Doomsday America.

Chapter 316 Young People?

Tell me your location!

Gavin's response was concise and decisive, because from the beginning, he could not possibly give up Connor's sixty or seventy men, and the potential for further capture of the biker gang's population! In the best-case scenario, that is, if Gavin had the opportunity to mediate the war between the biker gang and the fraternity.

With this operation alone, Gavin has the opportunity to gain more than a hundred people!

That's a whole hundred!

Of course, the chances of that are very small, and Gavin doesn't have that in mind.

But regardless, as long as Connor asks for help, Gavin will definitely provide assistance, because Connor and his Brotherhood are of that value! At the end of this month, the astronauts mainly split into two groups. Richard and Shinya Kobayashi, along with mathematician Edwin, gathered to attempt more in-depth research on the zombie fungus. Meanwhile, Ivan, with Charlie and Sergei, fully commenced the restoration and reuse plan for the Richard Hydroelectric Power Station.

However, that plan requires a large workforce; after all, a complete power station cannot be run by just a dozen or twenty people. Originally, the camp's population was insufficient, meaning that even with Ivan's initial involvement, the plan couldn't be implemented. But if Gavin could get enough manpower from the Brotherhood, he might be able to lead his men to attempt to restore the power station by mid-May at the latest! If this plan succeeds, before the rainy season in August and September, Lake Richard would not only avoid the risk of breaching its banks, but it would also replace the camp's existing fuel-powered generation method, providing a more economical and efficient hydroelectric power source for the Richard region where the camp is located!

A more abundant power supply would also allow all machinery in the Richard region to be put into operation more conveniently and efficiently. In short, even if the Brotherhood's distress signal carried a certain risk of being a trap.

Even if it wasn't a trap, but a genuine plea for help, the road to New Mexico was destined to be fraught with danger.

But given the potential for substantial gains, the risks are entirely worthwhile.

Gavin was a pragmatic man; he certainly wouldn't cross continents for the needs of just one or two people, but he was truly willing to lead troops thousands of miles for dozens or even hundreds of people! Gavin's decisive and resolute response moved Connor on the other end of the radio to take a deep breath, then he quickly replied, "Thank you so much, Mr. Gavin. My men and I... we're... here..."

Just as he finished speaking, Connor suddenly stopped, and only the crackling sound of electricity could be heard over the radio.

Edward, standing nearby, narrowed his eyes suspiciously and quickly reached out to grab Gavin's wrist.

"Boss, something's not right. What kind of guy can't even remember where his own camp is?!"

"Indeed, sir, Mr. Connor's response makes me suspicious."

Thomas nodded calmly and echoed Edward's words to Gavin.

Radio wasn't like a telephone for instant communication, and Thomas and Edward weren't worried that Connor would overhear their suspicions.

Gavin nodded with a somber expression, then reached out and took out a cigarette, distributing several to the group with a gloomy face.

Finally, after Gavin lit his cigarette and took a couple of puffs, Connor's reply finally came from the fraternity.

Connor spoke to Gavin with a slightly embarrassed tone.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Gavin. I just looked at the map. My men and I... are currently in Hurley County, near Silver City. There's a small lake nearby that hasn't dried up yet, and quite a few of my men are washing clothes on the lake's edge."

"Hurley? Silver City?"

Upon hearing the voice on the radio, Gavin did not reply to the radio message, but instead turned to look at Edward and the other person.

Faced with Gavin's questioning gaze, Thomas immediately stood up and spoke.

"Wait a moment, sir, I'll go to the library to find some maps of New Mexico."

"Then go look for it. But I have a vague impression of Silver City. It seems that the surrounding area belongs to Grant County. As for Hurley, I don't remember it very well. I've never been to that area." Edward muttered to himself as Thomas got up and left the broadcasting studio.

Just then, as Thomas walked out the door, Edward suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said to Gavin, "Wait, boss, although I've never been to Hurley County, if I remember correctly, the entire Grant County area is right on the Mexican border, right?" "And not just the Mexican border, Silver City isn't too far from Arizona either. Let me think... let me think... damn it, it's only about 200 kilometers from Phoenix, isn't it?" At this point, Edward couldn't help but take off his cowboy hat.

Because the Grant Region, where Silver City is located, is closer to Arizona and Phoenix City, and they are undoubtedly farther from Dallas... and Gavin.

Listening to Edward's guess, he thought for a moment, then exhaled, and gestured for Edward to quiet down. After Edward remained silent, he turned on the intercom and spoke to Connor:

"I've received your address, Connor, Hurley and Silver City, good heavens, that's so far away!"

"Most importantly, haha, it's so remote that even you probably don't know its name."

"So, before we discuss in more detail how far apart we are, I want you to explain to me how you can't even figure out where you're stationed?" Gavin's voice lowered uncontrollably as he said this.

Even if it really is a trap, Connor is just too unprofessional.

He actually forgot the location of his own camp?

So much so that it took a moment of silence, or perhaps even a search, before the address of Hurley could be given?

So, was Hurley really their base of operations?

That means he's not just setting up an ambush for himself, is it?

Thinking of this, Gavin's expression grew even more somber.

On the other end of the radio, after a full ten seconds of silence, Connor hurriedly began to explain to Gavin.

"No, no, no, God, it's my fault. I must have made you overthink!"

"Let me explain, Gavin, you must listen to me. I really forgot where we are."

"Because we just moved recently, our original camp was actually in Turalossa."

"But this was our first relocation, and I had to move my men from the water-scarce Turarosa to Deming. We were still near Deming yesterday!" "But just yesterday, we were attacked by a biker gang. They came fiercely and quickly, and we fought them, suffering heavy losses!" "They had three machine guns and at least five RPGs. We exchanged fire for about four minutes, losing nine men, but they lost two too." "Anyway, after driving the bikers away, my men and I made our third relocation that night. We didn't dare go in the direction the bikers disappeared, so we ran in another direction along the night road." "We didn't stop until around 11 PM, setting up camp near the county town by the highway. It was only after arriving here that I learned this place was called Hurley, and it's my first time in this godforsaken place!"

Connor sounded anxious and worried, but Gavin no longer believed him.

When Connor's words clearly revealed something suspicious, Gavin's trust in him vanished, leaving only a test. So, without bothering to consider whether Connor was telling the truth, Gavin, after Connor stopped explaining, quickly asked, "Really? So you were chased away by the biker gang, so how many of you are left?"

"Well... I'm not sure, maybe fifty-eight? Or fifty-nine? I didn't count last night, and I'm not sure if anyone got lost!" Connor replied quickly.

Gavin, pen in hand, took notes while relentlessly bombarding Connor with questions, completely disregarding the veracity of his claims. "How many members were in the biker gang? Did they only leave behind two bodies?"

"Yes, Gavin, only two of them died. Wait, let me think... at least seventeen or eighteen, maybe more." "How far is Hurley, where you are now, from the lake? Are you really letting your men leave the camp to do laundry?" "Well... I didn't want to, Gavin, but they're not really listening to me right now. My men are going crazy from the water shortage and the biker gangs. They only slept a little last night, and as soon as they saw a water source nearby this morning, they rushed over to do laundry and shower!"

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Gavin tentatively pressed for an answer.

"So you're not just lacking drinking water, but even natural water for bathing?"

"No, no, Mr. Gavin, we don't lack drinking water. Every supermarket we come across has a considerable amount of drinking water and beverages." "If our only problem was drinking water, then that would be all I want to trade with you. On the contrary, we can currently satisfy our thirst, but our clothes have been washed with sand for the past two weeks!"

"Yeah, you reminded me. There's no shortage of drinking water these days, but washing clothes with sand? Are you guys on the US-Mexico border? I've heard similar stories from there, like how sandstorms can be so strong you can wash your face with it."

Gavin pressed on, and Connor, trying to suppress his anxiety, quickly replied to Gavin.

"Yes, yes, we're not too far from the US-Mexico border. The wind here is really strong, and the sandstorm is huge, but I love the wind and sandstorm because without their cover, our losses yesterday might have been even greater!" "Anyway, Boss Gavin, my friend, please lend me a hand. You heard me, didn't you? We already had a fight with the biker gang yesterday, and they could find us at any time and launch a new attack. My men are in a panic, and my words aren't being taken seriously in the camp anymore... Uh... It's really embarrassing." Just as Connor finished speaking, his voice suddenly stopped, and only Connor's heavy breathing could be heard on the radio. Gavin, on the other hand, exchanged a glance with Edward, then shrugged and muttered to Edward.

"If I were Connor's guy, I would have removed him from his leadership position long ago."

"They encountered a biker gang, and the first thing they did after the war was to relocate again!"

"Those are biker gangs! Good heavens, even if their Brotherhood's vehicles are convenient, can they really be more convenient than the biker gang's motorcycles and modified pickup trucks?" "Are you kidding me? If they collected more large vehicles as cover and roadblocks, quickly building a multi-layered defense network, maybe they could handle more biker gang raids." "But a mass relocation? If they encounter a biker gang on the road, who knows how badly those sixty-odd men would be beaten!" "Besides, even if they've temporarily settled down, what will happen? Will the defenses of their temporary camp be better than their first camp in Deming County?" "It sounds like they've been settled in Deming County for at least two or three weeks. Two or three weeks of preparation should have made Deming County's defenses better than their current Hurley temporary camp, right?" "So this is basically one idiot leading a bunch of idiots to try their luck in the apocalypse. Damn it, how did they get to this point?" "I simply can't imagine their mental state!"

At this point, Gavin stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray placed on the loudspeaker, clearly annoyed.

At the same time, he glanced at the ashtray that was already full of cigarette butts, then turned and patted ZT's arm.

"And you, ZT, watch your hygiene! This ashtray is overflowing!"

"Yes, sir, I'll go get it sorted out right away, but I'd still prefer you to vent your frustrations more on the Brotherhood~"

ZT laughed and made sarcastic remarks while giving Gavin a thumbs up.

As ZT left with the ashtray, Edward pondered for a moment in silence before speaking softly to Gavin.

"Boss, don't you think Connor is too young? Or rather... only young college students would prefer to use a name like fraternity, which is easier to use for college clubs, for a doomsday camp these days, right?" The moment Edward asked the question, Gavin and Edward exchanged a sharp look.

The next moment, after a brief moment of thought, the two of them opened their mouths in unison, revealing expressions of sudden realization like teddy bears. After a brief moment of realization, Gavin put his arm around Edward's shoulder and chuckled, saying...

"Haha, you're right, Edward. If the fraternity is a camp with a large proportion of young people, then everything makes sense." "After all, apart from a few young people facing elite education, most American high school and college students are just that impulsive and often incredibly stupid!" Just as Gavin said this, Thomas walked in from outside the broadcasting studio with three maps, then handed one to Edward and one to Gavin. As Gavin spread the map on the table, trying to find the location of Hurley as quickly as possible...

On the walkie-talkie, Connor, who had been silent for a long time, finally couldn't hold back any longer and spoke anxiously to Gavin again.

"Gavin, did you even hear me? God, I've even admitted defeat. What more do you want me to do? Even if I wanted to blow a trumpet for you, I couldn't do anything over the radio!"

"So what should I do now? Are you really coming to rescue me? If so, when will I see you? My buddies and I are being driven crazy by the pressure from the biker gangs, God!" "We really need rescue, we..."

"Connor! Shut up! Listen to me, Connor!"

Just then, Gavin abruptly interrupted Connor.

He gripped the communicator tightly, then, while locating Hurry, continued sternly to Connor, "You should know I'm fucking stationed near Dallas, and Dallas is... damn, at least nine hundred kilometers away from Silver City, maybe even further!" "Even if I set off immediately to rescue you, you're unlikely to see our convoy tonight!"

"Anyway, trust me, I'll be there to rescue you, but only if you don't change your positions again!"

"Your mobility is definitely not as good as the biker gang's, so don't be foolish enough to rush to relocate. Instead, try your best to establish yourself in Hurley, prepare to resist the biker gang, and wait for our rescue!" "Remember, I will find you. Maybe tomorrow, or at the latest the day after, I will find you, understand?"

"But you bastard, don't you dare let me miss my target, please don't!"