Zone 10: Project Genesis
Chapter 8
Shadow's POV, VEX chamber, Zone 10, 11:35pm.
It was like a bad dream. Landing feet first back into Zone 10 was like hell calling my name. The place was burned to bits and among that was plenty of broken tiles from the explosion. Zaps of electricity were firing off above my head from loose wires and broken cords. The vault door leading out into the facility was just as broken as I remembered. The dents from Project still laid in it's steel.
With my boots dragging through the ash and debris, I released my rifle to look to the floor. Among my own was a large set of tracks from fellow boots. This had to be from Kilo team. And judging from the sets I could easily make out eight men. Memories were haunting me as this seemed like bad karma coming back to get me. It's only fate that another eight man delta team gets sent to their doom. Now it's just me.
My hands felt no need or want to take my gun. I don't know exactly why, but I felt inside like it was unnecessary at this moment.
Each step forward was a forced one. My body wanted to refuse, but I knew I had no choice. I had my objective. I need to reach sector D and get down in genetics. I saw when I was last there that Amy was using a bunch of folders to come up with the cure. There has to be more in them. Maybe something stronger to beat this infection out of me. Or at least slow it down from killing me outright.
Approaching the bent open steel door, I took one step through to stop and stare at the VEX security room. My heart felt like it stopped as I remembered those final moments with Cruz.
Getting fully through the door. I gave everything I had to approach the door that was left open for me.
With each step came a want to cry. But in my head the infection ended that feeling in it's tracks. But as my body came to the door frame, I looked down to the edge of the door to widen my eyes in complete loss and confusion.
Cruz was gone.
A thick red blood stain rested on the wall where his head once was, and a small pool where he sat. But his body was missing. Not even a sign as to where it went.
Almost instantly I questioned the infection around me. Could he be back on his feet? Is Cruz roaming the halls? Is he looking for me? For food?
Taking back my rifle, I said to myself.
"I killed him. I ended his suffering. The infection couldn't have taken him. It's impossible."
Dragging my feet over to the security terminals, I took a soft glance down to see the cameras were offline. Which is just great. My one chance to know what's inside and it's broken. Even more fear to deal with now. With Cruz missing just added to it. What's worse then knowing the dead roam and you have no idea to know where they are?
With the computers being completely useless, I took my chance to head for the door. And yet my eyes stared at where my fallen Captain once laid.
I don't think anyone can truly understand the fear I am feeling right now. I don't think I'm capable of this now. My mind is shot. I don't know what to think now with him somewhere inside. And if I run into him? What the fuck will I do? It was hard enough to kill him the first time, but again? And now knowing I never really ended his suffering? I knew this was going to probably be a one way trip for me coming back here.
Taking my time to head for the stairs, I carefully walked my way up to rest my eyes back on the atrium.
The footsteps of Kilo all lead in different directions. I assume they split up to secure the facility. And from my experience I can already bet that was the worst thing they could have done.
Cautiously heading to the center of the atrium by the large stone bench that mounted in the middle of the area. I laid my eyes down sector A to get the immediate flashback of all the infected who once chased me here. Then slowly I glanced over my shoulder to sector C to recall when Project was on my ass when I was saving Kid. I swear I could see the memory too. As if it was playing in front of me.
Forcing my way back into the halls of sector A. I soon met back with the medical lab where almost all the safety was between the fighting. My nose picked up on the smell of rotting corpses as I walked through the open door to find the decomposing bodies of Borne and that doctor. By now the skin was off and most of the muscles were thinning down to the bone. Borne's face was gone in full and as I came around to his side I could only stare at the hole in his head.
With each and every thought hitting me in full, I pulled away to head on over to where the command table was we set up when we first got here. The blueprint I got from Amy was still laid out as I refreshed on the area through sector D's steel door. Genetics was off to the right once I entered. The rest of the place I refused to look at as I knew by hope I wasn't planning on living through more memories any time soon.
Wrapping up my review, I exited back out into the hall to make a left and then head down the hallway towards the door leading to sector D. The computer set up Amy was at when this all started was still on. Putting down my rifle, I pulled up the cameras to begin to try and see what was inside.
Most of the halls were empty and so were the rooms. Leaving me to believe whatever is around here is probably somewhere ether in the vents or sewers. It didn't make me feel any better. It actually made me feel worse. Not seeing anything just made me more paranoid that something was there.
As I continued to look through the cameras one by one. I stopped to see something in the mess hall. It was thin and brown. Almost looked humanoid. Like a walking skeleton with just a thing layer of skin. It was just sitting in the center of the mess, with it's legs up and together and it's head buried deep in it's chest. Almost like a kid crying on his bed.
Slowly the camera though had to exit view to check the other side. As I waited for it to come back, I began to feel sweat running down my face. I knew I was scared now. There is something here. At least it's in the mess. It doesn't know I'm here yet. Maybe I can get to genetics and do what I have to do before it has time to find out.
Keeping my eyes centered on the computer screen still however, that thought went away instantly as the camera came back to the center of the mess hall. My body began to shake as the thing was now facing the camera's direction. But it's body was still curled up like before.
With another gentle turn to the other side of the mess hall, the camera then came back to show the thing now a few feet closer.
"Did it know?" I asked myself as the camera turned away once more.
With every inch of my being watching now, I widened my eyes to see the creature had gotten up on the table below the camera. This close however; I could now see it's bald head and the stains of blood splashed among it's skin. And as the camera went to turn again, I rested my eyes on long claws curled around it's legs.
Reaching for my G36C's grip with my shaky hands, I flinched in a slight panic as the camera came back for it's last time to rest directly on it's face.
The creature was now staring directly into the lens. Two solid yellow eyes stared through at me and under them was a broken mouth. The lips looked to be gone and only the teeth remained. They formed a smile as the camera went offline.
Every fiber of my being was now afraid. It knew I was here. And it would be coming. But for god's sake I have no idea what it is. It's not an infected. It's some sort of beast. A little monster. It had to be the thing that dealt with Kilo. Now it was going to deal with me.
Grabbing a hold of what courage I had left. I picked up my gun to enter the sector. Aiming left towards the mess hall that was only about a hundred or so meters down that way, I stared into the darkness to see not a single thing move within.
Reaching down to one of my pouches, I pulled out my old flashlight to attach it to the bottom of my rifle. With the white light now shining down the hall, I made sure I was clear to head gently back to genetics.
Ralph's POV, Fort Beate, Earth, 11:35pm.
A medic managed to get the bullet out from my back. He said if the Kevlar wasn't there I would be in some serious trouble. But now with a few stitches and a white bandage under my pierced vest, I rode in back with General Hoffer as a squad took us back through the fort gates and towards the ops center.
Slowly stepping out from the humvee, Hoffer asked.
"You okay Ralph?"
Nodding as the men in the humvee went by and into the building, I replied with my hand holding down the bandage.
"I'll be fine. Nothing a few painkillers can't fix."
Gently nodding as he urged me forward, I stop to ask.
"You want to check in on the lieutenant?"
Giving it a quick thought, Hoffer replied.
"Yeah."
"And Kilo?" I wondered as he soon ordered.
"Try and make contact. If they don't respond then we may just have to call them goners and come up with a plan B."
Nodding as I began to follow him over to the officer barracks, I went to comm to say.
"Kilo 1-9, this is command. Come in Kilo 1-9."
Making our way through the door leading inside the barracks, I only received static as Hoffer shook his head from in front of me.
"It's been three hours since they went in sir. Should we just call it?"
Nodding, General Hoffer replied.
"Yeah. Fuck this shit. I swear I've gotten more young men killed today then in my entire career."
Leading him now through the halls towards the lieutenant's room, I urged.
"Don't blame yourself. How could you have known this would have been this bad?"
With Shadow's room closing in, he replied.
"I could have taken him more seriously. It's my fault this happened. I could have done something different."
Stopping to take hold of the knob, I looked back to see Hoffer with his eyes lowered. I've never seen him this beaten down.
Lost for words to aid him, I just opened the door to find the room empty.
"Lieutenant?" I said as I slowly entered to be asked.
"Where is he?"
In confusion I replied.
"Got me. He was here when I left."
Approaching the bed, I found the food I left him on the floor and his vest gone. Hoffer stayed by the door as I checked the bathroom to find that empty as well. Walking my way back to him, I mumbled.
"He may be at the mess. Let's go see."
Nodding as I left the room and entered back into the hall. General Hoffer and I made our way to the mess which was a good way through this area. When we entered, I only saw a few techs and a couple of soldiers getting a midnight snack. God can tell that even I am hungry after getting shot at.
Making our way towards Striker who was sitting with what was left of his new team, I asked as he ate.
"Hey did you guys see the lieutenant at all around here?
Striker shook his head as the other soldiers replied.
"No clue Ralph."
Hoffer held fast as I turned around to see Clark making his way towards the exit. I assume he was ready to hit the sack.
"Hey Clark!?" I shouted as he stopped in his tracks to smile and reply.
"Hey Ralph! Welcome back! How was HQ?"
Making my way in front of him to stop short, I replied quickly.
"I got shot. That was how it was. Anyway man you didn't happen to see the Lt somewhere did you? The General and I are looking for him and he's not in his room."
Clark immediately looked confused to ask.
"You mean you don't know where he is?"
Hoffer took over and replied.
"He's suppose to be here. But with all the problems at the HQ going on I need him now back in the field."
Gently rubbing his forehead, Clark stated to us.
"Now hold on a second. I'm a little lost here. I thought the lieutenant was needed at the VEX building?"
My ears went up as General Hoffer questioned.
"Why would he be needed there?"
Looking to Hoffer, Clark replied.
"Cause he told me you wanted him to secure the portal for hazard teams."
Hoffer was even more lost himself in the conversation now as he carefully stated to Clark.
"I didn't tell him anything of the sort. Why? Where is he?"
Clark gently gulped as I just listened in utter confusion.
"Well when I first saw him he was in my chopper all geared up to go. He told me you ordered him to the VEX building. And since no one else was here to do it; I decided to obey my superiors and take him there.
Instantly I knew what he was doing. Hoffer on the other hand shouted.
"You moron! Why would I authorize that!? I had Kilo team already there handling the situation! You should have known he was lying!"
In defense Clark replied.
"I'm sorry General, but how was I suppose to know? You were MIA in the HQ and everyone else was gone. Not like I had many other options to deal with."
It was clear General Hoffer was both worried and mad, but as things came to it's climax I asked Clark.
"Where is he now Clark?!"
Looking into my eyes, Clark replied.
"I guess he's still there. He hasn't called nothing in since I dropped him off."
"When did you drop him?" I asked next as he slowly replied.
"Ahhh...maybe ten minutes ago? I got back just as I saw your humvee pulling up."
Nodding my head as Hoffer continued to vent himself, I asked.
"Did he have his comm link with him by chance?"
Nodding Clark replied.
"Yeah it was on his vest."
When I was last with the Lt I saw his link channel set. Going to my comm; I tuned in on his to say.
Shadow's POV, Genetics, Sector D, Zone 10, 11:50pm.
"Lieutenant it's Ralph. I know this is your channel. Come in."
Looking down to my comm link as his voice went off everywhere like a gunshot. I turned down the volume to check back into the hall with my rifle and light. So far that thing wasn't around. But thanks to Ralph that probably just changed.
With the volume now muffled down a tone I heard from him.
"Lt? Pick up."
Going to my comm, I replied quietly.
"Leave me alone kid."
Shutting the door to genetics, I got my hand to hit the lights to find blood crowding the floor all around my boots. My eyes rested on some chunks of flesh that were scattered as well. Someone was ripped apart here. And I know it wasn't any of my friends. It had to be someone from Kilo team.
As I slowly walked my way to the stairs on the other side of the room, I got back from Ralph.
"I know why you're doing this but you need our help."
Aiming my light down the stairs, I replied.
"You don't know the half of it. And that's where you're wrong Ralph. All I need is a cure. I won't just sit there and let this infection kill me. If there is a slim chance I can be saved or at least delayed I'm going to find it. And before you even think of trying to "save me" I want you to know that it's a waste of time. I'm already dead. You just need to accept that."
Making my way down, he soon stated.
"You're wrong. You're still alive. You're alive lieutenant. And infected or not you signed on to a brotherhood when you joined the corps. Like it or not we're in this together."
Giving off a small smile as I began to aim down the next set of stairs, I replied.
"I'm giving you one chance. Stay away. You won't get a second."
The voice went silent as I made my way down to the third floor.
With my light shining back and forth, I found a large set if bloody footprints heading to what looked to be by me and up the stairs I just came down. It wasn't just one set. It was more like five.
Ralph's POV, Fort Beate, Earth, 11:52pm.
Looking to Hoffer, I stated.
"I'm going."
Shaking his head he ordered.
"No you're not. We lost too many men already. I'm not risking more."
"But what about the Lieutenant?" I asked as Clark stood by.
"You heard him yourself. He said not to come and he's already dead."
"That doesn't mean shit!" I stated in anger as he got right in my face to reply.
"It means everything corporal! I've lost over sixty men today! Nearly half of it where he is now! The last time I sent him there his whole team was killed! Now he's alone! And I'll be damned if I lose you to a fool only living on borrowed time!"
Clark and the squad Striker was with all listened in as I shouted back.
"The lieutenant is a soldier! He's one of us and we don't leave anyone behind! Just because he's infected doesn't make him a lost cause!"
Hoffer went silent as I went on to shout.
"He's doing the only thing he can and that is to try and save himself from turning! He's taking action and he's taking responsibility! Something you should be doing as our leader!"
The General was clearly mad at me. And not once have I ever needed to talk to him like this. Hell it's enough to get me discharged if he wanted to go down that road.
Clark was the first to intervene. Pulling me back by the shoulder he urged.
"Come on Ralph. Leave it alone man. It's not worth it."
Slowly nodding as I stared at Hoffer I replied to Clark.
"Yeah. It's not."
With our eyes locked, I stated to the General.
"Do what you want to me after I'm done serving what I signed up for. I'm going to Zone 10. Clark?"
"Yeah Ralph?" He wondered as Hoffer remained silent.
Looking over my shoulder I ordered.
"Get me a ride to the VEX building. Now."
Clark hesitated as suddenly Striker shouted.
"You're not going alone!"
Hoffer glared back in disbelief as Striker stated.
"Like it or not General; Ralph is right. Infected or not I'm not leaving a brother to die alone. I'm going too."
Giving a smile and a nod towards Striker as he got up from his seat at the table, I asked around.
"Anyone else?"
The men around stayed silent as Striker turned around in confusion to question.
"Really?"
The General was still the ranking officer so to speak. I guess everyone is just scared that they'll get discharged if they join us.
"Fine. Fuck all you then. This is why I liked my old team better. Let's go Ralph."
Nodding as Striker came by to slap my chest plate, I looked back into Hoffer's eyes to state.
"It was nice working for you."
Watching as I turned towards the exit. The General kept his position behind as Clark, Striker, and I all made our way towards the air field outside. Getting in after a quick weapons check, I ordered Clark.
"Get us there Clark."
Getting in his seat, he replied.
"Buckle up. The wind is going to be hard to slice through in this storm."
Strapping into my chair as Striker pulled a CAR-4 from a small weapons locker in the back of the cargo port of the chopper, I waited till he was all set and in to shout to Clark who got the propeller spinning.
"We're all set back here!"
Nodding from the front, Clark soon got us in the air to reply.
"ETA to VEX, seven minutes!"
Looking out the side of the chopper to find General Hoffer watching us lift off from the door to the barracks. I sent my head back to focus on Striker who was checking his rifle.
Catching his attention, we both stared at one another. To be honest I wasn't expecting anyone else to come along with me on this. I hope he knows the risks.
Soon after our eyes left one another did I begin to feel the wind chopping us back and forth in the night sky.
I hope the lieutenant doesn't do anything drastic before I can find him. And I was aware that something was there with him. Kilo would have reported back by now if there wasn't. Whatever it was though, I hope it's not as bad as Project.
Shadow's POV, Genetics floor 4, Sector D, Zone 10, 11:52pm.
It was clear the power was out on this floor. It was also clear something went down here.
Shining my light towards a door at the far corner of the room, I found only a large pile of blood and more ripped flesh. This must be where Kilo team was killed. But where are they now? I wondered as I sidestepped towards the room where I once ran head first into Amy and Kid.
Checking the corners to find the room clear, I entered to aim my light towards the back wall. Sitting on the floor was the containment chamber that held the notes Amy used to make the first cure. But as I approached to get down on my knees, I slowly undid the locks and lifted up the lid to find the whole thing empty. Not a single fucking thing that could help me. And to add on to the pain of this, I remembered that the notes were to my left on a small table. Amy read them there as she started the cure.
Every stitch of hope I had left was praying to god they were there.
Getting back up to my feet, I turned with my light to find the table vacant. The only thing left was the chemical rack. The notes on the other hand were no longer here.
"Fuck!" I shouted as I sent my fist down at the table's base to watch as I made a perfect dent through the metal.
Retracting my hand to feel not even a drop of pain, I took a deep breath to ask where those notes could be. Amy left them here and I know Kid didn't take them before we left.
Picking back up my rifle, I shut my eyes to think. The only logical idea I had to where those notes could have gone would be that someone from Kilo took them before they were slaughtered. Which would mean now I'm on a hunt for whoever has them.
Focusing back in reality. I turned to walked for the door leading back into the main room. Project's tube was stationed in the center. Keeping my head towards the stairs however, I panicked as I heard something skitter towards the side.
Aiming in with my rifle to see not a single thing moving. I gulped to hear from behind my ears.
"Reeeeee!"
A warm breath tapped my neck. And in reaction, I turned to swing the butt of my gun through the air at nothing. Jetting my eyes back and forth in complete confusion as to where it went, I turned back almost instantly to see a small pair of yellow eyes watching me from the stairwell.
"Stay still!" I ordered it as I aimed to pull the trigger.
"BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!"
Panicking as my bullets almost made close contact with it's chest. The thing ran right back up the stairs and back into the dark.
I felt only rage; as I gave chase up after it to find it completely gone from sight.
Keeping my guard up as I made my way back up to the top floor, I exited back into the hallway to aim my light towards the research labs.
The door at the far end was closed, but as I turned to aim to the right I heard it open.
Instantly I spun back around to find the door opened and waiting for me.
Cautiously I decided to play along. Whatever was following me was trying to fuck with me now. It was going to catch me off guard. I just knew this was a trap.
With my light shining through into the labs, I popped my body almost all the way through to be stopped dead in my tracks at the sound of the metal floor behind me tapping.
Immediately aiming back, I locked my eyes as the thing sat by genetics. It's body was facing me and it's legs were held once more by it's long and skinny arms. My light glimmered on the bloodstained brown skin it wore and as I focused my full attention on it, I was caught off guard by it's slow but sudden urge to look up at me from it's lap.
Both our yellow eyes were showing, but his were not focused on me.
In confusion, I panicked as I looked behind me to widen my eyes up at an infected lunging.
Biting down into my right shoulder, I sent my arm as fast as I could to it's head to watch as it's skull slammed directly into the side of the door frame. With blood slowly coming out from my shoulder, I turned back to find the thing gone once more.
"Ughhhhh...?" Hearing the moan of the downed infected, I sent my boot flat through it's fleshy temple.
"Crack!"
The skull popped like a pumpkin under me as I took notice of it's appearance.
Black combat armor and state patches rested on it's foiled corpse. Gently releasing my boot from his skull, I kicked him on his back to see that the whole portion of where it's lower intestines would be were missing. It was like a hollowed out area where the stomach was. Most of the organs were gone or falling apart and it was clear to me now that this was a man from Kilo. Finding a name tag on his chest I read to myself.
Rick Deven. Glancing back to make sure I was alone, I slowly got down to begin a quick pat down on the man. Checking his arms, legs, pouches and vest, I let out a sigh to get back on my feet and look back toward genetics then to my shoulder.
Running my fingers along the taken skin, I felt the roughness my blood carried. It was thick and chunky almost. But the worst was that the infection was now stronger. I've been bitten so many times. How much more can I take? I wondered as I refocused on genetics.
I had no idea what to do. This thing was toying with me and I'm running out of time. I need to find the others. Someone has to have those notes.
Making my way forward passed the door leading back into genetics, I took my careful time to walk over a large missing plate in the floor I once passed on my way in. This time however I decided to stop and aim my light down the hole. Below brought back the rush of bad memories as I saw it was a tunnel connected to the sewers. And as I kept my light down I stared at a dark red puddle of blood at the bottom.
"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
Aiming up at the vents above, I knew it was coming for me again. I had to move. Create distance.
Getting down to my butt, I slid over the open metal plate and fell down to the sewer tunnel below.
"Ugh!" I grunted as I landed on my feet to aim to both my sides. With the tunnel clear, I got myself to move. With the creature on my tracks I knew I could try and lose it down here. And maybe there is someone here. It would explain the blood.
Leading off to the right, I began to jog my way into the dark.
Ralph's POV, VEX Air-pad, Earth, 12:04am, June 25th.
Clark brought down the chopper on the pad, and with a grab of our rifles Striker and I got out to see the open metal door at the far end of the abandon building.
"When you want me to come back for you guys!?"
Holding my quills back from the wind spinning off the chopper, I questioned.
"I thought you were joining us Clark!?"
Giving me a shake of his head he replied.
"I'm not a combat trooper! I'm just a pilot!"
Nodding, I then stated.
"We need all the help we can get Clark! And do you think Hoffer is going to let you do anything if you fly back to base!?"
Looking to the side to think of what I said, I took my chance to urge.
"We need you Clark! Leave the chopper here! It's not like anyone will take it!"
Striker who was by the door aiming down the stairs; gently looked back at us as I watched Clark hit a few buttons above his head. I smiled quickly as the chopper's propeller slowly came to a stop.
"We'll keep you safe. Just grab a gun from the back and follow Striker. He has the most combat experience out of all of us."
Undoing his seat belt, Clark gently stepped to the back to open up the gun case. Watching as he pulled out an MP5, I nodded and urged.
"You'll be fine. Just stick close."
Nodding back as he jumped down to the pad, I looked back to Striker who was aiming through the door.
"How we looking?" Looking towards my feet, he pointed to reply.
"Better then that guy."
Resting down on the halved infected on the pad, I agreed and stepped over to head behind him. Clark on the other hand slowly made his way by. His eyes were focused on the dead and I could see how this wasn't something he was used to seeing. Being a pilot he's never really on the front line. Sensing that we were waiting for him, Clark made his way behind us in speed to state.
"I'm ready."
Patting his side, I nodded and looked back to Striker who awaited the order to head in.
"Let's go." I said as I picked back up my M416 to watch him turn in through the door and begin heading down the stairs. Following in step, Clark and I made our way down to look ahead at a large steel door not more then a few feet away. Bodies and blood covered the area around it as Striker examined the hall ahead.
"Looks like we missed all the fun."
Nodding as I got on his side, I replied.
"Kilo came through here on their mission to the portal. This building should be clean from any threats."
"So where we heading kid?" He wondered as I slowly stated.
"We're looking for the portal. It should be in the center if I had to guess."
Nodding and stepping over the dead, Striker led the way forward as I looked back at Clark who was easily beginning to follow in line with us.
Infected were all around us. Thank the lord dead, but it was clear something other then that had happened here. The walls and floor below our feet were drenched in a black ash and even in some places were bones. Maybe a fail safe in case the infected got this far. I don't know.
In time we came to a turn. And before that turn was another large steel door. Again opened, but it was clear this was the room we were looking for. After aiming down the narrow hall to our left, Striker took us in to state.
"This must be the place."
Collecting my thoughts, I laid witness to the havoc around us. This room was torn apart. Apart from more black ash and sets of bones, there were some fellow marines resting on ground with a bullet in their heads. Some I knew. Others were just comrades and other lost brothers. Clark stopped in his tracks to look around in horror while Striker examined a hole in the center of the room big enough for a person to fall in to.
"If this is the portal Ralph I don't see how it is suppose to work."
Approaching his side I replied.
"There has to be a button or something."
"Like this one?" Wondered Clark as we both turned to find him by a small pedestal that reached his stomach.
Leaving Striker to his place in front of the portal, I approached Clark to see a red button on the stand.
"Let's see if this is our key in."
Clark kept his eyes down to a dead soldier to our side as I hit the switch to watch as Striker stepped back from the hole.
"That did it!" He stated as I came back to see the hole filling with a strange gray liquid. As soon as it was to the top I questioned.
"Do we just jump in?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Striker replied.
"I guess so. Wana go first?"
Looking back to find Clark hesitating I urged.
"No. I'll make sure he gets through without a hitch. You go on ahead and clear the area. We'll be there in a minute."
Nodding, Clark stood back as Striker hugged his rifle to leap in. I kept my eyes opened as he was lost in a matter of seconds and gone from sight.
"Fuck me." I stated to myself as I heard Clark stepping up behind me. Upon looking back I stated.
"You're up next."
"Why me?" He questioned as I calmly replied.
"Cause I can't have you calling it quits. We need your help. Just hop in. I'll be right behind you."
It was obvious Clark was scared. Hell so am I. Whatever hell the lieutenant went through is through this. And I'm scared to death of what it is. Gently taking his arm I said.
"Striker will be there Clark. Just hug your gun and go. It will be over before you know it."
Gulping down his fear, Clark nodded and got in front of me to take a strong hold over his MP5. Keeping my hopes up, I smiled as he took the action to jump in. Watching as he disappeared in thin air, I nodded to myself to look behind me. Seeing nothing there, I continued to nod to myself and take deep breaths. As soon as I was set, I hugged my rifle and fell down into the goo.
Striker's POV, VEX chamber, Zone 10, 12:12am.
This place was destroyed. If you told me a nuke went off around here I would agree with you.
"Ughhh!"
Looking back to see Clark puking from the trip through the portal, I asked.
"You good?"
Nodding as he wiped his mouth, I refocused ahead towards another steel vault door. This fucking thing was at least a foot and a half thick and it was almost bent in. What the fuck could have caused that? I wondered as I heard Ralph come through. Upon looking back he was bent over and letting out a dry heave.
"Oh that is a god damn trip. Feels like my guts were turned inside out."
"In through the nose Ralph. It goes away faster." I stated as he nodded and slowly stood up straight to breath in through his nose. As he collected himself, I focused my attention back on Clark who was wiping his mouth off of vomit.
"You good Brody?" I asked as he quickly shook his head to grab his gun and reply.
"Someone should have warned me it would have been that rough."
After a few more collected breaths, Ralph came to his side to state.
"I've never been through the portal before man. If I would have known it would have been that bad for you I would have said something. But hey? We're here aren't we?"
Nodding towards the statement as I moved towards the bent in steel door, I peered on through to find only more black ash and broken tiles beyond. Along the path was also a security room. The door looked to be hanging on by a thread/ And along the path I noticed multiple sets of tracks. It had to be Kilo and the Lt's. Trouble was...which to follow? Not like they look any different from one another. As I remained focused on the area beyond, I quickly reacted to the touch of Ralph tapping my side.
"You good?" He asked as I nodded and pointed ahead to state.
"We have footprints."
Looking through the door, Ralph replied.
"Yeah, but too many to trace and none of them look any different from the others."
"If we're going to find Shadow we should split up." I stated as Ralph immediately shook his head to reply.
"No, splitting up is the worst thing we can do. We need to stay together."
"But it will take hours to follow them all through here." I stated as he quickly replied.
"Then we take hours. But splitting up is not an option Striker. We'll be a lot safer together. Trust me."
"I do trust you Ralph. It's just that the lieutenant is in there somewhere all by himself. He could be killed by the time we find the right track."
Shaking his head as Clark came to our side, he replied.
"Not necessarily. If he's here for what I think he is, then he'll be where the infection started. Where all the research was held."
"And where would that be Ralph?" Wondered Clark as I watched Ralph's proactive expression working on his thoughts.
Picking up his rifle he replied.
"I don't know. I guess wherever the highest security is."
Nodding our heads as Ralph looked back to me I asked.
"You guys ready?"
Nodding, Ralph replied.
"Let's move. We have to find him."
Shadow's POV, Sewers, 12:19am.
Keeping to the dry land of the sewers I could only question my current state of safety. Chances are that thing is sniffing me out down here. And even better chances are there is infected roaming around somewhere as well. My only intention was to attempt to make distance between me and the unknown enemy. I don't know what that thing is but he's just as bad as Project. If anything I need to run into more of the guys from Kilo. One of those men must have the notes I need. I wonder how my odds are at even getting that far.
As I continued to jog my way further and further through the dark and dreadful sewers I stopped to come across something mind pausing.
My gun lowered and so did my emotions as I approached a flooded out floor-grate.
My mind could see the flashback of Cruz and I. Yet through it all I can only see his pain. How the infection was killing him with every breath he took.
Gently getting close to the tube leading down into the rest of the sewers, I stared deeply into the water that almost once took my life. Beyond my face was yellow eyes. My yellow eyes. But even worse then that, I could see Rosin. His body was floating somewhere down there. Part of me wanted to go after him. Just the chance to feel his fur. To see that he was okay in death unlike Cruz and the rest of my team.
Now only seeing his face, I choose to take back a grip over my emotions and this infection and move away. I had to go. I knew this was unhealthy. Plus if I stay here for too long it won't be far behind that someone will catch up to me.
Grabbing my gun, I continued my hunt for a ladder. I had to get back up to the facility.
Normal POV, 12:23am.
Echos could be heard bouncing off each and ever wall as the halfbreed continued to flee his past. But unknown to him the water he once stared through began to move.
Small bubbles made there way up to the rotten air. And in a minute's time did what was below surface with a wrinkled hand gripping onto the sewer floor.
Ralph's POV, Medical lab, Sector A, 12:23am.
The smell of death could be taken in a few good feet from even entering the room it was so bad. Clark immediately covered his nose as Striker and myself approached the bed to see exactly what was causing the odor. To our least bit of surprise, it was a body. But not just any body. It was a soldier. He was nothing more the rotten flesh now, but he looked to be from Shadow's team before everything went to shit.
Striker calmly turned away and proceeded towards the other end of the room as I remained looking. Staring at what scared the Lieutenant so badly. This poor guy. This comrade of his. Lost. Forever to the world. It must be an unforgettable pain. Something I've been lucky enough to avoid up till now. It's hard to think that this is the outcome of an infected.
"Hey Ralph." I heard Striker calling from the other side of the room.
Carrying my rifle over to him, I approached to lay my eyes on a large blueprint.
"Looks like the base. We must be here." Stated Striker as he pointed to the room we were in.
"What's that?" Wondered Clark as he focused our attention on sector D. All over it's print were ink lines and X's. Recalling what Shadow had told me I replied.
"I think that's where Shadow is. He said one of the sectors was where everything mainly happened. And that looks to be locked by a door of some sort. Probably like the one we passed through back at the portal room."
"Why would they need to seal it off?" Questioned Clark as I asked back.
"Do you really have to ask?"
Clark nodded his head calmly as I looked back to Striker to order.
"Get us there."
Picking up his gun Striker replied.
"Stay close. Watch your corners. If something managed to stop Kilo we could be walking into a trap."
Clark was the one to hesitate as I urged.
"Just stay together. We'll be fine. We need to find the Lieutenant."
Giving me a nod, Striker got the door once more to lead us back into the hall and to the left towards sector D. The second the three of us caught a glimpse of the area ahead we could instantly declare there was a fucking nightmare before us. The steel door and just the plain design made the sector ahead look like a gate to hell. Yet beyond that fear, we proceeded towards it to stop as Striker said in a soft tone.
"This is where I need you guys to focus. I'll take point, but I need my flanks covered. Ralph your in charge of the sides and Clark you got the rear. If you see something, call it out. And be ready for anything. For all we know Kilo could be around us somewhere."
The thought of seeing more infected, especially in a close quarters place like this sent a shiver through my spine. Clark I knew was frightened, but I knew he could handle this.
Giving Striker I nod, he calmly picked up his rifle to begin to take a step forward through the door. Waiting as he looked down both directions he soon ordered.
"Let's go."
Looking back to Clark who gave me a slow nod, I smiled and proceeded behind Striker once more who asked.
"Which way Ralph?"
"Genetics was to the right on the map, we need to check there first."
"Alright. Stay close."
"Got it." I replied as Clark stayed right behind me.
Slowly making our down the hall, Striker soon aimed stopped at a closed door to our left.
Striker's POV, 12:30am.
My eyes and rifle aimed at a door, unknown to me was what was behind it. Looking back to Ralph and Clark who watched my back I ordered.
"Stack up."
Obeying, the pair got behind me as I saw the door was shut via a control pad. Taking my eyes to it, I saw it was unlocked. Looking back to Ralph who knew what was I was going to order, I hit the switch and proceeded in behind him as it opened.
Clark still held the rear as we entered to aim about the dark room. From what vision I had, I noticed the room was full of dying plants. With me now in front, I moved my hand to Ralph to order him to the right and Clark to the left. I took the center as we began to break off.
This had to be a greenhouse or something. Maybe like a hydroponics lab or something like that.
As I paced myself down the rows of plants, I soon took notice to the floor which was covered in dirt, pot fragments, and some dry blood. Something happened here, and it looked like it was heading to where Ralph was.
"Ralph?" I said calmly as he replied.
"I see it. Come here."
Proceeding to the parallel row, I jumped over a section which the blood went through and regrouped with Ralph who had his light against the nearby wall which was drowned in blood.
"Something went down here. The bloods old. It may be from when Shadow was last here with his squad."
Nodding I asked.
"What's that?"
Taking his eyes to where I was looking above the blood pool, he replied.
"Looks like an electrical panel."
"Can you turn on the lights?" I wondered as he lowered his gun to open the panel.
Keeping my eyes on him as he investigated, he soon replied.
"Not from here. This is just a conduit. Which someone turned off for some reason?" He stated in confusion as I asked.
"What's wrong?"
Shaking his head he replied.
"Nothing. I just know why this would be off."
Nodding as he flipped the handle on to the on position, I asked.
"What would we need to do now?"
Looking back to me he replied.
"We need to find a power source or something. If the main power is out then we need to look for a backup generator."
Nodding, I looked to my left as Clark made his way back to us from the far end.
"It's clear." He stated in a slightly calmer tone as he looked to the blood to ask.
"What happened?"
"Don't know." I replied as Ralph added.
"Someone turned off the power. We need to find a generator."
Clark nodded quickly to the thought of light as I urged.
"Then let's get out of here and find one."
Nodding, the three of us proceeded back to the exit to head right back into the empty halls.
This fucking place was insane. Like something straight out of hell. The thought of light was a god send. That is if we can find it.
Leading us further down the area, I kept my eyes ahead as I felt my right foot give way under me.
"Fuck!" I shouted as I caught myself to aim down. Clark nearly had a heart attack as Ralph asked.
"What's wrong?!"
Taking their eyes to the ground, we found a tunnel under us. Blood was all on the ground below as our lights were the only other thing bringing a visual to the area.
"What's that?" Wondered Clark as I said.
"Looks like a tunnel to me."
"You wana go down?" Asked Ralph as I shook my head.
"We need to get the power on first. I'm not going down there without more light. Fuck that."
Keeping cautious now as we walked over the missing section of the floor, we soon approached another door, but this one was open. Calmly moving ahead of me to look inside, Ralph stated.
"I think this is genetics. The Lieutenant may be in there."
Nodding I replied.
"Well let's not fuck around here Ralph. Stay tight."
"Alright." Replied Ralph as he got back behind me to enter the room at my rear.
Looking around the room, I saw nothing but lab tables and unknown chemical racks. Science was never my thing but Ralph had to be right when he said this was genetics.
As I kept the front, I soon came to a set of stairs based off to the right of a landing. They lead down.
"Stay close." I ordered as I began to lead us down the flights.
With time and careful steps, we passed several floors of more science equipment. Each floor looking more complex then the last. By the time we reached the bottom we stopped to stare at what was around us. A glass tube bigger then a fucking car and blood everywhere. It smelled of death and my only question was what was in that tube? And what the fuck caused all this mess?
With Ralph slowly breaking off to the tube, I made my way to the left towards an open door which had some shell casings next to it from a rifle.
Gently getting down to my knees, I picked one up to feel it was warm.
"Shadow was indeed here Ralph." I stated as he looked to me and the evidence.
"Something else was here too guys." Stated Clark as we both looked to see he was standing next to the blood.
"This blood is still wet." He stated as I looked back to the stairs we came from.
"That blood is probably from Kilo guys." Stated Ralph as I added.
"And Shadow found whatever killed them. He must have gone after it."
"He wouldn't do that, right?" Questioned Clark as I replied calmly.
"If he wasn't chasing it, then he must have ran. Ether way he's not here and nether is Kilo. We need to get back up to the top floor and keep looking for that generator."
Ralph agreed as Clark went silent.
"Let's go." I ordered them both as I made my way back to the stairs.
Following in behind, we soon got back out into the halls above to keep up our search.
Shadow's POV, Sewers, 12:37am.
The area was getting familiar once more. Some of these tunnels I've had the ability to travel before. So I knew where there was to hide. And the blood trail I followed was getting thin. I was expecting a body. Dead or undead, it didn't matter.
Nearing a set of open tube pipes, I took aim with my G36C and stared straight as I know slowly approached.
As I neared the corner, I was caught off guard as a smaller set hedgehog spun the corner to swung at me with an M4.
Ducking under the gun, I sent the butt of my rifle into the side of his head.
"Bash!"
The force I applied sent him on his back and I quickly retook my aim as I realized I knocked him out cold.
Letting out a breath, I soon came to see it was one of the men from Kilo. His name tag read Grim Holiday, Private first class. This kid was clearly injured. His right hand was missing it's first two fingers and from what I could tell he must have been in a scuffle at some point. His vest was torn apart and his cargos were missing some sections. Something fucked him up.
Calmly kicking his rifle away, I began to search his body for the files. But to my disappointment he was clean.
Now left with a live one, I had to decide what to do. But unable to rightfully decide, I took his rifle, sidearm and knife and decided it was best to at least move him out of here. It was clear he was the one who caused the blood pile back there, and at the least he could help lead me to the rest of his dead friends.
With my not so normal strength, I lifted the kid over my shoulders and began to head for the nearest ladder back up to the facility. It hopefully wouldn't take long.
As I know supported two broken bodies, I soon came across an exit leading back to the surface.
Carefully adjusting the knocked out kid on my shoulders, I prepared to climb.
"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
My ears picked up on the sound of something coming at me from down the tunnel. Turning my head to the left as I climbed up, I widened my eyes on that thing bolting at me with all it's speed and it's claws spread out for me.
Racing up the ladder, I pushed up on the latch and quickly tossed myself and the kid up and onto the floor above. As soon as my legs were through, I turned back to the hatch to see the creature right under the ladder preparing to jump up after me.
With all my power, I retook the latch and watched as he unleashed his speed towards me.
"Fuck you!" I shouted as I got the lid up.
Letting out a growl as the lid came down, I listened as the creature slammed his head on it's base to be locked out.
With a few seconds of silence, I soon felt my heart race as it could be heard screaming from under the metal latch.
In time it went back to being silent and I took my chance to retake my stance and the hedgehog.
Calmly proceeding to the exit, I took aim to look into the hall beyond.
With each side clear, I made my way to the one ironic safe place I knew of.
Ralph's POV, Research labs, 12:45am.
We found one.
With Striker watching the door and Clark next to me, I began to pull on the generator's starter cord.
"Does it need gas?" Wondered Clark as we found an open can resting down next to the base of the generator.
"Couldn't hurt." I stated as he quickly picked it up and began to pour it into the tank alongside the machine.
Soon coming to the canister's end, he urged.
"Try again."
Nodding, I continued to pull on the cord. This time it sounded like it wanted to start. With some effort we soon came to hear it amping up for us.
"Come on." Begged Clark as I continued to pull.
Striker slowly looked back to us as the generator suddenly began to run. With a smile we all watched as the lights came back on all around us.
Shadow's POV, Atrium, 12:47am.
Stopping in my tracks as the lights came back on all around me, I began to wonder if I was alone here.
Making my way towards the medical lab in sector A, I checked the hall to sector D to see no one around.
Calmly reentering the lab, I shut and locked the door behind me to look for the nearest bed to put this kid down on.
Alongside the dead doctor, I laid him back and put his gear to the side of his bed.
Dragging my eyes along his body, I began to feel something strange enter my mind. Slowly my mouth began to open and I felt myself heading for his unconscious neck.
Taking all my power to my actions, I forced myself away and let out a gag of disbelief for what I wanted just then.
Quickly walking towards the command table a good twenty feet away from him, I took a seat in one of the chairs and covered my pain.
The pain of being hungry.
Long overdue, but here's the next chapter to this story. I hope your all still enjoying this. Don't think I'm forgetting about this series. The chapters just take a long time to write and edit. Anyway I'll have another one in due time if you guys and gals want. Love you as always.
mT Shadow.