After a few days…
Almost a month had passed since the outbreak began, and every morning the weight on my shoulders grew heavier. The world outside was chaos, but inside the Federation, we were building something that could actually last. Still, today was different. Today, something important was about to happen.
It was nearly time for Rick to wake up.
I'd been preparing for this moment. Everything needed to be in place before I met him—before the real story started. If I was going to influence the future of this world, if I was going to reshape events, then meeting Rick Grimes was the first step.
While I ate, I glanced at Max sitting across from me. He had dark circles under his eyes, probably from dealing with reports and complaints all night. The man worked hard—harder than most—and he rarely allowed himself to rest.
"So," I asked casually while chewing, "how's the plan going?"
Max straightened up, wiping the exhaustion from his face for a moment. "Marcus, it's almost done. We're close. Soon, we can finish everything in one clean sweep."
"Good," I said, satisfied. It had taken time to lay the groundwork: making a trap, organizing the units, setting up protocols. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough.
But then Max hesitated.
He leaned forward slightly. "But… what about Victor?"
That name was like a pebble in my shoe—annoying but not enough to slow me down. Victor was unpredictable, but he wasn't the main threat. Not yet.
"Just leave him be," I replied. "Keep monitoring him closely."
Max nodded firmly. "Got it."
A quiet moment passed between us. I could tell Max knew what was coming next. It was almost time for me to leave, and unlike before, he didn't try to argue or talk me out of it. He just watched me with a conflicted look.
"So," he finally asked, "who's going with you?"
"Only a few people," I answered. "Prepare the chopper, some weapons, and ration packs. I'll take two pilots and one guard. That's it."
Max's eyebrows rose. "Just three people?"
"That's all I need."
He didn't question me further. He simply nodded, trusting my decision even if he didn't fully understand it.
I turned my gaze outside, watching the growing organized chaos of the Federation. The sound of drills, trucks, voices, and construction echoed through the air—signs of progress. Signs of survival.
The Federation had grown quickly in the last few days. Thanks to Jessy's rescue missions at sea, we had been pulling survivors from sinking boats, abandoned ships, and floating debris. Those people had nowhere else to go. When they saw our ships flying the Federation's flag, they clung to us like a final lifeline.
Because of that, our population had skyrocketed. Soon, if nothing went horribly wrong, we would cross ten thousand survivors.
A number like that wasn't just a milestone—it meant potential. Soldiers. Workers. Engineers. Farmers. People with skills. People with hope.
It also meant more problems.
More mouths to feed. More space to secure. More supplies to distribute. More complaints to handle. More conflicts to settle.
But it was worth it.
I thought about Travis next. He had joined the army along with the other cast members from the show, and it made things easier for me. I wanted him to grow into the version I liked—the strong, dependable version from the storyline I remembered. Right now, he was still inexperienced, still rough around the edges. But I believed he could become that person, especially if I guided him.
Then there was the unexpected surprise among the rescued survivors: Sofia Vergara. A celebrity. A face I recognized instantly. She had charisma, presence, and—unexpectedly—interest in me. She had already tried to seduce me once.
I wasn't blind. I wasn't clueless. But I wasn't stupid, either.
Still… having a harem in the apocalypse wasn't the strangest idea. I already had daughters in this world; maybe having more mothers wasn't the worst thought.
But that was a problem for later. For now, the Federation needed order.
Max cleared his throat, pulling me out of my thoughts. "By the way… Ray's been complaining a lot since you came back."
"What about?" I asked.
"Troublemakers," Max answered. "People causing fights, refusing orders. Ray says it's becoming a problem."
"And?"
Max lowered his voice. "Marcus… you don't need to worry about it. It's part of our plan to root out the Foxes."
I studied him carefully. "You don't trust Ray to handle it?"
"No, it's not that I don't trust him." Max hesitated, then added, "It's just—"
"I know," I interrupted. "The fewer people who know the full plan, the better."
Max let out a relieved breath. "Exactly. That's the reason."
I chuckled internally. Sorry, Ray. I hope this doesn't keep you up at night.
"Alright," I said, pushing myself up from the seat. "Just keep up the good work."
I was about to leave the room when Max suddenly called out again.
"Wait, Marcus. There's something else."
I paused in the doorway. "What now?"
"The department heads," Max said with a groan. "They keep complaining to me. They all want to recruit more people, and now they're fighting with each other."
I frowned. "Why?"
"Well… most survivors who used to have good or specialized jobs—engineers, nurses, mechanics, teachers—they all want to become soldiers now. So only a handful are left for the other departments. That's why the department heads are fighting over whoever's available."
I clicked my tongue. "Of course they are."
Max continued, sounding more exhausted the longer he spoke. "We told people they could choose their own path. But now that everyone wants to be a soldier, it's creating a massive imbalance."
I rubbed my temples. "They think being a soldier is the only safe option. Power. Food. Shelter. Protection. They see the uniform and believe it solves everything."
Max nodded. "Exactly. Meanwhile, the medical team is understaffed. Engineering is falling apart. Logistics is panicking. Agriculture needs hands. Communications needs operators. Every department is falling behind."
Tch.
I leaned back and crossed my arms. "A Federation full of soldiers but no workers… is a Federation that collapses."
"That's what I've been telling them," Max said helplessly. "But they all want me to solve the issue."
I shook my head. "No. This is bigger than you. Call all department heads to a meeting later. I'll handle it."
"You will?" Max blinked, surprised.
"Yes." I paused, then added flatly, "And tell them this: Soldiers protect the Federation—but the departments keep it alive. If they fight over manpower like children, then I'll reassign people myself. Permanently."
A slow grin formed on Max's face. "That'll scare them."
"Good." I headed for the door. "Let the recruits choose for now, but starting tomorrow, we're implementing an assignment system. Fair, but firm. We put people where they're needed."
Max nodded sharply. "Understood. I'll set it up."
I stepped out of the room, the noise of the bustling base washing over me. Voices, engines, construction—life.
The Federation was growing.
And that meant new challenges.
But as long as I was here, I'd make sure it didn't fall apart.