Leon stood on the roof, looking at Atlanta in the distance, lost in thought.
He remembered a place in the show.
The quarry.
That guy Shane had a group of survivors holed up there.
There were old and young, labor, and dead weight.
But regardless, it was ready-made human resources.
If he could recruit them…
Leon turned and went downstairs.
B1 Laboratory.
The elevator doors opened, and the smell of disinfectant rushed over him.
Leon walked through the corridor and into the experimental area.
Several researchers in white coats were surrounding a transparent isolation chamber.
Inside the chamber, a Walker was tied to a metal bed, covered in electrodes, with a scanner on its head.
“The Boss is here.” Someone reminded.
The researchers turned around and nodded in greeting: “Boss.” Leon waved his hand and walked to the isolation chamber.
The Walker sensed the presence of a living person and began to struggle.
It opened its mouth, letting out a low hiss, its teeth clattering against the metal bed.
“How is the situation?” Dr.
Jenner walked over, holding a stack of data: “Incredible, Boss.” He pointed to the image on the scanner: “Look, this is a brain CT.
Its cerebral cortex is completely necrotic, but areas of the brainstem and cerebellum are still active, especially the areas controlling basic motor functions and instinctive reactions.” Leon leaned in to look.
On the screen, the Walker’s brain did indeed have some bright spots, like candle flames remaining in the dark.
“So, their brains are still active?” “To be precise, the virus is in control.” Edwin adjusted his glasses: “The virus invades the central nervous system, replacing part of the brain function.
It can maintain basic motor functions, sensory abilities—mainly the perception of living things—and the most primitive hunger drive, but higher cognitive functions are completely lost.
Memory, emotions, logical thinking, all are gone.” Dr.
Green on the side added: “The research direction of Project Wildfire was to make the virus attack only specific populations, like enemy troops, but the experiment went wrong.
The virus mutated, becoming what we see now.” “Can it be cured?” Dr.
Green was silent for a few seconds and shook his head: “It’s difficult.
The virus has integrated with the host’s nervous system.
Killing the virus will also kill the host, unless it’s in the early stages of infection, before the virus has spread to the brain, I can research a vaccine to resist this viral invasion…” Leon nodded.
It was just as he thought.
In the original work, Edwin had already researched a vaccine method, and was just a step away from developing it, but the CDC had no energy to maintain his research, and the self-destruction took the vaccine method to talk to God.
“Continue the research.” He said: “No matter what, a vaccine or treatment method is our hope for survival.” “Understood, Boss.” Leon was about to turn and leave when he suddenly remembered something: “By the way, the weakness of a Walker is the brain, right?” Edwin was stunned: “How did you know?” “I guessed.” Leon smiled: “You guys continue.” He walked out of the laboratory, and that prompt sounded in his mind again.
[Research progress: Walker neural activity mechanism research 10% complete] [Suggestion: Continue to invest resources to accelerate research progress] Leon ignored it and walked into the elevator.
One week later.
On the roof, the five people stood in a row, each holding a gun, their expressions much calmer than a week ago.
“This week, each of you has taken out at least a hundred Walkers.” Leon looked at them: “Your marksmanship has improved, although it doesn’t compare to regular troops, at least you can hit the head.” A little pride appeared on the faces of the five.
“But remember, this is just the beginning.” Leon changed the subject: “Marksmanship is just the foundation.
Courage, adaptability, and teamwork are the keys to survival.” He pointed to the black armored vehicle parked downstairs.
It was a modified military armored vehicle, entirely black, with the striking red Umbrella logo on the side, bulletproof glass, reinforced body, and a remote-controlled machine gun on the roof—although it had no ammunition, it looked intimidating.
“Today, we’re going out.” Brock’s eyes lit up: “Boss, where to?” “Near Atlanta.” Leon opened the door of the armored vehicle: “The quarry.” “The quarry?” Sandra frowned: “What’s there?” Leon sat in the driver’s seat and started the engine.
“People.” He said: “A group of living people.” The armored vehicle roared out of the CDC gate.
The Walkers downstairs were attracted by the sound and shambled after them, but were soon left behind.
Leon gripped the steering wheel, recalling the plot from the show.
Shane Walsh, Rick’s good partner, who later became enemies because of Lori.
He took a group of survivors and hid in the quarry, with old and young, men and women.
Leon stepped on the accelerator, and the armored vehicle accelerated toward Atlanta.
Behind him, the CDC was getting further and further away.
Ahead, unknown survivors awaited him to recruit them.