The old order had been crushed, and a new power had taken control.
After the ordeal of the life-or-death vote, the police prisoners looked utterly defeated, resigned to their fate. Some even felt a pathetic sense of relief simply because they had not been voted to death.
Calista had neither the time nor the interest to provide them with any kind of in-depth counseling.
In the apocalypse, patience was every bit as scarce as resources.
"Get up, all of you."
The six police officers hesitated before helping one another to their feet.
Dawn only managed to steady herself after Shepherd, standing beside her, gave her a hand. She avoided Calista's gaze and stared blankly at the tips of her shoes.
"Listen carefully. I'm only going to say this once." Calista slowly swept her gaze across every face.
"You are no longer police officers, and you are no longer the rulers of Grady Memorial Hospital. From this moment on, you are 'penitents under review' of Rock Fortress. Remember that.
"On the way back to Rock Fortress, you'll haul supplies, clear obstacles, and deal with any walkers we encounter. That's your job."
"We... we have injured people," one of the officers muttered, glancing toward Licari and the other injured officer.
"Then use your other hand, or your feet," Carver scoffed from the side, his arms folded. "Unless you'd rather go join Jeffries and the others right now."
The officer immediately fell silent, his face turning pale.
"The rules are simple. Obey the guards and complete the tasks you're assigned.
"Any attempt to escape, resist, hide weapons, or incite others will result in the execution of whoever is involved as soon as it's discovered."
Calista's words seemed to chill the air even further.
"At the same time, every member of your group will lose double the usual 'atonement points' and share in the punishment. That could mean more dangerous assignments or reduced food rations."
Collective punishment.
Anyone who had still been harboring thoughts of trying something suddenly became acutely aware of the wary, scrutinizing looks from the others around them.
Under rules like these, watching one another became a survival instinct. One person's reckless move could drag the entire group down with them.
Dawn abruptly raised her head, her lips parting as though she wanted to protest the unfairness of collective punishment. But the moment she met Calista's emotionless gray-blue eyes, the words died in her throat.
"Once we reach Rock Fortress, you'll be given the detailed rules for the point system.
"Working, following orders, and making special contributions will earn you points.
"Breaking the rules, slacking off, or causing trouble will cost you points, and serious violations can reset your score to zero.
"Once you accumulate enough points, you can shed your status as 'Penitents,' become full residents of Rock Fortress, and choose your own jobs."
With that, Calista turned away from them and looked at Carver.
"Get ready to move out. Have them carry the priority supplies."
Carver carried out the order without hesitation. He bound their wrists in front of them with simple plastic restraints. They still had enough freedom to perform basic tasks, but not enough to turn on their captors along the way.
As the six police officers resignedly began hauling boxes of medicine, tools, the limited food supplies cleared from the hospital, and the white mice intended for meat, Calista turned her attention elsewhere.
The ordinary survivors had gathered together. There was still fear in their eyes, but now it was joined by cautious hope.
They had witnessed Rock Fortress's strength firsthand. They had also seen Calista deal with the worst of their oppressors with a brutal kind of fairness.
For people who had struggled to survive for far too long, the promise of a stronger new shelter with rules was powerfully appealing.
"Those of you willing to follow Rock Fortress can come with us," Calista said as she approached them, her tone softening slightly. "You'll still need to follow orders on the road and help out when necessary.
"Once we reach Rock Fortress, someone will register your information in more detail and assign you temporary housing and work.
"There are more people there, and we have stable supplies of food and water. But there's no such thing as a free lunch. Everyone has to contribute to the community."
Her words were practical, without any extravagant promises. If anything, that made some of the more perceptive survivors trust her even more.
"Anyone who doesn't want to come with us can leave now. Each person will receive enough basic food and water to last two days."
Calista pointed toward the small bundles of supplies stacked nearby.
She was giving them a choice, though she knew almost no one would take it. Setting out alone in the apocalypse was practically suicide.
Sure enough, the crowd merely stirred and whispered among themselves. No one stepped forward.
After seeing Rock Fortress's firepower, discipline, and the brutal fairness displayed during the "democratic executions," every survivor chose to stay.
Joan, supporting a trembling elderly man, gathered her courage and asked, "Commander... will elderly people get food too?"
"Basic rations are allocated according to age and physical ability. The elderly and the sick will receive appropriate consideration," Calista replied.
"Abraham, Rosita."
Calista looked toward the two who had been quietly observing from the side. They immediately stepped forward.
"I'm putting this group of survivors in your care. Keep them between the prisoner column and the main force. Maintain order and deal with any small groups of walkers that attack from the flanks. Any problems?"
This was both an assignment and a test. Calista already knew what kind of people they were, but she still wanted to see how seriously these two newcomers would take their responsibilities toward Rock Fortress.
It was not an easy job.
When the police had brought people into the hospital, they had deliberately avoided strong young adults. Those who remained were physically weak, which made them easier to control but also more prone to panic. Protecting them would take more effort than guarding the six police prisoners.
"No, Commander," Abraham replied in a deep voice. "We'll make sure they keep up with the group."
Since Abraham had accepted, Rosita nodded as well. "We'll call for support if we need it."
Calista nodded, then finally walked over to Noah, who had been resting a short distance away.
"Noah."
Hearing her, Noah immediately stood up.
"Commander."
Calista patted him on the shoulder and got straight to the point.
"Once you reach the prison, Rick, the outpost commander, will make arrangements for you.
"As for whether he'll consider helping you, and when, that will be his decision.
"Rock Fortress won't force the prison to do anything, but I'll tell him about your situation. He's a good man."
"I understand. Thank you!" Noah nodded solemnly.
Calista signaled for Murphy to take Noah to the vehicle that was about to leave for the prison. Team Zhou would remain stationed there, and the four members were taking a share of the supplies from Grady Memorial Hospital back with them.
The off-road vehicle's engine started. Carrying Noah and the four team members, it pulled out ahead of the others and headed toward the prison.
After seeing Noah off, Calista returned to the main group. The convoy and two helicopters bound for Rock Fortress were already prepared to depart.
...
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