After repeated rounds of coordination and adjustment, Leah and Rickson finally divided everyone into eight combat teams (21+40+4=65):
Maya, Michonne, Shane, Lieutenant Welles, and four National Guard members (8)
Thompson, Ancheta, Oliver, Allen Miller, Kenny, Lee, Robert, and Franklin (8)
Edmund, Saed, Wells, Corporal Brad, and four National Guard members (8)
Gavin, Mike, Ethan, Danny, Corporal Frank Wilson, and four National Guard members (9)
Jonathan, Carver, Merle, and four National Guard members (8)
Rory, Mikey, Turner, and five National Guard members (8)
Hank, Bossie, Daryl, Jenson, and five National Guard members (8)
Zhou, Murphy, Leon, and five National Guard members (8)
...
Blackberry Ranch.
The base began another busy day.
Duane and Little Jimmy had come over early that morning in Morgan and Tom's vehicle.
Duane was dragging a bundle of hay into the cattle shed with all his strength.
Little Jimmy stood on tiptoe and stuffed a handful of fodder toward the mouth of the sturdiest dairy cow.
The cow lowered her head docilely, curled her tongue around it, and swallowed it down, then gave a satisfied snort.
The nearby cows immediately started clamoring, unwilling to be left out.
"Don't rush, don't rush. Your share's right here!
I'll feed you after I feed you, then feed that one after I feed you. I know what I'm doing.
There are more of you now, but I've still got this under control."
Little Jimmy patted the cow's neck, then turned to the restless young bull beside her. "Hey, why are you in a bad mood today? Want to go out for a run?"
Tommy and Sarah, who were also tending the livestock, watched the two children and exchanged a smile.
Tommy walked over, took the heavy pitchfork from Duane, and ruffled his hair. "Take it slow, kid. There's always more work to do.
Go help Aunt Sarah check on those new lambs. They seem a little nervous around people."
Sarah handed him a bottle filled with warm milk and gently guided him. "Just like this. Hold it gently, don't scare it... yes, that's it. Great job, Duane."
Little Jimmy also came over, watching curiously as Duane fed the lamb, chattering nonstop. "It's drinking so fast! Duane, what do you think we should name it?"
Duane thought for a moment. "How about Whirlwind? It was running really fast just now!"
Tommy watched the scene and whispered to Sarah, "Those two boys get along pretty well."
Sarah wiped the sweat from her forehead. "Yeah. Watching these little ones grow day by day makes life feel like... there's really something to look forward to."
Her gaze happened to meet Tommy's. Both of them quickly looked away, but neither could hide the smile at the corners of their mouths.
Not far away, along Blackberry Creek, another scene was in full swing.
Elena stood by the creek with her sleeves rolled up and mud splattered over her pant legs, directing everything with steady confidence.
"Aleksei! Ben! That rock. Secure it there as the foundation for the dam."
The towering Aleksei and the equally solidly built Ben worked together to push a massive rock into the designated spot, sweat running down their faces.
Aleksei muttered, "This hits harder than vodka, Professor!"
Ben gritted his teeth and laughed. "Buddy, once we get the power running, I'll be the first to turn on the brightest lamp for you!"
Kevin stood on the bank with the drawings and a crude level, constantly checking the alignment. "Professor, the slope of the water channel still needs to be adjusted by another five-thousandths! Otherwise, the water flow might not be fast enough!"
"Ming!" Elena called. "Recalculate the width and depth of the channel inlet. We need the optimal solution!"
"Yes, Professor!" Ming immediately crouched down, spread a sheet of draft paper over a relatively flat stone slab, and began working through the calculations with her pencil flying across the page.
Elena looked at her students, all of them brimming with energy, and a pleased smile appeared on her face.
Even under the harsh conditions of the apocalypse, the resilience and intelligence her students showed let her see hope for the rebuilding of civilization.
Elena waded over to Ming, pushed up her glasses, and looked down at her calculations. "How does it look? Confident we can get the turbine running before winter?"
Ming looked up, her gaze firm. "As long as the materials keep up and we have enough manpower, it shouldn't be a problem, Professor!"
All of Blackberry Ranch was alive with activity.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside Rock Fortress was much more serious.
As soon as Calista entered the command room, Rickson handed her a list. "We brought in three more truckloads of supplies last night, mostly building materials and tools. Ellie has already registered them into storage."
Beside him, Ellie looked up and adjusted her glasses. "Miss Norton, as you requested, all the books and USB drives have been stored separately in the newly built library.
During this morning's inventory, we found several agricultural technology manuals. They've already been sent to Mr. Howard."
"Good work." Calista nodded, her gaze sweeping over the map on the wall.
Colored pins marked the positions of each team that had gone out that day.
Outside, the team led by Maya was lying low in the bushes on the outskirts of a small town.
Michonne lay silently beside her, her katana already drawn.
"Three walkers wandering near the southeast corner. Five more gathered to the west," Maya whispered. "Michonne, circle around from the north and scout ahead. Everyone else, stay alert."
Michonne nodded and moved forward without a sound, like a shadow.
Lieutenant Welles, the deputy leader, could not help murmuring, "She really is quiet..."
Shane cut in, unable to resist. "She doesn't talk much, but that blade of hers is fast."
Maya shot them a glare. "Focus on the mission."
At the same time, Gavin was leading his search team through an abandoned hardware store, rummaging for supplies.
Mike, Ethan, and Danny followed behind him, keeping a careful watch on their surroundings.
"Found two barrels of fuel!" one team member called out excitedly.
Gavin quickly went over to check, then said to his deputy, Corporal Frank Wilson, "Frank, take two men and check the warehouse in the back. Focus on welding tools and generator parts."
Frank nodded and immediately led his men toward the warehouse.
Suddenly, he raised a hand, signaling for silence. Everyone froze, gripping their weapons nervously.
"Movement on the second floor," Frank reported in a low voice.
Gavin immediately signaled for a flanking maneuver. "Mike, Ethan, Danny, with me. Frank, take Team Two and cover us!"
The team split smoothly into two groups. After several real operations, this unit had already learned to work together with real coordination.
The liveliest team was the one led by Jonathan. Merle served as deputy leader, Carver was the mobile scout, and Daryl had also been added to the mix.
They were clearing abandoned vehicles from a stretch of road, and Merle was cursing as he used the newly replaced axe blade on his right arm to pry open a car door.
"Fuck, this piece of junk is really jammed!"
Daryl, who talked noticeably more when he was with his brother, could not help saying, "Dumbass, why not try the winch?"
"Winch, my ass!" Merle snapped without looking back. "By the time we drag that thing over here, it'll be dark! Watch this!"
He put his strength into it, and the car door gave off a harsh metallic screech before finally popping open.
The two walkers trapped inside immediately lunged out, clawing and snapping. Merle reacted fast. One swing for each of them, and both heads were split open.
"Done!" He smugly shook the filthy blood off his axe blade.
Jonathan walked over and patted his shoulder. "Nice work, Merle. Next target!"
The other team members exchanged wry smiles.
Merle might have a terrible temper, but they had to admit that with the Dixon brothers and Carver on their team, they got missions done fast.
...
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