Dangerous Mission

On the evening of July 7, Daryl's Squad returned victorious. Using a surprise attack, they had taken out the leader of the wandering Raiders in an instant, quickly secured the scene, and brought back five survivors and three captives.

Unsurprisingly, all the survivors were willing to join the Umbrella Corporation and accept its protection.

Leon gained a D-class brewer and four Logistics Personnel.

That evening, at dinner, Leon summoned his strongest Warriors—Merle, Daryl, Glenn, Aji, T-Dog, and Shane—to his reception room to share a meal. Professor Amrin was at the table as well.

Rick had originally been included too, along with the person Leon had nearly forgotten about and had sent people to find: Black Saint Morgan.

But Rick had not yet recovered from his injuries, while Morgan had not chosen to join the Security Department and was not familiar with the others, so Leon left both of them out.

"This time, I called everyone here because there's a very important mission that requires all of us to complete together."

Leon lifted a glass of red wine and gave everyone a slight toast. Then he tilted his head back and drained it in one gulp. Amy, seated beside him, obediently picked up a napkin and wiped the stain from his mouth.

He pointed to Professor Amrin, seated first on his right, and introduced him to everyone:

"This is a university professor from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Professor Amrin."

"He provided me with some very important information. The Georgia Institute of Technology has an Emergency Shelter System. Professor Amrin believes that a relatively large number of survivors may still be living there."

"Nearly two months have passed. They won't be able to survive inside much longer."

"Most of these survivors are likely outstanding students or professors from the Polytechnic Institute."

"Our production, daily life, technological recovery, and virus research all require elites with extensive professional knowledge before they can develop more rapidly."

"If we can rescue these survivors, they will undoubtedly provide tremendous help to our cause."

"We need them."

"Our destination is the University District in Atlanta. It's surrounded by Zombies, and the roads are blocked, so vehicles can't get through. We'll have to walk about five kilometers to reach it."

"The mission is extremely dangerous. Too many people will only get in the way. I need only elite Warriors like you."

Professor Amrin's face was filled with excitement. For the continuation of human civilization, and for his former colleagues and students, he was willing to risk his life. He had urged Leon to undertake this operation many times, and today it had finally been scheduled.

Old Merle wore an indifferent expression, apparently not caring in the slightest whether those students and professors lived or died.

Daryl remained silent, his eyes fixed on the dagger in his hand. No one knew what he was thinking.

Glenn's face showed both recognition of his sense of duty and fear of the dangerous mission.

T-Dog and Aji wore slightly bewildered expressions. The two poorly educated Black men probably did not understand the weight of Leon's words.

Shane, seated at the very end, had the most complicated expression of all. His face was grave, and his expression kept shifting.

Taking in everyone's reactions, Leon cleared his throat and continued:

"Of course, I won't force anyone to participate in such a dangerous mission. Everyone can choose whether to accept it."

"But the outcome of this mission will significantly affect how I view each of you."

"Anyone who isn't brave enough to risk their life for the cause of humanity isn't fit to become part of the Umbrella Corporation's management."

As soon as Leon finished speaking, Old Merle eagerly declared:

"Boss, rest assured. No matter how dangerous the road ahead is, I, Old Merle, will be the first to carve a bloody path for you."

After saying that, the old thug continued somewhat sheepishly:

"However, since it's a dangerous mission, could you give us a little extra bonus, Boss? I've been treating those fellows under me to drinks and meals all this time, and my Contribution Points are almost gone."

After his number-one enforcer had shaken him down, Leon merely chuckled and said to everyone:

"Sure. Once this mission is complete, each of you will receive 5,000 Contribution Points."

He looked at Old Merle with an approving smile and said:

"Merle, you'll also receive a case of fine liquor as an individual reward."

The old thug cooperatively gave a silly laugh and shouted at Leon:

"Thank you, Boss! You're truly a generous boss."

With someone taking the lead, the others began expressing their positions as well.

Daryl patted his brother on the shoulder and said to Leon with a firm gaze:

"Boss, I'll go with you."

Glenn glanced left and right, took a light breath, and said:

"Boss, I used to deliver pizza to the Georgia Institute of Technology. Why not let me scout the way first? Once I confirm the route, we can set out together. How about it?"

Leon did not answer. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Aji and T-Dog.

The two Black men exchanged a glance and shouted:

"Boss, we'll join you."

Leon smiled and nodded at them, then finally turned his gaze toward Shane, whose expression was complicated.

This man was a self-centered person with decent combat ability. He had joined the Security Department half a month ago, but his attitude had remained somewhat passive, and he did not seem to get along particularly well with the others.

Shane looked up at Leon. Perhaps he had thought of Lori again. His face fell, and he lowered his head as he said:

"Boss, I'm willing to go too."

Seeing that everyone had stated their positions, Leon smiled and lifted another glass of red wine. After giving everyone a slight toast, he said:

"This is a dangerous mission, but it is also an honorable one. Our purpose is to save the lives of others. Therefore, everyone here is a warrior worthy of respect."

"Then, warriors, enjoy this sumptuous dinner."

He drained the red wine in his glass, smashed it onto the floor, and shouted:

"To courage!"

The others also raised their glasses, drained them, smashed them onto the floor, and shouted in unison:

"To courage!" ×8

On July 8, Atlanta.

A convoy of more than a dozen modified vehicles entered the city along Interstate Highway 85 and stopped at a small park on the outskirts of Atlanta's University District.

As the passengers climbed out one after another, an armed force of roughly forty people gathered in the small park.

Although their weapons were of different models, every person had been issued a brand-new assault rifle and three full magazines.

The convoy included Military Trucks, heavy jeeps, and heavy pickup trucks. All had been modified by the base's automobile mechanics. Not only were many sections covered with bulletproof steel plates, but reinforced alloy ramming bars capable of withstanding even stronger impacts had also been added to their fronts.

These vehicles had been researched and selected by the Engineering Department as genuinely suitable for surviving the apocalypse. They were not only difficult to damage and more heavily protected, but on open terrain, their lethality against Zombies was no weaker than that of heavy firepower.

That was not all. Four heavy rotary machine guns removed from armed helicopters had also been welded onto the Military Trucks. These heavy weapons were true battlefield killers. Once they opened fire, any flesh-and-blood body blocking their path would be reduced to scraps.

For this mission, Leon had nearly emptied half his reserves, all to ensure the safety of his employees.

In the apocalyptic era, what he valued most was not the supplies that could still be scavenged, but these loyal subordinates who could not be replaced.

Under the arrangements of their respective squad leaders, a defensive position designed to deal with the Zombies gradually took shape after more than ten minutes.

Leon stood at the edge of the position. Behind him followed seven fully armed warriors prepared to brave the millions of corpses alongside him. He patted Rick on the shoulder and said solemnly:

"I'll leave this position to you, Rick."

"Hold it, and be ready at any time to receive our returning team."

Rick, with bandages wrapped around his body and a hint of pallor still on his face, pressed down on Leon's hand where it rested on his shoulder and said guiltily:

"You saved my life, Leon. I should have gone with you."

"Ugh!"

"Don't worry. I'll protect this place with my life and await your orders at any time."