When Lee jumped down from the cockpit and gave Calista and the others an "OK" hand sign, the entire Blackberry Ranch erupted into celebration.
Calista looked at the cheering crowd before her and at the runway that embodied everyone's hard work and ingenuity, her heart surging with pride.
She turned to Leah and Robert beside her.
"The runway is ready. Next, it's time to bring our 'Thunder' and 'Hercules' home."
Her gaze shifted southeast, toward the McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base.
With air power in their hands, the future of Rock Fortress would truly open wide.
The operation plan was finalized quickly.
In the command center of the main building, maps covered the table. Calista, Leah, Rickson, Thompson, and the newly joined Air Force team of four gathered around.
"The route is set. We'll take this secondary road," Calista said, pointing at the map.
"It's a bit longer, but it lets us avoid several known large-scale zombie clusters. The key is to move quickly through this industrial area in southeast Knoxville. The situation there is unclear."
"Here's the latest reconnaissance from McGhee Tyson Base." Rickson placed several blurry but recognizable photos on the table.
The search team had previously found a vintage photo studio and brought back all the digital and film cameras. They could no longer connect to the internet, but taking pictures was still no problem.
"The perimeter barbed wire has multiple breaches, but the main runway looks mostly intact. The hangar area is relatively enclosed, with very little zombie activity. Most of them are concentrated around the former barracks and command building.
The two KC-135s and the C-130 are parked on the apron beside the main runway. The F-16 is in Hangar 3, and the hangar door appears to be partially open."
Robert studied the photos carefully and nodded.
"It looks about the same as when we evacuated. The key is fuel. If the underground storage tanks still have fuel and it hasn't been contaminated, that's what really matters."
Oliver added, "And power. We need electricity to start the auxiliary power units and run initial checks. It would be best if we can restore the base's backup generators. If not, we'll have to rely on our mobile power truck."
"That's not a problem. Ancheta can handle it," Leah said with a nod.
"The zombies aren't the main issue. Speed is. Our goal is the aircraft, not clearing the base," Calista concluded.
"Leah, the team will be our usual crew plus Robert and his four men. Rickson, the base is in your hands. Keep it secure."
Robert hesitated.
"There are only three of us, but there are four aircraft. We can't fly them all back at once. We'll need two trips."
"That's fine. We have someone who can fly transport planes too." Calista looked at Thompson.
Thompson smiled and nodded. "I'm not rusty yet."
"Don't worry, Calista. I'll make sure everything stays exactly as it should," Rickson said, patting his chest.
"Understood."
The night before departure, Rock Fortress was buzzing with activity.
The armory was opened, and all kinds of firearms were taken out for maintenance and distribution. Boxes of ammunition and supplies were loaded onto vehicles.
Ancheta led a team working overnight to convert a pickup truck into a makeshift mobile power vehicle, towing a large battery pack behind it.
In the tool room, Oliver and Henry worked through a checklist, packing several large crates with every specialized tool and spare part they might need.
Calista personally inspected everyone's gear.
She carried her usual rifle.
Leah carried a submachine gun and a rifle.
Turner had his beloved M249 light machine gun slung over his shoulder, a gleaming belt of ammunition draped around his neck, with a heavy machine gun mounted on the roof of the vehicle.
Mike and Carver, acting as assault troops, carried M4 carbines.
Bossie carried reconnaissance equipment and a designated marksman rifle.
Jenson stuck with his sniper rifle.
Wells handled heavy firepower, bringing a PKM light machine gun, and they even loaded an RPG-7 with several rockets into the vehicle.
Danny was responsible for communications and electronic equipment. Ethan carried a massive medical pack. Thompson also carried a submachine gun.
In addition, everyone carried a handgun and a melee weapon.
Together with the three pilots, Robert, Kenny, and Lee, and ground crew member Oliver, the team totaled fifteen people.
They split across three reinforced, modified Humvees and the mobile power pickup, forming a compact and capable "treasure hunting" convoy.
The next morning, the convoy quietly departed Rock Fortress.
Just as the reconnaissance report had indicated, there were scattered walkers along the way. Drawn by the sound of the engines, they staggered after the vehicles, but the convoy maintained speed and avoided engagement, leaving them behind.
As they entered the industrial zone in southeast Knoxville, things became more complicated.
Abandoned factories and stacked shipping containers created countless blind spots.
Walkers would occasionally lunge out from corners without warning.
"Left side. Two walkers," Mike called over the radio.
"Bang. Bang."
Carver, who was driving, did not slow down. Leah leaned out from the passenger seat and fired two controlled shots, both clean headshots.
"Intersection ahead. There's an abandoned bus blocking the road."
"Take the alley on the right. Bossie, watch the rooftops," Leah ordered calmly.
The convoy weaved through the alleyways, tires grinding over scattered debris with harsh screeching sounds that drew even more walkers.
"Damn it. There are more of them," Carver muttered, watching the growing horde in the rearview mirror.
"Do not stop. Push through at speed," Calista ordered.
Turner pulled open the sunroof, leaned halfway out, and brought up his M249 light machine gun.
"You rotten bastards. Try this."
"Ratatatatatat!"
The deafening roar of the machine gun echoed through the narrow alley.
A storm of bullets tore into the pursuing horde, shredding them in waves as blood and flesh sprayed through the air.
The overwhelming firepower suppressed the pursuers long enough for the convoy to break out of the industrial zone, leaving the horde behind.
After another half hour of driving, an open stretch of land appeared ahead. In the distance, the runway and hangars of the McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base came into view.
The convoy stopped behind a small dirt rise a few hundred meters from the outer barbed wire, using the terrain as cover.
Bossie and Jenson immediately took out high-powered binoculars and rangefinders to observe the base.
"The outer fence is heavily damaged. I can see multiple entry points."
"The runway area is clear. About a dozen walkers scattered around."
"There are more near the barracks. Probably over a hundred, but they are far from the apron."
"The apron. I see the two KC-135s and the C-130. They look intact."
"Hangar 3. The door is partially open, but we cannot see inside."
Robert took the binoculars and focused on the two massive aircraft, his hands trembling slightly with excitement.
"They're ours. And they look untouched."
...
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