Chapter 22
The Cruel Truth
When Caesar got up, it was already afternoon, close to evening.
The sky turned again, and night soon fell.
In the valley, the temperature difference between day and night is large, and campfires are lit at the campsite at night.
A crowd gathered again in the center of the camp, with various opinions circulating.
Caesar looked at Rick and Sean, who were arguing.
"The CDC is the best place to go. It has military base defenses, a complete circulation system, abundant food, and tight security."
"Moreover, once a vaccine is available, it will definitely be first introduced to the CDC."
Rick was absolutely certain of his judgment, a confidence that seemed to come from nowhere.
"Don't get your hopes up, Rick." Sean's attitude was very firm: "Even if there is a vaccine, the first place to get it will be at a military base, Fort Benning."
"The CDC is in Atlanta. Atlanta has fallen and been bombed. There's no way anyone could still be surviving in the CDC."
The two argued incessantly, and the survivors around them listened to their arguments, their eyes growing dull and lifeless.
Caesar took in their expressions; they could no longer stay in the camp, and they were about to face the apocalypse.
Most of them were members of the convoy that had heard the broadcast and headed to Atlanta.
They witnessed the bombing of Atlanta firsthand and questioned whether the CDC truly had food and security.
Rick couldn't convince Sean, and Sean couldn't convince Rick either.
Rick turned to Caesar and asked, "Caesar, what's your plan?"
At this moment, many people in the camp turned their attention to Caesar.
Thanks to his arrangements and command last night, Caesar's prestige in the camp has soared considerably.
If Caesar were to suggest going somewhere else, many people would follow him out of respect for Caesar himself.
Caesar coughed twice: "Benning Castle has fallen."
"I know that quite a few soldiers escaped from Benningburg."
Benningburg? Has it fallen?
These words struck Sean's mind hard; he stared wide-eyed, his expression blank.
Benningburg was a destination he had planned for a long time.
With the military present, security should be guaranteed, at the very least.
With safety secured, food and medicine can be found gradually.
However, Benningburg fell, and all his plans collapsed.
"There is a military base near the CDC for defense, but there are no survivors at the military base."
"There aren't many survivors in the CDC either. Most of the researchers fled home during the apocalypse."
Caesar did not lie to the two; he told them the truth.
After learning the truth about the CDC, Rick realized that the CDC was unlikely to have any vaccines.
Naturally, there is no hope for an apocalypse.
After all, how could a few researchers possibly develop such a terrifying virus?
The hope in Rick's eyes had dimmed, like a extinguished flame.
Seeing this, Lori could not hide the sadness on her face and leaned on Rick's shoulder.
Many people in the camp actually harbored illusions about the CDC, hoping that if someone developed a vaccine, the apocalypse would end...
But reality is reality. Even if the apocalypse ends, those who leave will not return, and the dead will not be resurrected.
Caesar glanced around and saw not only the crowds sitting around the large bonfire, but also smaller groups of families gathered around their own bonfires.
Caesar stood up and opened his arms: "My friends, I'm telling you the specifics of the situation so you won't wallow in self-pity."
From the crowd, ashen faces rose and looked at Caesar.
"Yes, Benningburg has fallen and cannot accommodate us. The CDC lacks the research capabilities to produce a vaccine to solve the apocalypse."
"But we are still alive. Touch your own chest, that beating, bright red heart, that is not just your own life."
"That's still the lives of your family and friends. You're not just living for yourself, but also for all the relatives and friends you know."
When family members were mentioned, many people began to sob, tears welled up in their eyes, and their heartbeats became clearer.
They felt as if their deceased family members were right beside them.
"Benningburg can't accommodate us, and we can't find a good temporary place to stay, so we'll build one."
"If we lack the capacity, let's build a small base first, big enough to accommodate ourselves, so we can survive."
"In the future, we can expand the base to accommodate more survivors of the apocalypse."
Building a base? Can we manage that?
That... would require a lot of people...
Doubts arose in my mind, but the flame of hope in my eyes seemed to reignite, small yet not to be ignored.
Rick's blank expression gradually came to life, and he looked at Caesar with admiration.
"The CDC doesn't have many researchers, but every researcher is valuable. We can find them and get them to join the base."
"Let them research the virus and manufacture vaccines. If they lack the capacity and manpower, then let them take a long-term view and let them train the next generation of children so that our children can take over the responsibility of manufacturing vaccines."
"I firmly believe that generation after generation, we will eventually defeat the virus."
"One day, we humans will stand at the top of the world again."
Caesar raised a finger, speaking with a powerful and unwavering confidence.
He had absolute faith in what he said.
pop-
A middle-aged man clapped his hands at a family bonfire not far away.
The applause started sparsely, but gradually grew louder and louder.
This represents their recognition and trust in Caesar.
The time has come to recruit people.
Caesar looked at the crowd, a glint in his eyes, and an idea flashed through his mind.
Caesar then raised his hand, signaling for everyone to be quiet.
"Actually, as everyone knows, we only joined the camp the day before yesterday, so we're not very familiar with everyone yet."
"But the camp is about to be abandoned, and everyone really doesn't know where to go. Benningburg is gone, and the CDC can't accommodate too many people."
"Even if you want to build a base, you need to start by choosing a site and finding food."
"It's simply impossible to do in a short time."
Caesar listed the various difficulties they faced, and the faces of the crowd darkened considerably.
Yes, no matter how you look at it, let alone building a base, the biggest problem right now is survival.
Caesar paused for a moment, waiting for everyone to gather their emotions, before continuing.
"Well, I won't hide it from you all. I've already built a base that can raise cattle and sheep and has basic food recycling capabilities."
"Moreover, the location is good; it's a valley, and if the pass is closed, no zombies will be able to enter the valley."
Caesar did not exaggerate; he simply described the conditions of the ranch.
But at this time, even the smallest straw is a straw.