Atlanta, advanced training base.
At that moment, two hundred soldiers stood in perfect formation, wearing special gray combat suits labeled Arm-3J. These special suits had been in development since the growth base was established at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
The Arm-3J combat suits were specifically designed for fighting against all kinds of anomalies. Not only was their armor sufficient to protect against bullet impacts in critical areas of the body, but it also ensured that no walker could infect them in any way.
The armor on these suits could withstand numerous bullet impacts at both short and long range; the non-armored sections were durable enough to protect against bites or slashes from bladed weapons.
The helmet provided the soldier with protection that met all standards against anomalies. It also featured a gas mask to prevent incapacitation from various attacks.
The Arm-3J could survive 7.62 mm rounds and was equipped with night vision, a water filter, an internal communication system, and even resistance to attacks from other dimensions.
But the most surprising thing about these silent, standing soldiers wasn't the suit—it was their weapons. These soldiers carried FN SCAR rifles specially manufactured after the end of the world. The rifles had both high and low caliber settings; most importantly, the barrel could be shortened for close-quarters combat or extended for long-range encounters.
The rifle design allowed for a laser attachment and other configurations; those not wearing the special combat suits carried flashlights instead.
Each suit carried eight magazines, a handgun, knives, grenades, and a long melee weapon specifically for more efficiently eliminating walkers.
These well-equipped individuals belonged to the Assault or Advanced Troops, identified by the codes AA-1 and AA-2. Each squad consisted of thirty members, and in total, ten AA squads would be deployed.
Most of these people were part of the team Jason had formed when he left the prison and took over a base in Atlanta. They had been training to become something deadlier than just regular soldiers.
In reserve, there were one hundred squads being prepared, totaling around three thousand people. Over time, the Atlanta base had been restructured under Tommy's guidance and Jason's sophisticated planning.
At this moment, just over three thousand people were working rigorously at the Atlanta advanced base. Meanwhile, at the University of Georgia, around eight thousand survivors had been found during clearing missions throughout the state.
The central base was the most important and therefore housed the most trustworthy individuals and the best workers, making up slightly fewer than two thousand people.
To maintain order and monitor each civilian's status, S.C.T. community members wore a shoulder bandana that contained a serial number. This number was registered into the community's citizen point database.
This database had been cleverly created by Tyler and a special communications group. Guards responsible for order and security now carried scanners to verify citizen point scores.
A hardworking, competent, and community-minded member earned one hundred points. With these points, a person could receive food for themselves and their family, gain access to safer zones, and obtain additional benefits.
Anyone maintaining a score of 100 could request cigarettes, games or comics, books, or any item that made them feel appreciated for their work.
Medical care, food, water, secure zones, medicine—everything needed to survive in today's world was highly valued by survivors maintaining perfect scores.
It was true that each job granted the S.C.T. member new privileges and advantages over others, but this was necessary to ensure everything functioned smoothly.
However, scores could drop—if a person fought, stole, disobeyed important orders, or missed work, their score would decrease and certain privileges would be revoked.
There were prisons, police, and inspectors in charge of maintaining order, and above them were the leaders chosen by Jason long before the organization expanded.
So, if anyone abused their power, committed an unforgivable crime, or betrayed the principles of the S.C.T. community in any way, they would be sentenced to the transformation.
This transformation involved injecting the virus directly into the condemned person's bloodstream, condemning them to an inevitable death.
Everyone knew what it meant to lose everything; each S.C.T. member understood the desperation of having nothing, which was why they did everything they could to protect what they had.
No one could escape the watchful eyes of Shane, Rick, or Tommy. Each of these leaders was a force of nature who would do anything to protect what they had built with the mutual effort of those who still wanted to live.
Back at the formation of the three hundred AA group soldiers, they were ready to support Jason in his plans in Virginia. In addition, all these people had many other important duties to fulfill.
Tommy Valdez, the leader who had personally trained and mentored many of those departing today, had shared what was about to happen.
Behind them were five CH-47 Chinook helicopters, each carrying a container filled with numerous supplies. The cargo had already been checked, and the plan had been explained in detail.
"Commander Jason has requested reinforcements. Each of you will support him and help spread the name of our community."
"Fly high, soldiers!" shouted Tommy Valdez, offering a military salute.
"Yes, sir!"
Once everything was ready, the three hundred soldiers boarded the helicopters in an orderly fashion. Everyone was ready to depart; they had been waiting for this moment for a long time, and now the time had come.
"Give this letter to Jason, Morgan," Tommy handed Morgan a carefully wrapped letter.
"I will, my friend!" Morgan nodded and ran toward a helicopter just as it was starting its engines.
Within minutes, the five helicopters left the advanced base and headed straight for Jason's location: Alexandria.