AN: So short filler chapter for now. Will try to get a longer chapter out soon.
Chapter 3: Angel Base
Back with Rick's group, Present day:
When the camp started waking at sunrise after a quiet night Rick went over to speak with Pete to tell him the group's decision. "Glad to have you along," Pete said, "I'll get the map show you where we're going and give you a token, just in case." He reached into one of the pouches on his belt and pulled out two wooden rounds about the size of a half dollar with the angels wings carved into both sides of it. They had a small hole drilled into the top of it and was hanging from a leather string. "Recommend you tie that to a belt loop and slip it into your pocket, so you don't lose it." He said as he passed one of them over then reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a laminated map. He walked over near the firepit that Carol was starting to relight. "Unless your fixin to heat water, don't worry about relighting the fire. We generally eat breakfast on the move."
Pete spread out the map on the ground and pointed to a yellow mark on it. "That's where we're heading, and here is about where we are." His finger moved a bit southwest and circled a small area. "We are gonna continue following the tracks til we start seeing more signs of civilization, then we are gonna head east off the tracks and circle town to come back from the north. Airport is a county one just on the edge of town. We fortified the fences and added extra defenses to the perimeter." "That's real close to town, how do you keep from getting overrun?" Glenn asked. "The town had one of those storm sirens in it. We rigged it up with a portable solar panel/battery and switch system, then ran a wire to the control tower in the airport. When we got a bird coming in or taking off, the tower activates the siren to draw them away. We only have light propeller aircraft at the moment, none of those real big passenger or cargo jets, so they aren't as loud."
Terrence came back into the clearing with Daryl carrying what looked like hunting cameras and some rope. "Got the warning system down, we should probably head out before it gets too much later."
Joey was digging through the packs and pulled out some granola bars started passing them out to every body. "These aren't your usual granola, got lots of added nutrients and protein packed into them. Should hold off the hunger pains til we get to base."
"How long will it take to get to your base?" Tyreese asked as he took the offered granola. "Should be there by mid afternoon, if we don't run into any trouble."
"Well lets hit the road!" Pete exclaimed as he folded up the map. The survivors followed the men as they set out following the tracks further north. About noon they started seeing signs of a town and left the tracks to circle it. When they had circled back around to the tracks on the other side of town they headed back south for a mile or so and then took one of the roads that crossed the tracks west. Turning a corner they saw the airfield. The gate they went up to had two guards who greeted Pete and his team as they came in.
"Hey Pete, got some tag alongs with ya?" "Yep, three are wanting safe passage to D.C. and the others are just looking for somewhere to settle down." "Well best inform the Commander so they can be checked over and then to figure out where to send them." "I already got an idea of where most of them are gonna end up." The guard he opened the gate to let them in and gestured toward a hanger with the number one on it. "Commander and everybody setup in there." Pete nodded and set off over the airfield with everybody following him. "We got a 208 coming in about 2 hours from now," the guard called out after him. Pete waved his arm to show he heard as he continued to the hanger. Rick caught up to him, "What is a 208?" "Cessna 208, one of the most versatile of our birds, can either carry cargo or passengers or both. Was mostly used for short jump package and cargo deliveries before the belly-up." Rick nodded and fell back to walk with the rest of his group.
The hanger door was opened by a woman who looked to be in her mid-30's with blond hair and brown eyes. "Hey Pete, good trip?" Pete snorted, "As good as ever. Found some folks looking to get elsewhere.", he gestured to Rick and his group, "And a few that want to get to D.C.", motioning to Ford and his group, "Will you let the Doc know we need him for physicals and the Commander that we need a baker's dozen of intake questionnaires?" "On it!", she chirped as she turned back into the hanger, Pete caught the door before it could swing closed and motioned the groups inside.
The hanger had been mostly cleared the right side had about 20 cots with folding privacy screens between them and the left looked like a command center with maps covered in various colored pins hung on the walls on cork boards and a woman who stood about six foot tall with brown hair cut into a short bob talking to the blond from the door. Pete headed in the direction of the two women while Joey and Terrence lead the group towards the back of the hanger where a small sick bay was set up. "Doc! Got some patients for you!" Joey called as they approached. A man stepped out from around a screen in the corner and looked over the group following Joey, then snorted, "Damn boy, where'd you find them?" "On the road." The doc shook his head then turned to the group, "Well, who's first?", he said abruptly. Tyreese stepped forward with Judith, "Probably should go youngest to oldest," he said to Rick, who nodded and took Judy out of Tyreese's backpack before turning back to the doctor. "Alright, lets get some basic information first," the Doc said, "Birthday?" Rick hesitated before Daryl said, "Trees were starting to bud, so mid-March to early April," Rick nodded his thanks. "So approximately 9 months old then?", Doc asked. "Yeah" "She on solids or purees?" "Purees" "Teeth?" "6 of them" "Should probably start phasing in solids then. Lets look her over." Doc turned back to the screened section motioning Rick to follow.
AN2: Well the two groups are going to be meeting next chapter! Now I have a question, Would you like to be given Alexa's Group's background all in one chunk or spread out like in short flashbacks. Let me know! R&R