The walking dead - a dead world requiem ( TWD X CoD Crossover) Chapter 103 102 - Contact between ISS and Atlanta

The morning sun had already risen above the rooftops of Woodbury.

People were beginning their day as they always did.

Shop owners opened storefronts.

Residents swept porches and sidewalks.

A pair of children ran down the street, laughing as they chased one another between clusters of adults carrying supplies and water containers.

To a newcor, it might have looked almost normal.

Almost.

Governor Philip Blake and Martinez walked side by side down the main street, acknowledging residents as they passed.

Many greeted the Governor with smiles.

Others offered waves or words of thanks.

He returned them with the sa calm, reassuring deanor that had made him the face of Woodbury.

Only after they had moved beyond earshot did Martinez speak.

"If Atlanta really is rebuilding, maybe we should talk to them."

The Governor didn't answer imdiately.

His gaze lingered on the people around them.

Childrens and families.

Citizens who trusted him to keep them safe.

People who believed Woodbury was one of the last stable places left in the world.

Finally, he spoke.

"And tell them what?"

Martinez glanced at him.

The Governor continued walking.

"That we're another town looking for protection?"

Martinez didn't have an answer for that.

The Governor's eyes remained fixed ahead.

"The mont we beco dependent on them, Woodbury stops being ours."

The sounds of the town continued around them.

Laughter, conversations, the clatter of soone unloading supplies from a cart.

"People stay here because they believe Woodbury is the safest place left."

Martinez frowned slightly.

"You think that'll change?"

The Governor looked toward the eastern horizon.

Toward Atlanta.

"If half of what those scouts reported is true..."

He let the sentence hang for a mont.

"...then it already has."

The two n walked in silence for several steps.

Then the Governor stopped.

When he spoke again, his voice was calm and asured.

"Find soone who can get inside Atlanta."

Martinez looked at him.

"You an a scout?"

"No."

The Governor shook his head.

"Soone who can stay there."

"Learn how they operate."

"Who commands them."

"What they're planning."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"I want information."

Martinez slowly nodded.

That would be easier said than done.

The military wasn't likely to welco strangers wandering through their checkpoints asking questions.

The Governor turned and began walking toward another part of town.

"We'll talk more later."

Martinez watched him go before continuing down the street alone.

A few monts passed.

Then a familiar voice called out from nearby.

"What got the big man's panties in a twist?"

Martinez stopped.

A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth despite himself.

He already knew who it was.

"You know," he said without turning around, "one of these days sobody's gonna shoot you for sneaking up on them."

A rough chuckle answered him.

Martinez turned.

Leaning against the wall of a nearby building stood rle Dixon.

A toothpick rested between his teeth.

His expression carried the sa crooked smirk it always seed to.

"Yeah," rle drawled.

"But it ain't happened yet."

Martinez shook his head.

"Governor wants sobody inside Atlanta."

rle snorted.

"Inside Atlanta?"

"Yeah."

Martinez glanced up and down the street before continuing.

"Scouts found a military-controlled safe zone."

There's Power, checkpoints and patrols. The whole deal."

rle remained leaning against the wall, though Martinez noticed his expression beco slightly more attentive.

"Sounds fancy."

Martinez ignored the comnt.

"Problem is we don't know much beyond that. The Governor wants sobody who can get close enough to find out."

rle barked out a laugh.

"Good luck with that."

Martinez shrugged.

"That's what I told him."

For a mont neither man spoke.

Then rle spread his arms.

"What? You lookin' at ?"

Martinez smirked.

"You know, now that you ntion it..."

rle imdiately cut him off.

"Aw, hell no."

He pointed at himself and his generally intimidating appearance.

"I ain't exactly undercover material."

Martinez laughed.

"Fair point."

"Pretty sure you'd get spotted before you reached the first checkpoint."

"Damn right."

rle grinned.

"I got many talents. Blendin' in ain't one of 'em."

The two shared a chuckle before the conversation drifted elsewhere.

But as Martinez continued talking, rle glanced toward Atlanta.

••••••

The following morning, Fort Benning was considerably quieter than it had been the day before.

Most of the walkers in the surrounding area had been eliminated, leaving only the occasional distant muffled gunshot as Rangers dealt with stragglers discovered during building searches.

Captain Price walked along one of the headquarters corridors alongside Ghost, Soap, Gaz, and Nikolai.

The building looked noticeably different now.

The lights were on.

The generator continued to provide power.

Several Rangers could be seen moving through the halls carrying equipnt, supplies, and stacks of recovered docunts.

Soap took another sip from a steaming paper cup in his hand.

A satisfied grin appeared beneath his mustache.

"Have to admit," he said, glancing at the cup. "Didn't expect the coffee machine to survive the apocalypse."

Gaz chuckled.

"Pretty sure that's the happiest I've seen you all week."

Soap pointed at him with the cup.

"That's because you've not had any yet."

Nikolai, carrying a cup of his own, nodded in agreent.

"The Scotsman is correct."

He took a sip.

"Good coffee is one of civilization's greatest achievents."

Ghost glanced sideways at them.

"You're both easily pleased."

"Easy for you to say," Soap replied.

"I've never seen you enjoy anything."

Price ignored the exchange as they continued down the corridor.

The communications building was directly connected to headquarters by an enclosed walkway, making movent between the two structures simple.

A few monts later, they entered the communications section.

Unlike most of the base, this area had beco surprisingly busy.

Several Rangers were seated at workstations.

Radio equipnt humd softly.

Computer monitors displayed diagnostic screens and network information.

Technicians were still cataloging what systems remained operational.

As soon as Price entered, one of the Rangers stationed near the primary communications console stood.

The specialist removed his headset.

"Captain."

Price approached.

"What have you got?"

The Ranger nodded toward one of the radio stations.

"Lieutenant rcer and Major Griggs are on the line, sir."

That imdiately got everyone's attention.

Soap lowered his coffee.

Gaz straightened slightly.

Even Ghost turned his attention toward the radio.

Price stepped toward the communications console.

"How long have they been waiting?"

"Only a few minutes."

Price picked up the handset.

"This is Captain Price."

A burst of static crackled through the speaker.

Then Major Griggs' voice ca over the line.

"Good morning, Captain."

"Morning, Major," Price replied.

Ghost, Gaz, Soap, and Nikolai remained nearby, listening as Rangers continued working throughout the communications room.

"How's Fort Benning?" Griggs asked.

Price glanced through one of the nearby windows overlooking part of the base.

"Better than expected."

That earned a quiet chuckle from the other end.

"Glad to hear it."

Another voice joined the conversation.

This ti it was Andrew's.

"Price."

"Lieutenant."

Andrew got straight to the point.

"We've got good news."

Price leaned slightly against the communications console.

"Go on."

"The rail crews finished their inspections."

Price imdiately understood where this was going.

Andrew continued.

"One of the locomotives will be prepared today."

"A train?"

"That's right."

Griggs took over.

"We're sending it south from Atlanta today."

That got the attention of everyone nearby.

Even Soap lowered his coffee slightly.

The Major continued.

"It'll be carrying an additional security force."

"And returning loaded."

Price nodded.

That was exactly what they needed.

Moving Fort Benning's resources by truck would have taken countless trips.

A freight train changed everything.

"Good timing," Price said.

"The rail facilities here are in usable condition."

He glanced toward one of the reports lying nearby.

"The tracks leading into the base are intact and in a good state."

Andrew sounded pleased.

"That's what we were hoping to hear."

Price continued.

"Majority of the installation has been secured."

"We're still conducting sweeps, but organized resistance from the dead is practically nonexistent."

"Excellent," Griggs replied.

For a mont the conversation paused.

Then Price looked toward the large map hanging on the wall.

His gaze settled on another section of the base.

That being the airfield.

"We've got another objective planned."

"What is it?" Andrew asked.

"The airfield."

That got their attention imidietly.

"When everything started, we arrived aboard an AC-130." Price continued.

Ghost folded his arms.

Soap smirked slightly.

He already knew where Price was going.

"We intend to see what's still operational."

Price glanced toward the others.

"Either the aircrafts or the maintenance equipnt."

"Well check for anything useful."

A brief silence followed.

Then Andrew spoke.

"That's a good idea."

Griggs agreed imdiately.

"If there's anything still flyable, it could be a major asset."

Even if the aircraft themselves weren't operational, the parts alone could prove invaluable.

Price nodded.

"Exactly."

The Major's voice returned over the radio.

"Keep us inford."

"We'll have the train and security detail ready by afternoon."

Price nodded.

"Understood. We'll have everything prepared on our end."

Andrew's voice followed.

"The rail crews are confident the line can handle the load. If anything changes, we'll let you know."

Before Price could respond, a burst of static suddenly washed across the channel.

The communications specialist imdiately looked toward his equipnt.

"Sir?"

Another crackle followed.

Then a female voice broke through.

"Hello?"

Everyone in the room went silent.

The voice continued.

"Hello? Can you hear ?"

Price frowned.

The voice sounded strained, as if fighting through interference.

Then it ca again.

"Atlanta, can you hear ?"

Ghost's eyes narrowed.

Soap slowly lowered his coffee.

And the communications specialist stared at the radio.

A mont later the woman spoke again.

"This is Commander Elena Keller of the International Space Station."

The entire room froze.

Even Griggs and Andrew went silent over the radio.

The woman continued quickly, aware she might lose the connection at any mont.

"We intercepted your transmission."

"We heard references to Atlanta."

"We heard ntion of rail operations and security forces."

A brief burst of static interrupted her.

Then she ca back.

"Atlanta, do you copy?"

Nobody spoke for nearly two seconds.

°°°

Then Andrew's voice broke the silence.

"...Did she just say International Space Station?"

"That's what I heard," Griggs replied.

°°°

Soap looked at Price.

"Tell I'm still asleep."

Nikolai blinked.

"For once, I do not think the Scotsman is joking."

Another burst of static ca from the speaker.

"Atlanta, this is Commander Elena Keller."

"Please respond."

Price looked toward the communications specialist.

The Ranger simply shrugged.

The signal diagnostics showed exactly what the voice claid.

The transmission was coming from above.

Way far above.

Price reached for the microphone.

"This is Captain Price, Fort Benning."

He exchanged a glance with Ghost.

Then keyed the transmitter.

"We read you, Commander Keller."

For a mont there was only static.

Then Andrew's voice ca through the speaker from Fort Ironwood.

"This is Lieutenant Andrew rcer, Atlanta. We hear you loud and clear as well, Commander."

The response ca almost imdiately.

"Oh, thank God."

Relief was evident in Elena Keller's voice.

"We weren't sure anyone would answer."

In the communications room at Fort Benning, several Rangers exchanged surprised glances.

Price remained silent, listening.

Back at Fort Ironwood, Andrew glanced toward Major Griggs before keying the microphone again.

"You've been trying to reach us?"

"Since last night."

A faint laugh escaped Elena.

"We saw the lights."

That imdiately got the attention of everyone listening.

"The city lights," Elena continued.

"We were passing over North Arica during the night cycle."

"Most of the eastern United States was dark."

A brief pause followed.

"Then we saw Atlanta."

For a mont nobody spoke.

Whether they were sitting in Fort Ironwood or Fort Benning, hearing that Atlanta was visible from orbit carried a certain weight.

Elena continued.

"After we made contact with General Krennick, we kept trying to reach Atlanta whenever we passed overhead."

"We hoped sobody would hear us."

A male voice could be heard faintly in the background.

Excited.

Talking over soone else.

Elena laughed softly.

"My crew is currently trying very hard not to crowd around the radio."

That imdiately got everyone's attention.

Andrew glanced toward Major Griggs.

Price straightened slightly in Fort Benning's communications room.

"Wait. Wait. Hold on a mont. You got in contact with a general?" Griggs asked grabbing the microphone.

"That's right."

Elena answered.

"He identified himself as General Krennick. He was operating from a safe zone near Savannah."

That earned several surprised looks throughout the communications room at Fort Benning.

Andrew keyed the microphone.

"Can you tell us more?"

"There isn't much to tell."

Elena sounded apologetic.

"Our communication window was limited. The station was moving out of range. We only managed a brief conversation before losing contact."

"What did he tell you?" Price asked.

"He ntioned a safe zone and confird there are survivors.That they are organized ."

Elena paused briefly.

"And he seed just as surprised to hear from us as you are."

A few chuckles spread through the room.

That at least sounded believable.

After a mont, Elena continued.

"I should probably introduce myself properly."

The transmission crackled softly.

"My na is Elena Keller."

"I am the commander of Expedition Sixty-Three aboard the International Space Station."

She paused before continuing.

"With are Flight Engineer Valery Vashchenko of Roscosmos."

A Russian voice imdiately cut in.

"Hello, Atlanta."

The accent was unmistakable.

Elena continued.

"Dmitry Voronin, also of Roscosmos."

Another greeting followed.

"Dr. Marcus Miller and Sarah Vance from NASA."

A male voice ca over the channel.

"Good to finally hear sobody from down there."

Then a woman's voice followed.

"You have no idea how happy everyone is right now."

Elena smiled audibly.

"And Kenji Takahashi of JAXA."

A cheerful voice imdiately followed.

"Hello from orbit."

That finally drew a laugh from several Rangers at Fort Benning.

Major Griggs was the one to get everything back on track.

"Commander, are you still in contact with General Krennick?"

There was a brief pause.

"We were supposed to be."

Elena's voice remained steady.

"We arranged another contact attempt during this morning's pass over North Arica."

At Fort Ironwood, Andrew exchanged a glance with Griggs.

anwhile at Fort Benning, Price remained beside the communications console while Ghost, Soap, Gaz, and Nikolai listened carefully.

Before anyone could ask another question, a burst of static rolled across the channel.

The signal crackled loudly.

Elena's voice briefly distorted.

"...hold on..."

Another wave of interference followed.

The communications specialist at Fort Benning imdiately looked down at his equipnt.

"Signal's degrading."

At Fort Ironwood, one of the radio operators gave a similar warning.

"We're losing her."

Static filled the channel again.

When Elena spoke next, her voice sounded noticeably weaker.

"Atlanta... listen carefully."

Andrew imdiately reached for the microphone.

"We're here."

"The station is moving out of range."

More static.

"We're passing beyond North Arica."

At Fort Benning, Price folded his arms as he listened.

Andrew spoke again.

"How long before you're back?"

The answer ca through a curtain of interference.

"Ninety minutes."

Static.

"Approximately one full orbit."

Both communications rooms fell silent as they absorbed that.

Every conversation with the station would be limited.

Short windows.

Then ninety minutes of waiting.

Elena continued speaking quickly.

"We'll attempt contact again during our next pass."

Part of the sentence vanished into static.

"Sa frequency."

The signal weakened further.

"Commander Keller?" Griggs called.

Only static answered.

Then Elena's voice returned one final ti.

"Atlanta..."

A burst of interference nearly swallowed her words.

"We'll see you in ninety minutes."

The transmission dissolved into static.

Then silence.

At Fort Ironwood, Andrew slowly lowered the microphone.

Across the state at Fort Benning, nobody spoke for several seconds.

Ghost finally looked toward Price.

"That's one hell of a radio call."

Soap shook his head.

"Aye."

Even Nikolai appeared impressed.

Price kept his eyes on the communications equipnt.

For several monts, only static filled the channel.

Then Major Griggs broke the silence.

"It seems we're not the only ones rebuilding."

At Fort Benning, Price glanced toward the radio.

A faint smirk appeared beneath his mustache.

"Seems like it."

The thought lingered in everyone's mind.

For months they had believed Atlanta might be one of the few places putting itself back together.

Now they knew there was a military-led safe zone near Savannah.

And six survivors orbiting above the Earth.

Andrew's voice ca over the radio a mont later.

"Before heading toward Savannah, we need to deal with Macon and the bases there first."

There was no disagreent from either end of the line.

Macon sat directly between Atlanta and Savannah.

Leaving a large concentration of infected and unsecured military installations in their rear would be asking for trouble.

"Agreed," Griggs said.

The Major paused for a mont before continuing.

"We'll discuss it once the Fort Benning operation is complete."

Price adjusted the sling on his rifle.

"Speaking of which, we've got our own work to do."

Ghost, Soap, Gaz, and Nikolai were already waiting near the door.

"The airfield isn't going to inspect itself."

A chuckle ca from Andrew.

"Fair enough."

Price then added.

"I'll leave the planning to you two."

"Good hunting, Captain," Griggs replied.

"And try not to break anything valuable."

"No promises."

That earned a few quiet laughs.

Price reached for the handset one final ti.

"We'll report back once we've checked the airfield."

"Copy that," Andrew replied.

"Stay safe."

The exchange of acknowledgnts followed.

Then one by one, the connections were terminated.

The radio room beca quiet once more.

Price set the handset down.

For a mont, nobody moved.

Then Ghost pushed himself away from the wall.

"Ready?"

Price nodded.

"Let's go."

Soap drained the last of his coffee.

"Let's see if Fort Benning left us any surprises."

With that, Price and his team turned and headed for the door, leaving the communications room behind as they set out toward the airfield.