Chapter 46
Several days later, the CDC's countdown to self-destruction entered its final hours.
The convoy had gained four more trucks, becoming increasingly bloated with supplies and food.
Dr. Jenner's laboratory equipment filled an entire truck. In reality, if they wanted to take all of Jenner's experimental equipment, one truck would fall far short of what they needed.
But many devices at the CDC simply couldn't be transported—like the brain imaging system that had displayed neural activity for Rick's group, or the AI system VI.
Over several days of effort, Dr. Jenner led a crew in converting the truck into a makeshift mobile laboratory.
They installed a diesel generator, air conditioning, a clean workbench, microscopes, centrifuges, a constant-temperature water bath, a portable PCR machine, and other essential equipment.
Though it couldn't fulfill all the functions Jenner required, it would suffice for basic work.
In exchange, Caesar claimed all the CDC's food and supplies. The food came in tremendous variety—plenty of canned goods suitable for long-term storage, along with frozen meat and eggs.
Concerned about preservation during transport, Caesar had let everyone in the convoy eat freely over the past few days, and they'd quickly consumed the perishable meat and eggs.
The supplies included numerous tents, sleeping bags, battery packs, and other items that would make life more comfortable and convenient for the convoy.
Jenner had opened the CDC armory and given Caesar every weapon inside.
The arsenal was staggering—enough firearms to equip a fifty-person force. There were thirty to forty carbines, over ten light machine guns, three heavy machine guns, two grenade launchers, and several rocket launchers.
These weapons had instantly made Caesar's convoy exponentially more powerful.
Caesar's eyes had practically glowed when he first saw that armory.
With this firepower, he had no concerns about occupying all of Black Pine Valley. He couldn't even imagine how he could lose.
Forget about threats of force or diplomatic negotiations—Caesar could now achieve victory through sheer fire superiority if necessary.
He could even call himself an apocalyptic warlord without exaggeration.
During their days at the CDC, Caesar had organized several parties—alcohol flowing freely, food in abundance, with only one rule: no waste. Everyone left satisfied.
Caesar had also spoken individually with every member of Guillermo's group. Though it left him hoarse, he'd managed to win their trust and establish basic loyalty.
Over those few days of parties, Guillermo's people had bonded well with the rest of the team.
Caesar trusted Guillermo enough to let him lead ten able-bodied men as a combat squad.
Glenn and Jimmy's squads also received new members. Though neither reached a full ten, they had enough. Glenn and Jimmy remained co-leaders, and Caesar added Rick to their unit.
When Glenn learned Rick would join his squad, he'd tried to surrender the leadership position. Caesar had harshly reprimanded him for even suggesting it.
Glenn and Jimmy had made enormous contributions at the food wholesale market. Caesar would never disregard the team's heroes just because Rick joined the squad.
SCREECH—
The garage door ground open. Rip charged out first in the lead truck.
A few walkers lingering outside were instantly sent flying, bursting apart like tomatoes smashed against concrete.
The massive spiked ramming attachment turned black-red with blood the moment it emerged.
Two motorcycles and several modified pickups followed close behind. The combat personnel, thrilled with their newly acquired firepower, pulled out weapons and unleashed hell on the surviving walkers nearby.
Streams of bullets poured into the few remaining walkers. Each corpse that hit the ground had at least a hundred rounds in it.
Caesar glanced out the window, his brow furrowing. "These punks really don't treat bullets like bullets."
"Merle, make those punks show some restraint. Conserve ammunition."
Merle, riding his motorcycle, threw up an OK sign, then slowed down to pull alongside the pickups.
Caesar watched in the rearview mirror as the combat personnel in those trucks wilted like frost-bitten eggplants, heads hanging low as they endured Merle's verbal assault.
Daryl rode with carefree confidence, testing his newly acquired military crossbow, his trigger finger itching. He'd stopped being so conservative with bolts—every corpse along the road got an arrow through it.
Caesar glanced at the bodies. Whether they'd been dead before or not, they were definitely dead now.
The rear trucks all cleared the garage entrance. Bringing up the tail were several SUVs—Guillermo's squad.
The very last truck was Jenner's mobile laboratory. When Caesar had assigned Guillermo to protect the lab truck, the man had been overwhelmed with emotion, immediately promising that the lab truck wouldn't suffer harm as long as he still lived.
Caesar had waved him off repeatedly, offering a stern reminder: "The lab truck isn't important. The equipment is expensive and rare, but it doesn't compare to Jenner. Dr. Jenner is what matters most."
"If something goes wrong and you can't save the truck, your first priority is getting Jenner away from danger."
Guillermo had made a man's promise.
Drawing his gaze back, Caesar patted the dashboard and said to Rip, "Alright, let's go home!"
The lead truck's fuel ignited and converted into powerful force, sending the vehicle roaring forward.
The convoy's speed immediately picked up.
Merle stopped his scolding and began clearing walkers charging from both sides, protecting the non-combatants in the center.
The convoy rumbled forward, driving until they reached the parking lot where they'd first stopped when arriving in Atlanta.
After everyone finished dinner, campfires were lit.
Caesar stood atop one of the trucks and said to Jenner beside him, "You can start now."
Jenner nodded and pulled out a compact remote control. The device had no extra buttons—just a single red button in the center.
He extended the antenna and pressed the button.
Several kilometers away at the CDC, the broadcast system began playing beautiful country music. The amplified melody could cover nearly all of Atlanta.
The lights on the CDC's exterior walls blazed to life, piercing deep into the darkness. Against the darkening sky, they stood out dramatically.
The garage door, the narrow side entrance, even the main door that had remained sealed—all of them opened wide, like a trap baiting its prey.
The areas around the CDC that had been cleared days earlier now flooded again with walkers from other districts.
They shambled forward with stumbling gaits, marching relentlessly toward the CDC.
Survivors scattered throughout Atlanta saw the lights blazing beneath the black sky and heard music they hadn't encountered in far too long. A hint of excitement stirred within them.
Then they spotted the walkers stampeding below, and quickly hid themselves, covering their mouths to prevent any sound that might attract the dead.
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