The alarms finally ceased and their current sector's lighting returned to normal. Sergei and Chernov had since been joined by another ally. This one was Spetsnaz and his being alert and out of breath did not signal good news.
“Something has gone terribly wrong,” he said.
“What do you mean?” asked Sergei.
“The Masquerade operators aren’t responding to hails. I think the op-”
He was cut off by the loud sound of gears turning as the shelter doors began to rise. The metal sound was soon replaced by something more feral, growls, deep and guttural grew louder by the second. “Do you have a spare gun?” Sergei asked Chernov.
The man removed his sidearm and handed it to Sergei. “You can tell us what happened later, I think we need to fall -”
The first group of heads appeared at the top of the exit ramp. Drenched black and red. Blood… and what else?
“Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit….” muttered the Spetsnaz. “We need to run, get off this rock.”
The man was already making moves and they struggled to keep up with him. He heard the rapid monstrous breaths bearing down on them. The heavy feet reverberated off the ground, as the horde grew in numbers behind them. They soon reached one of the tunnel entrances and once inside. The Spetsnaz sealed them in.
“That won’t hold – them,” he said barely catching his breath. “This was not part of the plan.”
“What do you mean?” asked Chernov.
The Spetsnaz pointed at the sealed door as loud bangs could be heard. “Someone brought the Deterrent onto the station and now it’s infected the people we trapped. Handed them over on a silver platter. Fuck!”
Both men looked equally perplexed at the man. “What the hell is a Deterrent?”
“The one type of Mortan you never want to come across. Come on, the shuttles are this way. We need to hurry. If the other shelters are open. The others in their domes will be out roaming for those not caught in the trap.”
Sergei followed the other two men as they reached another smaller dome. A residential sector. “Keep your wits about you. They could be anywhere.”
They navigated through the narrow abandoned marketplace that made up much of the lunar street and had apartment blocks flanking both sides. Everything had been left as it was and soon they reached a turn-off that led to a narrow darkened corridor. In the darkness stood a figure armoured in black. He had no distinct markings but the size of the pads on his shoulders and the type of armour he wore. He knew something they didn’t. Before a dialogue could even be established, he sprayed at them. Sergei barely had time to trigger his psion cores which allowed him to dive to the ground. The mixed set of wooden and concrete stalls became peppered with a hail of bullets. He looked back and saw that Spetsnaz wasn’t so lucky. Bullet holes riddled his body. Chernov was now seated clutching his rifle like his life depended on it. His eyes were bloodshot and he snarled at Sergei. Yeah, me too.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Sergei jumped to his feet, activated his cores and avoided the pre-fire attempt that would have hit him had he been seconds slower. Not wanting to waste his momentum he pushed again and aimed for where there was a gap in the shoulder plates. His shot punched the man back and it took a solid minute for him to reorient as the dizziness threatened to swallow him up. Chernov was on him now too. The larger man had the soldier in a chokehold. Soon they were met with a rifle hitting the floor.
“No, not yet. I want to know what’s happening?”
“Make it quick, Sergei.”
“Why release this Deterrent?”
“You’re Maxim Front, right? The useful idiots we outsourced much of this job to.”
The man had a strong Australian accent, it didn’t take long for both men to put two and two together. Sergei advanced on the man and took off his helmet then he pressed the barrel of his gun to the man’s forehead. “Who do you work for?”
“Like I’m telling you shit. If they don’t get you. We will.”
Sergei looked past Chernov and saw a group of stragglers, painted black, already their skin had begun to mutate as skin and clothing melded together. Sergei nodded to Chernov who released his grip and stepped to the side as Sergei put a bullet in the man’s head. That gunshot alerted the newcomers.
“Let’s get a move on,” said Sergei.
“Amen to that.”
----------------------------------------
They were soon back in one of Tellus’ Commerce districts and already it was a grim sight to behold. It was nothing but a scattering of bloody limbs, and dead bodies. All while urgent runners headed in any direction they could. They barely gave them a passing glance, these people were now creatures of instinct. Survival was all that mattered now. Some dead bodies had monsters crouched over them, feasting and spitting the remains everywhere.
“There’s no way we can leave the normal way. Won’t be long until everywhere is nothing but Mortans,” said Chernov.
“There’s always the underground. It’s possible the Mortans have yet to breach into it, too focused on the surface-level fresh meat.”
“That’s probably our best shot at this point. I assume you know the way?”
“Like the back of my hand, Chernov. Come on and try not to draw their attention.”
“I wasn’t hoping to.”
They kept to the edge of the level, close to the shops and restaurants where they could remain obscure if only for a little longer. Very soon there wouldn’t be any place to hide. Chernov kept low behind Sergei as he kept a watchful eye for people or Mortes. He stopped near a low wall and signalled for Chernov to come beside him. A large fern’s leaves partially hid them.
“What do you see?”
“These guys aren’t like the one we saw earlier.”
“Station security?”
“Most likely.”
The giveaway was the riot gear. It was designed for human enemies but the Mortans, he knew that wouldn’t stop them. Sergei kept low as a bright torch was shone at them. The group spoke in German to one another. Sergei saw them reach where they had seen the monsters feasting and then the madness began. The signal to open fire breached the silence and soon any Morte in earshot would be on them.
“Now would be a good time -”
Sergei pointed up to where they had planned to head. A small horde, partially mutated, the amorphous skin of the monsters had begun creeping over them. They charged at the security detail like wild dogs.
“Once they are past, we go. Don’t look back.”
“Like I planned to,” growled Chernov.
They were soon heading away from the ensuing carnage. Screams now perforated the air around them and the smell of blood and sweat lingered every which way they went. Sergei risked a glance back and was relieved to see the Mortans had indeed kept their focus on the riot squad. We need to get to the underground, otherwise, we’re as good as dead!