Shadow of the Red Flag: Part 1

by dcfefs

The year was 2277, 200 years after the Great War. the world was locked within a dark and quiet void. The US government was broken, unable to continue with the war with its enemies, nor could the enemies. China, with its government remained intact, sent out her most deadly force towards the capital wasteland... to execute protocol 614, a plan to end the war once and for all.

18. Chapter 18

Pat 18:

" I'm sure he is all right, the radio signal in here is weak, due to the thick walls and multi layered floors." Said Nikita to Hawkin. Hawkin stared at her radio, considering her options. "look, captain, I must be frank with you, but I am not going to double back just to check if our comrade is okay just because the radio doesn't work, let's just clean this place up, with the three of us, we can finish it in plenty of time to meet up with Jones again."

Parker looked at Hawkin concerning what her answer might be. "You are right, we only have to check one more floor out and we can finish it in no time. No point doubling back, it will only slow down our progress. Let's move out!"
"Aye aye captain." Said Nikita with a hint of sarcasm, while Parker, remained silent but complied the order. The three of them walked up to the staircase, and found 3 more raiders, who were taking jets and inside the bathroom, they did not put up a fight before being shot dead by the paladins. "I believe that's the last of them" said Hawkin. Then she radioed again "we are coming back Jones, stay put.". Yet again, no response came from the radio. The three of them ran back to the first floor and walked down the stairs. They turned left to right, the road seemed to be longer than they remembered, for each moment that passes, the more nervous Hawkin gets. Finally, they have reached the door to the lobby, Hawkin ran and kicked it open and ran inside the lobby; the paladins followed, expecting to see Jones, standing in the hallway, guarding his post; however a horrific sight caught their eyes. Jones was lying face down in a pool of blood. Hawkin's jaw dropped and couldn't move. Nikita felt that something is not right about a body just lying in the middle of the lobby, and there were no signs of struggle. Parker on the other hand looked at Hawkin in concern, and just as Parker was about to say something to comfort Hawkin, Hawkin ran down the stairs and screamed "JONES!" Nikita, after seeing this, shouted "DON'T! HAWKIN! STOP!" Hawkin ignored her comrade's warning and rushed to her fallen comrade's side, "oh god , this is all my fault, Jones, can you hear me? God! Jones!" "…"Jones murmured, barely conscious. "Jones! You are alive! Tell us how to fix you up!" said Hawkin as she grabbed on to Jones shoulder and turned him over. As she turned him over, a strange green light can be seen on Jones's armor. Hawkin froze in shock as she sees 4 plasma grenades were strapped on to Jones' s torso. Jones looked at Hawkin in the eyes and muttered his last word, "…run…", before he was consumed by the destructive green light.