Chapter 73 – Your stare makes me scared!
CDC – Third Floor
Wu Fan pressed the last red thumbtack into the map and stepped back, silently studying the full map of Georgia.
Red dots marked known walker gathering zones. Blue crosses marked cleared areas. Green circles marked valuable targets such as the farm and Prison.
To the north, a chain of green circles marked Hershel's farm. However, both access routes were marked in yellow warning zones—according to Wells' helicopter reconnaissance, the interstate and rural roads were heavily blocked by abandoned vehicles.
Wu Fan stared at the blocked routes for a moment, then picked up the phone.
"Have Sandra come over."
A few minutes later, Amy opened the door and entered, followed by Sandra.
"Boss."
Sandra stood straight in front of the table, waiting for orders.
Wu Fan pointed at the map.
"The roads to Hershel's farm are blocked—the highway and the country road both. Take a small team and bring a bulldozer. Clear them as quickly as possible."
Sandra leaned closer, carefully memorizing the locations.
"What about the vehicles we clear out?"
"Drain the fuel. Push them to the roadside."
Wu Fan pulled another map from the drawer, marked with gas station locations.
"Bring back every drop of fuel. Don't waste anything."
Sandra nodded and turned to leave.
Amy watched her go, then asked quietly,
"Aren't you worried Woodbury might intercept her?"
Wu Fan didn't answer. His gaze remained fixed on the red circle south of Prison.
Woodbury Border Roads
The wind howled across the highway, flattening the roadside weeds.
Merle rolled down the Humvee window slightly. Cigarette ash was instantly blown away by the wind.
He stared at the driver beside him with a grin that made people uncomfortable.
"Captain Camon Merle, stop staring at me like that."
The young driver tightened his grip on the steering wheel, eyes fixed ahead, already drenched in sweat.
"I don't sleep with men…"
Merle cursed and flicked the cigarette ash out the window.
"My damn preference is women. I'm looking at you because your name is Sean too."
He leaned back casually. "Didn't you know there's another Sean in the second squad?"
The driver—Private Shane—twitched his mouth.
"My mom picked the name. I can't help it."
He had once been in Wells' unit, but after reorganization, he was assigned to Merle's team. Even now, he still didn't understand what he had done to deserve this.
Merle pulled another cigarette, tossing a lighter in his hand.
"Sean, light it."
Shane gritted his teeth, took the lighter, and leaned over to light it.
Merle inhaled deeply and exhaled smoke toward the windshield.
"Cool."
Shane silently cursed in his mind.
Behind them, Daryl rode a motorcycle, moving up alongside the convoy. He pulled off his goggles and signaled urgently.
Merle rolled the window down fully.
"What?"
Daryl's voice was cold.
"We're entering the Governor's territory. Be careful."
Ambush
BOOM!
A plume of white smoke burst from the forest on the left side of the road. A rocket streaked toward the rear Humvee.
"RPG!"
Shane slammed the brakes and yanked the wheel.
The Humvee skidded sideways, blocking the road.
The explosion roared behind them. Shrapnel and debris slammed into the vehicle.
The rear Humvee burst into flames. Black smoke poured out of the engine.
The doors flew open. Several soldiers tumbled out into the roadside ditch.
"Contact!"
Daryl's motorcycle tipped over. He rolled behind cover, crossbow ready.
Merle shoved open the door and jumped out.
He landed hard but recovered instantly, raising his rifle and aiming into the woods.
"How many?"
"I didn't see clearly!" someone shouted from the ditch.
"Three! Maybe four!"
Another rocket launched from the woods.
Merle immediately identified the position—about sixty meters left, behind a large oak tree.
He fired a burst.
Bullets shredded bark and leaves, but the rocket still flew past and exploded in a distant field.
"Daryl!"
Daryl had already sprinted forward, moving low along the drainage ditch.
He was fast—almost silent.
Gunfire erupted from the convoy as Shane returned fire from behind the Humvee.
Daryl reached the forest edge and crouched behind a fallen log.
Through the scope, he saw three men behind an oak tree—one loading an RPG, two firing rifles.
Daryl aimed.
The crossbow string snapped softly.
The bolt struck the RPG gunner's shoulder. The man screamed and dropped the launcher.
The other two turned and fired wildly.
Daryl rolled behind cover as bullets tore through the bark.
Merle grinned when he heard the scream.
"There we go!"
He waved forward.
"Push them back!"
Several soldiers advanced in a skirmish line, firing into the forest.
Gunfire intensified. Leaves and branches exploded into fragments.
The wounded man was dragged backward, leaving blood trails on the ground.
Daryl paused, then stopped pursuit.
"Don't chase them!" Merle shouted.
Daryl lowered his weapon and returned.
Aftermath
The damaged Humvee still smoldered on the roadside.
Supplies were transferred from the wreck.
Shane leaned against the vehicle, trembling slightly.
Merle walked over and patted him on the shoulder.
"First time getting bombed?"
Shane nodded stiffly.
"You'll get used to it."
Merle lit another cigarette.
Daryl returned from the forest.
"They escaped. Left behind an RPG launcher and some ammo. Vehicle is destroyed."
Merle cursed, then grabbed his radio.
"Boss, we were ambushed. RPG attack. One Humvee destroyed, no casualties."
A pause.
Wu Fan's voice came through calmly.
"As long as everyone is safe, retreat. Cancel the remaining mission."
Merle turned off the radio, glanced toward the dark forest, then flicked his cigarette away.
"Load up. We're heading home."
The convoy slowly turned around and left the area, disappearing back down the road.