Chapter 10 - Season Finale

Arrival

Phoebe watched as the Humvees drove off, taking her friends away to either safety or destruction. Instantly, she shoved herself away from the glass and walked back to the living room.

"I want every resource of food, water, and weapons we've got in this room right now." She ordered.

"Whatchu planning Phoebe?" Stinky asked.

"I don't know if you're aware Stinky, but we got half our group taken away and we just got a guarantee they're not coming back for us."

"You don't know that Phoebe, how are you so sure they're not gonna send more rescue?" Eugene piped up.

"Eugene these are the guys that tried to wreck our neighborhood when we were kids. Now we have the life of all mankind in their hands? I'm not gonna rest well with that." She responded.

"Eugene I'm with her, last thing I want is for a horde to break in here and tear us all to pieces. I don't want that and you don't want that." Harold said.

"Come on, food, water, weapons, bring them all in here, we're gonna follow them!" Phoebe said as she clapped her hands. Harold went into the kitchen, Nadine went down to the basement, and Stinky went to the cabinet in the front room. Eugene reluctantly followed Stinky. Tai prepared to get up but Phoebe stopped him.

"Mr. Hyunh no. You need to look after your daughter." Phoebe said as she looked at Mai, still lying on the couch, asleep.

"How can we all leave Phoebe? There only one truck!" Tai said.

Phoebe began to ponder, "We'll figure something out." She said, Tai sat back down and grabbed a hold of Mai's hand.

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(On the road to FTi Kappa, sometime later)

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"Been on the road for ten hours…still feels like a bittersweet victory. I'm finally getting my friends to safety. But not all of them, and not to the best place in the world, I've seen my dad with his superiors, I know how FTi thinks. If I'm not careful, we could all end up dead or used up by these people. For all we know, they could be the ones behind this epidemic. Maybe they just want to keep us safe, or maybe they want us for more than that. It's hard to think about who is all left. Rhonda…Harold can't stop thinking about her, I can tell. Patty, Helga's parents, Brainy, Mr. Simmons…More I think about them all, the more heartbroken I feel. Guess I can't save them all and I'm gonna have to accept that sooner or later. Hoping we get to FTi soon, Torvald better uphold his end of the deal." Arnold tucked the pen between the pages and shut his journal once more, tucking it away in his knapsack. Helga saw him put it away.

"What'd you write about, football head?" She asked. Arnold smiled.

"Just hope that we're gonna live another day I guess."

"Whatever you say Arnold, you've got your secrets." Helga said with a wink.

Arnold smiled and tucked his hands in his pockets where he gripped the small red box that contained his proposal ring, twisting it with his fingers.

"Curly, how much further?" Arnold asked, Curly did not respond at first, the engine and wheels continued to hum in monotone, "Curly?"

"Huh? What?"

"How close are we to Kappa?" Arnold asked.

"We'll get there when we get there Arnold, just relax man. You guys are gonna be safe in no time," He said bitterly. Arnold looked past Curly's shoulder, through the windshield at Torvald's humvee which was driving in front of them.

In Torvald's vehicle, Charlie sat silently, twiddling his thumbs. Turner and Torvald sat in the driver and shotgun seats in front of him.

"Doing okay Charlie?" Torvald asked.

"Yeah, sure." He replied.

"Arnold told me about the fiasco where you got bit. What was that like?" Torvald asked.

"Wait, we're carrying an infected kid in our car?" Turner asked panicked as he gripped his pistol.

"It was maybe a month ago Turner. Relax. He hasn't changed yet."

"Doesn't mean he's not gonna! Pull this thing over; we're taking care of this shit. You stay right fucking there." Turner said as he looked at Charlie behind him.

"We're not pulling over anywhere Turner. I've known Arnold a long time, and I trust what he told me. You should too instead of being a dick about everything." Turner turned back to look toward the road.

"You've got a soft spot Torvald. You may be able to tell me what to do, but you're a dumbass for the shit you tell us." Turner said.

"Whatever you say Turner. I'll buy you a ration when we get back to the barracks. Jamie's gonna wanna know how you escalated in douchbaggery, ready to kill a kid right on the spot in my Humvee. Harsh…" Torvald said as he clicked his tongue in shame. Turner just sat there silently as Torvald smirked at him. As they bickered, Charlie looked down at his leg. He stared at the scar from his bite and noticed it was starting to turn green. He scratched at it a little before he returned to looking out the window.

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(FTi Kappa, Hangar 17)

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Miles sat in the hangar, writing notes on his San Lorenzo map. He looked back behind him at Eduardo's plane, still in one piece. Jamie had planned to blow the plane at 2PM that day. Miles continued to hope the explosion would be passed off as an accident as he turned back to work on his map. Suddenly someone called his name.

"Colonel Shortman!" The voice said. Miles looked to see two soldiers approaching him, "You need to come with us." The one said.

"What's the problem, corporal?" Miles said, hoping that his stating of the soldier's ranking would remind the soldier of his authority.

"No questions sir, we need you to report with us, immediately."

"Who's asking?"

"Lieutenant Johannson, he's ordered us to escort you to your cell right away."

"He doesn't have the authority, may I remind you boys I'm a colonel?"

"Your ranking is overridden in Kappa, Shortman, I'm sorry." The other soldier replied.

"Bullshit, you can't do thi-" Miles was interrupted when one of the soldiers drew a tazer and shot Miles directly in the chest. After he hit the ground, the soldiers picked him and dragged him out of the hangar and to the elevator which they rode down to the basement. They thrusted open the doors to the room with a single cell, Miles' humble abode.

As soon as they tossed him in, Miles regained consciousness. Ignoring the body lying on his bed, Miles stood up and prepared to shake the bars violently, "You sons of bitches, your asses are court marshaled!" He hollered as the soldiers left the room and Jamie came in.

"Miles." He said.

"Jamie, what is this? Stabbing me in the back and revoking my colonel status?"

"Miles, your son is being brought in right now by one of our squads." Miles silenced his voice instantly, "And he's got Gerald with him too. I'm sorry I had to override your position to avoid compromising our plan."

"So you're locking me in my cell to 'shut me up'?!" Miles asked frantically.

"You're not alone." Jamie said, beckoning him to look behind him. Miles turned to see an additional cot was placed in his cell, laying on it was Stella, her eyes closed tightly and one leg dangling to the floor in leather combat boots.

"I cut a deal with Victor to get you two together. I'd lock you up for good in your cell if he let you see Stella again. Victor's starting to suspect you're plotting something but he doesn't know I'm in on it too. This is just the best option we have right now."

"Just let me know next time you're gonna order someone to taze me…dick." Miles said jokingly.

"Duly noted. Just leave it to me, Victor's trying to get us into San Lorenzo, I'm trying to keep us out."

"Just blow the damn plane." Miles said. Jamie nodded and prepared to leave, "And watch it Jamie, remember what I said the other day." Jamie nodded again in agreement.

"You got it Miles." He said as he left.

Miles walked over to Stella and crouched down till he was at eye level with her. He stroked her hair and whispered her name. She stirred a little. Miles said her name once more and she opened her eyes. As soon as she recognized his face, she was wide awake.

"Miles!" She whispered loudly, still weak from the experiments. They began to hug each other tightly. Miles pushed her away and put a finger under her chin.

"It's me. Are you hurt?" He asked.

"I'm fine, what are you doing here?" Stella asked.

"They put us in here, it's okay Stella we're safe from the infection."

"What about Arnold, has Victor found him yet?"

"The Lieutenant just told me they're bringing him and some of his friends in now."

"We…we left him in Hillwood." Stella stuttered.

"We didn't, FTi did. Victor was testing him and his classmates against the infected.

"Why test them? It's been ten years since they went to San Lorenzo." Stella replied.

"Victor's ambitious hun, remember?" Stella pulled him in closer, "What did Victor do to you?" Miles asked curiously.

"It doesn't matter, I'm just glad you're okay." Stella replied.

The two held each other tightly in the dark cell. The sun cascaded over the room through the small window on the well in the cell.

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(FTi Kappa Grounds, East Gate)

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Jamie walked on the rough gravel to where Victor was standing, about 100 feet from the gate, next to the little box that housed the controls for the gate. On the other side of the gate was a blank horizon, the many silhouetted hills of Ohio. Hanging on the fenced gate was a small milky white colored sign that read "No Trespassing" its rustic decay and faded text indicated it was left behind by the military base before they moved out and FTi took over the foundation. The gate itself was still functional as far as opening and closing, but it had lost its electrical ability about a year after the military base moved off the grounds.

Victory stood tall in his navy blue jacket and blue button down shirt with his hands in his khaki pants pockets. Jamie walked up next to him and took off his army cap.

"They're about two miles out." He said.

"Are the cells prepped and ready for them?"

"Yes sir. We'll have to put two in one cell unfortunately. They have five with them."

"Five? I'm certain I said four names to Sergeant Torvald, not five." Victor said, looking at Jamie.

That's all I heard sir, Torvald radioed in and said they were carrying five survivors. Victor pondered, this may not be so bad, an extra subject may bring up more results, he thought.

"Who's the fifth?" He asked.

Jamie replied, "Sidney Cromwell."

"Put Miles' son with him, they're less likely to talk. Your brother, Pataki, and the kid are going in the other cells. Is that understood?" Victor ordered. Jamie nodded in reluctant reply. Just then, a pair of lights peered over the horizon to indicate the trucks were approaching. Victor's own orders began to echo in his head, how he was going to lock them up, test them for their exposure to La Corazon…

Victor spaced out too much to recognize when the vehicles pulled up. Torvald and Curly were out when they began to escort Arnold and his friends out of the trucks. It was at that moment they were lined up in front of Jamie and Victor. Gerald saw Jamie and smiled, but Jamie refused to respond.

"Welcome to FTi Station Kappa, gentlemen." Victor said; a failed attempt to be polite and make Arnold's crew feel welcome.

"You must be Victor Richtofen." Arnold spoke up, standing beside Gerald on his right, and Helga, Charlie and Sid on his left.

"You took the words right out of my mouth son." Victor replied.

"Where are my mother and father?" Arnold asked almost instantly.

" They're stationed here, you'll see them in time." Victor replied. Arnold looked at him suspiciously.

"Torvald's said otherwise." Arnold replied.

"Sergeant Torvald has his own agenda, sometimes we fail to communicate." Victor said, looking at Torvald who was standing behind Arnold. Arnold continued to look at Victor, not convinced. Victor, realizing it was worthless to convince them to stay, looked at Jamie and nodded.

Jamie in turn waved to the soldiers behind the kids who began to approach the kids. The needles came out of their pockets and jammed into each of the guys' shoulders. The dosage inside didn't exactly knock them out but put them in paralysis. Each soldier caught them and by pairs, picked each of them up by their arms and legs.

Arnold could see Torvald picking up Helga by the legs, and Curly instead walked the other direction toward what looked like a large hangar before he went limp. As soldiers lifted him off the ground, he could only stare into the night sky, the stars looked beautiful. He wasn't sure if the euphoria was a result of shock from being stabbed with a needle that paralyzed him or because the stars were actually that beautiful. His brain attempted to send motion commands to his limbs but all failed as he hopelessly was hoisted into the research building. The ceiling panned across his vision like looking down at the street in a moving car. His paralyzed limbs dangled as soldiers continued to carry him and his crew through the laboratories until they arrived at the cells. Thankfully, the soldiers were genuine enough to gently set Arnold down on a cot which he could tell was uncomfortable upon first contact.

Unbeknownst to him, Sid was placed on a cot adjacent to Arnold in the same cell. Helga, Charlie, and Gerald were placed in the other three cells; these four cells of which were the ones that housed Arnold's grandpa, Bob, and Suzie just a week ago…

Half an hour later, Arnold and the others were up and walking around, still surprised at Jamie's treachery. It was at that moment, when Jamie waved his hand and they went limp from the surprise attack by the soldiers behind them that Gerald realized he wasn't Jamie's brother any more. The image echoed through Gerald's head. How could he let his own brother get put away like this? Gerald wondered.

It was hard to believe.

"Well this is new…" Those were the first words Sid spoke in days. Arnold looked at him in surprise, "I thought I had a crew, I was able to survive and could do whatever I want. Now the tables have turned…" He said again.

"Sid…are you alright?" Arnold asked, as he sat down next to Sid.

"I'm sorry I did this to you Arnold, sorry my karma turned this whole situation around. We could've been safe." Sid murmured.

"Sid it's alright, you had nothing to do with this."

"Arnold, I'm meant to suffer, look at where we are…" Sid said as he looked at Arnold directly in the face.

"We're gonna get out of this Sid. They can't keep us in here forever. My dad's told me about the things they do here. They need us to be tested."

"What are you talking about Arnold?" Charlie said, Arnold looked over to see Charlie standing at the bars in the cell directly across from him, "What are they testing us on?"

"Don't you get it? We've been out in this mayhem world for months. Victor needs an experimental group, we're it. Maybe they'll have answers. They may be scum bags but at least they can tell us what's going on."

"What's going on is they're gonna kill us as soon as they've got what they need." Gerald chimed in, sitting in the cell diagonal from Arnold and Sid's cell.

"You don't know that Gerald, things have always been alright, why stop now?"

"Arnold…." Gerald mumbled. Arnold stayed silent, waiting for Gerald to continue, "….fuck you." Was all Gerald could say, mustering the anger he had in his heart. His own brother, the only one he had left, betrayed him. Arnold stood there in shock but realized Gerald's heartbrokenness.

"Gerald…" Arnold said. No answer…Arnold just backed away, he collapsed on his cot. It was at this moment, that Arnold first felt the notion of failure…

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(Elsewhere in FTi Kappa)

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Jamie sat in his barracks after Arnold's group was apprehended, almost three hours ago. Realizing he may have made a mistake, Jamie pulled out the detonator for the bomb. A dozen thoughts started to speed through his head. What if he blew the plane and Victor knew he was in on it? What if after the explosion, more chaos could ensue, Kappa could be compromised and Jamie would've put Gerald in even more danger…It was at that time that Jamie realized he wasn't even in range to detonate the bomb from his barracks. He stood up and left. As he exited into the hallway, he saw Phil and Bob down at the end of the hallway, hanging around outside their rooms.

"Hey Jamie-O, what's happening?" Phil said jokingly.

"Phil, Bob, if I were you guys I'd get back in your rooms." He suggested.

"It gets crammed in there Jimbo, what's the problem?" Bob piped up.

"It's about to get a little heated in here…" Jamie said with a smirk as he turned the other direction, walking away from Phil and Bob who were still oblivious. Jamie left the barracks and walked straight for the hangar, almost making a B-line right for the side door. He opened it and peaked inside to see the plane sitting, consumed in the darkness from all the lights being off. He whipped out the detonator and tucked it in his sleeve, hiding it from plain sight. He proceeded to walk away, ready to hit the button. Adrenaline continued to pump through his veins as his heartbeat grew faster. He was maybe 200 feet from the hangar when he finally pushed the glowing red button…

There was not even a quake, no light or growl. To Jamie it wasn't even like there was an explosion. He turned back around to see the hangar still in one piece. No light or ground shaking. He pulled the detonator completely out and pushed it once more. The detonator beeped but still no explosion. Jamie was dumbfounded. Until he got his own when Curly called out to him from behind.

"Lieuuuutenant." Curly said in a suave sarcastic tone, "What've we got here." Jamie turned around to see Curly standing almost victoriously in a disgusting way. Drooping from his finger was a wire with two little boxed on each end. He shook his finger making the wire swing back and forth. It was then that Jamie realized Curly was holding the receiver for the bomb he had planted. The part that made remote detonation possible was dangling from Curly's finger… Jamie continued to look at Curly who looked back at him, his eyes growing more squinted, more sinister…

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(FTi Kappa, Victor's office)

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Victor began to write more notes in his book at his desk. Behind him, the night sky cascaded over the entirety of Kappa which he could observe from his office via the large glass windows. Just then, Norrington came bursting in to the office. "Victor!"

"What happened to knocking, Norrington? What's the urgency."

"You may want to come see this." Norrington said, almost out of breath. Victor, understanding Norrington's condition decided to comply and followed him down to the main security office that housed the televisions for the cameras around the station, all hoisted on one wall. Victor looked at all of them, several hallways, some outside the research building.

"What am I looking at Norrington?" It was then that Norrington pointed Victor to the television in the far right corner. On it, in pixilated blue coloring, was the east gate that Arnold's group came rolling through just a little while ago. Victor began to gape in horror as he saw what appeared to be hundreds of infected approaching the gate. More seemed to be pouring into the shot. Victor frantically checked the television screens for the north, south, and west gate and thankfully none were there. Victor turned back to the east gate television where it looked like the population of infected tripled since Victor turned his eyes away from the screen.

It was a horrifying site to him.

"Well," Victor said, "This puts a damper on our plans."

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It started as a simple 800 word chapter over the summer and ever since then, grew into its own universe. Hope you all enjoyed the next season finale to this epic tale of survival, treachery, horror, and growth through error. Never thought I'd get such awesome reception from it. Share it with your friends, let them know you enjoy it and maybe they will to. It is you guys reading and leaving reviews that keeps me writing, keeps me creating this universe. I promise I will make content for Season 3 more frequent, thus the long time span until S3 but that gives me more time as always to start writing new chapters ahead of time. Until the next season, keep running survivors ;)

Go to my FF profile to read the first half of Season 3 now!