The Last of Us: Cali
Here we are; the outskirts of the California Q.Z. Anna and I had talked to the council, and told them everything. They granted us a two month trip to leave, and be welcomed in back to our positions. Anything longer and they'd give our titles and room away.
I scoped out the area from the crumbling shack. We were about a mile out from the sea entrance. It had been about a year since Anna and I were put on the wanted list, but that doesn't mean that we're not still in the database.
"Ok, so what's the plan again." Anna asked as she packed gear.
"First off, leave that." I motioned towards her bag, "Do you remember living in the zone? No One but Soldier's ever carried weapons or even bags for that matter. We need them to believe we're just civilians who live in the district."
Anna put the bag down doubtfully, "We're going in a Q.Z. without any protection."
"If we need protection then we've already failed. Anyways, the plan. Kristoff said the sewers by the ocean led into the Q.Z. That's how we get in."
"Okay, but do you really wanna go into a tunnel that's probably full of infected?"
"We have no choice. After we infiltrate the zone we'll find the orphanage, get Sven and leave." I opened my bag and pulled out fresh, civilian looking clothes. "Here, change."
I watched Anna as she undressed. She was divine. "Elsa.." Anna squirmed underneath my gaze, "How am I supposed to pull of a heist mission if you're staring at me like that!"
I laughed at her, "Heist mission?" She was adorable.
"Yeah! We're stealing a kid, so it's a heist!"
I giggled and pulled Anna's dorky-self close to me, "You're goofy." I closed the distance between our lips and smiled into the chaste kiss.
"I love you." She whispered
"I love you more." I willingly departed from my love. "Olaf has to stay here. He'll bring too many eyes." I watched Anna nervously pace. He was like our child, and we were leaving him alone with monsters.
She walked over towards him. "Be safe." She planted a kiss on his head, and I assembled the kennel. "Are you sure, Elsa? He won't be able to run away in that."
"He won't have to." I shoved the kennel into the closet. "He'll be in here, and I'll close the door. The infected won't be able to get through the house, and if they do then they won't be able to get through the closet, and if they do then they definitely won't get through the kennel." I assured not only her, but myself.
She wasn't okay with this. Neither was I, but it had to be done. "Okay." I watched a tear flow down her cheek. We can't afford to be emotional.
I patted Olaf on the head, "Stay." I ordered him, and he lied down in obedience. I closed the door, "We have to go. We need to be there right at nightfall."
….
"Ew!" Anna whispered harshly. "We smells so bad!"
"I know", I mumbled as I held down the vomit threatening to burst out. We had trudged through sewer slop, and were currently cover in it.
"I thought this Q.Z.'s didn't have a working sewer system!"
"Well, I guess they figured a way to fix it." I grimaced as I tried to throw sludge off
"I'm going to have to take at least 8 showers when we get home!" Anna said
"Yeah you are." A male voice from behind us had sprung me into Soldier mode, and I threw Anna behind me. A young, white male was smiling brightly at us; no, at Anna.
"Tommy!?" Anna squealed and jumped into the man's arms.
"Ugh!" He snarled as he pushed Anna off. "I miss you, but for the of god, go take a shower!" He covered his mouth in an attempt to stop the gagging.
"Whoops, sorry." Anna giggled out. "We don't really have a place to shower." Anna looked around secretly, "We're on a heist." She whispered smoothly.
"A heist." His voice deadpanned in response
"Yup, Oh!" Anna twirled around to face me. "This is-"
"A soldier." Tommy cut her off and eyed me. "You know, I don't know what this whole heist business is about, but you two probably don't want to be noticed." he pointed to me, "And any fool can tell just by looking at you that you're a soldier."
"That notion is ludicrous." I purposely let my tone carry a bite to it. I didn't like him.
Anna eyes darted back and forth, "Anyways, this is my sister. Elsa this is one of Marlene's-"
"Fireflies." I snapped
Anna threw her hands down angrily "Okay, it would be great if I could flipping finish. THANK YOU!" She said pointedly towards me.
"Listen, Anna. We can't stay here forever. I'll take you to our base location, you guys can get cleaned up, and then we'll talk about this 'heist'".
…
"So, all of this over a boy?"
"Yup." Anna nodded as she sipped from her cup.
"Is he the cure to this disease or something, because as of right now this sounds absolutely crazy. There's no logic to it at all."
"We promised his dad." I cut into his demeaning rant. "He saved both of us."
He eyed me angrily, and turned his attention towards Anna. "The orphanage is in the 3rd district. That's only 4 blocks away, and there's no check points."
"So, fairly simple. The orphanage wants these kids gone anyways." Anna spoke thoughtfully
"Wrong. It's difficult, because you're not legal citizens. I doubt you still have your identification cards, and even if you did they'd reject you. You're either wanted or labeled dead in the system."
"How do we get him then." I growled in frustration, and Anna laid a calming hand on my leg. I watched Tommy's eyes follow her movements.
"Ration cards. Food is low here."
"We don't have any of those." Anna said exasperatedly
I pulled my gun out and through it towards Tommy. "It has 13 rounds. How much is it worth."
Anna gasped and lightly hit my shoulder, "You said no weapons!"
"I can get you 5 for the gun, and one for each round. So 18 ration cards in total."
"Is that enough to get us the kid?"
"It's enough to get you the kid without questioning. They won't even bat an eye."
"When do we go?"
"Soon."
...
The receptionist looked at Anna and I unimpressed. "May I help you?" Her eerie voice asked
"We are here to adopt a boy!" Anna said brightly
"A boy?"
"He goes by the name of Sven." She eyed us suspiciously.
"And why this boy?" She peered through his files.
"We're family."
"Distant!" Anna added
"I see. Can I have your I.D. Cards."
"We don't have an-"
I cut Anna off quickly, "We lost them." I watched her slowly reach for the button. "My commander! He will be printing us off new ones soon."
"Commander?"
"Yes, I am a soldier of the 5th district. I am actually working my way to being in charge of my own tactical team."
"Oh, I see." She slowly raised her hand back up to the desk.
Bribery wasn't going to work on this one; we'd have to have a reason. She clearly respected authority, or feared it. "We're not really here to adopt the boy."
"I know." She said clearly, "It is obvious you want him, but it is for a reason other than adoption."
"He's father, Kristoff, is wanted." I watched her eyes widen at the mention of his father, "this is a classified mission. We need the boy for information." I pulled out the 18 cards. "The military will give you this compensation for your cooperation." She eyed the cards greedily. She was observant. She could tell I was a soldier, and she could tell I had an objective. This story would allow her to sleep morally and full.
She swiped the cards, "I'll show you the boy."
The.
Last.
Of.
Us.
A/N: We have very very few chapters left, and I will try to update this story every Tuesday with these last few weeks. Thank you!