MINNIE'S POV.

Chris gave me an earpiece so that I could communicate with others and a handgun for defense. You probably wonder what good a handgun will do to me in a place full of "intelligent" B.O.W.'s. Well, here's the case. I don't really like guns. Chris taught me how to shoot and I'm even pretty good at it, but I prefer close combat using knives or just hand-to-hand combat. How could I use hand-to-hand combat against zombies and these new J'avo things? Well, let's just say a stealthy hit never fails.

After I was geared up, we got into those military vehicles and were taken somewhere in the city. As we were driving, someone started shouting:

- Enemy fire! Enemy fire! Alpha Team, engage! – And before we could even do anything the vehicle in front of us exploded.

- All troops, spread out! – Chris yelled. – Return fire! – When the vehicle stopped I got out of it with Chris close behind me. – Come in HQ! We're taking fire at Two of Hearts! Engaging the enemy!

- Copy that. – HQ answered through the earpiece. – Keep an eye out for those powered up soldiers.

Chris started moving forward slowly, with his gun ready to shoot any moment. Just when one of the B.O.W.'s appeared from behind a barricade, Chris shot him in the head. At that moment I saw something I've never seen before. The person, or should I say the B.O.W., went up in flames. *So, with these ones it's the same. Destroy the head.* I thought as I took cover. I looked around trying to get a chance to move, but the gunfire didn't stop. Apparently, what Finn meant, by saying that they were intelligent, was that they are capable of using firearms and explosives. Just then, a voice came through the earpiece.

- Alpha Team, come in. Our units are spread too thin right now. I'm afraid we can't offer you assistance.

- Copy that. – I heard Chris' voice come through the earpiece. – We'll go it alone then.

*OK then. Let's get moving.* I thought as I took a battle knife out from behind my belt. Since my jacket is long, it hid the knife. I got out from behind my cover and moved towards a half destroyed building. As I went through what used to be a door some time ago, I got attacked by one of those J'avos. He grabbed me by the shoulder and rammed me into a wall. The contact with the wall was so powerful, that it knocked the knife from my hand and it slid over the floor. Unfortunately, that thing didn't let go of me that easily and rammed me into the wall again. After the second hit I couldn't hold my balance, dropped to the floor and grabbed my head. Before I could do anything, I felt that J'avo thing get on top of me, with my knife held above his head. He rammed the knife down at my heart, but luckily I caught his hands before the knife could make contact with my flesh.

- Minnie! – Chris yelled and ran to my aid but was attacked by one of those things from behind and was trying to get it off. I was still struggling with the J'avo on top of me.

- You, bitch! You think you're going to kill me with my own weapon?! – I yelled at it. – No fucking way, you prick! – With that, I managed to throw the knife away from his hands, quickly reached for my boot and took another one out.

Now with me holding the weapon, I smashed it directly into the B.O.W.'s face. It screamed out and went up in flames, as the one before did. I quickly got up and went to Chris, who was still trying to get the J'avo off of him. I came from behind them both and smashed my knife into the creature's head. As it burned up, I came closer to Chris.

- You should really look after yourself a bit more, Chris. – I laughed a little.

- And you should be more careful, Minnie. I can't watch over you all the time. – He told me.

- Then don't. I'm capable of taking care of myself. After all, you taught me everything I know. I'm a member of your Team, now. So treat me like your other soldiers.

- Very well, then. Move out! – He ordered. I smiled at this and went after him, right after I took my knife, which I dropped during my fight with that J'avo.

As we exited the building, Piers came to us.

- Captain, we have to go up those stairs. – He said pointing to a flight of stairs. – But those fuckers have snipers all over the place. I took out almost all of them, but I can't seem to find the last one's position. And until he's alive and shooting, we won't be able to pass.

- And why do we need to go up those stairs? – I asked him a bit annoyed. – It's not like they will lead us anywhere. – Seriously, the stairs were destroyed. They weren't leading anywhere, what was the man thinking?

- No, but when the vehicles will start moving forward, we'll have to cover fire them if they encounter resistance. Those stairs would be the perfect position for that job. – He answered equally annoyed.

- Whatever, mutt. You want it, you'll get it. Just be ready to shoot. – And before any of them could say anything, I ran straight into the open, so that the sniper would show himself.

The bullets were flying over my head and I had absolutely no idea, were they friendly or foe. I just ran straight towards a destroyed vehicle, which would be my cover from the gunfire. As I hid behind the vehicle, I let out the breath that I didn't notice I was holding in.

- I've got him. – I heard Piers' voice in my ear. – You're crazy, did you know that, kid? – He said.

- Don't ever do that again, Sledge. – Came Chris' angry voice. – Here, we're working as a team and not as individuals.

- Jesus, enough! It helped, didn't it?! End of the story! – I yelled back at him.

I turned my head to the side and saw as the rookie guy was making his way towards me for cover. As he was running, he didn't see the J'avo that was hot on his heels with a knife in his hand. *Shit!* I thought as I kneeled on one knee and took out the gun that Chris gave me. I tried to aim at the J'avo's head, but Finn was in the way. I put a hand to my earpiece and contacted Finn.

- Finn, get down on the ground! Now! – I yelled and immediately he was on the ground, allowing me to aim freely. I fire a shot and it hit the target perfectly. Finn crawled next to me, a bit out of breath.

- Thanks, … ummm… - He hesitated.

- Minnie Sledge. – I helped him laughing.

- That's right – Minnie. I owe you big time, Minnie.

- Don't mention it. There will be plenty of opportunities to get even. – I laughed as I saw the vehicles move forward. – That's our cue to move, Finn. – I said as I put the gun back in its holster and took out my knife.

As I ran behind the vehicles, a voice came through the earpiece.

- You're sitting ducks out there, Alpha. Get inside that building.

I saw Chris running into a building with Piers. *This must be it.* I thought as I ran after them.

- Are these the new species HQ was warning us about?! – Chris said as he was ready to shoot a J'avo that was coming at him.

- Bullets don't even phase them… - Piers answered. – This ain't our normal class of enemy.

- You have to try to destroy their head. – I said as I threw a knife straight into one's face and while it was trying to regain balance, I smashed his head into the ground.

- Something like the zombies? – Chris asked.

- Almost. – I answered. – When dealing with zombies you just have to destroy their brains. For these things, it looks like you have to destroy their head completely. - Piers shot into a J'avo and its head scattered into bits.

- You mean you just have to blow it off? – Piers said smugly.

- Whatever floats your boat, pup. – I answered and moved forward.

- I warned you. – Chris told me referring to the "pup" part.

The three of us went to the second floor. We saw a pathway that led to a small tower.

- That would be the perfect place for covering fire. – I murmured and we went there.

Unfortunately, the metal door to the tower was locked and Chris with Piers tried to break them down. But before they could succeed, I felt the ground tremble. I turned my head and saw as a part of a nearby building crumbled down. Then a huge hand appeared on the building, followed by the ugliest face in the world. This creature was huge, it was destroying everything in its path and it was targeting us.

- I didn't know they came in extra large! – Piers yelled. – How many new species are there?!

The thing picked up a car and threw it at us. I don't know why, but I just couldn't move. I saw the car flying into my direction; I knew that if I wouldn't move, I'd be dead, but I just couldn't get my feet to move. Luckily, someone else didn't lose the ability to move and shoved me out of the way. As I finally regained my composure, I saw that it was mutt boy who saved my life.

- You should pay more attention, kid. – He said. – There won't always be someone who will save you.

- Oh, just shut it. – I said annoyed. At that exact moment the giant raised his hands and rammed them down at us. Luckily, this time I didn't freeze and was able to jump off the pathway along with Chris and Piers. Once on the ground, we started running away from the B.O.W.

- Finn! – Chris yelled. – We've got a huge B.O.W. on our tails! I need the A.P.C.'s firepower, now!

- Removing the barricades now, sir! I'll be there as soon as I can! – Finn answered through the earpiece.

- OK. We have to hold out until they come here. – Chris ordered as the giant went over the pathway and went after us. – Don't stay at one place, move. Take good positions and unload on the bastard!

Not waiting another moment, I started running towards a building to find cover. Inside, there were a few J'avos, but I was able to take them out. Once I found a good position for myself on the second floor I started shooting at the giant. A few minutes later I heard an explosion and a military vehicle appeared, firing at the B.O.W. It started running away, destroying buildings in its way.

- Alpha to HQ. – Chris said. – Our route's blocked by a B.O.W.

- Change course from Route One to Route Four.

- Oh, for God's sake, what is Route One and Four? – I mumbled to myself.

- Come here, Sledge. – I heard my name being mentioned. I turned around and saw Piers standing in front of me.

- What the fuck do you want? – He really wasn't someone I wanted to see at the moment.

- Didn't you hear? We have to change our course. Captain told me to come and get you. – I just sighed and followed mutt boy.

- Those things were enormous! – I heard Finn's voice. – I didn't know B.O.W.s could get that big!

- They're giving them new stuff probably. – I answered. – They can make any kind of freak show they want.

- Looks like you know a lot about these things. – Piers murmured walking in front of me.

- Yeah, well I had quite a few experiences with them over my life. – I answered calmly, walking behind him. – Why? You nervous or something, pup?

He just glared at me and we kept going to wherever it was that we had to go. As we saw the slowly moving vehicle, I understood that we had to follow it. Just as we turned around the corner, we were attacked by more J'avos.

- Dammit! They're all over us! – I hear Finn's voice. Me, Chris, Piers and a few other soldiers were trying to kill the things that were attacking us. Unfortunately, there were too many of them.

- Use the A.P.C. for cover! – I heard someone yell. – Hurry! Get behind it! Find cover! We'll be torn to apart in the open!

I got behind the vehicle to cover myself from the enemy gunfire. At that moment I saw as one of those things got on the A.P.C. and was trying to get inside of it over the roof.

- Oh, no you don't, you bastard! – I climbed onto the vehicle myself and hit it. The J'avo stumbled and fell down in front of the A.P.C. There were quite a few J'avos standing in front of the vehicle and they started shooting at me. I dropped down onto the roof of the A.P.C. and started yelling into the earpiece. – Go, go, go! Run over them! Now!

Right on cue the vehicle started moving, crushing the B.O.W.s under its wheels. I let out a sigh of relief, but then I felt the A.P.C. stop abruptly. I looked up and saw a fence in front of us. I jumped off the vehicle and the driver started moving forward over the fence, destroying it and opening the passage to us. As we went through the destroyed fence I heard an explosion coming from under the military vehicle.

- I think I hit an anti-tank mine! – Finn reported. – The A.P.C.'s busted.

- Just great. – I mumbled under my breath.

The soldiers left the A.P.C. and engaged into battle on foot. I saw how Finn was aiming to shoot a J'avo in front of him, but he didn't notice the one behind him. I ran over to help my teammate and slashed my knife into the center of the J'avo's head. As it went up in flames, Finn turned around and looked at me bewildered.

- It looks like I can't let you out of my sight, Finn. – I laughed a bit as I took cover beside him.

- You saved my life twice in the past 15 minutes. Thank you. – He said a bit embarrassed.

- Don't mention it.

- Finn! Get over here! – Piers yelled. – I need you to blow this fence.

- I'm on it, sir! – Finn yelled back as he started moving towards Piers. – Setting charges now!

I ran after him, but Chris caught me by the hand in the process.

- Here. – He said handing me an Uzi gun. – You'll make better use of this than your knife.

I just nodded my head, not wanting to argue with him. We heard a small explosion and knew that Finn had done his job. We jumped down from where the soldier destroyed the fence, only to see a train car in front of us.

- The train car is blocking our way! – Someone yelled. – This route's a no go! – With that said, Finn ran to the car to set explosives.

- I'll blow the car and clear a path! – Before we could react to what Finn said, there was an explosion not too far from us that threw us all back. It was the B.O.W.s firing at us. – I need you to cover me 'till I get it set!

*Just perfect.* I thought as I got up, readying the Uzi. I saw Piers lying on the ground next to me, not moving. The J'avos started running at us.

- Come on, pup, get up! – I yelled at him as I tried to keep off the J'avos. I saw him stir but he didn't move. – God dammit, Nivans! Get up! – I yelled and kneeled down next to him. I wanted to shake him up, but the J'avos were coming straight at us.

- You don't have to yell in my ear, Jesus! – He said as he finally got up and helped me hold the creatures off.

- You should never sleep on the job, mutt. – I answered.

- Would you stop with that?! – He yelled annoyed, killing the enemies in the process.

- Nope. – I spoke out. – Come on, we have to cover Finn. – I said as I ran over to kill the J'avos around Finn.

- Working as fast as I can here. – The rookie said. – Hang in there.

- Oh, no pressure, Finn. – I told him sarcastically. – It's not like we're in the middle of a goddamn war or something.

- How much longer, Finn? – Chris was getting impatient as well.

- It's ready to blow! – The rookie yelled a moment later. – Grab some cover!

With that, everyone scattered around to shield themselves from the explosion. The power of the explosives lifted one side of the train car and all of us had to run through it before it fell down again. As I was running a J'avo grabbed me by the ankle and I fell down.

- You bastard! – I yelled as I tried to free myself from his grip.

- Hurry up or the car will fall on top of you! – Someone yelled. I recognized the voice to be Piers'.

- It's not like I'm relaxing here, mutt! – I yelled back.

I grabbed my knife from behind my belt and stabbed it into the arm of the creature that was holding me. It yelled out in pain and let go of my ankle. I started crawling away from the J'avo but noticed the shadow from the train car getting bigger fast. I looked up and saw that the car was coming down on me. *I won't make it in time* was the only thought that ran through my head. When I was about to give up any hope, I felt someone grab me by the shoulder and yank me from under the train car just before it hit the ground. I let out a sigh of relief and looked up to see Chris kneeling down beside me, breathing heavily. He saved my life once again. Just like he did all those years back at Rockfort Island.

- You OK? – He asked.

- Yeah. – I mumbled sitting up.

- Next time, be more careful. – He said as he stood up and extended his hand to help me stand up. I gradually accepted it. I saw how Piers was glaring at me but I didn't pay much attention to him and we started moving towards a bridge.

- You're OK? – I heard someone say quietly behind me. I turned around and saw Finn looking worriedly at me.

- Yeah, sure. Don't worry about me. I've been through a lot worse. – I said firmly trying not to show my real emotion that was pure fear.

Everyone stopped and waited for further orders from HQ.


Hi, guys! First of all thank you for actually reading the story ^_^ Also, I thank everyone who reviewed my previous chapter and gave me feedback (it's always appreciated). Sorry if this chapter got a bit boring, but there wasn't a lot to work with, because if you played the game you know that the journey to the bridge was more or less just shooting and running. But I'm sure that the next chapter will have more of everything in it and I will upload it as soon as I can, I promise you that ^_^ So, once again thank you for reading and please review ^_^