章 510: Speculations or truth?

In the vast and modern meeting room, Airon sat at the end of a long table, surrounded by his trusted team. A giant screen displayed an ongoing report about the situation in Texas. As the reading continued, an expression of anger and frustration appeared on Airon's face.

The report revealed an unexpected encounter with an individual in Texas who had used a walker's face to blend in with the undead. Airon was well aware of the implications. It was a clear indication that the enemy was evolving and adapting, posing an even greater threat to his community.

"Why wasn't I informed about this earlier?" Airon asked angrily, looking directly at his team. "This is a serious failure in our communication and intelligence system. I need answers, I need to know why this vital information wasn't conveyed to me."

Silence filled the room as team members looked at each other uncomfortably. They knew they had made a mistake by not informing Airon about the discovery in Texas. One of them, nervous but determined, stood up and spoke.

"Airon, I sincerely apologize for this communication oversight. It was a coordination failure between different departments, and we echoed the information with a delay," the team member admitted, showing remorse. "But you must understand that we have been working hard to address this new threat, and we didn't consider those details as something requiring your attention. Our resources are focused on confronting it and finding a solution for the new cities captured by our organization."

Airon exhaled deeply, trying to control his anger and disappointment. He knew he couldn't afford to be distracted by blame at this critical moment. He looked at his team with determination.

"Alright, I understand that we are all under extreme pressure." Airon said calmly but firmly. "But from now on, communication must be smooth and timely. We cannot afford any delays in transmitting vital information. Our survival depends on it."

The team members nodded silently, acknowledging the importance of his words. Airon continued, "Now, let's focus on what's next. We need to develop strategies to confront this new threat and protect our community. I am confident that together we can overcome this challenge."

"Well, considering that the CRM is mostly a military force, experts doubt they would decide to confront us directly..."

As the conversation progressed, Airon stared at some papers describing how a person named Mack wore a walker mask, just like the scout soldiers. For those unaware, their first assumption would be that a man had found or killed one of their soldiers, but Airon had only one word in mind: Whisperers.

If the Whisperers appeared in Texas when their activities were supposed to be in Washington, something must have forcefully driven them out of that place. Considering the other information stating that Mack's group was nomadic and roamed Washington, Airon confirmed his speculations.

"Was it the CRM or a different force?" This question lingered in Airon's mind for a while.

It was impossible for the CRM to have eliminated the Whisperers. With Beta and Alpha alive, it was highly unlikely that they would be exposed to those who could have eliminated them. If that was the case, Airon no longer had to worry about encountering a massive horde of walkers. However, a new concern arose about who could have attacked them to the point of eliminating them.

But these were mere speculations as Airon analyzed the limited information he had, so he quickly refocused on the ongoing meeting.

"Alright, now we will receive the report on what has been done in Florida over the past few weeks..."

The newly appointed sub-commander, Ian Dietrich, who was in charge of the report, took the floor and began detailing the battle's details. He described how the SCT forces, in collaboration with local civilians, had advanced with determination to eliminate walkers and secure the area.

"Since the operation began, we have faced strong resistance from walkers hiding in buildings..." the commander began. "However, thanks to the bravery and skill of our soldiers, we have managed to progress and clear several affected areas."

The report included details of the tactics used to clear infested areas. It mentioned close-quarters combat, precise shooting, and the use of strategic explosives to eliminate walkers in large groups. Every move was supported by careful planning and coordination among the units. All of it needed to be reported for the weapons to have a usage record.

"It is important to highlight that our soldiers have shown great discipline and resilience in the face of the challenges they have encountered," Ian Dietrich continued. "We have managed to secure key areas, providing a safer environment for the civilians who still remain in the zone."

The report also emphasized the crucial role of aerial reconnaissance in the battle. Helicopters and drones provided strategic insights into walker movements and helped direct ground forces to the most critical points.

"In addition to direct engagements, we have also implemented measures to clear corpses and prevent the spread of infection." The commander added. "Specialized teams were responsible for collecting and properly disposing of walker bodies, thus avoiding possible secondary outbreaks."

As the report progressed, the advancements in consolidating the liberated zone were mentioned. Checkpoints and surveillance points were established to ensure ongoing security and prevent any attempt at reinfestation.

Airon listened attentively to every word, aware of the importance of this battle for the future of his community. If they could secure Florida, they would have a solid strategic foothold from which to expand their operations and further strengthen their resistance.

Upon concluding the report, Airon spoke up, "I want to express my gratitude to all the brave men and women who participated in this battle. Your dedication and sacrifice are exemplary. Without your courage, we could not move towards a safer future."

Ian Dietrich nodded respectfully and added, "There is still much work to be done, but with our determination and unity, I know we will prevail. We will continue fighting until we have completely eradicated this walker threat."

With the battle in Florida underway and the SCT's efforts in full swing, Airon and his team prepared to face the upcoming challenges. They knew the road would be difficult, but they were determined to protect their community and forge a secure future in a world devastated by the walker epidemic.

"Just a little bit more, just a little..." Airon murmured as he looked at the report from the Commonwealth community.