Chapter 2: The Survivors

26 hours after outbreak/ Date: Unknown/ Aboard the USG Continental Bell, 16th deck…

The USG Continental Bell is two kilometers in length, five hundred meters in width and six hundred in height. The massive planet cracker drifted lifelessly in the void of space; like a whale pushing through the ocean.

Reports of gunfire echoed down the ship's corridor, followed by the inevitable screams of its wielder.

Keeping low and alert, Lance Corporal Sujak kept the butt of the rifle tight against his shoulder and the barrel pointed down the end of each corridor. His destination was the elevator a hundred meters ahead. He occasionally took his eyes if the objective to stare at the blood staining the hull. And the claw marks etched deep into the metal structure.

Sujak always hated when he had to take point. It was his bulk size that always volunteered for him.

A dozen meters behind the rest of the survivors waited for the signal to go. Captain Bannister was leading the group in a single file line. Bannister hardly showed it but he was on the edge. Having lost so many when this outbreak occurred, he was starting to have doubts that he would be able to get his men and the civilians out alive.

"How's it looking up there, big guy?" Bannister whispered into his radio.

"So far so good, boss," Sujak's voice replied in Bannister's ear. "Haven't heard or seen anything yet; just the crazy amount of blood that's been left behind."

"Roger that," Bannister replied. "Continue on to the elevator. We're right behind you."

Sujak simply gave a thumbs up.

"Is everything okay, Captain?" Dr. Michelle Polanski asked.

"I don't know what you would qualify 'okay', ma'am," Bannister tried to keep the sarcasm to a minimum, but it was challenging when you witnessed your friends die, only to rise back up and attack you.

He saw the frustration in her eyes. "I'm sorry, ma'am," he apologized. "We're doing the best we can to get you people to safety."

"You don't have to apologize, Captain," Dr. Polanski said. "I know the stress you're undertaking now."

Bannister displayed his artificial sympathy look. I'm sorry but you don't know what I'm going through right now, ma'am.

The group was composed of four civilians and three soldiers, not including the point man. Captain Bannister took lead. Behind him are Dr. Polanski and a very bulky miner, one who could match up to LCPL Sujak. Taking up the center of the formation was LCPL Cadwell, Sujak's oldest friend in the QRF (Quick Reaction Force). Behind him were the remaining two civilians; another scientist and a maintenance technician. And finally, taking up the rear was LCPL Adkins.

Sujak came across an intersection in the corridor, then finally reaching the elevator doors. He took up a defensive position and waved for the group to advance.

"That's the signal," Bannister said. "Let's move."

He led the group, cautiously down the narrow path. After a few seconds of double time, they made it to the elevator. He rapidly pressed on the call button hoping every push he made would accelerate its approach.

The QRF soldiers took up position as the beginning of each corridor, no more than two meters away.

"Hey, Sujak," Cadwell called out. "Bet you pissed yourself with each step you made."

"Shut up," Sujak hissed. "You see, boot, when the QRF needs muscle, who do they run to? Lance Corporal Sujak!"

"Quiet!" Adkins demanded. "I thought I heard something."

The entire groups stared down the path they came from. The lighting was dim, so it was hard to focus on any sort of movement. But the sounds of feet clanging on the grated deck were clear enough. Along with the soft growls of the Necromorphs!

"Ah shit! Here they come!" Adkins screamed. He cocked the combat shotgun in his hands, and waited for the monsters to get close enough. Sujak and Cadwell had no problem sending rounds down range.

Bannister pushed passed the civilians and joined in on the shooting spree.

Dr. Polanski continued with pressing the call button. "Come on, you piece of shit!" She started to kick and slam on the door.

The rest of the survivors gathered around the female scientist, armed with steel pipes, hammers and other blunt objects.

Adkins decided the enemy was close enough. He unloaded a single round in the close quarters of the corridor, nearly popping everyone's eardrum. But the one round managed to knock back the mob a bit.

The team continued their rate of fire; when one member was empty the other was open fire. This cycle went on for a couple of minutes until the satisfying sound of the elevator opening.

"Everybody inside, now," Bannister commanded hollered over the sound of rifles.

First the civilians entered then Cadwell, Sujak, Bannister, and finally Adkins. The sealed shut before any Necromorph had the opportunity to enter.

"Where we headed now, boss?" Sujak asked.

"To the bridge," Bannister said as he reloaded his sidearm. "To the twenty-fifth deck."