Highschool of the dead: The British Outbreak
Chapter 15: fight another day
Patrol base Cornwell
Lounge/ briefing room.
Z-day +52
05:27
Jason headed up to the roof with sniper rifle in hand. It was a ritual he did each morning; go up to the roof and spend some time taking a look for himself at the surrounding area. It was all very well asking the soldiers on stag what the situation was outside the wall, and he trusted them to make the right call, but he liked to see for himself. As he climbed the last flight of stairs to the roof access, he found he wasn't alone.
There was a figure sat cross-legged by the ledge, dressed in their MTP fatigues and from the sound of it, was crying.
Jason walked up to the soldier and put a hand on their shoulder. The soldier looked up at him. Like the vast majority of the soldiers on base, it was a teenage boy. His name tag read Forty, he was a soldier in 2 section.
"Hey, man what's up?" asked Jason, sitting down next to the teenage soldier. While Forty was only 2 years younger than Jason, he looked like he was about 14 due to his slightly porky appearance.
"Nothing Sergeant!" replied Forty, quickly whipping away tears and putting on a brave face. Jason could read Forty like a book. He was the stereotypical overweight teenager, was probably bullied at school and while just wanting to have a normal life but also havened an inner darkness. He reminded Jason of Hirano in some ways.
"Come on man," said Jason. "Tell me what's up. You and your section are going on a run today and I need you level headed. So what is it?"
"It's just..." he stammered before he sighed. "It's the 23rd of May today."
"Right..." said Jason. He'd stopped counting the days a while ago, to him it was just so many days since it all ended.
"Today is my best friend's birthday," explained Forty. "She would have been 16 today. But I haven't seen her since the day this all started."
Jason could see that it was a painful thing for Forty.
"What was her name?"
"Elizabeth," said Forty. "Elizabeth Mills."
"You never know mate," said Jason, trying to instil some form of confidence in the young man. "She could be still out there."
"Yeah, maybe," replied Forty half-heartedly. Jason could see his encouragement wasn't working, so he tried a different tactic. He tried to recall the kid's file to strike up a conversation.
"I heard from Corporal Note that you're a good shot. Ever thought of going for marksman or sniper training?"
"I tried," sighed Forty, "but Sergeant Owens' blocked my request. He said I needed to spend my specialist training time on PT, rather than sniper training."
"Really?" said Jason incredulously. That sounded exactly like Owens. He'd done the same thing to Jason while he was in the cadets, blocking his entry into the wing shooting team. It was part of the reason he went to America to shoot.
"Well, Owens's ain't here," said Jason. "If I were to run some marksman and sniper training classes, would you come?"
"Defiantly," replied Forty, he looked significantly happier at the prospect.
"Good," said Jason. He picked up his L115 from where he'd laid it down. "Let's begin. The L115A3 is a magazine fed, bolt action, sniper and anti-material rifle chambered for .338 Lapua..."
Patrol base Cornwell
Mess tent
Z-day +52
06:00
"Morning," said Jason as he walked into the mess tent. He passed Akio and Alex who were sat at one of the tables enjoying a nice packet of warmish ration pack number 12 (or maybe 16, neither of them could tell.) He joined their table with his own ration pack a moment later.
"And where were you this morning?" asked Akio. "I missed my morning wake-up call."
"Impromptu sniper lesson," replied Jason as he dug into his ration pack.
"One section are still pretty bummed out," said Akio. "They failed and are still kicking themselves about it."
"They'll get another chance," said Jason. "A heard that size doesn't stay in one place for long. Sooner or later we will see them again, and we're going to need everyone when we do."
"True that," said Akio through a mouthful of ration pack. "Oh, bad news. That sniper got another one. Wounded some poor sod on the wall. His armour took the hit but he fell backwards 7 meters onto the tarmac. He's in the hospital."
"Same MO?"
"They aren't sure yet, but it looks like it."
"Well, hopefully, they'll let us after him soon," said Jason as he downed the rest of his ration pack. "Now if you excuse me. I've got to wake up 2 section. Briefing in 20 guys. See you there."
...
08:00
"2 Section! Section Shun'!" called Note. The section snapped to, fully kitted out with weapons, provisions and body armour. They were formed up with the vehicles behind them and waiting to be told to embark.
"Alright then," said Jason as he stepped in front of the section, equally armed and armoured. "As you know were going in with no recon and little to no support. So remember to think it through. Stay focused, and we'll stay alive and come home with some shiny second-hand weapons. Now then, remind me. What's the bayonet for?"
"Kill!" shouted back 2 section. It was a tactic Jason had used during their training to get them hyped up.
"I can't hear you," said Jason back egging them on. "What's the bayonet for?"
"KILL!"
"I think they're still asleep Corporal Long. I said WHAT'S THE BAYONET FOR?!"
"KILL! KILL! KILL!"
"Ah good you're awake. Let's roll."
The section fell out and mounted up in their vehicles. Again the fireteams travelled in the Snatches although Jason rode in snatch one with Akio and fireteam Alpha while Alex drove the lorry with Johnny riding shotgun. This had been a twofold decision by Jason; 1. So he could talk with the section to keep hopes up and minds on task, and 2. So Alex and Johnny could listen to her god-awful selection of disco music without driving anyone insane.
The road to the TA base was relatively long. As the convoy rolled, the teams in the land rovers started getting board. After a moment Popplewell broke the silence by producing an old game boy advanced, the starting tune getting the squad's attention. He looked up and explained.
"I had it with me when everything happened. Charged it up overnight and bagged a copy of Pokémon emerald last I was in town. Now's as good a time as any."
"Nice," commented Case who was riding opposite Popplewell. "What starter are you going for?"
"I was thinking Mudkip," replied Popplewell as he set about the game. Akio snorted.
"Are you out of your mind?" she asked. "Treecko is obviously the best choice. Water is weak to grass. Sceptile will kick Marshtomp's ass, no bother."
"Yeah," cut in Case, "and Blaziken will cook all your asses."
"Except when I douse him with hydro pump!" sniped Popplewell with a smirk.
"I always liked Bulbasaur," said Jason. The whole Snatch went into an uproar against him, sparking a debate that lasted all the way to the objective.
...
Aber looked over the objective through her scope from her overwatch position.
The objective was a Territorial Army barracks at Elsmere port. The TA were Britain's weekend warriors, the army reserve. While their kit may not all be as cutting edge as the regular army's, they were still equipped with many of the same pieces of kit as the regulars. This particular base had been home to A Company, 153rd Logistic regiment. The base was a compound consisting of a frontal office/ barracks building that faced onto the road. Behind it was a central courtyard with a large garage, assault course and support area for the bases vehicles. The whole compound was surrounded by a barbed wire topped chain link fence.
"Got one," said Forty, who was lying prone next to her, watching with his L85. "2nd floor. 3rd window from the left."
"I see him," said Aber as she panned her rifle over.
"What've we got?" asked Jason as he came up behind them.
"We've counted 6 in the main building that we've seen," Reported Aber. "We could wait for them to show again then take 'em out from here before we go in."
Jason considered the suggestion.
"No. If your weapons were suppressed it would be a different matter. There are enough infected in the area that we don't want to fire out in the open if we can avoid it. We go CQC. Gather in."
Forty and Aber stood up from their prone position on top of the box lorry and clambered down, rejoining the rest of 2 section, who were positioned in guard positions around the halted convoy. Jason spoke briefly with Corporal Johnson, who then briefed the section.
"Right then. Here's the plan. I want Fireteam Bravo to stay with Miss Reva and the vehicles for the moment. Fireteam Alpha, as well as Corporal Long and Sergeant Rees, will move up to the gates and get them open. Once they are, we'll drive the vehicles inside the perimeter. From there we'll lock them up and set about clearing the office building room by room in pairs. That way we can quickly find the armoury and stores rooms while eliminating any threats. The only exceptions to that will be Aber and Forty. I need you guys to keep an eye on Ms. Reva and watch for anything that might come up behind us. Any questions?"
There were none. Fireteam Alpha made ready to move and formed up in a single line.
"On your work Corporal," said Jason, once he was satisfied they were ready. Johnson nodded.
"Prepare to move," he said. "Move."
The assault team moved off. Johnny was in front with Akio close behind, covering his sword with her combat shotgun. They were followed by Private Popplewell who had the section's bolt cutters and another combat shotgun. Johnson and Jason followed with L85's ready as did Private's Stuart and Jones who brought up the rear. When they hit the gate, it did not take long for Popplewell to break the lock and the gate to be opened. Once the vehicles were in, Popplewell broke out a heavy duty bike lock that they used for securing gates like this one when they'd busted the lock.
"Remember guy's," said Johnson as everyone paired off. "We're looking for the Armoury, Magazine, Stores and Commanders office. I'll take Popplewell and go for the CO's office. Corporal Long, take Johnny and go for the armoury and magazine, they'll be close to each other. Jones, you go with Stuart and find stores. Sergeant Rees, I'll let you decide where you'll be best placed."
"I'll accompany you and Popplewell to the CO's office," said Jason. Aber and Forty called that they were set up in overwatch and the assault teams moved out. But before she went off, Jason whispered to Akio;
"Be careful. I've got a bad feeling about this."
"Good," she replied. "I thought I was the only one."
...
Jason
"Alright, Popplewell, which way to the CO's office?" asked Johnson.
"Down the corridor, first left, 2nd door on the right," said Popplewell. Jason could tell he was distracted. Probably still holding out hope that his father was here, the man had been called up along with the cadets and the rest of the military.
"Where did your father work Private?" asked Jason, sweeping left to right with his rifle.
"Admin," Replied Popplewell. "His office was about 5 doors down from the CO's office."
"Why do we even need the CO's office?" asked Johnson.
"It's a long shot but the keys to the armoury and other secure areas might be there," answered Jason. The 3 of them continued down the hallway in silence, heading towards the CO's office. As they advanced, Jason picked up on the radio chatter of the different teams clearing the building and Aber outside.
"2-3 and 2-4. West side ground floor clear."
"2-7 and 2-8. Entering gym now."
"2-5 and 2-6. I've got a group of infected taking an interest in the gate. Permission to fire? Over."
"Negative 2-5," said Jason. "If it gets above a dozen or so then go ahead. If it's just a few don't bother. Out."
Jason almost bumped into Popplewell when the point man held up his fist. Johnson and Jason froze, waiting for further instructions. Popplewell tapped his ear twice.
Listen.
Jason turned down the volume on his radio and listened. He could hear the sound of quiet moaning, as well as bumping. It was coming around the next corner, which being an internal corridor had no windows to let in light and was thus pitch black because of the lack of power for the overhead lights.
"Sounds like one of them," said Popplewell.
"Let's get it!" said Johnson eagerly, Jason grabbed him by the scruff of his body armour before he could get too far.
"Stop and think!" Jason snarled. "We don't know where it is! There could be more!"
"R...Right," said Johnson, getting his shit together rather quickly. "Tac-lights on. Popplewell, you go point, Rees and I will cover."
"Better," commented Rees as he flicked on the tactical light mounted on his L85's rail. Johnson did the same and the 3 moved around the corner into the darkened corridor. The 2 tac-lights illuminated the darkened corridor, revealing a disturbing scene.
Someone had tried to make a stand here. Desks and furniture had been moved out into the hallways to form staggered barricades going down the hallway. There were bodies on the ground; civvies and soldiers dressed in army camouflage, each wearing PLCE webbing and sporting bite marks, and missing portions of their heads.
"Looks like they took themselves out after they got bitten," said Johnson as they advanced through the carnage. There were weapons littering the ground, spent bullet casings, but what was most curious was the door at the end of the hallway, someone had pushed a bookcase over it. From the way the impromptu defences were positioned, it looked like they were defending it, like they really didn't want the infected to get inside.
"Looks like they got themselves cornered," said Johnson as he picked his way through the debris.
"I'm not sure," said Jason, examining the bookcase covered door at the end of the corridor. "Anyway, CO's office."
The 3 took up position around the door. They tried the door, but it was locked from the inside.
"Alright then," said Jason, "The hard way it is then. Popplewell, you've seen how they kick doors in on cop shows right?"
"Yeah?"
"Here's how you do it for real. Good thrust kick just to the right of the lock, everything you've got."
"Where did you learn that?" asked Johnson. "No! Let me guess... cadets?"
"Nope," replied Jason. " A few damn good parties and time with the Yanks."
"Alright. Let's do it," said Popplewell. He took a deep breath before he brought his foot up and booted the door inwards. As soon as the door flung open and his boot landed, Popplewell fired his shotgun twice and moved in. Jason and Johnson were hot on their heels as the entered and swept the room.
"Clear?" said Johnson.
"Clear," confirmed Jason. He let his rifle drop and hand from its sling as he looked over first at the door then at Popplewell and the deceased infected corpse he was looking at.
"Nice work mate," said Jason, placing a congratulatory hand on Popplewell's shoulder. Popplewell didn't answer, he just kept looking at the corpse. Jason saw his stare, he'd seen it before, the thousand yard stare. He looked at the corpse himself. The head was almost completely gone, nothing but a black bloody mulch with bits of white bone sticking out in places. He looked down to the infected's chest then he saw what it was. The name tag stitched to the man's combat fatigue; Popplewell.
He'd just put down his own father.
"Popplewell, I'm so sorry," said Jason. The private was starting to tear up, and Jason knew what he needed to do. "Private, we're losing radio comms with the other teams. Go get me a status report from each of the assault teams."
Popplewell remained rooted to the spot and looking at his father.
"Private," reaffirmed Jason. This time, Popplewell took notice and left the room, still somewhat understandably shaken up.
"What's his problem?" asked Johnson, looking up from behind the desk that sat in the centre of the room. Jason shot the Corporal a look that only could be described as disgusted.
"He just did that to his own father," said Jason spitefully. "I'd think a little sympathy would be in order Corporal. Now have you found that key or anything useful?"
"One moment," said Johnson. He broke into another draw in the desk. He held up a set of key's triumphantly. "Got'em."
"Right," said Jason unimpressed. He clicked on his radio. "All call signs this is Juliet Romeo. We've got the key's. Call out when we've got the armoury or magazine."
"This is 2-7. We've found the armoury, Juliet Romeo. The door was open and it's been severally depleted. Over."
"Understood 2-7. I'm on my way," said Jason. "Corporal with me."
As the 2 headed out, they stopped to make safe the L85's the fallen soldiers had been using. As they did, Jason couldn't help but look at the bookcase barricaded door.
Why had these soldiers given their lives to defend it so desperately?
...
Akio
Akio grunted as she brought her kukri down into another infected. It dropped dead as the sharpened steel edge penetrated its already plagued brain. Akio pulled the knife from its skull, whipping the blade free of brain matter and gore. She turned around to see Johnny whipping his sword clean with a shirt taken from one of his victims.
Around them lay the corpses of 9 infected that they had run across. Each in varying scales of dismemberment and decapitation.
"How many did you get?" asked Akio as she polished off the last of the grime that desecrated her blade.
"5," replied Johnny as he slid his sword back into its scabbard. "You?"
"4," replied Akio begrudgingly.
"Ha," snorted Johnny. "Falling behind." Akio scowled at him. She was about to sheath her kukri, when she quickly threw it at Johnny. Johnny was only partway to drawing his sword when the knife missed his face by less than a foot and buried itself in the head of an infected less than 3 meters behind Johnny. He looked at the corpse as it collapsed; he'd never heard it, he was too busy gloating.
"5," said Akio smugly as she pushed past Johnny and reclaimed her knife.
"Th... Thanks," He said, his mind still processing what had unfolded. She wrenched her knife clean and casually whipped the blood off it on Johnny's trench coat.
"You're welcome," she said with a smirk as she slid her kukri back into its sheath which sat MOLLE'd to her right shoulder blade. She drew her shotgun which she had stowed in its own scabbard, also, MOLLE'd to her back. "Let's check that garage."
"Okay."
The 2 moved toward a side door to the garage. The garage was a large building with 6 bay doors, each large enough and tall enough to easily accommodate all but the largest logistics trucks used by the British army. Johnny drew his sword, holding it in one hand while taking the doorknob in the other. Akio levelled her shotgun at the door, before nodding to Johnny to go ahead. Johnny turned the knob and pushed the door open. Akio moved in with her weapon raised and scanning. Johnny came in behind her with his sword drawn.
The room was dark. The only light source was a row of windows in the top of the building, but the room was still darkened without artificial light. However, they could still make out the hulking form of parked army vehicles in the dark. Still, the 2 could hear no infected, and crucially the air just smelt stuffy and did not stink of death and decay.
"Clear?" queried Johnny.
"Yeah," said Akio. "I think we're good." She clicked on her shotgun's tactical light, offering some illumination to the darkened room. "Let's get some of the doors open, so we can see what we've got."
Akio pointed her light over toward the garage doors, illuminating the chain used to pull the gates open. Johnny started pulling on the chain and the door started to climb its frame, letting light into the vehicle bay. Akio surveyed their newly acquired vehicles. Aside from a pair of quadbikes and a single army lorry, the same kind as the one's they already had in Chester, there were 2 other vehicles which she did not recognise as well as a black pickup truck.
The 2 unknowns were the same, boxy, offset vehicles that sat on 4 wheels and they looked well armoured.
"Well, he's certainly going to like this," mumbled Akio to herself as she clicked on her radio. "This is Alpha Lemma. We've secured the Garage. We've found the following; 2 quad bikes with trailers, an army lorry, a pickup and 2 armoured vehicles we cannot identify. Over."
"Understood Alpha Lemma," replied Jason over the radio. "I'll come over and take a look at the armoured vehicles. Out."
...
Captured TA barracks
10:30
By the time mid-morning came, the base had been more or less fully cleared. The armoury, magazine and stores had also been found and although depleted, there was certainly enough to be useful. As well as that, they had also found communications gear and generators in the base, and the garage, as well as the quad bikes and 14-ton lorry, had yielded an unexpected prize; a pair of Saxon armoured personnel carriers.
Although even as the some of the were loading up the gear they had come for into the vehicles and the others worked on getting the newly acquired vehicles fuelled and loaded, Jason was still stuck on something.
The bookcase barricaded the door.
Why had these soldiers given their lives in such an improvised defence of the room? After 5 minutes of pondering this problem while staring at the wall, Akio came up to him.
"Hey. You ok?" she asked.
"Yeah," Jason said, finally making up his mind "Give me a hand."
She was about to ask him with what when he started towards the bookcase and started to man handle it aside.
"Are you sure that's wise?" she asked as she moved up and helped him to move the bookcase aside
"Whatever was in here, these soldiers gave their lives defending," Said Jason. "I want to know what they died for."
They manhandled the bookcase aside and tried the door, unsurprisingly it was locked, but the door was heavier than its wooden appearance portrayed. Jason clicked his radio.
"Sierra 2-1 this is Juliet Romeo. Get over to the CO's office with those keys at the double. Out," He said. These soldiers had died defending and barricading an armoured door which was locked. They really didn't want the infected getting in there. After a minute or so, Corporal Johnson arrived with the keys.
"Stay here and keep the door open," instructed Jason. He took the key's and tried each of the one's that looked like it would fit in the key hole until he got one that worked. The sound of the lock disengaging seemed uncomfortably loud, considering they had no idea what was on the other side.
"Akio, Get ready," said Jason. Akio raised her shotgun and pointed it at the door. When she nodded to Jason that she was ready, he pulled the door open. Akio moved in before stopping in the doorway.
"Clear," she said. "Stairway down," Jason looked over her shoulder. There was indeed a metal staircase down with what looked like a stereotypical bank vault door at the bottom, complete with locking wheel.
"Vault?" reckoned Akio.
"Bunker," said Jason. The 2 headed down the stairs, rifles scanning and tac-lights illuminating the darkness. Finding no infected, they stacked up on the bunker door.
"Ready?" asked Akio as she had her shotgun ready again
"Let's do it," said Jason. He spun the wheel on the vault door. They could hear the internal locking mechanism disengaging as it spun, then with a good heave, the door cracked open. Neither of them was prepared for what they saw.
The room had no source of light and stank of death. There were bunks, cupboards, and bodies.
"Dear god," mumbled Jason as He and Akio moved in slowly. Movement on the first bed caught their eye, immediately Akio and Jason turned their weapons to target.
"Please..." said the person, her voice throaty and dehydrated. "...Help us..."
They looked at the woman. She looked like hell; dehydrated, starving, covered in grime and dirt and with little to no muscle on her body. Jason turned back to the door and shouted up the stairs.
"MEDIC!"
...
10:45
Alex jumped down from the back of the lorry. The soldiers had converted it rapidly into an impromptu ambulance/ casualty ward. She'd just finished tending to the wounded as best she could, which had been a thankless and difficult task. She reached for the water bottle on her belt, only to remember that she'd used the last of it to treat dehydration in the people they'd recovered from the bunker. She'd been slightly nauseous over the last few days and had been washing it away with frequent drinks of water.
"Alex," said Jason as he walked up to her. "How're..." Alex interrupted him by grabbing him, rotating him 90 degrees and plucking his water bottle from its pouch on his webbing belt, before proceeding to down half of its contents, washing away of the worst of the nausea.
"Thanks," she said, whipping away a bit of water that had escaped her mouth and handed back Jason his depleted water bottle.
"You ok?" asked Jason. He'd noticed Alex had been slightly off over the last week or so and had put it down to a bug doing the rounds.
"Fine," replied Alex. "You wanted something?"
"How are the patients?" asked Jason, abandoning his immediate thoughts of her wellbeing.
"Of the 8 we rescued. I think 6 will be fine, the other 2 I'm not so sure about," said Alex. "You spoke to command?"
"Corporal Johnson is talking to them now," said Jason. "Speak of the devil."
"Sargeant, Doc," greeted Corporal Johnson as he walked up to the pair. "I just got off the horn with command. They're sending 2 sections and 3 ambulances with accompanying medical staff to assist. But they said they wanted you to RTB."
"Ok," said Jason. "As soon as the relief has arrived we'll head back," replied Jason. Johnson shook his head.
"No Sargeant," he said. "They said they want you back at base ASAP." Jason frowned, this sent alarm bells ringing in his head. If they were pulling him from the field mid op with only a few hours to go until completion, then something was very wrong.
"Alright," said Jason. "I'll take one of the quadbikes back to base. Inform everyone I've been recalled and that Corporal Long and you have command, Johnson. Make sure we get our share of the supplies and the 2 Saxon's brought back to base."
"Will do boss," said Johnson. He dismissed himself and headed off to see to it. Jason passed Alex a nod farewell before heading to the garage to see about getting one of the quad bikes fuelled for transport.
Patrol base Cornwell
Z-day +52
11:30
Jason rode the quadbikes through the gates of Patrol base Cornwell, attracting the attention of One section who were on guard duty, wondering why he'd come back alone. He parked the quad bike and shut off its engine near the motor pool and was flagged down by a passing private from 3 section.
"Sergeant," he said. "Major Marsden and Staff Sergeant Sale are waiting for you in the ops room.
Jason thanked the private and headed towards the ops room, not bothering to stop in his quarters to drop off his body armour. He entered the ops room and found both Sale and Marsden sitting in the room with cups of instant coffee in hand.
"Sergeant Rees." greeted Marsden.
"Sir. Staff," said Jason as he snapped off a salute to Marsden who returned it casually.
"Relax Sergeant," ordered Marsden. "Make yourself comfortable." Jason nodded and set about making safe his L85 before removing his body armour and setting it aside.
"Somehow I'm guessing this isn't good. Is it sir?" asked Jason as he sat down.
"No. It isn't," said Marsden grimly. The room took a sourer atmosphere as Jason sat down as they got down to business. "You are aware of the sniper that has been sniping at our units beyond the wall?"
"That the one who leaves a spent .303 casing in each of his sniper nests?" asked Jason, clarifying that they were talking about the same sniper.
"That's the one," said Marsden.
"He struck again last night," said Sale. "A soldier on wall duty at dusk. Headshot."
"Damn," muttered Jason. That brought the sniper's tally to 6 as far as Jason knew. Sale continued.
"We found his sniper nest, same MO. One.303 calibre bullet casing left on the windowsill, only, this time, he left something else."
"A letter," said Marsden, predicting the question Jason was about to ask. "Addressed to you."
Jason didn't bother to hide his surprise and confusion. Sale reached into a nearby bag and removed a clear resealable plastic wallet, inside was a white envelope which had been opened.
"We already opened and read it," said Marsden. "It's from a mutual acquaintance of ours."
Jason took the plastic bag and removed the envelope. It was a fine quality paper envelope with slightly scruffy but legible handwriting addressing it to 'Cadet Sergeant Jason Rees'. Jason frowned at it and removed the letter from inside. It too was on high-quality paper and written in the same handwriting. His frown deepened as he read the letter.
Dear Jason Rees,
It has been a while since you last saw me, when I was thrown out of the States and Cadets because of you and that Japanese kid.
You have seen what I am capable of. I have killed 6 of your army's 'soldiers' and have your attention. I challenge you to kill me. One sniper to another.
Fire a red flare from the top of the Chester cathedral tower when you have received this letter, this will signal the beginning of our fight. Until you do I will kill another soldier each day until you do. I will be watching.
I shall prove I am the better sniper, once and for all.
From
Former Cadet Will Maine
Jason looked the letter over again, before lookup at Marsden.
"Well... shit."
"My thoughts exactly Sergeant," said Marsden. He sighed. "Rees, I can't order you to go after him. But we have no way of predicting or stopping him, and his actions are having an effect on morale. It's bad enough they've got to worry about the living dead when they're out there, let alone getting their heads blown off by a sniper. If there's a chance that he will stop if you challenge him..."
"Will was a lot of things. But he is a man of his word," said Jason. "If I give him the fight he wants', he will probably stop attacking our patrols. Doesn't sound like much of a choice to me sir."
"You don't have to do this alone Jason," said Sale, "We can use the special operations detachment..."
"No," cut off Jason. "If he sees us using anyone else against him, he could go back on his word and start going after soldiers again, or worse. It has to be me."
"You sure?"
"I'll need someone to take over teaching this lot," said Jason, gesturing around the base. "But yes sir. I'm certain." Marsden nodded.
"Very well. I'll arrange for another NCO to take over from you. You better go and pack."
"Yes sir," said Jason. He stood up from his chair and saluted before picking up his rifle and body armour and heading for the door.
"And Sergeant," Added Marsden.
"Sir?"
"Give him hell."
From the darkness of Handbridge. Will Maine watched as a red flare soared into the sky above Chester. He smiled evilly as he picked up his Lee Enfield rifle and charged it.
The hunt was on.
Dear reader,
Who's ready for some sniper on sniper action? Glad to hear it.
Next chapter will be out before long.
As ever if you could please review/favourite/ follow it would be appreciated.
From Jango