
After saying that, Airon paused and pointed out, "Edwin, you will go look at the overall power supply system and cut off all areas of fuel supply that are not needed, you have the ultimate authority in this place and that can save a lot of fuel."
"The supplies are the second most important thing, I know that the facility stores food according to its total capacity, I mean, we are a little over 15 people in this place where originally there were hundreds of people in the past, so now we can hold on to that food for a long time."
"However, the same problem remains, we are unsure of the timing and safety of accomplishing what is being done at this location, so if it fails repeatedly, we will definitely have to abandon this location and seek shelter elsewhere."
"By the time that time comes, it will be relatively difficult to find food reserves."
Speaking eloquently on this point, Airon paused for a moment to let the Janners take in the information, then continued his explanation.
"Then there is the lack of current experimental subjects. The center needs more experimental subjects. This is an urgent problem that needs to be solved.What do you think?"
When the Jenners heard this, they nodded in unison. They never thought all those details were considered in Airon Darcy's mind, they considered him a versatile person to rely on but would never imagine him to be so visionary.
"The last thing is the stockpile of weapons. This is also a special point. If we pull out of this place, the food reserves are not enough to keep us safe. We also need to have enough weapons to protect ourselves, and this is just a research center, so a large amount of ammunition is needed to train them."
"So, long story short, someone has to go out and do all these things before the epidemic fully breaks out, and the only people here who can do that are me and my team. So what's your opinion?"
The Janners still didn't know what to say about Airon Darcy's detailed remarks. They both looked at each other, but could only see the importance of the other in their eyes, so Candece spoke up.
"Airon, what you did is something we have not taken into account. After all, the virus research alone has kept us extremely busy. Let alone the cure, there is no telling when full research on the virus will be conducted."
After hearing these words from his wife, the look in Edwin's eyes obviously dimmed, but he quickly raised his head and said solemnly to Airon Darcy.
"Airon, I'm very happy that I chose you to join our group at the beginning! I'll shamefully leave these things to you and your team! We'll also work hard to do our job well!"
Of course, Airon didn't just go for supplies, but he couldn't tell the Janner's this, he just flashed a relaxed smile.
"Don't worry, my team and I are a bunch of retired soldiers, don't forget that."
Candece also smiled, stood up and gave Airon a hug. Edwin also stepped forward and gave him a firm handshake by way of farewell.
"We're counting on you!"
"I also hope you can develop a vaccine as soon as possible and I will help you with what I can when I return."
After Airon finished speaking, he pulled a walkie-talkie from a pocket in his vest and handed it to Edwin.
"Don't tune the channel, I'll radio them when I get back. Also, before I return, do not open the door to strangers. Each of you cannot be replaced. You are the only researchers in the center, your lives are very valuable."
"Okay, you need to pay attention to your safety!"
"I will, I'm leaving now, Edwin, remember to check the power system!"
"I'll take care of that."
Edwin nodded, turned and walked towards the subway power supply system.
When Airon finished his explanation here, he walked to the room where his team was and said, "It's time to move, get your weapons ready and don't forget to wear masks when we're outside."
"We got it!"
Tyler, in light gear, looked at Airon and asked, "Hey, Airon, do you think I'll be of any help to you out there? I'm the only one who still doesn't know how to use a gun right."
Airon looked at Tyler and said, "I'm not taking you as a soldier, you'll be safer by my side. Besides, you're the one who pointed out the spots where we placed the resources."
Tyler kept silent and said no more, he thought he should familiarize himself with this environment, so he mentally prepared himself.
Jon Seda looked at Tyler and said, "Don't worry young man, we will take care of you."
After everyone was ready, Airon walked to the door that led to the station's subway garage.
The person left in charge, looked at a group of seven people with black masks on their faces and unconsciously stood up straighter and waved.
"Open the door!"
"Very well Mr. Darcy."
Behind the CDC is a large automobile garage. Right now, a tactical car and several vehicles are parked in the garage.
If outsiders look at this place, they will definitely stop to look at a particular vehicle, a modified RV was parked quietly on a corner.
This RV truck was modified, its front has increased its fender angle, the windows have been reinforced, the wheels have been modified, bulletproof glass and a modified interior to optimize the space.
On the outside it has been reinforced and a large fuel tank and a trunk were installed at the front, the roof and a space in the mezzanine port was converted into a shooting port.
It had the best engine on the market which made it a very powerful truck, but Airon did not plan to take this vehicle when he went out this time. This car that he prepared with great care will stay in the CDC garage for some time.
Airon and his team drove past a motorhome and arrived at a CDC space bus. They stowed all the equipment in the rear compartment and all climbed in.
George Burcea, who was the expert driver, climbed into the driver's seat and Arion sat in the back.
Removing his mask, he looked at everyone and said, "This time we will gather some of the supplies that were prepared for this situation, then move on to make other targets before returning."
Looking at Tyler, Airon noted, "Point out to Geroge the locations he will move to next."
"Yes." Replied Tyler with a somewhat nervous look.
As for the others, they all remained silent. Pulling out a walkie-talkie and pressing the button to communicate, Airon spoke into the microphone.
"Zzz, Edwin... This is Airon, we are about to leave, please remember to keep strangers out.... The changes that will happen on the outside will be beyond your imagination.... Zzz... I will be back as soon as possible."
"Zzz.... Arion, take care of yourself... over."
Airon Said no more, he believed the subtle influence in the last few days had made Edwin and Candece more wary of the trouble ahead.
When Geroge started the engine, he drove under Tyler's directions....