Introductions, Part 1
The Angel of Death circled the seated assembly once before stopping back behind Rick. He sighed and another chair, this one three feet taller and solid black, popped into existance for Sam to sit on. From his seat Sam could see everyone and everyone could see him.
"You have all been briefed about the situation at hand. In order to save humankind from extinction, a group of survivors will be sent backwards in time to a certain point before the zombie apocalypse, or ZA, began. This will enable them time to prepare as best they can for when it happens. The knowledge and skills they have acquired will be sent backwards to their younger bodies and integrated. The individuals will not be able to tell the world about what is to come. If they were able to, each person would find themselves wearing a straight jacket in a padded cell awaiting the end anyway. The only ones they will be able to discuss the details of what will happen is with the other survivors, or those that are important to the mission. This is a failsafe to protect all of those involved. There are also certain events that will happen, no matter what."
A young lady with brunette waves flowing down her back and wearing a black robe of acromantula silk over blood red basilisk armour cleared her throat. Sam looked over at her.
"Yes, Lady Potter?"
"Who are the survivors that you are sending back? What are the survivors supposed to do when they do go back? What events cannot be changed? Does that mean all other events can be changed? And why are the rest of us here? How do I see beings that I know to be works of fiction in my world? Are we from alternate realities, because no such apocalypse occurred in our world?" Hermione asked as a spiral notebook and pen appeared in front of her, which then began writing on it's on as they talked.
Next to her, a young male with long black hair tied back and wearing the same robe over emerald basilisk scale armour smiled at her and shook his head indulgently. 'Leave it to Hermione to grill the Angel of Death after being told we are dead and being told about a zombie apocalypse. And now she is taking notes on everything. Just one of the reasons I will always love my wife.'
"Excellent questions, Lady Potter. I will answer them all for you, but maybe not in the same order."
"Those that we have assembled at this round table are here for a reason. Everyone here is dead in your home reality. You all are from several alternate realities. The reality that the ZA event happens in is the primary reality. All other realities diverged from this one at some point in history and is affected by everything that happens in it. Therefore, the extinction of humanity in the primary reality will bleed over into every one of your realities within a decade at the most."
Shock and grim determination appeared upon the face of all assembled.
"You were chosen because you have what we need to make this work. Some have knowledge and skills that could be invaluable to the survivors in order for them to be better prepared for what is to come. And others are going to join the survivors in going back in time in the primary reality to prevent the extinction of mankind. That is, if you all are willing. Cause this plan depends on your decisions. It must be your free will to participate in the plan in order for this to go ahead."
One by one, all heads nodded at the Angel of Death, signaling their understanding.
"I suppose I should make introductions before we go much further. The survivors are first."
As each name was called, a spotlight appeared over each person briefly, identifying them for all to see.
"First is Daryl Dixon, who is a hunter with a wicked crossbow and survived the longest of the original group. He watched everyone he cared for perish only to be surprised by a walker after running from a herd for days."
A golden light shown down on the shaggy brown haired redneck with his winged leather vest and red flannel shirt over sturdy dark blue denim jeans and black combat boots.
"Second, we have Merle Dixon, who is Daryl's brother, just as good a hunter, and was a marine sniper for 10 years pre-ZA. Survived 3 years post-Za with only one hand, which he cutoff himself to escape being handcuffed to a roof in a walker infested building. He was later killed by the Governor and left as a walker for his brother to find and put down."
'Ah hell, as high as I was, I woulda knocked my ass out and cuffed me too. Don't mean I ain't gonna give Officer Friendly a hard time about it. But he looked out for my baby brother and helped him become the man I always knew he could be. I owe him.' Merle thought. 'Besides, that shit aint gonna fly this time around. No getting high. And no trying to piss everyone off. If we are gonna pull this off, we all are gonna have to get along. Maybe it is time to be the soldier again. The Governor is gonna need to dealt with before he gets as big a following as he had before. No way am I letting that scum live. If you are a threat to my group, you will be eliminated. Time to dust off my sniper skills."
Wearing his USMC Dress Blues with several badges pinned to his chest, Merle kept glancing down at his right hand, which was there instead of the stump he had gotten used to.
Rick blushed and looked away from the Angel of Death as he remembered that day so long ago. 'Daryl is a part of our family. So is Merle as Daryl's brother. That will Not happen this time. No One gets left behind. And no one is losing a body part.' Rick swore as he remembered all that had happened after he woke from his coma. He shifted on the stool and tried to straighten his deputy uniform.
"Third. Sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes, who was shot while on duty and in a coma for 3 months pre-ZA, only to wake up, survive the dead, find his family, and lead the other survivors into creating a community. Rick died after being attacked by the same herd that Daryl was fleeing when he died."
"Fourth is Hershel Greene, father of 2 survivors, Beth and Maggie, farmer, veterinarian, and mentor to the survivors. He survived 2 years with only one leg, only for the Governor to decapitate him."
Hershel looked around the room at the assembled group. 'Maybe with this group, we can change things. Maybe we can save Annette and Shawn and Otis and Patricia. Maybe even Lori when she goes into labor.' He closed his head and bowed his head for a moment. 'God, thank you for this gift to redo things and help us to make the best decisions as we move forward. Help us to save as many as we can. And help us learn from our successes and mistakes in the previous timeline. Amen.'
"Fifth is Carol Peletier, whom went from being as meek as a mouse to one of the fiercest women around. Deadly with a blade and gun. Protective of those she considers hers. Mother of Sophia, whom was lost early on in the ZA. But going backwards, she will have the chance to prevent that and train Sophia to be just as fierce as her mom. Carol was another victim of the same herd that caused Rick and Daryl's death."
Carol wore a pale green long sleeve shirt over khaki cargo pants and hiking boots. 'Sophia. I can save my little girl. Oh baby. Momma is never gonna let anyone hurt you again. Not Ed. Not even a herd of walkers. Momma will teach you how to take them out.' Carol thought with determination as she sat there, listening to Sam talk.
"These five have the best chance, with the help of the others of their original group and the help of all present here, to rebuild and thrive during and after the ZA event. And that is the main goal here. For humanity to rebuild and thrive after nearly becoming extinct." Sam declared.