I apologize for the long wait, but here it is!


"Jesus Christ..." Marcus muttered, listening to the sounds of the war machine that was the locust army just on the other side of the rock. He wouldn't be surprised if the whole damn horde was on the other side it sounded so loud. These poor kids...having to live in constant fear and with no hope.

Several children cried silently in terror, hoping the snowmen didn't hear them, or smell them that would cause the beasts to go into a frenzy and break through the tunnels. The members of Delta remained tense and on edge, yet there was little they could do with their weapons gone if the locusts broke through.

Harvey remained calm, the young man focused on keeping the children quiet for several minutes until the numerous footfalls ceased to shake the tunnel, and their hisses and grunts became silent. Despite the horrendous sounds and rumbles falling quiet, the sounds of the children whimpering in terror did not.

Alura held Lions in a tight grip, the boy shaking as the woman was stiff, as if a statue with unblinking eyes. Dom and Cole looked upon the pair with worry, both men sharing a look of concern.

Marcus cleared his throat, approaching the leader of the misfit children, "Harvey. We need to talk." The gruff man spoke in an almost soft tone, Harvey looking at the much larger man before sighing, both walking off.

"You can't stay here. It's not safe." Marcus broke the silence, the much younger man grunting.

"I know. But it's not like we can just up and move. It's too dangerous outside, we have too few soldiers and too many kids to look after. It would be impossible to protect them all if we're on the move." Harvey replied, running a hand through his hair.

"You may live longer here, and it may be safer, but for how long? Those tunnels are only a ticking time bomb before the locusts find out you're right next to them and they break down the damn wall."

"They don't move through all the time. Used to be once every few…..months, weeks….but then the locusts started becoming more active. Now it's every few days. I assume it's whatever you COG guys are doing. You must be really riling them up, but I know sure as hell you guys ain't winning. The number of locusts just keep growing and growing." Harvey explained, Marcus pausing in thought.

"You think that tunnel leads to the Hollow?" The gruff man asked, the blonde looking at Marcus in confusion.

"The Hollow?" The man repeated in question.

"The nests of the locusts, deep in the earth. The COG wanted to launch an all out attack to try and exterminate them."

"Christ I hope that tunnel doesn't lead to their nests. We'd all be dead."

"Better reason to get out of here, huh?" Marcus questioned, Harvey shrugging his shoulders.

"Why? I doubt the cities are any better." Harvey responded, a bit drying as the leader of Delta grunted, "Yeah, but at least you kids wouldn't be alone. To be honest, I haven't seen any kids in years, at least this young."

"Really? You think we're the last?"

"Don't know. I sure hope not. You just keep everyone safe, alright? We'll help out as much as we can."

"I'm trying. I'll have everyone stay away from the danger zone. Try to keep them quiet. I wonder where that tunnel lets out? Maybe we could block it, like with a cave it? That's what happened with this tunnel and the locusts just stopped using it." Harvey broke off in thought, "But we don't have any explosives."

"I remember seeing an ammo depot before being dropped off by a KR a while back. Delta could go check it out, see if it has any useful equipment."

"That would be a treck. We never dared to go that far out." Harvey stated, Marcus grunting once more, "Well, it'll be worth the trip."

"That it would." The younger man nodded in agreement, "Bu-"

"Harvey!" Said man snapped his head towards Rother, "What is it?"

"He's awake! Ben's awake!" Rother announced, Marcus sighing in relief. Baird followed behind the medic, rubbing his arm, "Yeah, you're fuckin' welcome."

"You can see your man if you want, but he might pass out again real soon." Rother stated, Marcus moving towards his approaching squad, "That's more that enough time."

"You say something, Marcus?" Cole asked, the squad leader shaking his head as Alura seemed to snap out of her daze.

"Carmine's awake. You can see him if you want." Marcus spoke, the spirits of his squad brightening as they moved toward the medical wing, Marcus slowly following.

Carmine groaned as he lay on the bed. The young man felt like shit, to say the least, yet despite his physical weakness his excitement rose upon seeing his squadmates.

"Hey, Carmine." Marcus greeted, the corners of his mouth tugging upwards ever so slightly.

"Hey….guys." Carmine responded, voice weak despite his attempt to wave.

"Glad to see you made it through, buddy." Dom replied, smiling, "Good to see you."

"Hah, a few little bullets can't take Carmine out, right? Way to stay in the game!" Cole cheered, playfully smacking the injured man's shoulder, making him produce an "Ow."

"Oh, sorry, Carmine." Cole laughed sheepishly.

"Good soldier. Staying alive, that's your job, kid." Marcus praised, "Get your rest, Carmine. You'll need it."

"Yea...Sarge." Carmine replied, coughing slightly as his squad left, Alura staying behind.

"Hey." Carmine greeted, trying to lift himself as the woman smiled sullenly, "I'm….glad you're safe….Alura."

"I'm glad you're alive. I really am." Alura replied, approaching him as she slowly raised her hand, her fingertips lightly brushing against his. She didn't fear him, no, but she wasn't sure what the odd feeling was that had returned upon his touch.

Carmine remained silent, too tired to speak as his fingers gently wrapped around her hands, the woman freezing before her fingers fell into his.


"Alright, listen up, Delta. These grubs are too much of a threat, and if they discover these kids and break down that wall they're gonna be slaughtered. Now, we can try and cause a cave in that will stop the locusts from using the tunnel, but in order to try this we need head to an ammo depot that may or may not have weapons and ammo. But we can't all go-a team of two. Delta's broken so as it is, but I don't want to risk these caverns being defenseless while we're gone. This is risky, but we need to make sure these kids are safe. So, who's up for making a run to the depot?"


Well, well, who will go? Thank you all for supporting and please review!