My Sniper System in a Zombie Apocalypse World-Chapter 117: Red Wristbands

After more than an hour of trekking through the mountains, they finally reached their destination.

Jaxon and the survivors paused, eyes widening, mouths slightly open at the sight before them.

Towering walls of reinforced concrete and stone stretched along the mountainside, following the natural curve of the forest. The outer perimeter had been cleared of trees, leaving a broad, open kill zone. Soldiers and snipers were stationed across the watchtowers, rifles trained on the surrounding forest, spotlights sweeping slowly across the tree line.

Ahead loomed a massive fortified gate. Its layered construction featured thick steel plating and heavy barricades. The first checkpoint was protected by an outer gate reinforced with sandbags, mounted guns, and armored vehicles standing alert nearby. Beyond it, a taller inner gate rose, forming a double-wall defense that created a secure passage between the two perimeters.

Alongside the gate ran a reinforced rail line, tracks embedded into the mountain path and shielded by barricades and guard posts. It looked familiar, just like the train rail Jaxon had seen used for emergency evacuation. A sturdy loading platform and several cargo carts were stationed nearby, clearly designed to transport supplies, survivors, and equipment across the expanding safe zone.

"I thought this would be a military base," Jaxon muttered, glancing at Elena as his eyes moved across the massive walls.

Elena didn’t look away from the structure. "How would I know? I’m just as surprised as you are."

Thomas had walked up beside them without much noise. "Used to be a military base." He gestured ahead. "We expanded it to take in survivors."

Calling it a simple expansion did not feel right.

They had expected a fortified camp, maybe a large base with tighter security. What stood before them was something on a completely different scale.

The walls enclosed a massive stretch of forested mountain. Watchtowers were placed along elevated ridges, giving clear lines of sight over the surrounding slopes and tree line. Even from the entrance, they could see sections still under construction. Engineers moved along scaffolding, reinforcing the outer walls, while workers assembled new structures further inside.

Inside the walls, rows of expanded shelters and prefabricated housing spread across the mountainside, arranged in neat sectors. Some areas were clearly for civilians, others more structured and guarded, likely reserved for military personnel. Barracks, supply depots, and open training grounds sat deeper within, all connected by wide reinforced roads where armored vehicles and APCs moved in steady patrol routes.

Haris let out a quiet whistle. "There must be a lot of people inside."

"More than you think," Thomas replied. "And more keep arriving every week."

Along the inner side of the walls, the rail line continued further into the stronghold, leading toward a logistics sector deeper within. Cargo carts were stationed along the track, ready to transport supplies, equipment, and newly arrived survivors. It was clear the system had been built for large-scale evacuation and long-term support after the outbreak.

Further up the mountain, a flattened ridge came into view. Several military helicopters rested on the helipad, surrounded by soldiers and maintenance crews.

Despite the scale, the place did not look fully finished. New shelters were still being built, additional inner defenses were under construction, and expansion zones were marked near the outer sectors.

But this was not just a base anymore. It was a rapidly built mountain stronghold, designed to house thousands and withstand a siege.

"I can’t believe they built something like this in such a short time," Jaxon said quietly as he walked.

He had clearly underestimated what the government could do when pushed into a corner.

After a moment, he asked, "Are the other safe zones like this too?"

Annie, who had been walking ahead with the unit, slowed her steps and glanced back at him. "Not all of them," she replied. "Especially the ones near big cities and dense populations. Those places had it worse from the start."

Her gaze shifted briefly to the walls around them before she continued. "And even strongholds like this... aren’t always enough."

Jaxon blinked. "What do you mean?"

A few from the group turned their heads as well, clearly catching her words.

"Some facilities with similar layouts, even better defenses, have already fallen," Annie said plainly.

"What?"

The reaction came almost at the same time from Jaxon’s group.

Hae-in’s brows knitted together. "How is that even possible?"

Annie’s expression turned more serious. "The infected are evolving faster than most people realize. Stronger, smarter, and more coordinated. What worked at the beginning doesn’t always work now."

Before the silence could grow heavier, their squad leader’s voice cut in from the side. "Annie."

"Don’t scare them unnecessarily," he said in a calm tone, then glanced at the survivors. "Relax. This place is far safer than most zones. You’ll all be fine once you’re inside."

Jaxon lifted his gaze to the towering walls again. The watchtowers, the double gates, the armed soldiers. Everything looked solid and secure.

’Even places like this can fall...? Just how terrifying have the infected become?’

As they continued forward, Annie looked back at him one last time, her eyes steady. "Humanity needs capable fighters," she said quietly. "Strong walls won’t save anyone if the people inside are weak."

With that, she turned away as her unit peeled off toward a different checkpoint, separating from the survivor group.

Jaxon frowned slightly, her words lingering in his mind as they approached the massive gate. Soldiers in full combat gear stood on both sides, scanning each survivor carefully as they were guided through the entrance.

The heavy gate creaked as it slowly opened, and the soldiers began guiding the newcomers inside in an orderly line. There was no rushing, only a steady flow as each group was processed at the checkpoint.

One by one, survivors were stopped and given red wristbands before being directed further into the compound.

A soldier with a stern face stepped forward, his voice echoing through the checkpoint. "Listen carefully. The red wristbands mean you are all under F Class. All newly arrived survivors start with this status."

Some of the survivors exchanged uneasy looks as they listened.

He continued, "F-6 indicates high-risk and unknown status. F-3 is unverified identity. F-1 is medical quarantine. For now, all of you begin at F-6 and will go through the full screening process before you are allowed into the inner sectors."

Through the metal fencing beside the checkpoint, one of the survivors noticed a nearby facility. It had rows of small reinforced buildings with barred windows and guarded entrances. Inside, several people wearing yellow wristbands moved slowly under supervision. Some were being guided by personnel, while others sat quietly in what looked like observation rooms.

Confused, the survivor hesitated before asking, "What about those with yellow wristbands?"

The soldier followed his line of sight before answering, "After F Class clearance, survivors are reassigned to E or D Class depending on evaluation."

He gestured slightly toward the facility. "Yellow wristbands are E Class. E-2 is for psychological risk or mentally unstable individuals. E-1 is for the injured or those trauma survivors."

Jaxon’s gaze shifted to Sumiko, who was quietly sleeping in Isabel’s arms.

’She might be placed there,’ he thought quietly, though he kept the concern to himself.

The soldier continued his explanation without pause. "Green wristbands are D Class. D-2 is for new arrivals awaiting final evaluation. D-1 is for verified and cleared civilians."

As they moved forward, Jaxon discreetly observed the people around the checkpoint. The soldiers wore black wristbands, while the medical staff and support personnel had blue ones.

’That squad leader mentioned C-3 status,’ he recalled. ’So that’s part of the same system.’

He chose not to ask about it. Drawing attention to it now would only make things awkward for other survivors.

Even without further explanation, the meaning behind the system was clear to everyone. Different classes meant different levels of trust, access, and restriction.

And naturally, the higher the class, the more freedom and benefits a person would have inside the safe zone.