The prisoner was quite sure that even if the Citadel hadn't begun to meltdown, the city was in no shape to be called one. The two moved through entire blocks demolished, filled with corpses, aged and fresh.
Striders carved swaths through the streets, leaving fields of rubble as they continued stomping forth, the pounding of their guns heard whenever they approached a new block.
It seems the devastation also introduced a new hazard to the streets in the form of Antlions.
The two witnessed a checkpoint become near instantly overrun as a Guard smashed through, it's smaller kin cleaning up the rest with their claws, dragging corpses back into their burrows. Nobody was expecting Antlions, who never appeared in the city normally. Zero took a guess that it was likely the energy pulse and tremors that attracted them, or possibly a crippling blow to the overseeing AI that controlled the thumping system.
Regardless, they slinked along, moving fast and low as they went through the maze like city, the place unraveling further with every step they took.
They had walked several miles by now, the devastation becoming less apparent as they slowly moved to the outer layers of the city. Ruined Combine checkpoints were instead replaced with Rebel ones. Supply boxes still remained mostly stocked, allowing Zero to refill their supply of grenades and other ammunition.
While Zero did so, the prisoner simply watched.
"Do you have a name? Or did the Combine take that from you too?" they asked.
Zero paused at that, glancing towards them for a moment as they fitted the grenades on their belt. "Unit 805472, Commander of Squad Six-Four-Zero, squad designation Forty-Zero."
"So, yes." they spoke in a casual, albeit disappointed manner.
"Unnecessary for the most part. But if you wish to call me something, my teammates often referred to me as Zero in the field." they continued, beginning to move out of the building and onto the sidewalk as they continued to move.
"And yours?" they added as they rounded another corner, keeping an eye on the road in case Antlions came up.
"Didn't think you'd be interested in such a thing." the prisoner replied with a curious tone.
"A title or designation would likely work better than 'prisoner'. Plus the likely time frame before the transportation is complete." Zero explained.
The prisoner's eyes narrowed at that last statement. "Yukari Yakumo."
"Oriental. City 8?" Zero assumed.
"A long time ago, yes." Yukari replied. "Though once it was called Japan."
"Mhm." Zero acknowledged. "The name means violet, correct?"
A slight look of confusion found itself perched on the prisoner's face as they continued. "You know the language?"
"We have knowledge of nearly every common language found on the planet." the Elite replied. "転送する場合に便利です."
"Ah." Yukari replied. "I haven't been thinking ahead as well these days."
"Is Yukari your true name, or just a codename?" Zero inquired as they passed into another empty street.
"As real as it can be." Yukari slightly tilted their head. "Why?"
"Eyes." Zero explained. "Unnatural colour for them. If it were contacts, they'd be removed before transport."
"You pay more attention than most rebels." Yukari noted, exhaling rapidly from the nose in an amused manner.
"I've served for a long time. A single missed target can mean the difference between life and death when dealing with parasitics." Zero informed.
"Very true, something a lot of rebels also haven't figured out." Yukari replied, remembering what happened to Ravenholm.
"Are the eyes something you've always had?" Zero questioned.
"Yes." the prisoner spoke in a quick manner.
"Mutation?" they added.
Yukari paused for a moment as they passed by more carnage in the alleyways, Zero casually ending a slumped zombie's life in a single near-silent kick to the head before it could even start moving.
"Something like that." they finally responded. "You're quite talkative for an Overwatch Soldier. I was expecting far less answers and more silence."
Zero didn't respond, only raising a hand to the fellow behind them.
"Quiet." Zero spoke swiftly. Both paused for several seconds as a noise approached from above. On the rooftop above them, the decayed and agile forms of fast zombies lept from building to building above them. The two stayed silent until the practical horde passed.
"Clear." Zero finally said. "Keep quiet. Potentially more necrotics ahead."
They continued, and as they reached another block, the source of the zombies was shown. It was a large building. Watchtowers stuck out high, and the high amount of Combine reinforcement to the building showed that it was likely a former hub for Civil Protection.
The extra barricades and emplacements outside showed it's shift to a center of control for Overwatch, but the shells scattered on parts of the building showed that it had fallen and been shelled in retaliation to the takeover, likely to make the Rebels unable to access any notable data.
Normally, with the amount of Zombies shambling about, Zero would likely need a team or two to even think about safely taking them all out. However, as they looked on, a possible plan formed in their head.
"Are you thinking of-"
"Yes."
"Yukari looked to them incredulously. "I have no protection or access to hands. That's how you get your prisoner killed or worse."
"We're running low on time." Zero countered. "Station may have an APC. We use that to cover a lot more ground, see if we can get to the station."
"How much time?" Yukari asked.
"13 minutes or so." Zero spoke, looking on as a pair of fast zombies leapt off of the building's roof.
"Then release the hand restraints." Yukari's voice raised slightly.
Now it was Zero's turn to look at them with confusion and annoyance. "No."
"Are you expecting to be able to cleave through the horde by yourself? There's likely more inside than we're seeing. Yukari asked. "I'm only asking because I'm quite keen on living too."
Zero paused for a moment. "And what if you just decide to attempt to kill me with a given weapon?"
Yukari too took a moment before they spoke again. "Because if that was my intention, I would've tried so a while ago. Likely an attempt to strangle you."
"I can hold my breath for up to 45 minutes." Zero retorted.
"Oh." Yukari replied flatly.
But Zero was quiet for a few moments, calculating odds of survival if things went belly-up in there. The chance of things going bad was high, and the chance of survival when that happened?
Unacceptable by any standard. They looked to the violet-eyed prisoner, gesturing for the restraint. A smile came over Yukari's face before the Elite keyed in authorization to release it. The block clicked open with a whirring, and the Elite kept the block on the belt before pulling another out, their USP.
"You do what I say to the letter." Zero intoned. "If I see a deviation, you're being restrained again. Understand?"
"Crystal clear." Yukari spoke with slightly more confidence as they massaged their wrists. Zero cautiously handed over their USP by it's barrel.
"I'll assume you understand guns." Zero asked.
"Luckily, yes." Yukari spoke, checking the magazine. Zero watched them intently, looking for any sign of attempt at murder. They noted proper trigger discipline, their good tendency to keep the barrel away from others as they tested the sights.
"Alright, ready." Yukari spoke after they finished checking the weapon and receiving two extra magazines.
Zero hefted the OSIPR in their hands before moving into a lower stance. "Stay low, keep to the walls. Don't fire unless necessary."
Yukari nodded in understanding as they too lowered themselves, moving across the street before pressing against the perimeter wall of the building.
The shambling of a multitude of zombies was near. Constant moans and screams, hushed and panicked breathing mixed in. They moved silently, nearing a reinforced Combine sliding door.
They leaned towards Yukari for a moment, speaking in a low voice. "Be prepared to move."
Zero quickly stood up, punching authorization into the lock before it opened.
Several zombies began to turn towards the door in question as the noise it made pierced the veil of agony they naturally emitted.
"Move." they spoke quickly, beginning to fire off a couple of pulses at the closest few. As Yukari got in, the Elite shut it, leaving them with only one direction to go.
The smell of rot, decay, and burning filled Yukari's nose as they moved down the hallway. Signs of battle were obvious in nearly every corner. Smashed walls, bullet holes everywhere. The fighting must've been incredibly intense. However there was no time to look, as the two jogged forth.
They weaved through the hallways, Zero dealing with any Zombies who headed in their way. Eventually, they reached another reinforced door. This one, however had been blown open.
Zero peeked inside. Their goal was in sight. An APC was parked in the garage still. Other APCs were in various processes of deconstruction, and a shell through the ceiling as well as the few mindless hosts walking around showed their fate clearly.
Zero fired in bursts, each shot sounding akin to a door knocker as they tore apart the parasites. Yukari chipped in, taking out the few stray Headcrabs that still skittered around.
The Elite's enhanced auditory sensors detected shuffling, getting closer.
"Cover the door, I will prepare the APC." Zero ordered, tossing a MP7 at them from off a nearby corpse. They caught it, holstering the USP in a pocket before checking the weapon's ammo. Mostly full. Good enough.
Zero moved over to the garage's main console, flipping through screens as Zombies began to shamble into the room.
Yukari fired the weapon, slightly unused to the weapon's surprising amount of kick. A shambler was shredded in a barrage, but more were following behind.
"Please tell me you're almost done?!" Yukari called out, firing a sustained burst that downed another two.
Zero was quiet for another moment, before the APC began to hum to life. The Elite opening one of the side doors.
"Done." Zero called back, prepping a grenade and tossing it towards the door. "Get in. Now!"
Yukari fired a few more shots before the magazine was dry. They tossed the MP7 as they lacked further ammunition, getting into the back seat as the grenade and the resulting horde was obliterated. A video panel displayed the outside, camera affixed to the pulse-gun. After a small amount of experimenting, they swiveled the camera around, shooting into the growing group of undead.
Zero slammed on the button to open the garage door, getting in the APC as soon as they saw it rise.
However, what stood on the other side was not what even the Elite expected.
It was a tall thing, nearly as tall as the vehicle the two sat within. It's upper body was large, it's chest a functioning maw bubbling with acid. Huge sharp skeletal claws stuck out on each hand, and the parasite that rode atop it seemed entirely fused with the once corpse it was apart of.
"Gonome." Zero said flatly, flooring the vehicle and then suddenly stopping, sending the Gonome back a few feet, giving them room to drive. However, the creature would not be stopped so easily. It began running before lowering into a four-legged running stance as it began to speed up.
"A what?" Yukari spoke as they adjusted the gun.
"Advanced mutation of parasitics." Zero spoke as they made a sharp turn, jerking the APC and it's current inhabitants as they did so. "Was attempted to be genetically engineered out. Was successful for 99.352% of headcrabs produced. The remaining .648% grew worse."
The pulse gun fired out it's lethal turquoise lances of energy. They impacted into the Gonome, but aside from slightly slowing it down, it didn't do much to impede the creature, who was beginning to gain on them.
"Switch to rockets." Zero said. "Blast in front of where it's moving."
Yukari fiddled with the screen, eventually finding the button for the switch.
A rocket flew out, flying upwards before flying into the ground before the Gonome. The thing's cheetah-like stride was halted, the explosion causing it to skid out as shrapnel embedded itself into the creature's mottled flesh. Boils burst, and smoke rose.
Zero did another turn, and below them lied the thing they needed. City 17's central train station.
"We're here." Zero noted, opening the side door.
"That we are." Yukari replied, looking down to the station below. However, the two noted something quite important. The last train was beginning to depart.
"Shit." Zero spoke as it began to slowly move forward. "We need to jump."
Yukari's eyes widened. "I wouldn't have taken you for an action he-"
However, the Elite in question was not listening, rather grabbing the prisoner in question and pulling them to the railing. "We have less than 5 minutes left. We jump or we die."
They slightly hesitated before positioning themselves on the railing. "Ready."
Zero positioned themselves as well, though they stood instead of sat. Then, when the next train car passed, they dropped. Zero took the fall in stride, barely showing any discomfort from the nearly 10 foot drop. Yukari, however had their face scrunch up.
"That's going to hurt in the morning, I believe." Yukari rubbed their back for a moment.
"It's very likely temporary. Also, duck." Zero spoke as the car they were on approached the tunnel ahead. Both went prone, lying on their bellies before the tunnel passed, the two getting back to their feet soon after.
However, a quite distinctive sound pierced the air. A near blur leapt from the top of the tunnel, but it's form was soon very obvious as it landed two cars away.
The Gonome had arrived.
"You're joking." Yukari intoned in a disbelieving fashion. Zero however wasted no time as they began to shoot into the creature. The thing stumbled more in it's bipedal state, nearly forced to a standstill by the barrage, but as the magazine clicked, the thing approached. Yukari fired their weapon as well, but to little effect, the flesh knitting itself in response.
"How the hell do you kill this thing?!" Yukari called out
"Fire." Zero responded with a surprisingly calm tone. "If this is a Rebel controlled train, get down there and ask for a Molotov or something similar."
"And you?" Yukari asked.
"I can hold it off. Go. Now." Zero spoke, holding more force in their voice. Yukari stilled, before nodding, moving to the hatch behind them.
Zero looked to the beast in front of them as it moved forth, making snarling noises akin to a rabid dog. Zero holstered the Pulse Rifle, pulling a large knife from their utility belt. Knives normally weren't standard issue, but Zero had found it useful for plenty of things, it's metal sharper than obsidian without the failings of glass.
One good hit, they spoke in their mind, calculating the thing's next movements as it approached. One good hit to the head would kill or at least cripple it.
But one good hit from the creature would likely do the same to them, even within their white shell of armor. They adjusted their standing stance as the Gonome lunged. Two arms came down swinging at the Elite, forcing them to back-step, retaliating with a quick stab forward into the shoulder, missing the head due to it's jerky movements. It still cleanly sliced through the flesh of the thing, cutting into muscle and bone with ease.
The creature did not care however, using the weight of it's body to send the Elite hurtling back onto the roof of the train car. A set of claws soon followed, only raking into the roof as Zero did a small roll to the side. Zero saw an opportunity though, slashing to the side before the thing pulled it's claws out, slicing off the entire hand as a result.
The thing recoiled somewhat at the sudden loss of limb, snarling at the now cleanly cut forearm that was left.
"Stay down, cyclops!" a voice called from behind Zero's position. Before they could react, a stream of green energy fire dout over them, colliding into the Gonome as it caused it to practically scream, a cacophony of voices echoing out, somewhere between human and feral animal.
It took a moment for Zero to realize what it was. An Immolator, a Cremator's weapon of choice. It's stream of violent plasma burned and corroded it's victims, and the Gonome was no exception as it stumbled backwards, regeneration countered by the stream. It clutched at it's head, it's pain causing it to stumble off the side of the train, body tumbling and being left behind as the City was left behind them.
Zero finally looked to the user, finding not only Yukari, but another woman, long silver hair topped with a partially ripped bow. Despite their surprisingly thin frame, they hefted the Immolator in an almost casual manner. Their eyes too were unnatural, it's red an echo of the Citadel's current state.
"You never go anywhere without invokin' trouble, don't you, Yakumo?" the stranger asked, glancing to the other in question.
"It has been a constant." Yukari replied as Zero got to their feet, only to find the barrel of the Immolator right in front of their person.
"You move, you get worse than that zombie." the woman growled.
"Mokou." Yukari responded, narrowing their eyes at the other. "Lower the weapon."
"Then have him lower his." the woman, apparently 'Mokou' retorted.
Zero wordlessly dropped the knife. "Done."
"Huh. Not used to you Overwatch actually listenin'." one of Mokou's eyebrows raised in a light confusion. "What do you want to do with them?"
"Well, I was thinking-" Yukari's thoughts were interrupted, however, as a loud noise echoed through the air, forcing all three to turn their attention to it's source.
The sound continued, a series of loud, echoing noises that sounded in a pattern. Pulses of light ran up the Citadel's sides as a great beam of energy shot into the air above the Citadel's shattered peak.
"We're out of time." Zero spoke.
"Shit." Mokou mumbled, opening the hatch the hatch and dropping down, her voice echoing to the roof. "Everyone, hold onto something, Citadel's going critical!"
The sound of frenzied and shuffling feet was heard below as the other two looked on, the beam coalescing into a growing ring of energy.
"That's not a meltdown." Yukari noted.
"No, it's not." Zero replied as a multitude of pods shot out in various directions. "For your rebellion, it is worse."
The base of the Citadel began to glow a bright cyan as well as the portal atop it, growing and growing as a pod raced and began to overtake the train as a it soared overhead.
A wave of pain shot through the heads of both, forcing Yukari to clutch their head as a growing wave of energy began to expand outwards, consuming the city in it's wake
Zero gritted their teeth and grabbed ahold of Yukari, dropping both the train car below.
The wave kept expanding, at an almost exponential pace, and before those around could realize a member of the Combine was in their midst, the car was consumed in energy.
And then the train was no more.
Author's Notes
And that's a good point to leave things at, right? No? Well, too bad. You can consider this the end of the introduction and a start for the meat of the story proper.
Though, to be genuinely honest, i'm partially making this up as I go along. Just a warning. Might have shorter chapters in the future, might take longer.