Highschool of the dead: The British Outbreak
Chapter 18: A new Dawn
Chester safezone
Chester Castle
Z-day +59
09:00
The smell of death hung over the city of Chester.
The soldiers of the 1st Chester Militia Company were exhausted, fewer in number, and mourning. It had taken 4 days to fully re-secure the city. 4 days of clearing the city building by building, floor by floor, room by room of infected. They had also been called upon to help check each individual surviving citizen for bites and clear out the dead that littered the streets and buildings. They had gathered the bodies of the fallen, infected, soldier and civilian alike on the racecourse, and burned the lot. The smell of death reeked over the city, and it mirrored the feeling of the city's inhabitants.
Over 500 civilians died in the attack, some from the attackers, most from the infected that got in and broke into the shelters. Almost a dozen civilians abandoned the city and quite a few were still missing. 38 Soldiers lost their lives defending and retaking the city. 2 more were critically wounded in the hospital.
Victory was theirs, but at a hell of a price.
As such, to describe the atmosphere of the meeting room where Jason currently sat with the other senior NCO's and officers of the company as morbid would be a generous overstatement. Most had lost someone, and most were running on little food or sleep. Marsden entered the room and waved the soldiers down before they could snap to attention.
"Alright," he said. "I'll skip the motivational speech crap. We're not American." A few people smiled at the jab and a few even chuckled. Marsden let it die down before continuing.
"The walls are secure and we've taken care of the infected within the perimeter. That's the good news."
"And the bad news?" asked Jason. Marsden sighed
"The bad news is that in defending the city we've burned through most of our ammo. The base location the prisoners gave us was abandoned and the council is pissed as hell at us for letting so many of civvies die."
"Wouldn't have happened if the police had done their job," someone muttered. While he didn't say anything, Jason agreed and he suspected that Marsden did too.
After the city was secured, the council labelled the police as heroes for their few actions of getting civvies to safety and said nothing of the military's efforts in actually securing the city. It was the opinion of the council and the civilians that, as Jason had heard one civilian put it; "It's their duty to defend us. Why the hell should we be praising them for doing what they signed up for?" Apparently a little goddamn sympathy and respect was too much to ask for.
"Well be that as it may, we have more serious problems to deal with," said Marsden. "Like our ammo shortage."
"Exactly how bad are we talking sir?" asked one soldier.
"We don't have even had enough 5.56 left to give everyone a standard combat load," replied Marsden. That got all their attention. Standard combat load was 180 rounds or 6 magazines per man, and many soldiers liked to carry almost double that into battle. If they were so short that they couldn't even give everyone the standard, they were in deep shit.
"Ok," said one optimistic soldier, "so we raid somewhere for more."
"We've cleared out all the nearby bases," said someone else. "Everything within a 20-mile radius has been picked clean by us or someone else."
Jason sighed. That wasn't an exaggeration either. Every gunshop, military installation, police station and civilian shooting club within 20 miles had been picked clean. Anything further afield they didn't really have the fuel or resources to drive to... Then it hit him.
"What about Altcar?" asked Jason aloud. The din of conversation and debate that had started ceased and all eyes turned to him. The Army shooting range at Altcar had been an army training ground since the 1700's. It was one of the largest infantry firing ranges in the country. "We haven't hit it yet."
"The most direct route by road is 40 miles, Jason," said Marsden. "And we'd have to go through the centre of Liverpool. No way in hell am I sending anyone through there on a run."
"What if we went by train?" asked Jason. Most of them looked at Jason like he'd finally lost it. Jason saw he needed to explain. "Get me a map."
Someone retreated to the map room while they all put tables together to make a central desk for Jason to use. The maps arrived and Jason poured over them with everyone gathering around.
"See? Right here," said Jason, pointing at the map. "The railway line goes straight from Chester to Liverpool, where we switch to this branch line which goes to the station outside the base. Remember Easter camp last year sir? I got the flu the day before so caught a train to come meet up with you. The station is right outside the base front gate. It's perfect."
"One problem Sergeant," said one NCO. "I thought all the trains ran on electricity. No power for the tracks, no power for the train."
"Actually," said another NCO, his nametag read Atlas. "Arriva Trains Wales still operate some of the old Class 150 sprinter trains. They're diesel trains, as long as they got fuel in the tanks they should run. There's one in a siding at Chester station." For a moment, everyone looked at him funny.
"How do you know that?" asked someone. Atlas Shrugged.
"I was a train spotter before all this," he replied. "And I saw it on a scavenger run about a week ago."
"Could you drive one of these things?" asked Marsden. Atlas shook his head.
"I was a train spotter, not a driver," he replied. Jason summarized.
"So all we'd need is a driver and we're good to go?"
"We'd probably need a signaller as well," Said Atlas, "Someone who known's how to work the points in the signal boxes. To make sure were on the right tracks."
"I'll put out a notice for signalmen and train drivers," said Marsden. "It's a bit of a hike but I guess we'll have to take it. Good work Rees. Alright, you've all got stuff to do, dismissed."
Abode Hotel
Room 23
Z-day +59
09:40
Akio returned to the bunkroom exhausted. She had barely had any sleep in the last 24 hours and had just come back from leading a recce patrol beyond the wall. The recent fighting had attracted increasingly larger numbers of infected to the city; her patrol was trying to find out how many. The answer was 'too bloody many' as one of her soldiers had put it.
Jason looked up from cleaning his rifle, which lay disassembled on the hotel room's desk. HQ had recalled all of the teams stationed at firebases back to Chester, but there wasn't enough room to house them all in the castle, so many had been billeted in hotel rooms and vacant houses. Akio and Jason had managed to get one together, their relationship was not exactly being a secret anymore.
"Rough day huh?" asked Jason. Not that he needed to, her exhausted face said it all. She nodded as she stripped off her body armour and webbing, leaving the pieces of kit where they fell on the floor. She collapsed onto the double bed with a heavy sigh. Jason smiled. He stood up and walked to the foot of the bed. Akio had been so tired that she hadn't bothered to remove her combat boots. Not wanting her to catch anything, he carefully set about unlacing them, pulling them off her sweat soaked feet and setting them on the floor.
He looked up from her feet to her face. Her emerald green eyes shone with the same intensity as they had when Jason first met her, but this time, there was something more. In Jason's experience, every woman offered permission differently. Akio's was a deepening gaze, set shoulders, and a pursed lower lip, less articles of consent, more of a unified demand: now or never.
Akio crawled up the bed towards him. As he stood up at the end of the bed, she knelt on the bed to meet him. They came together and kissed as their arms fought past each other for purchase on bodies they both knew but were eager to re-explore. Just as Jason was about to draw her in tight, she pushed him away.
As he leant against the draws against the wall, he thought for a horrible moment that she'd changed her mind. Then Akio reached for the pins that kept her hair coiled and shook it loose, letting her blood hair cascade down in the way she knew he liked. She had already tossed the pins and set about her fatigue shirt before Jason realized he was being left behind in a race where winning meant a tie. He did his best to catch up.
He pulled his fatigue shirt over his head, not bothering with the buttons. By the time his head was free of his collar, Akio was throwing her undershirt aside. Jason leaned over to unlace his boots as she unfastened the buckle on her trouser belt and threw it aside. He'd barely gotten his feet free when she wrapped her hands behind his neck and pulled him down onto the bed, wearing nothing but a determined stare.
Sitting astride his ankles, she helped him with his trouser belt. Then she crawled upward, planting her hands on his toned chest and began to move. Jason was instantly enticed my the back and forth sway of her ample chest. He cupped the weight of her in his hands and instantly knew he'd made a tactical error. The fullness of Akio's skin started an ache that crept quickly up his legs and into the small of his back, all she had to do was squeeze, and a moment later he was spent.
Akio fell heavily onto Jason's chest. For a moment they lay still, both breathing heavily and slick with sweat. Slowly Akio brushed her fingers over Jason's collarbone, up his neck, pausing at his chin on the roughness of unshaven stubble that had started to grow.
"I've been meaning to take care of that," Jason said.
"Don't," replied Akio, "I like it."
Jason let his head relax against the pillow. Usually, this would be the time his mind swayed into a period of second-guessing, something that always happened after a difficult mission. But now he found it impossible with Akio's warm body pressed against his.
"But this?" Akio rubbed her finger against his momentarily furrowed brow. "Not so much." Jason smirked.
"That, I can take care of."
Jason rose at the waist and rolled easing Akio down onto the bed. He cradled her head in one hand while he steadied her hips with the other. Eye's locked they began again.
This time, Jason set the pace - burying his fingers in her unwashed hair. She let her neck slide freely this against his palm, but would not release her hips. Soon Akio's face flushed and her eyes shut with a moan and pained smile that Jason would remember long after he had forgotten the worst of his failings.
Their exertions warmed the bed, but they knew the heat wouldn't last. They retreated under the duvet and Akio slid back into the bend in Jason's waist. He wrapped a protective arm around her and nuzzled his chin behind her ear, exiling a warm breath against the back of her neck.
"Get some rest," Jason said softly.
"Don't let me sleep too long," mumbled Akio as she drifted off. Jason smiled and set his own head against the pillow and drifted off himself.
...
A few hours later Jason had risen and dressed. He let Akio sleep on, she needed the rest, but he had something he needed to do. Before he left, he collected her scattered clothing and kit, folding them carefully and placing them on the floor by her bed. He took one last glance at her sleeping form, before departing silently.
It was a short walk from his bunkroom to the hospital. Jason was not looking forward to this, but he had to do it. No one challenged him as he walked through the hospital. Either everyone was too busy with other tasks, or no one felt up to challenging a fully camouflaged and armed soldier. After a few minutes of walking, Jason found his room. It was the only one with an armed guard outside it. The guard regarded Jason with a wary eye as the teenage Sergeant stopped in front of him.
"I need to talk to the prisoner," he said. The guard looked him over.
"Alright," the man replied. He produced a plastic tray from a table next to him. "Surrender all your weapons."
Jason reluctantly turned over his Sig and combat knife, and then his backup knife from its ankle sheath when the guard pressed him about any backups. Once the guard was satisfied Jason was disarmed, he let him in.
The hospital room was like almost every other in the building, but it was the occupant Jason had come to see. His face was burned and scarred horribly. In a way, he reminded Jason of 2 Face from The Dark Knight.
"How nice," said the occupant with a venom-laced voice. "The great Sergeant Jason Rees has come to see me in my lowly hospital room." Jason scowled.
"You should be grateful that someone pulled you from that burning Warrior," replied Jason. "I would have left you to die."
The room occupant laughed, "Why am I surprised, you've already left me to die once."
Jason restrained himself from lashing out. When the private from Fireteam Vector had dragged Max's unconscious form from the burning AFV, Jason had half a mind to execute the traitor medical student right then and there. However, the human side of him told him to save the SOB's life.
"You were the one who panicked," said Jason. "You ran and then you through in with a gang of murders. I can't say I'm impressed."
"And while I ran for my life," hissed Max, "you and your squad hid like cowards and left me for dead."
"Fred didn't," said Jason. "He disobeyed my orders and went after you. He risked his life trying to save yours." Max scoffed and shrugged indignantly.
"Yeah? What happened? Dumb fucker get bit? I suppose you're going to tell me he died a fucking hero."
Jason had had it. He simply rushed to the bed with practiced stealth and grabbed Max by the collar of his hospital gown and hissed at him. Max's eyes widened in fear, fully expecting Jason to end him then and there.
"Yes, it happens that he did. He was bitten while searching for your sorry hide! He was about to off himself when a little girl found him. Instead of killing himself then and there he contacted us and brought me and Akio to him. He then made as much noise as he could to lead the infected away so we stood a better chance of getting out alive. So yes, he died a fucking hero."
"Huh, so the stupid git died alone and for nothing. Good thing there was no one here for him..."
Max thought he was clever in with his insult, but as Jason's hands jumped from his collar to his throat, with the sergeant's fingers wrapping around his throat and squeezing, he instantly regretted it.
"Tell that to his pregnant girlfriend," dared Jason. "Tell it to Corporal Long, or even me again, and you will live just long enough to regret it."
Jason released his grip on Max's throat. Max suddenly started breathing deeply and crawled as far away from Jason as his bed would allow. Deciding he'd done what he needed to do, Jason turned and left silently, as he collected and equipped his weapons to his person, he told the guard.
"If he runs, take him alive... I'll volunteer for his firing squad."
Chester Castle
Chester Safezone
Z-day +62
08:45
Within a few days of its proposition, Marsden, and the council had given the green light for Jason's proposed excursion to the Altcar range for ammo. A train driver who was familiar with the type they would use and a signaller who knew the line. Jason was assigned to lead the raid, and he handpicked his platoon of 20 from over 80 volunteers. But on the morning they were due to depart, as troops ran final checks on their kit, an unforeseen problem arose.
"No means NO, Alex! You are not coming on this one!" Jason told her for the 6th time.
"You need a medic, I'm going," replied Alex resolutely.
Jason sighed, "I have a medic Alex. And I am not taking a pregnant woman into a combat zone. Especially not you!"
"Why not?!" she demanded. Before Jason could answer, she was overcome by a bout of morning sickness, emptying most of her breakfast onto the assembly area's tarmac. Jason sighed and pulled the few stray bits of hair aside.
"Well, that's one reason," said Jason once her nausea subsided and he produced his water bottle for her. "Another is that we're only carrying enough supplies for 48 hours, max. If we end up in the field for longer than expected we can't have a pregnant woman slowing us down." She glared at him, to the point it almost made him reconsider his choice to go without full body armour.
"That and I promised Fred I'd look out for you. Risking you getting bit in the field doesn't seem like a good way to keep good on that promise now does it?"
"No, but... but... Arrrrgh!" Jason smiled as Alex saw reason admitted defeat.
"I will kill you for this Jason," she grumbled. Jason shrugged while grinning.
"Many have tried. I wish you luck." Alex slapped him for the jive. He shrugged again.
"Yeah, I'll give you that," he knelt down and picked up his patrol bag. "See you later Alex."
He turned to his soldiers, "Alright, grab your gear! Let's roll!"
...
Even in their patrol order, it only took a 15-minute march to reach the train station.
For the most part, they had opted to keep their kit light, choosing MOLLE and PLCE webbing sets over the more protective but bulky Osprey Body armour. This was partly because of the sweltering early June sun, but also because of their slightly altered weapons loadout. Everyone, as well as their standard L85's, L129's and handguns, was also carrying a sword or bladed weapon of some type or description due to the lack of ammo they carried, and they needed the extra mobility to use them effectively that Osprey denied. Jason himself had pilfered an old 1907 pattern Sword bayonet from the Cheshire regiment museum's storeroom, while Akio stuck with her trusty machete and Johnson took point with his bastard sword.
The route there was relatively quiet; thanks to a noise making operation that someone had come up with and implemented (Specifically someone plugged an iPod into the loud speakers on a riot vehicle and started playing classic rock as loud as they could while driving slowly away from the city). Only a few infected challenged them on route, and were quietly dispatched. Before long, the platoon made their way across the tracks towards the train that they required. While the majority set up a protective screen around the train, the drivers and a small group of soldiers set about clearing and starting the train.
"How we looking?" asked Jason as he stepped into the small driver's cab where the driver was going over an instruction manual.
"We... we should be able to get going shortly," said the driver. He looked slightly unsettled to Jason. After a moment's glance around the cab, he saw why. A splatter of blacky gooey infected blood decorated the wall corner. It probably belonged to the last driver, who came to a brutal end at the head of one of Jason's troop's blades. Understandably the driver was slightly phased by it.
"Hey," said Jason, getting the driver's attention. "You've got 20 fully armed guys and gals backing you up. We got your back. You do the Choo choo bits, we'll do the stabby shooty bits. Ok?" The driver gave a weak nod as his reply.
"Yeah... Ok."
"Great," said Jason, "then let's get this bucket of bolts rolling."
"Alright," said the driver. He turned back to his checklist and ran through it.
"Hydraulic break; engaged. Hydraulic fluid Pressure; looking good. Electrics: on. Ammeter; charging. Voltmeter: looking good. Fuel cock: on. Fuel Pump; on. Alright then, moment of truth."
The driver punched the motor starter. The diesel engine groaned and sputtered for a moment before turning over, roaring into life for the first time before quietening to idle. Jason gave the driver a pat on the shoulder before heading into the back and opening the side door.
"Alright load up!" he called. The doors opened and the soldiers climbed aboard, some dropping kit bags on tables while others took up covering positions at the open doors.
"Last man!" called Johnny as he and Akio climbed aboard.
"All aboard!" called Jason to the driver. The driver flashed a thumbs up through the open cab door and a moment late the door shut, accompanied by an automated computer voice telling them to mind the doors. A moment later, the train set off, and the soldiers settled down as it picked up speed.
"Alright," called Jason. "I want a someone at each door keeping watch. One Section you're up first, Two-section will swap out in an hour. Get some rations down you and take a load off, guys."
The troops settled in for the ride, with Jason and Akio shooed a private away from a table he was in the process of occupying and occupied it for themselves. Jason started eating a cold MRE from his ration pack while Akio just watched him for a moment.
"What?" asked Jason through a mouthful of cold chicken curry.
"It was him," said Akio. "Wasn't it?"
The evening before, Jason had been asked to come to the hospital, specifically the morgue. Apparently they had found the body of an enemy combatant... by a shattered Lee Enfield sniper rifle. Jason went down to the morgue and confirmed his suspicions.
It was Will. He'd been shot through the chest with multiple 5.56 rounds and was found in the approximate area that the sniper who fired on Akio's unit during the siege was thought to have fired from.
"Yeah," replied Jason. "It was him."
"You regret not having the chance to say goodbye?" asked Akio. She knew that, even though they had tried repeatedly to kill each other, at the end of the day, he had been Jason's friend.
"Yeah."
"Anything I can do?"
"Yeah," Jason looked up at her and looked her in the eye. "Don't leave me."
"Never," She smiled, as she leaned over and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"Uck! Get a room!" said a private in joking disgust. Jason and Akio smiled.
"Right," said Jason "Down Private. 20 press-ups."
"Damn it!"
...
The train ride was, for the most part, uneventful with most of the soldiers eating or relaxing on route. They geared up as they approached the station and cleared it quickly. Jason ordered the driver, signalman, and 4 soldiers to stay aboard and radio if there was trouble. Everyone else would split into 2 sections, one lead by Akio and the other by Jason, and would go scout the armoury and the ammo bunker.
The main base itself consisted of a group of barracks buildings, mess halls, a first aid station, administration buildings, and an assault course contained within a 3-metre high chainlink fence that surrounded the complex as well as the ranges themselves. However the thing the soldiers were noticing the most, was the inherent lack of life; infected or otherwise.
"Well, this is creepy," said one soldier in Jason's section. Jason was inclined to agree. When he'd been here for shooting events, the place had been packed with soldiers, cadets and other personnel, now it was eerily quiet.
"The ammo bunker just down the road," said Jason. "Come on."
What Jason didn't tell them was that 'just down the road' was over a mile to the bunker. As they neared the bunker, Jason's radio crackled.
"Juliet Romeo, this is Alpha Lemur. Be advised, we've had visual contact with a single live contact dressed in camouflage. Over."
"Alpha Lemur this is Juliet Romeo, Do you still have visual contact? Over?" asked Jason, replying to Akio's transition.
"Juliet Romeo, this is Alpha Lemur. Negative. It was only a brief contact at range. Over."
"Alpha Lemur this is Juliet Romeo. Roger. Keep your eyes open. Could be more of them. Out." Jason cut the radio and turned to his section. "Alright, eye's up guys. We're not alone out here."
The section all tensed up a bit as they approached the bunker. The bunker was a large, 100-meter square concrete building that stood 2 meters above ground and went down several stories underground with the whole above ground section being covered with grass except the armoured doors. Jason's section, now moving tactically, hugged the wall as they moved toward the door. As they rounded the corner, they came face to face with another camouflaged group of men, rounding the opposite corner at the same moment.
For a moment the 2 sides stared at each other, not expecting the other to be there, before they raised their weapons on each other.
"British Army!" shouted Jason, training his weapon on the apparent leader of the group.
"Royal Marines!" The man shouted back at the same time. For a moment, the 2 sides held each other in their sights, before Jason broke the silence.
"Wait. What?"
"Lieutenant, Royal marines!" replied the leader. "Who are you?"
"Sergeant. British Army," replied Jason. "1st Cheshire Militia Company."
"1st Cheshire Militia company?" repeated a marine sergeant comically. "No such thing. Where did you come from?"
"The Chester safezone," replied Jason. He caught a few of the marine's looking between each other as if they were now unsure. "How about we lower our weapons and talk about this like civilised people? Or we can kill each other. You're choice."
A moment passed as the 2 sections held each other at gunpoint. The Marine lieutenant sizing up Jason and Jason glaring back at him, fully ready to pull the trigger. The Marine lowered his rifle and extended a hand to Jason.
"Lieutenant Sharpe," he said. "42 Commando." Jason verified this with a glance to the unit badges on their fatigues before lowered his rifle and shaking the Lieutenant's hand.
"Sergeant Rees," replied Jason. "Where did you come from?"
"HMS Bulwark," replied Sharp. "She's anchored off the coast. We came here for ammunition, the southern safe zones are running low after recent battles against the infected."
"Southern safezones?" asked Jason, confused. "There are other safezones?" Lieutenant Sharpe looked surprised.
"Sergeant, you may want to sit down," Said Sharpe. "I think we've got a lot to talk about."
HMS Bulwark
Z-day +62
17:23
Lieutenant Sharpe processed the day's findings as the landing craft carried him and his platoon back to their mother ship, HMS Bulwark.
Ever since the outbreak began, the British military had been fighting a bloody battle against the infected, losing at first, and had only recently fought them to a stalemate in the south of England. When London fell on day 6, what remained of the government and royal family was evacuated south and the country placed under martial law. Almost everything north of Bristol was considered lost and the military's efforts had been mainly focused on keeping the south secure and preventing more infected coming by sea or air, in the form of infected or infected refugees.
However recently, the martial law had been lifted, placing a newly elected civilian government based on the Isle of White in control of domestic issues, freeing the military up to focus on other matters. Such as; preparing to take back the UK from the infected.
That was the reason that the admiralty had dispatched HMS Bulwark and her escort of the Destroyer HMS Duncan and the Frigate HMS Sutherland north from the naval base at Portsmouth; to secure strategic resources at sites at various coastal or near coastal sites all around the UK. The Altcar training base had been one of the first stops on their list.
But as well as the ammunition stockpiles they required, another potentially strategic resource had been unveiled to them; The Chester Safezone.
The landing craft's ramp lowered as it docked with Bulwark and the marine's disembarked. Sharpe ordered his Sergeant to get the team wound down from the day's ops while he reported to Captain Wallace. After a quick diversion to drop his rifle and webbing in his bunk, Sharpe headed for the captain's day cabin. He knocked on the door and waited.
"Come in," said the voice. Sharpe opened the bulkhead and stepped in. Captain Wallace sat at his desk in his Royal Navy working dress working on something. "Lieutenant."
"Captain. Sir," replied Sharpe. The captain returned the salute before gesturing to a seat. "Have a seat."
"Thank you, sir," replied Sharpe. "I came to give you a more thorough report than the one I gave over the radio. But to cut it short, we found a safezone."
"Chester," said Wallace. He'd heard Sharpe's initial report. "I dug up the file. Lost contact on day 6. Assumed overrun."
"Not according to Sergeant Rees," replied Starnes. "According to him, there about 1500 civvies and about 150 soldiers. They were here for ammo because some marauders got their hands on a Warrior, busted a gate down and shot up the place while the infected got in. They pushed them out, but lost a lot of people doing it."
"Did you say, Rees?" asked Wallace.
"Yeah. Why?"
"First name Jason? About this tall? Black hair? Blue eyes?"
"That's him. You know him?
Wallace chuckled. "I was on his admiralty review board for potential Royal Marine officers, and I served with his mother aboard the Iron Duke. Miranda Rees was a hell of an officer. It's too bad what happened, her husband was an asshole. But Jason... he had the makings of a damn good marine officer."
"He still might," said Sharpe. "He might decide to join."
"I'll put in my report to the admiralty. They'll probably have the choppers in the air before dawn. I want your report ready to send with it by 19:00."
"Yes, sir," replied Sharpe. He stood and saluted Wallace before being dismissed.
Chester Castle
Chester Safezone
Z-day +74
09:00
Jason and Akio marched towards Marsden's office, following the summons they'd received.
After they returned from Altcar, with their train packed to the roof with ammo base, but also food and medical supplies from the Bulwark, they'd told Marsden everything. That they weren't alone and not the last safezone in the UK.
Marsden and the Council thought he'd finally lost it, until a flight of Chinook helicopters with an Apache gunship escort came over the horizon and landed in the city, loaded with troops, supplies and representatives from the government. The week following, a convoy of supply Lorries arrived in the safezone, along with a full company from the Parachute Regiment and over army reinforcements. The Racecourse was secured and converted into a helicopter landing field, giving the safezone an operational airfield to bring in supplies and reinforcements. The 1st Cheshire had not been relieved of duty but had taken more of an advisement role to the newcomers.
"Any idea what this is about?" asked Akio. Jason shook his head.
"No clue," He said. They knocked on Marsden's door and waited until they were invited in. One thing that both Akio and Jason noticed was that there were a number of boxes littering the room. Curious, they snapped to attention and saluted Marsden, who saluted back.
"At ease," he said. "Have a seat." Akio and Jason sat down at the chairs opposite his desk before Marsden continued.
"The 1st Cheshire Militia company is being disbanded. Its members are either going to be absorbed into the rest of the military, or given the option to leave. And, assuming that you're both staying in, you've both been reassigned." He produced a file from his desk and handed it to Akio.
"Corporal Long. You've been assigned as a team leader with a promotion to Sergeant. 3rd Battalion, The Rifles. Pack your bags, you fly south in 2 days."
"Sergeant Rees," he said, handing Jason a file. "It seems that someone put your name through the Navy's system and saw that you aced the Royal Marine potential officer's course. They want you as a probationary marine sniper. 43 Commando, Royal Marine Boarding team, HMS Northumberland. You fly out tomorrow at 06:00."
"You're splitting us up sir?" asked Akio. Marsden sighed, he knew this was coming.
"I'm sorry," he said, "I really am."
"Is there no way to stay together?" Asked Jason. Marsden shook his head.
"Even if one of you were to quit, and I don't see that happening. It would have to be an extraordinary circumstance for them to keep you together."
"Understood sir," said Jason quietly. He stood up and Akio followed suit after a moment's hesitation. They both saluted, before departing silently.
...
"Why didn't you say anything damn it?!" screamed Akio. They had barely gotten back to their room at the abode when Akio started shouting. Jason calmly waited for her to finish before continuing.
"Akio," he said, "there is nothing we can do."
"You didn't even try to do anything!" she screamed, tears welling in her eyes. "It's like you don't even care!"
Jason stepped forward and enveloped her in a hug.
"I do care Akio," he said quietly, "I care more than you will ever know. I don't want to leave you. But we have too. But I will stay in touch and I will see you again."
"Promise?" asked Akio, her eyes red from where she'd been crying.
"Promise."
They spent the rest of the night together. Simply enjoying each other's company and holding each other close, until the time came. Goodbyes were said, parting gifts exchanged, and Akio watched as Jason boarded the helicopter, and watched it fly away into the dawn sky.
Well... that's it. The final chapter of the British Outbreak.
Special thanks to my Beta Reader Draco38, who had to put up with my terrible spelling and punctuation.
Also thanks to you guys the readers, for sticking with the story for this long. You guys are awsome.
I have got a sequel in the works, no idea when it will be out, sometime after I've finished my GuP story.
And that's it from me, thanks for reading
Jango