Walking Dead: Altered Fate

A sliver of morning sunlight filtered into the hospital room at King County Hospital. Rick lay on the bed, his eyes shut tightly, still in a coma.

Three days had passed since the shooting incident, but Rick remained unaware of the monumental changes unfolding outside.

…

At the CDC, Samuel sat alone in the break room, watching the emergency broadcast from Washington, D.C. on the television.

"Looks like it's almost time for me to move. The CDC fell on Day 15 of the outbreak, which means I have to be back within ten days at the latest. 

In that time, I have to resolve everyone's immediate safety. The best plan is to return here, it'll save us a lot of unnecessary trouble in the early stages."

With that thought, Samuel stopped hesitating and headed toward the lab.

In the adjacent office sat three people. Dr. Edwin, his wife Candace, and Samuel himself.

The couple looked visibly concerned. They couldn't understand why Samuel insisted on going out, after all, the CDC was arguably the safest place right now.

"Is something important going on? Are you going to try and save your family?"

Jenner was puzzled. When they'd first persuaded Samuel to join them at the CDC, he hadn't mentioned any family, so Jenner now assumed this sudden change of heart must be tied to them.

"Edwin, Candace, I don't have any family here. I have my reasons for going out. And it's not just me. You two need to start preparing as well. Let me explain what I have in mind."

Samuel arched an eyebrow, looked around the room, then walked over to the whiteboard. 

He picked up a marker and wrote. Fuel, Supplies, Test Subjects, Weapons. Then he began.

"These past few days, I've gone over a lot of the center. As for fuel, the reserves are decent. But the problem is, we have no idea how long we'll be trapped here. 

Hell, we don't even know if we'll ever develop a cure. So if we want to hold out for as long as possible, fuel is going to be a major concern."

"Edwin, I need you to go check the main power grid in a bit. Shut down electricity to any non-essential areas. That'll save us a lot of resources. 

Supplies work the same way. I know this place was stocked assuming a full team, over a hundred people. 

Right now, we've only got a dozen or so. That gives us a long stretch of food, but again, the same problem, we don't know if we'll succeed in making a vaccine.

If we fail, we'll have to abandon the CDC and search for a new refuge. Finding food out there will be way harder."

He paused for a moment to let the couple absorb that before continuing.

"Next is our shortage of test subjects. This is one of the most urgent issues. We need more, plain and simple. Wouldn't you agree?"

The Jenners exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement.

"Last is weapons. These are our fallback options. Even with food, it's not enough. We need firepower to protect ourselves. 

And you two are scientists, not soldiers, you'll need serious training and ammunition. 

So, all that considered, someone has to go out before the outbreak completely spirals out of control. And frankly, I'm the only one who can pull it off. So, what do you think?"

The Jenners were left speechless. After a long look at each other, all they could find in the other's eyes was a sense of helplessness. It was Candace who finally broke the silence.

"You've brought up things we really should have thought of. But between everything we've been juggling with this virus, we're already stretched beyond our limits. 

Right now, we don't even have a clear timeline for when the research on the virus itself will be done, let alone a cure."

Her voice dimmed as she said that, her expression faltering. But she quickly lifted her head again, looking at Samuel with renewed seriousness.

"Samuel, I'm honestly so glad we brought you into this team. I'm counting on you to handle the rest. We'll do everything we can on our end."

Of course, Samuel wasn't going out just to gather supplies, but he couldn't let the Jenners know that. He simply flashed a relaxed smile and shrugged.

"Don't worry. I'm strong, remember? You two keep forgetting that. Haha."

Candace smiled at that and walked over to give him a hug. Jenner followed with a firm clap on the shoulder.

"We're counting on you."

"And I'm counting on you to get that vaccine done. When I'm back, I'll help however I can."

As he said that, he pulled a walkie-talkie from his jacket pocket and handed it to Jenner.

"No need to switch frequencies. I'll radio in before I return. And one more thing, don't open the doors to strangers, no matter what. 

You're no longer just yourselves now. You're the last researchers in this place. Your lives are more important than anything else."

"Got it. You stay safe out there."

"I will. No time to waste, I'm heading out now. Edwin, don't forget the power system."

"I won't."

Jenner nodded and turned to head for the underground power control center.

"Vee, open the gate."

"Yes, Mr. Samuel."

At the rear of the CDC sat a large garage. Inside were several CDC vehicles, including an A-class RV nearly ten meters long.

Anyone passing by would've stopped to stare, the RV had been heavily modified. 

A ram bar was mounted on the front, the wheels upgraded, and the windows reinforced with titanium bars and bulletproof glass. 

A compartment had been added to the roof, surrounded by steel plates. 

At both ends, front and rear, large fuel tanks and storage trunks had been installed, both accessible from the top. 

The space in the middle of the compartment was fitted with gun ports, which could double as storage or even sleeping quarters. 

The vehicle's armor plating had been upgraded with bulletproof steel.

A 12-liter engine delivering over 400 horsepower gave it plenty of power, but Samuel wasn't planning to take it out today. The RV would remain in the CDC garage, at least for now.

He walked past it to one of the CDC transport vans. After clearing out the equipment in the back to make room, he started the engine and drove out of the compound.

Pulling out the walkie-talkie, he pressed the transmit button and spoke into the mic.

"Zzzt… Edwin… this is Samuel. I'm out. Don't forget what I said, don't open the door for strangers. What's coming next… will be beyond anything you can imagine… Zzzt… Over."

"Zzzt… Samuel, take care of yourself… Over."

He didn't say anything more. He knew that in these past few days, the subtle changes had already begun to shift how Edwin and Candace viewed the world. 

They were beginning to understand what kind of apocalypse was on its way.

Turning the van around, he didn't head out of the city. Instead, he drove deeper into it.