My team and I were stuffed into a personnel carrier headed for good old Raccoon City, where we were ordered to 'blow the bejeezus' out of the place. The military sure have some unique terms here.
Katt and Jason saw me off at the base. I told them they'd be safer staying there. At least if anyone went after them, they'd have to take down a whole army. Literally. Katt wasn't exactly pleased that I was leaving them, and she made me promise her I'd come back It's not that I'm overly confident or anything, I just wanted her to stop crying. Even if I wasn't sure whether I'd come back in one piece.
I decided to use this time to acquaint myself with the team.
"So, how's about introducing yourselves? It wouldn't feel right blowing up shit with people I don't know." I tried to sound friendly, but I guess I got off bordering sadistic.
"Tch, don't play all fun and games with me, kid," one of them spat at me. "Don't think I've accepted having some runt as my superior."
They didn't have their helmets on like they had before, so now I got a good look at them. The guy who seemed to have something against me had Caucasian features, with short, brown hair, which was scruffy in demeanor. Another one, with longer black hair tied back and had features of an Asian background.
"Looks can be deceiving, Gunther. He did after all defeat us in the simulation." He spoke surprisingly formally. And hey, he was defending me too, so he seemed like a nice guy.
"Pft, beginner's luck! If anything, this kid's probably gonna slow us down! Dammit Long, you're such a pain in the ass sometimes."
"Just returning the favor, asswipe."
"Both of you put it rest now!"
The third soldier finally spoke up. Judging by the way the other two jumped at his command, he was the leader of the three. He turned to me and lowered his head in apology.
"Sorry about that, sir. Regardless of how they seem, they are capable soldiers."
"Uh, no problem. And don't call me 'sir'. Nick's fine." I replied.
"Well then Nick, I'm David. Nice to meet you." He extended his hand and I shook it firmly.
"You too."
"I heard you're the guy that synced with the project. I also heard that it could do some incredible things."
I laughed modestly. "It helps when I gotta screw something open I guess."
"Arriving at drop point! ETA in ten!" the driver called back.
"Gotcha. Team, make final prep checks!" David commanded.
We stood at the same bridge where this all began for me. The transport zoomed off into the distance, leaving the team and I at the entrance to Hell.
David took out a map from his pack and laid it across the floor, holding it down with some stones.
"Okay, here's the plan. In the city, there are four main points where the computer's estimated would be the most effective places to set up the bombs," he marked four points onto the map with a marker. "All the spots are in the underground subway tunnels and sewers. If we can get all four bombs set up and get out, it's a near guarantee that the whole place will be destroyed."
"Sounds simple enough. Anything else?" I ask. They looked at me with an annoyed look. "What?"
"This isn't going to be a walk in the park. You have any idea what's in there?" Long said to me.
"Ha, told you this kid was no good." Gunther grunted in satisfaction. Man, what an ass.
"Actually, from what his record said, he went in there twice, and apparently caused quite a ruckus the second time too." David answered, still examining the map. Gunther and Long didn't answer, just stared at me with gaping jaws.
"Like I said, anything else?" I smiled evilly at the two just to emphasize how simple this seemed to me, freaking them out even more.
"That's it for what we have to do. Now we just find out how we're going to go about it," David looked up at the rest of us. "We can do this as a full team, or split into ones or twos."
"It would be wise to stick together," Long commented. "The enemies outnumber us drastically."
"I'd rather do anything not involving the kid." Gunther answered indignantly.
"Well then, I guess we'll divide into pairs. Long, you and Gunther head for these two," he pointed at the two nearest to our location. "Nick and I will make a beeline to the other side of the city and take care of these two."
"Sounds good to me." Gunther grunted and got up.
"I agree." Long replied, also standing.
"I'm cool with it too."
"Then it's settled." David folded his map up and stuck it in his bag. "Let's go burn shit and kill zombies on the way!"
I like this guy. Reminds me of me.
We stuck to the edge of the city, hoping to attract less attention. It was going to be awhile before we'd get there, so we talked a bit.
"So how's that guy in your head working for you?" David questioned.
"Meh, it's okay I guess. Someone to talk to when I'm bored, and he's an okay guy." I replied.
"I guess that's a compliment. I'm honored." Mick piped up in my head again.
"Dude, that wasn't much of a compliment."
"Considering the kinda guy you are, I think it's a good start."
"Asshole."
David started laughing out of nowhere.
"What?"
"You were talking to him just then, weren't you? You got all quiet all of a sudden, so I'm just assuming."
"Yeah, I was." I shrugged. I changed the subject. "So how much further?"
He looked at his watch, then at the buildings. "This should be close enough. Let's find the nearest manhole and get down."
We jogged around the streets for a minute or two before we found one. We heaved it up and slid it aside, opening a pitch black passage.
"Would you like to go first, or should I?" I mused.
"Ladies first."
"Then what are you waiting for?"
"Touché."
He clambered onto the ring ladder and began descending, then I got down and followed.
Judging from the strange vibe I'm getting, and the smell, I concluded one thing.
This was going to be one shitty trip.
Third Person
Above ground, observing from the top of one of the buildings, was a large, black-clad figure, carrying an even larger axe. The earphone attached to his neck crackled to life.
"Get down there and greet our guests 'warmly', King."
"Yes, master."
He lifted a large flamethrower off the floor and heaved it onto his shoulder, before trudging off down the stairs.
TBC