The earthy green colored helicopter lifted with several soldiers along with Leon's group of fellow fighters. The friends sat across from one another while the squadron leader briefed them on the hasty mission. Everyone was wearing lightweight bulletproof vests, padded headgear and heavily armed with various military weapons.

"The report is that there is a large pet dog that has been affected by a viral infection. The infection has caused the dog to rampage on the town of 'Birdwell Island'. No one has any warning, but I doubt it would have done anyone any good. The report says the dog happens to be as large as a God-dang house. How a three story high dog escaped the knowledge of even the tabloids is way beyond me," commented the man in charge. He began to give drop zone information to all present, but Claire's mind began to wander.

She thought back to all of her different encounters with the virus and its many mutative forms. She wondered about the accuracy of the infected dog's actual size. Perhaps the virus doubled or tripled the size of a canine to increase its stature. After mutation it could possibly look like a horse that is 15 hands high.

Claire tried to listen to every word of the Special Forces commander, but she couldn't keep her mind from distant horrific times. She was not looking forward to what awaited them all. Glancing around at the soldiers and her good friends, Claire had a feeling of foreboding that caused great discomfort and unease.

Leon saw Claire's brief show of uncertainty and he reached across the isle and squeezed her hand before giving her a confident head nod, "We make a great team, remember?" He winked and she gave him a half smile.

Chris cradled his machine gun and let out a yell, "Whoo-Hoo!" while Berry discreatly patted Jill's knee and whispered something in her ear.

For the rest of the flight, everyone sat in silence and prepared themselves for the upcoming conflict.