“What In the fuck?“ Jackson said, standing over the claw marks. He moves his hands up and down the length of the lacerations. “Jackson, look around, there is plenty of weathering and water damage up here!” Jasper shouts, arms outreached. “What kind of weathering damage cuts directly through concrete without the rest of it falling apart?” Jackson says as he looks at him. “That could be from anything Jackson!” Jasper retorts. As they are going back and forth, I hear a noise, while stumbling to my feet I move to investigate. I walk to the ledge adjacent to them. I pull my night vision down and look through my sight. The magnification allows me to see down the streets and alleyways around us. I see that the horde has, for reasons unbenounced to me, has dispersed. Cars and bodies litter the streets. As my reticle glances over several dilapidated cars, then suddenly I stop. I see a huge, eight wheeled armored vehicle. ‘A Stryker!’ I think to myself. “I got it!” I exclaim. My outburst shocked both Jackson and Jasper. I look at both of them “I think I found a way out.” “What?” Jasper said in disbelief. “Shit, let’s take a look!” Jackson said with great interest. He rushes over and asks “What do you see?” I outstretch my hand. “Look, three o’clock, about a block down. You see it?” He raises his rifle and looks. His eyes widen and a smirk hits his face. “No shit, a fucking Stryker. Can you drive it?” He looks at me. “No.” I say with confidence, “But I know someone who can, if it works.” He chuckles, “And here I thought getting Trent certified on that damn thing was stupid. Good call in hindsight LT.” He shakes his head laughing in relief.
“What the fuck! What is going on?” Jasper cries out. “The ‘Crazy’ Lieutenant. Just had yet another good idea to save your ungrateful ass.” Jackson nudges my shoulder while shooting me a smirk. “What about these ‘Claw marks’!” He shouts out. “Jasper, there is nothing we can really do about it except getting to the Evac point as soon as humanly possible.” I respond. “Alright, Lieutenant, what’s the play?” He says with eagerness. “I’m going to take Trenton, Tex, and Williams to check out the Stryker. Have Feather on overwatch up here with Hale. If it runs and isn’t fucked, I’ll have Trenton drive it over. The thing should have twelve seats if we include the driver and gunner. But there is enough room between the gunners hatch and driver someone could squeeze in! We can back it right up to the front gate and drop the rail. Get everyone in and roll like hell through the city! The damn thing should be able to barrel through anything on the roads shy of an abrams!” I explain as I lift my night vision back up.
“What if it doesn’t run?” Jasper asks. “Well, we are back to square one. Send Hale with whatever explosives we can muster, create a diversion, and run like hell in the opposite direction.” Jackson says over me. Looking back at me and nodding his head. Jasper sighs as he shrugs, “Fuck it, I’m down.” Jasper and Jackson begin heading down the fire escape, I take one last breath. I look directly at the Vascorp sign one last time. ‘I’m coming.’ I think as I turn. Suddenly a hand hits my chest. My gaze meets the young girl's blue eyes. “P-Please, don’t go out there.” She whispers. ‘What?’ I think. “Why do you care?” I ask. “I- don’t.” She retorts. “Then don’t worry about it. Come on, you can stay with Doc, he will keep you safe till I get back.” I motion my head and begin to walk towards the fire escape. “Hayley.” The girl suddenly says. I turn and look back. “Hmm?”. “My n-name, it’s Hayley.” She awkwardly says. “Alright, Ms. Hayley. It’s nice to formally meet you, I’m Jason.” I say with a smirk. I motion back to the steps and we walk through the building. I finally reach the final staircase again. There, Jackson and Jasper are waiting for me. They give me a look of assurance and part to each side allowing me to pass. The four of us walk down the staircase. Every step makes a creaking noise, piercing the silence of the room below. As I look around, the whole room has an aura of dread. Corbin and Ow are sitting by Smith. Tex and Williams are sitting with Trenton, yet none of them are talking. Gomez, dread stricken on his face, is looking out the blocked window through a slit between the table and molding of the window sill. Doc is checking everyone out. Wilson is sitting in the corner of the room, away from everyone else. Hale and Feathers are sitting close to Doc. “Alright, listen up! Doc, prep Smith to move. Trenton, you Williams and Tex are on me. Feathers, Hale, you two get on the roof and provide overwatch for us. If anything out there even looks infected, I want it put down. Everyone else, I want you to make sure nothing gets in this building, and prepare to move. As soon as I get back we are rushing out of this building. Everyone tracking?” A muffle of confused questions and uncertain looks flood the room. “You heard the LT. We are prepping to move! The Lieutenant found a way out.” Jackson says.
“What about the plan with explosives?” Hale asks.
“That’s the backup plan Hale, don’t worry.” Jasper says.
“Wait, what is the plan then?” Trenton asks.
“We are going out to check if a Stryker works, if it does, we can rush through the city and get to the church.” I say with confidence. “Plus, it’s a CROWS system on top, if that fifty has ammo, those thermals could make holding that church way easier.” Jackson says.
“Fuck me!“ Trenton outcries. “Why did I volunteer for that fucking cert!”
“Yeah, why did you, now we gotta go out there with you!” Tex shouts. The room erupts into a small bit of laughter. I even found myself chuckling.
“Tex, you don’t have anything to worry about, I’m going with you.” I said.
“Uh, Lieutenant about that, maybe I should go out there with them.” Jackson says.
“No, I got it Jackson, besides I need you here in case shit goes sideways. If I get in a predicament, I know I can trust you’ll get us out of it.” I say with confidence. I put out my hand and he fist bumps back. “You got it LT.” He agrees reluctantly.
“Alright, get to position guys, we are moving in five.” I command. The minutes passing feels like hours. Suddenly, Gomez walks over to me. “Jefe, can I talk to you bout something?” He asks. “Yeah, what’s up Gomez?” I say. He motions his head towards the kitchen. We walk towards the door, he reaches out and pulls the door. He pulls hard but it doesn’t open, suddenly he hits himself with the palm of his hand and pushes the door. I do everything I can to not laugh at the situation. I walk in behind him and shut the door. “Lieutenant, I don’t- I can’t- Maldita sea, ¿por qué es tan difícil expresarme en inglés? Ah!” He gasps and sits down in defeat. “Uh, Gomez, are you alright?” I ask. “No! ¡no! ¡no estoy bien! ¡soy un cobarde! ¡Estaba demasiado asustado para ayudar! ¿Cómo puedo llamarme hombre?” He shouts. “Gomez i don’t understand-.” I am quickly cut off. “I want to go with you out there!” He says with a look of determination in his eyes. “Gomez, you need to-“ “No! tengo que salir ahi! I need to get out there! I am going!” He demands. ‘There is no talking him out of this, he is determined, whether I allow him to or not’. “Fine, you can come, but leave the radio here with Jackson.”. “Agreement!” He shouts. “Did you mean agreed?” I ask. “Same thing!” He shouts as he rips the radio off of him and rushes out the door. The rest of the time rushes by. I take a deep breath and twirl my fingers in the air. “Rally up.” The rest of the guys move to set up.
“Trenton, you guys ready?” I ask. “As ready as we'll ever be.” I shake my head in agreement and reach for my radio. “Feathers, are you in position?”. “Affirm.” He responds. “Alright, on my mark.” I say as I look through the peephole in the door. I see two BZs on the front pathway. “I have two direct front, Corbin, what do you see?” I look at him checking out the window. “I see one in the yard, and maybe ten in the street.” He confirms. “Solid.” I take a deep breath and grab the door handle. All eyes are on me. ‘God protect us.’ I twist the handle and open the door slowly. “Nods on!” I whisper as I bring them down. The hue of white phosphorus coats the entire landscape. My Peq fifteen’s laser is perfectly shown through the Night vision. “Be quiet and only fire with your cans on.” We walk out onto the patio, each man going a different direction in almost perfect exit procedure. Suddenly the heads of the two on the walkway rip apart as Feathers and Hale slam rounds down range into the BZs. We move down the steps and into the yard. I raise my rifle and take down the one in the yard. “Tango down.” I whisper. I raise my hand and signal for the guys to form up into a Fireteam wedge, heavy right. ‘I’d rather have the machinegun on the right, in case those things try to ambush us again.’ We get to the street and move quietly towards the IFV. BZs drop all around us as Feathers and Hale prove their deadly skill over and over again. The sound of our boots on the asphalt is almost hypnotizing. The cold air, now an autumn breeze, blows down the street. We reach the intersection just before the Stryker. ‘We need to stop, something doesn’t feel right.’ I lift my hand and motion to hold. We stack up on the street corner. I move to the corner and peak my head around and fear grasps me. Dozens of BZs loitering around, a large portion congregating near the right sidewalk. I twist back around and plant my head back into the wall behind me. I take a few deep breaths. “Dozens of enemy contacts, they aren’t looking towards us. We can bound across. We just need to be quiet, and whatever you do, do not look left. Trenton, you and I are going first. “Alright.” He shakes his head. “I’m ready.” He says. “Okay. Three… Two… One… Moving!” As soon as the words leave my mouth, like a bat out of hell we rush across the street. We get across and immediately grab security. I look back at Tex and Williams, I quickly motion towards them that we are set. They quickly rush across. Williams almost dropped an ammo box while rushing across. But they are quickly set. I motion that they are set to Gomez but he hesitates to go. I motion my hands more aggressively to come across. But he still won’t move. ‘Fuck’ I look down the road and back to them. I look again to make sure it’s clear. I bolt back across the road. At the shock of the rest of the guys, I quickly reach Gomez and look at him. “What are you waiting for?” I aggressively whisper. “I-I can’t. I can’t do it.” I grab him by his plates. “Bullshit! What about all the talk of you being a Vaquero? All that big talk and you ready to beat the shit outa anyone who even crossed you.” He looks down in disappointment. “Gomez, you look at me!” I grab him by his helmet and tilt his head up to look at me. “You look at me, we are going over there together. You and me. Now either you can run, or I’m going to fucking carry you. Do you get me?” He shakes his head suddenly and rapidly. “Okay then, get ready.” I grab his plate carrier to make sure he comes with me. “Go!” I grab him and rush at max speed across the road. We get across without issue.
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“Alright, Trenton, let’s get to the Stryker.” I quickly grab my radio and call Jackson. “Jackson, you copy?” “Yeah, send it.” “When we get this thing started, we are gonna have a lot on top of us. We gotta move quick to load everyone up.” “Solid, I’ll make sure everyone moves fast.” As everyone begins walking by me. Gomez stops and tells me thank you. “Gomez, if you ever do that shit to me again, I’ll fucking leave you.” I say with a chuckle. He laughs a tad bit as we keep moving. Scattered around the Stryker are several dead soldiers. All still in full kit. Most are half eaten, and bloody messes. “Tex, Williams, check those guys for ammo and medical supplies.” I order as Trenton and I walk towards the front. I examine the whole vehicle, all tires and equipment seems to be working, Trenton goes to the top hatch and attempts to open it. He can’t get it. “God damn it! It’s wedged.” He says as he releases the hatch. “Move.” I say as I climb up and grab my crowbar. Tex and Williams rush around and say “We found like twenty five mags.” “Great! Put them in your pack and grab security.” I say as I put my crowbar between the hatch and the body of the Stryker. I push down with all my weight. Nothing. I do it again ‘Come on you son of a bitch-‘ *click* the hatch pops. I grab the handle and lift up. Suddenly I’m hit with a putrid stench. I immediately wrap my arm around my head to cover my nose. I look down the gunners hatch to find a former member of the crew. The inside of the hatch, now painted red by his sidearm and brain.. “Jesus Christ.” I say. ‘I gotta move him’. I take a deep clean breath and reach into the Stryker. I grab the corpse by its shoulder straps. I lift with everything I have. As I pull it out, the body flails backwards and rolls off the Stryker. Luckily the sound didn’t alarm anything nearby. I pull my sidearm and drop down the hatch. I clear the inside. He was the only one inside of it. I pop out of the hatch and tell Trenton it’s clear. He quickly comes down and rushes to the driver's seat. I start checking around and find an ammo box full of mags. About twenty more. I also find two one hundred round boxes of fifty cal. I go up and check the CROWS. The fifty is full on ammo. I check the fifty, it’s jammed. I begin to clear the jam when I hear Trenton shout “Fuck!”. Suddenly the back ramp starts opening. He rushes out. I pop my head down after clearing the jam. “What?” He rushes pass me and sticks his head out the ramp. “Tex. I need you!” “Whatcha need?” He responds. “Ignition is fucked, fix it!” Trenton demands.
“Now just hang on! How do you know that’s the only issue?“ I ask.
“Because everything else is on, we have fuel, brakes, even thermals, I just can’t get the engine to turn on. Ignition switch is, like, busted or something.” Trenton says.
“I know how to work on engines, not Hotwire a fucking military vehicle!” Tex says.
“I can.” Gomez says.
“You can hotwire shit Gomez?” Tex asks.
“Si! I can Hotwire anything with an engine!” He says confidently.
“Alright fuck it, go ahead.” I say with a smirk. Gomez rushes in and sits down at the driver's seat. He pulls a panel down and begins searching for wires. He pulls his knife out and begins working with the wires. I get back in the gunners hatch to prepare the fifty. I set it up and no sooner does Gomez have the engine start. “No fucking way.” Tex says. Trenton rushes in and gets in the driver's seat. “Everyone in!” We all get in and sit down. The engine purrs to life as the lights on the front of the Stryker turn on. The ramp comes up as I get on the gun. He hits the gas and rushes the Stryker around and backs it up. He does and the ramp begins to go down. I turn the turret to find BZs slowly turning the corner. I start rushing everyone. Suddenly everyone is rushing out the steps with Smith on a stretcher. Hayley is one of the first on. Then Jackson, Smith, and Doc rush in. Then everyone else floods in. As they do, Bravo variants begin rushing towards us. Luckily, the ramp closes and Trenton hits the gas. “Attention everyone, welcome to Trenton Coach Rides! Your number one transport service in the apocalypse. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!” Trenton says as we speed off towards the Church. I sit down in the commander's seat and begin looking at the plans and blue force tracker on the screen. There are still dozens of friendly elements in the city. In a last ditch attempt, I grab the vehicle radio and begin broadcasting. “This is Saber One Six, calling all call signs, does anyone read, over?.” Suddenly I receive several calls back. I tell all of them to link up at the church. Suddenly, one more call sign responds. “Saber One-Six, this is Maverick Two-Five. I have several other elements grouped into my platoon. You have no idea how happy I am to hear from someone else. Over.” Maverick responds, relief in his voice. “Solid Maverick Two Five. Link up at the Large Cathedral between seventh and Grassy street. We are regrouping for evac. Over.” I say. “Understood, be advised, we are at the Local Zoo. We have found something weird. Over.” I am taken back by this, I quickly respond “What do you mean Maverick Two-Five? Over.” “I mean, we have found these weird, almost tendril structures. They are black a-“ static cuts out Maverick two five. I attempt to reach them a few more times, but I do it quietly as to not worry the platoon. ‘What the hell did he mean by tendrils?’ I think to myself as I am startled by a hand on my shoulder. “Thank God! We aren’t the only ones in this city. Hopefully we can rally this shit back and maybe thrust a win out of this after all.” Jackson says with a smile. “Yeah. Let’s just get out of this city.” I say as I slouch in my chair.