The camp buzzed with controlled energy. Men checked rifles, loaded ammunition crates, inspected vehicles one last time. Merle's Armadillo stood gleaming under the morning sun, its armor plates glinting like a war beast ready to charge.
Rick moved among his people, offering nods and quiet words.
"Check the tires again," he told Morales, who was overseeing vehicle prep.
"Done twice already, Rick," Morales grinned. "But I'll check them a third time for you."
Morgan approached with a satchel of field bandages.
"You sure you don't want me along?" he asked.
Rick shook his head.
"Not yet, Morgan. You're more valuable here with the civilians. If anything goes wrong out there, you'll be the one holding this place together."
Glenn appeared next, carrying a folded map.
"Scouted the highway last night. No signs of other groups near Newton Armory. But the walkers are heavier east of the overpass."
Rick nodded.
"Good. We'll take Route 19, flank around them."
Andrea walked up quietly, eyes betraying her concern.
"Be careful out there," she said softly.
Rick placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"We will. You hold the fort."
From the corner, Shane chimed in as he slung his rifle over his shoulder.
"Don't worry, Andrea. Nothing's gonna happen that we can't handle."
The Convoy
By noon, three vehicles rolled out:
The Armadillo leading.
A repurposed Humvee, courtesy of a recent military scavenging mission.
A modified school bus retrofitted with steel mesh and side armor.
Inside the Armadillo, Merle manned the wheel with Daryl beside him, shotgun resting across his lap.
"You know, brother," Merle grinned, "it's been a damn long time since I got to play Mad Max."
Daryl shook his head but smirked.
"Just don't get us killed."
Rick, Shane, Glenn, and three others rode in the Humvee behind them, staying sharp.
The countryside rolled past, eerily quiet save for the occasional birdcall or distant groans of lone walkers ambling in the fields.
Approaching Newton Armory
As the gates of the armory came into view, Rick signaled for a full stop.
The gates were intact but wide open.
No walkers visible.
Glenn whispered, "It looks... abandoned."
Rick didn't trust it.
"Looks can lie. Everyone stay sharp."
Daryl and Glenn scouted ahead first, slipping into the shadows of the fence perimeter. After a tense ten-minute sweep, they returned.
"Clear," Daryl reported. "No hostiles. Not even a walker inside."
Merle scratched his head.
"Now that's just spooky."
Rick ordered everyone inside cautiously.
What they found was better than they hoped for — crates of MREs, pallets of ammunition, racks of rifles, and medical supply containers untouched.
While loading supplies into the vehicles, Shane and Glenn stumbled upon a locked storage bunker.
Rick approached as Glenn worked on the lock, using a simple tool kit Merle had thrown together.
With a soft click, the door creaked open.
Inside — more crates stacked neatly, marked for National Guard distribution:
RATIONS – MEDICAL – AMMUNITION – FIELD EQUIPMENT
Merle whistled low.
"Now that's what I'm talkin' about."
Glenn examined a few boxes.
"Clean gear. Medical kits, trauma packs, antibiotics… and plenty of field radios."
Rick nodded approvingly.
"Exactly what we need."
Shane grinned as he opened another crate.
"Body armor. Enough for everyone on patrol back home."
Daryl, checking the far corner, found several untouched fuel drums.
"Gas too, boss."
Rick allowed himself a rare full smile.
"This is better than I hoped for."
The team worked quickly, securing everything onto the trucks. The convoy soon rolled back toward The Right Arm, heavier and stronger than when it left.
As they approached the gates, lookouts atop the watchtowers signaled the successful return. Cheers echoed across the camp as the vehicles entered.
Civilians gathered as soldiers carefully offloaded the supplies.
Morales clapped Rick on the back.
"You're gonna make us bulletproof at this rate."
Rick smiled faintly.
"One step at a time."
Morgan, standing nearby, watched the supplies roll in.
"Good haul?"
"More than good," Rick replied. "The armory was abandoned. We got lucky."
Morgan nodded.
"Then we push forward."
Later That Night
The leadership council gathered inside the command post.
Guillermo looked over the new inventory list.
"Enough ammo and rations for months. Medical supplies give us an edge too."
Shane added, "And the body armor — patrols will be safer."
Rick leaned forward, and said.
"This was only the first step. There are still more locations we'll hit before winter. We stay aggressive, we stay ahead."
Daryl raised his mug.
"To The Right Arm."
Everyone followed suit.
"To The Right Arm."
Outside, fires crackled as families shared meals and laughter under the stars. The community grew stronger, more hopeful — but all knew tomorrow would bring new challenges.
From his watchtower once again, Rick stood with Daryl, eyes on the dark woods.
"It's working," Daryl said quietly.
Rick nodded
"Yeah. But we can't get comfortable. This world doesn't forgive comfort."
In the distance, a few isolated walkers stumbled aimlessly — harmless against the fortress that now stood proudly
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