1 - Emerging alone
There is a pale blue light shining from just beyond the bend. But it is not the light at the end of this tall, dark and abandoned subway tunnel. It is probably another floodlight, set up some time ago to compensate for the dodgy electricity situation. Despite it not being the exit, it's only the way forward. Going back is not possible, unless digging through the collapsed roof that took the highway above ground with it is one's idea of spending the rest of their day. A small incident with loads of plastic explosives, an unfortunate distraction and a premature detonation. Who could have possibly known what kind of catastrophe that would cause?
His ears are still ringing. His hands and body are still shivering. The hairs on his body standing at attention, even those just under his nose. Teary eyes fixated forward, taking the blue light. The tunnel feels as tall as it feels small, cramped almost. Panicked breaths leave his open mouth, the cold air visible for a few seconds. They calm down when the ringing wears off and the eyes blink. The staring session is over as they dart wildly around but mainly down at his own body. Nothing pierced, no visible bleeding, all limbs still attached. Just dirty and ragged. He looks back behind him, almost marveling at the amount of debris. He can see concrete, metal beams, the headlight of a car that surely has seen better days, some trash and colorfully enough a traffic cone still in glowing orange. A beacon of sorts. But then he sees a hand sticking out from the heap. Lifeless.
He has seen death before but this irks him. He turns back around to check on the rest of his attire. Outfit still on. Bulletproof vest still on. Both boots on. Nightsight is still hanging on its clip. Gun... GUN! Where is his rifle? Oh... on his back. All still intact? Scope? Bolt? Trigger? Stock? Suppressor? A quick inspection reveals that all is fine, if a bit scratched. He puts it back where it was. How about the sidearm? Like the cowboys from the movies, strapped in a leather holster on his right hip is a revolver. The traditional cylinder replaced with a slug-shaped battery Sunburst© for the laser projectile it fires. 24 shots you can get out of it before needing a new battery-like slug. Like reloading a flare gun. It all still works. He still works. He breathes out and feels the hairs on his body relax and the shaking fade. He is ready to proceed forward, following the track until he reaches his destination.
Holding on the strap of his rifle, he marches away. With a confident yet nonchalant pace. His eyes dart around again but slower and with more method than madness. Just one in case something unwanted pops out from a crevice. One of those things. Then, when the light comes closer to him, he realizes he forgot to check possibly the most important thing he is carrying with him; the radio. It looks older than the industrial revolution, weighs a ton but it is his own design. There is a knob on his shoulder that is part of the radio set to tune it to the right frequency and another to turn it on. After twisting the other one a few times and hearing a distinct "click", the radio comes to live like a kettle almost ready. Static now fills his left ear. Not a fan of that style of music, he tunes it to the right frequency. Once there, he starts broadcasting while resuming his march.
"H-he..." His voice has trouble getting started. His mouth and lips feel dry. He makes himself cough and rasps before he moistens up his lip and starts anew.
"Hey partner. I... don't know if you are receiving this. Let alone if you can hear this but... we-uh... we got seperated it seems. I am doing alright, somewhat banged up emotionally speaking but physically I am peachy. I hope the rest of the buggers are with you and they keep you safe. Or rather, you keep them safe of course. Give the bastard who cut the fuze too short a right smack on the head will you? And that's an order, ha ha... erhm! Right now I am following the tunnel until it reaches a station and then I'll get off, find transport so I can rejoin the offensive. And uh... I hope you are safe and well too of course. Let me know something the moment you are able yeah? Alright, be hearing you, partner. See you soon."
He lets go of the broadcast button and turns the frequency back to zero. He will still receive.