The First Batch of Resources on Its Way

"About your delay... The pregnancy test you asked me to do already has a result." Candace looked at Lori with a reassuring smile; she was very happy to share this news.

"The result of the pregnancy test?" Lori's heart skipped a beat. She had never thought that her sudden idea about her delayed period would actually turn out to be a baby. Initially, she had secretly contacted Candace for help because this thought had been worrying her.

Candace approached and explained to Lori, "There's a lot more! Besides giving you the result, I have something very important you need to know. Can I come in and talk about it?"

Lori realized she was being rude and invited Candace into the small room.

After the two sat down, Candace continued, "I talked to Jason a few weeks ago before you all left in search of a new shelter. I forgot to tell everyone after being busy in the lab all this time. I'm sorry!"

Hearing Candace's sudden apology, Lori quickly waved her hand and said, "No, all of us should be thanking you! If they hadn't accepted us, how could we be living in such good conditions?"

"Isn't it ironic? Jason was the one who convinced me to start accepting refugees into the facility shortly after the military abandoned us. Plus, they also took care of collecting a lot of medical equipment and valuable medicine, so there's nothing to worry about. Even if you're pregnant, you shouldn't be concerned—we have enough medical resources to ensure a smooth delivery!"

"But there's something we haven't shared yet... Our group has made great progress in studying the virus, allowing us to create the first vaccine."

"Can you cure this virus?" Lori couldn't believe it; her eyes widened as she looked at Candace in shock.

Candace knew Lori had misunderstood and calmly explained, "It's not what you think. We've actually developed a vaccine, but it can't prevent infection from being bitten by the infected."

Upon hearing this, Lori's previously excited mood instantly cooled, but Candace's next words gave her hope once again.

"Even though we can't solve the issue of infection caused by bites from the undead, our vaccines can now immunize people against infections caused by airborne and non-blood contact with the infected. Other forms of transmission can no longer infect us. Even if we die accidentally or naturally, we won't turn into walkers, making it easier to start over somewhere else without the fear of an internal outbreak."

"This is amazing!" Lori was so happy that she wanted to shout out loud.

"Mom! Does this mean we don't have to be afraid in the future?" Carl tugged at the corner of Lori's clothing innocently.

Lori hugged Carl and said joyfully, "No, sweetheart, we can't go back to the way things were just yet, but things will keep getting better in the future!"

Candace stood up and told Lori after finishing, "Then I won't bother you anymore—I need to inform the others!"

"Alright, thank you!" Lori stood up and hugged Candace. At that moment, she was incredibly grateful that her group had chosen to follow Jason out of the quarry. And, of course, she was even more thankful to Jason for all his efforts.

After saying goodbye to Candace, Lori anxiously ran to the bathroom. A moment later, she came out holding the test results in her hands.

She went to the bed and hugged Carl before quietly asking, "Sweetie, would you like a little brother or a little sister?"

As Candace left, she was intercepted by a figure that looked quite anxious.

"Dr. Jenner, the first batch of supplies has been sent out. When they return, we will begin evacuating the first group of refugees!" Tyler reported from the other side of the door in a clear voice.

"I understand. I'll discuss it with Tommy right away," Candace said after a brief pause, and the sound of her quick steps echoed as she walked away.

…

Outside the CDC Facility

Twenty large trucks, escorted by ten Humvees equipped with machine guns and five tanks, were preparing to head toward the new shelter they had cleared.

If everything went well and quickly, Sam knew that Jason would return with the trucks to start the journey with the survivors and continue transporting resources in future trips.

This time, half of the facility's forces were departing with that large convoy of trucks and military vehicles. Without a doubt, this trip was the most important one, as it carried the most valuable resources they had been safeguarding for a long time.

"Will everything go smoothly?" George asked, looking somewhat lost.

"Let's hope so. The prison Jason mentioned should be getting cleared by now. The place seems much more suitable than the city, and given that we have no future here, it would be ideal to have secure facilities there," Sam Valdez said with a nod.

When Candace announced that the first batch of supplies was being sent to the new shelter, the entire CDC was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Jason, who was at the prison, also received the news that the first batch of crucial resources was on its way.

…

The Prison

At that moment, standing outside a gym, he was looking down a hallway full of walkers. This time, there was no reason for him to move—dozens of people were split into two groups clearing out the undead.

When he turned his head after some time, the more experienced group had just finished clearing the walkers from the hallway leading to the gym. At first, everyone was puzzled that the number of walkers they had eliminated didn't seem to match the amount that should have been there.

However, when the doors leading to the gym were opened, that idea vanished from their minds. The gym was densely packed with walkers. Everyone relied on their shields at the front of the formation to withstand the initial surge. After a slight struggle, their combat formation proved highly effective, and they began advancing.

At this moment, everyone was fighting and clearing out the area. After Jason received the news from Candace, he immediately notified everyone about the first batch of supplies heading their way, and the entire group was filled with excitement.

Originally, there were still a large number of walkers in the gym, and people were starting to get exhausted, but they suddenly became energized. Now, the walkers in front of them seemed like insignificant obstacles.

The cleanup work, which was originally scheduled to be completed by nightfall, was abruptly finished an hour earlier due to everyone's high morale!

Jason's eyes gleamed with excitement as he witnessed this. He knew that in the grand scheme of things, this was trivial, but for a start, it was good enough. At that moment, Jason and the others headed to the prison cafeteria, which had been cleared out a few days ago, thinking about dinner.

By now, everyone who had spent the entire day cleaning the place and killing walkers could no longer hold back their hunger and ran to the cafeteria like children.

The tables and chairs had been rearranged, and everyone received a large portion of food on their plates, eagerly indulging in the feast.

Jason was also sitting at a table. The food in front of him remained untouched as he examined some documents in his hands. Daryl and Rick sat beside him.

After scanning through the documents, Jason placed the papers down on the table.

"What do you think of our friends?"

"Ha, bla, bwa!" Merle said as he choked on the food in his mouth.

Seeing that everyone ignored him while they focused on eating, Jason decided to do the same—he was starving.

Fifteen minutes later.

"Did everyone eat well?"

Although Jason was the last to start eating, he was the first to finish.

"Ah, I'm so full!"

"It's been so long since I enjoyed a meal like this!"

Various exclamations came from the group members around him, and Jason looked at everyone with satisfaction. The unity of this community was growing stronger each day.

Finally, as those around him finished their meals, Jason picked up the papers again and pushed them forward.

Several individuals with the title of group captains picked up the papers and examined them carefully. The more Merle read, the more amused he looked, eventually breaking into laughter, but Rick was different—anger was evident in his eyes. After a while, the documents were passed around like a newspaper. As everyone read, their expressions began to change.

"What do you think?" Jason placed his hands on the table, tapping his fingers lightly from time to time. These documents contained the criminal records of the five former prisoners. Shane had arranged for someone to retrieve them.

"This Axel guy is just unlucky, ha ha ha!" Merle laughed heartlessly.

Everyone ignored Merle. Rick held Thomas and Andrew's files and remained silent for a while. He was feeling hesitant. He recalled Jason's words from before—their group planned to live here for a long time. Was it really a good idea to let them go? If they decided to seek revenge, they could cause serious harm.

Daryl hesitated for a moment, pointed at the paper in his hand, and said, "Oscar's sentence has already expired, and Axel and Tiny are in a similar situation. I don't think these three are very dangerous. But the other two are serious criminals, and I don't think it's a good idea to let them leave this place."

"You think so too?" Jason stopped tapping the table and sat up straight.

His eyes reflected a murderous intent—he had clearly already made up his mind long before reading the prisoners' files.

Jason wanted to be fair, giving everyone the chance to express their opinion. However, in his eyes, no one was truly prepared for this world.

Shane and Merle seemed to be the only ones who understood, but Jason, who had already made his decision, would act according to his own judgment.