Doomsday America.

Chapter 319 Departure, May the Martial Prosperity

After giving Old Man Mike his instructions, Gavin went to the garage and sat in the passenger seat of his armored vehicle, smoking a cigarette.

Just as he was flicking his cigarette ash, Old Feng walked in from outside the garage and came to Gavin's side from a distance.

"Boss."

He called out to Gavin, then went to the car and leaned against the passenger seat.

"I'll still go with the team today."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Gavin looked up at Old Feng and smiled.

"What's wrong, Feng? Did you have a bad dream that made you think this trip might be risky?"

"No, how could that be? I just felt that I could contribute to this trip."

Old Feng shook his head and answered Gavin.

Gavin made no attempt to hide anything during this long trip. While he was outlining the operation plan in the lobby, a large group of men were listening in the second-floor corridor. This was the kind of camp atmosphere Gavin deliberately wanted to cultivate; from the beginning, he didn't want his camp to become a scheming, backstabbing mess. Even though the camp's hierarchy was quite strict, the atmosphere, under Gavin's guidance, was constantly shifting towards a more relaxed and free-spirited environment. Moreover, given Old Feng's position, he could easily find out about any field operations by simply strolling into the armory and chatting with Eugene.

When Lao Feng learned that Gavin was going to lead a team to New Mexico, a journey of at least 1,000 kilometers, and that he would be facing a round trip of at least 2,000 kilometers, possibly including a fight with a biker gang, and also needing to gather dozens of members of the Brotherhood to return, he was shocked.

Just hearing about the difficulty level made Lao Feng nervous.

Honestly, looking at Gavin sitting in the passenger seat, silently smoking, with the car door wide open...

Old Feng really wanted to advise Gavin not to lead the team himself.

After all, the camp wasn't without a leader; Edward's abilities were definitely outstanding, and Steve was no problem either.

but……

Old Feng couldn't bring himself to speak up; after all, at this point, not everyone had the courage to question Gavin's decision.

Although he couldn't stop them, Old Feng still planned to go with the team, thinking he might be able to help Gavin at some crucial moments. But...

Looking at Lao Feng, whose eyes were full of concern for him, Gavin couldn't help but ponder for a moment, then turned to look around.

After confirming that it was just him and Lao Feng in the garage for the time being, Gavin turned around, patted Lao Feng on the shoulder, and asked in fluent and natural Chinese, "Lao Feng, what are you worried about? Is there some kind of racial discrimination quietly spreading in the camp?"

Gavin had his reasons for asking that question, after all, Old Feng seemed really reluctant to take any risks.

What consequences would come from taking such a risk?

If something were to happen to him, the current order of the camp would collapse instantly, and the team atmosphere he had built would be impacted by the new era, becoming something entirely different. Gavin interpreted Lao Feng's concerns for him as Lao Feng's unease about maintaining the current order of the camp.

So, what caused Lao Feng to feel this unease?

Gavin naturally assumed that racial discrimination was starting to surface in the camp, and that if he were to cause trouble, the collapse of camp order would inevitably create a crisis for non-native Americans like Old Feng. And Old Feng…

Faced with Gavin's question, he squinted blankly for a moment, then quickly shook his head.

While inwardly marveling at Gavin's far-sightedness and profound consideration.

Old Feng responded softly.

"No, boss, it's the apocalypse, there's no such thing as racial discrimination anymore."

"I'm just a little worried. After all, it's a round trip of more than 2,000 kilometers, and we have to cross a state to carry out the operation. The route is even close to the US-Mexico border!" "Don't forget, boss. Although New Mexico has a sparse population, the US-Mexico border is never short of guys who want to cross the border. That place is destined to be a densely populated disaster area, and the zombie distribution problem is far more chaotic than in Dallas."

"Besides... Boss, to better fight against at least twenty bikers, you need more professional soldiers, and I happen to be professional enough." "Moreover, the camp doesn't need me to do any extra work right now. With the increase in the number of internal staff, I don't need to do most of the guard duty myself." "In short, I can't be of much help at home, but if I'm with you, I can..."

"etc!"

Just then, Gavin suddenly interrupted Lao Feng.

He grabbed Lao Feng's wrist and whispered something to him.

"Old Feng, you said you can't be of much help at home?"

"Are you kidding me, bro? You're the only one who can really help me out when you're at home!"

"This time, I will take most of the field agents who joined the camp earlier. Apart from a few field agent leaders like Abraham and Anthony who have served in the military, everyone else will be coming with me, including Madison, Steve, Eugene, Martin, and Edward."

"So, Lao Feng, you should understand that there are only a few people in the camp who I can truly trust, like my wife."

"I trust Thomas, but he's the leader of logistics. I trust William, but while he's sharp, he's still too young and not flexible enough yet." "And you, Old Feng, you're the anchor I left in the camp. While I was away, you not only had to coordinate the camp's sentries, but also help Thomas maintain camp stability, and keep an eye on the emotional changes of the remaining field team leaders."

"This time, I'll be away for a longer period. Although I told everyone it would only take about two days, in reality, if we can return within a week, that would be considered a great success." "This will be the first major challenge the camp faces, and it's also a major challenge because of my absence. I need someone to take care of my wife and children, Lao Feng." "I'm entrusting my home to you, and the camp to you. You must take good care of everything, you know? Use your eyes to see clearly who is trying to show their face while I'm away!" With that, Gavin patted Lao Feng's shoulder heavily.

As Gavin's words became more detailed, Old Feng began to swallow his saliva slightly.

What is Gavin saying?

What exactly is he saying?

Could this be... could this be what they call entrusting one's wife and children to another...?

not really!

Old Feng desperately tried to convince himself. After all, Gavin was just going on a long trip, and the camp was perfectly fine; it wasn't so bad that he needed to entrust his wife and children to him. But... no matter what, this was Gavin's absolute trust in him!

For a moment, Old Feng's eyes welled up with tears. Although he wasn't about to cry, his heart was pounding faster than usual. He took a deep breath and nodded heavily.

"I understand, boss, don't worry!"

"As long as I live, I guarantee that no one in the camp will be able to turn this place upside down, and no one will be able to hurt a single hair on Mrs. Nikki's head!" As soon as he finished speaking, Old Feng grabbed Gavin's hand tightly and looked at Gavin with a firm gaze.

Gavin and Lao Feng looked at each other for a moment, then Gavin gently patted Lao Feng's hand and smiled.

"It's all up to you now."

"I will never let you down, boss!"

Old Feng solemnly swore an oath again, then left the garage with heavy steps.

He wanted to see if any bastards dared to cause trouble in this post-apocalyptic Eden while Gavin was away! After Old Feng left, Gavin sat in the passenger seat, smoking and teasing the crow in his hand.

After waiting for more than ten minutes, Edward appeared in the garage with his chosen team members.

Upon seeing Gavin in the distance, Edward nodded and strode towards him, saying something.

"Boss, it's good that you're here. I just picked out a few routes for you to refer to, and I've also chosen the vehicles we'll be using." "For this operation, we'll be deploying a total of thirty people. Since we have a large number of armored vehicles, I don't plan to use a motorcycle convoy for perimeter mobility. Instead, I only plan to put two motorcycles in the accompanying trucks for emergencies."

"Besides that, to ensure you and our main team members get enough rest, I also plan to bring a motorhome along. That way, we can set up a makeshift kitchen in the motorhome." "In short, based on your style, our goal this time is to proceed cautiously and steadily. Even if the Brotherhood urgently needs reinforcements, I don't intend to accelerate rashly, lest we put ourselves in danger." "In that case, we'll be deploying three civilian armored vehicles, one Wells-modified armed motorhome, and two trailer trucks." "Except for the necessary drivers, everyone else will take turns resting in the motorhome, ensuring that at least one team is always in peak condition." "As for the trucks, Wells has already prepared several armed cargo holds that can be towed, with machine gun ports cut out on both sides of the cargo hold." "Overall, this arrangement should be sufficient for our journey. After all, what we're doing is crossing the wilderness, not assassinating some country's leader in the Middle East, right?" After speaking, Edward smiled and gave Gavin a high five, then handed back the map of the route he had drawn to Gavin.

Gavin examined the map carefully, occasionally exchanging a few words with Edward and Steve in front of him.

While the three were exchanging maps, Eugene's transport team arrived.

After confirming the convoy's vehicles, Eugene instructed his men to load various types of ammunition into the trucks, while also hauling over four cots and placing them in the cargo hold. The cargo hold of the trailer trucks was already filled with various containers, and Wells, the mechanic, hadn't been idle for the past few months.

Anyway, the camp had no shortage of metal resources, and the old Bert, with his playful nature, was eager to train his blacksmith apprentices.

Therefore, Wells welded various iron plates onto most of the vehicles in the camp, and a few vehicles were even decorated with beautiful metal ornaments by the blacksmith apprentices. As for the two cargo containers currently in use, they could hold a considerable amount of cargo, and two machine guns were positioned on either side, in front of their firing arcs. The cots were also provided for the machine gunners, who could rest in the cargo hold and take over the machine guns immediately upon encountering the enemy.

In this way, the RV can carry six people, the truck can carry six people, and one RV and two trucks can carry eighteen people.

With the addition of three four-seater armored vehicles, that makes a total of thirty people.

As for logistics, that means cooking...

Well, as long as there's a stove and electricity, Gavin can cook a meal by himself.

It's not a large marching force of hundreds or thousands of people, so logistics don't need to be so strict. As long as they bring three to five days' worth of food and water, the field crew members can take care of themselves by doing the logistics work. And so, the team composition was clarified.

In just forty minutes, the supplies were almost all processed, and the workers were all in place.

Seeing the workers who had finished their moving work gathered around him, Gavin opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat, holding a map in his left hand and resting his right hand on his thigh, looking down at the workers who were all ready to go. After silently watching them for several dozen seconds, a certain excitement began to ferment in the silence.

Yes, silence has power!

While rousing speeches and shouts could also get the men excited, silence could be just as exhilarating! Seeing that the men's eyes were practically glowing green, Gavin placed the map on the passenger seat, then rubbed his knees and said softly, "Three action teams, one armored vehicle per team. The motorhomes will be assigned to one team, with everyone taking turns resting and cooking. The other two trucks will be the responsibility of teams two and three." "If there are no further questions, we'll set off immediately. Those who need to pee, go pee now; those with diarrhea, go to the toilet now. I'm giving you that time!" With that, Gavin raised his head, his gaze sweeping over each of the men's faces.

Meeting Gavin's gaze, the guys immediately burst into laughter.

"Haha, boss, we already took care of that!"

"That's right, pooping and peeing are things children need to be careful about, but we are warriors!"

"Vorrell!"

"We must fight!"

"For His Majesty Gavin!"

"For our camp!"

"For the future of humanity!!!"

Amidst the excited shouts of his men, Gavin clapped his hands expressionlessly, silencing them.

Then, he took a deep breath and continued.

"Perhaps not everyone knows what we're going to do on this trip. This time, we're going to travel over a thousand kilometers to Hurley, a small town near Silver City, New Mexico, to rescue our future comrades, the Brotherhood!"

"They live a life of hardship in New Mexico, forced to migrate back and forth for water resources, while also facing relentless attacks from biker gangs." "Listen, we are not the world's police. We are powerless to save others beyond the ocean, because we are inadequate, and we cannot act impulsively!" "But when faced with our fellow human beings living on this same American land, while they suffer in dire straits, we, who have already found our place in the apocalypse and live relatively well and safely, have the right, and the necessity, to be their saviors!"

"Our bullets will not be used to kill any innocent people!"

"Our weapons will never be aimed at or directed at any survivors struggling to survive!"

"We never burn, kill, or loot; our gunfire brings not fear and terror, but utter redemption and hope!" "We will end their shock and fear, bringing gospel and salvation to those suffering in dire straits!"

"We are their saviors!"

"Therefore, even if you and I are not God, much less saints!"

"We also deserve glory!"

At this point, Gavin abruptly got out of the passenger seat.

He stood before his men, who were clenching their fists and gritting their teeth, and suddenly gripped the long sword at his waist.

Canglang!

A crisp sword sound suddenly rang out as Gavin raised his right hand high, holding the longsword that Old Bert had added a layer of gold-inlaid decorations to.

Although there was no sunlight in the garage to illuminate the blade's sharpness, the men's eyes were already focused on the sword, making it shine as brightly as the sun! Gavin pointed the longsword at the ceiling and then whispered a command.

"Set off!"

"Set off!!!"

"Wuhu!"

"For the future of humanity!"

"We are the saviors!"

"For glory and for the Emperor!"

"For Gavin!!!"

For a moment, the roar from inside the garage was so loud it shook the heavens, making all the staff waiting outside the garage shudder.

The next moment, the men got into their respective vehicles. Madison took the driver's seat, and the other captains and vice-captains also went to their armored vehicles to start driving. Once everyone was in their vehicles, Gavin sheathed his sword and strode back to the passenger seat.

The convoy moved slowly, and the garage doors opened, instantly letting in sunlight, along with the honored gazes of the staff, both inside and outside the office, as it streamed into the windows of each car. Old Feng, William, and Thomas stood at the very front of the group seeing off the convoy.

As the convoy approached, Thomas instructed his men to make way for it while silently watching the departing cars. When Gavin's lead car reached the center of the crowd, Old Feng's gaze met Gavin's, and then Old Feng nodded emphatically.

Nikita chuckled softly at Gavin, then gently touched her belly, only to find Winnie's tiny paws on it. "Boss, have a safe journey!"

Horst, leading the medical team, couldn't help but shout at Gavin.

Over the past few months, he first became the team's public enemy, and then the only one to be punished, but Gavin gave him enough patience and trust to make him the head of the sanitation team, giving him a certain amount of power and status.

So much so that now, you can no longer see the world-weary look he used to have.

His brief dislike for Gavin in the past has long since been washed away by time, transforming into his current fanatical worship.

As Horst's voice rang out, people in the surrounding crowd followed suit, shouting at the convoy.

"Boss, be careful!"

"You must return safely!"

"Live a brilliant life, die a swift and painless death!"

"For the future of humanity!"

"May you have great success in your military endeavors!"

"Long live His Majesty Gavin!!!"

Well, the loudest shouter was Shinya Kobayashi, whose crazed state made Charlie, who was also standing in the astronaut group, chuckle. Laughing, Charlie drunkenly put his arm around Kobayashi's shoulder and waved to the departing convoy.

As the crew saw them off, the convoy quickly left the estate and passed through the last checkpoint in the farmland area.

Watching the sentry wave goodbye, Gavin smiled and took a breath. He then looked at the unfolded map, pointed to the intersection of a red and black line, and said, "Old Mike, the first point we need to pay attention to is in Hillsborough!"

"If the zombie distribution in Hillsborough doesn't allow us to cross the city towards Dublin and continue towards Highway 20," then we'll probably have to take a detour south from Hillsborough and try to find a new route towards Wacoal!