Chapter 116 115 - Woodbury surrenders

The three teams moved deeper into Woodbury, keeping to the alleyways and using the buildings for cover whenever possible.

For the moment, the plan was working.

The arrival of the two military vehicles at the main gate had drawn nearly everyone's attention. Residents had gathered along the nearby streets and around the walls, trying to see what was happening. Others stood in doorways or looked out from windows, quietly discussing the unexpected arrival.

Most of them were focused on the soldiers at the gate.

That gave the infiltration teams the opening they needed.

The three teams advanced carefully through the settlement, keeping their weapons lowered but ready. Whenever someone appeared around a corner, the soldiers would stop and wait for the person to move on before continuing.

They weren't there to frighten the residents.

They were there to make sure that the Governor and his militia had no other option then to surrender.

As they continued toward the main gate, the teams one and three gradually converged.

Once they reached the same section of the settlement, they began moving together, keeping to the narrower routes between the buildings.

Team Two remained on the opposite side of the main road.

The road separated them from the other two teams, and a large number of Woodbury residents had gathered along it. Most were watching the activity at the main gate, talking among themselves and trying to get a better look at the military vehicles.

The soldiers used the crowd to their advantage.

As long as the residents remained focused on the gate, the military could move through the alleyways without drawing much attention.

Team One and three reached a building close to their route, that could provide them witha good overwatch position

.

The team leader raised a hand, bringing the others to a halt.

He looked toward the building before pointing upward.

One of the Rangers moved to an exterior ladder attached to the side of the building.

He climbed carefully, keeping his rifle secured as he made his way toward the roof.

Once he reached the top, he crouched low and moved toward the edge.

From there, he could see over the nearby rooftops and portions of the streets ahead.

He scanned the area for movement.

There were no patrols.

No armed men moving away from the gate.

He gave the signal that the way was clear.

The two Teams continued forward.

A short distance away, Team two did the same.

They reached a building beside their route, and one of the Rangers moved toward its exterior ladder.

He climbed onto the roof and took up a position overlooking the surrounding streets.

The two rooftop Rangers now provided overwatch for the teams below, each watching a different section of the settlement.

Now Team Two continued along the opposite side of the main road from the team one and three.

The four remaining members moved carefully through the alleyways, stopping whenever they reached an opening that exposed them to the street.

One of them leaned out briefly to check the road.

A crowd of residents stood nearby, most of them facing toward the gate.

He pulled back.

"Clear."

The team continued.

Their progress was slow but deliberate.

Every corner was checked before they passed it. Every intersection was watched for movement.

The rooftops gave them an advantage, allowing them to see farther ahead without exposing the rest of the teams.

And all the while, the sound of voices from the main gate carried through the settlement.

Price was still talking to the Governor.

The residents were still watching.

The militia was still focused on the soldiers outside the gate.

None of them seemed to realize that the military presence they could see was only a small part of what had already entered Woodbury.

The three teams continued advancing.

Their objective was getting closer.

And with every position they reached, the circle around the Governor and his men grew tighter.

••••••

While the Governor remained at the gate, Martinez quietly slipped away.

With most of the militia gathered around the walls and with everyone focused on the soldiers and military vehicles outside, his departure went unnoticed.

He moved through the streets without drawing attention, keeping his expression neutral as he headed toward one of the buildings farther inside the settlement.

He had another matter to deal with.

The two captives had been brought to Woodbury the previous day and locked away on the Governor's orders.

Something about the military's arrival didn't sit right with him.

They had appeared at Woodbury shortly after two outsiders had been brought into the settlement.

Maybe it was a coincidence.

Martinez wasn't convinced.

He wanted answers.

The Governor had ordered him to leave the prisoners to Bruce, but there was no reason he couldn't question them.

If the military had somehow tracked them to Woodbury, Martinez wanted to know how.

He reached the building and entered.

Inside, the noise from the gate was barely audible.

••••••

Leanin on the wall of his cell, Glenn was groaning in pain from the beating of the last night, his hands and legs still tied up.

A short while later, a door opened.

Glenn looked up sharply.

He froze when he saw who was standing in the doorway.

"Merle?"

Merle stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

For a moment, Glenn could only stare.

Merle looked him over, his eyes settling on the bruising across his face.

"Damn, boy."

He shook his head.

"Looks like you've been introduced to Woodbury hospitality."

Glenn shifted uncomfortably, wincing as the movement pulled against his restraints.

"Where the hell have you been?"

Merle gave him a sideways look.

"That's what you're worried about?"

He crouched down and began working at the restraints.

"Everybody's been wondering where you disappeared to."

Merle grunted.

"Yeah, well. I'm here now."

Before Glenn could ask another question, the door opened again.

Maggie hurried inside.

She immediately moved toward Glenn.

"Oh my God."

Her eyes went straight to the bruising on his face.

"Glenn, what happened?"

"I'm okay."

"You don't look okay."

She knelt beside him and began working on the restraints.

Merle stood nearby, watching the hallway.

"Save the reunion for later."

Maggie glanced up at him.

"Who are you?"

Merle gave her a look.

"Long story."

He nodded toward Glenn.

"Get him loose."

Maggie returned her attention to the restraints.

Glenn was still staring at Merle, clearly struggling to make sense of the situation.

"How are you even here?"

Merle shrugged.

"Like I said. Long story."

He glanced toward the door again.

"And unless you two fancy stayin' here a little longer, I'd suggest we move."

Maggie finally freed Glenn's hands.

He immediately rubbed his wrists before trying to stand.

Merle caught him when he stumbled slightly.

"Easy."

Glenn steadied himself.

"What the hell is going on?"

Merle looked between them.

"Military's here."

Glenn's expression changed.

"What?"

Merle gave a humorless grin.

"Whole bunch of army boys outside. Two big armored trucks, guns on top and everything."

He shook his head.

"Looks like the Governor's about to have himself a real bad day."

Maggie exchanged a worried look with Glenn.

"Why are they here?"

Merle started toward the door.

"No time for explaining."

He looked back at them.

"Come on. Move your asses."

The three of them slipped out of the room, leaving the cells behind them.

Merle pulled out a Beretta and kept it at the ready as they moved through the building.

Maggie stayed beside Glenn, helping him walk as they made their way down the corridor.

She glanced at Merle, then back at Glenn.

"How do you know him?"

Glenn took a moment before answering.

"We were part of the same group before the military found us."

Merle gave a humorless grunt.

"Yeah. They found me."

He glanced back at Glenn.

"On that rooftop you and your cop friend left me to die."

His voice carried a bitter edge, the words dripping with resentment.

Glenn looked away, clearly uncomfortable.

"It wasn't like that."

Merle scoffed.

"Sure it wasn't."

Maggie looked between the two men, but as they turned a corner, they came face to face with Martinez.

Martinez stopped in his track.

His eyes immediately went to Glenn, then Maggie.

He recognized them as the two people who had been brought into Woodbury the previous day, but he hadn't seen them since they were taken to the cells.

His expression changed when he noticed the bruising across Glenn's face.

"What happened to him?"

Glenn looked at the unfamiliar man but said nothing.

Maggie glanced at Glenn before looking back at Martinez.

"They beat him."

Martinez's eyes narrowed.

"Who?"

Glenn hesitated.

"I heard him being called Bruce."

Martinez's expression tightened.

He looked at Merle.

"You got them out?"

Merle kept the Beretta lowered at his side.

"Yeah."

Martinez stared at him, clearly surprised.

"Why?"

Merle gave him a crooked grin.

"Figured they'd had enough."

Martinez glanced back at Glenn's bruised face.

"You weren't supposed to let them out."

Merle shrugged.

"Well, they're out now."

Martinez continued staring at him, trying to understand what had prompted him to do this.

"Does the Governor know?"

Merle's grin faded slightly.

"Not yet. But it won't matter soon enough."

Martinez frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

Merle glanced toward the end of the corridor before looking back at him.

"The army's here."

Martinez's expression changed.

"I know. They're at the gate."

Merle gave a short laugh.

"That's only the part you can see."

Martinez looked at him carefully.

"What does that mean?"

Merle leaned slightly against the wall, keeping the Beretta in his hand.

"It means I haven't exactly been sitting around Woodbury just for the company."

Martinez stared at him.

"You're working with them?"

Merle gave him a crooked grin.

"Been doing a little work for those army boys."

Martinez's eyes narrowed.

"Since when?"

"Long enough."

Merle glanced toward Glenn and Maggie.

"They know what's going on in here. They know about the Governor. They know about his men."

Martinez was silent for a moment.

"And what happens now?"

Merle shrugged.

"Governor's gonna get taken down."

Martinez's expression remained tense.

"Taken down?"

"Military's got this place surrounded. They'll probably take him alive if he has the sense to cooperate."

He paused.

"But if he's stupid enough to start a fight..."

Merle gave a small shrug.

"Well, then that's on him."

Martinez looked away for a moment.

He had spent enough time around the Governor to know exactly how he was likely to react when confronted.

His gaze returned to Merle.

"And you're just going to walk out?"

Merle smirked.

"That's the plan."

Martinez looked toward Glenn and Maggie again.

"And them?"

Merle nodded toward the two captives.

"They're coming with me."

Martinez said nothing.

For the first time, the situation outside the walls seemed considerably more serious than he had initially realized.

••••••

Price and the Governor remained facing each other at the gate.

For several moments, neither spoke.

The Governor eventually broke the silence.

"Well, Captain, you've completed your assignment. You've found us."

Price gave a slight nod.

"We sure have."

The Governor looked past him toward the two JLTVs and the soldiers positioned around them.

"Then you can leave."

Price raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Leave?"

"That's right."

The Governor's voice remained controlled, but there was little warmth in it.

"Woodbury doesn't need the military. We've managed perfectly well on our own."

Price glanced briefly toward the settlement.

"I'm sure you have."

He looked back at the Governor.

"But we're not here to simply find settlements. We're trying to establish contact and discuss integration in our network of settlements."

The Governor shook his head.

"We're not interested."

Price remained calm.

"There's no reason we can't work together."

"We don't want anything to do with the military."

The Governor's answer was immediate.

Price studied him for a moment.

"That's unfortunate."

The Governor's expression remained firm.

"You've got your territory. We've got ours."

He gestured toward Woodbury.

"There's no reason for our people to get involved with each other."

Price nodded slowly.

"I understand your position."

He paused.

"But surely you can see why we'd want to know who's operating in the area."

The Governor's eyes narrowed slightly.

"We're not operating. We're living here."

Price gave a faint, diplomatic smile.

"Of course."

He glanced toward the settlement again.

"And we'd like to keep it that way."

The Governor looked at him for a moment before answering.

"Then take your men and go."

Price remained where he was.

"We'll discuss that."

The Governor's expression hardened slightly.

"There isn't anything to discuss."

Price's gaze stayed on him.

"But i think there is."

The Governor stared at Price.

"I think you've said enough, Captain."

Price remained calm.

"Perhaps."

He glanced briefly toward the settlement.

"But before you make any decisions, there's something you should know."

The Governor's eyes narrowed.

"What?"

Price looked back at him.

"You're surrounded."

For a moment, the Governor said nothing.

Then he gave a dismissive scoff.

"By the men standing outside my gate?"

Price shook his head.

"No."

He gestured casually toward the settlement behind the Governor.

"By the men inside your town."

The Governor's expression changed.

He glanced toward the streets behind him.

Price continued.

"My people have already infiltrated Woodbury. They've taken positions around you and your men."

The Governor looked toward several of his men along the wall.

None of them seemed to know what to make of the statement.

"You expect me to believe that?"

Price shrugged.

"You don't have to."

He paused.

"But I'd suggest you take a look around."

The Governor's eyes moved across the settlement.

A few moments passed.

Some of the people who had been watching the confrontation at the gate were beginning to notice movement elsewhere.

The Governor's expression tightened.

Price kept his voice even.

"We came here prepared to talk."

He looked directly at the Governor.

"We'd still prefer to settle this without anyone getting hurt."

The Governor's jaw tightened.

"Martinez."

There was no answer.

The Governor looked toward the men around him.

"Where is Martinez?"

Several of them exchanged uncertain looks.

Price watched him carefully.

"That's what I mean."

The Governor's hand slowly moved toward his weapon.

Several of the militia immediately raised their rifles.

The soldiers around the JLTVs reacted at once, bringing their weapons up.

Price didn't move.

"Don't."

The Governor looked at him.

Price's voice remained calm.

"Think very carefully about what happens if you give that order."

The Governor stared at him across the gate, slowly the confidence in his expression began to crack.

Price kept his weapon lowered.

"You've put yourself in an unwinnable situation."

His eyes moved briefly across the men along the wall.

"You've got civilians behind you, men with rifles who aren't trained for this kind of fight, and nowhere to go."

He looked back at the Governor.

"I'd suggest you put the weapons down."

The militia exchanged uncertain looks.

Several of them glanced toward the two JLTVs.

The .50-caliber machine guns mounted on top were pointed toward the gate, each manned by a soldier who remained ready.

One of the militia members swallowed nervously.

Another slowly looked over his shoulder.

Beyond the buildings and along the surrounding streets, he could make out soldiers positioned in covered positions.

There were more of them than he had expected.

He looked back toward the gate.

Another man did the same.

Then another.

The realization slowly spread through the group.

They were surrounded.

None of them had any real military training. They had guns, but that didn't make them soldiers.

A few began lowering their rifles.

The Governor noticed.

"Keep your weapons up."

But his order lacked the authority it had moments earlier.

One of the men nearest him hesitated.

Then he lowered his rifle completely.

Another followed.

Soon, several more began placing their weapons on the ground.

Price watched without moving.

"That's it."

He raised one hand slightly, signaling his men to hold their positions.

"No sudden movements. Just put the weapons down and nobody needs to get hurt."

The militia continued surrendering.

The Governor stood rigidly on the platform, staring at his own men as one after another abandoned their weapons.

For the first time since the soldiers had arrived, he seemed to understand that this was no longer a negotiation on equal terms.

The Governor's grip tightened around the revolver in his hand.

His eyes remained fixed on Price.

For a moment, he considered his options.

His gaze shifted toward the two armored vehicles.

The .50-caliber machine guns remained trained toward the gate, their gunners watching him and the men around him.

He looked past them.

More soldiers were positioned around the settlement, taking advantage of buildings, vehicles, and other covered positions.

Then he looked behind himself.

All of the militia members had already lowered their weapons.

There was nowhere to run.

Even if he tried to draw his revolver and fire, he would be dead before he could get a shot off.

The Governor looked back at Price.

Price simply watched him, waiting.

The Governor's jaw tightened.

Slowly, reluctantly, he lowered his revolver and released it.

The weapon fell onto the wooden platform with a dull clatter.

Price gave him a small smile.

"Glad we came to an understanding."

He turned slightly and gestured toward the two JLTVs.

"Move in."

The engines roared as both armored vehicles began advancing toward the gate.

The soldiers around them moved forward as well, rifles ready but lowered.

The militia stood aside, watching as the military entered Woodbury.

Within moments, the gate was under military control.

______________________

Hey everyone. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

It might not be very long as many would have preferred. But currently I'm working on another fanficton, with other two in slow development.

While I will try to continue posting chapters weekly, some will not be reaching the 3k word mark. Thanks for reading.