Zone 10: Project Genesis
Chapter 5
Ralph's POV, Officer's barracks, 7:25pm.
Carrying two plates of food into the lieutenant's room, I found him out-cold on the bed. Taking my time to make my way over to him with the trays, I set them down on the counter next to his bed to try and find myself a seat.
Finding a wooden chair by a writing desk, I pulled it over to quietly place myself next to him to continue eating. I didn't want to wake him up too early. It's not like the food is hot anyway. It's cold cuts night at the mess hall here on base.
As I finished off my sandwich, I glanced down to see his gear by my side. His vest was covered in dry blood and even some of the pads were torn from the Kevlar plates. The thing looked like it went through hell, and as I gently took it into more of a focused view, I decided to put down my tray to try and grip onto it's straps.
Upon lifting it onto my lap, I slowly flipped it over to widen my eyes at what I saw. It was a huge fucking claw mark. It went clean through the Kevlar.
Looking to the Lt, I asked to him in a whisper.
"What the hell happened on that planet?"
With Shadow still out of it, I flipped back over his vest to the front to see two thin pieces of paper just barely peeking out the side of one of his inserts.
"Hmm." I mumbled as I took them out from the vest.
As I got them into my hands, I widened my eyes.
The first one was a picture of his team. Each person in the photo had a name written under them. From left to right I read to myself.
Reaper, Borne, Rosin, Foley, Shadow, Cruz, Hopper, and Kid. They all looked so happy. Judging from the background I assumed this was taken in the middle east somewhere and from knowledge I know teams that were sent there saw the most combat. God they must have been like a family.
Looking to the Lt, I mumbled.
"Guess that's why you were so upset."
Getting no response other then his breathing, I flipped over to the next photo to see a picture of his Captain and his wife and daughter. Everything I felt while seeing this told me Shadow must have gotten his last words. Blood was stained in the edges of the border.
Lowering my head, I let out a sigh. God I can't even begin to think about what he's going through. It has to be killing him.
Gently putting back the photos in his vest, I lowered it back to the ground next to his rifle to look back at him.
As I observed, I caught a glimpse of his neck. I could see his bite.
Very slowly I moved in to try and get a better view.
Gripping one finger on his shirt, I gently pulled it to the side to stare at the disfigured skin.
Gently letting it go, I sat back down to say to myself in my mind of mixed thoughts.
"On top of losing your team, you have to live with being part of one of those monsters. I wonder what he feels."
As I now just sat and watched him sleep, I decided maybe it was best for him to be alone. There's nothing I can do to make him feel any better.
Softly sitting up with my tray, I left his by his bedside to slowly and swiftly make my way out of the room.
As I made my way forward, the question still consumed me. What was he thinking about?
Shadow's POV, Fort Juniper, Afghanistan, 1 year ago.
Making my way to the firing range, I found Reaper alongside Foley who he was trying to teach to be a rookie sniper.
As I came up behind them, Foley asked in anger.
"Why can't I hit the fucking thing!?"
Reaper was a dead serious sniper at heart and forcefully replied.
"Cause your jerking the gun too much. You have to be calm."
Looking to him Foley replied.
"Well let me try again with my left hand this time."
"What good will that do you Foley?" I asked as both of them looked to me.
Giving me a smile, Foley replied while putting up his right hand.
"Cause this is my cock hand. Jerking a long gun is it's specialty. Maybe if I switch to my left hand that's seen no action I'll be a dead-eye sniper like you or Reaper."
Giving him a chuckle I replied.
"I don't think that's how it works man. Just try and breath. You'd be amazed what king of difference it makes when you focus in after a nice inhale."
Patting Reaper's shoulder, he muttered to him.
"If that's the case then, let's get high. According to the Lt I'll be the Clint Eastwood of Afghanistan if I'm seeing unicorns and flowers in the sand."
Shaking his head Reaper replied.
"The last thing you need is to get shitfaced. Just do what he said and breath."
Giving up on the jokes, Foley got back down on the rifle to try and take his aim on the target at one hundred meters out.
Watching from above, I stared on as he pulled the trigger.
"BANG!"
Wooden shards went out the back of the target's head and in a near immediate response Foley yelled.
"Take that Hitler!"
Giving Reaper's shoulder a pat I urged.
"Have fun."
Nodding with a frown, Reaper replied.
"I'll try lieutenant. Thanks."
Waving off as I continued downrange, I found Kid setting up his rifle with a scope.
"God damn it this is hard!" He stated as I chuckled and reached down to take it from his arms.
"Here rook. All you got to do is line up the rail and grip the bottom. Watch." I urged him as I slid on the scope for him to see.
As I got it in place, I handed it back to him to see his confused face.
"That's it?"
Nodding I replied.
"Yup. Nothing to it, right?"
Looking down on the scope, then back to me, he replied.
"So how do you get it off?"
Beginning to laugh, I replied to him.
"I'll leave that magic to you. Don't hurt yourself."
Focusing back on his weapon, I moved a few slots down to see Hopper and Borne sending rounds downrange. Keeping my distance as they kept sounding off, I waited till they were done to say.
"Nice shooting."
Looking back to me Hopper replied.
"All in the wrist."
Smiling further as they both reloaded their guns, I heard from behind me.
"Lieutenant!"
Upon turning around, I found Rosin making his way towards me.
"What's up?" I asked in concern as he reached me to reply.
"Cap wants you inside for a briefing."
Quickly patting his shoulder, I pushed towards the base camp to find Cruz hunched over a map of the capital city.
As I got to his side, I asked.
"What's the mission?"
Pointing to the center, he replied.
"Command wants us to extract a high value target out of the capital building, here. And extract him to the RV, here."
Nodding my head as we continued to look at the map I asked.
"Any risks?"
As I kept my eyes down on the map, I saw a small red drop splat it's way onto the surface.
Gently looking to Cruz he replied.
"We're all going to die."
In confusion, I watched as the blood was coming off his fur.
"Sir?" I questioned in fear as he slowly turned to look at me.
The coldest chill hit my spine as his face came into view.
Stepping back, I had my eyes wide to see a small hole in the center of his forehead.
Giving me a nasty smile, my body began to shake as he took a step towards me.
Continuing to back my way towards the door, Cruz urged.
"Just let it happen Shadow."
Nearing the door I asked.
"Let what happen?"
Getting in my face he replied.
"Let it consume you."
With the last step needed to reach the exit, I hit someone.
Immediately turning around I found the whole team in my face. Each one smiling with a different set of appearances.
Reaper had a knife sticking out the front of his skull, while Borne and Foley had a hole in the center of their heads. Rosin was drenched in what seemed to be water and Kid had the back of his mouth missing. I could see right through his teeth.
Backing up into Cruz in lack of words, I felt his arms grab onto my waist.
In an instant, his teeth dipped into my neck and I screamed.
"AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Releasing me with my wound, I fell in front of the others to feel something latch onto my shoulder.
Slowly looking over, I found Hopper. He was in half. Only one arm left, and his eyes were missing, along with his cheeks, and his ears, and nose.
"Raughhhh!"
Lunging at my neck, Hopper took a hold; and as I screamed in pain the others moved in.
Rolling onto my front, I panicked in bloody tears as Foley and Kid dug into my chest. My vest came off in two as my skin broke and the others began to rip into my ribs.
"AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Crying now in agony, I looked up to find Cruz smiling.
Slowly getting to his knees, he whispered.
"That's a good boy. Let it happen."
Looking back to my chest, I watched as Rosin pulled out the side of my intestines to begin eating them like stuffed sausage.
Hearing each one pop as he bit into them made me faint, and as I let my head rest down under the pile of blood under me, I widened my eyes to see Cruz thrust forward at my face.
End of dream, 8:07pm.
"AGHHHHHHH!"
Shooting up from the bed in complete fear, I checked my body to find it all in tact.
"Ahhhh. Ahhh. Ahhh." My heart rate was skyrocketed, and I was sweating like a pig.
Slowly looking to the door, I found it shut and a wooden chair set next to my bedside.
Looking to the chair, I found next to it was a tray of food. My eyes found cuts of ham and turkey resting in between a bun and in an instant I began to feel sick.
Leaping for a trashcan, I began to puke.
After dropping out my guts, I stumbled down on my ass to place my right hand on my neck.
The torn skin was warm. So warm it felt like it did when I was first infected. The only thing missing was the blood.
Slowly bringing down my hand to my chest, I felt for anything out of the ordinary. But thanks to some kind of god above, nothing more was wrong then what was already done to me.
Carefully getting back on my feet, I looked to the clock to see I had only slept an hour. Life wasn't on my side.
Taking my time to head back for the bed, I found my vest on it's side. In curiousness, I took it in my hands to see that Ralph must have moved the pictures I had set under one of my chest inserts.
Taking them out, I stared at each blankly. That dream made their faces hard to what to see.
Gently putting them back into the vest, I flipped the armor back onto my shaking body and gently picked up my rifle from up off the ground to wrap back around my side. After getting everything checked away, I made haste for the door. It seems clear I can't sleep and with Project still out there looking for me I can't stand still. Guess it's my fate to keep moving.
As I stepped outside into dim lights, I found most of the halls empty as I took care to try and locate someone. This is a military base. There should be people somewhere.
With silence approaching, I began to pick up my pace. Everything in my head was beginning to panic.
Beginning to sprint, I turned right into Ralph who was bashed into the wall by my raw speed hitting him.
"Whooo! Calm down lieutenant. What's wrong? Why aren't you resting?" He asked as I caught my breath to look at him in a scared way.
Gripping onto my fear, I asked.
"Where is everyone?"
Slowly getting back in front of me he replied.
"General Hoffer has most of the teams at R.R.T.S. There's only a handful of us left here."
"Why aren't you there?" I asked in confusion now as he smiled still to reply.
"Cause Hoffer told me to keep and eye on you. He wants to be sure your safe." Sensing that wasn't the reason for General Hoffer's concern with me, I continued to look on at him in confusion as he nudged me to add.
"And after the last time you tried to sleep and I left your side, I figured it's best for the both of us that you have some sort of protection. God only knows if that thing is on it's way."
Nodding my head to his dedication, I asked.
"Is there any word how it's going?"
Urging me to walk with him, I began to follow by his side as he replied.
"Hoffer and the guys are finishing up their prep period. He's taking his time to be sure all the exits are covered just in case."
"And VEX?" I asked in concern as he quickly stated.
"Command sent an R.R.T.S team to clear it out like Hoffer said he would."
"Have they reported in since deployment?" I asked fearing only what happened to my team would happen to them.
Nodding Ralph replied.
"About ten minutes ago before I came to check on you."
"And?" I questioned as he got the door leading outside the barracks to the cold night sky.
Shutting it behind me, he replied.
"They were getting ready to move through the portal."
"They killed all the infected?" I questioned as he shook his head and stated.
"You need to relax man. They're fine. I told them to check in once they have the place secured."
Going silent, Ralph guided me towards a small building. Once we reached the door, he got it opened and we both stepped through to find a few officers and some techs monitoring the situations going on at the HQ. Ralph took me towards the back room where he had a duffel bag waiting on a table next to his rifle.
"Here." He said as he pulled out a comm link for me.
Taking it into my hand, he smiled and stated.
"Told you I wouldn't forget it."
Setting the link on my vest I replied.
"Thank you."
Keeping his head on the bag, he then asked.
"So what you thinking?"
Breathing in to hold, I let it out a few seconds later to reply.
"I got to know if Amy is safe."
Nodding to my response, Ralph looked at his watch to state.
"General Hoffer is keeping an eye out for her as we speak. If she's still in the building lieutenant they'll find her."
Knowing that for a fact, I replied.
"I just don't want her to be found dead. You got to understand that kid."
Gently putting his hand on my side, he replied with confidence.
"I do man, I do. But you got to be patient. Let Hoffer do his business and just try to chill out here for what time we got. Come an hour from now, we'll have found her, and all the infected will be gone. Even Project. Not like he can take out an army, right?" He asked with a smirk as I just ignored his question to sit down on a chair that was by my side next to the duffel.
Watching as I pinned my hands back into my face, Ralph said.
"Listen Lt, I got to go and check in with command. Try not to worry. She'll be okay. She's tough. I saw it in her."
Looking up at him as he smiled, Ralph swiftly made his exit.
Looking to the wall, I said to myself.
"Sometimes I think she's more then that."
Ralph's POV, 8:18pm.
Leaving the lieutenant to some peace, I adjusted my path to the op's table to ask the officer at the comm.
"Kilo report in yet?"
Looking to me he replied.
"I was just about to radio them."
"May I?" I wondered as he nodded and handed me the comm link.
Bringing it up to my lips I said.
"Kilo 1-9, this is command over. How's it looking on your end."
Letting the button go, we got back in a few seconds.
"My men just got done securing the facility command. We are now awaiting approval for phase two."
Looking to the officer before me, he nodded and I replied.
"Roger Kilo 1-9. You are clear to move in. Report back when the facility has been swept."
"Yes sir." Replied Kilo's leader as I handed back the comm link to the officer.
Patting his back I urged.
"Make sure to inform General Hoffer about the progress being made."
Nodding as I moved on, I found a position by one of the computers and gently took a seat. Everyone around this building was ether moving or talking. I couldn't even begin to organize it. But my main concern is Kilo team. The VEX may be clear but god only knows what might be on that planet.
Captain Benning's POV, VEX chamber, Zone 10, 8:19pm.
The eight of us crowded the chamber in such awe. I've never seen a place this beat up. The main chamber door was bent out and the materials that were used to make the floor, walls, and ceilings were all burnt.
"What hell happened here?" I asked as my men began to head for the door.
Following in behind, my point lead took the first step through into the havoc.
Everything was chipped and burned. Something must have blown up.
As we walked, two of my men checked the security checkpoint for the chamber that was on our left.
Keeping my distance ahead a few feet, I stopped as they shouted.
"Cap!"
All my other guys held position as I went for the checkpoint to look in and find the pair of them staring at the ground beside me.
Slowly looking down, I found a gray wolf. He was evenly placed along the side of the door with a bullet in his head.
My men held their heads down as I spotted a Captain's patch on his vest.
Gently getting on my knees in front of him, I stated to my men.
"Must be team lead from Delta 8-0. Ahhhhh fuck."
"Who shot him?" Wondered one of the riflemen in my squad. His name was Sargent Grim Holiday. Nice guy, but he was one of the few to question situations around him.
Getting my eyes on his neck I saw he was bitten.
Slowly getting on my feet, I replied.
"He was bit. Maybe one of the others got him before he could turn. Maybe it's what he wanted."
Slowly heading by me and back out into the hall, I took one last look at the dead officer to sigh and fall in behind.
After a small flight of steps, we found ourselves in an atrium. It cut to three different paths. Fuck if I knew where though.
Stopping in the center of the room, my point lead asked.
"Where to Cap?"
Looking to the right path, I replied.
"You and Fillmore will take the left. Rick, Tony, you two go down the middle. The rest of us will go right. Call in if you find anything. And watch your backs gentlemen. We don't know if this place is safe yet."
Taking my warning, everyone went their separate ways. Looking back to Grim who was behind me I ordered.
"Take point. Room by room."
Nodding, Grim got in front to begin us down the hall. The first room to come up was already opened, but as we crossed a hall to get to it, I stopped to find another large steel door left wide open leading into the dark. In confusion I ignored it for the time being, to continue following Grim and the others into what appeared to be a medical room of some sort. The second we entered we covered our noses to two more bodies that were left on the bunks.
"What the fuck?!" Shouted Grim under his hands as it appeared that one of them was from Delta team.
His corpse was rotting. Down to the bones. The smell was awful and as I neared I looked to every other bed to find each with dry blood on it of some amount. The other body was female in origin but too compromised for me to know anything else. And I couldn't even tell who the soldier was when I got around to his face. He was nothing but muscle and bone. The uniform was the only thing informing me he was even a soldier at all.
Simple to say my men were freaked. Special ops troopers don't die like this. It's hard to believe.
Taking my eyes away from the man, I found Victor behind a large table looking at a blueprint. As I approached his side he stated.
"It's looks to be for that sector through the door sir."
Looking it over, I replied.
"Must be where all the good stuff was hidden. Would explain the steel door sealing it off from the others."
Nodding, I looked to Grim to order.
"Grim. Me and you are going in there. Victor, you take Dave and keep searching here."
Both other soldiers nodded as Grim questioned.
"You want to head in there? It's pitch dark sir."
Nodding as I approached the door, I replied.
"We have to secure everything. That includes what's behind the door Grim. Now come on. We have to get this done ASAP."
Taking his time to exhale, Grim soon came in behind to ask.
"Want me to take point?"
Nodding I replied.
"Let's check out the left side first. When we're done we'll come back here and finish the right."
Giving me a frown, Grim jumped ahead of me to take the lead.
"It's just the dark Grim." I assured him as he moved slowly off to the left.
With his rifle light held forward he replied.
"It's not the dark that worries me Captain. It's the shit in the dark we can't see. I mean, one second you could be behind me and the next your not. Do you get it?" He wondered as I decided to play along and keep as quiet as possible.
Turning after a good five seconds of utter silence, he pointed his light at me to order.
"Don't fuck with me like that!"
Chuckling my way back behind him, I stated.
"Just keeping you on your toes Grim."
Letting out a thin sigh, we soon came across a door marked "Storage." It was darker in there then out here in the hall. Which is hard to believe considering I can't even see my hands.
Stopping in front of it, Grim questioned.
"Do we really have to go in there? Can't I just pop off a round and see if something comes running?"
Shaking my head as I passed him by to head inside, I replied.
"Nope."
Hesitating, Grim slowly worked himself up to follow through with me. As we entered, it became clear this place was searched before. Probably by Delta. I could tell cause most of the containers and crates in here were opened. I assume they did that to check for any survivors. People can hid just about anywhere.
As I broke off from Grim by a few feet, I stopped to find a white lab coat resting on the ground. In confusion I got down to turn it on it's front. With my light now resting on it, I widened my eyes to see dry blood and a name tag. Mumbling I said it.
"Dr. Eva."
Grim came in from behind me to ask.
"What you got?"
Putting down the coat, I replied.
"More remnants."
Watching as the coat was left on the ground, Grim followed me back out into the hall.
Not too far ahead was the mess. I could see chairs through the open doors resting next to some tables.
As we both entered, I immediately noticed an open vent with bullet holes placed in it's surface with a chair under it.
In interest, I approached and got up on the chair to try and reenact what must have happened here. I was concerned with what could be in the vents that would attract an op team's attention. Especially enough to open fire on it.
Grim continued to scan around as I lifted my head up into the pitch dark vent. With a small amount of light peeking in through the bullet holes, I lifted up my own light to see something at the end of the vent looking at me. It had bright yellow eyes.
In confusion, I tried to focus in on it when it came charging at me from out of no where.
Dropping off the chair to land on my back, a large rat came falling out from the shaft to hit the floor next to me. Grim jumped out of his skin as it ran off towards the next section where we were bound to head next.
With my heart racing from the scene, Grim offered me his hand to ask.
"She what I mean?! Shit jumps out at you!"
Nodding as I pushed forward for the door where the rat went, I looked back to Grim to order.
"You check the kitchen while I get started here. Come find me when your done."
In an instant Grim questioned.
"But sir?"
"But nothing Grim. Do what your told and just go clear the kitchen. What you scared of? Another rat?" I asked him as he calmly made his way off for the door.
Shaking my head with a sigh, I made my way into what looked to be a crew quarters. This place wasn't all that big but it was a decent hall with a bunch of rooms.
Slowly peering into each one as I walked down towards the end, I found each one empty. Nothing too special here and it looks to be a dead end after you reach the back. But as I neared it, I stopped to find a bathroom. Seeing that the door was closed made me curious and gently opening it up, I found it to be a mix of toilets and showers. Almost all the stall doors were opened, and as I got down to check them I found a vent that was ripped wide open with blood all along it and the toilet under.
With my eyes resting on it in confusion, I heard from behind me.
"Hehehehe!"
Instantly I swung back around to find no one there.
"What the fuck?" I whispered to myself as I looked to the floor to find some more blood resting on the ground.
Slowly making my way to the exit, I turned into the hall to find Grim heading for me.
"We good here Cap?" He asked as I slowly looked back into the bathroom to nod and reply.
"Yeah. Let's get heading back to the entrance so we can check the rest of the place."
As we turned to head back to the mess hall, I looked back to the bathroom door. Something wasn't right around here. Quickly going to my comm link, I asked.
"How we looking guys?"
Letting my hand leave the button, I got back.
"Chuck here with Fillmore Cap. We got a HUGE fucking barricade here blocking all ways into the rest of the sector. This must be where the shit went down judging by the mess. Please advise."
Making our way back out to storage, I replied.
"Head back to the atrium and await the rest of the team. Grim and I are finishing up and we'll be with you in ten."
"Yes sir." Replied Chuck as my comm went off again.
"Cap, it's Rick and Tony. We got something bad here."
"Report." I ordered as Rick replied.
"We found another Delta."
"Status?" I asked as he replied.
"He's dead sir. Something ate him in half."
In disgust, I replied.
"Did you check the rest of the sector yet?"
Taking a moment, Rick came back to reply.
"Tony and I got another room and we'll be heading back."
Nodding to myself as we stopped by the entrance, I replied.
"Copy. How about you Victor? Anything on your end?"
Coming through, Victor who I left in the medical lab replied.
"Same as Rick and Tony Cap. We got another dead Delta here. I know this one too. His name's Foley. Guy was a comic at heart. Always told jokes and he could back up his shit if he had too."
"What got him?" I asked as Grim checked the time.
Looking down the right side of the hall, Victor came back to comm to reply.
"Looks like a bunch of those crazies we killed got him first. He has pieces missing from nearly everywhere. But from what I can tell it looks like he was finished off to the head. Screwdriver seems to be the weapon of choice. We found one a few feet away. Someone finished him off in desperation."
Everyone in this team was dead. Fuck I feel like the guy who survived all this shit wasn't the lucky one. Losing your whole team like this is not the way it should go.
Thinking for my next words, Victor stated.
"We reached the end of our sector sir. Everything is clear. We're heading back."
Looking to Grim I replied.
"Alright. I'll be there soon."
With my team now silent, I pointed ahead to order.
"Let's get moving. We're behind."
Grim knew I was upset for all these soldiers. Yet he knew the best thing to do was to let me continue the mission.
The first door we came to was a greenhouse of some sort. Plants everywhere and a few of them were broken on the ground.
With our lights shining around, I noticed a room in the back. It's main window was broken to bits. But moving ahead I ordered Grim calmly.
"Keep searching. I'll take the back."
Nodding, Grim made his way towards the right side of the room as I got stepping to the door.
Seeing it was left open, I moved on through to find there to only be a small space. Looked like a waiting room or something. But on the other hand there was another door leading further in the back.
As I took my care to aim my light around the darkness, I stepped gently through the door to hear from behind me.
"Sniff!"
Immediately I turned with a swung to find only the air clouding my sight.
With sweat racing off my forehead, I turned the second I heard footsteps to find Grim making his way back to me.
"All clear." He stated as he saw my freaked expression to ask.
"What's wrong sir?"
Feeling as if I was going crazy I replied.
"Something sniffed me."
In disbelief, Grim questioned.
"Sniffed you sir?"
Looking to him I replied in force.
"Yes Grim. Sniffed me. It was right behind my ear. I felt it."
"Well nothings here Cap. Maybe the dark is just getting to you."
Letting my body try and relax, I nodded and ordered.
"Let's get going to the next area so we can get out of here sooner."
Obeying, Grim continued the lead back out into the hall as I questioned my sanity for the first time in my life.
With my eyes now checking behind me, Grim led us to another door that read above it.
"Genetics."
Looking to get it opened, Grim began to get frustrated as it wouldn't budge for us.
"I think it's locked Cap." He stated as I moved in front of him to try and access the keypad myself.
Finding that it really was locked, I replied.
"Guess we'll just have to wait till a tech gets in here to open it for us. I don't have the codes to bust it down now."
Nodding Grim then wondered.
"Should we keep going?"
Nodding back I replied.
"Yeah."
Continuing our way forward, we soon came to set of labs. Most of the shit in this room was in perfect order, except one that had a lab cart resting on the floor and chemicals and beakers broken among the tiles.
"You think something happened here?" Wondered Grim as I nodded and replied.
"I wouldn't doubt it."
Moving on to the next lab by himself, I found a small maintenance room left open with a generator set near the center of the main wall. Stopping in front of it told a story. I saw a gas can left wide open next to it. I suppose after finding out that the power was off; the team got this thing running. But why is it off now? I asked myself as I looked in the hold to find it filled with gas still.
Putting down my weapon, I slowly tried to turn it back on. The lights would sure as fuck mean a lot to me right now.
Pulling on the cord after a few times got it running. The thing was loud as shit, and as the lights came back on; I went to look back to ground for my rifle to find it gone. However the second I looked towards the door, I found it perfectly leaning by the wall.
I was scared. My body was set like a stone by the generator and as I looked around the room in fear, Grim came running in to state.
"Good job getting the power on again Cap. I swear I was starting to see shit in the dark moving."
Looking to see my state of fear, Grim asked.
"What's wrong?"
Pointing to his side, he looked down to find my rifle. Upon taking it into his hands, he asked.
"Why'd you set it so far away?"
Shaking my head as he approached me with it, I replied.
"I didn't. I put it right here when I went to turn this thing on. I swear I did."
Taking the gun back into my arms, Grim looked to me to reply.
"Maybe you did put it by the door and you just don't remember."
Shaking my head, I looked Grim in the eyes to state in force.
"I know I put it down next to me. Something is following us."
Not giving me a response, Grim just asked.
"You ready to move?"
I was pissed off he didn't believe me. But knowing I had no other choice, I nodded and lead the way out back into the labs now with my ears and my eyes scoping every inch we passed.
After going down a small hall, Grim and I stopped to approach I white chamber door.
"What is that?" He asked in confusion as I replied.
"It's a decontamination chamber. This must be the dig site."
I think Grim was scared to head in here, but now after everything that has happened to me, I can't say I blame him.
As we stepped in, the door automatically shut to start it's phases. Maybe after twenty seconds it opened and we were able to step on through to see the pure earth around us.
"Wow." Stated Grim as I took care to check every way something could come and go to be sure nothing was with us this time around.
Making our way down to the brown rock, I found there to only be a straight path leading through a tight space of solid rock. It looked like we would barely be able to fit through.
Making my way in first, Grim slowly came in behind to squeeze in.
As we sidestepped through the awkward space, I felt as if something was behind us.
Trying my fastest to look back, I widened my eyes and tried to reach for my rifle as something shot out from one side of the entrance to this tunnel to the other.
"Move!" I ordered Grim as he shouted.
"I can't! It's too tight!"
Unable to get a shot, I sped my way out of the corridor and reached for Grim who was only a few feet behind. Roughly dragging him through, I aimed my rifle through the space to see nothing anymore.
In confusion, Grim asked.
"What the hell is wrong with you Cap!?"
Keeping my eyes down the path, I replied.
"Something is behind us! I saw it!"
Grim quickly shook his head to reply.
"Your seeing things!"
Swinging back to him, I shouted in anger.
"I know what I saw! It was looking at us and when I turned around it ran off! I'm not lying Grim!"
Grim was being a fucking asshole. He ignored me and all my anger and made his way towards the only place left to go, which was another lab.
Walking his way through the door, I looked back through the crawlspace to find it clear.
Rubbing my hand down from the bottom of my nose and towards the end of my chin, I looked back to lock eyes with something watching me from the end of the tunnel. Instantly it ran again and screwing my orders to search the rest of the area, I ran back into the crawlspace to give chase after whatever it was that was fucking with me this whole time.
Grim's POV, 8:50pm.
The lab was clear. With no help from the Captain who was going mad. I thought I was the crazy one.
Making my way back out to where he was, I stopped in my tracks to see he was gone.
"Cap?" I said while looking around. Getting nothing I shouted.
"Captain!?"
Looking through the crawlspace I began to worry. Quickly I went for my comm.
"Captain Benning? Come in."
Getting no response, I took my chance to leave. Fuck it if I was staying here any longer.
Forcing my body back into the tight space, I got back out to find the chamber door shut from my side.
"Did that fucker leave without me?" I asked out loud as I hit a button alongside the door to get it to open for me.
As it reopened and I got inside for it to begin it's cycle, I asked through my comm.
"Where the fuck are you Cap?"
Everything was silent.
As the chamber door opened, I made my way back into the labs to find nothing more then I did before.
"Cap!" I shouted in anger as I made my way back out into the hallway towards genetics.
The lights now being on made everything easier, but as I neared the door leading into genetics I stopped in my tracks to find the Captain's rifle resting on the ground.
Slowly I approached to pick it up.
"What the fuck?" I whispered as the barrel had blood on it.
In fear, I slowly let the gun go back onto the floor to back my way out towards the entrance.
As soon as my feet hit the tiles, I turned to run back to the atrium where the rest of the team was waiting to see me running back scared shitless.
Getting up first, Victor asked.
"What's wrong Grim? Where's the Captain?"
With sweat running down my face I replied.
"I don't know. He was with me one second and when I looked back he was gone."
Everyone on the team now was up and ready to fight as Rick questioned.
"What the fuck do you mean he's gone!?"
In confusion, I replied.
"I don't know!"
With everyone now on my ass for answers, Victor took charge to ask in a calmer tone.
"What happened in there?"
Getting myself to try and relax I replied.
"We were making our way to the dig when he said he heard something sniff him."
In rage, Rick jumped forward to grab me by the vest and shout.
"Stop fucking lying, you fucking piece of shit!"
Pushing him off me, Victor ordered.
"Stand down!"
Taking a step back from me, Victor urged.
"Go on Grim."
Nodding I said.
"When we got to the dig, he looked behind us to say he swore something was watching us. I didn't take him seriously and when I looked back he was gone. I don't know where he went."
Everyone was worried for the Captain's safety, and gently getting his rifle up, Victor asked.
"You try to raise him on the comm?"
Nodding I replied.
"Three times."
Giving me a serious face, Victor tried for himself.
"Captain? It's Victor. Where are you sir?"
After getting nothing from his end Rick shouted at him.
"I'm not standing here Victor! Let's go find him!"
Nodding, Victor urged me.
"Lead on Grim."
Feeling better having the whole team behind me, I got my rifle up to head back to the large metal door leading into the sector.
Everyone fell in behind as I took them to genetics where I widened my eyes and stopped as the door was now opened.
Stopping behind me, everyone saw the Captain's rifle on the ground in front of it to go on ahead towards the door.
In fear, I remained where I was to have Victor ask.
"What's wrong?"
Looking into his eyes, I replied.
"This was locked."
Slowly taking note, the others made their way in to begin a formation around the area. Victor and I were the last to enter, and as I stopped in back of them all, Victor went to comm again to try and radio the Captain.
"Cap, where are you?"
Everyone aimed to the right as we heard an echo coming from down a flight of stairs.
Putting down the comm link, Victor ordered.
"Fillmore, Tony, take point."
Nodding, everyone began to go for the stairs as Victor went for his comm again.
"Captain Benning, come in."
"Captain Benning,...om...in."
The sound of the Victor's voice came from further below our feet as Tony and Fillmore found another level going down. Carefully making our way further into the bowels, Victor went for it again.
"Cap?"
"Cap?" Victor's voice was heard even clearer now, but our eyes were still set for one more floor below.
I was shaking so bad. Victor, who was next to me noticed, but kept on going as I lowered my rifle.
With the team heading down the last flight, I began to head back up. Something wasn't right. Fuck this.
Sprinting my way up to the first level, I aimed out into the hall to find it empty.
Victor's POV, Genetics level 4, 9:04pm.
Tony and Fillmore kept to the side of the room, and as I went for my comm; over half the team looked to the center of the room to find a huge broken tube of some sort. This thing was big enough to fit a car.
With my rifle up in my right hand, I went for my comm link as the team listened.
"Captain?"
It was heard towards our left and towards the back by a closed door, but it was clear as day.
"Captain?"
Hearing my own voice made me nervous to see where it was coming from, and with Tony and Fillmore on point for the door, we all stacked up to hear from behind us.
"Thump. Thump. Thump."
Everyone turned to aim at the ceiling as it sounded like footsteps from a floor above, and in confusion we all began to panic as the lights all went out.
"What fuck is going on Victor!?" Asked Chuck as I noticed Grim was gone.
"Grim!?" I shouted as Rick replied.
"The fucker ran! I knew he was a pussy!"
With six flashlights coming on to aim around the room, we all aimed toward the stairs as something jetted by our lights.
"To the right!" Stated Fillmore as we all aimed to the side to hear the door behind us open.
Slowly reacting, we all turned to find the Captain lunging at Tony who was caught closest to the door.
Dragging him to the ground with his teeth deep in his neck, I widened my eyes as something came running behind me to tackle me into Chuck who was also sent to the ground from the force.
I felt hands grip onto my chest, and in confusion I widened my eyes to feel it dig through the vest.
With our lights going crazy through the pitch dark, I began to scream as it ripped clean through the Kevlar to begin tearing into my skin.
"Aghhhhhh!"
Rick's POV, 9:06pm.
Trying my best to help Fillmore get the Captain off Tony, I panicked as Chuck hit my side and Victor began to scream for his life.
In confusion, I aimed forward to find something thin and brown ripping into his chest. My trigger pulled the second I saw it tearing out guts from his ribs.
"BANG! BANG! BANG!"
Hitting whatever it was in the side, Victor began to gag up blood as it ran off him and back into the dark.
"Rick!" Shouted Fillmore as he finally managed to pull Cap off Tony who was already dead.
Aiming back towards the pair, I took aim to lock my sights on Captain Benning's head. Fillmore held onto him for dear life, and as I went to pull the trigger; my aim was thrown off by chuck who was tackled by the thing that got Victor.
"BANG!"
Releasing the round as I was sent into the wall, I widened my eyes as it missed completely and the Captain began to bite down into Fillmore's arm.
"Aghhhhh!" He screamed as Captain Benning flipped onto his stomach to begin digging into his neck.
My whole body was struck by complete fear as Chuck was left to fend for himself. Dave was the only one able to do anything, and as he tried to help Chuck the thing on him lunged forward.
"Aghhhhh!" Screamed Dave as I kicked my way towards the stairs to run for my life. As my boots slammed the metal floor in force, I looked back to see that thing leave Dave behind to come after me.
"Stay the fuck away from me!" I ordered it as I threw my gun back to pull down the trigger.
My whole clip was emptied into it's direction. And in the need for more speed, I ditched it to run as fast as I could for the exit.
"Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!"
It was right behind me, and as I made it up the last set of stairs, I widened my eyes to see Grim run into the hall to hit the keypad with his gun; forcing the door to close on me before I could reach it.
"OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR GRIM!" I ordered him as I turned to see the creature jump into my face.
Grim's POV, 9:08pm.
"AGHHHH! AGHHHHH! AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Rick's screams pierced the metal and into my ears. I stood there shaking as blood began to slip through the bottom of the door and he began to gurgle.
Bumping into the wall as I lost track of all sense around me, I listened as silence soon became everything.
With no more noise coming from Rick or behind the door, I gulped and reached down to my waist for my rifle.
"Ahhh...ahhhh...ahhh..?"
Looking left to right to see the halls empty, I slowly turned for the exit.
As my boots began move, I heard from behind me.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Petrified to my core, I panicked and ran seeing the exit coming up on my left.
With the turn coming, I began to sprint. And just as I reached the door, I felt the ground under me give.
"Aghhhhhhh!" Grabbing onto the edge of the floor, I felt nothing under my feet. It was just a drop, and as I dangled for my life and attempted to pull myself up, I felt something grab my foot.
"No! Let go!" I screamed in complete fear as I tried to kick it back down to wherever it came from.
Gripping up onto my leg I looked down to see it's yellow eyes making it's way up to my waist.
With it's weight combining with mine and going up towards my midsection, I began to lose my grip on the floor.
Feeling it's hands reach up for my shoulders, I tried to shake it off to only hear in my ear.
"Rarrrrrrrkkk!"
It's breath was vial and I could feel blood on it's hands as it gripped onto my shoulders.
With it's arms slowly wrapping around my neck, I widened my eyes as it began to strangle me by the throat with all it's power.
Unable to breathe, I looked up to see someone enter my view.
With blood pouring out of his chest and mouth, Rick crawled in front of my hands to say.
"Have a nice trip...to hell...asshole."
Reaching for the side of his vest, I began to try and beg for him to stop, but was unable to say anything as his blade came out of it's cover to rest on my fingers.
Leaning into my eyes, he whispered.
"Fuck you Grim."
With one swift movement, I felt the beast on my back cover my mouth with it's right hand and I screamed into it's skin as Rick chopped through my fingers.
The tips snapped off with the bones, and with our eyes locked; Rick watched as I fell.
Rick's POV, 9:12pm.
With my heart stopping, I smiled to the sound of Grim hitting the bottom of his new home.
"Hahahah! Fuck you...? I shouted in happiness knowing he was dead.
Carefully flipping on my side I finished my last words.
"Bitch."
Hey everyone! I'm busting my butt to get these chapters out to you. I hope you'll all review and leave me your thoughts. I'm curious to hear some predictions. I will have the next chapter on as soon as I can. Keep reading and by the time you know it the story will continue. Love you all.
mT Shadow.