Zone 10: Project Genesis
Chapter 7
General Hoffer's POV, R.R.T.S headquarters, 10:15pm.
Reaching the top floor where this all went down originally for me, I took my place alongside my men to order.
"Team 2 will secure the barracks. The rest of us will secure the medical bay. Report back here once your sector is clear."
"Yes sir." Replied the men as we all split up from there. Heading with my side of the team, I continued to hang a few feet back as the soldiers cleared the path towards medical.
Upon reaching the entrance, we found a few remaining infected roaming about. My men took care of them easily, but as we entered I swore I heard something thumping about. I just couldn't pin point it.
Heading further in, my boys soon got the area secured. There wasn't nearly as many infected up here unlike before. Most had gotten on the levels below by the time we managed to get here. This left us with an easy job. All that was left was to check the mess hall and head back. By then the rest of the team should be done and I can head back to deal with the lieutenant. I can't have him going crazy. There is too much at stake and the last thing I need is the board finding out about this mess. I'm actually surprised no one has come calling to me about the sudden movement of troops. But if my money is on the dime; command will come knocking as soon as something comes up that gets me in a tight spot. Yet I think so long as everything goes well from here, I can shut this situation down and move on. Yet NASA will pay for Delta 8-0 and the rest of my men considering this is their fucking fault. And I'll be sure to have Amy Rose punished for her role in it. Once I find her that is. She might be dead, but I can't say since I haven't seen any sign of her yet. She might have escaped before the lock-down. In any case, I will track her down.
As my men proceeded to the mess, I stayed behind checking the dead as we went. Many were my employees.
As we entered the mess hall, my men began their sweep as I stopped to see the aftermath of the explosion the lieutenant said went on. Everything was a wreak, but the kitchen was by far the worst. It was destroyed to say the least.
"Clear." Stated one of the soldiers, as I nodded and replied.
"Good job men. Let's get back to the others and get a clean up crew in here."
Obeying my orders, the team soon lead us back to where we first split. The others were not back yet.
"Set up a perimeter, just in case." I instructed as everyone got covering a side. As soon as they were all placed, I looked to the team leader to order.
"Radio them. Make sure everything is okay on their end."
Nodding, the staff sergeant went to comm to say.
"Team 2, come in. General Hoffer and the rest of us are awaiting you. What's your status, over?"
Looking down the hall they went, I continued to listen as we were not given a response. Getting worried, he tried once more.
"Team 2, this is team 1. What's your status?"
As feelings began to go slim, we got back.
"Status is green team 1. Area is clear."
Letting a faint sigh out from my worries, I ordered.
"Get them back here. Nodding, my squad leader said to team 2 over comm."
"General Hoffer wants you guys back here ASAP. We're heading out."
"Yes sir. We're on the way."
With my team on perimeter check, we all got back together as team 2 came back from the barracks in short of a few minutes of silence. Quickly regrouping, I ordered the team lead.
"Get us back out. I'm calling in the hazard teams."
Nodding and beginning the journey towards the stairs, I went to my comm link to say.
"Uniform 7-0, this is Hoffer. The area has been swept and cleared. Get the hazard boys in here. And where are my defenses?"
Quickly I got back from their end.
"General we have the main guns up front online and some of the fire escapes. But the sewer tunnels are offline for some reason. I need a team down there to fix the problem if those guns are going to work."
With the team stopping I replied.
"Alright I'll have some of my guys get down there now. Team 2, that's your job. Get those guns online now."
"Yes sir!" They replied as they booked it down the stairs; leaving me with the rest of team 1 who was ready to get going.
"Anything else I should be aware of Uniform?"
"No sir. Everything else seems to be in order but...?"
"But what?" I asked in concern as he seemed confused again.
"I'm reading from the console out here that a breach happened during the attack."
"What kind of breach?" I questioned as he slowly replied.
"A sever breach on the eighth floor. I got nothing more than that. You'd have to find the terminal to find out more. It could just be a security reaction when the alarms went off."
"We'll check it out. Let's go!" I ordered the rest of the guys who stood around waiting. Grabbing their guns, they began the long climb down to the eighth floor. I worked in this building almost all my life in the military and from experience I know this is one of our science wings. Nothing too classified down here from what I recall.
With the rest of the team leading the way onto the floor, I followed in behind as a trail of dead guided our path.
Normal POV, Sewers, 10:27pm.
The vents were smaller than they were on Zone 10, but with enough force Project was able to hide right above the hunter's defenses. At first it was hard to see what was ahead of him, but as he grew closer it became clear they were more of those metal spinners that tried to kill him before for trying to leave the enclosed cage he found himself in.
Very slowly crawling through the vent above, Project stopped above the devices to see thin blue lights waving back and forth. Those must be the things that saw him before. Maybe now that he was above them he could finally get out without the threat of being shot at for once.
Just as he was about to exit the vent however, he stopped in his tracks to the sound of more footsteps coming his way.
In a rush, he tumbled back inside to look down on the guns to see a handful of men beginning to surround the area.
Remaining as quiet as possible, Project watched as they got next to the strange weapons that tried to kill him, but not them. Watching in awe as one of the men began to flick buttons and wires in the device, Project widened his eyes as a bright red button came on. Slowly the man turned it to the side and said into the voice box on his chest.
"The guns should be online now Uniform. How copy?"
"Copy all team 2. Good work. Get back to the eighth floor now. General Hoffer took the rest of the team to investigate a breach on one of the severs."
"Yes sir." Replied the man as he let go of the voice box to shout.
"Let's get moving!"
In confusion still, Project watched as they left the area once more back the way they came.
This time letting himself go from the vent above, Project landed behind the guns to investigate the red light the man had turned.
Soon enough he turned it to hear the guns make a sharp beeping, then watched as they lost their blue lights.
In confusion of what just happened, Project looked back up to hear from down the tunnel.
"The guns went off again."
"Roger that. We're heading back to see what caused it."
In seconds, flashlights turned the corner to rest on him.
General Hoffer's POV, Science wing, 10:35pm.
This floor was a minefield of killing machines. Turrets covered each room and hall, and in our own was about four of them. I guess the military liked to protect its projects. It's no wonder all the infected were killed during the attack.
"Sir?"
The tech soldier on our team was at the breached terminal trying to figure out what the problem was. Quickly making my way to him I asked.
"What happened here?"
Bringing up a large black screen he replied.
"I don't think this was a mistake sir. Here's security footage from when the alarms went off."
Staring at the screen as it went from black to an actual feed. I widened my eyes to see that pink hedgehog who came in with the lieutenant running her way to this computer. She quickly accessed something on screen and me and the team began to watch as the security armed itself. Then it was hell all around. All the workers who tried to leave were gunned down by the turrets and Amy fled to the nearby fire escape after extracting a flash-drive from the computer.
"She murdered all these people. They weren't even infected." I stated as my men looked to me for an order.
In rage, I turned towards them to order.
"We need to find this bitch! Tell Uniform 7-0 we're heading out to...!? BEEP!"
My eyes instantly widened as the alarm was tripped.
Upon looking back at my tech lead, I asked with a shout to my voice.
"What the fuck is going on!?"
Rampaging through the systems, he replied.
"She set us up! The system was tripped when we accessed the camera footage!"
Upon looking back at the rest of the team, we all panicked as we heard from the turrets.
"Targets acquired!"
"Oh shit!" I screamed as I backed up into the desk the computer was resting on.
Watching from the back, all four of the turrets turned to aim at my men and I. Everyone lowered their weapons in defeat as the guns spun up.
"BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! AGHHHHHHHHH!"
Stumbling to the floor as they cut through my men. I sent myself under the desk to push back into the wall. As it hit my back, I watched my tech lead get hosed with bullets.
"BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!"
Flinching in complete fear for my life as his corpse fell off the chair. I was forced to watch as the remaining men alive were quickly executed by a storm of lead. With each dropping soul; I felt even closer to death.
Normal POV, Entrance, 10:40pm.
Over four full teams of men all waited outside by the trucks. Safely guarded by the outside and the miniguns that guarded the doors leading inside. With them all waiting to get their orders from General Hoffer; no one was aware when the guns slowly turned on them and began to paint the streets with blood.
Screams were shot off into the night. And those who tried to get to safety were completely decimated by bullet holes. No armor was thick enough to protect them from what was happening.
In no less than thirty seconds were the trucks and streets covered in bodies. The guns ceased their attacks as the last man was gunned back first into the lead humvee.
Sewers, 10:40pm.
"Open fire!"
With a defenseless position, Project widened his eyes as the metal machines before him turned back on to begin spinning fire down upon his hunters.
"Aghhhh!"
With wide eyes and a sick mind, Project smiled as each was dropped to the ground in blood and open guts.
Something for once went right for him. And with his hunters dead it was time to leave.
Turning for the exit, Project ran his way further into the city's sewer system. Still on the track for his true pray, Shadow.
General Hoffer's POV, Science wing, 10:41pm.
Blood spilled all over the ground and I wasn't about to add to it. Going to my comm I ordered.
"Uniform 7-0? Come in."
Static was the only thing I got from their end. God I hope those guns didn't turn on them at the entrance.
"Team 2? Come in."
My eyes lowered to the ground as I got more static.
If everyone was dead then I was screwed here.
Switching channels, I whispered.
"Ralph? You there?"
Fear still had me shook up as he replied.
"I'm here General. What's up?"
Looking around the area as I hid under the desk, I replied.
"I need your help. Everyone's dead."
Immediately Ralph questioned.
"How?!"
Focusing on him I replied.
"That bitch Shadow was with. Amy Rose? She set us up. When we got here I had my guys check the defense turrets. Well they caught a breach on one of the servers up here on the eighth floor science wing. When we tried to access it we found camera footage of her sabotaging the systems when the first alarm went off. All the people on this floor were slaughtered Ralph. And worse yet she had them set to go off again once we found out. My team is dead and the turrets will murder me the second I pop my head out."
"What about the other teams outside?! Can't they get to you!?"
Getting as far back into the wall as I could, I replied.
"You don't understand Ralph, every turret just turned on us. Everyone is dead. I need the power cut to the whole building if I'm to get out."
Ralph quickly asked.
"What do you need me to do sir?!"
"Have whoever is left get here and set up a barricade outside. It won't be long till the press and civilians start to crowd around and those guns will kill them all. We can't let that happen."
"But what about you?!" Questioned Ralph as I quickly replied.
"I need you to cut the power. It should be in basement here. You're going to have to get by the guns though. Unless you can get some guys to cut it from the street."
Ralph went silent as one of the soldiers began to gag up blood.
"Stay down!" I ordered him as the guns went off. Over fifty more rounds filled his body as I was forced to watch.
"Ralph please!" I begged of him as he ordered.
"Just stay where you are! I'm coming!"
"Hurry!" I ordered back as I put down my comm to let out a long breath.
With nowhere to go and nowhere else to hide, I could only wait. And now that everyone is gone I'm sure to be fired now.
Ralph's POV, Ops Center, 10:44pm.
I had everyone heading out. Every officer and every soldier like Hoffer ordered.
As I was left in the back of the convoy, I questioned the standing order with the lieutenant. Cause I'm fucking scared. The last place I want to be is facing a group of miniguns alone. And I know for a fact he would be able to help me get by them without the threat of being gunned down.
With the convoy getting started up to head out the main gate, I was forced to make a quick decision.
Shaking my head and letting my gun hang over my shoulder, I jumped on the back of one of the humvees and left the rest to fate. I knew my orders.
With the moon consuming the sky above and leaving us in the dark. Me and about fifty men made our way towards R.R.T.S HQ.
General Hoffer's POV, R.R.T.S HQ, Science wing, 10:45pm.
Cautiously putting my hand out from under the desk, I widened my eyes to hear almost instantly.
"Target acquired! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!"
Before even the first round went off, I retook my hand to my chest to shout.
"Fuck!"
It was clear I wasn't going anywhere. All my chips are on Ralph and the lieutenant. God I hope they get here quick.
Ralph's POV, 10:55pm.
The HQ was inbound and civilians were standing back as the convoy took control of the area.
Driving up to the scene at the front door, everyone stopped to stare at the many brothers we lost who were lying dead among the street.
"Orders?" Asked a major who was the commanding officer on duty. Looking to him I replied.
"No one approaches the entrance till the power is offline.. Set shop here and at the other end. No one gets through our lines major. Not police. Not press. Not even the fucking president if he shows up. You understand?" I asked in a serious tone as he nodded.
"Yes sir. Do you want to take a couple guys with you?"
Jumping off the back of the humvee, I replied.
"No. It will be easier alone. Once I have the General to safety, we'll wait for you to cut the power. Have teams ready to move in and secure the building. God only knows what else could be in there."
Giving me another nod, the major replied.
"We'll be ready. Good luck in there."
Quickly making my way forward, I was stopped by a tech sergeant who was quick to state.
"The turrets are blind to smoke corporal. You should be able to run right on in if you pop some rounds off."
Nodding as I continued my way towards the bloodshed. I soon met myself face to face with the blood stained humvees. Keeping my body down so the turrets couldn't see me. I slowly made my way across till I was lined right up for a straight shot in through the doors. Sitting by the front tire, I went to comm.
"General Hoffer it's me."
Immediately I got back.
"Where the hell are you Ralph? I'm getting crushed under this desk."
Peeking out to the turrets and quickly going back to safety, I replied.
"I'm right outside. Where are you again?"
"Science wing. Eighth floor. Be careful Ralph. Those guns will rip you apart if they get the chance."
"Wilco sir. Just hold tight. I'll be there soon."
Letting out a large breath of nerves, I looked around to see most of the soldiers watching from safety.
"Alright Ralph. Here we go." I said to myself as I reached towards my belt to unclip a smoke grenade.
Pulling and holding the pin, I counted to myself.
"One...two...THREE!"
Sending my arm over the hood of the humvee, I watched from the tire as the smoke landed right at the front door to go off.
Giving it a few seconds to spread, I took hold of my rifle and spun the corner as fast as I could.
The smoke was disorienting and it made everything so unclear as I ran through the front door to look around for an escape.
Catching a glimpse of a door to my left, I ran my ass as fast as I could to its safety. But as I neared, the guns had taken notice due to the smoke wearing off.
"Target acquired!"
Leaping for the door, I rolled through to hear the sound of pure lead being sent my way. Thanks to the distance I managed to get however, I found myself safe from them as they hit the door and walls around it's frame.
Catching my breath, I shouted.
"Fuck me! Holy shit that was too close!"
After getting back on my feet, I looked forward to find I had entered a stairwell. With luck I would reach the General in minutes. And I pray to god there are no turrets in here as well.
Jogging my way up the first flight. I took a hard grip on my rifle to push forward with all I had.
Shadow's POV, Fort Beate, Officer's barracks, 11:02pm.
"Ruaghh...?" Opening my eyes to a light pain coming from my neck, I slowly reached out for the nightstand, grabbing on to its side in agony.
My body was burning. It was a wide spread feeling of what happens after a part of your body wakes up from be deadened. It's overwhelming almost.
Pulling my way up to my knees, I let out a gasp of pain and reached over for the bed.
"Aughhhh! Fuck!"
Leaping for the side, I caught my upper body and gave myself a boost onto it's surface.
Now in a more able position. I carefully reached for my neck to feel that the disfigured skin was dry. Letting out a faint sigh, I gently flipped onto my back to look to the ceiling.
My body felt wrong. Really wrong. What did it do to me now? What else could it do?
Aching my way up till I was sitting properly, I glanced down toward my hands. My skin was cold and my muscles were shaking. And in an instant the rest of my body went just as cold to match. It felt like my blood was no longer there but replaced with this infection. But just as I began to shiver, my whole body began to settle back down to a normal temperature.
With everything still shaking, I looked down to the floor to see the metal tray resting on it's front. Gently taking it into my hands, I brought it to my face to see my newly formed yellow eyes.
Inside I felt broken. Why not just kill me like everyone else you took infection? Why am I special? Why must I suffer through this while you kill off everything I once was?
Letting the tray fall back to the floor in sadness, I tried my best to figure out what to do next. I can't just sit here and let this happen. It's not who I am to die without trying. Like Ralph said, maybe there is a chance. A chance for me not to end up like the rest. Like another Project. It's all I can hope for at this point. Nothing else matters.
Every bit of my body was aching. And as I attempted to stand up on my two legs, I felt as if I was nearly about to fall over.
"Come on!" I ordered my body as I stumbled on my own feet.
Catching my balance, I held the position indefinitely till I was certain I could keep it. After nearly a minute I forced a step forward to scream.
"AGHHHHH!"
Falling to my side, I began to cry. The pain was ungodly. It came out of nowhere.
With my legs now in a battle for control, I felt something moving in my thigh.
Looking up with tears of pain shifting down my face, I widened my eyes to see a bump swarming around under my pants. It was riding around in my left leg at first, but as I stared at it; I felt a sudden burst of pain come from the other.
"AGHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Letting out a scream for help almost, I forced my head back up to see my legs scrambling from the inside. My muscles were tearing themselves apart.
Not even soon enough to catch a breath, I felt the pain come to my arms and slowly to my chest.
It took everything I had to keep in my screams, but as my muscles were moving; I panicked to feel something in the back of my head.
"AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Ralph's POV, R.R.T.S HQ, Science wing, 11:05pm.
I took only a step through onto the floor to find that the general was right about the security. God what the hell were they protecting in here? I wondered to myself as I got a glimpse of some dead soldiers further down the hall.
As I closed in, I nearly shit my pants when a turret decided to make itself known from the ceiling.
Lucky for me however, I was able to round a corner before it could see me.
"General Hoffer you still there?" I asked, as I looked back around to guess at the room where he would be in.
"I'm still breathing. Where are you?"
"I think I'm right outside your room. There's a couple KIA outside the door."
"Why aren't you killing the power? This is suicide. There's too many of them for you to avoid."
"The guys outside said the power was routed through some hard lines out in the street. And since I'm not an electrical guy, I figured I would try my best to reach you before something else could get the chance."
"Well do you have a plan? Where's the lieutenant? Is he with you?"
My mind went blank for a second as he asked that.
"Ahhhh...no. I left him at the base to rest like you ordered."
Giving a second to think on his end, the General then asked.
"So how do purpose on getting me out of here?"
Looking to my belt, I replied.
"The turrets can't see through smoke. I figured I would use that to get you to me."
"Do you have enough?" He questioned as I replied slowly.
"I have two left. I throw one out here in the hall and move up to cover your room. Just don't leave me hanging. These things die out pretty quick."
"I got you Ralph. Just tell me when to move."
"Alright. Here we go then." I replied as I pulled the pin to the first grenade.
Giving it a strong toss, the door was hit right where I wanted it. Quickly booking my ass around the corner in the hope that I wasn't about to get gunned down, I stopped in front of the door to pull the pin on my last. As soon as it left my hand I shouted.
"Now!"
Inside I heard.
"Oh fuck!"
With my first grenade nearly about to run out, I panicked as the General came running right into me.
"This way!" I ordered as he made the right; to run for the way which I came.
As we neared the safety of the corner once more, the turret locked on.
"Targets acquired!"
Pushing Hoffer out in front, he made it around the corner before the bullets started to fly. Unfortunately for me however, I was forced to take about three rounds in the back before being able to get to safety.
My eyes lit up as one of them went through the armor to hit me.
"Aghh!" I shouted as I stumbled down to my knees.
"You okay Ralph!?" Asked Hoffer in concern as he saw I was bleeding.
Nodding my head, I replied.
"I'll live. Are you okay sir?"
With his hands around my back in the effort of helping me back up, he replied.
"I'm alive. And it's all thanks to you son. Now we just need to wait for the power to get downed before we can leave."
Going to my comm, I stated.
"Major I got the General with me now. He's safe but we can't risk leaving till the power is offline. How copy?"
Flinching to the pain coming from my open wound, the major replied.
"I read you. I got everyone who isn't working the riot control working on the power lines. Right now it may be about five minutes till the power is down."
"Roger that. We'll hold here for now."
Putting my comm down to rest back on my vest, I looked to General Hoffer to see he was looking at my wound.
"You need to get that patched up Ralph. Those rounds are nothing to mess around with."
Nodding my head, I replied.
"Yes sir. But until the power is gone I can't do a thing other than enjoy the pain. Fuck!" I shouted as it stung like a bitch.
I knew we could only wait now. Resting my ass to the floor, I prayed to god these turrets would die and that I could get back to base soon.
Shadow's POV, Fort Beate, Officer's barracks, 11:10pm.
My vision was blurry. My body was still. And my head was pounding. Yet through all that and the pain, I felt as if it was worth it. My whole body felt recovered. It felt stronger. I couldn't see it but I could feel it all in me. To test the hope, I tried to get back up. And to my surprise the infection let me. This time with no pain involved. It just felt normal.
Back on my feet, I looked down to my side to see my vest resting against the bed.
Slowly bending down, I picked it up to chuck it back around my head until it fell to my waist. After locking in place, I made my way for the door to exit out into the halls.
With the lights on and the rain still pounding down outside, I figured my best course of action was to somehow get back to Zone 10. If this infection was made there then there should be a way to cure it. Maybe something different then what Amy tried. Or maybe I was wasting my time going back to the one place I never wanted to see again. Either way I can't die here. I need to try at least.
Slowly exiting the barracks and heading out into the rain, I looked towards to the ops center. Maybe Ralph would be willing to help. He has too.
Approaching the entrance, I looked inside to see everyone gone.
"What the?" I questioned as I entered to say.
"Hello?"
With not a soul in sight, I made haste for the backroom.
Gently making my way in, I found yet again no one in view. It was as if they all vanished.
As my head scanned around the center, I spotted my weapons Ralph had taken from me resting on a table. Placing Cruz's M1911 back in my holster, I took a hold of my rifle and blade. After setting the blade back under my vest and wrapping the strap to my G36C around my body, I took my attention back out to the main room and towards a receiver. Gently turning it back on, I flipped through some open channels to hear.
"General Hoffer has been secured and the building's power has been terminated. All combat teams are ordered to secure the areas inside and out of the facility. Everyone else stand by and keep the crowd controlled while hazard teams secure the wounded."
I knew what happened. Project must have gotten the better of them. Hoffer should have listened. Now many good men are dead because of him. I bet that is where everyone is. Whoever is left standing from his orders are trying to clean up and keep crowd control. He's done. His career is over and I bet he knows it. And no matter how much I hope for it to be not true, I know Project escape the HQ. He's coming for me. It's just a matter of time and I can't afford it right now. I need to create distance.
Making my way for the door, I pushed through into the rain to head for the choppers. The VEX building was always hard to get to. I would need the wings to reach the door. The only door.
With my quills running down over my eyes slowly from the rain, I pushed them out of the way to take control of the nearest bird. Everything was going great till I sat down. Because I remembered one simple fact.
I don't know how to fly a chopper.
"Going somewhere Lieutenant?"
My brain pulsed to the unknown voice as I reacted much faster then ever before. Hell I even caught his attention as our eyes locked tight on one another.
A young white and black hedgehog. His streaks were carefully being washed under the white due to the rain, but as I he continued to watch my every move I asked.
"Who are you? Why are you not with everyone else?"
Giving me a smile, the hedgehog replied.
Because someone has to watch millions of dollars worth of military hardware from being stolen. Which it seems is a pretty good idea since your in my chopper. Where you looking to go?" He asked in a confused tone as he approached my side to see my yellow eyes.
"The VEX building."
In even more confusion the kid questioned.
"Why? Did General Hoffer order you there?"
This was my chance. I had to take it.
"As a matter of fact he did."
Smiling, the hedgehog then stated.
"Well your not going to get there when you don't know how to operate one of these beasts. Want me to take you? It's only a few minutes out from here. I'm sure I can sneak you there before anyone gets back."
Balling a fist, I questioned.
"Why do you care so much?"
Shrugging, he replied.
"I don't. It's just my job to get people where they need to go. So you can ether take the ride or waste more time here. What's it going to be Lt?"
Gently inching my way out from the pilot's seat, I replied.
"Fine. But I need to go now."
Nodding as I passed him by, he asked.
"Shadow right?"
The name stopped me.
"What?" I asked in loss as he asked again.
"Your name is Shadow right?"
I couldn't recall that name. And the hedgehog stared at me as I just decided to ignore the answer and get in the back.
"Okay, well my name's Clark. Clark Brody."
"Nice to meet you. Now can we get in the air if you don't mind?"
Chuckling at my disrespect, he replied in a kind tone.
"Sure Lt. Just let me get fastened in up here."
Putting the butt of my rifle down on the steel floor, I shook the barrel as the sound of the chopper came on to begin it's lift off from the pad. My eyes stared outside the chopper as I was still stuck on that name. Shadow? It sounded really familiar, but I just couldn't place it.
As we took off from the pad, Clark asked.
"So what's your mission lieutenant?!"
I had to come up with something. Keeping my head to the side, I replied.
"Hoffer wants me to secure the portal for hazard teams!"
Nodding as I continued to shake my gun, Clark wondered.
"You okay?!"
Looking to him I replied.
"I'm fine!"
With the city now overhead, he stated back.
"Ralph told me about the infection Lt! After we landed I had some time to think about it and...well I just want you to know that infected or not your still a brother to us all here! Me, Ralph, and hell even General Hoffer! Don't let your hopes down! Your still you!"
The words he gave me had some faith in them. Something I'm out of. Looking back to the open sky I mumbled.
"If you only knew."
Keeping silent the rest of the way, I took a strong hold of my rifle to see the VEX landing pad in sight. Bringing us in close, Clark shouted.
"Good luck in there Lt! Stay safe!"
Jumping out onto the pad, I replied.
"Thanks!"
"No problem! See you soon!"
Watching as he lifted off from the pad and back into the air. I waited till he was far from sight to turn my way towards hell's gate. Fear was still present in me and it was even worse then before. I didn't want to go in, but I had no choice. It was the only chance I had at being whoever I was again.
Taking a step forward, I panicked as I was nearly tripped over by something on the floor. In confusion I aimed down with my rifle to rest the sights on another dead infected. His body was in half and a bullet hole was in his head. Something about that made me sad. Maybe because in all reality that could be me in a matter of hours.
Slowly proceeding by and towards the metal door, I pushed through to head down the stairs.
The white lights were back on and it made no easy statement when showing the trails of blood coming from the entrance to the facility. But for some reason the door was left open. I guess Kilo figured it would be just them coming back out. Guess they were wrong. But that doesn't make me feel any better since they're all probably dead. God knows what happened to them, but that only means I'm not safe. Something other then Project was here. Something worse then infected. Something bad enough to drop another special forces team. How many good men died here? I wondered as I slowly walked by the dead to head back into the scorched halls.
My boots thumped through the tiles as I stared forward at the VEX chamber. Putting down my rifle, I walked in to rest my eyes on a skeleton laying by the deactivated portal.
My neck began to get warm as I remembered.
"Kid?"
Flashback.
"BANG!"
Kid immediately stopped.
"AGHHH!" He screamed as the round had struck his right eye.
Blood flushed out between his hands as he attempted to cover it, and as he stumbled back, I got back on my feet to charge with my shoulder out.
Taking his front down to the floor, I sent my fist forward hitting his newly formed flat nose, and watched as his only remaining eye rolled back in confusion.
Nothing but anger was taking me over, and in force I sent another, and then another, and then another into his face; and after the third blow his mouth opened and I sent my pistol forward till it was placed along his tongue.
Kid was silent in pain, as I equally let out agony filled breaths of rage into his blood stained, brown scaled face.
Gently opening his eye to see me staring at him in anger, he muttered.
"Do it Shadow."
My fingers twitched the trigger, and as I hesitated he said.
"You wana set the world free? Start with the last person you have left. End this suffering Shadow! DO IT!" He ordered in anger as our eyes locked in loss.
"I don't want this. I don't wana be a monster. I just wanted go home."
Kid saw my loss of hope now, and in reaction he replied.
"Don't worry about the infection Shadow. It all ends with me. All the pain. All the dead friends. It all started with the infection and now there is only one part of it left to deal with. Question is, are you able to do it?"
My mind filled with anger, and in focus, I pinned the barrel down on his forehead.
Giving me a smile Kid ordered.
"Do it. Kill me Shadow. Kill your only friend. Kill me. Kill me! KILL ME!"
"AHHHHHHHHHH!" I screamed as I felt my finger pull.
"BANG!"
End of flashback.
The skull had a small hole. A gentle hole made rough by anger. Anger at fate and how that should have been me. Not him.
"I'm sorry." I stated towards him as I clutched my fist.
Looking slowly back up to the portal, I took note that it was off and slowly made my way for the activation button resting across the room on it's own elevated panel.
After hitting the button and seeing that the goo was pouring into place, I looked to my left to see a dead marine resting on the floor with a bullet in his head. Slowly approaching, I read his name tag.
"Captain Rodriguez."
The man was a bit heavier set, but as my eyes ran over his chest; I took notice to something stuck between his vest.
Gently bending down to grab it, I pulled out a very scary thing. My M9. The gun that took Kid's life and my own in a single bullet.
Checking the clip to find it empty, I shook it in my grip till it was back where it belonged tucked inside my vest.
"Zone 10 portal ready for use!" The automated voice was broken. It sounded like it was on it's last legs. But after gathering some final thoughts, I made my way forward for the goo to stare directly down into it's base.
I had no words to say. No words to express what I was feeling. Going back was not only a trip back to hell for me, but it was going back on every promise I made to Cruz and my team. God I hope they can forgive me for this.
Holding my G36C tight across my chest. I took one last breath and sealed my fate.
In an instant I was gone. And back to the one place that would probably be my death.
I know I KNOW! This chapter is way past due. I'm sorry for anyone who was waiting for this. Please after your done reading please find it in your heart to leave a review and let me know what you think so far. And I will try my best to get chapter 8 on as soon as possible.
mT Shadow.