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🕑 Added 2025-06-30 10:07:34 +0000 UTCA New Beginning From the End of the World
Chapter 204 - The Message
"Oh my God!"
As they looked at the massive wall of the community before them—and remembered the iron fence they had seen earlier—they couldn’t help but admire the level of security. This place was completely different, and in silence, they acknowledged the effort these people had put into building something like this.
The base, community, or refuge before them resembled no other place they had ever been. Although the outer wall wasn’t very tall, its defenses were intimidating, with some walkers covered in what looked like molten metal fused to their bodies. The entire wall radiated a chilling atmosphere.
The farmland could no longer be seen from outside. A heavily damaged gate opened slowly upon detecting the approaching vehicles. At that moment, several soldiers stepped out from behind the wall and positioned themselves in front of the two vehicles. After a formal salute, the cars slowly advanced toward the entrance.
Rick looked at the people by the car, returned the salute with a faint smile, and calmly stepped out, feeling more at ease. In front of the vehicles was a metallic structure meant to block access in case of emergency or anyone trying to bypass protocol.
“Please step out of the vehicle. From here on, we’ll carry out a brief inspection.â€
Rick explained the rules to Chris and Allison and pointed to two container-built structures beside the gate.
“This is the first checkpoint when entering the base. Here, we check for scratches or bites that could cause infection. Chris, Allison—you’ll go there so the medical team can perform a full inspection. There are separate sections for men and women.â€
After pointing out the location, Rick guided them. Everyone entered the room along with the rest of the group. Without a word, Rick began taking off his outer clothing, and the others followed in different sections of the place. Only Chris hesitated for a moment before doing the same.
Once everyone had removed their outer garments, several members of the medical team began carefully inspecting each person. Shortly after, they confirmed that everything was in order.
The medical staff saluted Rick and Daniel again as they dressed, and the team leader said:
“Apologies, Captain Rick. We’re just doing our duty.â€
Rick smiled and waved his arm, indicating it wasn’t a big deal.
“You’re doing a good job. It’s essential for everyone coming from outside to be inspected. We can’t let any threats enter the base. By the way, any new survivors today?â€
“Yes, Dale went on a hunting trip with Captain Carol and came back with a group of fifteen people. It was quite the challenge to process that many at once.â€
Rick nodded without saying more, though he mentally reminded himself to check on those new survivors. Then, he left the room with a calm expression.
“Zz...â€
At that moment, the radio on his belt crackled and a voice came through:
“Zz... Message from Commander Jason for Captain Rick Grimes.â€
As he saw the survivors who had arrived with his group walking out, Rick turned to Morales, who stood beside him, and said:
“Take them on a tour of the base, then to Nara’s test. You know the drill.â€
“Yes, Captain Rick!â€
And so Morales remained with Chris and Allison. After seeing Rick and the others walk away, both smiled at Morales.
“Let’s go. We’ll take a walk so you can get to know the base better.â€
Chris and Allison nodded. Then one of them asked:
“If you don’t mind me asking… why does everyone call Rick ‘Captain’?â€
Morales turned his head toward Chris and answered with a smile:
“There are several captains in the base. In fact, I’m about to be promoted to lead my own squad. Our ranks are shown by the scarves we wear. Rick leads operations here, but the true leader of the community is someone else… You’ll understand soon enough.â€
As Morales spoke, they passed by a wide cultivated field. The sprouting crops caught Chris’s attention, and he asked with interest:
“Is all of this food? How much land is planted?â€
Alex pointed toward the inner wall and explained:
“We currently have two walls: the inner and the outer one. It used to be just a wire fence. Now, the new wall was extended 150 meters farther out, giving us more than 180 acres. We also built some greenhouses to grow fruits and vegetables.â€
“Our goal is to fully structure the interior and, outside, build large buildings to relocate families. If resources allow, we’ll construct a third wall.â€
Chris’s eyes widened in surprise:
“That much land for farming? How many people live here?â€
Morales avoided specifics and replied:
“Over a thousand. In recent weeks, hundreds have arrived, drawn by the noise of a recent battle against walkers. Anyway, let’s keep going.â€
Jim, who passed nearby, added:
“The guards here are strict. They’re all soldiers, so don’t go into restricted areas unless you want to get arrested.â€
The group continued on toward a hanging bridge while Morales kept chatting with them. As they moved forward, security grew tighter. From the platforms on the inner wall, they could see snipers aiming with their rifles.
There were a lot of people inside the fortress, and those weapons clearly weren’t just for show.
Once inside the main wall, they saw that the base had changed a lot. Shipping containers were stacked in open areas, and people moved supplies, loading them onto carts and carrying them inside.
Elsewhere, people were repurposing containers, filling them with sandbags. These were being placed around the outer wall, from the inside, to reinforce it.
This would make the wall nearly impenetrable, even in the event of a dynamite explosion.
It also improved defense against outside attacks, wind, and rain. Watchmen could even sleep at their posts if they closed the shutters properly.
New farms and greenhouses were being built nearby. Some buildings were meant for workers, and those who wanted to become soldiers were sent to the base where Sam trained new recruits.
Thanks to Morales’s explanations, the two visitors slowly understood how everything had started—and that the one responsible for building this place was a man named Jason.
Upon hearing this, both were surprised. They had always believed it was an old military facility—not something built after the collapse. The amount of material needed to create something like this was hard to imagine.
They were quite expressive people, so they couldn’t hide their astonishment. They continued chatting with Morales, who told them about his family at the base.
The inner courtyard was also being renovated, though more slowly. They had started with the auxiliary buildings on the sides. Rick had discussed the plan with everyone: to leave some of the workforce at the base and focus first on the outer constructions. The interior renovations would come later.
The buildings in the courtyard were tall but inefficient. There were too many common areas and hallways that wasted useful space.
The plan was to demolish them and construct new high-quality facilities.
Once inside the courtyard, Morales abruptly ended his explanation. He looked at Chris and Allison, who seemed excited, and raised his voice slightly to warn them:
“You’ll now take a test. Then you’ll spend two days in isolation, followed by an evaluation period. Everything depends on the result of the test. Good luck—we’ll see each other later.â€
After the test, a team member led them to the isolation zone. There were many survivors there. Chris studied each face closely, but gradually, his expression turned to disappointment—he didn’t recognize anyone.
“There are no fights, murders, or adultery allowed here. Anyone who breaks the rules will be judged by the base. Food is delivered on time every day. Don’t worry, this is just another step. Your lives are about to change.â€
“Yes, sir.â€
“You can call me Alex.â€
“Thank you, Alex…â€
Just as they entered the isolation room, a surprised shout rang out.
Chris looked up, and a smile spread across his face.
“Ha ha ha! You’re not dead!â€
“How’s Michelle?â€
“She… she didn’t make it.â€
