A group of armless walkers were tied to a rope. At that moment, Abraham was playing dentist, pulling out the teeth of all these walkers.
This was Jason's plan: cut off their arms and remove all their teeth. With this, the walkers would completely lose the threat a walker normally posed and would then become part of his plan to generate electricity.
...
Early the next morning.
Several people gathered in the open space outside. They had all been told that today there would be an experiment related to the future development of the base. Everyone wanted to see for themselves what it was about, but not everyone had the time, so some didn't arrive.
Now there are four large places where work is being done with giant machines and a lot of manpower, so there was a good amount of space in the middle area of the base where people were about to see the electricity generator.
Jim, Earl, and other blacksmiths arrived at the meeting point with a large number of parts, while Luca and Artur prepared other equipment.
Soon, some people began installing everything. A large generator was placed at the bottom, and above it there was a frame to fix the gearbox. Jason ordered some people to install everything calmly and without pressure. Finally, all the equipment was secured onto the machine.
Six walkers that had undergone special treatment were brought out, which caused a brief panic among the crowd.
"Don't worry, everyone, these walkers have been processed and there is no danger they can pose."
Fortunately, the daily training at the base had produced good results, and although some people had not gone out on missions, they had basically participated in daily cleanup operations, so ordinary walkers couldn't cause them any real fear—only a few women who had never been outside the base looked a little scared.
The six undead had their arms cut off, their teeth pulled, and even their eyes removed.
The walkers were fixed in their respective places, and the device that kept them repeating their steps was also prepared so nothing would tear their bodies apart due to rot, and a chain was wrapped around their feet. On their bodies there was a small bell that would make them walk and spin the chain, constantly stimulating the walkers to keep walking until their death.
After the calculations, the strength of the six walkers was enough to turn the gearbox. After several people secured them, the walkers began walking slowly, following the sound of the bell.
The gears meshed and emitted some crisp sounds of metal colliding, and then began turning slowly, and the walkers' rhythm slowly returned to normal. The gearbox played its due role, and the generator below emitted the sound of high-speed operation.
Jim watched the machine running nervously and felt relieved when he saw that everything was normal.
"Check the readings and verify the status!"
Luca was observing the generator's power with an instrument, smiled, and put the device down after a moment.
"Pretty good, about five kilowatts."
Jason quickly calculated in his mind—five kilowatts, meaning they only needed to build this type of device around the walls where people usually didn't gather, and with this the problem of air conditioning would be solved.
Now that no wind-power generation equipment had been found, this was undoubtedly very good news.
All eyes were on him, as if waiting for good news from him, and everyone knew in their hearts that if it wasn't something great that would benefit everyone, the base commander would never do anything that didn't bring advantages.
Indeed, the people were not disappointed. Jason found a slightly higher place to stand and then loudly stated the purpose of gathering everyone here.
"My dear brothers of the S.C.T., I am very happy to announce that we are about to build our own power grid. With this, we ensure two very important things: zero sabotage from the outside world, and in the future, when the residential buildings are finished, you will be able to use many electrical appliances to improve our lifestyle, including air conditioners, mini refrigerators, etc."
"And when Birmingham is completely cleared and sealed, a safe city will soon be restored where many of you can live just like you do in Atlanta. You know that our goal is to rebuild humanity, and now Alabama is being reconquered by all our soldiers."
Immediately, the crowd burst into enthusiastic applause! Who wouldn't want to live a more comfortable life? Before the end of the world, how many people could endure hundreds of people packed into a small space? But no one complains now, because they all know everything will be better tomorrow.
The central base is a place where many soldiers want to be, but if you ask civilians who work in internal affairs, they would rather be in a building in the city of Atlanta. But in terms of safety, everyone trusts the central base as the fallback point should something unsustainable happen. This is what they want to see, and also the main reason they support it.
But a group of people didn't see it this way. Several people in the crowd looked at each other silently and all realized that their time was shrinking and that action had to start immediately.
At that moment, Jason once again announced news that shocked everyone.
"I have decided that next month, except for some necessary positions, everyone else will dedicate themselves to constructing the base. We need to build the power grid and the base's dormitories as soon as possible so we can begin the next development plan."
While everyone was still immersed in the beautiful life ahead, Jason had already seized the moment to share his next decision.
"At this moment I want to announce something very important. As you know, the central base has fallen far behind other places in Georgia or Atlanta. In those places, a unique mandate was established where survivors earn points."
"However, our central base management system has been seriously delayed. It's hard to manage the base thoroughly with just a few people in command who are sometimes absent. Therefore, the first major meeting of all workers will be held in a week. At that time, you will be taught a new management format. The base will form a government that will extend collectively to all our people, and this will lay the foundations of our future."
As soon as his words fell, the crowd burst into applause, followed by shouts of support, people raising their hands to calm the excited crowd.
"Everyone, listen to me. The reason for establishing this interim government is first of all what I just said. The current administration is a bit unstable. The second and most important point is that the establishment of a government means the central base must formulate laws."
"The management methods in the base will become more formalized, which will be of great benefit for future development, and I believe we will be able to establish a new order of peace, beauty, and equality for everyone!"
"Woooo!"
The crowd applauded!
People get excited when they hear about an egalitarian government—the main reason Rick is still respected after the great union between communities, and likewise why the Commonwealth is so strong.
One could say that this concept is an ideal state of society—a state everyone desires but cannot achieve. Until now, it has only existed in small, selfless groups.
Several people in the crowd also pretended to smile and clap. As the crowd gradually dispersed, they also walked to their posts, talking and laughing among the crowd. Only the eye contact before leaving revealed that the hearts of several people were not at peace.
After turning his head, Jason showed an expression filled with coldness. It seemed many had forgotten how terrifying he could be in this world—many needed to be reminded once more.
The flies in the darkness were moving, but the Red Force always remained around Jason, waiting for orders to eliminate all those who believed in a different future.