Chapter 30 - The Changes

In a short time, the blood test was over. Immediately, it was not proposed to leave them in isolation because of the time and the many things that needed to be done. They all returned to the garage and began moving supplies. 

All the survivors who had arrived in the last few days had been successfully integrated, now all the people who were worried about whether the place was safe were reassured. 

Since the U.S. government cut off signals over television and civilian networks, the radio has become the only one where all U.S. survivors can get information from the outside world. 

The voices only present safe havens but everyone is in fear that those places are not at all what they seem, no military or people have been seen trying to contain the disaster at all, indicating that all was very much lost. 

"[This is a message to the active military forces near the area, a safe haven has been set up where your presence is requested to reinforce security, the place is safe and still struggling to find a cure that will solve the walker chaos]." 

After talking about a few more things, Tyler, who was taking care that everything went well, handed other manuscripts to the one in charge of relaying the messages, and his expression became somewhat unnatural. 

"[Anyone who can't find their way, who is hungry or in need of help, can attend our facility where we are still struggling to create a cure for this virus]." 

After the voice stopped, the recording played once more and is to continue playing from now on. 

Whether it was survivors who could hear the radio or military who had nowhere to go, they could approach the CDC for shelter. Airon knew this could backfire on him but at least in the beginning he wanted to take that risk. 

Everyone knows how terrible it is to survive out there, everyone understands how important a safe haven is and they should also understand that to accomplish all that takes a lot of work. 

"This can really go wrong for us, we have to be alert and watch out for enemy attacks." Sam Valdez sitting nearby couldn't help but say. 

"You're right, we can't avoid taking this risk due to the fact that we're running out of time, we have to start expanding our territory and have a stable food source." 

Airon sat and silently watched the security cameras. Starting tomorrow all the new refugees will be organized and assigned a job, we need to start clearing the nearest buildings and expand the domain land. 

Finally the people closest to him understood why it is important to keep growing, now the survivors are adapting to this new world and when they finish adapting, they will start wreaking havoc without considering the weaker ones. 

Now the various people at the CDC are much calmer than when they arrived and communication has also increased. 

After the materials were organized, Airon Darcy took it upon himself to get the new people familiar with the structure within the center and learn the places they should not be.   

Originally having one floor designed to house a large number of researchers, those empty places were now completely filled, housing the new people in this location. 

Afterwards, Airon summoned the people who were in charge of supervising that all the jobs were done and listened to the registration list with the new people and what they know how to do. 

Of Guillermo's group of survivors, many had medical skills and the others had mechanical knowledge, some knew how to use weapons and others how to cook. 

Airon took the list of the people who would be escorts and assigned them to the guard group, he knew it was time for them to stop announcing themselves as soldiers, so he announced that the community plan should be announced. 

When all this was settled, many went to rest and Airon along with another group were in charge of security outside the CDC facilities, as the leader of this group struggling to survive he must make sure that everything goes smoothly. 

...  

The next morning, the second floor lobby of the CDC. 

Everyone, including the investigators except for the guards who remained outside, gathered in the hallway, while Airon and the leaders of each section remained on the stairs. 

"They're all assembled except for the elders, sir." Mike said with a calm look. 

Airon nodded and seeing that everyone had arrived, he clapped his hands and said loudly so everyone could hear him, "Alright, I ask everyone to be quiet." 

The atmosphere quickly quieted and Airon Darcy remarked, "I called everyone here to inform them of some changes and rules. I think you all slept well last night, didn't you?" 

"It was good!"    

"I was able to bathe and eat enough to eat!" 

"I'm glad it's safe here!" 

Seeing that everyone responded one after another, Airon Darcy's tone became serious, "It looks like you all had a good time, do you think you are able to live like this in the future?" 

After pausing, Airon looked at everyone I know who remained silent and said, "How long do you think life like this will last in the future? A year, half a year, or just a few months? I can tell you all that the fuel to keep the facility running won't last more than three months." 

Speaking to this point, everyone's faces grew somber. A very small number of days went through everyone's heart like a big hammer. They just rekindled their hope for life, but Airon's words shattered all their illusions.   

Airon Darcy was calm as his words awakened that feeling of survival within all the people, he nodded and pointed out, "That is for sure if someone else doesn't come and try to take away what we have, we are now a community that will fight to survive in the days to come, so now he announced that our community will have the S.C.T name!" 

"We are the Survey Corps Troops community, we have to protect ourselves as a family! We will watch our backs as if we were brothers, everyone at some point will have to wield a gun and kill our enemies." 

If you hear Airon's words from a third party, you would understand what he means, it's all about surviving a new world and adapting to those changes. Everyone understood, the walkers would not be the only enemies trying to kill them. 

Some people were scared at the thought of those possibilities, others didn't want to accept that it was real and many others kept silent without showing any expression. 

But Airon knew very well that whether it was in the past or in the future, trusting people outside the comfort zone would be a grave mistake and very soon it would be known what humans can do. 

"But you need not be afraid, as long as we work together and train, we will be so strong that no one will be able to disturb our peace, no one will even think of harming us. I need you, I need you to master the skills to protect yourselves and this place." 

"I don't care if you are children, women or old, the world has changed, it doesn't matter who you were in the past, your main priority is to protect your family and loved ones, from now on the groups will be formed with experienced men to expand our territory and bring resources to the refuge."

Hearing that even women and children need training, Lori couldn't help but look at her husband. Rick felt Lori's gaze and turned his head to meet his wife's slightly dissatisfied look. Although he understood Lori's concern, from the bottom of his heart he still agreed with Airon's proposal. 

Airon, after keeping silent, looked at everyone and announced, "I would like to give you a piece of advice, don't expect the world to go back to the way it was before or even better." 

Airon looked at Edwin Janner and his wife, they nodded and said, "There will no longer be a society if a cure is not discovered and that is because everyone here, including me, is all infected with the virus!" 

This sentence exploded murmurs in the crowd, and there was suddenly much discussion, and even two women fell to the ground. 

Several people standing next to Airon Darcy also looked at him in shock. 

"Airon, is what you said true? Then why don't we become walkers?" Dale couldn't help but be the first to ask. 

Everyone was silent, looking at Airon Darcy expecting to receive answers about what he had just said. 

Airon Darcy had expected this reaction from the people, he had not planned to reveal this secret but finally did so when he heard Edwin's words, after all they had nothing to gain by hiding that information. 

"I believe that these answers will be answered by the principal investigator of this center, Edwin Jenner."

After Arion pointed to Edwin, he nodded and took a step forward, "Indeed, this was not important to point out before due to the fact that there were not many people in this place, but now everyone should be aware of the truth." 

"And the answer is yes, we are all carriers of the virus! As for why we didn't become walkers, it was because our immune system helped protect us a certain amount from the invasion of the virus, but once the motor functions of the human body shut down, it doesn't matter if a walker has bitten or scratched you, as long as the brain is not damaged, eventually everyone will become a walker!"

Edwin Jenner paused and continued, "Because of that, until we find a cure, no matter who you are with, if you die of natural causes, remember to be compassionate and damage the brain enough to keep the people next to us from becoming walkers." 

Having said that, the crowd shouted one after another, and it was hard for people to accept it. Although reality is cruel, Airon also thought that telling the truth was better, eventually people may get used to it. 

With this in mind, it is better for everyone to be aware that people who die of natural causes can also be transformed into walkers. For the elderly who are bedridden, some care should be taken and for safety reasons a protocol should be followed. 

Airon did not agree with Rick's decision at first. He kept such important news to himself and insisted on waiting for losses before counting them. One could only say it was necessary for the drama. 

But Airon couldn't take such risks, he needed to make sure that this haven was sustainable and that the CDC was the main base of his S.C.T community and the future of a new world, at least until he finds a better place than this.

Looking at the people arguing in front of him, Airon had no intention of stopping, so he pointed out, "You should know why I am sharing this very new information with all of you, for what you don't yet understand are for two important reasons." 

"The first is that all of you should be aware that even if we eliminate all the walkers in the world, even if many of us die to accomplish that, there will still be walkers around the world!" 

"And that is why we must keep the CDC safe. I am happy to inform you that the scientific research project led by Mrs. Janner will soon make great progress, even though we haven't made it yet." 

After saying that, Airon paused and remarked, "But things are not so bad, recent research has solved the initial problems of the undead virus, and very soon we may even be able to surmise that smaller problems can be solved." 

Airon turned his head to look at Candece beside him, the two exchanged positions and Candece's slightly haggard face showed some excitement. 

"Hello everyone, as Airon just said, our team has been experimenting day and night in the lab since long before it was announced about the virus. With the continued efforts of many people on my team, we have recently discovered a small substance that can eliminate small amounts of the virus." 

"We are also improving the information as soon as possible, and I believe that in a short time we will be able to develop a vaccine that will allow you to have immunity within the realm of possibility." 

Immediately, the crowd asked questions, "What do you mean by immunity within the realm of possibility?" 

Edwin explained, "Literally, it means that we can't be immune to infection from scratches and bites from walking corpses completely, although you can have the possibility that with a vaccine they can evade becoming walkers." 

"That is, as long as they are bitten, they have the chance that they may not die from the virus." 

Candece nodded and then continued, "That's right, this reagent is still in the experimental stage, we'll use the time to perfect it and make a finished product as soon as possible!" 

"Awesome!" 

"Good job! hahaha!" 

Airon pressed his hand to signal everyone to be quiet and took this opportunity to interrupt and explain everything clearly. 

"Let's stop here at the vaccine. The two doctors have to go back to the lab to preside over the work." 

"Next, I will say two more things. The first is that I will be conducting research in the surrounding areas of Atlanta during the period of everyone's training. I will try to find a new location where it will allow us to have a second shelter and have the ability to move if this location becomes untenable." 

"Try to find the location of our next shelter. The second point is that in the next week, Sam Valdez, Shane and Rick Grimes will get their shooting and fighting skills taken care of, and then we'll start moving to scout and bring in resources." 

"Merle and his younger brother, Daryl, will be providing survival training, is there anything you want to add?" 

Merle's gruff voice rang out, "No, no problem!" 

Daryl didn't speak, just nodded his head towards Airon. 

"Alright, I'm done talking about today's business, then everyone listens to the arrangement, Rick, Shane and Sam will begin today's training plan immediately!" 

"Alright, the meeting is over!"