Into The Walking Dead (edited)

It had been eight months since Roran first had contact with the A.I. During this time they had formulated a plan for Roran to take over Atlanta, and increase his odds of survival. Roran had also finished building his house during this time. He did some work himself but the A.I. had been given permission to use Roran's money to make investments. Roran was now secretly one of the wealthiest men in the world. In an effort to save time, Roran had contracted out the rest of the work on his house. He used the extra time to try and learn as much information as possible, he was trying to increase his skill set across the board. The barn had been turned into a command center and Roran had added onto it, including a secret bunker underneath to hide the V.R. cabin. Roran also watched and read the Walking Dead as much as he could to familiarized himself with the world.

The A.I. had also explained to Roran the differences in the reality he was going to from the one he watched on TV. The main ones being that Rick's wife Lori had died giving birth to their son Carl. The other was the zombies would evolve over time. This had worried Roran the most, but the A.I. had assured him that they were still in the realm of being defeated by normal means. Roran also learned that he could view his stats like a character sheet in a video game.

"System show me my stats." (Roran)

STATS: Range from 1-10 for standard human being.

Strength 7

Intelligence 9

Endurance/Stamina 7

Dexterity/Agility 6

Charisma/Leadership 8

Skills: Novice/Intermediate/Advanced/Master

Firearms: Small(Handguns & Sub Machine guns) Medium(Rifles & Assault Rifles) Heavy(Heavy machine Guns)

Small: Advanced

Medium: Master

Heavy: Intermediate

Explosives: Intermediate

Cold Weapons: Intermediate

Hand to Hand Combat: Advanced

Stealth: Advanced

Scouting/Recon: Advanced

Driving: Intermediate

Construction: Intermediate

Engineering: Intermediate

Cooking: Intermediate

Computer: Intermediate

Field Craft: Advanced

Medicine/First Aid: Intermediate

Roran was happy for the most part with his current stats, he knew that in the beginning he would be one of the most well rounded people.

"A.I. have we finished everything we needed to do before diving in?" (Roran)

"Affirmative, whenever you are ready we can begin the dive into the alternate version. Have you decided on which point you want to enter?" (A.I.)

The A.I. had explained to Roran that he could pick a point in time for the alternate reality he could go to. He could not go to future events or see into the future, and as soon as he took over there would be a butterfly effect. They could go back to anything that had happened until the current present time in that reality. So what information they did have would already become less then reliable.

The A.I. also informed Roran that while he was in stasis, time in his original reality would still move on. The longer he spent in the other world, the more time he would lose in his own. Roran was concerned what would happen to the alternate while he was away but the A.I. informed him to think of it like a save in a game. He could go back to that moment in time in the alternate reality, but anything that happened afterwards would have become null and void and he would essentially have caused a branched off timeline.

"I have decided to go to one year before Rick would have been shot in the pursuit." (Roran)

"Information has been acknowledged, Roran make your way to the VR cabin to begin dive." (A.I.)

Roran made his way to the secret bunker under the barn. When inside he stripped down naked and entered the cabin. The material inside the cabin was warm and felt like his own skin. He could also feel a soft hum or vibration through the machine. A.I. had informed him that this was the power system and it was completely safe for him.

"A.I. begin the dive." (Roran)

The lid to the cabin began to close. Once it was completely closed Roran felt a quick pain in his arm. The A.I. informed him that this was the solution for stasis being placed in his body. The cabin the began to hum louder and louder. And bright lights kept flashing in Roran's mind, he could see them even with his eyes closed.

"Beginning countdown 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1" (A.I.)

As soon as the countdown hit one Roran felt like his brain was being sucked through a straw. There was long bright light and then nothing as quick as it started it was over. Roran opened his eyes and realized he was laying down in a bed.

"A.I. are you there? Did it work?" (Roran)

Roran then heard link established connecting A.I. to nano-link. Time left until power core recharged, three months. User will have to remain in this reality until then.

"Roran you have successfully crossed over. When you are ready get up and check the mirror. Also take your time, this body may be similar to yours but it is different and there will be some getting used too." (A.I.)

Roran got out of the bed and he felt slightly unsteady. He slowly walked around the room and began stretching, trying to get a feel for this body. Once he was a little more comfortable he made his way over to the mirror to inspect his new body. Other then a few scars he was pretty much the same. He felt this version was skinnier then he was, but still felt strong.

"You should be able to access his memories now, I will help in organizing them. Take some time to familiarize yourself with this version." (A.I.)

Roran spent the next three hours going through the memories with the A.I. Around 06:30 a young boy came into the bedroom and said dad I have to get ready for school.

Roran knew this was Rick's son Carl. Carl is a seven years old. He has dark brown hair and brown eyes. He also has fairly pale skin and looks more like his mother Lori, then he does Rick.

"Alright bud go take a shower and brush your teeth. I will get your clothes ready for you and make some breakfast for you." (Roran)

"Roran was waving bye to Carl as he got on the school bus. A.I. what is the first step we need to take?" (Roran)

"Roran after processing all the information we have collected thus far. The first step we need to take is amass some money. Right now your net worth is approximately $140,000. That is including if we sold this house and liquidated all the assets. However we are currently six months behind the previous present timeline. I believe I have a solution to quickly earn enough money for all future plans." (A.I.)

"What is the plan?" (Roran)

"It is quiet simple. We play the powerball." (A.I.)

"How would that even work? I thought you said we cannot see into the future because my being here has caused a ripple and will effect future events." (Roran)

"That is true to some extent, however this version of you never had any effect or destiny so to speak with the powerball. So you being here has no effect over it." (A.I.)

"What is the current jackpot up too?" (Roran)

"The current jackpot is about 600 million dollars. After taxes you would walk away with about 400 million dollars. This amount of money is more then enough for any future plans we may have and then some. We will have the luxury of getting more then we need and having large stockpiles as well as hiring the best of the best in their respective fields." (A.I.)

"We will need to make sure we spend all of it before the outbreak starts. After everything begins the money wont be worth the paper it is printed on." (Roran)

Roran got dressed and drove over to the nearest gas station. He purchased one ticket using the numbers A.I had told him to pick. Afterwards he went back home and began to prepare everything. While he was waiting at home his phone rang. It was Shane, Rick's best friend and partner. After Lori died the two became even closer. Rick made Shane, Carl's God Father. Shane practically lived at Rick's house.

"Hey man what are you up to?" (Shane)

"Not much just cleaning my house and planning my retirement. I bought a powerball ticket. Did you see it was up to 600 million now?" (Roran)

"Really nobody ever wins those things, your better off just saving your money. Hell if you want to spend it that bad you could just buy me a beer. Anyways since we are both off today and tomorrow, I was calling to see if you wanted me to bring anything over for dinner?" (Shane)

"Just grab a few steaks. I have everything else and over a case of beer in the fridge. Carl will be excited, he rented the new Ninja Turtle movie you two have been wanting to see." (Roran)

"Hell yeah. Ninja Turtles are the best!" (Shane)

They both started laughing.

"Alright I will be over around 16:30" (Shane)

Later that night Roran told Carl about the powerball and told him to go watch the TV for the winning numbers. Carl was already imagining all the things he could buy. Roran and Shane were in the back yard talking about women they liked.

"DAD! DAD! DAD!" (Carl)

"Whats wrong son?" (Roran)

"WE WON! WE WON!" (Carl)

"You got to be shitting me. are you sure it was not just close?" (Shane)

"Come look, they are getting to replay again." (Carl)

After watching the replay Shane and Carl were flipping out screaming we are rich. Roran already knew he was going to win so he just acted excited. Even though Carl was not his real son, he wanted him to be happy. Roran knew this was only going to last for about another year before everything went to hell.