UNSCDF Chapter 36- The Last Stand

Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado, USA

Old Radar Station

March 26, 2001

1850 Local Time

            Zyrok and Pruett ran up beside Casey and the others. The zombies were violently shaking the fence as the marines shot at them.

            “The fence isn’t going to last long.” Casey observed as the fence began to swing back and forth.

            “We got to hold the line. Help isn’t on the way till another twenty five minutes.” Zyrok fired his pistol.

            “We’re low on ammunition Captain.” Schmidt reloaded his pistol.

            “Use whatever you can to fend off the zombies.” Zyrok pointed at a rusty iron pipe on the ground.

            Nevarez shouldered his empty M16 and took out his Lock 17. Taylor fired his M21 slowly and made sure that every round took out a zombie. Pruett watched nervously as the zombies growled viciously.

            “This is why I’m a pilot!” Pruett sprayed his pistol at the zombies.

            Zyrok watched as three Bones squeezed past the horde and stood in front of the fence.

            “Fall back!” Zyrok shouted as the Bones began to swing.

          With three hits from the Bones, the fence toppled over and flung dirt in the air. The marines ran backwards firing whatever they had to slow down the brutal horde. Zyrok put away his empty USP and took out his bowie knife. A zombie ran at him with its arms out and lunged at him. Zyrok was agile and he took a step to the left and grabbed one of its arms. He stuck his leg out and tripped the zombie and knifed the zombie to the back of its head. Casey swung his Washington 870 like a baseball bat. Every zombie that ran at him was returned with a well placed hit to the skull. Pruett, on the other hand, was not doing so well as the others. A zombie charged at him and pinned him to the ground. Pruett was pushing the zombie’s head away from his face with both hands and was having a hard time breaking free. Schmidt jumped up behind the zombie pinning Pruett and impaled its head with an iron pipe. Schmidt reached to his belt and gave Pruett his combat knife.

            “Thanks man.” Pruett dusted himself and took the knife.

            Zyrok watched as a Bone whacked Nevarez to the ground and growled loudly. Nevarez fired his Lock 17, but did little damage. Zyrok sprinted towards the Bone and jumped onto its back just before the Bone was going to pummel Nevarez. The Bone roared and spun around in circles trying to shake Zyrok off. Zyrok held onto the Bone tightly with his left hand and jabbed the bowie knife with his right hand into the Bone’s neck. The Bone hissed and cried out loud as Zyrok yanked the knife sideways severing its head. The Bone collapsed to the ground and Zyrok rolled on the dirt. He looked at his right hand and saw blood beginning to seep through the bandage. He ignored the pain and stood up to face two zombies running at him.

            “This is useless. We need to find safety,” Nevarez shouted in exhaustion.

            “Let’s see if we can get on top of the building.” Casey pointed at the radar station.

            “Go guys.” Zyrok ordered as he snapped a zombie’s neck and decapitated another zombie beside him.

         Pruett and Nevarez ran towards the building while the rest were fending off the horde. Zyrok watched as Casey, Taylor, and Schmidt stood beside him fighting.

            “Taylor and Schmidt, go!” Zyrok ordered as he saw Nevarez boost Pruett to the roof.

            “Sir.” Schmidt handed Zyrok his iron pipe.

            “Thanks.” Zyrok took the iron pipe and sheathed his knife.

            A Bone ran up to Casey and swung at him. Casey attempted to block the swing with his shotgun, but miscalculated. The Bone sent Casey flying a few meters and knocked his shotgun away from him. Casey was injured, but he stood up to face the Bone. Casey shouted a war cry and lunged at the Bone with his combat knife. The Bone swung wide and missed Casey by a couple of inches. Casey slid under the Bone and slashed at its legs. The Bone growled in pain and fell to its knees. Seeing the opportunity, Casey hopped onto the Bone and viciously stabbed its head repeatedly until the Bone was no longer moving.

            “Go Casey!” Zyrok smashed a zombie to the side of the head with his pipe and heard a sickening crack.

            Casey nodded and ran towards an eager Nevarez standing beside the building. Nevarez boosted Casey to the roof and watched as Zyrok fought the horde by himself.

            “Come on Captain!” Nevarez shouted.

            Casey, Pruett, Schmidt, and Taylor watched from the roof as Zyrok held an iron pipe with his left hand and a bowie knife with his right. The horde began to circle around him as he swung wildly at the zombies. Zyrok turned to head towards the building when a Bone stepped in front of his path. Zyrok felt that he was a goner, but he was going to give it his best shot and die heroically. Zyrok gritted his teeth and ran towards the Bone. The Bone, however, was walking slowly towards him as if it was not afraid of him. Zyrok watched as the Bone grunted and slammed his fist forward at him. Zyrok rolled sideways and dodged the hit. The Bone jumped at him and pummeled the ground with its feet where Zyrok originally stood. Zyrok bashed the pipe to its arm when suddenly he felt a sense of agonizing pain to his back. He turned around and saw a tentacle zombie swinging at him. Zyrok winced in pain as he felt blood dripping out from his broken Reactive SLX. The armor had absorbed some of the damage and had served its purpose. With that, Zyrok threw his knife at the tentacle zombie’s head and dropped his armor to the ground and watched as more zombies crowded around him. He held the pipe with both hands and watched as the Bone advanced towards him. Zyrok was in a lot of pain and he was exhausted. He moaned in pain and charged at the Bone. The Bone did an uppercut, but was parried by Zyrok’s pipe. Zyrok saw blood drip from his hand down the pipe as he countered the hit.

            “My turn.” Zyrok smiled as he spat blood on the ground.

            Zyrok crouched and put a well placed stomp to one of its knee. The knee snapped and the Bone fell to one side. Zyrok quickly turned and dispatched an incoming zombie as it was just about to claw at him. The Bone roared and swung at Zyrok, but Zyrok easily stepped back and dodged the shot.

            “You can do it boss.” Casey and Taylor encouraged as they watched from the rooftop.

            “I can do it.” Zyrok muttered under his breath to realize that all he needed to do was to kill the Bone so he could get to the roof.

            “Kill the Bone and get out. There are more zombies coming.” Taylor shouted as he scanned the area behind Zyrok with his M21 scope.

            Zyrok turned his head quickly and saw three more Bones and two more tentacle zombies. He shifted his weight forward and brought the iron pipe down on the Bone’s head, but was blocked by its muscular arms. Zyrok danced left and right until he stood in front of the Bone and jabbed the pipe upwards into his jaw and penetrating through its skull. The Bone collapsed and lay in a pool of blood. Zyrok climbed on top of the Bone and ran towards Nevarez. Zyrok could hear the thundering footsteps and the vicious growls as the horde chased after him.

            “You go up first.” Zyrok commanded as he stood beside Nevarez.

            “You go first boss.” Nevarez offered.

            “No, you go first. That’s an order.” Zyrok ordered.

            “Alright, let’s make it quick.” Nevarez watched as the horde was a couple meters away from them.

            Zyrok crouched and boosted Nevarez to the roof. He cursed at the pain in his back and hand after he boosted Nevarez.

            “Come on boss. Jump!” Nevarez stuck his hand out over the roof.

            “We got you.” Casey stuck his hands out.

            Zyrok watched as his marines stuck their hands out to catch him. He hadn’t seen this camaraderie before in his team. He smiled and jumped upwards. The first jump was off and he was nowhere near the hands.

            “You can do it Captain. We’ll catch you.” Taylor reassured.

            Zyrok looked at the horde behind him and swallowed his fear. He took a few steps back and ran towards the wall. He jumped and managed to slip his right fingers to Nevarez’s hand.

            “Got you.” Nevarez held Zyrok’s hand tightly.

            Zyrok swung his left hand upwards as he began to feel himself slip from Nevarez’s hand as blood oozed out of the bandage. Pruett managed to get a hold of Zyrok’s left hand just in time as his right hand slipped from Nevarez’s grasp.

            “Pull!” Pruett shouted at the marines beside him.

            The marines pulled Pruett back slowly and Zyrok began to ascend. Suddenly, Zyrok felt his legs get pulled downwards as the horde below him clawed at his dangling legs. Zyrok felt intense strain to his left arm and saw himself beginning to descend downwards as more zombies grabbed his legs.

            “Nooo…” Casey shouted.

            “Pull harder people.” Pruett held Zyrok’s hand tightly refusing to let go.

            “It’s not working.” Nevarez pulled Pruett with all his might.

            “I’m not going to lose you Zyrok.” Casey shouted and pulled Pruett.

            Zyrok knew the inevitable was going to happen. He was going down and he was losing his strength in his arm.

            “First casualty of this mission and it’s going to be me…” Zyrok thought.

UNSCDF Chapter 32- Obstacle Course

Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado, USA

Signal Mountain

March 26, 2001

0815 Local Time

            “Wake up gentlemen.” Zyrok nudged Casey and Taylor sleeping under a makeshift shelter.

            Casey slowly opened his eyes while Taylor groaned as the sunlight lit his face. Pruett was adding more sticks to the campfire when Zyrok approached him.

            “No need Pruett. We’ll be continuing our trek.” Zyrok patted Pruett on the shoulder.

          “Captain, I think we should look for water.” Nevarez dripped the last few drops from his water bottle into his mouth.

            “I’m low as well.” Schmidt peeked at a half empty water bottle.

            “Alright, we’ll keep our eyes peeled for water.” Zyrok replied.

            “Thanks Captain.” Nevarez replied.

            “All right marines, we’ll move out in five. Pack your gear.” Zyrok ordered.

            Zyrok took down a camouflage tarp and folded it into his backpack. Nevarez took a large stick and extinguished the campfire by covering sand and ash over it. Casey helped Taylor readdress his injury with another bandage. Taylor winced in pain as Casey wrapped a new bandage around his arm. Schmidt inserted bullets into his magazine and slit it into his pistol.

            “All set?” Zyrok looked around.

            “Yeah.” Nevarez and Taylor replied in unison.

            “Let’s go people.” Zyrok waved and looked at his watch.

            “This reminds me of training.” Schmidt reflected as he looked around.

            “What do you mean?” Taylor walked behind Zyrok.

            “Well, I remembered that we had some wilderness survival training.” Schmidt laughed.

            “Be glad you got trained because I didn’t. I got trained to fly.” Pruett eavesdropped.

            “Yeah man, never knew I would have to use it.” Schmidt laughed.

            “Shh.” Zyrok spoke out loud.

            The marines shut their mouths and stopped in their tracks. Zyrok froze and turned his head slowly. In the bushes which were a couple meters in front of them, it was shuffling and shaking gently. Zyrok waved at Casey and Nevarez to flank left while Pruett and Taylor flanked right. Zyrok pulled out his USP and slowly walked forward while Schmidt held his M16 firmly behind him. Nevarez slowly advanced from the left keeping his eye on the bush when suddenly he stepped on a twig and made a loud snap. The rush rattled for a second and a rabbit ran out. Zyrok and Schmidt were shocked for a brief second as the rabbit ran towards them. Zyrok pulled out his bowie knife as the rabbit ran past him. He took a quick aim and threw the knife striking the rabbit’s back.

            “Why’d you kill the rabbit?” Nevarez looked at the dead rabbit.

            “We still need to eat food.” Zyrok replied.

            “Yeah Nevarez, I don’t know about you, but I would like to have dinner.” Casey looked at Nevarez.

            Zyrok crouched over to the dead rabbit and pulled out the knife. He picked up the rabbit by its ears and wrapped it in a bag before placing into his backpack.

            “Dinner’s on me.” Zyrok shouldered his backpack.

            “Great.” Taylor licked his lips.

            “I’m assuming Nevarez don’t want a piece.” Zyrok grinned.

            “No, no. I would like rabbit too.” Nevarez shook his head.

            “Ok…” Zyrok continued to lead his men.

            The marines walked down a hill until they came across a small creek. Zyrok took out his water bottle and waved at his men.           

            “Water!” Nevarez exclaimed as he wiped sweat off his neck.

        “I’ve never been so happy to see water before.” Schmidt splashed his face with cool refreshing water.

            Zyrok turned his head upstream and saw a Bone walking towards them. He pulled out his USP and fired as the zombie ran towards him. Nevarez and Taylor quickly turned towards the sound of gunfire and fired their guns at the Bone. Pruett watched as three more Bones ran out from behind the trees to the left side of the creek.

            “Bones on the left!” Pruett shouted.

          “Run people, run!” Zyrok shouted as he killed the Bone with a well placed shot into the zombie’s eye.

            A mob of zombies suddenly ran out of nowhere and was running upstream towards the marines. Schmidt fired his M16 into the mob as the marines retreated into the forest.

“Run!” Casey fired a round of shotgun as he saw a zombie run up beside Pruett reloading his gun.

            The group of marines ran past thorn bushes and uneven terrain as the mob of zombies chased after them. Schmidt ran and fired hoping to slow down the zombies when suddenly he tripped on a tree root and slammed his shoulder into a tree trunk.

            “Ow!” Schmidt cursed as he clutched his right shoulder with his left arm.

            “Come on. Forget the pain.” Casey helped Schmidt to his feet and picked up his dropped M16.

            “I think I dislocated my shoulder.” Schmidt moaned as he began to run.

            “We’ll fix it later when our lives are not on the line.” Casey fired his shotgun and unleashed a hail of bullets.

            Nevarez and Pruett covered fire while Taylor and Schmidt got to safety above a small hill.

            “We can’t do this forever. We’re going to run out of ammo and get cornered.” Casey concluded.

            “We have to get to high grounds.” Zyrok pointed at a steep rocky valley.

            “Let’s go marines. Double time!” Casey commanded.

            Zyrok looked at the injured Taylor and Schmidt and waved them to move first.

            “Pruett and Nevarez, go assist Taylor and Schmidt up that valley. Casey and I will buy you the time.” Zyrok ordered and looked at Casey.

            “Here you go.” Casey handed Schmidt’s M16 to Zyrok.

            “Thanks.” Zyrok slid his USP into his holster and fired the M16.

          Zyrok fired bursts of two and took down multiple zombies. Casey fired his shotgun twice and quickly inserted more shells into the gun. Zyrok glanced as the marines slowly made their way up the valley struggling to makes their way to the top. Zyrok walked back and continued to shoot at the mob while Casey has switched over to his pistol for better accuracy.

            “We’re clear boss.” Pruett spoke on the RaidCall.

          “Copy, on our way. Cover us from above while we climb.” Zyrok replied back as he turned and began to run towards the valley.

          “You got it Captain.” Pruett answered as he steadied his pistol as Zyrok and Casey ran towards them with a mob of aggressive zombies chasing after them.

            Casey climbed the coarse rocks while Zyrok provided a light cover fire with Schmidt’s M16. Zyrok watched as Casey reached halfway up the steep valley and began to climb. Zyrok felt his foot throb with pain as he stubbed his foot while climbing. Zyrok hopped on to a jagged ledge and smashed his hand on a sharp rock. Zyrok ignored the pain and held his hand firmly as blood dripped from his right palm. He watched as the zombies below him fought each other hungrily for his blood. Zyrok climbed up a small ledge and then shimmied across a platform before making a jump to the top.

            “You’re almost there Captain!” Casey shouted as he waved from the top.

            Zyrok balanced himself on the platform and took a quick observation and jumped up to grab a rock. He winced in pain as the impact stunned his injured hand.  He wiggled himself sideways to grab another rock when the rock he was holding on came loose. Zyrok fell a few feet down and landed on a ledge. Schmidt’s M16 bounced off the ledge and disappeared into the mob of zombies. Zyrok looked at the lost gun in frustration and looked at his hand. There was a deep cut in the palm of his hand.

            “Forget the gun.” Schmidt yelled.

            “You can do it boss.” Pruett shouted.

            Zyrok got up and looked at the wall of rocks. He saw a handhold a few meters up and jumped. Zyrok managed to get a grip on it and pulled himself upwards. He placed his feet on a small protruding rock and took a deep breath. Zyrok looked at his knee and saw blood stains appearing on his left knee.

            “By the time I’m finished, I’ll probably be bleeding to death.” Zyrok thought.

            Zyrok continued to scale towards the top taking short breaks in between. Casey and Nevarez reached their hands over the top and successfully pulled Zyrok to safety. Zyrok panted and lay flat on the ground in exhaustion. The zombies below the valley attempted to climb up, but made no progress.

            “We got to keep moving. They can circle around.” Zyrok got up and wrapped bandages to his hand.

            “You need to rest Zyrok.” Taylor looked at a tired Zyrok.        

            “Rest later until we’re safe for sure.” Zyrok turned his head over the valley.

            “Alright marines, move it!” Casey ordered.

          The marines began to lightly job away form the edge of the valley and headed into a small grass clearing. Zyrok reduced his pace and stopped in his tracks as he felt his head spin.

            “You alright Zyrok?” Pruett approached a dizzy Zyrok.

            “My head…my head is spinning.” Zyrok sat on the ground.      

            “Sir, we need to get away from the open.” Schmidt looked at the open grass fields.

            “Here, have some water.” Nevarez gave Zyrok his water bottle.

            “Thanks.” Zyrok took a sip and closed his eyes.

            “I think you’ve lost a lot of blood.” Casey pointed at Zyrok’s bandages soaked with blood.

            “I think so too…” Zyrok’s voice trailed off as he looked at his hand and fainted.

UNSCDF Chapter 10- The Devil's Offensive

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

UNSC Relief Center

March 22, 2001
1100 Local Time

            Zyrok lay on a hospital bed and looked around. Casey sat beside him and smiled at him.

            “Oh, you’re awake.” Casey got up from his seat and walked to the door.

            “Doctor!” Casey shouted.

            A middle aged man with a beard walked into the room with a white lab coat.

            “Where am I?” Zyrok asked.

            “Fort Collins Relief Center.” Casey stood beside the doctor.

            “Where’s that?” Zyrok shook his head in confusion.

            “Slow down with the questions Lieutenant.” the doctor looked at Zyrok’s heart monitor.

            “Colorado. We took you to the nearest medical facility.” Casey replied.

            “Alright, it looks like your vitals are normal. I suggest you take some more rest.” the doctor spoke to Zyrok.     

            “Where are the others?” Zyrok looked around.

            “They’re in the lounge.” Casey replied not sure if he should tell Zyrok about the fallen marines.

            “Oh, where’s my datapad?” Zyrok looked at his hospital gown.

            “Forester took it and sent it to High Command already.” Casey replied.

            “She’s still here?” Zyrok looked as the doctor wrote notes on his clipboard.

            “Yeah, she just came back an hour ago.” Casey looked at his watch.

            “An hour…wait, how long have I been out?” Zyrok asked the doctor.

            “Two days. You’re lucky to know someone from High Command.” the doctor replied.

            “Forester…what do you mean doctor?” Zyrok thought and put on a confused face.

            “You got infected and were deemed to turn into a zombie. Your friend, Lieutenant Forester, came back from High Command with nanotechnology.” the doctor answered.

            “Nanotechnology?” Zyrok was confused.

            “Nanites, to be exact. It’s a cure for the virus.” the doctor answered.

            “Cure?” Zyrok was fascinated.

          “Yes, you won’t be turning into a zombie. Downside is that you require Nerotonin-2 injections weekly to keep the nanites working.” the doctor explained.

            “Great, I need drugs to keep myself alive.” Zyrok said sarcastically.

            “That’s all I know about these nanites. Perhaps you can ask Lieutenant Forester after you rest.” the doctor suggested.

            “Yeah, so much to take in.” Zyrok closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.

*          *          *

            Charlie walked to the front door and noticed two zombies bashing at his door. He walked into his garage and grabbed a baseball bat. He opened the door and shoved the first zombie and bashed the second one to its head.

            “I’m going to kill all of you.” Charlie swung the bat at the other zombie and broke its neck.

            Charlie ran down the streets and saw a troop transport Warthog with two marines.

            “Hey!” Charlie called out.

            “What are you doing out here?” a slender tall marine in his early twenties waved Charlie over.

            “I want to enlist in the UNSC and help the fight.” Charlie firmly said thinking about Sarah.

            “Sure, hop in the back.” the marine pointed at the back seat.

         “What’s your name son?” the other marine sitting in the passenger seat asked as he removed his helmet.

            “Charlie.” Charlie stuck out his hand to the other man who was in his late thirties with a scar on his face.

            “I’m Sergeant Felix Fay. You got a last name?” the marine shook his hand and asked.

            “I don’t go by one. I either go by Charlie or Zyrok.” Charlie replied.

            “Sure, doesn’t matter anyways. Welcome aboard Charlie.” Fay smiled.

            “Lance Corporal Dawson Mack.” the slender marine shook Charlie’s hand.

            “Let us drive first to see if we can pick up some survivors.” Fay told Mack.

          The Warthog drove past some battle torn streets when suddenly a large pickup truck sped out an alley and smashed into the vehicle. The Warthog cart-wheeled and then slammed into a traffic light pole. Everything turned into darkness.

*          *          *

            Zyrok woke up from his bed and noticed an alarm ringing from outside the building. Zyrok had heard this alarm before.

            “Where have I heard that before?” Zyrok thought for a moment “Oh damn, it’s an outpost attack.”

            Zyrok got up from his bed and pulled the heart rate monitor off his chest.

            “Woah.” Zyrok suddenly felt dizzy.

            “Anyone in here?” a man shouted down the hallway.

            “Yeah.” Zyrok slowly walked out the room and saw a marine holding a UMP.

         “We are evacuating this relief center. A big horde is attacking our gates followed by two massive zombies.” the marine explained as he pulled a Lock 17 from his belt.

            “I need my gear Private Nevarez…” Zyrok looked at the name stenciled on his flak jacket.

            “Aaron Nevarez.” the man saluted “Take my pistol.”

            “Thanks.” Zyrok accepted the pistol “Where’s my team?”

            “You mean Echo Squad?” Nevarez asked “At the gates holding off so the civilians can evacuate.”

            “You gear can be found in the storage room.” Nevarez pointed down the hallway.

            “Let’s go.” Zyrok ran.

          “Attention all UNSC personnel. The zombies have breached the entrance. Fall back and evacuate. Repeat, fall back!” the announcement broadcasted on the speakers.

            Zyrok entered the storage room and saw his uniform and armor.

            “Give me a minute.” Zyrok closed the door and changed as Nevarez stood watch outside.

            In a matter of minutes, Zyrok was in his battle outfit holding the Lock 17 Nevarez gave him.

         “Let’s get out of her now.” Nevarez spoke as the same announcement broadcasted in the background.

            “You got extra clips for his pistol?” Zyrok asked.

            “Two, here you go.” Nevarez handed Zyrok two clips from his pocket.

            “Echo Squad, this is Zyrok. Anyone copy?” Zyrok spoke on the RaidCall.

            “Loud and clear Zyrok. Glad to see you back in action.” Casey replied with excitement.

            “Where you guys at?” Zyrok asked.

            “We’re just about to takeoff. Where are you?” Casey responded.

“I’m at the hospital. Can you pop by?” Zyrok asked.

“Copy, we’ll pick you up on the rooftops. Ground level is overrun.” Casey replied.

            “Got it, on my way.” Zyrok motioned Nevarez to head for the stairs “Zyrok out.”

            “Head up ASAP Private. We got ourselves a ride out of here.” Zyrok opened the door for Nevarez.

            Zyrok looked down the stairs and saw zombies frantically running up the stairs.

            “Hurry, they’re coming.” Zyrok ran behind Nevarez.

            Zyrok and Nevarez busted out the roof doors and saw Casey waving them over beside a hovering Pelican.

            “Come on boss.” Casey shouted.

            Zyrok and Nevarez ran as fast as they could with a mob of zombies chasing after them. They leapt onto the Pelican and Casey fired the turret as the Pelican lifted off.

            Zyrok saw two massive zombies with spikes smashing the hospital they were in, followed by a sea of zombies pouring from the entrance. Zyrok turned and looked at the marines sitting inside the Pelican and saw Forester, Taylor, and two other marines.

            “Where are the others?” Zyrok looked dazzled.

            “I didn’t want to tell you in the hospital, but I guess I’ll have to tell you now.” Casey replied and looked at Forester.

            “They died defending the outpost?” Zyrok asked with a sad face.

            “No, they died during the mission two days ago.” Casey apologetically said.

            “They were heroes and they died honorably.” Forester chimed in.

            “Aww hell.” Zyrok covered his face.

            “It’s alright Zyrok. We all feel the same.” Forester expressed her sympathies.

            “Did we accomplish the mission?” Zyrok asked.

            “Yes, we did. Their sacrifice did not go unnoticed.” Forester replied.

            Zyrok felt upset as he blamed himself for the death of his marines. He felt sick to his stomach and wanted to throw up. Zyrok looked at the relief center which was now distant and turned to face Forester.

            “What the heck were those two massive zombies that had spikes?” Zyrok asked.

            “From the data you collected, it seems to be some sort of boss which is actually a bigger version of the muscular spiky zombie.” Forester answered.

            “Boss?” Zyrok asked.

          “We call it the Titan now. The muscular mini version is the Bone. It was the Titan that killed our team.” Forester commented.

            “Did you kill it? Zyrok looked away and stared at his feet.

            “Yes, we did.” Forester replied.

            “We sure as hell gave it our best shot.” Casey pitched in.

            “Good, I assume those were two new ones back there?” Zyrok pointed at the center.

            “Yeah, not sure where they came from.” Forester replied.

           Zyrok’s head was spinning. He was not fully recovered and he had already ran a flight of stairs to avoid death. He sat comfortably in his seat and passed out.