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🕑 Added 2025-06-06 11:27:31 +0000 UTCStay Alive
Chapter 63 – The Problem and the Truth
"People are demanding to know the truth about what's going on with FEDRA right now. I'm afraid that if we don't tell them what they want to hear, there will be a riot," Riya shared her thoughts as they headed toward the area where most people were taking refuge, waiting to be transferred to other bases.
Claire, who heard this, said, "It was a mistake to tell them their lives are in danger. Now they'll be afraid that we’ll start fighting among ourselves."
"They’ll have to trust us, or they’re free to leave. We’re holding no one prisoner—now more than ever, people are free to do whatever they want." Alan would not tolerate any kind of disorderly behavior in his temporary shelter.
"They’ll be afraid of you if you act that way."
"Your job is to keep them calm. John's job is to help me command the soldiers here, and that’s it. If you can’t do these simple tasks while making your own decisions, then I made a mistake by choosing you. However, just this once—and maybe a few more times—I will take control of the situation." Alan made it clear he needed leaders, not assistants.
Riya understood this perfectly. Alan was desperate for a solid and loyal command structure that could solve most problems for the collective good.
“So now we’re against the whole country?”
"Yes. What exactly are they doing to the people they’re taking away in the helicopters?"
"We need answers."
"We want the truth."
Seeing this, Riya immediately thought, “This is a disaster…”
Alan signaled to Cole and said, “Bring soldier Talia Perez.”
Cole nodded and ran off. The doctor and soldier Talia wasn’t far; they had seen her earlier.
Everyone—including the volunteer medics, except for the guards outside—gathered near the refugee warehouse, while Alan and the leaders of each section stood on the stairs.
“Everyone is present except for the soldiers standing guard outside and the civilians moving the equipment, sir,” John said calmly.
Alan nodded, and once everyone had arrived, he clapped and said loudly so everyone could hear: “Alright, I ask for silence.”
The crowd quickly quieted down, and Alan began: “I know you’re all scared. You’ve been treated terribly at the FEDRA-controlled bases you came from, but now you’re under a separate command. There are few things a soldier can’t endure, but seeing our people treated this way—when our families out there are probably going through the same—hurts.”
“We’re soldiers. We follow orders. We've been prioritizing control of the situation this whole time. We haven’t had the chance to make sure you were properly informed, but now, things are different.”
In no time, Alan had captured everyone’s attention. Many didn’t even notice how young he was compared to other soldiers. The way he spoke was so clear and direct that no one questioned him.
“We’ve failed in our best plans to contain the infection. The government failed by giving FEDRA full control, because what they’ve asked us to do is inhumane and immoral. Everyone seems to have forgotten that we’re human too. The soldiers around you are here without knowing whether their families are even alive. Out of respect and empathy, I ask you not to insult my subordinates.”
“Is the military divided?”
“How is that possible?”
“It can’t be—what do we do now?”
“Everyone, be quiet for a second.”
After the silence returned, Alan looked around and said: “How long do you think life will last for all of us if we keep running like this? A year? Half a year? Just a few months? I can tell you now—fuel to keep the facilities running won’t last more than four months.”
At that point, everyone’s faces turned pale. That small number hit everyone’s hearts like a hammer. They had just reignited their hope for freedom, but Alan’s words shattered all their illusions.
Despite everyone’s fear, Alan remained calm. He could see his words had awakened their instinct to survive. He nodded and added, “That’s only if someone doesn’t come and try to take what we have. When I declared independence, I swore to oppose everything FEDRA was doing and take responsibility for our own safety.”
“You can be part of us. We’ll protect each other and try to survive. Anyone who wants to join a community that will fight to survive in the days ahead—then I now declare that our group will be called The New Colony of Renewal!”
Everyone looked confused, but Alan added, “Don’t get me wrong—you’re free to leave at any time. But don’t forget that out there, nothing is in order. No one’s in control. And I have privileged information that the government is considering bombing the major cities across the entire country.”
No one had time to process that before Alan continued, “In the Colony of Renewal, we will protect each other like family. We’ll watch each other’s backs like brothers. At some point, everyone will have to take up a weapon and kill anyone who tries to hurt us—alive or dead!”
If you heard Alan’s words from someone else, you’d understand what he meant—it was all about surviving in a new world and adapting to its changes. Everyone understood that walkers wouldn’t be the only ones trying to kill them.
Some were afraid of that possibility. Others refused to accept it was real. Many remained silent, showing no emotion.
But Alan knew well—whether in the past or the future—trusting people outside your comfort zone was a grave mistake. And very soon, they would all see what humans were capable of.
“But you don’t have to be afraid. As long as we work and train together, we’ll be so strong that no one will disturb our peace—no one will even think of hurting us. I need you. I need you to conquer your fear and come with me to a place where we can be safe.”
“I don’t care if you’re children, women, or elderly men—the world has changed. Who you were in the past no longer matters. Your main priority is protecting your family and loved ones in the future. That’s why anyone who wants to stay will be reassigned. You’ll know what we’re doing, and we’ll move together. If you want to leave, just say so, and you’ll be released.”
Everyone understood what that meant: if you didn’t work for Alan, you’d be on your own. Many wanted to leave, and they were easily escorted out by the soldiers.
Riya, among the crowd, knew that with fewer foolish people around, they had a better chance of surviving.
Only a few left. The elders were the most stubborn, but the younger people stayed. After a few minutes, Alan knew it was time.
After a short silence, Alan looked at everyone and announced, “I want to give you one piece of advice—don’t expect the world to go back to how it was, or even get better.”
Alan looked at Talia Perez, who was wearing a bloodstained lab coat. She nodded and stepped forward. “I hate to say this, but there will be no society unless a cure is found. There will be no future for us, because the virus keeps evolving.”
Her words immediately caused murmurs in the crowd, followed by loud discussions. Two women even fainted.
Several people next to Alan also looked at him in shock.
“Alan, is what she said true? Then what explains the fungus growing outside the infected’s bodies?” John couldn’t help but ask.
Everyone went quiet, watching Alan, waiting for answers.
Alan had anticipated this reaction. He hadn’t planned to reveal this secret, but after hearing General Shelton’s advice, he decided they had nothing to gain by hiding it.
“I believe those answers should come from Talia—the doctor in charge of keeping as many people alive here as possible.”
Alan gestured to Talia, who nodded and stepped forward. “It’s true. The infected are evolving over time, and I’m afraid we’ll see more dangerous creatures in the future.”
“Nothing stops the infected, so we’ll have to make sacrifices for humanity to survive.”
After saying that, the crowd began shouting again, and people struggled to accept it. Though reality is cruel, Alan believed that telling the truth was better—in time, people might adjust.
With that in mind, it was better for everyone to be aware that salvation was unlikely.
Watching the arguing crowd, Alan didn’t intend to stop. He said, “You should know why I’m sharing this new information with all of you. For those who don’t understand, there are two important reasons.”
“First: all of you must be aware that even if we wipe out every infected creature in the world—even if many of us die to do so—the fungus virus might still evolve and become airborne!”
“And that’s why we need to stay united and in a safe place. Just follow our directions. Tomorrow morning, helicopters will come for us and take us to a temporary location. The plan is to go to an island, far away from the cities.”
Everyone agreed with the idea. Many even began helping pack supplies to transport from the base to where they would be staying for the next few days.
When Riya saw that everyone had calmed down, Alan looked at her and said, “Take over now. You’ll know what we’re doing, so your job is to keep them under control.”
“What if they don’t obey?”
“There are weapons and ammo. If they don’t help, they’ll be expelled. If they refuse, we’ll use lethal force.”
Riya said nothing. She had expected this after learning about Alan’s future plans.
