On the way to Alexandria, Edward and Sheldon's group sat in the front and back seats, devouring the food in their hands, while Jason drove, lost in other thoughts.
This time, he had found seven people. If his guess was right, they should all be neutral and natural-born survivors. Not long after meeting Sheldon and the others, they had been attacked by a small horde of walkers. In fact, Alexandria could still afford to increase its numbers, since its strength naturally needed to grow as well.
The reason Jason had gone out this time and wandered around the area was to gain a deeper understanding of this part of the country. He needed to stay alert to many important details before acting with full confidence. In this world, walkers should be the least difficult threat to eliminate — but survivors were not necessarily the same for his people. Not to mention the fact that the other side could think.
During all this time, Jason had also pondered another question: what would happen if he encountered a large group of survivors in a place without walkers? What factor determined whether there was another kind of danger? Observation helped a lot, but sometimes it just wasn't enough.
He had long been in contact with the ever-growing bases in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as the central base located at the prison. Everything could be circumstantial, helping everyone to survive, but that also meant living in a group where, for now, the rules had to be followed to the letter.
Jason, like others, knew the consequences of breaking the rules. Everyone understood what it meant when someone wanted more power or authority in certain groups. After a few months, the members of the S.C.T. organization fully understood and respected this idea.
But he still had a few things to take care of here before heading to the central base and tackling things on a larger scale.
They needed to find more survivors — there had to be many more out there trying to make it. With such a tiny number of just twenty thousand people, encountering communities much larger than their own would truly make them tremble with fear.
It was already a bit late when they returned to Alexandria. Jason parked the car beside the modified RV, and everyone stepped out one after another.
The sudden appearance of seven strangers made Merle and Glenn stand up beside the modified RV, while Deanna, who wasn't far away, also began walking over. Edward's group, for their part, hadn't seen this many people in a long time, and they all seemed extremely nervous.
Jason signaled to Deanna as she approached.
"I found them on the road. This is Sheldon, Edward, Catalina, Leonard, Penny, and Raj. They were about to be devoured by walkers. Since they had nowhere else to go, I brought them back. For now, following Alexandria's rules, I'll let you evaluate them, but first, the wounded should be treated."
After saying that, Jason turned to Sheldon and introduced them: "This is Mrs. Deanna Monroe, the person in charge of this base affiliated with my organization. For now, we're planning some good things for the growth of this place. I hope you understand."
Hearing these words, Edward and Sheldon's group quickly greeted Deanna with great respect.
Deanna smiled at Catalina, then said to Jason: "Of course, we help those in need. Your vision in these matters is much broader than mine. Let's not waste any more time — let's get the wounded to the infirmary. Mr. Sheldon, and the rest of you, follow me. We need to have a conversation."
Once some of them had left, Jason called over all the members of his group, including the dozen Alexandria locals nearby.
"Listen closely — I need you all to rest today. Since the helicopters left a few days ago, we have nothing but our own skills to survive and keep growing. You've all trained hard, and I'm proud of you. I want you to be ready, because tomorrow there will probably be a confrontation."
Michonne, standing nearby, asked with clear doubt on her face: "Where are we going and what are we doing tomorrow? You got here a few days ago, and you seem to know more than we do. Do you know something new?"
Jason slowly shook his head, then turned to Merle beside him: "Merle, explain it to her since the others are on guard duty. I need to meet with Deanna to discuss some important matters."
"Alright, boss." Merle gave a mock-serious salute and said, "I'll train the chicks!"
Jason suddenly glanced at the crowd and asked curiously: "Where's your brother?"
"Ha! He said after flying all the way to Texas to rescue you, he's been bored out of his mind here, so he went hunting."
Jason fell silent, recalling Texas. Daryl had arrived right at the end and hadn't participated much in the direct fighting, but he had been aware of everything that had happened.
...
When he arrived at Deanna's house, a group led by Sheldon was already coming out. He checked his watch and realized only about ten minutes had passed.
"Finished talking already?"
Sheldon was about to speak when he saw Deanna coming out of the house. She said: "Jason, I fully trust your judgment. Since you brought them to Alexandria, they must be people worth trusting. But I also have a good eye — after all, politics is a game of observation."
"I never imagined someone could trust others so quickly…" Catalina couldn't help but say, but Penny, standing beside her, motioned for her to keep quiet. Still, Jason said: "You might be right, but it's not as simple as you're thinking right now. I don't trust people easily, but I always give everyone I meet another chance."
After speaking, Jason turned to Sheldon and pointed toward the nearby RV. "I need you to go to that guard and get the tests you need. I'll speak with you later."
Seeing that Jason seemed to have something to discuss, Sheldon nodded to the others, and they headed toward the modified RV.
"We need to talk."
"I know."
Deanna nodded, indicating she understood what Jason meant, then noticed Alicia walking in from outside.
Jason looked at Alicia with mild surprise, unsure why she had suddenly appeared, but Deanna didn't seem surprised at all — as if they had already spoken beforehand.
Without saying anything, the three of them entered the room, and as soon as they approached the living area, they saw Monroe sitting on a sofa.
When he saw several people enter, Monroe stood up, shook hands with each of them, and then the four sat facing each other.
Deanna glanced at Alicia sitting next to Jason and said with a smile: "There's someone here who really cares about you…"
Alicia, clearly a bit uncomfortable at Deanna's words, shifted in her seat.
But Deanna continued: "Jason, we had a serious discussion about what we talked about yesterday. We debated it for a long time after hearing all that information, and I understand why you withheld it from us. Under Alicia's persuasion, I've decided to go all in and join the organization you mentioned."
Jason was delighted. Even though he had guessed she might agree, hearing the exact answer he wanted brought him real relief.
As long as Deanna agreed to this, his efforts would pay off in the future. And now, he could say his plans could advance many steps forward because of it. He had a hunch Alicia had played a role in this, but to avoid causing any incident, he kept his doubts to himself.
Deanna, unaware of Jason's thoughts, gestured toward Alicia and said: "I'll let Miss Alicia explain it in better detail."
Jason, curious about the girl's words, turned to look at Alicia beside him, waiting for her explanation.
At first, Alicia seemed a bit nervous, but after hearing Deanna's words, she relaxed and secretly encouraged herself.
"I want to go with Deanna and the others!"