Shadow of Fear

In the intervening years between the invasion of Earth by the Tripods, the survivors had not forgotten. Amidst the remains of their burnt homes and charred corpses of friends and family, they felt boiling rage, as hot as the heat rays that had rained down such death before on Horsell Common. Slowly, the city began to rebuild but its glory days were long behind it. Former buildings hailed as the dawning of the new era lay in smoking craters and shattered windows and glass lined the area. Children were frozen in time as ash copies of themselves, faces frozen in terror, gazing at some unseen horror. Mothers held their babies, faces contorted in screams and cries. A gentle wind blew, and the faces disappeared, scattered in random directions. For the remnant that had endured, all that remained was grief and sadness.

Sarah Hall was a researcher before the war, finding new ways to help the ongoing crisis that the original invasion force had bought with them. From her bunker complex, Sarah could see the Royal Navy beginning to unload munitions, food and supplies for starving refugees. All around her were dead people, shriveled corpses and ash. A horn signaled the beginning of hostilities and there was a loud crash as the Bunker shook and rocked. All she could see were fleeing masses of men and women as what looked like green flashes hit the buildings next to her.

"Sarah! Get down!"

A hand reached out to grab her just as two tons of steel came crashing down upon her previous position. Sarah looked up as the people began screaming. Monstrous Tripods began advancing on the fleeing line as Royal Navy cruisers fired at the invaders. Despite their shields, the Tripods were hit by four consecutive rounds, downing two of them and crippling a third. It fell to the ground, smashing a hole in one of the cruisers and sending a gigantic wave in Sarah's direction.

"Seal the doors, NOW!" barked the commander in charge, a well-built man in his 60's, sporting a goatee and an impressive moustache. Technicians closed the door just in time as a massive wave smashed into the door. Sarah felt the bunker move but no damage was done.

"Technician report!" said the commander.

"Bunker integrity at 100%, lower and upper floors flooded. Teams are moving to seal bulkheads 1A through B3"

He turned to Sarah

"Ms. Hall, we seem to be missing an Engineer. His name is Jason Freeburg. He was last seen in room B2. Here's your diving gear"

Sarah put on the suit and dove into the water.