The groups move silently with the night through the woods undetected by both Walkers and possible watching enemies. At point one, Rosita and Spencer fall back with their group of twelve members and remain stationed in the woods whilst Rick, Michonne, Daryl, Tessa, Carol, Morgan, Abraham and Sasha continue forward. They race through the open field towards the base.
Point two, nearing a guard tower, Carol, Morgan, Abraham and Sasha peel off and take position whilst the other two teams continue. Point three, Rick paired with Michonne and Daryl with Tessa stop against the wall of the compound. They observe their surroundings. It's clear enough.
"Rick, 'Chonne," says Tessa turning to them. "You take the West wall. Daryl and I got this one. You remember where to go?"
Michonne peaks around the corner of the wall.
"Yeah..." confirms Rick. He puts the radio to his mouth and whispers in. "Alright everyone, we're going in. Keep it down low."
"We're clear," says Michonne turning to him. Readying their weapons Ri'chonne dash off to the opposite side of the base.
Daryl turns to Tessa.
"Alright. Let's do this," he says and they to take position.
Now inside, Daryl and Tessa entered undetected through an emergency escape way, and sneak between the narrow siding of a building. Daryl trails close to her guarding from behind as she peaks around the corner to get a glimpse of the area. No one.
Just as Tessa is about to bolt to the door Daryl grabs her and pulls her back. Daryl pins her against the building between his body. Tessa is startled by this sudden action and looks him in the eyes uncertain of why. He gestures to the window where dark, shadowy figures stand.
"Just come," says Tessa now understanding. She grabs him and heads to the door.
After ensuring the room is unoccupied, Daryl keeps watch while Tessa quickly picks the lock to Constantine's quarters. She pushes open the door and they rush in.
He closes the door behind upon entering. The dim lights from the outside cast a greyish loom in the room and shadows on the furniture and figures at the window. Daryl inches closer to the mannequin like mysteries that stand there as Tessa ravage through the room. Once close enough he is startled to see the true identities. Fully taxidermy humans stuffed just as the other few animal trophies that lined the room. Daryl steps closer to examine the remains of one to the human males. Hesitant, he slides his fingers across the rough leathery skin of his hand. This is bizarre and too much to process. Though a bit freaked out, Daryl calmly steps away to examine the four statues at a distance but Tessa notices.
"George, Richard, Ava, Max... Just some of his prized trophies," explains Tessa going through a drawer.
"I didn't think humans were taxidermic. How is this possible?" ask Daryl. His tone sounding spooked.
"I didn't think dead people would live this long," says Tessa finishes up. She zips up a bag and throws it over her shoulders.
Daryl continue to just glare at them when an eerie feeling comes over him after the realization that this could have been Tessa.
"And you wanted to become one of these."
Tessa walks beside him to view the bodies at a distance too.
"I didn't want you to become one of these," speak Tessa calmly. "Or Michonne, Rick... anybody."
Daryl looks to her.
"And we won't," says Daryl just as Tessa look up at him. His blue eyes gleaming brightly in the light from the window. Tessa breaks the gaze and goes to the door as Daryl takes another glance at the human trophies.
"Breaking into this place was too easy," he says going over to her as she presses her ear against it to detect any movement from outside.
"Well, they've never had an attack or intrusion before. They may be on edge about the supplies but not here."
She cranks the door. Daryl readies his crossbow.
"Come to think of it, I've noticed there aren't many soldiers here. He probably had them deployed to the outpost."
"Or hunting for you."
"Whatever the case let's consider ourselves lucky."
She peeks out. Coast clear.
"Lets get to the cells and see who's there. Hopefully, Rick and Michonne found the doctors by now."
They silently rush off.
Rick and Michonne manage to evade a few soldiers as they pass through. Now they tread through the empty, dreary and dimly lit hall with doors lining the way. They communicate non-verbally and Michonne, armed with a semi-automatic, covers Rick as they check each door. At the last one, Rick is about to open the door but a man dressed in a button down shirt, Khakis, and glasses opens it from the other side. In a panic, he starts to shout but Rick covers his mouth and forcefully pushes him inside the room. The man trips backwards and falls to the ground with Rick on top.
"Shhh, hey, hey," starts Rick calmly. "We're friends of Tessa. Familiar with her? Just nod "Yes or No."
Wide eyed he hesitantly nods "Yes."
"Are you Dr. Grayson? The one that helped her and another guy escape?"
He shake his head "No." He now taps on his arm from him to let go. Taking a breath the man speaks.
"Dr. Greyson is dead," he says. "He was killed by the our leader, General Constantine shortly after. I'm Dr. Henry Ferrell. Tessa's still alive?"
"Yeah," responds Rick helping him up. "She and another are to meet us at the cells to free any other victims."
"What? Why would she come back?"
"We're here for this General."
Just then noise is heard from the hall and Michonne turns to them.
"Rick, someone's coming," whispers Michonne. Frantic he turns to Dr. Ferrell.
"Show us where the cells are."
"There are soldiers coming. We won't make it out of here."
Rick hesitates for a slight moment and looks around the simple room. There are two surgical tables covered with sheets. He gestures to Michonne just as the voices get closer. Michonne rushes behind the space between the door and the wall as Rick to one of the tables. He flips up the sheets to lay on top and covers himself while the doctor just stands a bit dumbfounded.
"Ferrell!" shouts a voice from outside the open door.
Two men enter. One with his arms around the other for support. Though soldiers, they aren't exactly dressed in military attire. Just partially.
"Jackson shot himself in the foot while on watch," says the first solider sounding amused.
"It just went off. I swear it was on safety," says the second one names Jackson.
"Probably should just give him a band-aid or something."
He stops and looks over to the table to see a body lying motionless under the sheets.
"The hell are you doing?" he ask letting go of the injured man and heading over to the table. Dr. Ferrell is nearly frozen with fear but swallows it down.
"I'm experimenting on a Roamer," his nervously says.
The solider stops near the table and chuckles. He touches the corner of the sheets and prepares to unveil the body.
"Don't tell me you slayed ugly basta-"
After lifting the sheets his words are cut short. Rick launches off the table a stabs the man in the neck. Suddenly, Michonne impels the second man from behind with her katana and he collapse to the ground. Rick grabs the flabbergasted doctor.
"Let's go."
They dash out the room.