UNSCDF2 Chapter 1- Survivors

Reygi, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Secronom Research Facility

April 21, 2001

2100 Local Time

            In a dark gloomy hallway filled with puddles of water from the rusted pipes hanging on the ceiling, the sound of water dripping was replaced by a series of fast footsteps. A small light illuminated at the end of the hallway followed by two more lights. The lights moved up and down as the footsteps grew louder and closer. A figure dressed in a full suit of black sleek armor stopped in front of a metal door. Behind the figure were two UNSC marines wielding M16s and wearing flak jackets. One marine had the name “Nevarez” stenciled on his armor while the other one had “Schmidt”.

            “Halt!” the figure raised his hand in the air as he steadied his Desert Fox pistol at the door.

            “Hurry up Zyrok, I think they’re almost here.” Nevarez spoke to the figure as he panned the hallway they just passed.

            “I swear I can hear them.” Schmidt breathed heavily as Zyrok turned towards them.

            “Breach and clear. Schmidt, take point.” Zyrok pointed at the door.

            “Yes sir.” Schmidt acknowledged.

            The marines formed up beside the door in a very organized fashion and quickly busted into the room. Schmidt fired a round into a zombie while Zyrok fired a clean shot at an advancing zombie.

            “Clear!” Schmidt shouted.

            “Lock the door and barricade it.” Zyrok ordered.

            Schmidt panned his flashlight left and right to look for entry points. Nevarez pushed a metal cabinet behind the door and grabbed a chair to wedge under the door handle.

            “It’s a dead end here.” Schmidt concluded.

            “Well, I’m not getting back out there.” Nevarez pointed at the door.

            Suddenly, the door shook violently followed by a series of bangs.

            “They must have heard us.” Nevarez leaned against the cabinet.

            “No, they already knew.” Zyrok slid his pistol into his holster.

            “What the hell was that thing anyways?” Schmidt pulled a table and placed it behind the door.

            “I’m not sure if it was caused by radiation or that Secronom was experimenting with the Nerotonin drug.” Zyrok replied.

            “That doesn’t even look human.” Nevarez replied with disgust.

            “We can’t be staying here forever.” Schmidt watched as the door shook more violently.

            “I’m not getting out man. It’s a free ticket to death.” Nevarez laughed nervously.

            “It’s our only way out. We better hurry before more of them come.” Schmidt checked his magazine.

            “It’s not the only way…” Zyrok’s voice trailed off as he directed his flashlight upwards.

            “A vent?” Nevarez exclaimed.

            “Man, every one of us got separated. I’m not sure if we’re the last ones alive.” Schmidt walked underneath the vent opening.

            “Well, the communications here are very distorted by the walls. Let’s go to safety first before we start contacting the others.” Zyrok watched as the door began to bend inwards.

            “I’ll boost you Captain.” Schmidt shouldered his M16.

            “No, you guys go first. Let’s move it marines.” Zyrok ordered and crouched.

            Schmidt nodded and walked beside Zyrok. Zyrok boosted him to the opening and Schmidt bashed the opening down with his pistol.

            “Nevarez, go!” Zyrok commanded.

            Nevarez turned his head back at the door and stood beside Zyrok. Zyrok boosted Nevarez easily as Schmidt aided from above. Zyrok watched as the door gave way and pushed the makeshift barricade aside.

            “Sir, now!” Nevarez shouted.

            Zyrok took a few steps back and jumped. Nevarez got a grip of Zyrok’s open hands and pulled him safely inside the vent.

            “Move!” Zyrok shouted as he saw a horde of zombies pouring into the room. Schmidt crawled rapidly down the vent while Nevarez trailed behind. Zyrok pulled out his kukri from his belt and slashed at arms waving behind him. Feeling satisfied, Zyrok sheathed his blade and quickly crawled towards his men.

            “We’re safe for now.” Nevarez breathed relief.

            “Let’s talk safe once we go back home.” Schmidt approached an intersection.

            “Guys…” Zyrok interrupted.

            “What?” Nevarez turned his head.

            “That!” Zyrok pointed his flashlight at the opening they came from.

            Two arms reached inside the vent and pulled itself up followed by another set of arms on its torso.

            “It’s that eight-legged freak!” Nevarez shouted in fear.

            “Which way?” Schmidt looked at the two vent shafts.

            “Any would do!” Zyrok pulled out his pistol and begun to shoot.

            “Right it is.” Schmidt crawled quickly down the shaft.

            “Hurry!” Nevarez quickened his pace.

            Zyrok fired at the multi-limbed zombie in an attempt to slow down its crawl rate, but made little difference as its rear legs propelled itself forward. He quickly turned and crawled as fast as he could towards his men.

            “I’ve found an opening!” Schmidt shouted.

            “Get out now!” Zyrok hollered.

            Zyrok could hear the zombie moving down the vents behind him. It was only a matter of minutes before it caught up to them. Schmidt bashed his pistol at the opening and landed on a sturdy desk. Nevarez rolled out of the vent and fell to the ground with a thud.

            “Ow.” Nevarez cursed as he stood up.

            “Get ready to fire!” Zyrok shouted from the vent.

            Schmidt and Nevarez steadied their M16s at the vent opening. Suddenly Zyrok crashed out of the opening onto the ground as the zombie swung behind him.

            “Fire!” Zyrok shouted from the ground.

            The multi-limbed zombie crawled out of the vent and got pierced with a hail of bullets.

            “Eat lead!” Schmidt shouted.

            The zombie collapsed to the ground dead as it was peppered with bullets.

            “That was close.” Nevarez gasped.

            The vent shaft groaned and creaked loudly as another multi-limbed zombie appeared.   

            “Fall back.” Zyrok commanded.

            The zombie pulled itself out as another one crawled behind it. The marines took out the first one, but realized that more and more of the multi-limbed zombies poured out of the vent opening.

            “Oh god.” Schmidt reloaded his gun.

            “Retreat!” Zyrok yelled as his men froze in terror.