Honor and Courage
Commander Isabella Garcia ''Juliet'' Shapiro
Firestorm Force 462 / 1nd Advanced Recon Platoon
Danville, Tri-State Area, USA
8:10 PM
As they advanced through the Tunnel, more apprehensive they stayed, thinking about what was gonna happen, none of them were aware that in either way they're gonna pay the price of war.
The Firestorm Force Operators were equipped with yellow security goggles for improved night vision, knee pads, flex tape for elbow pads, their young faces were partially camouflaged by ink in various design patterns, with the standards colors being black gray and red, dark surgical masks made their faces unrecognizable, for the girls was opted to use brown panty hoses, made in cotton, very useful if needed to run or climb and is using a skirt, lastly but not least, all of them wore neutral-colored scarfs to keep them warm… except Gretchen, she wore a purple one.
''Phineas, as always, you did a great job with these water guns'' Isabella said looking at her modified water cannon, toys that before have shining colors, now, are painted in black with graphite tones, modified with a flashlight, laser pointer and bandoleras.
''Thanks, Commander... General Gretchen, also did a great camouflage for these Battle suits'' Phineas responded praising her work.
The rain capes that were once yellow and orange, were now camouflaged in various shades of black and gray, made with spray paint, the "fireside" symbol was remake in red on the girls' capes and for the boys a red bandana was tied in the left arm, with a number 462 on the same, a flag sticker from each child nationality was found just below these details, their names and ranks were written on a rectangular white sticker located on the front of the suit.
The rubber gloves and rain boots were now camouflaged as the colors of the night.
''Yeah, those battle suits are great, guys, thanks for everything'' Ginger said, thanking them for the idea and Gretchen's effort... in fact everyone's mutual effort and courage for going on this mission.
''Whenever you need it'' Ferb and Gretchen together, said further ahead of the squad.
''Well, It's here'' Isabella said, looking up and climbing the stairs, carefully opening the trapdoor, slowly turning her eyes with a squint view and… biting a protein bar
''Clear, let's go'' She said, throwing away the package and adjusting her mask with everyone coming out of the trapdoor, taking defensive positions.
"Alright, let's go through the formation one more time, Buford this one's for you" Baljeet said with a map in hand.
"Hurry up nerd, I'm in the mood to shoot some zombies" The bully said, bored of his nerd's carefully thought plans.
"Alright Rambo, our goal is to reach Doomferzsmith evil inc" Baljeet said what everyone already knew.
''Romeo and Juliet lead the squad, they know the streets better than anyone and work better together" Baljeet said, pointing his pencil to the two agents and then turning back to plan.
"Bentley and Eiffel, as generals, your duty is to stay with them, provide cover, but above all, to be next in command of the Task-Force, stay sharp, understood ?" Baljeet said getting a salute from the American-French Scout Girl and a thumbs up from the British inventor
"Pepper, Sydney, New York and Blondie, as is the practice you are our scouts, need you to provide cover for the entire squad, stay alert, fire only if necessary, understood?"
"Sir, yes, sir" They said in a single voice.
"I take Hollywood, we're communicating and recon" Baljeet said with Ginger nodding in affirmation.
''But don't subestimate us, soldiers'' Said Ginger, welding her water cannon, making sure that their fictional rank will not be despised by the rest of the team… depicted as being one of the last.
"Wait, what does Buford do ?" Buford asked, a little loudly attracting attention.
"Oh yes, Rambo, you watch the back of the squad, stay alert and don't let any hostile get near, but attack if and only ''IF'' we're being followed'' Baljeet said the last command, rolling the paper and placing it in Ginger's backpack.
''Understood ?'' The young communications officer asked in a serious tone to the bully
''That's I can do'' Buford said with a laugh, carrying his water thrower.
"General Gretchen, Battle Signs !" Baljeet called out to her who went ahead, Isabella called Katie to check the street to make sure it was clear.
"Attention ! Hand in fist to stop, fingers to count enemies, eyes to stay alert, point to follow in any direction, drop hands to cover and touch shoulder to choose specific members but using the radio works too, does everyone understand ?" She asked and everyone affirmed, even if they didn't get it, they would try their best.
"Private, what do we have ?" Isabella asked, looking at the path with some zombies, knowing they must be right in front of the first entrance.
"I'm seeing an alley that Jeet was talking about, it's clear… no need to shoot" Informed Katie looking through the monoculars.
''Good to know…'' Isabella said in relief and both scouts kept the recon equipment on their bags.
''Any questions ?'' Baljeet asked, getting their attention.
''How do you know all this, Officer Baljeet ?'' Asked Phineas, hugging his water gun.
''Well, a lot of movies and games… and me and Misht builded the soccer teams back in India, when we were seven, she was so good with strategies that I learned some things'' Baljeet said, feeling relief that she wasn't here to see all this… He would never forgive himself if something happened to her, even if it wasn't his fault.
''Misht, Misht, Misht'' Whispered Ginger covering his jealousy face with his red beret while hugging his water cannon.
''Let it go, Ginge… focus on the Mission'' Said Adyson with a hand on her friend's shoulder.
''But Ginger's strategies are as good as Misht, after all she's the best Scout I know " Baljeet said, pointing to her, not even aware of her comment toward his friend.
''W- Well… I Just doing my job, Officer'' She said, playing with her hair.
"We have an entrance, let's go team''' Isabella said attracting everyone's attention who's preparing to advance but before…
''OORAH'' Phineas said, calling the rally cry to begin the operation.
''LOCK AND LOAD !" All completed the USMC battle cry.
The kids lined up to the first alley mentioned, Millie and Katie went first, with Phineas and Isabella close behind, followed by Ferb and Gretchen, Adyson and Holly right behind, Baljeet and Ginger along with Buford were the last ones on the formation.
Passing by the zombies, walking in slow steps, they don't wanna attract attention.
When they reached the alley Millie and Katie protected the entrance on each side so everyone could enter, when finished, they closed the gate, joining the others.
"Juliet, I see another alley, but there are 5 zombies there" Holly informed, handing her the monoculars
"Roger that, after that I guess it's just a few more until we reach the checkpoint, right, India ?" Isabella asked, handing him the binoculars.
"Affirmative, but this part is quite full, before we shoot them down we will end up getting caught, how are we going to pass ?" Baljeet asked handing the binoculars to Ginger who was beside him
"They seem to be attracted by noise… try lure them with something" Suggest Ginger, handing the Binoculars to Buford.
"Hmm, Cupcakes" Buford said, looking at the bakery across the street, attracting the attention of a member beside him
''Focus on the mission !'' Said Ginger, giving him a slap on his head.
''Following Ginger's info, Those trash cans can be useful, I just need a rock'' Phineas said, pulling the rubber band launcher out of his pocket and receiving a rock from his commander.
''Isa, take part of the squad to the other side of the wall, when I get their attention, you guys advance, take the five pharmacists, we're gonna advance later, I want everyone in that alley in 60 seconds'' Phineas ordained, even knowing she is his commander.
''I'll do it in 45'' She said, wielding her water cannon.
''That's what I like to hear'' Phineas said, squinting, managing to hit a rock straight into a garbage can, knocking it over and attracting the zombies' attention.
"Girls with me" Isabella said leading the small squad, who's running to the alley, Isabella, Katie, Adyson, Millie and Holly aimed their water cannons, hitting the zombies presents there, before even noticing them.
''It's Clear'' Isabella said through the radio, with her team throwing water balloons at the fallen zombies.
''Copy'' Come on, guys'' Phineas said and his friends headed out into the open alley and now… clear alley, when the last children passed, the gate was closed.
''Fine, just a few more blocks'' Baljeet said with everyone on alert.
For another block the plan was a successful advance in the shadows, after all, that squad was everything that was left of the normal people in Danville and they would achieve their objective, well, if it wasn't for that alley.
"We're doing great, guys" Baljeet said to everyone who had a twinkle in their eyes, they were now in another alley, just above them was a commercial building, with some zombies inside, hitting the big glass window.
''Proceed carefully, soldiers, there's no reason to pani-'' Isabella was surprised by several zombies that started to fall from the skies scaring the children, consequently their screams ended up attracting more zombies.
"LOTS OF ME, LOTS OF ME" The zombies went to attack them but were welcomed with a lot of water.
Opening fire on the various zombies, the entrances began to fill with pharmacist zombies, Adyson closed the grate at the price of a rip in her cover.
"Dammit ! I'm Exposed !" She exclaimed looking at the rip in her cape, but keeping the fire on the infected.
"Boys, protect the right flank, girls the left one" Isabella said climbing into some garbage cans, shooting at the zombies.
"We are trying !" Gretchen said, throwing a water balloon, neutralizing another pharmacist, but their small perimeter was getting smaller.
"I have an idea, fast, help me get there" Buford said pointing to the top of the wall and with Phineas, Ferb and Baljeet pushing forward, he reached the top of the wall, and passed for the roof of a house.
"Quick, guys, let's go" Buford said, offering his hand and with much effort the Bully helped his friends to reach the top of the wall, first the brothers Flynn-Fletcher, second will be his nerd, resting only the Girls Scouts .
''We won't last much longer, Chief'' Holly said, looking at the water compartment.
''Keep the fire, until the boys can get us'' Isabella said, knowing this was his only way.
''Quick, New York'' Buford said, extending his hand to her and getting the fireside to the top of the wall safely.
Rambo looked at the rest of the girls, thinking it would take a while to bring them all, if it was one to one.
''Losers, provide cover'' Buford said to the boys who turned their sights to him.
''What do you think we are doing, Genius ?'' Baljeet said shooting down more zombies with the water balloons.
''Gretchen, Ginger, C'mon'' Said Ferb, and with Baljeet's help they bring both of Firesides to the top of the wall.
''Thanks Guys'' Both of them said, providing cover for the rest of the team.
"Express Buford can only afford three passengers! Hold hands, Girlies, the flight is one way" Buford said and the girls did as he was told, as Adyson is the tallest, she handed Buford her hand.
''What is it fo- AHHH !'' Adyson was going to ask but in a survey Buford managed to lift her, Millie and Katie at once and bring them to the top of the wall, before the zombies got them.
They landed on the top of the roof, with their launchers in hand and surprised faces, Buford collapsed exhausted to the roof, Resting only Isabella on the ground.
"Isabella, c'mon, I gotch you'' Said Phineas to her and with no hesitation, she ran to Phineas, jumping into his arms, both of them falling onto the rooftop.
''Ouch… Dammit'' Phineas said, feeling his head hit something, looking at the surroundings and back to Isabella, recognizing she was hugging him.
"Commander, are you alright ?'' He asked, patting her hair, making the girl scout look at him.
''Much better now, Thanks Phin" She said, pulling off his Lieutenant.
"Jesus… that was crazy isn't ?'' Isabella asked, looking at everyone.
''Wasn't that bad'' Buford said, getting up too, all the three agents started to move.
"Buford!" Baljeet said, worried, looking at his three comrades.
''Im fine, Baljeet… how are our army ?'' Buford asked, apparently worried for his friends.
''Everyone is fine'' He responded, offering his hand to the Bullie in help and showing the team safe on the top of the roof, fixing their capes that got ripped on the attack.
''Boys, you guys did great, especially Sarge Buford! Thanks for saving my team'' Isabella said thankfully, hugging the boy, never thinking that one day she should trust in the school's bully, not even thank him.
''You're welcome'' All the Boys said at the same time.
"Commander, we still have problems" Gretchen said to Isabella, observing the horizon, the rest of the path to the alley was blocked with zombie pharmacists.
Even if the Zombies tried to catch them, their safe space was too high for the infecteds reach.
''Dammit hell… what now ?'' Ferb asked, taking off his night glasses, massaging his forehead, sighing in frustration.
"Childrens, childrens, do you copy over ?" A unknow voice said on the radio.
"Hello ? Who's talking ?'' Asked the commander of the troops.
"Just look at the skyes"
''What is that ?'' Asked Gretchen, looking through the monocle, but hearing a sound… like something cutting the wind.
''A chopper ?'' Asked Adyoson, seeing the aerial vehicle, getting closer and closer.
''Good night, kids, look like it needs help'' The pilot said in the radio of the team.
''We'd love to... sir ?'' Asked the confused Isabella, thinking that it wasn't every day that a helicopter came to help a group of children in the middle of an apocalypse.
''You can call me Perry...'' Said the platypus with his voice modifier, knowing that the agents now needed to be meticulously calculated in their actions.
''Funny, we have a platypus named Perry'' Phineas said communicating with the pilot, Perry listening that only gave a slight smile.
''He's probably a nice guy...'' Perry said, looking at his fellow agents, who shook their heads while laughing, finding his self-love funny.
''Listen, we'll provide air support for your platoon, just give the orders'' Continued the Platypus, playing with the cards his owner gave him.
"We need to get to the next alley, clear the main street" Phineas ordered, preparing to advance under air support.
"Roger, hold on tight" Perry said, turning off the radio communication with the ground team.
"Agents, the water cannon," Platypus ordered, helping his colleagues move the modified weapon, powered by a gallon of water.
"Heinz, quickly maneuver to the end of the street, we need a clear line of fire" Pinkie said, indicating the direction to Heinz, and observing the various infected.
"Calm down, I haven't piloted it in a long time!" Heinz said, maneuvering the helicopter to enter attack position.
"Right, please don't remind us, now it's my turn" said Agent M, the monkey, wielding the huge water cannon and starting to fire a continuous and powerful jet of water, throwing the infected in random directions.
"Keep going, Agent M, there's still more..." Perry said, seeing more zombies being transformed by the powerful water that knocked down even the enemy reinforcements.
"Tell me something that doesn't I know, Agent P'' He said sarcastically, continuing to fire the water cannon, focusing on clearing the way for the children and finishing off any enemies that tried to pass, soon part of the street was safe but the water supply was low.
''Ground team, you have the way clear, we'll refuel and be back in 2 minutes'' Perry said, with Heinz maneuvering the helicopter and his colleagues moving another gallon to feed the water cannon.
''Copy, thanks for the support Perry…'' Phineas said watching the Helicopter move away, turning his eyes to the street that seemed safe.
''Well, that was cool…'' Buford said, seeing the formidable work that mysterious helicopter did.
''Why just look ? When we can advance'' Millie said, coming down from the roof, staying right above a car like the others, who began to recognize the area.
"She's right… but stay alert, guys'' Said Phineas, to the rest of the team, keeping the infected in their sights.
''Althought, with an attack of that caliber, it would be hard to have anything left…'' Said Ferb, walking among the people sleeping on the floor.
''Don't trust it, chap, with all that noise, more zombies soon appeared'' Said Gretchen pointing to the beginning of the street where she could see more zombies arriving from the streets to the right and left.
''Yeah, they'll regroup soon… and may we be far away when that happens'' Said Isabella, seeing the infected already transforming the humans back into pharmaceutical zombies.
As they advanced to the next empty and dark alley, they noticed that the next street was full of infected, the advantage was that they were unaware of the presence of the agents, who were leaning against the wall, keeping the enemies in their plastic sights.
"Stay in the shadows, we'll wait for the helicopter" Isabella said, holding her water cannon tightly, feeling her nervousness pass as the noise of the propellers grew louder.
Without even needing to order, the next attack began, which was as devastating as the first, throwing several zombies into several surrounding buildings, but the difference was that this street was a main road, much larger than the others they had already passed.
"Soldiers, we did our best, but there are still many enemies down there. If you decide to advance, do cautiously. We're returning to refuel" Perry said, watching his friends move another large gallon of water, that weapon didnt needed too much time to suck up an entire gallon of water.
''Copied'' Isabella said over the radio, considering whether it was wise to advance even with that amount of enemies.
"We should advance and finish off the rest of the zombies until the helicopter returns... every second counts if we don't want to give the enemies an advantage" Gretchen said, standing next to her, already prepared to advance.
"You're right, Firestorm, shoot everything that moves!" Isabella ordered, kicking the gate and leading the task force, who began to shoot down the zombies with their small water cannons.
''Keep formation… and watch your backs!'' Phineas said, shooting at the infected.
''Roger… we already have one enemy down, WHO'S NEXT?'' Baljeet said, hitting more and more zombies.
''That's what I like to hear'' Ferb said next to Phineas, both doing their best to keep the zombies away.
''And we have one more!'' The two inventor brothers said at the same time, keeping the circular formation.
As a team, the little soldiers fought against the infected that tried to attack them, noticed by Perry who had just returned, ready to provide air support.
''I always knew they were brave… but that alone is not enough, we need firepower'' Said the impressed agent, ordering the new coordinates for the water cannon, controlled by agent M: All the infected that tried to get close to his ''little'' army… so far everything was going well Alright.
"Come on, Freaks, I've got all night!" Buford said, as he turned 2 more zombies into citizens and so the group moved along the road.
"More targets eliminated, we're doing well, guys" Katie said, hitting another zombie, right in the forehead, and now the air support had bought them some extra time.
"Let's go to the alley, there are more of them coming!" Gretchen exclaimed, throwing water balloons to help them, more and more zombies were being knocked down by jets of water and balloons.
"Perry, we need cover" Isabella ordered, starting to run along with the rest of the squad.
"Copy, we're in the rear…" Platypus said, watching Agent M fire the large water cannon tirelessly, soon turning his eyes to the firesides and the boys fighting for their lives, and even with this power of water, the infected were regrouping.
''Why are there still so many of them!?'' Isabella asked, kicking the gate, shooting down the zombie that was inside, already noticing that there were more infected in that alley.
''Buford, Baljeet, protect that front!'' She ordered, shooting the zombie on the ground and watching the boys pass through the entrance.
''Leave it to me, Girlie'' Buford said, starting to suppress the zombies that tried to surround them, soon Phineas and Ferb joined to help protect the team, and after the last one passed, Millie and Katie closed the gate.
So they both joined Isabella, Phineas, forming a back-to-back defense with the rest of the team, while the rest of the team began to advance and shoot down the infected in their path, but in return for their advances, the ammunition in the water cannons ran out, but even so, they managed to advance to the gate.
''It's a damn war zone…'' Buford thought as he kicked the gate and knocked down two other infected in the process, observing the last path between them and their objective but was full of zombies, there was no chance of getting through there.
"Where do we go now, Jeet?" Ferb asked, knocking down more zombies.
''I don't know…'' He said nervously looking around, noticing an empty place that could help.
''That warehouse!'' He shouted, pointing to the place.
''LET'S GO, IT'S THE ONLY CHANCE!'' Ferb said, watching as everyone nodded anxiously, keeping the infected in their plastic sights, and with no time to waste, Team Firestorm began to run and dodge the infected along the free path that led to the warehouse.
''ATTENTION PERRY, THE LAST ALLEY HAS BEEN COMPROMISED, WE'RE GOING TO THE WAREHOUSE, BROKEN ARROW, BROKEN ARROW!'' Gretchen shouted into the radio, ordering the air support to go to that location, starting to run and shoot at the zombies in the hope of protecting her friends.
''Copy, Danger close'' Said the Platypus, ordering a precise shot right in front of them.
''Hurry up guys!'' The Desperate Phineas ordered running, while they still had time, focused on the most important thing: Staying alive.
"Lots of me, lots of me" The zombies screamed trying to reach them but were shot down by water jets, and in that way the small team's ammunition ran out.
And so they just focused on running, dodging the hands of the infected and also the water jets coming from the helicopter, in the midst of this confusion, transformed infected fell in front of Katie and Millie, consequently making them fall, with their faces on the asphalt.
''Damn…'' Katie said massaging her forehead, turning around and watching the infected arriving and looking at Millie who was shaking her arm, saying something that became clearer to her.
''NEED SOME HELP HERE!'' Millie shouted, getting the attention of the rest of the squad.
"Roge, on the way… Let's move Isa!" Phineas said, leaving his water cannon aside, to help the firesides, soon Isabella joined in when she heard the screams of despair.
''I get Millie, Help Katie stay on her feet Phinny!'' Isabella ordered, getting a positive from Phineas who crouched down next to Katie, helping her up with one arm while suppressing the advances with his small water pistol.
''LOT-'' Another downed zombie said, landing right next to Katie and Phineas, making the scout hold on to Phineas, after seeing another zombie fall and almost touching her.
''Come on Katie, no soldier will be left behind'' Phineas said, lifting her up and after a quick exchange of glances, the two agents retreated to Millie and Isabella.
''On your feet, Sergeant Millie'' Isabella said, as they both got up from the ground and saw a horde of zombies advancing, and so the Commander retaliated with the water pistol, until they could run again.
"QUICK, GUYS, OVER HERE!" Adyson said, waving the flashlight from her launcher, Buford Ferb, Gretchen was in front of her, providing support for them, as was Perry's Helicopter, which illuminated their path with a large spotlight.
''Supply Drop, on the way'' Pinkie said, activating the mechanism that made the large box fall next to the children. Ginger, Baljeet and Holly began to push the large package into the warehouse.
''You can do it!'' Perry said, starting to clear the way for his owner, watching Phineas and Isabella along with Millie and Katie run, like they had never run before to enter the warehouse.
''LOTS OF ME'' A zombie attacked Phineas who dodged while covering Katie, Isabella and Millie tried to dodge the zombies that were shot down by the water cannon.
As soon as they managed to reach the warehouse, they were followed by the rest of the squad, Adyson and Buford slammed the gate in the zombies' faces, wiping the sweat from their foreheads.
''Wow, that was crazy'' Adyson said, relieved and tired, hearing the helicopter flying away.
''Yeah... but we're fine now'' Buford agreed with his hand on his shoulder catching his breath, but a loud metallic bang made the two soldiers slowly retreat, startled, hearing the phrases that had been stuck in his mind for a long time: ''Lots of me, Lots of me''