Airon's collection operation lasted a whole day, and he found a few more things, just as important as what they had collected so far, which made several members of the Alexandria group almost cry with emotion, and one could even say that what they collected today was much more than what they have done in three months.
Alexandria's reserves have never enjoyed good stability. The amount of resources left by the army allowed this group to live well for a year. However, these people also lost the best time where they could improve.
Initially, it would have been good to store materials and resources as Airon did even if these were of no use to them. But the refugees in Alexandria did not. Except for building a wall around the shelter, they did nothing even if they had the perfect land to plant crops. This put the Alexandria survivors in a dangerous situation.
Now that food stocks were running low, they had to go out too often to get supplies, which was why this group was happy to be able to get many things in a single day together with Airon.
In the following days, Airon started going out very frequently, some of the people who were being trained also accompanied them. After a few days of getting along, Aaron and the others had adapted to the rhythm of Airon's group.
They all learned many little tricks they didn't know, including how to avoid walkers and how to deal with them in masses.
And in a few days, in the meeting room in Alexandria.
Everyone who lived in Alexandria was gathered in this place, besides Deanna and her husband Monroe, there were some people sitting on their sides and they were the group that accompanied Airon on the outings to look for resources.
Deanna flipped through the notebook she had in her hand and asked several people, "I counted the questions I will ask everyone and then I will choose a few more important questions to ask and have everyone listen to them. I expect the six of you to monitor each other and use the most honest opinions to answer these questions."
"Okay."
"Yes."
...
Deanna nodded and asked the group of Aaron and the others about Airon and his people, "About the group that accompanied you, what is your impression of them?"
Tobin turned to everyone and then said, "I'd rather say it directly than write it down and if there is any discrepancy, you can add something or stop what I'm about to say."
Seeing several people in his group nodding and agreeing, Tobin didn't write and said clear words for everyone in Alexandria to hear "The deepest impression of that group is strict discipline, strong execution, clear division of labor, team members tacitly cooperating with each other and trusting each other."
"The most outstanding thing, if I can mention it, is that the value of Airon's words seems to have a lot of power among the group. No one hesitates, everyone obeys his orders unconditionally."
Aaron, on the other hand, added: "Another point is that almost all the people who arrived a few days ago have their own skills, Daryl is an expert in moving through the forest, George is a car mechanic and the rest of them are very good at marksmanship or good at bows and arrows besides the experienced soldiers, it can be said that normal people excel in all aspects."
Deanna nodded, made a note in the notebook and then asked, "Do you think this team is dangerous?"
Tobin thought about it for a moment and continued to answer, "Danger has always existed, but the premise is of whether the other party is hostile or not. From what I have seen over the past few days, the intentions of that group are genuine for the overall benefit of the world."
The others nodded one after another with understanding, indicating they had nothing to add.
Deanna went on to ask, "How likely do you think it is that the other side will join us?"
As soon as this question came up, the five people looked at each other and shook their heads in silence.
Deanna sighed and could only move on to the next question, "If you had a choice, would you like to stay in Alexandria or would you like to join Airon's group?"
Tobin paused with some hesitation, looked at the people around him and finally gritted his teeth and spoke the truth: "To be honest, if survival is really what I'm looking for I would like to join Airon's group. Providing hope not only for me to live but also for other people's future is something that makes me feel good."
Heath also nodded, he agreed with Tobin's point of view. Everyone wanted to be led by someone who had clear things about the future, regardless of where they belong, if there is a bigger organization with clear ideas about the future, they would rather move locations.
Aaron said, "I choose to stay. Alexandria is my home, I would rather grow with my group and survive than somewhere else. But if they join us, it will be the best possible outcome we can get. Likewise, I advocate Tobin's point of view. "
Eric looked at Aaron with a smile and said as much, "I'll be where Aaron is."
Rodrigo, on the other hand, remained silent, but everyone still wanted to hear what he had to say.
Rodrigo showed no expression, then said directly, "I'm sorry, I don't have much to say. But if they want to know so badly, I choose to join them."
"What's the reason?" Deanna asked curiously.
"Because Airon's group are visionary people about the future. I thought our group was too, but Arion's actions are unparalleled. I just want to ask him one question, in all this time how much does he know about the future?"
"Airon gave me the feeling that he is adapting to this world at full speed, and that he in this world will guide us in the right way to recover little by little all that we have lost. If we do nothing, we will be the ones to lose that opportunity."
Hearing Rodrigo's words, the meeting room fell into a brief silence, and Deanna was also lost in thought as she tapped the notebook with a pen.
The people who were listening to these words in the room began to refute Rodrigo's words impatiently, thinking that he was too naïve,
After Rodrigo finished speaking, he lowered his head and remained silent, as if he did not care about these people's accusations.
Deanna patted the table and said loudly, "Silence!"
"Last question, I hope you will think carefully before answering."
Everyone waited in silence for that question Deanna was about to ask.
"About accepting the proposal that Airon made to me, can you guys agree to make major changes in Alexandria?"
The people who have spent time with Airon lowered their heads and thought about it. After a while, Tobin said, "My personal opinion is to accept him to lead us, the groups of those people who have gone out to explore have brought many people during these days to the shelter."
"I also agree, the reason is basically the same as Tobin's."
"I think the same thing."
"I think Airon can make a better change for everyone."
Rodrigo raised his head again at this point. He looked at Deanna in front of him and then looked at the people behind him. He suddenly felt a little awkward and looked at these people silently.
"I know I'm not in a position to criticize anyone, but I still have a few words to say."
"Actually, we all know where the problem is with this shelter. Airon mentioned many things to us. Do you know that the three large bases that Airon runs from miles away have achieved food self-sufficiency? In just half a year they have achieved it and plan to take over all of Atlanta as safe territory."
"What about us?"
"Put up some laminates and say we're the safest community here? What else have we done? There's a reason the other side has developed this way. I don't intend to criticize you, Deanna, but you must know that we have a better alternative."
After Rodrigo finished speaking, the conference room exploded with roar. People criticized Rodrigo's words. Deanna was a little helpless at this point due to the chatter of the discussions. The achievement she had always been proud of turned out to be useless in the eyes of others.
Even her team members changed their minds after hanging out with Airon for a few days. She is an intelligent person and knows that what Rodrigo said a moment ago is really quite correct. She is just a politician, and what she is best at is stabilizing the situation, but her pioneering ability is limited. It can be said that she has merits and demerits in the face of the Alexandria problem.
Seeing people in the audience criticizing Rodrigo, I couldn't help but pat the table again and said loudly, "Everyone, I want to say something, I hope you will listen carefully."
"Due to many dangers unknown to us, I will begin to adopt Airon's suggestion and carry out the reconstruction of Alexandria. I hope everyone is mentally prepared for the new changes, we will mark the great end of a new beginning!"