Zone 10

by mT Shadow

Deep on an unknown planet, things are beginning to arise from the ashes of a once great civilization. Things that humanity fought to hide from the public for years. But these things have broken free of their restraints and are now looking for food. Delta 8-0 has been dispatched to the planet in the effort of containing the threat, but will they live to see the end of it? Shadamy.

11. Chapter 11

Zone 10

Chapter 11

Shadow's POV, Sewers, 10:03am.

Everything went normal. That's a feeling I'm not use to. My neck was letting me breathe without pain, the tunnels remained empty, and I remained hopeful. I don't know what was going on but I wasn't about to complain. In a way I felt good. Huh, weird.

I wasn't all happy and dandy though. My legs still hurt and I had a headache that almost felt as bad as the bite. I was barely able to stay on my feet cause of it.

"Shit." I mumbled as I had to stop.

Letting my body fall into the water, I took a look around to see the tunnel getting thin.

Air left my lungs in a calm rate as I felt a small sting come from my neck.

Gently moving my hand towards the wound, I panicked as I all I could feel was that goo. It was fucking hot. It was so much I could barely tell if the wound was there. Ignoring the chances for that, I pulled my hand down into the water and washed off the goo. I swear it could burn through my skin if it stayed there long enough.

Gently shutting my eyes, I took a moment to think.

I had to be getting closer. It seemed only right. I put so much effort just to cross a few tunnels I would like to think another ladder, maybe one that leads topside, might be around the next corner if I was lucky.

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

The sound of those feet made my head look back so fast I could have broken my neck.

The only means of light I had quickly aimed down the hall behind me as I saw him.

I don't know how but he managed to get behind me.

My eyes and body went still as I saw him going back the way I just came from.

I could hear his anger from here. He must be heading back to that hell hole.

As he left my sight, I knew for a fact I would have to get moving faster. When he gets back and see's I'm not there he will come after me, and I don't want to be nearby when he does.

Quickly getting back on my feet, I limped my way further down the tunnel till I reached the end where I found myself looking for a new way to travel.

Gently looking to my right, I found another landing with a small service hatch leading down.

Slowly approaching the hole, I saw it was marked.

"Sub-01."

In confusion, I said to myself.

"Sub-levels?"

As I contemplated the choice of my next move I heard.

"ROUGHHHHHHHHHH!"

My ear flickered up as I immediately opened the hatch and made my way down.

"Please lead somewhere other than here." I begged the tunnel as I landed on my feet.

Quickly getting up to move I saw the tunnel led down further into the sub-level. I had no way of knowing where I was heading but I knew it was somewhere I haven't been before. I had no choice ether way. If I didn't get moving that thing would find me.

Quickly pushing down the tunnel for safety, I held down my neck as I felt the goo continue to burn it's way through my very flesh.

Cruz's POV, Sewers, 10:09am.

My sadness subsided as Rosin continued on with the lead. My neck gave a slight burning sensation as we walked but I swear besides that I was fine. The infection must be having a hard time breaking me down. I don't know what else to do but accept it and wait, but until then I guess the best to do is ignore it and continue on with our original mission at finding the Lt.

As we neared another empty tunnel Rosin stopped us on the landing to say.

"This is pointless. Shadow wouldn't be around here."

Gently getting up with Foley behind me, I ordered.

"Say what's on your mind."

Giving me a calm look Rosin replied.

"If that thing took him down here he wouldn't place him somewhere this wide open."

"So what do you think?" Wondered Foley as Rosin looked to me.

"He has to be down deeper sir. We need to go down."

Giving him a nod, I replied.

"So let's head down."

Rosin and Foley watched in peaceful stances as I added.

"But I'm getting sick of these fucking tunnels. Let's head down there." I ordered as I pointed at the end of the tunnel which was fenced off by large steel bars. The water was flowing there for some reason but all I had to see was that it was going down to care.

"Ahhhhh." Mumbled Foley as I approached the bars to try and see down the hole at which the water was going down.

"That may not be the best idea Cap." Stated Rosin as I replied.

"It goes down. That's all that matters. Foley, hand me some C4." I ordered as I awaited his approval with a brick.

"About that." He replied as I asked.

"What?"

"We left it back at base." Stated Foley as I shut my eyes in thought.

"You said not to pack it before we left." Stated Rosin as I nodded my head.

"I know. Ahhhhh, how about a mine?" I wondered as Foley checked his back pouch.

"Got one left." He stated as he tossed it to me from where he and Rosin were standing.

Catching it with my hands, I turned towards the gate and said.

"This is gonna attract some attention."

Foley and Rosin both remained back as I got the mine rigged along the gate.

As soon as the charge was set, I jog back and ordered.

"Take cover."

Foley and Rosin both ran behind the landing's wall as I got my rifle up.

Calmly aiming the sight, I whispered quietly.

"Click. Click."

"BANG!"

The bullet left the barrel as quick as it was fired and upon it making contact with the mine, I covered my face as it went off taking the gate down with it. The explosion sent itself through our ears and down every tunnel to date, and as the smoke cleared with the fence down under the brown water I said.

"Boom."

Both Rosin and Foley got up out of hiding as I ordered.

"Let's go."

Shadow's POV, Sub-level 01, 10:12am.

My ears went up as a sound that sent shivers down my spine clashed along the stone walls around me in a hurricane of sound waves. My ears actually rang it was so loud. If I didn't know any better that was an explosion of some magnitude.

Quickly getting back my solid hearing, I took a look behind me to see everything clear and covered in the ambient lighting.

Upon looking back, I saw another landing. This one looked different though. It for one had stairs and not a straight step up.

As I approached, I saw there was more here then I saw at any of the other tunnels before. It had a door. I fucking steel door. That may not sound that important to you but I have been fucking done with climbing since my legs started hurting this bad. I was happy to see a fucking door.

As I neared I saw it had some kind of an advanced keypad next to it. This one looked like it required a bit more then a simple password.

As I went to examine it, I found that the password had already been confirmed. All that was missing was an id.

I was no one special I knew that for a fact, but maybe, just maybe I could get in with my id.

I would be amazed just for the sole fact that I still have that on me by this point, then if it accepts it or not.

Slowly looking through my pockets, I felt a hard plastic card go between my fingers.

Upon pulling it out I saw it was my id.

"I don't believe it." I stated to myself as I examined the condition it was in.

The side looked a little bent and the card itself had some debris on it, but it was nothing too bad. I'm shocked it's still there out of everything else that was taken from me thus far.

Gently pushing back the bent edge, I slowly brought the card towards the scanner and placed it along the reader.

A bright red light quickly scanned the card, and as I awaited the conformation I heard.

"First lieutenant Shadow Robotnik. Welcome."

In confusion, I watched with wide eyes at the door unlocked itself for me.

"Well I'll be damned." I stated as I reached for the handle.

Gently opening the door, I looked inside to see it was a long hall that led towards another exact steel replica of the one I just used.

Quickly making my way to it, I took hold of the handle to find it led to what I was expecting to see down here.

Maintenance hatches. Plenty of which I could choose. Good thing is they were all marked.

Some lead further into the substructure of this floor, but there was one that lead further down to sub-level two.

I was going off curiosity by now and all I could wonder was what they were hiding.

Quickly entering the hatch, I made my way down into the ever growing mystery.

Amy's POV, Access door, 10:12am.

Both kid and I felt the ground tremble as I saw something on the computer in front of me pop up urgently.

Something broke through a floodgate in the sewers.

Kid quickly went to comm upon seeing it.

"Cap, come in."

In seconds we got our response.

"What is it?"

Giving me a look he asked.

"Was that you guys that just blew a floodgate down there?"

Giving me a second to scan around the area, I swear I saw something pass by the window leading into sector D.

Kid immediately noticed my fear as Cruz replied.

"Yeah. We're heading further down. I'll radio in when we get to the bottom."

As I continued to stare at the steel door in fear, Kid lowered his comm to grab hold of his weapon and order.

"Get back."

Quickly getting behind him, I watched as he neared the window with his eyes wide and ready for anything.

I was about to run when he said.

"It must have run to where the explosion came from."

"Should we warn them?" I wondered as he shook his head.

"They aren't dumb. Cruz knows it's coming."

Slowly heading back to the computer, I looked on in confusion as I saw another problem occur in the sewers.

Kid remained by the door as I pulled it up to see someone else had accessed the sub-levels under the sewers.

As fast as I could, I tried to turn on the cameras to see what was going on down there, but I quickly was denied by another lock-down.

As I went to bypass it, I looked up to see Kid heading back over to me.

"I think we should move." He stated as I quickly replied.

"I just need to bypass this real fast. Give me a minute."

"What is it?" He questioned as I quickly replied.

"Camera's for the sewers." I lied as I knew he didn't need to know the real answer.

Kid nodded and quickly replied.

"Make it fast. We need to get moving. If that thing knows we're here, there is no one stopping it from coming in and killing us. We're sitting ducks."

Giving him a nod I replied.

"It will only take a minute."

Quickly Kid went back to looking at the steel door, as I continued to try and bypass this security measure.

Shadow's POV, Sub-level 02, 10:16am.

This hatch stayed the same as the last I was in, but as I neared the end I saw another door under lock-down. This time it seemed a little more "beefy" if I had to find a way to describe it.

The door itself looked thicker and the keypad looked more high tech. These levels must be meant for higher levels of clearance the further I go down.

As the thought ran through my mind, I wondered if my lieutenant rank would at least get me by this one.

Quickly giving it my card, I was surprised when it opened and let me through with nothing but more halls and hatches to follow.

Cruz's POV, Sewers, 10:14am.

Rosin and Foley both examined the hole as I asked.

"We gonna get going?"

Giving a quick turn, Rosin replied.

"I don't think this is a good idea Cap. We don't even know where this leads." He stated as Foley added.

"And I forgot my floaties."

Giving them both a sigh I ordered.

"Move."

Both Rosin and Foley moved aside as I came through to see for myself that the hole was going straight down. It sounded hollow though. It has to be a drain pipe of some sort. Which means that this water leads somewhere. The filter is the other way so this has to be something else.

In the end there was only one way to know for sure.

Letting in one last breath, I heard from Rosin.

"Let's call Kid and see if he can tell us where this thing...!?"

Rosin stopped in disbelief as I just ignored his suggestion and jumped in.

Rosin's POV, 10:15am.

"...leads to." I said in confusion as Cruz just left me with Foley to pursue what could be his death.

Looking back up into Foley's just as equally confused eyes, I remained silent as he shouted.

"Last one down is a wet cat!"

In no less than a second Foley had made his choice and leaped right in before my very eyes.

Gently shutting my eyes I said to myself.

"Fuck my life."

Letting my better judgment stay behind, I took my own stupidity up and jumped in behind my two comrades.

Cruz's POV, 10:16am.

It was a fucking water slide. The pipes were so smooth from the years of use that my ass just felt like silk going down the twists and turns that came around every corner I neared.

This was definitely leading down. Where? I don't know. It was too late to turn back now.

As the pipes began to steady off, I panicked and held my breath as I was flung into what at first looked like a giant pool.

Due to my weight and speed, I went down a good ten feet, and as I recovered from the landing I looked down to see the water was being flowed into small tunnels no more than twenty feet under me.

The suction was pretty good and as fast as I could I got up to the surface to hear.

"WHOOOOOOOOO! OH SHITTTT!"

Covering my face with my left arm, I watched as Foley came splashing next to me.

In seconds, he got back up for air to shout.

"That was better then any water park I ever went to! Where's Rosin!?"

As the question left his mouth we heard.

"FUUUUUCCCCKKK!"

Both Foley and I widened eyes as Rosin came sailing towards us in full force.

Rosin hit so hard I swear he could have killed us if we didn't manage to move aside before he landed.

As Rosin came back up for air Foley shouted.

"Looks like you're the wet pussy Rosin! Hahaha!"

I remained swimming, as Rosin smiled and gave him the finger.

Foley immediately sent a wave of brown water at him as I managed to reach a landing and get back to my feet.

Slowly looking around, I saw the only way to go was through a door on the other side of the room by some generators.

As I went to look back, I saw Rosin and Foley having a water fight.

Rolling my eyes I ordered.

"Get out of the water ladies. We need to keep moving and if you haven't noticed this is a transfer system we're in. I would get out now before you get sucked somewhere unpleasant."

Both Foley and Rosin acknowledged the statement as I got my rifle dry and ready for action.

As they both got out, I looked back to see Foley smiling slightly.

"You good?" I wondered as he nodded and patted Rosin's shoulder.

"I'm good Cap. Yet I don't know about Rosey here. Being a pussy may have given him the chills from that fun we just had."

Quickly smacking his hand away, Rosin replied.

"I'm fine. Where are we?"

Giving them both a tilt of my head I replied.

"God if I know. Let's just head through that door and see if we can figure out where to go."

Giving me a nod I ordered.

"Get your weapons ready. We may not be alone down here. Don't ever drop your guard."

Both of the goofs nodded as I turned to continue the lead.

As I made my way forward I felt my neck begin to burn.

Immediately I stopped to shut my eyes and look down at the floor in pain.

Both Rosin and Foley sensed my problem, and as I stood tall taking all the power of this bite Rosin asked.

"You okay? What's wrong?"

In response, I raised my hand out telling him to stand back.

Rosin remained still as I cracked my neck left to right to reply.

"It burned."

Gently nodding Rosin asked.

"How do you feel?"

Calmly collecting myself I replied.

"I feel fine now. It just happened to hit me there for some reason."

"What it feel like?" Wondered Foley as I replied.

"I said it burned."

Giving me a shrug of his shoulders, he quickly replied.

"I mean how else?"

Giving him a nod to clarify my slight hint of anger, I calmly took a breath to reply.

"All I can feel at the moment is a burn coming from my neck. I got nothing else yet. Don't worry though. I'm fine for now."

Giving me a nod, Foley looked to Rosin who then said.

"You're gonna be fine Cap. We'll find some way to stop it. I promise."

Giving him a faint chuckle I replied.

"Never make a promise you can't keep."

Giving me a look of sadness, I continued onward towards the door with my rifle now up and ready for whatever was next to be thrown in my face, or neck in this case.

Amy's POV, Access door, 10:20am.

"Come on." I urged the system as I kept trying to penetrate the lock-down with my access codes.

"How much longer?" Wondered Kid as I looked up at him.

"Just another minute." I stated as he looked back at the heavy steel door.

Quickly refocusing, I attempted to bypass using the manual override.

This lock-down is insane. I could guess the labs themselves would be under heavy shutdown, but to require this much clearance in the maintenance tunnels is just stupid.

As I attempted one last time with my codes, I looked up to see Kid get closer to the door.

His eyes looked through the window in concern as I heard.

"Beep! Beep!"

Upon looking down, I saw the codes finally went through; giving me access to the cameras at last.

As I went to access them I looked up to see Kid back off in fear from the window.

"What?" I asked in anxiety as he neared me back first quickly grabbing my arm and ordering.

"Move."

In confusion, I looked back at the door to widen my eyes in complete fear at what I saw.

"Project."

He had his face in the glass just staring at us. Staring at me. Kid remained next to me with his weapon at the ready as Project began to growl.

The glass kept his voice away as Kid ordered.

"We need to go. Now."

Project remained still behind the steel door as I replied.

"I need to finish!"

As the words came forward both Kid and I panicked and flinched as Project began to bash his body against the door.

It sounded like thunder as he attempted to break through.

"We need to go!" Stated Kid as he grabbed my arm with force.

"No!" I shouted as I attempted to switch the computer's interface to another terminal.

As the command came up on the screen, I looked up with Kid to see Project gone.

Kid remained frozen beside me as I hit the command.

"Beep!"

The computer quickly went blank as I continued to stare at the window in fear.

"Let's go." I urged as I backed up into Kid who quickly turned us towards the atrium.

As we turned to run, Kid took hold of my hand and began to run us for the corner.

Kid was about a foot in front of me as we made the turn right into Project who awaited with a growl of his teeth.

Kid immediately went to raise his gun up, but Project was in no mood and swung his claw to the side connecting it directly into his shoulder.

"Aghhh!" I screamed as I saw Kid hit the floor side first.

Project remained standing as Kid looked up to order.

"Run Amy!"

Project immediately went to grab me, but was cut off as Kid opened fire hitting him in the side of the left arm.

The rounds seemed to disappear in his flesh and Project felt surely nothing more than a tickle as Kid widened his eyes to his clip running out of ammo.

In reaction, Project turned to face him, and as I remained still in fear Kid yelled.

"Run!"

I immediately began to turn and run deeper into sector A, and as I acquired a good distance I heard.

"AGHHHHHHH!"

My body went still as Kid's voice bounced from wall to wall landing directly in my ears.

"I knew this was going to happen. I shouldn't have gotten close to anyone but Shadow. This is my fault." I stated to myself as I looked back to see Project turn the corner in rage at me just standing in the center of the hall waiting for him.

Quickly coming for me, I panicked and turned to run.

Soon enough I heard Project pick up pace.

I knew he was faster than me. He's faster then everyone he's hunted and I know what he's trying to do.

Turning into a nearby lab, I ran for the nearest piece of cover I could see and remained perfectly still, as I heard him enter with his large, clawed feet.

My small breath was the only thing giving me away. I knew he knew where I was. So it wasn't a surprise when he came to my hiding spot to toss the crate I used as cover to the other end of the room.

Instantly I faced him in confusion on what to do, and upon looking to my right I tried to run away.

"Aghhh!" I screamed as Project reached out to grab onto the back of my neck.

In force, he dragged me into his body to try and attempt to bite me. As his teeth showed for the kill I widened my eyes and fell to floor as Kid came out of nowhere with his arms wide to grapple Project off me and onto the ground.

Quickly I backed up as he ordered.

"Get out of here now!"

As I turned to run I heard Kid go sailing across the room and began to scream for my life as Project had gotten back up to take hold of my arm.

Immediately I began to try and break free. As pathetic as it looked I smacked my small free hand into his hand in hopes it would be enough for him to let go.

Project got annoyed and strongly gripped my wrist.

"Aghhhhh!" I screamed as I was forced to my knees from the pain.

My wrist was going to snap in two as I remembered what Rosin said before he left with Cruz.

"Don't lose this one. It might be the only thing that saves your life."

As fast as I could, I reached under my jacket to take hold of the pistol that waited for this time to come.

Quickly pointing it at Project's face, I squeezed the trigger as he widened his eyes.

"BANG!"

In speed, Project released my arm and jumped back in pain as I landed on my butt in shock by what I just done to him.

Small amounts of blood could be seen coming out from between his meaty fingers as he held his face tight in severe agony.

Slowly letting myself get back up, I watched as he looked back with a growl of his tongue.

In fear from what I had done, I widened my eyes as I saw Project's right eye had imploded from the bullet's shear force, and as I went to aim again he backed out of the room to run away.

Heavy breath after heavy breath consumed my mind as he could be heard running for his life out of the sector and back to his hideout. Gently putting the gun back under my jacket, I widened my eyes and awareness as I heard Kid groan from the very far right corner of the room.

In haste, I made my way over to find he was injured.

"Kid!" I shouted as he gripped his leg in pain.

Quickly looking down, I saw he had landed on a large pile of glass that he must have broke when Project had tossed him. The glass was in his thigh. I counted at least five shards and the leg itself looked broken. Along with that I saw he had taken a good hit to the side of his head. It had to have been when I ran the first time. Project must have hit him.

"Are you okay?" I asked in curiousness as he shook his head.

"I think my leg is broken!"

Nodding back in approval I replied.

"I think so too. We have to get you somewhere safe."

Kid remained down in agony as I tried to think for a solution.

I knew there was a medical lab back in C I could take him too, but I have no idea of knowing if its safe or even knowing if there is any meds over there to treat him with. The only other idea I had was to see if I could get him back to the lab here and attempt to work my magic with some stuff that may or may not be there at all. I had no options left and it seemed too risky to run to C just now. I have to get him walking.

"Can you get up?" I asked as he nodded back quick in response.

Blood slowly slid out from his wounds as he gripped onto my hand for support.

"Ughhhh! Aghhhh!" Screamed Kid as he balanced on me as best as he could.

"Careful." I urged as he quickly replied.

"I'm trying!"

"Well try harder." I ordered as he gave me a faint smile.

Slowly making our way out, I stopped outside the door to find the trail of Project's blood leaving the area.

Kid remained in pain as I quickly refocused and got him back to the lab.

Borne's body was beginning to leave a smell behind as I got Kid up onto a bed.

"Ughhh!" He groaned as I went to grab a syringe from off the counter next to us.

"Just hold on for a second Kid." I begged calmly as I loaded up the last of the painkillers.

Kid had his eyes shut in pain as I got close to his arm.

Gently taking his right hand, I injected the shot into his body through his arm and ordered.

"Just relax now. I need to stop the bleeding."

Kid remained still as I got a clamp ready for the shards in his leg.

"Just breath." I urged as I moved down to get a closer look.

Most of the shards were small but one was a bit bigger. Maybe the size of a thumb in length.

Gently gripping one with the clamp, I looked up to see him shut his eyes and take a breath through his nose.

Carefully getting a grip, I held my breath and pulled.

I heard Kid gasp under his held in oxygen, and as I let the shard land on the floor I said.

"One down."

Giving me a small chuckle he replied.

"Fuck you."

Smiling back, I went to grab another.

"Hold." I urged as he took a breath.

Giving me a nod to signal his ready, I pulled till it was out.

Kid remained calm for the last few shards up until we hit the big, long one.

"This is going to hurt." I stated as he nodded.

Carefully grabbing the shard I ordered.

"Take a big breath and hold it still for me."

Kid nodded once again and I remained steady as he took his last breath.

As soon as he was set, I pulled as hard as I could.

Half of the shard came out almost instantly, but the other half got stuck.

Kid's face turned red as I ordered.

"Take another breath."

Immediately Kid got another as I yanked down with the shard.

His whole body flinched as I began to feel it come through his skin.

In the next five seconds, I had it out and Kid was trying to relax as I showed it to him.

"Holy shit." He stated as I laughed.

"Holy shit is right. I got to get this wrapped up."

Giving me the ok, I began to search around for any medical bandage that was left.

In luck, I happened to find a new roll in one of the cabinets not too far away.

In time, I had his leg wrapped and as I examined further I saw his leg wasn't broken.

"Looks like you dislocated the whole thing." I stated in the shear thought of how much this would hurt if he wanted it set back now.

"Can you set it?" He wondered as I nodded.

"It's going to hurt really bad." I stated as he looked down at his thigh.

"How bad is it?" He wondered as I caught a breath to think and try to find a way to put it as painless as possible.

"Let's just say your leg is off its hinge. I need to move it all back."

Kid let out a breath of hot air as I awaited his response.

"Just do it Amy." He urged as I nodded and instructed.

"Lay down."

Kid obeyed and got on his back as I saw his bone sticking out from the side of his hip.

Gently grabbing hold of the dislocation and the leg itself I ordered.

"Take a big breath and bite down on something."

Kid quickly pulled up his blade to bite down on the grip.

Giving me a nod I heard him shout.

"Do it!"

Letting my hands take command I replied.

"You asked for it."

Using all my strength, I watched as the bone slid back into his body and connected to the leg itself and the joints holding it there.

Kid went silent from the agony of it as I stated.

"All done!"

Gently letting the knife land on his chest he replied.

"That fucking hurt."

Gently laughing I replied.

"It's gonna hurt to walk."

Slowly getting up he replied.

"I'll be fine. We need to move though. That thing will come back."

Slowly getting to my feet I replied.

"Your head is still bleeding."

Quickly feeling the small gash in his skull he replied.

"It's not that bad. Come on. I need to get you out of here."

"We're going to the security checkpoint by the VEX chamber. It's the only safe place left for now."

Kid quickly nodded as he began to turn for the door.

Cruz's POV, Filtration control, 10:40am.

Stacking up along the double doors, Rosin stayed right as Foley and myself held the left. My neck was starting to sizzle. I swear it was.

Gently tapping Foley's shoulder, the three of us moved in for the breach to find the large room clear.

"Clear." Stated Rosin as he looked to see me feel my neck.

My fingers carefully dragged along the wound and as I pulled them in front for me to see, I noticed a light yellow goo making its way down my finger.

Rosin got close to see for himself and gently looking into my eyes he asked.

"Can I see?"

Giving him a nod, I stayed standing as he softly placed his hands on my neck to push down.

Bending my head slightly, I shut my eyes as he felt around the general area.

"Your muscles are still loose." He stated as I slowly replied.

"Cause I'm not dead yet."

"Don't say shit like that Cap." Ordered Foley as I looked up to see him next to me.

"Yeah, you can't act like the world is over on us. We still have a mission to complete. Isn't that all that matters?" Questioned Rosin as I nodded.

"It is, but...?" I was quickly cut off.

"But nothing. You keep going sir. It's not over yet and it won't ever be until the lieutenant is found. Dead or alive we need to know." Stated Foley as Rosin nodded and added.

"We need you strong. The bite will only hurt more if you lose everything."

"Isn't that what already happened?" I questioned as they both looked at me with confusion.

"In a matter of hours I will turn. I lose my life, my team, and...my family." I stated in sadness as I lowered my head and turned away from the only two people left to help me now.

Both Rosin and Foley remained still as I neared a four wheeled chair that waited next to a set of computer screens and controls.

Gently letting my body fall into it's thick texture, I placed my right hand along my face and shut my eyes as a small tear made its way down along my face.

Neither rosin nor Foley knew what to say. They remained by the center of the room as I rolled the seat back into the terminals with nothing on my mind but my baby girl.

"Cap? Come in. It's Kid." He stated over my comm link as I remained sitting perfectly still with no want to be here anymore.

Rosin's POV, 10:43am.

It was clear Cruz wasn't going to respond. He looked broken.

Foley and I continued to stare in sadness and confusion on what to do as Kid came through his comm again to say.

"Captain? It's Kid. Please come in sir."

Cruz remained silent and perfectly still as I gently went for my comm.

"Kid its Rosin."

Quickly Kid replied.

"Hey Rosin. Where's the Captain at?"

Gently looking back up with Foley, we let out sounds of sorrow together as Cruz began to shake in tears.

Gently looking back at Foley I gave him a look to go try and help him.

Foley quickly nodded and made his way over as I took hold of my comm again.

"He's not doing too good Kid."

"What happened? Is everyone okay?" He asked in concern as I slowly replied.

"Everyone's okay. We're getting ready to move through the filtration control and into the sub-levels. Where you at?" I wondered next as he came back to reply.

"The doc and I ran into some trouble up here. We had to move towards the VEX chamber. We're holding our ground in the security room here."

"What happened?" I asked next as I looked back to see Foley with his hand resting on Cruz's shoulder in comfort.

Slowly Kid came back to respond.

"That big guy found us. He ran off after the doctor shot it."

"You two okay?" I asked in concern for the only two people that I knew were still alive besides the three of us here.

"The doc is fine. I got roughed up pretty good."

"How bad?" I wondered as Cruz could be seen crying under his hand.

"It's just my leg. Amy patched the rest up pretty good with what we have here. When you all coming back?" He asked in a voice of need, as I looked to see Foley glance up at me with a shake of his head.

"We don't know yet. Just hold your position and don't attract attention. We're gonna keep moving. I'll call in once we have something here."

"Yes sir." Replied Kid as I ordered.

"Stop that."

Kid went silent as I lost the need for command.

Gently letting go of the comm, I looked back at Cruz to say.

"We need to go."

Cruz remained seated as Foley went to help him up on his feet.

"Come on Cap. We need to keep moving." He stated as Cruz wiped his face.

Foley remained next to him as his rifle continued to dangle under his chest.

I only felt the loss of a leader as he continued to shake and lose his own dignity in front of us.

Quickly getting close, I took hold of his rifle to order.

"Get your shit together man!"

Cruz slowly looked up in disbelief as I continued with Foley's wide eyes watching.

"Stop crying and reclaim what's yours! Shadow is around here somewhere and we need to find him! And how do you expect to do that if you keep crying like a little bitch!?"

I felt his anger boil as I said that, and in reaction I said calmly.

"You need to keep going. You need to. If you don't want to for us then do it for your little girl and your wife. You're our leader." I stated as Foley nodded and added.

"The one and only."

Cruz gently started to sniffle, as he began to slowly nod his head.

With his rifle waiting in my hands, I remained staring into his face as he softly lifted his head up to retake the weapon.

"You can beat this." I stated as he gave off a small smile.

"We'll just see about that Sargent."

As his rifle left my grip, Foley and I watched as he turned for the door on the other side of the room.

"You two coming?" He asked peacefully as Foley quickly replied.

"Yes sir."

Cruz stared at me next as Foley made his way to him.

"How about you Rosin?" He wondered, as I took hold of my hopes to reply.

"Right behind you sir. As always."

Cruz slowly began to smile as he got the door for Foley and I.

As we went through and aimed around the room, I heard Cruz mutter.

"Thank you."

Slowly nodding in approval, I replied.

"Let's just find Shadow."

Shadow's POV, Sub-level 03, 10:46am.

This place was starting to get wet. Puddles began to form around the floors as water leaked it's way through the ceilings drop by drop.

My boots splashed through each puddle, as I crossed the room to look and see something resting between a doorway that was a quarter of the way open.

My feelings went tense as I saw it was a leg.

Quickly placing myself along the wall next to the door, I reached into my pocket to pull out the little flashlight I kept safe.

Slowly I shut my eyes as I pushed down on the bottom of the handle.

"Click."

My hands suppressed the noise from being any louder as I covered the light with my left palm.

I knew I was unarmed. But this was the only way through from all I could tell.

Carefully, with sweat leaving my face, I got in front of the door to gently take hold of the handle with my spare hand.

Slowly I move it open to throw my light forth and into the darkness.

My nose went taut as I widened my eyes to see blood covering the floor in front of me.

Taking one step in, I moved my left hand along the wall to find the lights.

"Click!"

My whole body went still as I saw nothing but a kill house.

Bodies covered the floor. It had to be at least fifteen people, twenty people at best. All dead. They were torn apart. Chunks were missing from all of them, as I looked down to find an M9 held in a dead mans' hand.

Slowly crouching down, I took hold of the man's hand to try and pray it open.

The sounds of his bones made my eyes flicker as I got the gun to release itself from his cold skin.

Quickly taking it in my hands, I looked back up to see someone moving among the dead.

In speed, I took aim to see it wasn't anyone alive getting up from the ground.

A small women. White. Five foot seven. Blonde hair. With half her jaw missing, looked up to see me staring at her in fear.

"Ruaghhh!" She groaned as I went to aim at her head.

As my sights made contact, I heard more feet hit the floor.

Immediately looking to my left I saw three others getting topside from the ground.

Everyone was turned. They were all dead. Dead and coming. Coming for me.

As fast as I could, I got back on my feet to feel someone grab hold of my foot.

In a panic, I looked down to see it was the man who I took the gun from. He had white eyes and he was fully ready to take me with him.

In force, I sent my boot down into his skull to watch as the blood splashed my leg from the impact.

By then I was given away, and upon looking back up I saw everyone moving again.

Quickly I exited the room and tried to shut the door.

As the hinges locked, I took a look around for anything to hold it back.

For my luck it came through. I found a large metal pipe resting along some crates, and in a rush I took it and placed it across the door to hear the wrath of the undead hit it with all their hunger and moans for flesh.

Letting out a huge gasp of air, I looked around to see no other way of crossing through to the other side.

My fear and panic for escape quickly took over as I began to run around looking for anything.

Moving to the other end of the small room, I found my anger was kicking in and I roughly took hold of a lone crate to slam it to the floor in rage.

"SMASH!"

My eyes and anger went still as I saw the tile it hit push up from the floor, exposing a small hatch under it.

Immediately, I moved the tile up and put in my legs.

The hatch was so small I had to crawl. It felt just like the vents.

In response to the dead that I knew would get through soon, I moved the tile back over the hatch and made my way forward and as far from this as possible.

Amy's POV, VEX control, 10:55am.

Kid had himself seated along the wall across from me as I was attempting to get the cameras working from the transfer I made.

They came up without issue this time as I had two problems immediately come up on screen.

One was a maintenance hatch had been access without authorization and the other being a breach in sub-level four.

If I had to guess, I had a feeling the hatch was Shadow's doing. I know he's alive. He must be trying to reach level four. I can't let that happen. If he gets through he'll flood the level. I love you Shadow but I won't let you. You can't go any further into something unknown to you.

As Kid remained seated, I activated the security lock-down in sub-level four.

"I'm sorry Shadow. You can't let it out."

Shadow's POV, Sub-level 04, 11:00am.

The hatch came to an end, and I quickly found I was in another small room.

Slowly getting up through the floor, I got on my feet to hear.

"BEEEEEEP!"

My eyes went wide in a panic as all lights went red and I heard something open across the other end of the room.

Slowly moving enough to see the small corner at which I heard it come from, I peeked my head out to see two small sentries covering a double door.

As I stared in confusion, I heard from the sentries.

"Intruder alert! Dispatching extreme physical response!"

My eyes widened as they both turned to face me.

"Target acquired!"

My mouth quickly dropped in the amount of surprise I was caught in; as they opened fire sending a storm of bullets my way.

In reaction, I moved my head away from the corner to shout.

"Are you fucking serious!?"

The turrets stopped after a few seconds to my absence, as I remained behind the wall in loss of what to do now. All I had was a nine mil and a flashlight. They have automatic mini guns!

Letting out an anger filled breath of hot air, I looked back around the corner to hear again.

"Target acquired!"

Foley's POV, Sub-level 01, 11:02am.

Cruz maintained the lead this time with pride, and Rosin and I stayed on his sides, as we all made our way down the hall towards a steel door with a keypad.

"Anyone got the magic word?" I asked with a chuckle as Cruz's opened fired.

"BANG!"

Rosin and I both flinched back as the keypad sparked in response to the bullet, and we all remained still as we heard.

"Access granted."

Quickly the door unlocked itself for us as I said.

"That's one way to get authentication."

I heard a slight chuckle from Rosin as we continued on our way to the next level, with the Captain still going strong.

Shadow's POV, Sub-level 04, 11:03am.

Bullets hosed the wall I hide behind as I tried to figure out a plan to getting by this mess.

I took a few classes back in collage, some of which dealt with mechanics and electrics. I know for a fact there has to be a power supply for these things nearby. Most likely it's under the floor, which I can't access from here. So there has to be another way to them.

Trying to think of anything, I came up with an idea.

Slowly sticking my head out, I timed the turrets.

"Target acquired!"

As rounds began to fly, I decided it took about three seconds for the turrets to start sending lead. They had to be an easy fifteen feet away from the wall and I knew I was fast enough to measure that distance if I tried.

Quickly going back to the hatch I came through, I pulled off the metal tile and re-approached the wall to look back at the turrets.

I saw another issue with them just by looking. They had no eyes if I got behind them. They wouldn't be able to do anything past the 180 degrees they couldn't cover.

Taking hold of the plate, I held my breath and turned the corner as fast as I could to run at them head on.

"Target acquired!"

It was too easy for once. Only a few rounds hit my makeshift shield as I was able to get by unharmed.

As I expected, the turrets couldn't turn around.

In reaction, I pulled on the power cords resting in the back of the bases leading into the floor and watched as they went back into the ground due to the power outage.

My head went clear in relief, as I looked back at the door which was awaiting me.

Slowly getting to my feet, I pushed through to find the hall leading down into final area of this mystery.

Amy's POV, VEX control, 11:07am.

I should have known he would have found a way through them. You need to stop Shadow. If you go down there you won't like what you'll find.

As I grew relentless in my anger I saw Cruz and the others near sub-level three.

Cruz's POV, Sub-level 03, 11:08am.

Foley and Rosin stayed back as we cleared the small chamber to find only one way to go. It was a solid steel door. All by itself and locked tight with a metal pipe crossing over it's frame.

As I stopped to stare at it, Foley asked.

"You think it's like this for a reason?"

Giving them a nod I replied.

"I bet. But it's the only way through from what I can see."

"I don't think we should open that sir." Stated Rosin as Foley and me looked back at him.

"Shadow couldn't be down here. That door, if it is the only way through, he wouldn't have gone through it. He has to be somewhere else." Stated Rosin again as I nodded my head.

"We came this far. We might as well see what their hiding. Foley, get the door." I ordered as Rosin got up his rifle to aim for the steel.

Slowly moving next to him, I got up my weapon as Foley took hold of the pipe.

Looking back for me, I nodded and said.

"One."

Rosin remained still in fear as I got my grip ready for the trigger.

"Two."

Foley took a strong hold of the pipe as I shouted.

"Three!"

Quickly pulling up the pipe, we all stood still as the door swung open by Foley's nimble hands; and remained solid with all guns pointing into the pitch dark that covered the inside like a mask of death.

Slowly Foley took a step back, as Rosin and I remained perfectly still and quiet.

Not a sound was made, as Foley reached for his light that was on the end of the barrel to his rifle.

As the light came on, I clicked my tongue to get him to look back.

Foley quickly nodded as I moved my hand towards the doorway.

Rosin stayed back along the wall as Foley slowly took a step into the dark.

Quickly moving a few feet behind him, I continued to aim in small breaths as Foley and I heard.

"Raughhhh."

The groan could be heard from within as I moved my hand for the wall.

As I searched for the lights, I looked towards Foley who had reached the center of the room.

"Clear?" He questioned as I found the light switch.

"Click!"

As the lights came on, it was nearly an instant after that a woman jumped at Foley from the right; grabbing hold of his arm that held his rifle up.

"Fuck that! It's not clear!" Stated Foley as he sent the butt of his rifle into her head.

Immediately looking to the left, I widened my eyes with Rosin who neared the door to see at least six people held in the corners; all with blood and chunks missing from their bodies.

Their eyes were pure white as they turned to see us standing in fear.

"Pull back!" I ordered as Foley turned to run.

As his body faced me, I panicked and aimed up at him as a man managed to jump along his shoulders.

Not nearly a second after the interaction, Foley shut his eyes and screamed out in pain as his teeth could be felt within his shoulder.

"Aghhhhh!"

I had no shot as Rosin yelled.

"To the right!"

Upon looking, I grew like a stone to see eight others coming slowly towards us and Foley who remained in the center.

Quickly raising my rifle, I took aim and fired.

"BANG! BANG!"

Foley flew forward from the weight release, as I managed to hit the man attacking him in the head.

"Move!" I ordered as he stumbled his way out and to me.

The second he was clear, I pushed the door shut with Rosin, but was just as fast, cut off by the large group of infected before us who pushed on the other side with all their might.

Foley's shoulder was ripped wide open as I ordered.

"Help!"

In reaction, Foley came between us in pain to push along with all he had.

Soon enough we found it wasn't going to work and we were all pushed back on our asses as they overpowered us and came trampling through into the room.

Foley, who was in the center when the door was knocked down, laid on the floor as a group of them got near.

In reaction, I went to get my gun up and aim, but was immediately stopped when a small women came at me with her teeth from the side.

I was quickly sent to the ground as Rosin tried to get to me.

He too was soon caught along the wall by a small group of infected, and in an instant I heard Foley scream.

"AGHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Holding back the women on me, I looked to my side to find one of the infected biting down on Foley's right arm and another on his neck.

"Hold on Foley!" I begged as I turned to face the women on top of me.

Quickly reaching for my sidearm, I lifted it passed my chest and to her chin.

"BANG!"

Blood hit my face and the ceiling above, as she fell on top of me with all her weight.

"BANG! BANG!"

Turning my gaze back to Foley and Rosin, I watched Rosin take down the two attacking him, and approach me in speed to pull off the body that pinned me down.

Upon getting back to my feet, I looked with Rosin to see more coming from the door and on top of Foley who continued to scream for his life.

"AGHHHHHH!"

As I couldn't move, I heard from Rosin.

"Cruz!"

Quickly looking back, I saw a hatch he had pulled off from under a broken crate and watched as he opened it up to get in.

"Let's go! We can't help him!" He stated as I saw Foley trying to crawl his way out from under the group of infected.

A pair of men held his legs to the ground as three others bite into his back.

Blood was coming up from his mouth as he fought his way to freedom, but as I was about to run and help I felt Rosin grab me from behind.

"We have to go!"

In time, Foley was taken back into the group and I was forced into the hatch by Rosin who rushed me through the cramped space in fear and disbelief of what just happened.

As we came to the end, we found another small room covered in dark red lights.

Rosin got out behind me as I stated.

"We left him."

Immediately Rosin replied.

"We had no choice. They would have killed us too."

I went silent in thought of the truth as Rosin looked ahead of me to see a double door.

"We need to keep moving. They could be right behind us. Come on." He ordered as I watched him head off for the exit.

In a hesitation, I picked up my feet and followed behind Rosin who was in his own world of loss.

Shadow's POV, Sub-level 04 maintenance tunnel, 11:15am.

The stairs led to one and only place. Another tunnel. This one was nearly flooded somehow but it only went one way. Straight down.

As I neared the end, I looked on in confusion at a large hatch.

As I got closer, I found nothing but blood splattered along it's surface. Upon looking down, I found who it belonged to.

Quickly getting to my knees, I found the head of a man leaning along the wall.

Slowly taking it into my free hand, I turned it around to see who it was.

My eyes widened in confusion as I immediately recognized the face.

It was the same man I shot in genetics.

The only question I had now was why was he here? And this time dead?

Gently letting the head land on the floor next to the remains of his rotting corpse, I looked next to the hatch to find a key-card covered in blood.

Upon wiping it along my vest, I saw it was a high level clearance card of some sort. It had to be able to access almost anything on this base.

Slowly putting it away in my pocket, I refocused back on the hatch to see water slowly dripping it's way out from the bottom.

In caution, I took hold of the handle and pulled.

As the effort was in vein, I managed to hear a chain on the other side.

In reaction, I held open the hatch as much as I could to try and see inside.

The chain rested along the other end of the handle and to my only thought of how to solve that, I put my gun to it and fired.

"BANG!"

Immediately the chain snapped in two and fell, as the hatch now opened for me fully.

Quickly, I looked inside to see a control room of some kind.

Lights flashed, but one got my attention; as I entered to feel only the cold water around my feet.

As I neared the light, I saw under it was a valve and a sign that read.

"Manual release."

I saw nothing else of importance down here but that valve. It was nothing but a dead end.

Seeing my only option left after this effort I put to get here, I connected my palms to the valve and turned.

Amy's POV, VEX control, 11:18am.

I stared at the screen to see he had done it. I knew what was going to happen next and I had no other choice left but to get to genetics.

I'm sorry Shadow. I should have told you. I should have told everyone. But what you just did just changed everything. I'm sorry it had to be this way. I'm sorry you had to die.

That is it for this chapter. I will have another on next Saturday for anyone who is still reading up to this point. Please let me know what you think as of now and please stay tuned for the next chapter.

Ps- if you have any questions please PM my account. I always respond if you need help.

mT Shadow