Hello Readers:

Taking all reviews into consideration, I want to make the best experience for you reading this. Since this chapter was already 'pre-written', I decided to post it anyways, though I am hoping for more reviews. Starting next chapter, I will try to account for all reviews.

-ClasslessToast


"Well, it isn't shot, I can tell you that much, but I didn't specialize in engineering. Fouler did, but I don't know if he is still alive. But its good I found a few survivors. So, who all are y'all?"

"Oh, sorry for being rude. My name is Takashi. That's Rei, Seiko, Saya, Kohta, nurse Shizuka, Alica, and that little pup is Zeke." Takashi introduced them to me as he pointed to the corresponding person. Pushing past them and getting into his face, Takagi crossed her arms and shifted her weight to her right side, pushing out her chest. "So what about you, Mr. Soldier, got a name?"

"Aren't you a little demanding? The name's Edgar Grey, but call me Private or Private Grey. I'm a part of the Special Forces of the United States military."

"We guessed that. Now why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be protecting your own people?"

"You see, Saya, if I learned anything from boot camp, it was that everyone on Earth is my people, and I will stop at nothing to protect them. This includes you as well."

"So brave and manly!" Shizuka came running towards, hugging him with her chest against his. Trying to escape her grasp, he looked over to Kohta; "Is she always like this?" He and Takashi began to laugh as I sighed. She eventually let go, but stood close to me. Shaking my head I propped the hood of the Humvee open and opened the driver's door. Handing me the keys, Shizuka stood in awe as I cranked the engine. An unusual noise came from it. Stepping back out I watched as all the gears and belts seemed to run normally. "Maybe one of the pistons are stuck?" I mumbled to myself as I watched the engine bump around a little. "I could always call for back up, but the signal may not reach Sarge. I'll try though." Stepping off to the side I pulled my radio out and tried to secure a stable connection. I could hear, over the static, the girls asking each other if they trusted me enough to let me help them.

"I mean, he probably isn't even a soldier. Any nerd can go to a military surplus and steal some clothes." I heard Takagi murmur to the others.

"He may be going through a lot right now, Takagi. He has a family too, you know?" Saeko responded.

"He doesn't seem like such a bad guy, Takagi. He could help us." Kohta tried to convince her. But she didn't seem to believe in me.

"Then why," she sighed, "then why isn't he protecting the ones he loves; his family-"

"My father died in Iraq when they first started invading. My mother died of cancer when I was 4. After being in the adoption home for several years because my grandparents wouldn't take me, I was cared for by a woman named Tamika Fouler. She was the only black woman in my town, surprisingly. As a child, the only friend I had was her. She had lost her husband in Iraq as well, so I knew how she felt to loose someone that way. Eventually, she adopted me because no one else would. After high school ended for me, I enlisted to not only avenge my father's and Tamika's husband's death, I wanted to protect the world from anything that would hurt anyone. That is why I am here, risking my life, leaving Tamika behind, leaving everyone I had ever known, to protect you." I said softly as the static from the radio hushed slightly.

They all stood in shock that I had spoken about my reason of being there. They all seemed to take a step backwards as I turned to face them. "Did you really think I wanted to leave them? My fiends and family? Tamika was pregnant with her second child when I enlisted. You dare to think I would just leave because I was tired of that life? I've been through hell trying to care for that family; my family. I hate when you kinds of people think that I'm only here to escape and get money. Now if you don't mind, I'm trying to save your asses from those things that killed my team." I sighed, turning back around to face the sun. The static from the radio became a somewhat clear voice, reporting locations of huge clusters of those things.

"I'm sorry." Takagi murmured as I tried to connect to Sarge's radio.

I stopped, looking down at the radio in my hand. "I'm sorry too." I sighed as I connected. "Sarge, you there?" I asked as the radio buzzed loudly.

"Private Grey, is this you?" Sarge's voice came from the radio.

"Yes, sir. Sarge, I've got 7 people and 1 dog here with me. Can you come and pick them up? Recon was wiped out, Sarge, except me."

"Damn it. Listen Private, we can't come and get anyone. The pilot and gunner of APC were infected by this disease. They have almost infected everyone everyone defending my ass."

"Listen Sarge, I'm going to try and find somewhere for them to take shelter. Call in when you are on your way to come get us."

"Got it. God's speed, Private."

Turning the radio off and putting it back in my pack, I turned to the group of people. I sighed as I walk past the girls and sat in the driver's seat, motioning for them to get in. With the hood shut and engine on, they entered quietly. When everyone was seated, I pressed on the gas pedal and began to drive down the empty road. All was silent as they seemed to fear my presence.

"So, that Fouler guy you were talking about, hes your..." Shizuka began, but stopped as she noticed my frown grew wider.

"My brother, family and in arms." I sighed.

I sighed, watching the lines pass under the Humvee. "You know, it's kind of funny. You remind me of my ex back in the states, Saya."

"Oh?"

"She was kind of a smart ass too."

We all laughed a little, even she chuckled. But, as the saying goes with good things, it was soon about to come to an end...