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🕑 Added 2025-06-29 02:35:13 +0000 UTCA New Beginning From the End of the World
Chapter 197 – Clearing Another Military Base
In the end, Mike couldn't convince Rick, so he stayed behind at the base while Rick left with a group of people after having something to eat.
To transport supplies and personnel, Rick’s group used only five vehicles—two of them armored and the other three military trucks. These types of trucks are typically used for cargo transport, with large bodies and outstanding stability. In recent days, many of their apparent disadvantages had turned into strengths.
The compartments of these three trucks had been modified: steel plates were installed on both sides and at the rear. These could be removed during loading and unloading, or they could simply open the rear hatch, allowing the welded plates to serve as support for moving objects.
After a while, the convoy of five vehicles headed toward the military base with fifty people on board.
Thanks to the fact that many in Rick’s group were familiar with the route, they made no wrong turns, and after driving several dozen kilometers, they reached the base in just over two hours.
This base wasn’t far from the city, but it was located in a relatively hidden spot. The soldier who had once been stationed there was named Olsen. According to him, this was the largest military base in the area. At first, it had a large number of troops, but they were likely relocated during the early days of the apocalypse. He didn’t know how many people had remained, but the site was ideal for landing airplanes and helicopters.
Rick and the others approached the entrance without much trouble. They paid attention to the watchtowers but found no guards. The place was surrounded by fences, which made it different from other locations that were enclosed by concrete walls.
“If we hadn’t found the prison in the beginning, this place would’ve been perfect to establish a base,” Rick said as he looked over the vast space with a sigh.
Daniel, who stood beside him, laughed and said, “Let’s clear this place first. If it’s suitable, we could turn it into another base—especially for the people who will be arriving. The distance between here and the prison isn’t far. It would take an hour by car, and just a few minutes by helicopter if we set up an air route.”
Rick nodded. Looking around, he also thought this place had great potential. Daniel’s words only reinforced his belief.
When part of the group got off the vehicles and approached the entrance, they discovered the gate was locked with a chain.
“Huh? Why is it locked?”
Rick gave a signal, and Morales approached with a pair of bolt cutters. Within seconds, he had snapped the chain.
Rick looked at him, nodded in approval, then signaled for the group to get back in the vehicles. A glance inside confirmed they could enter. All five vehicles drove through the gate. Several walkers appeared, but they were run over without hesitation. Then they shut the gate again to prevent more from getting in.
A dozen members jumped out of the trucks and, armed with melee weapons, easily took down the remaining walkers. The few that wandered around the plaza posed no real threat and were quickly eliminated.
Once everyone had disembarked, Rick ordered them to holster their firearms and prepare for anything. Then, with a signal, the vehicles moved toward the inner wall of the plaza.
The fence, built of brick, was thick enough to withstand all kinds of attacks. Stopping there, Daniel climbed onto the roof of an armored vehicle and surveyed the main courtyard.
In the distance, beyond the inner fence, was a large group of walkers, likely drawn by the sound of the engines.
Daniel looked at Rick with a concerned expression and motioned for him to come up. When Rick climbed onto the vehicle and saw the scene, he too felt overwhelmed. There were far too many walkers in the courtyard.
It was estimated that there were at least five hundred…
And many of them were wearing civilian clothes.
Looking at the clustered bodies, Daniel remarked with confusion, “Looks like survivors were being housed here. But… why didn’t they leave with the military?”
Rick didn’t have a clear answer, but he made a guess.
“Maybe they were locked in when they started turning. You can see bullet holes in the bodies. Also, all the doors—inside and out—are locked. Maybe the survivors sealed themselves in for protection. It makes sense if you look at it that way.”
Daniel stared at those who had likely lived in the courtyard before turning. There was no one left to save. Thinking about the situation at the central base, a chill ran down his spine—something similar could happen there.
From the rooftop, Rick shouted to Jim, “Line up the vehicles and get everyone on the roofs to take out the walkers from above!”
Not long after, a group was already positioned on top of the vehicles. They had to clear the area before Jason's reinforcements arrived with supplies. Once most of the walkers were taken out, only a few remained, visible behind an interior door.
Rick instructed the team to prepare for close combat.
As soon as the door was opened, a dozen walkers rushed out. However, the moment they crossed the threshold, they were decapitated with melee weapons and dropped instantly.
That was just a warm-up. The group continued advancing deeper inside.
The courtyard was wide. The ground was paved with cement, and a few scattered walkers remained, which were taken down without a single shot. Each one was eliminated with precise blows.
After passing through the plaza and parking the vehicles in front of a building, Rick surveyed the structure.
There was a large warehouse not far away, and to one side, a set of shorter buildings. They were single-story, but with many rooms, which probably housed the command center.
Rick headed for the warehouse first. The main entrance was a double door, locked, but there was a small side door left ajar.
Rick gave a signal. Several members stepped forward and grabbed the handle. After a silent countdown, they swung it open.
A shambling corpse lunged out from inside but was quickly taken down with knives. Rick entered, and the first thing he saw were three tanks parked inside. Behind them were other vehicles. His face lit up with excitement.
The tanks had been crucial during the last horde. Despite their high fuel consumption, their impact on the battlefield was irreplaceable. They inspired a powerful sense of security.
“These beasts are incredible!” Jim exclaimed, fascinated. These tanks were far more modern than the ones they had at the prison.
Rick also smiled in satisfaction. As they moved through the warehouse, more war machines appeared before them.
In addition to the M1A2 Abrams tanks, there were ten armored vehicles and more than a dozen Humvees.
“Looks like no one’s touched anything. Everything’s well preserved. I’d bet these vehicles were abandoned when the military relocated,” said a man named Arnold, approaching with excitement.
Rick looked at him and pointed to the side. “Have you been here before? Do you know this place?”
Arnold examined the layout of the area and, after thinking for a moment, replied, “This warehouse looks exactly the same. If the other buildings are still intact, I think I can find my way around.”
Rick nodded. “Then, knowing the warehouse is in good condition, let’s head to the residential area, where the soldiers used to rest.”
“Understood!”
