Doomsday America.

Chapter 302 Minor Dispute

"Boss, that's a bit of an extreme statement. We're not actually that easy to die."

After Gavin finished speaking, Edward, who was standing to the side, finally couldn't help but shake his head and say to Gavin.

"I admit that the Dallas metropolitan area is much more dangerous than anything we've ever experienced before. It's a densely populated area with massive and difficult-to-search buildings. When we're exploring, we could easily be surrounded by zombies if we're not careful."

"But the key point is, boss, we're human, and they're just zombies. They're not even as good as animals!"

"So, even though breaking into the Dallas metropolitan area does involve some risks, those risks seem acceptable compared to the potential gains!" "After all, what we need most right now isn't just what to eat tomorrow or the day after; we need to try and find the root cause of our zombie transformation, and find a drug or vaccine that will ensure every one of us who remains will never turn into a zombie again!"

"And these things can only be achieved by combining the advanced equipment at the University of Texas with the returning astronauts. We need that equipment even more than we do light industrial equipment, boss!" Edward's voice rose considerably as he said this, and his demeanor caused Gavin to fall into a rare period of deep thought.

Looking at Edward, who was visibly agitated, and then at his fellow men around him who clearly showed their support, such as Eugene and Jonathan, Gavin suddenly realized that... his men were desperately seeking genuine security.

That is, the antidote for the zombie fungus!

Of course, they might not be treating the zombies.

They just wanted to ensure that they, their current relatives and friends, and their descendants would not be harassed by the zombie virus!

And this pursuit...

Honestly, Gavin desperately wanted that too. If he didn't want the antidote or the zombie fungus immunity potion, how could he possibly have that damned dream? With the immunity potion, he could guarantee that even if his buddies got bitten, they wouldn't turn into zombies.

Honestly, the field crew's operational efficiency could be improved even further. Unless there's a threat of them turning into zombies, and the number of zombies is ten times that of the field crew members, the zombies are just easy targets for entertainment when facing heavily armored field crew members with ranged weapons!

Those zombies were even worse than wolf packs, because at least wolves can precisely target vital areas like joints, legs, and necks, but zombies don't understand that; they just bite randomly. So, the guys weren't really looking for a risk.

They are simply seeking true security!

Thinking of this, Gavin took a deep breath, then raised his hand and gently tapped the map.

His actions caused Edward to involuntarily lower his head, a sense of tension rising in his mind.

After all, this is the first time since the apocalypse that someone has stood up to directly confront Gavin's various plans and initiatives.

Edward was undoubtedly a first-timer.

But will Gavin be angry?

Stop joking. If he really wanted a completely one-man show where no one was allowed to voice their opinions...

That camp would never have had the atmosphere it has today.

So Gavin glanced at the map and made a joke.

"Heh heh, Edward, you must have never been hungry to say something like that."

"Let me think. In six months or a year, when most of the food outside has completely rotted and only a few canned goods have survived, you'll definitely miss the taste of lettuce even more if we don't have our vegetable garden." "And then there's the time, a year or two later, when we can no longer find wild toilet paper."

"If we don't have our own pulp mill to make our own toilet paper, every time you poop, it becomes a challenge to your lifestyle." "When we can no longer wear sturdy clothes, and we can no longer weave and tailor them ourselves, we'll miss light industry." "When we can no longer taste the flavors of our memories, and our seasonings can no longer be replicated, you'll only loathe that bland life!" "Edward, I know what you yearn for, because I, like you, eagerly anticipate the day we can develop our own antifungal drugs, adding the greatest insurance to our lives." "How wonderful it would be if we no longer had to worry about suddenly turning into zombies, and didn't need our friends to send us off after we die." "But you should also think about what we have, Edward. We're just a hundred or so clueless guys with endless questions, and a mere six or seven smart people, and none of those six or seven smart people are actually engaged in medical research!"

"The harm caused by the zombie fungus undoubtedly far surpasses that of smallpox, cholera, dysentery, and even the Black Death. Its wide reach and profound impact have long exceeded the imagination of any scientist, because even scientists were taken away by the virus without any discovery."

"So, do you really think that even if we acquire enough equipment, we can complete a research project that would require countless large research teams and countless years to complete even before the apocalypse, with just five or six scientists?"

"Science is certainly worth pursuing, but it's not omnipotent. And the more scientific it is, the more fundamental principles must be followed, man. The reality we face is that even if we do everything in our power to research zombie fungi, we may not be truly immune to them until we die!"

"This is the truly despairing truth!"

At this point, Gavin couldn't help but take off his cowboy hat, throw it onto the tea, and then rub his hair.

His personality would never allow him to lead his men into the dangerous Dallas metropolitan area for a mere possibility. After Gavin finished speaking, Edward sighed for a moment, then took a deep breath and said to Gavin in a heavy tone, "Boss, if that's the case, then what was the purpose of all this trouble we went through to welcome the astronauts?"

"If the astronauts return to Earth but can't develop a fungal immune response for us, then why do you value them so much?" "Because they're smarter, Edward. That means they have stronger brains and stronger learning abilities!"

Gavin immediately responded to Edward.

"I welcome astronauts because they are true scholars, and in this bleak future, they are the most likely to see a way forward!" "Take the Richard Hydroelectric Power Station nearby, for example. A large group of us spent two months working on it, but we couldn't find any way to restart it." "But our dynamicist, Ivan, even when he was completely drunk, after looking at the basic blueprints of the power station, gave us at least three possible operational plans to try to restore the power station's operation and build our own regional power grid, freeing us from our predicament of relying solely on fuel-fired power!"

"Of course, that was all drunken talk. I believe that once Ivan and Charlie, when they're sober and have seen the hydroelectric power station with their own eyes, they'll come up with a better, more accurate, and safer plan." "In short, they know more than we do, and even if they don't, they're better at learning. They can support the continuous advancement of our industrial strategy!" "As for the zombie fungus, isn't Kobayashi already researching it? Once Richard recovers, he'll join the research." "In short, I'm not categorically denying the possibility of a fungal immunity drug. I just don't want us to treat the possibility of such a drug as a certainty, and I certainly won't invest all our resources in that possibility!" “So, Edward, I have to put your opinion aside. The Dallas metropolitan area is still too dangerous for us right now.” “However, keep training. In three or six months, when the average capability of all our field personnel has greatly improved, we might extend our reach into the Dallas metropolitan area.” “But for now, I’m certain that our goal is to continue expanding our exploration area along the original direction, searching for as much machinery and equipment as possible within light industrial manufacturing companies.” “This is my decision, guys. This isn’t something to discuss. You can consider it my absolute decision!” “That’s settled then. Who agrees? Who disagrees?”

At that moment, Gavin sat there with his legs spread wide, his left hand resting on his left thigh, while his right hand, fingers spread, pressed firmly against the Dallas map on the coffee table in front of him. Edward remained silent, watching Gavin silently observing everyone.

Eugene, on the contrary, nodded with a wicked grin, then shook his head and said...

"Hmm, boss, since you've said so, then we can only do it. Anyway, you're not asking us to die, but rather preventing us from getting close to danger. I have no reason to refuse." "That's true, Edward. You should relax a bit. The boss said that we'll explore Dallas sooner or later to search for those advanced devices that might be used to develop a vaccine." Steve also chimed in to reassure Edward.

As the two men began to speak, the people around them started whispering amongst themselves, their conversation undoubtedly revolving around Dallas.

Hearing the whispers coming from all directions, Edward raised his head, let out a heavy breath, and said.

"Phew, okay, you're right, boss."

"I was indeed a little... anxious. Even if we get the equipment, so what? I was a bit too fixated on that before."

"Besides, if we don't get the equipment, it's somewhat understandable that we can't manufacture the vaccine, and expecting vaccines and equipment is one of our hopes." "But if we do get the equipment, and the astronauts still can't produce any results, then we might really break down." At this point, Edward rubbed his chin with a wry smile. He hadn't shaved for several days, and his stubble was frighteningly coarse.

However, it was this scraping sensation that brought him to his senses a little more, and he realized that he was indeed in a hurry.

The feeling was as if he already knew the location of a certain person and wanted to grab a gun and carry out a decapitation strike.

But scientific research is not a decapitation strike; the success rate of scientific research always hovers between zero and one hundred.

Seeing that Edward had accepted his explanation, Gavin nodded slightly, then tossed the map in front of him to Edward and Eugene, and continued, "Now that we have a plan, let's continue to expand on it. Divide the team into three groups and focus on small cities in the surrounding area with populations between 10,000 and 30,000, looking for the various manufacturing equipment we need. We don't need many pieces of each type; just one or two will be enough to supply the current camp."

"However, you need to increase the number of people in your operation. The previous group of four is still a bit too few, because in the future we may not only have to move large equipment, but we are also more likely to encounter large numbers of survivors."

"Large equipment goes without saying; pickup trucks alone simply can't transport it. Therefore, each of our teams must ensure that there is one large transport vehicle and one armed escort vehicle." "When no target is found, the transport vehicle can be used as a supply vehicle, carrying an appropriate amount of fuel, medicine, ammunition, firearms, body armor, etc., as well as a certain number of light and heavy machine guns and RPGs." "In this way, each team must have at least eight people to maintain two to three vehicles operating simultaneously."

"As for the other survivors in this apocalypse, you should all understand, right? This isn't the beginning of the apocalypse anymore, my friends. The survivors are destined to become ruthless, and the apocalyptic elimination system will ensure that all the surviving survivors possess a considerable degree of mobility and danger!"

At this point, Gavin pointed to Eugene, Edward, and Steve.

"Eugene, Edward, and Steve, the three of you will each lead a large team, with each team divided into two or three smaller teams, each responsible for different vehicles." "We'll skip this morning. This afternoon, you'll adjust your personnel, select vehicles, handle logistical support, set up the necessary equipment and transport fuel, and perform vehicle maintenance. You can also do some modifications while you're at it." "I see our mechanic Wells has already welded various protective plates onto quite a few vehicles. This operation is excellent! Improving the vehicles' bulletproof capabilities is also essential." "Alright, let's proceed. You can choose your personnel yourselves, and after you've assigned them, give me the list after lunch."

"I need to catch up on my sleep, my friends. I was so excited all day yesterday that I didn't sleep well at all last night. I also gave Annie a ride. I'm so tired that I wish I could just lie down on the floor and fall asleep right now!" After saying that, Gavin waved his hand, letting the guys arrange their own teams.

His men were not stupid pigs who would only move when whipped, nor were they stubborn donkeys who would go down a dead end.

With Edward and Eugene's level of expertise, they could easily handle the simple issue of personnel allocation themselves.

At this point, Eugene, Edward, and Steve left Gavin's side with all the field agents and began the next round of assignments.

Yesterday's "Hypergrass" incident dealt a severe blow to the field teams, with more than eight members sent to Horst's labor camp, and three or four still locked up in the basement. This has disrupted the original structures of many squads, just as Eugene's squad lost Adriana.

Therefore, even if Gavin hadn't requested an expansion of the exploration team, the various field teams would still need to readjust their personnel. Watching his men gradually complete their personnel assignments amidst the commotion, Gavin lay on the sofa and sighed dejectedly. But just as Gavin sighed, the walkie-talkie on his waist suddenly crackled with the sound of a sentry call.

"Boss, this is a farmland watchtower. Two vehicles are approaching the camp!"