"Breaking news out of Washington tonight. Video surveillance footage has been leaked and presented to this station among many others of what appears to be Camp David overrun with biological weapons. It may be upsetting to some viewers. Due to this violent content, viewer discretion is advised. Several people are shown dead and many others identified by our experts here cannot be reached or located.
This all is occurring on the night traditionally used for the Inaugural Ball. This suggest that some sort of private party had been planned for marking the beginning of new president's first official year in office after the tragic death of President Adam Benford six months ago at the Tall Oaks Outbreak.
Social media is overwhelmed from this, causing an outcry for answers from the american people, as well as all around the world. So far, no one at the White House has responded to our many inquiries upon learning of this supposed terrorist attack. If these rumors are true, this may very well be due to no one in power currently inside, truly a scary thought as we continue to investigate this coverup.
Stay tuned to this station for all the latest news, alerts and warnings as they happen. ...be safe, everyone."
2.0: Newsflash
In a government facility near Washington, time seems to slow down as the employees frantically move from station to station, desperately looking for and source to suggest what tragedy could have befallen the people of Camp David.
The building engulfed in flames on the monitors displayed everywhere covers the rooms in an orange light from the broadcasts. So much yelling and commotion... yet to so many, it falls silent on deaf ears as the reality of the situation begins to hit home. Some stare in shock, while others call loved ones and sources. A few poor souls weep.
"Wha!? How did the media get ahold of this!?"
"Where's the President?" "Get me the Pentagon!"
The DSO where Leon works is in a frantic state of panic. Some of it's workers present at the party have only just arrived back. The ordeal they went through is now mo longer secret, as the government tries to get a grasp on the situation.
Among the top aids include three women in attendance when the outbreak occurred. One was there in her work clothes, scratching her dark burnet hair in frustration as she hangs up the phone. She emotionally looks at the picture on her desk of her murdered sister, Debora.
The second is wa lighter brunet in a forrest green gown from the party. She is fiddling on multiple keyboards at once surrounded by a supercomputer. Frantically typing, she refuses to stop and let the situation get to her, engulfing herself into work as a way to cope with he stress and deal with the fallout.
Finally, a familiar redhead checks her laptop while fiddling with her service weapon, another pistol currently in her pocket. She cannot fathom what connections may have led to this horrible past few days. She wonders if her own ordeal is still worth it...
*boop*
Snapping out of her trance, while the other girls present their findings to the board, Claire looks to her screen and sees a particular used online, one not found among the rescuers despite being at the party. Ashley Graham!
...
"No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack sir." The dark-haired girl addresses.
"Nothing? No one!?" a man in a suit yells back "Harper, this all points to a deliberate attack on U.S. soil right under our noses and you mean to tell me not a single terrorist is calling its' devastation for their own!? Hunnigon, where are we on... casualties?"
The light-hair rests in a ponytail belonging to said agent "initial reports, based on whom we believe attended the party put the death toal around... 163 of about 200 likely in attendance based on the limited size of the venue."
"I HAVE SOMETHING!" the redheaded Claire yells "...or rather, I had something. She presents her computer to Hunnigon for her to pull up onto the big screen.
"Mrs. Graham!?" many people call out. "Where is she?" "Air Force One!?" "How long ago was this taken?" Why wasn't I notified of this!?" "Why did be transmission cut out!?" "Are there others onboard wth her?" "Could there be any other survivors on the ground still?" "Should we percede with steri..."
...
Angry and frustrated, Claire left the room unnoticed due to all the confusion. She grabbed her coat and bag of clothes to change into.
"Where are you going!?" Hunnigan's voice called out. "We need you in here!"
"Shouldn't they need YOU in there Ingrid?" Claire said, rolling her eyes closed as she fastens her holster.
"Don't change the subject," Ingrid Hunnigon replied. "How can you be leaving at a time like this!?"
"I schedueld these days off in advance." Claire replied meekly.
"You don't even have any days left from all your other trips!" Ingrid was frustrated "and besides, you think that matters in such a time of crisis? You don't even have a clean bill of health..."
"I found it, Ingram..." Claire cut her off sharply but firmly. "It's in Europe."
Hunnigon just stood there silently for awhile. "What do you mean? Is this just another wild goose chase like you use to?" Vouging for Claire's hiring and continued position on the team seems like a mistake in heinsight, even after all she has been through from before. Raccoon City, prison, the South Pole, the airport, Terra-save...
"It's there. I'm positive." Claire gazes sitting up straight, her eyes focused on her supervisor's tired body posture.
"This is everything i have been looking... that Leon and I have been working for since Christmas!"
While not knowing the full story, Ingrid sighed bases on the memory of passion Leon had over this "case" and Claire's sense of responsibility for it. Even without her older brother in the BAAA's potential, Claire was prepared to go in and even die alone if that's what it meant at this point. So, knowing no other options, Ingrid simply shook her head briefly before nodding. "Alright," she confirmed, "i hope it's all worth it."
As Claire hurried away to the door, all she could mutter to herself in response was "he is."
Hey everybody! Guess who's back!? I bet you weren't expecting to see me again so soon! ;)
...yes, for all you newcomers, this is "soon" for me. :/
anyway, i know this is another short chapter, but I wanted to get this out od the way so I can start on the real meat of the story (Ashley in the wild) ASAP. Don't forget, yoy can get teasers to what's coming up from Chapter 1: Airborne or spoilers in my summaries from lomg ago.
Speaking of which, I will be adding one more "Behind the Scenes" chapter to my first story, so look for that bery shortly (about a week or so.)
Well, keep enjoying the new year!
In the orange glare from outside. We can see the party setting slowly glowing. The fancy decorations give us a twisted version of the New Years melody in out head. The bodies become illuminated.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne
As a shooting light grows closer and closer, we see blue undead-looking bodies with wide eyes. They appear paused in time with their angry expressions planted firmly on their faces even in death. Several limbs covered in ash are stuck firm on the skeleton of what appears to have snake fangs. Another has a whole body trapped firmly into its mouth.
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne
For auld lang syne
Before the blinging red light sets in, we finally see a large blob of a man, intestines hanging out and dangled into its saw-like arm. The boil on its' head had burst since death, and it lay crashed into the large coffee table, centered around such fine architecture and years of history.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne
As the melody comes to a close, it's engulfed in a white-out.
From a distance back, a large mushroom cloud can be seen.
