Every life is precious, that's what Morgan had thought since he was saved by the people of Airon. He knew he would be eternally grateful to him for creating a safe space in this apocalyptic world and sharing it with his family.
It had been almost a month since Airon had left the prison with a group in search of answers, he as one of the keepers of things in the prison made sure everything was on track. But then came the reports, one after another sharing not so good information and now he understood that the world had come to an end.
This virus that hit the world ended up consuming every part of the country and many now do whatever it takes to survive. He had seen it in the eyes of many of those who were transferred to the central base.
Since he started helping Airon he felt guilty that he couldn't offer more, he wanted to show how grateful he was and support Airon from his side to show him that the world needs him no matter what he does to keep it safe.
Rick, on his side, had changed a lot. Since becoming leader, he has killed far more people than could be saved on his own. He knew, that's what you have to do to survive.
And so did he, which was why he wanted to go somewhere else in search of trying to expand his mind and regain his inner stability while helping Airon with the new bases they had discovered outside.
...
In a helicopter, Morgan looked at all these people in full combat uniforms that looked like robots. None had removed their helmets, remaining anonymous.
"I hope it's a quick trip..." Morgan muttered as he fell silent again. This was their first time leaving and traveling a long distance to an unknown location, so they were all focused.
"I saw you at the prison, what are you doing in a helicopter heading to Virginia?" Asked a girl who was modestly sensible not too far away from Morgan.
Morgan was a little surprised that someone was talking in this quiet helicopter cockpit, so he shook his head and saw a girl he remembered perfectly, "You're Tara, what are you doing here?"
Tara held up her hands and then said, "You needed someone who knew how to use a bow, Carol wanted to come but she has her daughter, so I came in her place."
"That's understandable, I remember when Rick took you to the central base, are you sure you can do that?" Morgan looked at Tara waiting for her answer.
"Yes, I learned a lot surviving alongside my group, I can do it..." Tara nodded before looking away from Morgan.
Morgan, who watched her for a few seconds, just said, "I'm going to support a friend, I'm sure he needs my help."
...
Within minutes of arriving in the Alexandria community, Raul Mendez who was one of the military men Airon had saved in Atlanta before returning to prison was commanding the operation.
In the cockpit of a helicopter, the radio emitted a transmission that should not have been heard in the first place. So, the pilot lightly touched his earpiece.
"Sir, we are receiving a transmission on the channel the military normally uses!"
Looking at the confused look on the pilot's face, Raul put on his headset, although this could be anything he had to pay attention to these anomalies.
"Can you focus it?"
"I'm trying, sir." Hearing Raul's question, the pilot began pushing buttons trying to hear where the hell that transmission was coming from.
"For someone who can hear this transmission!..."
Raul Mendez slowly moved a button and then muttered, "We're getting closer to transmission range, they seem to be calling for help."
The words sounded fuzzy, but as the helicopter advanced, the voice became clearer and clearer.
"Zz... This is Colonel Ben Miller, for any nearby military base that can hear our transmission, we need your help!"
"Zz... We suffered an internal infection, the base was overrun by walkers and we were unable to contain the infection. Right now, possibly my attempts to communicate with any of the bases that contacted me recently are minuscule, but I implore your help!"
"Zz... There are about five fifty of us civilians, half are soldiers and we have run out of ammunition. We're holed up in a warehouse, the base is infested with walkers and it's impossible for us to do anything even if we want to."
"Zz..."
"What do we do sir?"
"I need to think about it..." Raul Mendez picked up the radio and thought silently for a few seconds, he had remembered being in a similar situation and at that time Airon heard his words.
At least, he needed to confirm that those people were not alone. The important thing now was to get to Alexandria, once he was in that place he would tell Airon about it and at that moment he would make the decision.
"Zz... This is Corporal Raul Mendez, repeat your situation."
Raul had made a decision, whatever it was he would not go anyway to that place without first completing the mission. If there is a base with survivors and there are soldiers in that place, it would be good to find pilots since they are in short supply.
"Zz... Corporal Mendez, this is Ben Miller and I am currently trapped at a military base just off Port Royal, Virginia, 22535, can you contact us by air or ground?" Colonel Ben Miller sounded anxious, preferably preferring them to be on the air.
Seeing that no response was heard, Ben Miller said again, "Zz.... We have pilots, there are helicopters and planes to transport us, we just need help to get us safely out of this place."
Raul Mendez, thought silently and then said, "Zz.... I am currently on a mission, I will tell my commander and then we will go to rescue you. Don't worry, it won't take more than 48 hours."
"Zz... We thank you Corporal, we will be eternally grateful."
Raul Mendes pulled out a special radio, sighed and then reported, "Commander Airon, I am the AA squadron leader leading the operation, we are approaching your position."
The helicopters saw the flare signals and then approached towards the location, the containers below the helicopters slowly descended towards Alexandria.
"They're here..."