UNSCDF2 Chapter 31- Finding Level Zulu

Reygi, Kandahar, Afghanistan

UNSC Camp

April 21, 2001

1525 Local Time

            A troop transport Warthog approached the UNSC camp and was greeted by Reid and Mendoza. Zyrok stepped out of the passenger’s seat and waved the marines on the Warthog to get off. Casey turned off the ignition and grabbed his Sega-20 whilst Williams and Christopher jumped out the back of the Warthog. Frederick just sat coolly in her seat.

            “Captain, the guns are out.” Reid handed Zyrok a pair of binoculars.

            Zyrok took the binoculars and looked at the Secronom Research Facility in the distant. The sentry guns were no longer there and seemed to have gone back underground.

            “Good job.” Zyrok smiled in satisfaction as he returned the binoculars back to Reid.

            “Zyrok, shall we go?” Reid asked.

            “We’re going, but you and your team is staying behind to watch the camp.” Zyrok replied.

            “Sir, I would like to join you. Morgan and Mendoza can take care of this camp pretty well.” Reid requested.

            “That’s correct sir.” Mendoza replied in agreement.

            “No, we need you here in case the Russians or the militia show up.” Zyrok countered.

            “Understood sir.” Reid said with disappointment.

            “I’ll let you know if we need you.” Zyrok replied.

            “Camp, this is Forester. Are Zyrok and Frederick on their way here? We’re waiting at the entrance.” Forester spoke on the RaidComm.

            “Forester, this is Zyrok. We’ve reached the camp and are on our way there.” Zyrok replied back.

            “Get back on marines.” Casey ordered as he got into the driver’s seat.

            Williams grabbed a seat beside Frederick while Christopher sat in front of her.

            “See you soon Lieutenant.” Zyrok saluted Reid and got in the passenger’s seat.

            “Good luck sir.” Reid saluted back as he watched Casey turned the ignition on.

            Casey stepped on the accelerator and the Warthog sped forward towards the facility. As the Warthog passed the broken fence with a stationary troop transport Warthog, Zyrok turned his head.

            “Stop.” Zyrok shouted.

            Casey slammed on the brakes and Zyrok got out. Zyrok looked at the Warthog and then looked at the ground.

            “What is it Zyrok?” Frederick asked as she climbed out of the vehicle.

            “Powell…” Zyrok saw a half buried Powell in the sand.

            Zyrok ran to the body and knelt to the ground.

            “I’m sorry Powell, may you be in a better place now.” Zyrok reached for Powell’s UNSC dog tag and removed it.

            “Rest in peace.” Frederick approached Zyrok and placed her hand on Zyrok’s shoulder.

            “Let’s bury him.” Zyrok cupped his hands in the sand around him and poured it over the body.

            Frederick watched as Zyrok continued to put sand over Powell’s body and froze in thought. She knew that Powell was not part of Echo Squad, but Zyrok treated him like he was in their squad. Most officers would pick up the UNSC dog tags and leave, but Zyrok did more. Suddenly Frederick realized that she was motionless as Zyrok was burying Powell. She knelt to the ground and began to help Zyrok bury Powell. As Frederick assisted Zyrok, the rest of the marines seated in the Warthog rushed over and began to follow Zyrok’s actions. In a matter of minutes, Powell’s body was buried in a heap of sand.

            “Thank you.” Zyrok thanked the marines and stood up.

            “You’re different Zyrok.” Frederick whispered as she got up.

            “Huh?” Zyrok didn’t quite catch what Frederick said to him.

            “Oh, it’s nothing.” Frederick looked away and walked to the Warthog.

            “Williams, get the other Warthog and drive with us to the entrance.” Zyrok pointed at the Warthog between the broken fences.

            “Yes sir.” Williams replied and hurried off.

            Zyrok got back in the passenger’s seat and pointed at the main gates. Casey watched as the marines got on his Warthog and then sped to the gates where Forester and her marines were waiting.

            “Open sesame!” Casey hollered and smiled.

            Forester nodded and pressed a button inside a small room and the gates slid open. Casey slowly drove the Warthog to the building as Williams drove the other Warthog behind him.

            “Need a lift Lieutenant?” Williams stopped beside Forester and her team and offered a ride.

            “Sure, thanks.” Forester thanked and climbed to the passenger’s seat.

            The rest of Forester’s team climbed aboard the Warthog and sat comfortably in their seats. As Casey drove his Warthog to the building, Zyrok studied the exteriors and looked at the map he brought.

            “Park it there.” Zyrok pointed at a side door.

            “Aye sir.” Casey steered the Warthog left.

            Williams followed Zyrok and parked his Warthog beside Casey. All the marines got out of their vehicles and huddled next to a door.

            “Alright people, this is it. We’re here at the Secronom Research Facility and now we have to find whatever secrets it holds within.” Zyrok briefed.

            “Most doors require a Secronom keycard, so be on the lookout for these.” Forester held up two keycards in the air.

            “What’s the plan Zyrok?” Taylor asked.

            “Search the entire building.” Zyrok replied instantly.

            “Here, have one.” Forester gave Zyrok a keycard.

            “Are these hard to find?” Zyrok asked quietly.

            “Somewhat, but most of the time it can be found in the office desks.” Forester answered back quietly.

            “Marines, you are to report back to your commanding officers and await further orders. Forester and I will be in charge of Echo while Frederick will be in charge of Jackal.” Zyrok ordered.

            “Let’s get going soldiers.” Frederick shouted.

            “Frederick, May’s team is currently guarding the Control Room.” Forester interrupted.

            “Ok, thanks. Williams, Christopher, and I will head on over there.” Frederick thanked.

            Frederick opened the door for her marines to enter. Zyrok smiled at Frederick as she walked in and the door closed behind her.

            “Forester, you guys can go first. Taylor and Schmidt on me.” Zyrok looked at his watch.

            “Sir?” Casey looked at Zyrok.

            “Go with Forester.” Zyrok directed.

            Forester looked at Zyrok with a confused face, but decided not to ask Zyrok. Forester led her team inside as Zyrok took out his map.

            “Zyrok?” Taylor attempted to break the awkward silence.

            “Oh, right. The map we recovered from the Archives does not indicate Level Zulu, but the Archives mentioned about this level. I want to see if we can find it.” Zyrok explained.

            “Do you think it’s outside here?” Schmidt asked as he looked around.

            “Could be…the sentry guns in the map are shown on Level 1. However, you can see that the guns clearly go underground, but it’s not shown on the B1 map.” Zyrok flipped through the maps.

            “Are you suggesting we find the entrance to the sentry guns and see what’s down there?” Taylor pointed at the ground.

            “Something like that.” Zyrok nodded.

            “Then let’s got check it out.” Schmidt said enthusiastically.

            The marines ran to the side of the building where a sentry gun originally was. The ground had a metal cover enclosing the guns.

            “Do we pry it open or blow the cover off?” Schmidt stomped on the metal ground.

            “What’s with people and blowing things up?” Zyrok shook his head.

            “Because it’s fun?” Schmidt joked.

            “There’s an access panel right there.” Zyrok pointed at the edge of the cover.

            “I didn’t see that…” Schmidt’s voice trailed off as he felt stupid.

            Zyrok crouched beside the panel and swiped the Secronom keycard. The panel beeped and prompted for an access code.

            “Get me a bypass.” Zyrok ordered as he stepped away from the panel.

            Schmidt crouched and began to unscrew the access panel. Taylor watched as Schmidt studied the wiring and cut two wires. Zyrok removed his datapad from his belt and gave it to Schmidt.

            “Thanks.” Schmidt took the datapad from Zyrok and attached two cables to it.

            After a minute, four digits popped up and Schmidt pressed enter. The metal cover hissed and slid open.

            “Get ready.” Zyrok took out his Desert Fox sidearm and readied himself.

            The ground below was illuminated by some wall lights and the light outside. In the center was a sentry gun with a stockpile of ammunition.

            “Schmidt, take point. Taylor, watch our six.” Zyrok ordered as he quickly checked his Exterminator Mesh GT armor.

            Schmidt pointed his M16 down and saw a ladder. He slung the gun over his back and climbed down while Taylor watched from the top with his MSG-9 ready to shoot at any hostiles. Once Schmidt reached the bottom, he scanned the room with his M16 while Zyrok climbed down.

            “See anything boss?” Taylor yelled from the top.

            “No, it seems like it’s just a sentry gun and some computers for controls.” Zyrok walked around the floor.

            “A wild goose chase.” Schmidt sighed.

            “Alright, let’s head back up.” Zyrok replied in disappointment.

            “Zyrok, this reminds me of hunting the Titans.” Schmidt spoke his thoughts.

            “It sure does, but at least we’re not looking to pick a fight.” Zyrok climbed up the ladder.

            “I hope not.” Schmidt joked.

            “Zyrok, this is Frederick here. We found something in the Control Room. You have to come see it.” Frederick spoke on the RaidComm with a hint of surprise in her voice.

            “What is it Frederick?” Zyrok responded back.

            “Just come to the Control Room and see for yourself.” Frederick urged.

            “Alright Frederick, I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Zyrok laughed lightly.

            “Level Zulu?’ Taylor guessed.

            “Don’t know Taylor, but let’s see what Frederick and her team have in store for us.” Zyrok slid his pistol back into his holster.

UNSCDF2 Chapter 16- Retaliation

Downtown Kandahar, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Mirwais Nikka Hospital

April 17, 2001

1400 Local Time

            Casey held his Sega-20 firmly as he followed closely behind Schmidt as he took point. The two marines were sent by Zyrok to scout ahead as the team noticed a black sedan drive down the streets.

            “Think it’s the Russians?” Schmidt panned his M16.

            “Well it ain’t the zombies.” Casey joked.

            “What I meant was if it was either the Russians or the local militia?” Schmidt clarified.

            “Doesn’t matter. They work together anyways.” Casey crouched down as he saw a soldier walking past them.

            “Why can’t this mission be any easier? It’s a wild goose chase finding a secret base and now we also got to fight a formidable opponent.” Schmidt complained.

            “Would you rather fight a Titan or a Wraith?” Casey asked.

            “I don’t know. One has power while the other has numbers.” Schmidt scratched his head.

            “Look!” Casey pointed as he saw two soldiers dressed in UNSC combat gear carrying two boxes from a building.

            “Are they one of us?” Schmidt studied.

            “They got the same attire, but I don’t recognize any of their faces.” Casey examined.

            “Hostages?” Schmidt asked.

            “Can’t tell, they seem to have mobility and freedom.” Casey looked around.

            “Let’s notify Zyrok, he’ll know what to do.” Schmidt suggested.

            “I agree.” Casey nodded.

            “Captain Zyrok, Schmidt and Casey here. We are seeing some sort of base or camp three blocks from your position.” Schmidt spoke on the RaidComm.

            “Copy Schmidt, how many hostiles?” Zyrok asked.

            “Sir, we are also seeing UNSC marines at this base.” Schmidt looked as one UNSC marine entered a building.

            “Wait, UNSC?” Zyrok asked.

            “That’s correct Captain, they have our uniform.” Casey interrupted.

            “Hostages?” Zyrok questioned.

            Suddenly an alarm blared from the base and twenty militia rushed out from a building. Casey noticed an old man directing troops to spread out.

            “Dimitri…” Casey muttered.

            “Zyrok, we’ve got company. I think they spotted us.” Schmidt spoke on the RaidComm as ten soldiers ran towards their location.

            “Get out of there now. That’s an order!” Zyrok shouted.

            “Aye sir.” Schmidt replied.

            The two marines ran out of cover and ran down the streets as fast as they could. Casey could hear the distant footsteps pacing behind them as he and Schmidt ran forward without looking back. Suddenly, a series of gunshots echoed down the streets.

            “Take cover!” Casey shouted as he heard bullets whiz past him.

            Schmidt jumped over a garbage can and slid to a wall while Casey took cover behind a car.

            “We got to keep moving or we’ll be cornered.” Casey hollered.

           “Alright, cover!” Schmidt got out of his cover and laid down a light suppressive fire to the soldiers chasing after them.

            Casey stood up and ran to another car a couple of meters in front of him. He crouched to take cover and readied his gun.

            “Cover!” Casey stood up and placed his shotgun on the hood of the car.

            Schmidt shouldered his gun and began to run to his next cover whilst Casey was pumping his shotgun furiously at the soldiers attempting to shoot at Schmidt.

            “Got one!” Casey exclaimed as he took one soldier down.

            “We can’t keep this up. We’re getting low on ammo.” Schmidt aimed and fired.

            “Zyrok, this is Casey. We’re two blocks away from your location. Request immediate backup.” Casey spoke on the RaidComm.

            “Copy, Warthogs on the way. Hold tight.” Zyrok replied.

            Casey looked at his watch and then waved at Schmidt.

            “Next cover, move.” Casey got out of his cover and laid a heavy suppressive fire.

            “Die!” Schmidt fired twice before shouldering his weapon to sprint.

Downtown Kandahar, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Mirwais Nikka Hospital

April 17, 2001

1515 Local Time

            “Dimitri, we got them pinned.” Reid reported to Dimitri as he listened to the RaidComm transmissions.

            “Get the RPGS, we’ll blow their Warthogs up.” Dimitri ordered a nearby Russian soldier.

            “Yes sir.” the man nodded and waved a group of militia.

            “So Lieutenant Reid, how does it feel to kill your own kind?” Dimitri smiled.

            “Nothing, I am no longer them.” Reid replied with a blank face.

            “I must say, your team’s work here is very impressive. Sooner of later, the UNSC force here will be all wiped out at this rate.” Dimitri pointed at the transmitter.

            “Thank you.” Reid smiled.

            “After today’s victory, you guys can get some rest.” Dimitri sat down on a chair.

            “Sir, your men are taking heavy fire.” Timothy reported from a nearby computer.

            “Warthogs?” Dimitri asked.

            “Yes sir.” Timothy nodded.

            “Don’t worry. RPGs are on the way to blow them up.” Dimitri laughed.

            “And blow their morale.” Reid added.

            “Of course, that’s what we do best.” Dimitri clapped his hands.

*          *          *

            “Rescue!” Schmidt exclaimed as two Warthogs armed with turrets rolled down the streets and fired at the militia.

            “Move!” Nevarez hollered from the driver’s seat.

            “Let’s go!” Casey waved at Schmidt as the two Warthogs laid down a heavy rain of fire.

            Schmidt and Casey ran to the nearest Warthog as Nevarez honked the horn rapidly while Zyrok was firing from its turret.

            “RPG! Get out!” Zyrok shouted as two RPGs flew towards their Warthog.

            Casey and Schmidt ducked behind cover while Nevarez and Zyrok jumped out of their Warthog just in time as the RPGs struck the Warthog. The explosion flung Zyrok and Nevarez a few meters into the air. Zyrok pulled himself up dizzily as he felt blood trickle down his face. His ears were ringing from the blast and he saw distorted figures followed by muffled gunshots. A figure ran towards him and shook him.

            “Zyrok, you alright?” Casey waved his hands in front of Zyrok’s eyes.

            “Huh?” Zyrok replied partially in shock.

            “Orders sir?” Casey looked at Zyrok.

            Zyrok watched as his marines fired at the militia and then snapped back to reality.

            “Get the Warthog moving. Stationary targets are too easy for RPGs.” Zyrok commanded.

            “Move it!” Casey shouted to Taylor driving the other Warthog.

            “Retreat back to the troop transport Warthog while the last Warthog covers us.” Zyrok waved.

            “Go! Go! Go!” Casey hustled.

            Taylor drove the Warthog back and forth while Pruett fired from the turret.

            “It’s overheating!” Pruett exclaimed.

            “Use short controlled bursts.” Taylor turned the Warthog and blocked some bullets with its hood as the militia attempted to shoot Pruett down.

            “Double time marines!” Zyrok shouted as he wiped blood from his face and spat dirt onto the ground.

            “You heard the Captain marines! Get a move on it!” Casey hollered as he reloaded his shotgun.

UNSCDF Chapter 48- High Command

Seattle, Washington, USA

UNSC Seattle Outpost

March 30, 2001

1850 Local Time

        After half an hour of wallowing in despair, Zyrok came to his senses. He remembered the conversation he had with Casey and Hawkes and reminded himself that he was Zyrok. Zyrok figured he might give it a try with Forester. If it doesn’t work out, he would still have the purpose to find Sarah. Zyrok walked to Forester’s office and saw her locking the door.

            “Hi.” Zyrok greeted.

            “Zyrok.” Forester smiled.

            Zyrok smiled back as Forester handed him a folder.

            “Follow me. We’ll discuss this report once we’re at High Command.” Forester waved at Zyrok to follow.

            “Oh, okay.” Zyrok examined the folder and followed Forester.

         The pair exited the building and walked to a heavily guarded building. Two sergeants greeted Forester and asked for Zyrok’s High Command badge.

            “Captain Zyrok is with me.” Forester explained.

            The sergeants nodded and allowed Zyrok to enter the building. Forester swiped her UNSC ID badge on an access panel and looked into a retinal scanner.

            “Welcome Lieutenant Forester.” the computer spoke and the metal door slid open.

            “Come on in Zyrok.” Forester waved as she stepped inside.

            Zyrok huddled inside as the door slid shut. Zyrok was amazed with what he saw inside the building as he followed Forester. There were scientists testing with colorful chemicals and engineers designing new body armor. It was Zyrok’s first time in a High Command facility and it was exactly what he had imagined it to be.

“Come on Zyrok.” Forester called as she realized Zyrok had stopped to observe a laboratory.

            “Oh, right.” Zyrok snapped out of his thought and jogged up beside Forester.

            “There will be plenty of time to see the facilities once we talk about that.” Forester pointed at the folder she gave to Zyrok.

            “What is this?” Zyrok glanced at the folder.

            “We’ll talk as we eat.” Forester took Zyrok to the cafeteria.

            As Zyrok entered, he noticed the tables organized in groups. One was the scientists in their white lab coats and the other was UNSC High Command officers.

            “Grab a seat Zyrok. I’ll get you your food.” Forester pointed at an empty table.

            “Okay.” Zyrok nodded and quickly sat down.

            After a few minutes of waiting, Forester approached Zyrok with two trays of food.

            “Would you prefer caviar with cooked potatoes or fresh vegetables with mixed nuts?” Forester placed the trays in front of Zyrok.

            “What do you want?” Zyrok looked at Forester.

            “Don’t worry about me, I get these daily. Choose one.” Forester laughed.

            “I’ll take the fresh vegetables. I haven’t had something fresh for a while.” Zyrok smiled and pulled the fresh vegetables tray in front of him.

            “Sure.” Forester smiled and took the other tray.

            “So about the folder…” Zyrok placed the folder on the table as Forester sat down.

            “Okay, this report talks in detail about the new zombies we had encountered.” Forester opened the folder.

            “Okay…” Zyrok munched on the lettuce.

            “The two-headed zombie that screamed and brought a horde over is now called the Siren. Remember the zombie with the tentacles?” Forester asked.

            “The one that took out our Pelican?” Zyrok asked.

            “Yeah, that one appeared to be another boss zombie similar to the Titan. The tentacle boss is now called the Wraith. The smaller size version is referred as the Tendril.” Forester explained as she flipped over some pages in the folder.

            “These new special zombies are getting harder to kill by the minute.” Zyrok commented.

            “It appears that the radiation from the nuclear plant meltdown has accelerated and mutated the virus.” Forester added.

            “Go figure.” Zyrok watched as Forester ate her caviar.

            “Hence, we are seeing different strains of the virus.” Forester continued to explain the report.

            “This could mean we might lose the war with the sudden shift of firepower the zombies have.” Zyrok concluded.

            “Exactly. As you remember, we already lost a Relief Center. The aggressiveness of the zombies combined with the boss could lead to the decimation of UNSC troops within a few years.” Forester nodded in agreement.

            “So what does High Command have in mind?” Zyrok asked.

            “My level of clearance doesn’t go that high. What I do know is that High Command is onto something big…” Forester’s voice trailed off as a tall man with a beard approached Forester.

            “Sir!” Forester stood up and saluted.

            Zyrok quickly stood up and saluted the man.

            “I assume that’s Zyrok you talk about in your report?” the man looked at Zyrok’s name stenciled on his shirt.

            “Yes sir.” Forester nodded.

            “Colonel Victor Black.” the man stuck out his hand.

            “Captain Zyrok, sir.” Zyrok shook Black’s hand firmly.

            “I’ve heard a lot of praise for you.” Black glanced at Forester.

            “Oh really, sir?” Zyrok asked.

            “Yeah, being Forester’s commanding officer for three years, the both of you have brought so much valuable Intel for the High Command.” Black smiled.

            “It’s nothing.” Zyrok smiled.

            “Your efforts are greatly appreciated. I’ll see you soon later tonight.” Black thanked and walked off.

            Forester and Zyrok sat down and watched Black leave the cafeteria.

            “What did he mean that he was going to see me later tonight?” Zyrok asked out of confusion.

            “Oh, I wasn’t finished.” Forester tapped the folder.

            “Continue, please.” Zyrok urged.

            “As Colonel Black mentioned, we make quite a team.” Forester smiled.

            “And…” Zyrok laughed nervously.

            “Well, the UNSC is onto something big…and we’re going to help them.” Forester spoke briskly.

            “How?” Zyrok was interested.

        “We’re going to search for a covert research facility that was abandoned by Secronom Inc.” Forester explained.

            “Secronom…the folks who started all of this mess. And where exactly is this facility located?” Zyrok rubbed his face in thought.

            “Intel from High Command points to Afghanistan.” Forester answered.

            “Afghanistan?” Zyrok almost spat out his food.

            “Yeah, the Middle East.” Forester laughed.

            “Why us? Isn’t there other marines that’s situated closer in the Middle East region?” Zyrok complained.

            “Well, we’ve got more combat experience with the special zombies. Nobody knows what Secronom might have in store for us when we enter their facility.” Forester replied.

            “Great…just great. As if I haven’t died enough times already…” Zyrok laughed sarcastically.

            “Don’t worry. We’ll be teaming up with a reconnaissance squad that’s situated down at the San Francisco Outpost.” Forester assured.

            “Okay…I can survive one hour longer than before…” Zyrok joked.

            Forester laughed at Zyrok’s joke and shook her head.

            “High Command will issue us some of their top gears to increase our survivability and performance.” Forester stated.

            “Okay. I will do it…” Zyrok wasn’t sure if he could say no.

            “Great. We’ll go see Colonel Black and depart with your marines to San Francisco.” Forester closed the folder.

            “Okay.” Zyrok nodded as he finished his food.

            “Sounds good. I’ll notify Jackal Squadron at the San Francisco Outpost to get prepared.” Forester finished her potatoes and stood up.

            “Let’s see the Colonel now.” Forester dumped the waste on her tray into a garbage bin.

            “Afghanistan…” Zyrok thought to himself quietly.
             Unsure of what would happen in the Middle East, Zyrok knew it was probably the only way to keep his mind busy. Perhaps he would find his true self over at Afghanistan or maybe confront his past and be at peace with it. Zyrok wasn't sure about his future. For now, it was his journey to find Sarah.

UNSCDF Chapter 28- Desperate Measures

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

City Park Heights

March 25, 2001

1800 Local Time

            Taylor watched as the grenade hit the Titan’s chest and exploded violently. The explosion consumed the Warthog beside the Titan causing a chain reaction of explosions. The Warthog blew up and flung hot searing shrapnel everywhere.

            “Keep your heads down.” Zyrok shouted as debris flew over his head and smashed into the ceiling.

            The Titan got its legs blown off and was crawling away from the flames. Zyrok got out of cover and began to shoot at the Titan’s head.

            “Aim for the head.” Zyrok hollered.

            Casey and Nevarez got out of their cover and ran out to the streets. The marines concentrated their fire at the injured Titan and unleashed a torrent of bullets. In a matter minutes, the Titan was dead and burnt to crisp. Zyrok and Taylor ran down the stairs and regrouped with Casey.

            “Hoorah.” Nevarez shouted.

            “Mission complete.” Taylor reloaded his M21.

            “Time to head to back. I’ve got to see how Forester’s doing.” Zyrok looked at his watch with a worried face.

            “Call it in, sir?” Casey tapped his helmet.

            “Yeah, call it in. Taylor, get another DNA sample of this Titan. Nevarez, pop green smoke.” Zyrok nodded.

            “Roger.” Casey nodded back.

            Taylor took out his combat knife and walked up to the dead Titan. He stabbed the knife into its skin and cut out a piece of meat. Nevarez reached into his backpack and pulled out a smoke grenade and released the pin. Nevarez looked for a clear area on the street and threw the grenade. The grenade exploded and began to release green smoke into the sky.

            “Foxtrot 515, this is Echo Squad, come in over.” Casey spoke on the RaidCall.

            “Go ahead Echo Squad.” Pruett responded back.

            “Mission is accomplished. Request pickup at green smoke, how copy?” Casey reported.

            “Copy, confirm mission accomplished, over.” Pruett asked for confirmation.

            “That’s correct Pruett. What’s your position?” Casey looked at the skies filled with green smoke.

            “I’ve just entered Fort Calhoun. ETA twenty minutes over.” Pruett answered.

            “Copy, we’ll hold position. Echo out.” Casey acknowledged and ended the communication.

            Zyrok looked at Casey as he walked towards him. Zyrok glanced down the streets and saw a few zombies coming their way.

            “Let’s head indoors while we wait.” Zyrok suggested.

            “Good idea boss. We’re real low on ammo anyway.” Taylor looked at the zombies in the distant.

            Nevarez looked at the smoke beginning to fade and decided to grab another smoke grenade in his backpack.

            “Don’t. We’ll pop another one when there’s five minutes left.” Casey grabbed Nevarez’s hand and stopped him.

            “Okay.” Nevarez nodded and pulled out his hand out of the backpack.

            Zyrok watched as his men get inside a building and closed the main door. He looked inside for a washroom and saw one down a corridor. He opened the door and saw three zombies. One of the zombies had two heads and turned to face Zyrok.

            “Oh damn.” Zyrok pulled out his USP as the two-headed zombie screamed.

            Zyrok shoved a zombie and then fired his USP at the other zombie right at its head. Zyrok pulled out his bowie knife and charged at the two-headed zombie. He gracefully decapitated one head and then snapped the other zombie’s neck with his bare hands. He spun around and threw his knife at the zombie he had shoved over and fired a round into its eye. The head exploded and flung brains all over the wall. Zyrok ran out the washroom to see five zombies burst out of the women’s washroom. Zyrok fired a round and then realized he was out of ammo. He quickly ran into the washroom to retrieve his bowie knife, but was not quick enough to escape as the zombies entered the washroom.

            “Boss?” Casey called out from outside the washroom.

            “I need a hand!” Zyrok combated a zombie as he got corned to a wall.

            Casey kicked the door open and fired two shots of his shotgun into the backs of the zombies and then swung his gun like a club and took out the last zombie.

            “Thanks. Let’s get out of here.” Zyrok said with relief and headed out to the main entrance.

            “Guys…there’s a horde coming our way and it’s been fifteen minutes already. Should I pop smoke?” Nevarez looked out the window.

            “Pop it. We’ll have to hold them off.” Zyrok took a look out the window.

            “Here, have this.” Casey handed Zyrok his Lock 17.

            “Thanks Casey.” Zyrok smiled.

            Nevarez opened the door and threw a smoke grenade in front of the building. Green smoke erupted out of the canister and slowly lifted to the sky. Taylor steadied himself as he aimed his sights at the distant horde arriving.

            “Fire if necessary or else we should conserve with what we have left.” Zyrok ordered.

            “Echo Squad, this is Foxtrot 515. We have visual of your smoke. Hold position, we’re coming in just a few minutes.” Pruett spoke on the RaidCall.

            “Roger, see if you can hurry up Pruett. We’ve got a horde coming up.” Zyrok spoke hastily.

            “Copy, I have Schmidt on the turret to assist.” Pruett spoke calmly.

            “Alright, make it quick. I want a quick extraction.” Zyrok fired his pistol as the zombies were in range.

           Taylor saw the cue and fired his M21. Nevarez fired single shots from his M16 and watched Zyrok look at the skies. Suddenly a shadow cast over them as the Pelican flew on top of them. Zyrok waved at Schmidt manning the turret to shoot at the incoming horde. Schmidt waved back in acknowledgement and began to spray a heavy cover as the Pelican slowly descended.

            “Get on board.”  Zyrok shouted as the Pelican hovered a meter off the ground.

            Nevarez spun around and ran onto the Pelican. Casey patted Taylor to go as he continued to fire his shotgun. Taylor nodded and shouldered his rifle and hopped onto the Pelican. Zyrok waved at Casey to go and then looked at the horde. He saw a variation of special zombies and the new ones they’d encountered. Zyrok turned and ran onto the Pelican while Schmidt continued to fire. Zyrok looked out the Pelican and heard multiple screams within the horde. He wondered if there was going to be another Titan nearby, but reassured himself that it probably was the horde they’d separated before killing the Titan.

            “Let’s go!” Zyrok went to the cockpit and patted Pruett.

            “Alright.” Pruett lifted a lever and the Pelican began to ascend.

            “Guys…” Schmidt called out.

            “What?” Zyrok exited the cockpit to look at Schmidt.

            “What the hell is that?” Schmidt pointed at a massive zombie with multiple tentacles sprint down the street towards them.

            “Holy shit.” Casey got up from his seat as the zombie sprinted closer towards them.

            “Pruett! Get us up and out now!” Zyrok shouted as he froze in terror.

            The Pelican quickly lifted up to three stories high when the zombie slashed its tentacle at the Pelican.

            “Hang on!” Zyrok grabbed a handrail as the Pelican shook from the hit.

            The Pelican continued to lift up while Schmidt fired the turret at the tentacles. The zombie swung again and this time it hit the rear thrusters and the Pelican began to smoke. Pruett managed to get out of the zombie’s reach as it lifted to the rooftops of nearby buildings.

            “Sir, we got a situation.” Schmidt pointed at the rear thrusters leaking fluid.

            “Pruett! Status update!” Zyrok shouted as he entered the cockpit.

            “Our fuel line’s been severed and hull integrity at fifty percent.” Pruett looked at the flashing lights on the console.

            “God damn it. It means we can’t get back, doesn’t it?” Zyrok kicked the cockpit door.

            “That’s correct. I’ll see how long she can hold. We have to steer clear from that tentacle monster.” Pruett looked down at the streets below them.

            The massive tentacle zombie appeared to have lost sight of them as it wondered around the streets. Pruett steered the Pelican towards the outskirts of the city and pushed the thrusters forward. The Pelican spurted out sparks from the rear thrusters and ignited the leaking fuel.

            “It’s going to blow…” Nevarez watched as the rear thrusters went up in flames.

            “I’m going to divert all power to forward and vertical thrusters. It will consume more fuel, but reduce the flames at the rear.” Pruett flipped some switches and watched the computer screen.

            The Pelican groaned as the rear thrusters shut off and the flames began to die down.

            “Land there!” Zyrok pointed at a forest a couple kilometers outside the city.

            “I know sir. There’s not much of a choice either.” Pruett replied with frustration.

            The Pelican tilted forward and began to descend slowly at a sharp angle.

            “Son of a…” Pruett watched as his computer screen went black.

            “What?” Zyrok grabbed a seat beside Pruett.

            “I’ve lost navigations as well as hydraulics. I’m going to have to go manual on this.” Pruett took off his helmet as he turned a knob on the console.

            “What can I do?” Zyrok watched as the ground became closer into their view.

            “Hold this lever and grab it tight. It’s our flaps.” Pruett pointed at a lever.

            “Ok.” Zyrok grabbed the lever.

            “It’s going to give a lot of resistance as you pull it. Never let it go or we’ll increase our fall rate.” Pruett explained.

            “Got it.” Zyrok grasped the lever with both hands as he felt the strain in his hand.

            “I’ll see if I can steer clear of obstacles so we won’t have a big crash.” Pruett focused at the forest in front of them.

            The Pelican flashed an orange light and Pruett glanced at it.

            “Great, we’re losing steering.” Pruett hit the console with his fist.

            “Call it in.” Zyrok nodded as he knew they were going to crash hard.

            “Alright.” Pruett wiped sweat off his forehead.

            “Everyone buckle up and sit tight.” Zyrok hollered to the marines sitting in the rear.

            “Mayday, mayday, this is Foxtrot 515. We are hit and we are going down.” Pruett broadcasted on the RaidCall.

            “One thousand feet.” Zyrok buckled his seatbelt as he watched the altimeter drop rapidly.

        “Mayday, mayday, this is Foxtrot 515. We are going down. Anyone copy?” Pruett broadcasted again.

         “Five hundred.” Zyrok watched as the skies disappeared from their view as the Pelican tilted forward.

            “Mayday, mayday.” Pruett held on to his seat tightly.

            Zyrok felt his muscles cramp as the lever exerted a tremendous amount of force as the Pelican dropped.

         “Three hundred…two hundred…” Zyrok watched as the Pelican hit some trees and pieces of its wings chipped off.

        “Ah!” Pruett covered his face as the nose of the Pelican hit a tree and shattered the cockpit windows.

            “One hundred!” Zyrok watched as the right wing broke off as it smashed a tree trunk.

            Flames erupted on the right side of the Pelican and scorched the nearby trees. The rear thrusters reignited and exploded sending engine parts everywhere.

            “Seventy five…fifty…twenty five…God help us.” Zyrok saw the ground covered with mossy rocks and bushes.

            Just as the Pelican was about to smash into the ground, Zyrok’s life flashed in front of his eyes. He saw himself graduating high school as he walked down the aisle. He saw himself spending quality time with his family before the apocalypse. He saw himself sitting in his room chatting with Sarah, the girl who he truly cared about. He saw himself talking to Mary and enjoying a good time talking about life. Now, all of it was going to end. The highlights of Zyrok’s life flashed so quickly and Zyrok smiled as the visions disappeared and time began to speed up.

            “Thank you Sarah, for everything. I’ll always love you.” Zyrok closed his eyes as he embraced himself for the impact knowing that it may be the last words he will say on this forsaken world and he wanted to have no regrets.