NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11: Cap: 11
[Mission Complete: "Man's Best Friend"
Rewards:
- Walker Domestication 1: Domesticated walkers can follow you or stay in a location on command without the need for ropes.]
[Mission Complete: "Save the Civilians"
Rewards:
-Development Branches Unlocked (Various feudal-style lifestyle branches become available to grant benefits to your community.)
-Development Points x7 (Required to unlock development branches.)
Dangers Unlocked:
-Factions (Different perspectives within your community may create factions, and dissatisfied members might attempt to overthrow you.)
-Global Map (The new size of your community allows you to gain influence across the state, but it will also attract the attention of hostile groups or potential allies... If you continue to grow, you might wield influence over the entire country...)
-??]
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Being the leader was proving exhausting.
Erick rubbed the dark circles under his eyes as he stared at the numbers before him. The to-do list kept growing larger and larger as time passed.
Arnold, the carpenter, had been put in charge of all community constructions. He told Erick they needed tools and building materials in bulk. He also requested authority over the group's men to start digging the trench as soon as possible.
Veronica, the group's default doctor since no one else had medical knowledge, spoke about the river water and the need to filter it before boiling. She also demanded the construction of an infirmary and permission to train several women as nurses.
Erick granted both of them the authority they requested and promised to address their concerns as soon as possible.
The first priority was ensuring the safety of the camp, where thousands of people slept outside the refuge.
The last thing Erick needed was for a group of walkers to get in unopposed and devour the people he had worked so hard to save.
There were many ways to keep the camp safe from walkers. The most obvious was walls, but that was also the most resource-intensive in terms of time, materials, and labor.
Erick had a simpler and cheaper idea: a hole in the ground. Gravity is universal, and you can't tell it no. So, a trench two meters wide and deep would do the job of keeping walkers out.
Of course, humans could still find a way to cross, but the idea was to keep walkers at bay until more complex defenses could be built.
There weren't enough shovels for every man to have one, but that wasn't what Erick had in mind. Why depend on manual tools when there were ownerless machines out there?
In the early days of the apocalypse, people would steal cars or trucks, but tractors, excavators, seeders, cranes, and any construction or farming machinery were almost always abandoned.
Erick knew these machines would eventually turn into scrap metal with constant use, but it was better to use them now than let them rust away unused. Still, sooner or later, they would need to farm and build without machines, as wear and tear, along with the lack of maintenance, were unavoidable challenges since factories were no longer operational.
His men began filing into the church for the meeting that had been called. No rescued civilians had the right to be there—only Erick's original 50 men, with the addition of Héctor, the farmer Gary had recruited.
"I didn't think we'd have a meeting this late at night after everything we've been through," Erick heard Devon complaining.
"Tell me about it... I was with that blonde with the huge tits and had to finish up quickly, but at least I had fun watching them bounce," another man joked, laughing.
"Mine wanted to hold my assault rifle for a few seconds... I told her she could if she stripped completely and crawled like a dog toward me... She did it..." Ralph chuckled.
"The best part was the look on those idiots' faces when they found out they'd have to sleep outside," Bart sneered. "Like they had any right to enjoy what we worked for."
Erick sighed, recalling Bart's words. Not even a day had passed, and the first tensions were already arising. He had to make it clear to the rescued civilians that Erick and his men held superior status within the group.
It wasn't personal—it was logical. They were the reason the civilians had made it out of Atlanta alive. They had found and secured the supplies, and thus, they deserved the power, status, and rewards.
Erick told the civilians that they were free to leave if they wanted but could only take what they had when they arrived. He wouldn't waste resources on people who didn't benefit the community. He also had María recount what had happened to her on the road so everyone would understand the dangers awaiting them if they left.
Bart, Roger, Devon, and the rest of Erick's men couldn't be happier right now. They had the weapons, the women, and soon there would be fresh food once the rescued civilians started farming. Erick had only allowed each man one woman in his cabin, but he promised more if their achievements met expectations.
The distribution of cabins in the refuge was straightforward: there were 75 cabins, and Erick and his men each had one, where they stored their weapons, resources, and the women they had earned through their efforts so far.
The rescued civilians had to settle for tents outside the refuge. While Erick planned to build communal housing and defenses to protect them from the cold and walkers, they wouldn't enjoy the privacy or comfort Erick's men did.
Erick didn't trust any of the men they had rescued from Atlanta, not just because of the incident with the truck but also because of their incompetence and lack of experience, as shown at the university.
If Erick's group hadn't rescued them, the civilians hiding at the university would likely have starved or been devoured by walkers during a supply run.
However, Erick reminded his men that abuse, including beatings and rape, would not be tolerated. He didn't justify this based on morality since he knew his men had none. Instead, he emphasized that their survival depended on these people.
Erick warned them that if they crossed the line, they shouldn't be surprised if their food was poisoned or their women slit their throats while they slept. Even if that didn't happen, Erick made it clear that actions harming the community would have consequences, no matter who committed them.
"… I intend to divide supply runs into two categories: community runs and personal runs," Erick informed his men.
The idea of organizing more supply runs was undoubtedly exciting for the group. Their success in Atlanta had proven the risks were worth the reward, but there was a hint of confusion at Erick's words.
"What's the difference?" Roger asked, looking uneasy. His success had been completely overshadowed, and while he didn't seem resentful, he appeared eager for a rematch, even if it wasn't a competition.
"The difference lies in who keeps the spoils," Erick explained. "In community runs, most or even all of the loot will benefit the community. In personal runs, only those who do the work will keep the loot."
The impact of his words was immediate. Ambition flared among his men, as this opened an opportunity not only to gather more loot but also to bolster their reputation and power within the community.
"Let me remind you that I promised Georgia would be ours," Erick declared. "I'll be your lord, and you'll be my knights. That's why you'll have the authority to organize supply runs on your own."
Granting his men more power thrilled them, as it reaffirmed their superior status within the community and demonstrated Erick's trust in them.
"What about our new guests?" Gary asked. "I imagine you're not expecting only us to risk our lives out there… right?"
"Of course not. In fact, I expect you to recruit those weaklings to join your retinues," Erick replied.
He then began explaining his new hierarchy. His men would be his knights, and only they would have permission to organize supply runs. Each knight could recruit up to four civilians as their men-at-arms to form their retinues.
The purpose of designating civilians as men-at-arms was twofold: first, to clearly distinguish them from the knights in the hierarchy, and second, to establish who could participate in supply runs and who could not.
Supply runs carried inherent risks, and if anyone could join without restrictions, it would lead to massive casualties and a shortage of workers within the community in no time.
Only men-at-arms or knights could participate in supply runs. To become a man-at-arms, certain requirements had to be met—not just being able to kill walkers with relative ease but also being capable of carrying a grown man and walking at least half a kilometer.
Erick knew this would exclude all women and a significant portion of the men, but he preferred it that way. Having women in the military or police force was already foolish in a modern, secure society. In a dangerous, collapsed world, it was outright suicidal.
How the spoils were divided among the group would be up to his men, but Erick advised against being too selfish with the distribution if they wanted to avoid betrayal, desertion, or the refusal of their men-at-arms to participate when the rewards weren't worth the effort.
"In the coming days, we'll need to focus on many community runs," Erick explained. "I understand this might not excite you as much, but remember that our authority in this community is rooted in the protection we provide. A man can only keep the women he can feed and protect."
His men roared in agreement, and even those who seemed less enthusiastic nodded in approval without objection.
"May I say something?" Hector, the farmer Gary had recruited, stood up. "While I'm glad you've accepted me and my family and even given me a cabin… I came here because I was told there would be farmland for me to oversee."
"That was the deal, yes," Erick nodded. "The food we have won't last forever, and the sooner we start farming, the better."
Hector began speaking about various agricultural topics that Erick struggled to fully understand. He mentioned fertilizers, pests, plots, and multiple crops that would be better suited for the coming austerity, especially now that chemical fertilizers were no longer available.
"Certain crops can help against pests, but it'd be more useful if…" Hector's words were interrupted by Erick.
"I'll get you everything you need. You'll have the labor, the authority, and I'll give you a list and a map so you can mark where we can find it all," Erick promised. "But I need you to make sure everything works—not just now but in the future when vehicles stop functioning and there are no chemical products left to rely on."
Hector seemed surprised by the level of responsibility and trust Erick was placing in him. However, he quickly recovered and gave a confident response.
"It'll be done," Hector assured, as though it were a certainty. "I'll make sure of it. My family has been farming for two hundred years, and I know what I'm doing."
Erick accepted his words, handing him paper, a pencil, and a map. While Hector made his list and studied the map, Erick addressed his men to discuss another important matter.
"I'm going to establish a points system to control how resources are distributed in the community," Erick explained. "If, during personal runs, you obtain surplus resources you don't need, you'll be able to turn them over to the community in exchange for points. In turn, you'll be able to use those points to acquire other resources. Naturally, everyone will be part of this system and will earn points based on their work."
Money had little use at the moment, but a bartering system was still necessary within the community. Not everyone would contribute equally, and there needed to be an incentive for people to work hard and contribute as much as possible. This way, those who contributed a lot would be rewarded, while those who contributed less would have motivation to put in more effort.
With that said, Erick moved on to another important topic: the community's foreign policy.
"… Before we reached Atlanta, we encountered a group of bandits on the road," Erick explained. Most of them probably already knew about it, but it was important to make it clear just in case. "… We managed to kill them without any casualties, but that incident reminded me that we are not alone in this world."
"If we keep making supply runs, it'll be inevitable that we encounter other people," Bart pointed out.
"… We'll encounter others regardless of what we do," Gary corrected him. "The best thing is to decide now what we'll do when it inevitably happens."
Several murmurs echoed through the church, sparked by the uncertainty caused by the topic.
"Exactly," Erick agreed. "If we run into a few people, it won't be much of a problem… We can recruit them, ignore them, or kill them if they're hostile."
"… Hopefully, there'll be lots of pretty girls to recruit," someone joked.
Laughter spread throughout the room, and Erick waited for it to die down before continuing.
"However, if we come across large groups, it could become much more problematic," Erick explained. "… Any supply run could be ambushed, and the group could even be chased back to our home if we're not careful."
The weight of his words made the atmosphere tense once more. It was an unavoidable truth they had to face if they wanted to survive.
"I have no intention of going to war with anyone right now," Erick clarified. "… If we encounter large groups out there, avoid them and report their location as soon as possible."
"And what if they find us?" Gary asked, heightening the unease in the room.
"… The best thing is to be smart. I'll leave it up to your judgment on what to do in that situation," Erick explained. "… But I'll establish some key phrases in case someone is captured and forced to talk to us over the radio or something similar."
A code for communicating without alerting captors was essential in the event of a kidnapping.
With that addressed, Erick turned his attention to the map and list Hector had given him. After carefully reviewing it and listening to Hector, the next supply runs would target nearby farms and Macon.
From the farms, they could gather crops, seeds, machinery, livestock, and other agricultural essentials.
From Macon, they'd look for tools, chemicals, construction vehicles, and materials at abandoned hardware stores and construction sites.
They needed tools, seeds, fertilizers, machinery, and building materials for both agriculture and construction.
The community had enough food to last about two and a half months, as well as weapons, medicine, and a surplus of fuel. This allowed them to focus on acquiring things that wouldn't provide immediate utility.
The groups heading to Macon would be led by Roger. They'd have to split up to cover multiple locations, so radios would be crucial for maintaining communication. They'd need to be quick and silent since the city was by far the most dangerous place for a supply run, though it was also the most rewarding.
The groups visiting the farms could be smaller, as they'd face less danger. Still, Erick reminded them to stay alert in case there were walkers or armed people hiding in any buildings.
The men Erick had led on the Atlanta mission had learned his tactics well and shared them with Roger and the others. This gave Erick confidence that they could handle dangerous situations.
Gary had become the community's de facto administrator. He would stay behind to manage the inventory and implement the points-based system within the community.
Arnold, Hector, and Veronica already had their responsibilities assigned and would start working at dawn.
This left the question of what Erick himself would do. Although the idea of joining the supply runs excited him, it was better to let his men gain leadership experience on their own.
But staying home didn't offer much for Erick to contribute either. After some thought, Erick decided to put his foreign policy into practice.
Roger had returned from Macon with information about two nearby communities.
The first was in a fortified motel on the highway, with an RV inside and improvised defenses securing the area.
The second was at a farm called St. John's Dairy Farm. It had a fence surrounding the property, cultivated fields, and likely livestock.
Both "communities" had around 10 to 15 people, so they posed no significant threat but could either be a nuisance or an opportunity depending on how they were handled.
The fortified motel could serve as an outpost to facilitate supply runs to Macon, provide shelter for his men, and gather information on survivors in the area.
The farm already had established agriculture, so it only needed expansion to increase production. Additionally, the livestock presented an opportunity to obtain products that couldn't be cultivated.
However, to reach their full potential, both communities would require the cooperation of their occupants—by any means necessary. Moreover, Erick would need significant influence, something their leaders might not appreciate.
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Erick woke up feeling refreshed. For the first time, he was going out without his biker gear.
His helmet and suit were stained with blood, covered in scratches, and combined with the black color, made him look like a bandit or someone with questionable intentions.
Today's mission was more diplomatic, so first impressions were crucial. Erick dressed in the sheriff's uniform and hat he'd taken from Leon Basset.
It wasn't the same uniform Leon wore when he died—that would've been too disturbing for Erick's taste. Instead, it was one of the spare uniforms the man had packed before he planned to move out.
Erick looked at himself in the mirror, realizing he gave a much better impression. The fact that he was fit and had no tattoos only added to his appearance.
However, the uniform offered far less protection. Apart from the bulletproof vest under his shirt, his arms, legs, and shoulders were exposed to walker bites. Erick would need to be extremely careful.
The friendly sheriff has arrived, dear citizens…
"Why are you dressed like that?" Clementine asked.
The little girl stood in front of him, rubbing her eyes after getting out of bed. Her expression gave her a tender look that warmed Erick's heart.
"I'm going to help some people and need to make a good impression," he explained.
"Are you going to take long to come back?… Lysa misses you," she said.
Erick hadn't thought about that until now. He'd been so focused on his duties as a leader that he'd forgotten to spend time with his family.
"Tell you what… When I come back, we'll all play something you two want," Erick promised.
"Okay," Clementine smiled at him. "… You'll come back, right?"
"I will… I always come back," Erick promised.
Erick stepped out of his cabin with his spear in hand, his axe, knife, and pistol secured on his belt. Outside, dozens of men and women were moving about, starting their assigned tasks.
His men had started recruiting men-at-arms. Erick was clear that each knight was responsible for equipping their own men-at-arms.
The weapons retrieved from Atlanta had been generously distributed so that Bart, Devon, Ralph, and the others had two M16 rifles along with several pistols stored in their cabins.
Firearms were a symbol of status and trust. If the men-at-arms proved unreliable, they could lose both their weapons and their status. However, the knights could also lose their authority if Erick deemed them unfit for their roles.
Erick walked through the camp, watching Arnold oversee the men digging the trench. Half of them wielded shovels, while the other half kept watch and handled any walkers approaching the camp.
After consulting with Roger, Bart, and other high-ranking men, it was decided that 200 men would embark on this new community supply run.
The 200 would be split into smaller groups, as there were many marked locations on the map to visit and loot. Of course, the plan was also for the recruited civilians to gain experience. Fifty of Erick's own men would lead the 150 newly recruited civilians on the mission.
Although the camp had around 750 men, sending all of them was a bad idea. Not everyone was in good physical condition, nor did they have the weapons or armor needed to face walkers.
The 200 selected were the best the camp had to offer in terms of physical fitness and armaments. The men-at-arms were equipped with full football gear and a baseball bat. Whether they carried firearms depended on their respective knights.
Additionally, 15 men were assigned to use the motorcycles Roger had retrieved during his mission in Macon. They would scout the area and report any unusual findings on the roads.
Erick finally arrived at the truck, where Marvin waited for him along with 20 other men.
Erick himself also needed his own retinue, and these civilians, whom he had personally chosen, showed potential as men-at-arms.
Erick had handpicked the men and armed them with a pistol each. They were chosen not only for their capabilities but also for their appearance, to ensure greater success on the mission.
All twenty were dressed in football uniforms with protective gear and carried a baseball bat as their primary weapon. Once Erick gave the signal, the twenty men climbed into the military truck, with Marvin taking the driver's seat and Erick sitting beside him.
The truck rolled along the dirt path until it reached the road, and Erick felt satisfied that the community was running like a well-oiled machine, even without his constant intervention.
"So… what's the plan?" Marvin asked as he rolled down the window to the truck's rear.
Erick didn't mind, allowing the men in the back to overhear their conversation.
The silence that had hung in the air finally broke as Erick shrugged.
"We're going to pay our neighbors a visit and see what happens," Erick murmured.
"That's it?" Marvin seemed relieved.
Erick wasn't sure what to make of his tone. Was the man expecting him to be a barbarian and raze the surrounding communities to the ground?
"The idea is to establish diplomatic relations… but if those people attack us, there will be no choice but to kill them," Erick explained.
"...Understood," Marvin nodded thoughtfully. "...I'm not sure if this is the right time to bring it up, but people aren't happy about sleeping in tents."
"Of course they're not," Erick scoffed. "...But it's not like there are beds for everyone anyway. They'll have to make do with what they have until we can build something better."
"...I guess that's fair. Still, I was worried you might leave things as they are. After all, you said the cabins were a privilege," Marvin remarked.
"They are... but I'm not cruel," Erick replied. "...Things will get better for everyone. We're a community now."
Marvin kept driving while Erick ate his breakfast. Eventually, Marvin broke the silence again.
"...What you said about the women... are you really going to allow polygamy in the community?" Marvin asked.
"...Are you afraid of women?" Erick raised an eyebrow.
"...No," Marvin replied immediately. "...But everything feels so different. Things have changed so quickly it feels like we're in another world."
"...You're used to one thing, and everything changes brutally in an instant. I get it," Erick said. "...It's not like there's another alternative. Women outnumber us by far. They'll stay in the camp to tend the crops while the men risk their lives outside."
"...Well, I don't think we'll have a hard time adjusting to the idea," Marvin joked.
"...I'm sure you won't," Erick confirmed. "...However, a man must be able to protect his women and children. If you can't, then you'll die, and someone else will take what's yours."
"...We're strong. I'm sure we—" Marvin was interrupted.
"I'm not just talking about physical strength," Erick shook his head. "...You need something more. You must be able to take lives, to be cruel to those who threaten you, and to maintain order in your own home."
"Well… that's harsh," Marvin commented.
"That's the world now," Erick explained. "While you were hiding in the university, the rest of the world moved on."
"...I know," he sighed. "...I heard about what happened to Maria. Her father and grandmother were killed. She and other women were raped…"
"Things like that are happening everywhere. My history teacher told me that when humans formed tribes, losing a war to a rival tribe meant death for all the men, while the women became part of the victors' spoils," Erick recalled.
"Do you think we're going back to that era?" Marvin asked, frightened.
"Why not?" Erick shrugged. "...There's no police, no government, no laws, only the law of the strongest. People might resist the idea out of habit, but sooner or later, everyone will give in to their savage side."
"I won't lie… your words make me want to piss my pants… especially since I can't think of a way to argue against them," Marvin sighed.
"You're right to be scared," Erick advised him. "...Don't let what women say fool you. Rape is nowhere near the worst thing that can happen to you. Many animals are naturally cruel, but none are as cruel as humans."
"What could be worse? Torture?" Marvin asked.
Seeing Erick only shrug, Marvin cursed under his breath.
"Unlike rape, torture seeks to intentionally cause suffering. The history books are there, so don't be surprised if someone decides to take inspiration from them," Erick explained.
"Can people really sink that low?" Marvin murmured, uncertain.
"To survive, a person must either be strong or have someone strong to protect them. But that says nothing about who they are as people," Erick shrugged.
The conversation ended there, and Marvin began chatting with the men in the back of the truck.
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The motel was just as it had been described. With a sign that read "Travelier Motel," the place was located right next to the road and near the woods. The motel consisted of two buildings, one of which had two floors.
Surrounding the building was an improvised wall encircling the parking lot, erected by the survivors. It didn't look like it could withstand much damage before collapsing.
As the truck stopped in front of what these people called home, Erick saw people inside running, hiding, and probably looking for weapons.
"Let me do the talking. Stay back and don't fire unless I give the order," Erick instructed his armed men.
Some of them trembled, visibly nervous, but none dared to disobey his orders.
As he approached the wall, Erick saw a woman with long brown hair and a sleeveless shirt aiming a bolt-action rifle at him from the roof of an RV inside the motel.
Another woman with short hair and a pistol peeked over the wall and pointed her weapon at him too.
"Stay right there," the short-haired woman ordered, her glare promising consequences if he disobeyed.
"Come on, Carly... There's no need to stir up trouble. The military is here to help," a man with a mustache and a cap appeared, addressing the woman.
"The only thing military about them is their vehicle, Kenny. Just look at them… A bunch of civilians and a cop who looks fresh out of the academy," the woman on the RV commented after scrutinizing them.
The man rolled his eyes at her words but didn't argue. He then started frowning as he looked at Erick.
"The lady's right. We're not military, and we're not here to cause trouble. Quite the opposite, actually," Erick calmly assured them.
"If you're not here for trouble, then… what do you want from us?" A man with glasses and a kind expression peeked over the wall.
"I belong to a group of survivors. Some of my people are in Macon gathering supplies for the community, and I wanted to ensure the route was safe," Erick explained.
"Wait… there are more of you around here?!" The woman on the RV seemed alarmed. Erick guessed it was likely due to the size of his group.
"Yes," Erick confirmed. "We use this road frequently to head to Macon for supplies. Do you think we could put down the weapons and have a more amicable discussion?"
The woman on the RV seemed ready to refuse but hesitated. Perhaps she thought this could be a ruse to gain entry and kill them all or something similar.
"I think we should accept, Lilly," a blond man appeared, trying to convince the woman.
"Doug… We don't know anything about them or their intentions," Lilly argued.
"But we know they have something to say. And they don't look dangerous… They've got a cop as their leader, Lilly," Doug countered.
Lilly seemed conflicted but eventually decided to give in.
"Only you can come in… Your friends will stay outside," she informed him.
"No problem. Your house, your rules," Erick agreed.
A couple of garbage containers being used as a gate were pushed outward, and Erick didn't hesitate to step into the motel.
Besides Lilly, Carly, Doug, Kenny, and the man with glasses—who must've been Mark—Erick noticed a blonde woman and a child hiding behind a truck.
There was no sign of Larry or Glenn at the place. It seemed that both Carly and Doug had survived the pharmacy, leaving a total of seven survivors in the motel.
In the original canon, Lee found the pharmacy keys, which allowed him to retrieve Larry's pills. However, it also triggered the alarm, drawing a horde of walkers that would kill either Carly or Doug, depending on the player's decisions.
With Lee out of the equation, it seemed they hadn't been able to retrieve the keys, which resulted in Larry not getting his medication and dying earlier than he should have. However, this allowed both Carly and Doug to survive.
The dark circles and the expression on Lilly's face gave credibility to his theory, so he accepted it as truth until proven otherwise.
"I'm listening," Lilly said, crossing her arms.
They had taken him into the RV, with Carly behind him, not taking her eyes off him.
"My group wants to establish an alliance," Erick informed.
"An alliance? For what exactly?" Lilly frowned.
Erick realized the woman wasn't thrilled with the idea but wasn't entirely opposed to it either. He decided to take it as a good sign.
"To work together. Collaborate so we can all survive," Erick proposed.
Lilly and Carly exchanged glances for a moment before the former responded.
"Collaborate? What would you want from us?" she asked suspiciously.
"I've seen your numbers. My group is clearly larger than yours," Erick said, trying not to sound threatening in the slightest. "Because of that, we have to constantly venture into cities for supplies."
"I'm afraid we can't help with that," Carly interrupted.
"She's right. We don't make trips into the cities; it's too dangerous. We're waiting for the military to come and help," Lilly explained, averting her gaze as if thinking about something that seemed to depress her.
Erick avoided sighing in disappointment; they were wasting time on fantasies like many others.
"Have you seen how many of those things are out there? At least 90% of the population must have turned, and the military has probably deserted to protect their families," Erick pointed out, avoiding sounding rude. "This isn't going to be resolved anytime soon, especially considering that dying is enough to turn you into one of those things."
The information didn't seem to surprise either woman, but it still left concern etched on their faces.
"We're not making trips into cities anyway," Lilly repeated. "There are only seven of us here, including the child. We can only search the outskirts of Macon, and we can't afford to share resources with anyone."
"I don't expect you to," Erick explained. "You've got a nice place here, just like we do. But our home is much farther from Macon than yours, so my people have to travel a lot and don't have a safe haven in case something goes wrong."
"So you expect us to act as some sort of outpost for you," Lilly finished his explanation for him.
"Exactly," Erick nodded. "My men could take shelter here and get updates on the area. Not to mention, they could store the supplies they find here and conduct more searches before transferring everything to our base."
Erick noticed that his offer was internally tempting the two women. It wasn't obvious in the slightest, but the greed was there if one paid attention.
"Of course… You can keep a share. As long as your expectations are reasonable, we can reach a mutually beneficial agreement," Erick concluded, adjusting the sheriff's hat on his head.
Lilly walked around the RV for a few moments, clearly considering his offer, then looked him up and down before speaking.
"… I'm going out to get some air. I'll leave you to discuss and consider it with your group," Erick said with a smile.
Before anyone could respond, Erick stepped out the door and into the open, leaving the motel to meet with his men.
On his way, he spotted Kenny, Mark, and Doug giving him a look before turning to discuss matters with Lilly.
"… The good news is, it doesn't look like anyone's going to die today," Erick informed Marvin and the others.
His armed men visibly relaxed at the news. Erick didn't understand their surprise—he could be a very reasonable person when he set his mind to it.
Erick continued chatting with his men, explaining the deal he was aiming for, until Lilly eventually called him back to speak with her.
"Thirty percent," she said right away, and Erick knew exactly what she was referring to.
"That's too much, considering we're taking on almost all the risk and doing the bulk of the work. Three percent," Erick countered.
"That's ridiculous!" Lilly shot back, indignant. "… You expect us to open the gates and let your people in here for a bottle of water and a couple of pills?"
"I think you're severely underestimating our people," Erick replied, unfazed. "… There are 200 men out there gathering supplies for me as we speak."
The look on Lilly's face when he mentioned the number was priceless, and he had to hold back a laugh.
Personal supply runs would eventually make it difficult for this motel to store all the goods, Erick thought.
"… Supplies will flow in without issue, Lilly. Don't worry. It's not in either of our interests for your people to starve. But my offer also includes something far more important: protection," Erick whispered into her ear.
"… Protection?" Lilly scoffed. "… We're perfectly capable of protecting ourselves."
"Against walkers and wandering survivors, I'm sure you are. But if a group of 20 or more men shows up at your door… what exactly will you do?" Erick asked.
Lilly stayed silent, and Erick knew she wasn't stupid. She had to be aware of the limitations imposed by their small numbers.
"I want something else," Lilly finally said, ready to negotiate again. "… I'll have the right to choose what we receive as payment."
"That works for me," Erick agreed, and the two shook hands to seal the deal.
Erick pulled a backpack filled with medicine from the truck and handed it to Lilly as a gesture of goodwill. For him, it was just a tiny fraction of his reserves, but for a group Lilly's size, it could mean life or death.
He also offered assistance in properly fortifying the motel and shared the idea of clearing part of the forest for farming if their numbers grew large enough. Erick assured her he'd be willing to help if needed.
His generosity seemed well-received, judging by the looks from the motel group. Erick bid them farewell, handing Lilly a radio with instructions on how to contact him.
The next destination was the Dairy Farm, and unlike the motel, the conversation and negotiations were far less tense.
There was a man named Andy in charge, and he seemed eager to welcome a law enforcement officer to the farm.
After Erick presented his offer and a bit of bargaining, they agreed the farm would provide 20% of its produce in exchange for Erick's protection and assistance in expanding and fortifying the property.
Erick didn't even dare ask for meat… for reasons.
Afterward, Erick left, satisfied, and hopeful the leaders of both communities would heed his advice about recruiting more people to bolster their numbers. Agriculture is challenging without enough labor, and it would only get harder once machines became obsolete.
Not to mention, people are a resource, and the strength of a community lies in how well it leverages its population.
Erick radioed his men to share the good news and inform them of both communities' locations. If he remembered correctly, Macon had a sizable population, and now that they had an outpost, looting the city's resources would be much easier.
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As Marvin drove the truck back home, Erick, sitting in the passenger seat, heard Bart's voice coming through the radio.
"This is Bart… I'm heading back home… Is anyone there?" he asked.
"I can hear you… This is Erick," he replied after picking up the radio and pressing the button.
"…Glad to hear your voice. This might sound a bit gay, but supply runs are usually better when you're around," Bart chuckled.
Erick wasn't sure how to take that exactly, so he just accepted it and moved the conversation forward.
"...Did anything go wrong?" Erick asked.
"...Aside from the end of the world?" Bart joked before turning serious. "...Not much, or at least not too much. There were some wet pants here and there thanks to the recruits, along with vomit and tears, but that was expected since almost none of them had killed a walker before," he explained.
"...That's it?" Erick asked, bracing himself for bad news.
"No…" Bart lamented. "...There were casualties… One idiot opened a door without checking for walkers on the other side and got eaten alive. Another fool tried to play hero saving a woman and got himself killed…"
"I can't exactly blame the guy," Erick said in defense of the second one. "...I saved Alexa, and now she's in my bed, so I'd say it was worth it."
Bart only chuckled bitterly at his response before continuing his explanation.
"I'm not disagreeing with that logic… But the guy faced a horde to save that woman. She's hot, but the risk was way too high, and he paid for it with his life. We're bringing the woman back to the camp, but it's a shame the guy died before claiming his prize…" Bart sighed.
Erick agreed. Strength is less important than common sense, and that guy clearly didn't have it. Hopefully, others would learn over time.
"I need you to check everyone to make sure no one's been bitten," Erick ordered. Precautions were necessary, and they couldn't afford to be careless about such things.
"What do I do if I find someone who's been bitten?... Put them out of their misery?" Bart asked, his tone carrying a sinister suggestion.
Erick thought about it, weighing the costs and benefits for several seconds before shaking his head.
"No… The best thing is to just watch over them and give them a chance to say goodbye," Erick concluded. "...One last meal, a couple of painkillers, and let death take them…"
"That's a waste of resources on people who are already dead," Bart pointed out.
"Maybe…" Erick agreed. "...But if we just kill anyone who's been bitten, then people will start hiding their bites, and that'll only cause more problems… Besides… These men are risking their lives for the sake of the community. I think they deserve a dignified death," he concluded.
When they arrived home, Erick saw that several groups had already returned with their loot. Securing more resources was good, but the most valuable thing the recruits could gain from this mission was experience.
Erick noticed that the trench was almost finished, and the camp now had much more space than they needed—done intentionally.
Erick's plan wasn't just to build communal houses but also dining halls, barns, storage facilities, a library, a medical ward, and many other structures to make the place comfortable and well-supplied.
The trench was a two-meter-wide and two-meter-deep ring surrounding both the camp and the civilians they had saved from Atlanta.
For now, it only protected the vehicles and tents from the walkers outside, but eventually, they would build walls behind the trench to repel assaults.
Eventually, they would also construct a second, much larger trench to protect their crops, and maybe even create canals to use river water without having to carry it manually to the fields.
Outside the trench, about a hundred armed men were piling up a group of killed walkers, while the tamed walkers were tied to trees far from the camp.
Both the supply runners and scouts were returning, and to Erick's relief, no group had been completely lost… Of the 200 men who went out to gather supplies, five had died due to inexperience or recklessness.
Erick was spending time with his family when Gary approached him with the scouting report.
Among the information was the location of a farm south of Atlanta and north of their current position…
The place was called Greene Family Farm, and that was all they knew besides its location on the map. The scouts didn't bring back numbers, but at this point, that wasn't necessary.
And while the idea of bringing another community under their wing was more than appealing… there were still other pressing matters on the list.
All the scouts had successfully returned from their missions on their motorcycles, bringing back valuable information about communities and suspicious roadblocks… All except one—the one heading toward Columbus, the city where Fort Benning was located.
Erick wasn't sure what to think about that information…
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[Character Summary:
- Name: Erick Bolton
- Age: 18
- Combat Attributes:
(Take into account that C- is the average)
* Melee: B-
* Ranged: C-
* Physical condition: A
* Stealth: B
* Plot Armor: Low
- Army quality: Very low.
- Inventory:
+ Pistol (ammo x70)
+ Small axe
+ Machete
+ Tactical knives x1
+ Backpack
+ first aid kit
+ Food (remaining days: 86 )]
-unlocked features:
+"Sacrifice Resources"
(You can sacrifice resources in exchange for improving your attributes... For example, food for physical conditioning, ammunition for ranged combat, etc... but the resources you sacrifice will be lost forever, and the cost increases exponentially based on how high your attributes are.)]
+ "Pocket warehouse 1" (Allows you to carry objects without physically holding them, and they'll be available at any time. The current limit is 100 kilograms and can be upgraded by completing missions.)
+ "Perceptive leader" (You'll be able to see detailed information about all the members of your group, including their perception of you.)
+ "Walker Domestication 1" (Domesticated walkers can follow you or stay in a location on command without the need for ropes.)
[Community summary:
-name : ???
-members : 4200
-Food (remaining days: 77 )
- Army quality: Very low.
-weapons:
+ sniper rifle x25
+ crossbow x5
+bow x114
+pistol x421
+shotgun x 90
+bolt-action rifle x1
+ AR-15 x2
+ M16 x123
+ spears x150
+ guns : ??
- lifestyle tree: Feudal
- Community benefits:
+["Accelerated Harvest": Crops need half the usual time to grow and be ready for harvest.]
]