Sector REDACTED, Vermont, Operation Confused Rainbow

"Jesus." Alex Norrie breathes as he peers out of the jet black helicopter carrying him over the benighted settlement stormed by the Herd, "Its complete madness out there."

"Please put on your mask sir." the muffled voice of "Sergeant" reprimands over the rattle of gunfire, "We are in the middle of a red zone. Wouldn't want you to get passively infected with the virus."

Alex tilts his head, observing the man clad in full tactical gear and cradling a rifle in his arms. A brand new gas mask obscures Sergeant's features and the man's bulk is emphasized by the titanium plate worn over his flak vest. Behind Sergeant were more soldiers, firing away with their rifles straight into the Herd. Alex pats his own flak vest somewhat unhappily, noting once again the difference in the level of equipment between him and the men he was meant to be leading. The government couldn't equip everyone with plate or rifles, so he had to make do with a pistol and the standard bullet proof vest.

Mask production was up at least. So that's something. Alex puts on his own gas mask and a stifling heat settles uncomfortably across his face.

Sergeant nods with satisfaction and goes back to peering out of the helicopter as it performs another strafing run on the Herd. When the country was overwhelmed by the virus, the once sophisticated machinery of governance that kept everything running had unceremoniously collapsed. Multiple agencies and departments fractured and were reduced to pale shadows of their former selves. That did not mean the government no longer existed of course. America still had a Federal government. It just so happened no one bothered to pay any attention to it.

"One more pass." Sergeant grunts, "Then we'll need to get the retrieval under way. We don't know how long the Herd can keep the Maine UMA occupied."

"Its a bear. A really ugly one." Alex mutters as he starts to scan the settlement with a pair of binoculars, "I don't know why the sanctuary insists on giving these stupid acronyms. What does UMA mean anyway?"

"No idea." Sergeant answers indifferently, "Never cared enough to find out. But regular bears don't grow to the size of houses, so there's that, I suppose."

As the full scope of the crisis hit, the national government attempted to get its badly mauled organs under control, but too few answered the call. Everyone was either too busy trying just to survive or to carve out their place in this new world. This forced the Federal remnant mash anyone together they could find into ad hoc units, regardless of the capacity they were originally employed in. That was why Alex was leading men who were complete unknowns to him.

Sergeant and his troops were obviously military. But Alex had no idea about their identities, not even their names. The bosses back at sanctuary told him that it was none of his business. Only that they were all going to be deployed in a mission to secure the safety of the entire country. The whole affiar was very hush, hush, top secret. Suspicious as fuck as well, but Alex was smart enough to keep his mouth shut. He had already thrown in with the Federal remnant, and it had put him in a good place, more or less. Staying in Sanctuary was way better than trying to make it outside in the virus waste. Alex did not want to mess this arrangement up.

Even after he was briefed about the true nature of this assignment.

"I see the Production Facility." Alex says, carefully keeping his voice neutral, "Close to the cluster of northern buildings."

"Got it. I see the Production Facility as well." Sergeant confirms, signalling the helicopter pilot, "Target spotted. Get into position to perform the extraction."

As the helicopter banks downward, passing over the mass of Herd as they stampede through the settlement, a loud animalistic roar pierces the sky and shakes the earth. Even the helicopters shudder from this violence and for a brief moment, Alex entertains the thought of just packing it in and running away.

"We should be doing something about the UMA." Alex comments as his heart settles down.

"Another team is handling that." Sergeant replies, a note of disapproval obvious from his tone, "Led by your colleague, Linwood."

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"Woody's team is nowhere near here." Alex comments, somewhat confused at this piece of information.

"I don't know the details. Classified." Sergeant shrugs, "I heard that the UMA needed something though, and Linwood was sent to make sure it never got it."

"Uh huh." Alex folds his arms critically, "And you think Woody's not up to the task."

"I never said that." Sergeant denies, but his voice grows more derisive and even somewhat contemptuous.

"Look, what the hell is your problem?" Alex snaps, getting fed up of this passive aggressive display, "Woody's a good man. One of the best. So why are you dissing him?"

"Linwood doesn't follow orders." Sergeant explains curtly, "And then he fucks up."

"If you're talking about the recall issued by the Bureau ..." Alex begins, but Sergeant cuts the man off.

"Your partner went off gallivanting on his own while our country was falling apart. Didn't even have the good grace to resign when asked to." Sergeant snorts, "No idea why sanctuary allowed him back. Must be desperate for warm bodies."

"Woody was helping some folks defend their homes." Alex growls, now fully roused, "You telling me he was doing the wrong thing?"

"Yes." Sergeant pronounces flatly.

"Are you for real?" Alex exclaims incredulously.

"Let me explain." Sergeant sighs almost patronizingly, "First of all, Linwood was not authorized to recruit that militia of his. And he's not even in control of it. That crazy black guy is the one calling the shots, not your partner."

"Solomon. I remember." Alex frowns unhappily, wondering whether he had fallen into the same exact situation Woody had found himself in. Leading men he could not control.

"Secondly, Linwood massively fucked things up by attacking those Hajis." Sergeant continues, "When you two were ordered back, it means drop everything and get your ass back to DC."

"Wait just a moment." Alex objects, "Now you're saying fighting terrorists is a bad thing? Is this opposite day?"

"Again, yes." Sergeant waves his hand dismissively, "The Hajis were allowed to take over that town because local police and National Guard units had been depleted. The Sons of Islam were literally the only defense anyone in that sector had against the Herd. And what did your partner do?"

"You're asking Americans to seek shelter with a pack of bloodthirsty pedophiles." Alex snorts, "That's pretty weak."

"Look down there." Sergeant points out of the helicopter, his finger tracing across the bloody tableau brought about by the Herd, "The occasional beheading or ruptured little boy anus is a small price to pay for safety, isn't it?"

"I've got a better idea." Alex shoots back, "Why don't we do our jobs and actually protect people, instead of leaving them to terrorists? Genius thought, I know."

"Sure. I can't stand against the Herd by myself though." Sergeant chuckles, "Maybe you can. Who knows?"

"Did anyone tell you that you're an asshole, Sergeant?" Alex exasperatedly throws his hands up in the air.

"My ex-wife." the man laughs, "But she was a bitch, so it all evened out."

"Well, too bad for you Woody was welcomed back." Alex huffs, "Someone on top must have agreed with what he did."

"Hnh. Linwood should have been thrown out when he showed up at Sanctuary with his gang of misfits." Sergeant sneers, "But at least this time he will be teamed with men who actually can be counted on."

"Whatever." Alex mutters and turns away, tired of the conversation.

"You have to look at the larger picture, Agent Norrie." Sergeant responds, this time sounding apologetic as he realizes that the argument had been pushed too far.

"The larger picture is the apocalypse." Alex observes dourly as the troopers chuck out several grenades at the Herd below, the sound of explosions resounding through the night.

"Not necessarily. But sanctuary needs time to execute the plan." Sergeant declares, "And the candle of our nation's existence burns away with every victory the Herd scores."

"I get it." Alex confirms, a coldness drawing over his heart.

"Do you?"" Sergeant asks, "Are you ready to do what must be done?"

And with a deep breath, Alex opens his mouth, feeling more hollow than ever before.

"Yes."