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🕑 Added 2025-06-01 11:00:15 +0000 UTCStay Alive
Chapter 56 - The Plans Advance
"Zz... Wait for my call. Gather all the survivors you can find, and I’ll keep you informed about the next course of action." Alan had received information that many survivors had been rescued and were now under the direct care of Stuart and his men.
Of course, this wasn’t a rosy picture. Many supply gatherers had died, and only a few were saved, some through amputations. Unfortunately, not all casualties were dramatic, and if things continued like this, the future was far less promising than expected.
Over the next few weeks, Alan took charge of sending essential resources to complete a base that would become the final stronghold of resistance in Texas. This would be critical over time, as the base had to be well-equipped to support the external outposts that would remain operational.
These bases, referred to as hive shelters, would house level-one survivors, essentially replaceable personnel. While the term might make scientific sense, no rational person would accept the idea of using hive bases to attract infected and keep them away from the central base.
But Alan, backed by a team of analysts and drawing on studies of infected behavior, developed a plan for a long, bitter war against the infected. And everyone, absolutely everyone, agreed with it.
That’s why, after analyzing all his options and backed by the bases still under General Shelton’s control, an even riskier plan was formed: to secure some islands along the Texas coast.
It was certain that the military bases along the Texas coastline, once under FEDRA’s command, had been abandoned. Some soldiers remained, but activity ceased after signals were lost.
Stuart, who understood the value of these bases, immediately saw the best way to seize control of them.
During his short time in the area, he not only welcomed deserter soldiers and their families, but also began broadcasting on secure military channels, promising assistance in finding their loved ones.
The way they reached thousands of soldiers was so simple that Stuart now realized the true extent of their growing military strength.
The easiest way to build a resistance, simply to survive, was by helping others. But this led to a very real issue—control over those people.
Alan could help thousands, but without control, all their current advantages could vanish in seconds. That’s one of the main reasons not everyone would be sent directly to the central base.
Instead, Alan planned to seize abandoned bases along the Texas coast and bring them back online—but first, he needed to stabilize a refuge, so he could bring people to a place where order existed.
…
"Alan, I heard you had something urgent to report. What is it?" Sergeant Castro found Alan at the entrance to the community they were protecting, urgency evident in his voice.
Alan looked at the man and asked, “Sergeant Castro, when do you think this place will collapse?”
Sergeant Castro stayed silent, waiting for Alan to explain.
After about five seconds, Alan said, “In all my simulations, within five months, military authority will be gone. Some will be overrun by large, uncontrollable infected hordes. Supplies will be cut off, and when that happens, soldiers will abandon their duty for personal survival.”
Alan’s voice was calm, as though he had already foreseen this and was prepared for any contingency.
“Where are you going with this, Colonel?” Sergeant Castro glanced around, making sure no one was watching them.
“I need loyal soldiers, and that’s for a very troubling reason.” Alan looked outward to ensure no one was listening and said, “I believe there are soldiers under FEDRA’s influence trying to assert control over this border base.”
“You’re lying!”
Alan didn’t rush to reply.
He wanted to show Sergeant Castro that he was in control and trustworthy enough to be seen as a leader.
If his plans required a lot of manpower, he would need military support just to stay alive. He knew how FEDRA would end, but also how strong they were—if they forced him to bow, he would be a weak man with no real power.
And what would stop others from stealing everything from him?
Alan was clear about one thing—he wanted to belong to a stronghold. If he could maintain his strength, he could eventually take control of part of the country’s naval forces in the Gulf of Mexico and the North Pacific. With maritime power, there would be nothing he couldn’t achieve in the coming years.
“Your family isn’t the only one safe at the central base we’re building—your men’s families are too. Sadly, in any crisis, not everyone can be saved. But I will make sure the remaining relatives have a chance to survive.” Alan turned toward Sergeant Castro and handed him a radio.
“I hope you don’t take this the wrong way. Accessing your personal data was easy with the right help. I immediately gave the order to recover your family. Why? Because I need strong men who can work without fearing death. Their families will be safe—so it won’t matter if they die doing it.”
Castro was about to throw the radio and punch Alan when a familiar voice came through the speaker.
“Zz... Black Eagle reporting. The first batch of survivors has been recovered. Sergeant Castro’s daughter wants to speak to him—putting her through now.”
“What the hell…”
“Zz... Daddy!”
“Jessica? It can’t be... is it really you?” Sergeant Castro forgot about Alan completely and focused on the voice of his daughter.
Alan watched the emotional moment, but couldn’t ignore the cost of the resources he was burning to make this happen. He only hoped it would pay off; otherwise, it would all be a waste of time.
He couldn’t tell yet if his performance was perfect, but it was the only way to purge FEDRA’s influence from within his walls.
He needed more than just belief—every risky move was necessary to gain control over events.
He didn’t want to miss the chance to build a new order of power—one that would endure.
“It seems you understand now. Just follow my orders like I’m your commander-in-chief, and everything will be fine. I’ll lead you to a less bloody world. Gather your men,” Alan said as he glanced at another sergeant who had also just spoken to his mother.
The level of control he now had over them was so great that he could even dictate the course of their lives. From this point forward, Alan would decide what happened to them.
“Alright, you’re the boss... I don’t know what you’re trying to achieve, but I’ll follow your orders—as long as we’re not hurting innocent people.” Sergeant Castro nodded and walked away.
Alan watched him leave and nodded in return. Then he saw Daniel approaching, alone, ready to present himself to the others as Alan’s new spokesperson—since from now on, Alan would remain in the shadows.
Before all this, of course, Alan had written down the names of everyone who knew his identity, assigning them to high-ranking roles within his organization. Only then would this be worth the risk.
“Just one more coin…”
