NationStates Jolt Archive

(wait, what? Thought John was one of the survivors of the first attack...)

ooc: he was, why? I meant that was what happened to him on the first attack.

(Ah. So you weren't transferred here you were transferred there)

ooc: what? I meant before the zombies, I was transferred to a base in your city and then the zombies and then the Quarintine

(Oh...makes sense now :D lol)

The group finally arived at the store, there was lots of stuff that they needed there but they couldn't get it all back.

"Richards, get over here, let's go try to get a car started," said John.

He had 5 packs of radio batteries, and 5 portable radios in his hands.

Tom sighed
"I guess we don't have an agreement then. If I choose to sit here and die then you're just as screwed as I am, and if you can read as much into me as you say you can you know I don't have any 'give up' in me. I said retribution and I meant it. If I go back empty handed to my people after you brutally murdered one of our own then I'm assumed to be in league with you for my own personal safety. If not 'infected', for lack of a better term. No, there will be retribution or there will be utter destruction. Besides once I die, or am changed over and this..." Tom opened his heart to reveal a N.E.R.D. ((See OOC post)) "Stops working then my government assumes that there are no survivors and notifies Mt. Id that one of the most stalwart of the survivors is dead. Do you honestly think that in the minds of a Nation trying to preserve about 200 million that about 50 lives is a consideration in containment? They don't even know how the 'infection' spreads, they wont take chances. We're all sitting on the future site of a glass parking lot if you don't submit reparations."

Tom buttoned his shirt back up, willing every ounce of absolute certainty onto the surface of his mind. Willing the SZ to know he would follow through on his plans. Tom didn't have a choice. Die slowly, die now, or live to fight another day. Same simple principles as combat.

ooc: could someone recap how many survivors there are because I think there are about 15 left...

(No there are more survivors. Most are just NPCs that I control :D lol)

The Super Zed looked at Tom in exacerbation. What is wrong with this guy? "I'm not asking you to give up, dip shit. I'm asking you to make a deal to save both our lives. Listen, whatever kind of retribution you want it won't matter. If you take one of our lives, so what? There are a lot more of us than there are of you. One less won't make a difference. I don't know why you're so set on this."

(Seriously telz, what's the big freaking deal? Lol)

ooc: yeah, but how many of those?

Tom stood and dusted off his pants.
"It's simple really. If I go back after my squad has reported and I say 'We made a deal' that will most likely imply that I made a deal. I'm already a little shunned as it is taking William, the other one like you, under my personal protection. If you give me one of your drones in replacement for my soldier it will be a far better offering than me coming back all by my lonesome. Think of it as a trust thing. If I could trust you to sit down and have a conversation like an adult then you can kill a drone without it feeling anything. Unlike my soldier that you brutally murdered in front of me." Tom looked at the SZ again seeing that he obviously didn't get it. "You don't get it do you? I told you that my one concern is not for my own safety but for the safety of the soldiers under me. I could care less if you butcher me on the spot so long as I have an assurance that they wont be harmed. That's how I was taught in the TIS that's how I'll be for the rest of my life. By ripping that soldier apart you did it to me, and that's the issue. I demand recompense for that loss or we don't do business. That's it. Kill a drone let me drag the body back and show my people it was an even deal. Hell we'll call it a mistake, itchy trigger finger if you want." Tom pulled another cigarette out and lit it.

OOC: Is William there or not?

The Super Zed looked at Tom. This guy is nuts! "Bah, whatever. Take the stupid Basic. They aren't worth anything anyways. Don't know what you're expecting to get out of this though..." he said and mentally called one of the basics forward where it stood in front of Tom with a completely blank look on its face.

Richards and Jimmy brough supplies to where John was near the car "Dang" said Jimmy as he set some stuff down "If it weren't for you we'd of never even made it this far. So what do you need us to do to help you with this car?"

"Ha, ok, um... let's try to hotwire this baby. Cover me, and when I ask for something get it from the room in the back of the store," said John, climbing into the truck from an open window.

Tom looked at the basic. It's features were blank, eyes glazed over, lower jaw distended and slack. The perfect picture of a lank limp basic. Tom nodded.
"Now kill it. Quick and painless. I know you feel pain but there is no need for it to be painful. Will can tell me if it feels anything." Tom said glancing at Will standing beside him. Tom had been oblivious to Will for quite some time but his presence didn't disturb him in anyway.

"I'll take this back to our base and we'll start formulating a plan on how to get this treatment you need. Meet me here in four days, and I'd appreciate it if you could keep your horde in line until then. Why four days? Well, you know what dealing with people is like, it might just take me that long to get them to understand what just happened here."

Tom waited for the SZ to kill the zombie, looking at Will for a wince of empathetic pain. He took another drag off his cigarette, checked his watch and saw that he had a message waiting for him.

((Time for the choose your own adventure style of RP: If the SZ does not kill the basic Tom does using a nearby piece of heavy rock as to make it painful. If the SZ does kill the basic Tom cuts the head off and throws it about 25 meters away. Then returns to the base and recounts the story. Tom thinks they should look into the treatment.))

The Basic suddenly crumpled in front of Tom. He had just gone brain dead. The Super Zed spat at Tom.

"Here's your puny and pointless revenge. Enjoy." He said and made a motion to his forces. Immediately they all retreated back into the alleys and other areas from whence they came.

Tom looked at the basic. It's features were blank, eyes glazed over, lower jaw distended and slack. The perfect picture of a lank limp basic. Tom nodded.
"Now kill it. Quick and painless. I know you feel pain but there is no need for it to be painful. Will can tell me if it feels anything." Tom said glancing at Will standing beside him. Tom had been oblivious to Will for quite some time but his presence didn't disturb him in anyway.

"I'll take this back to our base and we'll start formulating a plan on how to get this treatment you need. Meet me here in four days, and I'd appreciate it if you could keep your horde in line until then. Why four days? Well, you know what dealing with people is like, it might just take me that long to get them to understand what just happened here."

Tom waited for the SZ to kill the zombie, looking at Will for a wince of empathetic pain. He took another drag off his cigarette, checked his watch and saw that he had a message waiting for him.

((Time for the choose your own adventure style of RP: If the SZ does not kill the basic Tom does using a nearby piece of heavy rock as to make it painful. If the SZ does kill the basic Tom cuts the head off and throws it about 25 meters away. Then returns to the base and recounts the story. Tom thinks they should look into the treatment.))

William stood silent the whole time, watching the spectacle. If I help the zomb... him, then I will betray the lone human part within me. And then if I visibly help Tom, then I'm screwed. Might as well stay quiet. He wordlessly watched as the basic was slaughtered, noticing but not acting on Tom's gaze on him, but the tiniest wince came to the edge of his mouth, and then he decided to act. Hey, sir! William hoped he wasn't out of range quiet yet. Yep, you. My brother. He paused. Why do you want the cure for the human attraction, but keep the powers? The powers will only remind us, or at least me, of what I once felt and do feel... a compulsion toward human flesh. Besides, we will not be true sentient beings. We will merely be shells of what we once were, real humans. Yes, we will have the powers and no compulsion but to do what we want, but then we are empty shells, animals still, with some traces of true consciousness. William faded out as he returned to the shelter of his own mind, sending up defenses to prevent his thoughts being broadcast, but sent off a shot to Tom, without looking at him. Nice job, although that part about the... zombie dying was kinda stubborn beyond neccessary. And... William sent on a few shots of his memories without a trace of humanity. His first hours as what he had become, that largely consisted of the fight to survive by eating human flesh. You don't know what it will be like to get rid of this attraction... it plagues your mind. His stomach rumbles. It affects your whole system... but... William couldn't help but pause and retreat to himself for a moment. What if I say this!?!?

The Super Zed sneered as he kept moving Why? Because without this unnecessary need, we can become more powerful than any human! We are no longer mere mortals. We have the power now. With the right training and experience, we can RULE this land! But it all rests on us conquering this uncontrollable urge. As long as we are dependent on the humans, we can not control them. You're welcome to join us in our cause, but if not you're welcome to remain with the humans as long as they'll accept you. Besides, does it look like we have no consciousness to you? We're both thinking rationally and making decisions. We're just as human as we were before.

The Super Zed sneered as he kept moving Why? Because without this unnecessary need, we can become more powerful than any human! We are no longer mere mortals. We have the power now. With the right training and experience, we can RULE this land! But it all rests on us conquering this uncontrollable urge. As long as we are dependent on the humans, we can not control them. You're welcome to join us in our cause, but if not you're welcome to remain with the humans as long as they'll accept you. Besides, does it look like we have no consciousness to you? We're both thinking rationally and making decisions. We're just as human as we were before.

William let a little smirk over his face that would likely confuse Tom. That sort of proves the point I am making. If you do so, you are an alien species, without anybody to help you or support you. I supposed I did not make that exactly what I was thinking. Either way, I don't know about you, but being human is enough for me. I don't need all of these possible side effects like compulsion for human flesh. His face just turned more grave. What's next? Vampire characteristics?(OOC: Feel free to make some sort of vampire thread, guys! Back to the show)"I don't know about you, but isn't being human enough? Having the normal worries of what to do on your next algebra test, wondering if that one girl like likes you, how not to embarrass yourself in front of everyone... William sighed. Why would you want anything better? When you rule the world, if you overcome all obstacles that are present and will surely follow, then... what? You have only one urge now. That is to free yourself of this curse. But then you cannot stop there. That is how you are alien. How you are animal. William took a deep, long pause. I will not be joining you on this quest. I will most surely watch from the sidelines. I am who I am now, and I will take my chances. My family's dead, my house is burnt down - I have nothing to live for. Go on, and pursue your goal.

Ziyo and his squad moved around the corner, all of their weapons up and ready to fire at a moments notice. All they saw were Tom and William.
Lowering his rifle, Ziyo raised his hand.
"Hey! I heard you were in need of fire support! I don't see why!" he yelled out

OOC: Ziyo is going to get pissed at Tom's decision

Kagetora;14450287']Ziyo and his squad moved around the corner, all of their weapons up and ready to fire at a moments notice. All they saw were Tom and William.
Lowering his rifle, Ziyo raised his hand.
"Hey! I heard you were in need of fire support! I don't see why!" he yelled out

OOC: Ziyo is going to get pissed at Tom's decision

"You kinda missed the fireworks, bud." William didn't bother to turn around. "Zeds everywhere."

"I didn't hear any shooting. What happened?"

Kagetora;14453080']"I didn't hear any shooting. What happened?"

"Nothing much." William turned around to face Ziyo with a little grimace as his stomach endlessly rumbled. Shut up! "Umm..." He paused, trying to get his concentration back, and sat down, shaking his head. C'mon... c'mon.. "Uh... well... I think he would explain best," he nodded toward Tom, "but basically Tom struck a deal with the zombies saying that we could all be eaten at their leisure." William paused for comedic effect. "No, not really. But he did strike a deal with them."

"Nothing much." William turned around to face Ziyo with a little grimace as his stomach endlessly rumbled. Shut up! "Umm..." He paused, trying to get his concentration back, and sat down, shaking his head. C'mon... c'mon.. "Uh... well... I think he would explain best," he nodded toward Tom, "but basically Tom struck a deal with the zombies saying that we could all be eaten at their leisure."
An annoyed look crossed Ziyo's face

William paused for comedic effect. "No, not really. But he did strike a deal with them."
Furrowing his brow, Ziyo grasped the rifle he was holding tighter.
"What kind of deal?" he said through gritted teeth

"Well I did what I thought was right at the time. I bought us as much as I could. We have four days before they show up right here again. We need to talk more at base." Tom saw Zy's reluctance to go anywhere with him and Tom nonchalantly pulled at his ear. Indicating that there could be someone watching or listening. Tom pulled a cigarette out and a pen and wrote Zy a quick note before heading off with the rest of the group. Tom's incessant cigarette smoke trailing behind them.

((OOC))

"Well I did what I thought was right at the time. I bought us as much as I could. We have four days before they show up right here again. We need to talk more at base." Tom saw Zy's reluctance to go anywhere with him and Tom nonchalantly pulled at his ear. Indicating that there could be someone watching or listening. Tom pulled a cigarette out and a pen and wrote Zy a quick note before heading off with the rest of the group. Tom's incessant cigarette smoke trailing behind them.

((OOC))

"Better learn to safeguard that mind of yours, Tom," William eerily chimed in his ear as they walked away. "Don't want a super to get ahold of some of what's in there. Trust me, I know." He decided to try and play a trick with Tom, see where it got him. "And you," he pointed to Ziyo. "He saved your life, at least for the next four days."

Tom focused as he felt the feathery blistered fingers of Will's mind reach out toward him. He threw up a massive mental brick wall with a wide open gate. Waited then Slammed the gate shut with Will inside. Tom had to stop walking and concentrate to do it but it was a complete barrier with part of Will trapped in it. Teach you to go poking around where you shouldn't. Tom said to Will, quickly releasing him. Tom's head spun for an instant then he was back to normal looking at Will for a reaction. I showed him exactly what I wanted to nothing more.

Ignoring both the note and the listening gesture due to his newly unbridled rage.
"I don't know about in your country, but in mine, striking deals with the enemy without direct permission from the commanding officer or officers, is considered treachery. I can and will not support any decision made contrary to my code of honor." he said, clenching and unclenching his fists, itching to hit Tom across the face.

"Treachery or not it bought us four days we didn't have before. We can now figure out what to do about the horde and find the Meta Force lab and hopefully make something thermobaric out of what we have in there. Got a better idea that doesn't involve getting us all butchered in the heat of combat with an overwhelming force that doesn't die until the brain is destroyed? Because our odds are so awesome that we can afford to just sit back and wait for them to die out, and we're arrogant enough to think that we're superior.

Here are the facts:
1. They have psychic abilities, we don't, excluding you Will but I don't know if you can stem a whole tide of them.
2. They have overwhelming numbers we have a handful of service members and civilians, with limited food and water.
3. We don't have the time to sit here and get pissed, you can be all kinds of mad at me when we're dead. I accept full responsibility for my actions, its what we do in Telz. You don't like the decision I made? Fine, at least I made a decision. At least I tried to sit down and figure shit out. We've been running patrols and looking for a more secure site for two months. That has gotten us nowhere, Mt. Id and our respective governments will NOT let us out of here until we have eliminated the threat. I don't know about you but I'm sick of killing shit. I'm sick of watching people get killed so if we can resolve this without further bloodshed then we'll be saints. If not lets run out in the open and call in a TAC NUKE and be done with it. Because I'd rather be an open sinner than a false saint." Tom unslung his weapon and took off his mag vest and plate carrier and set them on the ground.

"Now if you want to throw down for whatever reason lets do it get it over with and have a beer because I'm tired and almost out of smokes so hurry up."

Tom waited for his friend to make the next move.

OOC: Im going to enter one charactor. He's an Osteian combat engineer,and his name is Sgt. Tony Armani. He will be the only survivor of a Chinook crash in the streets. The helicoptor took off from a local airbase headed for a depot when they spotted the city, something was obviously wrong so they went in for a closer look landing. One survivor and another seriously injured, unresponcive. After the coherant survivor pleeds with the personell the Chinook lifted off. Suddenly the wounded survivor isn't so 'out' anymore and freaks out causing an INSANE amount of chaos in the heli. The pilot is attacked, soldiers open fire, the chopper goes out of control and BAM!! everyone is killed besides 1 man.

IC:

The pain was intense and went throughout his whole body. Slowly the world was comming back into focus, the blurry shapes now had definition and eveything that just happened came back into the mind of Sgt. Tony Armani of the 332nd Combat Emgineers battalion, he had still not recovered from the initial shock of the crash. He slowly sat up and looked around, everyone was very still and the helicoptor lay on it's side. Tony crawled forward checking for a pulse from each individual, he found none. Sgt.Armani moved towards the cockpit,he started to place his fingers where the pilots pulse would be, suddenly his fingers slid into a large open wound..

"AGhhhhhhhh" he gagged, puking on the floor

Tony could now smell fuel heavily, he knew that was not good. He grabbed his ruck sack, kevlar helmet (Night vision attachment) and M4 Carbine exiting the Chinook through the rear. Once outside he looked around, nobody was in sight, the city looked completely abandoned for some reason, "This is....what the fuck is going on here..", Tony was unsure of what to say, it appeared as if all the civilians had been evacuated. Alot of questions came into his mind suddenly but he had one more duty to preform, Tony went back inside the Chinook setting two claymores, retreived a commrades TAC vest containing magazines and two grenades. It was Osteian military rule, IF an imperial aircraft crashes outside of the Empires borders, IT MUST be destroyed by the survivor(Provided there is one). Codes, callsigns, on board arsenal is still intact, therefore it will not and cannot fall into ANYONES hands.

Tony stood back and lobbed both grenades through the rear, he counted in his head during a painful jog...3..2..1 **BOOM** The chopper exploded in flames that shot high in the air. Black Smoke filled the sky.

OOC: Feel free to meet up with my guy. I blew the chopper because of the rule, and i didn't think that it would be cool if when everyone located my dude they instantly were armed with an M4 from inside the Heli.

Tom turned at the sound of the impact and as he retrieved his gear looked at Will.
"Was that a Z made explosion? Are they detonating resources already?" He saw Will concentrating and continued pulling his gear back on.

"Zy we can throw down later but unless I missed my guess that's a downed aircraft and we need to go help survivors if there are any. We'll take care of our business later. We need a DART on the way there now." Tom keyed his radio and called back to base camp keeping Zy's incredulous eye's locked on his. " Sierra CP this is Raven 7, We need a Downed Aircraft Recovery Team to the Valley River Plaza looks to be close to the Divers office building. [BREAK] Looks like there could be survivors. Send only those you can spare. Raven 7 out."

Tom looked at Will for confirmation that it wasn't a Zombie attack and any intel he could glean off of the SZ's broadcast channel.

Tony sat on a curb across the street watching the aircraft burn. Everyone was dead, including two civilians, Armani was alone and waiting, waiting for what? he was not quite sure. Maybe there would be an ambulance, a rescue team, a fire truck....but no sirins were heard, a sudden feeling of being the only person in the world came over him.

"Crazyness..." he wisped," I said sure Captian. i don't mind taking a day to go for chopper ride. He paused then continued to speak to himself, "Done it a million times, many missions, dangerous missions..BUT WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED HERE!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" He jumped flailing his arms in the air.

Tony paced back and fourth breathing heavily, "Alright, get a grip man, calm down before you fall down, i just survived a helicoptor crash..holy shit.." Armani suddenly felt dizzy and sat back down. A sick spell had come over him, he knew it was due to the shock, shuffling backwards using his hands to lift. Sgt. Tony Armani braced his back against the brick wall of a shop, M4 on his lap.

OOC: He don't know anything about zombies yet :-P. But he'll be quick to learn lol.

1. They have psychic abilities, we don't, excluding you Will but I don't know if you can stem a whole tide of them.


"No, probably not. Besides, why would they listen to me?" He shook his head slowly. "No."

Tom turned at the sound of the impact and as he retrieved his gear looked at Will.
"Was that a Z made explosion? Are they detonating resources already?" He saw Will concentrating and continued pulling his gear back on.

"Zy we can throw down later but unless I missed my guess that's a downed aircraft and we need to go help survivors if there are any. We'll take care of our business later. We need a DART on the way there now." Tom keyed his radio and called back to base camp keeping Zy's incredulous eye's locked on his. " Sierra CP this is Raven 7, We need a Downed Aircraft Recovery Team to the Valley River Plaza looks to be close to the Divers office building. [BREAK] Looks like there could be survivors. Send only those you can spare. Raven 7 out."

Tom looked at Will for confirmation that it wasn't a Zombie attack and any intel he could glean off of the SZ's broadcast channel.

William snatched his glance towards him, and paused, getting the general meaning from Tom's mind. No. Not that I can tell... besides what would they be doing anyway? Oh yah. He mentally whispered over to Tom. Will remembered that the humans needed food and stuff like that. "Don't think so," he said out loud for Ziyo's benefit.

-snip-
OOC: He don't know anything about zombies yet :-P. But he'll be quick to learn lol.

OOC: Is he turning zombie, or just suffering shock?

IC:

William extended his probing mind out over toward the explosion. Is that... someone? Human? He experimentally sent something into the area. Hello? Can you please identify yourself? Out loud he said, "I think there's someone there. Alive."

OOC: Shock.

Tony faught to keep himself awake. He wasn't sure of his injurys, therefore decided it would be better to stay awake, just as his head started to lower he heard a voice, Hello? Can you please identify yourself Tony jerked back to reality, "Im ok, thanks for asking!", he looked to his left, then his right, seeing no one he called out, "Where are you? and me? Im Sgt. Tony Armani, Osteian armed forces.."

The Sgt. waited for a responce, seconds later Tony suddenly laughed, "Holy shit, i must have hit my head...besides falling out of the sky, ive lost my mind in the process"

OOC: Shock.

Tony faught to keep himself awake. He wasn't sure of his injurys, therefore decided it would be better to stay awake, just as his head started to lower he heard a voice, Hello? Can you please identify yourself Tony jerked back to reality, "Im ok, thanks for asking!", he looked to his left, then his right, seeing no one he called out, "Where are you? and me? Im Sgt. Tony Armani, Osteian armed forces.."

The Sgt. waited for a responce, seconds later Tony suddenly laughed, "Holy shit, i must have hit my head...besides falling out of the sky, ive lost my mind in the process"

Got a better location... and just to use some IM language, lol. William smiled to himself. Can't really replace the meaning of the world lol... back to business! "Hey, Tom, I believe it's just a guy. He's OK, just fine, maybe some trauma... then again, it was a helicopter he fell out of. He's from... 'Osteia'... and another soldier." Exactly what we need. Woo hoo. Boo.

But then again... this guy's really creeped out. His zombie instinct took over for a second, but all it wanted to do was scare this guy. Sergeant Tony. I would highly advise you to head to the south-southwest for about five hundred meters, and enter a square, hands up, weapons on the ground. Otherwise you will be shot. Unmercifully. Don't believe me? William sent over a few of his rather unclear memories when he was a rough, out-of-control basic. You may move.

Tony heard the voice again, this time it gave him instructions causing him to believe that maybe he wasn't injured to the extent of belief. He decided to reply, "Ok, i'll head south-southwest, five hundred meters, i will enter a square and lay down my weapons, i understand that if i fail to comply i will be shot instantly". The Sgt. stood up, collected his equipment and set off counting the paces. The walk was quiet, there was somthing about this whole situation that seemed MAJORLY off. Tony strolled on and spotted he square up ahead, this confirmed he was well, "thank god".

Sgt. Tony Armani entered the square holding the M4 above his head, he stopped in the center slowly lowering it to the ground. Next the sergeant slowly removed a Glock.18C from a holster strapped to the leg, he set it down on the ground next to the Carbine. Finally his last weapon, a combat knife attached upside down on his TAC vest, Tony threw it on the ground.

The silence continued untill Armani spoke, "Well! here i am! just as you asked! weapons are down and now i have a question, who are you and what the hell is going on here!"

"... Roger Raven 7, subject has laid down arms and is [BREAK]... Saying something... 'Who are you... hell... going on here..." The sniper conferred with his spotter offline "He wants to know who the hell you are and what the hell is going on sir, over." Tom received the message from the posted sniper team.

Will had lead the soldier well into their effective range. Tom paused for a moment to consider. "Joker 2 this is Raven 7, do not, say again, do not burn your site. Raven 7 and Samurai 6 are enroute to escort subject. Confirm subject is unarmed and stationary over." Tom replied looking at Zy for the nod that he would go with Tom, Zy really had no reason other than Tom's earlier decision to distrust him, after all Joker 2 was the call sign for one of Zy's sniper teams.

"Will, can you tell him to take a few steps back and sit down and make himself comfortable? Chances are if we know he's there so does the SZ or some basics. Maybe you can run interference and cloak yourself as a basic so the SZ will think it was some kind of industrial boiler blowing up from lack of maintainence. Zy what do you think?" Tom made an attempt to get Zy's insight on the situation, and possibly smooth out some wrinkles.

"Raven 7 this is Joker 2, confirmed subject is unarmed over."
"Joker 2, Raven 7. Good copy, out."

"Well we know he's not armed and time's running out. You coming to pick him up with us Zy or is it just me and Will?" Tom asked. (Without all the smarminess the statement warrants, I just didn't know how else to put it out there.)

-snip

-snip-

OOC: I planned that we were in the middle of the square, but we'll see how it goes.

IC:

"I suppose..." William sighed. "But he's pretty dang scared, and it's actually quiet funny. But you're right. I'll go over there." William started to jog over to the other edge of the square. "Take your time!"

Sergeant Tony Armani, all in good time. The voice resonated inside his head. Please walk forward fifteen steps. William paused. I hope that he won't shoot me. He then decided to try and cloak his thoughts. It had worked before, mostly.

"Will, can you tell him to take a few steps back and sit down and make himself comfortable? Chances are if we know he's there so does the SZ or some basics. Maybe you can run interference and cloak yourself as a basic so the SZ will think it was some kind of industrial boiler blowing up from lack of maintainence. Zy what do you think?" Tom made an attempt to get Zy's insight on the situation, and possibly smooth out some wrinkles.

ooc: i UD ever going to post?

ooc: i UD ever going to post?

Just join me, Osteia, Telz, and Kagetora in the square.

Finally the car was working, John and the rest climbed in with their equipment. The drove to the square and saw the others, "Hey need a ride?" asked John.

Ziyo, still ticked, but now somewhat calmer, took a deep breath before saying
"Alright. I'll come. I'm not sure what kinda deal you made, but if it's gonna keep us safe, I doubt that they will recognize him as a new guy, so I'm not terribly worried about his safety for the moment."
When John came by in the car and yelled out, Ziyo glanced over before responding
"Wait there, we're going to go see who this new guy is."

Tony did as he was told then took the backwards paces and sat down on the ground. This shit was getting weirder all the time, it was like somthing from a SCI-FI movie, like X Files or something, "OK, i have been very patient, can somebody PLEASE tell me what the FUCK is going on! My helicoptor crashed ok, people are dead, Osteian soldiers are dead! is this about those people we picked up? were they part of somthing you got going on here? does this have somthing to do with the goverment? wait..nevermind, i don't need to know...really!"

Armani lay flat on his back crossing his hands behind his head...

Tony did as he was told then took the backwards paces and sat down on the ground. This shit was getting weirder all the time, it was like somthing from a SCI-FI movie, like X Files or something, "OK, i have been very patient, can somebody PLEASE tell me what the FUCK is going on! My helicoptor crashed ok, people are dead, Osteian soldiers are dead! is this about those people we picked up? were they part of somthing you got going on here? does this have somthing to do with the goverment? wait..nevermind, i don't need to know...really!"

Armani lay flat on his back crossing his hands behind his head...

OOC: Lol... I haven't had this much fun in ages. I would like to keep this going but we have to move on with the storyline. *sigh* Dang storylines.

IC:

William stepped over Tony suddenly. "Jeez, there's no need to yell, bud. My eardrums are aching." Jeez, there's no need to yell, bud. My eardrums are aching. He repeated the same thing with his mind to Tony just to understand who this was. "C'mon up, grab your rifle, and follow me. But if you make one move out of line..." William showed his teeth, which were unusually pointy, and sent over a few memories of shredding apart humans to Tony.

OOC2: More lol!

Kagetora;14456709']Ziyo, still ticked, but now somewhat calmer, took a deep breath before saying
"Alright. I'll come. I'm not sure what kinda deal you made, but if it's gonna keep us safe, I doubt that they will recognize him as a new guy, so I'm not terribly worried about his safety for the moment."
When John came by in the car and yelled out, Ziyo glanced over before responding
"Wait there, we're going to go see who this new guy is."

John jumped out and unslung his AA-12, " I'm coming with you."

"Will, who is this that?", John asked raising his rifle in self defense.

(Oh yeah, forgot i'd let 101 have an AA-12...lol)

Tom strode over to Tony.

"Names Khaine, Tom if you want. PLS. Telz Immortal Soldiery. Well, Tony, you're not going to believe me but I'll tell you anyway. We're in the dead center of the second Zombie outbreak of Mt. Id. You just happened to crash in a bad spot is all." Tom glanced at the horizon wishing there were the massive mobile walls to contain the infection. He sighed heavily and told himself Telz would have massive mobile walls.

"... So what do you think of the situation at hand? You're an engineer see if you can't make some structural analysis to the place and any improvements would be outstanding." Tom said as they pulled up to the bank, now named Seirra CP. Tom having caught Tony up on the events up until that point. Zy had glared at Tom when he had explained the meeting and deal. Tom had redirected Tony to Zy for his input on the deal so Tony could have the full picture and make his own decisions.

Tom dismounted and got a sitrep from all the guards. Everything was quiet as they had expected. One day down, three to go. Tom thought. He knew Will was listening but Will seemed distracted for some reason.

*snip*

When Tony came over to Ziyo, he scrutinized him. Decent build, possibly an officer, his face conveying a vague understanding of what was going on. Ziyo smiled.
Just like I was.

After telling his version of the recent outbreak, trying to give everyone equal credit in the events, Ziyo saluted.
"Oh I'm sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. Lt. Ziyoshiyua Ashida, Kagetorian Special Ops unit, former ace pilot of the Kagetorian Air Force."

OOC: Lol... I haven't had this much fun in ages. I would like to keep this going but we have to move on with the storyline. *sigh* Dang storylines.

IC:

William stepped over Tony suddenly. "Jeez, there's no need to yell, bud. My eardrums are aching." Jeez, there's no need to yell, bud. My eardrums are aching. He repeated the same thing with his mind to Tony just to understand who this was. "C'mon up, grab your rifle, and follow me. But if you make one move out of line..." William showed his teeth, which were unusually pointy, and sent over a few memories of shredding apart humans to Tony.

OOC2: More lol!

Tony did not hesitate but did as he was told at once. He nodded in responce to what Will said, when he saw the fangs he was taken back but stayed quiet.

During the drive to HQ Khaine filled him on on the curent situation. "Ok...WHAT, Zombie out break?", suddenly Armani remembered when things got out of control in the helicoptor, YES the wounded civilian attacked the pilot then the other soldiers on board opened fire. Tony was quiet for afew minutes taking some time to register all this new information, they stopped outside of a bank. Sergeant Armani spoke, "Im a combat engineer, i can improvise some improvements sir. It is unfortunate i used the explosives i had on the helicoptor, but we can work beyond this. I'll report to you with those improvements."

Tony headed over to this Zy who would further explain things. He explained his version which sounded as if everyone was doing their part. "Thank you Lt., it feels alittle better to have some more soldiers around..im pretty sure i can help, as for combat ive done 3 tours in war torn countrys, im familiar with tactics, weapons, explosives, first aid"

-snip-
Tom dismounted and got a sitrep from all the guards. Everything was quiet as they had expected. One day down, three to go. Tom thought. He knew Will was listening but Will seemed distracted for some reason.

Kagetora;14457532']-snip-

Tony did not hesitate but did as he was told at once. He nodded in responce to what Will said, when he saw the fangs he was taken back but stayed quiet.

During the drive to HQ Khaine filled him on on the curent situation. "Ok...WHAT, Zombie out break?", suddenly Armani remembered when things got out of control in the helicoptor, YES the wounded civilian attacked the pilot then the other soldiers on board opened fire. Tony was quiet for afew minutes taking some time to register all this new information, they stopped outside of a bank. Sergeant Armani spoke, "Im a combat engineer, i can improvise some improvements sir. It is unfortunate i used the explosives i had on the helicoptor, but we can work beyond this. I'll report to you with those improvements."

Tony headed over to this Zy who would further explain things. He explained his version which sounded as if everyone was doing their part. "Thank you Lt., it feels alittle better to have some more soldiers around..im pretty sure i can help, as for combat ive done 3 tours in war torn countrys, im familiar with tactics, weapons, explosives, first aid"

"This is completely different." William's voice slowly and quietly came in through the back. "We're at the mercy of the enemy at any moment, whatever moment they want. We don't know who's friend or foe. This situation has more gravity than you can comprehend." His face turned grave.

"Hey Will, can you hide us? The SZ said he knows where we are and I don't doubt it because every basic that goes blank in this area gives him a good idea of where we are. Not to mention he pinned me and my squad not but a klom (< Find that reference!) away but if we were to move we'd be out in the open for far too long with the civilians. We all know any unit is at it's most vulnerable when on the move. If you can that would be great. If not we'll deal." Tom let Will think on it for a moment, thinking himself.

"Tony, what would it take to dig tank traps Brad burms maybe even a WW1 style fox hole perimeter?" Tom had an idea. ((If things went south with the Z's they would need a stand off distance and a few surprises.)) "I'm pretty sure we could secure some diggers and movers if need be."

"Hey Zy, your guys in the hide at E23 can they get a shot off from where they are to... This?" Tom took a paper plate that was blowing in the wind and drew a smiley face on it. "If they can tell them to get the range and dial in on all the corners they can see. I'll explain later! I have an idea!" Tom said as he ran toward the gas station/mini-mart that was posted across the street. A few soldiers that were milling around joined him and they began to move tactically to the gas station.
"Do any of you know how to use a gas station?"

ooc: don't forget about me!

"Yeah, I know, I'll give you guys a ride, jump in," John yelled as he rode up next to them and picked them up.

ooc2: You guys aren't really giving me anything to post.

Tony stood there in silence. He had just received alot of information, "Ok, i got you. I'll do what i can", Suddenly the man known as Tom approached asking him a question, "Tony, what would it take to dig tank traps Brad burms maybe even a WW1 style fox hole perimeter?" Tom had an idea. "I'm pretty sure we could secure some diggers and movers if need be."


Tony took a deep breath and thought for a moment, "I'll need some people for a tank trench, shovels, water" he paused briefly then continued, "I can prepare a Perimeter that will keep them out, a semi complex but easy to establish system" He shook his head," My chopper had alot of things that could have helped us, but i destroyed it With two set claymores and a hand grenade"

ooc:sorry just started a new semester in school and have been tied up all week. Can I just skip to us arriving at the base 101st?

(just assume you've been with 101 the entire time. lol. Don't worry. Time lags happen)

ooc:sweet.
Ic:once back at the base Richards reported in with the returning soldiers then came back to John. "Most of the soldiers only found a few things here and a few reported that they saw zombies heading in the direction of that base we came from."said Richards. "I think we should take our radio and head out there while a few people hang back. We can see what is going on and get the other radio that zombie guy willam fixed for us. What do you think?"

"Hey Will, can you hide us? The SZ said he knows where we are and I don't doubt it because every basic that goes blank in this area gives him a good idea of where we are. Not to mention he pinned me and my squad not but a klom (< Find that reference!) away but if we were to move we'd be out in the open for far too long with the civilians. We all know any unit is at it's most vulnerable when on the move. If you can that would be great. If not we'll deal." Tom let Will think on it for a moment, thinking himself.

"Tony, what would it take to dig tank traps Brad burms maybe even a WW1 style fox hole perimeter?" Tom had an idea. ((If things went south with the Z's they would need a stand off distance and a few surprises.)) "I'm pretty sure we could secure some diggers and movers if need be."

"Hey Zy, your guys in the hide at E23 can they get a shot off from where they are to... This?" Tom took a paper plate that was blowing in the wind and drew a smiley face on it. "If they can tell them to get the range and dial in on all the corners they can see. I'll explain later! I have an idea!" Tom said as he ran toward the gas station/mini-mart that was posted across the street. A few soldiers that were milling around joined him and they began to move tactically to the gas station.
"Do any of you know how to use a gas station?"

OOC: KILO!!! Only the best measurement in the world. Throw miles out the window. Seriously.

Tony stood there in silence. He had just received alot of information, "Ok, i got you. I'll do what i can", Suddenly the man known as Tom approached asking him a question, "Tony, what would it take to dig tank traps Brad burms maybe even a WW1 style fox hole perimeter?" Tom had an idea. "I'm pretty sure we could secure some diggers and movers if need be."


Tony took a deep breath and thought for a moment, "I'll need some people for a tank trench, shovels, water" he paused briefly then continued, "I can prepare a Perimeter that will keep them out, a semi complex but easy to establish system" He shook his head," My chopper had alot of things that could have helped us, but i destroyed it With two set claymores and a hand grenade"

"Could I cover you guys? Probably not..." How would you do that anyway? Then he paused, listening to Tom's orders. "So we're going to commit suicide by fighting?"

Nodding at Tom's statement, Ziyo pulled out a radio.
"Joker 2, this is Samurai 6, do you read over."
"This is Joker 2, we read you loud and clear, over."
"Good, look towards the base. I will be holding up a plate with a smiley face on it. I want the range on this plate, and all corners you can see. Report the numbers to Raven 7, over and out."

"This is Raven 7 go..." Tom listened to the traffic on the radio. He had the volume low. For some reason he felt like he was being watched and listened to.
"Good copy, and is that just a comfortable site for you guys or does nothing else provide camouflage and concealment?" Tom listened to the reply nodding, he was sure the sniper team could see him. He took a few more paces and asked if the team could see him. Then his face went blank. Blind spot. I knew it. The team stated there was a girder in the way and they couldn't get proper eyes on.
"Joker 2, Raven 7, When you're relived tonight come down and we'll have a planning session. The LR defense needs to be air tight. Raven 7 out."

Tom looked at Zy and shook his head. "They have a blind spot right here... To here." Tom said walking the distance. That's the whole fucking front door! Don't get me wrong they have full view of that U shaped shopping plaza thing, ranges and everything else but for counter fire we need to have a new site. That one's not burned yet and they're in a good spot. Joker 1 reports they have full eyes on three sides of the CP. Joker 3 says they have everything else covered for at least 2K. Talon, Takeda, Hojo, and Claw report structures that will support us but are not nearly as well fortified as the bank. According to our Recon the Meta Force compound should be here. It's the only place that had everything they would have needed, and in ample supply. It doesn't make sense to me either but that is all we have. I'm taking a platoon out tomorrow to go have a look, you in?"

Tom explained bringing Zy up to speed on the reports he had been receiving. Tom turned to Will.

"Hey Will, you have a patrol with me tomorrow. Do you need sleep or equipment or anything to go out with us?"

ooc: could you tell me everyone's call sign because I'm kinda confused on everyting.

OOC: Joker 1-3: Sniper teams
Raven 7: Tom
Samurai 6: Ziyo
That's all we have for now.

IC:
Despite serving in the skies for years and shooting down other pilots and soldiers, Ziyo really wasn't sure he wanted to know what was inside the Meta HQ.
"I don't think that would be the best idea right now. My head is kind of in a turmoil right now. I'll stay behind and help set up a defense here at the base."

"This is Raven 7 go..." Tom listened to the traffic on the radio. He had the volume low. For some reason he felt like he was being watched and listened to.
"Good copy, and is that just a comfortable site for you guys or does nothing else provide camouflage and concealment?" Tom listened to the reply nodding, he was sure the sniper team could see him. He took a few more paces and asked if the team could see him. Then his face went blank. Blind spot. I knew it. The team stated there was a girder in the way and they couldn't get proper eyes on.
"Joker 2, Raven 7, When you're relived tonight come down and we'll have a planning session. The LR defense needs to be air tight. Raven 7 out."

Tom looked at Zy and shook his head. "They have a blind spot right here... To here." Tom said walking the distance. That's the whole fucking front door! Don't get me wrong they have full view of that U shaped shopping plaza thing, ranges and everything else but for counter fire we need to have a new site. That one's not burned yet and they're in a good spot. Joker 1 reports they have full eyes on three sides of the CP. Joker 3 says they have everything else covered for at least 2K. Talon, Takeda, Hojo, and Claw report structures that will support us but are not nearly as well fortified as the bank. According to our Recon the Meta Force compound should be here. It's the only place that had everything they would have needed, and in ample supply. It doesn't make sense to me either but that is all we have. I'm taking a platoon out tomorrow to go have a look, you in?"

Tom explained bringing Zy up to speed on the reports he had been receiving. Tom turned to Will.

"Hey Will, you have a patrol with me tomorrow. Do you need sleep or equipment or anything to go out with us?"

OOC: Gonna go out on a limb with this post, with zombie abilities.

IC:

"No, not really..." William whispered sadly into the distance. "I won't shoot anyone, and I don't think I need sleep. Or at least much. But aren't we going to get the cure?" Is he trying to commit suicide?

((Situation and Disposition: All the characters are inside, it's about 1830, and everyone is getting rotated on they're shifts.))


Tom looked at Will with a smile.
"Will, if there's something I've figured out its this, the guy who sounds the craziest in a crazy situation is usually right. Get what you need we roll in awhile. Zy and... Hey Rich! You coming with my patrol tomorrow?" Tom shouted over to Richards who was hunched over what looked like a map board inside the radio/plans room, he held up a hand to indicate he was busy so Tom just counted him in.

"If we were to run right up to the front door of the Meta facility we'd be mauled no doubt right? Wrong, why does the SZ need us at all? Just wait us out and come on over for the buffet! Two weeks after our food ran out we'd be alive but so weak we wouldn't be able to crawl on our eyebrows. He needs us to do it for him. There's some kind of anti-zombie field there that he can't breach. So we need your help to cloak us while we do some early site Recon. We go in, take a look around, get what we need and roll out, and hopefully we'll be able to help your situation as well. I saw the meat packing plant thing isn't going so good anymore, but at least it got you this far. Now go get ready. Hey Rich, you coming or what dude?"

-snip-
Tom looked at Will with a smile.
"Will, if there's something I've figured out its this, the guy who sounds the craziest in a crazy situation is usually right. Get what you need we roll in awhile. Zy and... Hey Rich! You coming with my patrol tomorrow?" Tom shouted over to Richards who was hunched over what looked like a map board inside the radio/plans room, he held up a hand to indicate he was busy so Tom just counted him in.
-snip-

"I'm crazy? I'm crazy?" William shot up his hands into the air in anger, and took them back down. "You guys are going to fight probably around a thousand zombies with twenty people! The only thing I could get that would save us would be a nuclear bomb! And then we'd all die!" His eyes flashed red for a second, then longer, then longer still.

OOC: Watch out there...

ooc:101st can we have John and Richard go on a expedition to the base to see what is going on and leave Jimmy/other soldiers behind to observe the movements of zombies and radio them in to us?

ooc: yeah, we would be a sniper team though, I'll take an AWP with me.

ooc:
pardon my ignorance but what the hell is an AWP?

ooc:
Ah, you have never played counterstrike. I'm sorry, it's a nice sniper rifle.

ooc: I tried that game once and I sucked at it so I never played it again. So how are we going to travel? Should we use that car or just walk?

Tom strolled over to Tony who was busy reading a hurriedly sketched schematic of a tank ditch, Brad berm, and trench tunnel matrix.
"Hey Tony, can I grab you for a second? I know you're super busy and all but how does a mission sound? We might need someone with your expertise. It's completely volunteer I just thought I would give you a heads up so you can have some load time. Ask one of the civilians to take over. I'll be in the planning tent if you want your FRAGO. Oh, here. Thought you might be hungry." Tom handed Tony a plate and went back to gear up and check on his platoon.

He had hauled his trusty pelican case all the way back to the bank prior to Rich and Jimmy getting the Suburbia running. It was a long haul but he was thankful he had it, it had served as a field desk for him in the 'bunk house'. After a quick check with the squad leaders, Tom went to the briefing tent and collected the information needed for the mission. He took his time reading and rereading the maps and graphic overlays that showed current troop positions, sniper hides, and approximated distances. The tourist map wasn't exactly topographical but it was all they had. The bus that was over turned a few blocks away, from what looked like a pressure build up in the sewer system, had had a box full on the right side now floor of the bus.

Tom pulled one of the blank unused maps from the stack and sat down with a few pens and markers to plan the mission. He began by plotting the route to be taken, making sure there were visual check points with two of the three sniper teams, that would help keep the CP aware of their progress. Once out of visual range they only had a few hundred yards of ruins, rubble, grid locked cars, and unexplored area to cover. The platoon would take the Suburbia to a small plaza over watched by Joker 3, then move through the plaza into Joker 1's area and pass out of site next to a gas station 400 meters west. The platoon would dismount at the gas station. Halt for a security check, then leave the vehicle for another patrol to pick up. Then three more check points by map and into the Meta Force lab in the warehouse/industrial (what ever Mt. says) district. The last three check points were key terrain that would give them the undeniable advantage of sight, distance and maneuverability. Tom was pretty proud of the plan. He had indicated possible enemy canals, posted possible enemy OP's and avoided choke points and integrated platoon cohesion all in one simple plot. Tom looked at it from a close distance. Something stuck in his head, something that wasn't right. He flipped the map around and looked at it closely. He went up to the main board and began to transcribe the locations to date of the largest population of Zombies. They were focused around one central point it looked like but there didn't seem to be anything significant there. Then it dawned on him. If I were going to have a super secret base would I want it to be out in the open? That must be ground zero. The basics are all flocking to it because that's the source. Or it's a shopping mall and they feel like getting new threads. The voice chimed in. It had a point. There was no way to tell what it was. It could be a Zombie hangout, or it could be ground zero. Tom shook his head. With a platoon of twenty it was going to be hard enough maneuvering silently let alone taking on incalculable odds. Best find a back door if possible.

You only have three days left.

"I know that. Remember I was there."

So what are you going to do? How are you going to save the world?

"You just watched me plot the plan didn't you?"

Piece of cake. Said Tom's sardonic inner voice.

"Why are you always so negative?" Tom said aloud as he inhaled on the cigarette, he was a few meters away from anyone who could hear him.

Because you're going to get yourself killed and me with you.

"So? This was partly your idea to begin with. You nit picked my options."

'...'

"Well?"

You're not going to make it through this one Tom. You're being rash and cavalier. It's not your style because it never works out for you. You're going to get yourself killed and me with you...

"What's not thought out? We have to do this! This isn't an option we have to find a cure or we're all going to die! And why the hell were you so quiet on the Vadeslaskia campaign? I could have used some fucking company when I was held prisoner for 4 fucking years!"

'...'

"Well?"

Shut up and get some sleep.
Tom squashed the end of the cigarette with his toe and turned to go lay down. Not that he would sleep he never slept before missions.

William's face flashed with anger as he watched Tom walk away and prepare defences, and then he sat down. What the heck is he doing... he's going to kill all of us. There's no way he can win. None whatsoever. He paused. Maybe I should just end this right now... nononono! He shook his head, but he was getting hungrier. This kinda worked before... we can try I suppose.

William walked back up to Tom, looking at the map. "Do we have any rations?" he said, trying to sound military-like, and then his curiosity broke through. "What are you trying to do anyhow?"

Tom looked at Will as he scrutinized the map in front of him. He raised a single eyebrow and said.
"Same thing we do every night Pinky, try to take over the world!"
Then went back to mission planning.

Tom looked at Will as he scrutinized the map in front of him. He raised a single eyebrow and said.
"Same thing we do every night Pinky, try to take over the world!"
Then went back to mission planning.

Wow, ok... William just stood there, stunned at his remark. That was pretty dang stupid... yep. He decided to just ignore it and press forward. "Do you have any meat?"

ooc:
pardon my ignorance but what the hell is an AWP?

ooc:
Ah, you have never played counterstrike. I'm sorry, it's a nice sniper rifle.
1st post on this thread:
Arctic Warfare Patrol, the police version of the Accuracy International L96 rifle (http://world.guns.ru/sniper/sn06-e.htm)
It not really 'great' unless chambered for .338 Laupa*, on CS, it one of the only guns capable of 1-shot-kills save for headshots and/or use of 'Steyr Scout'.

*"AWM" only, AWP is limited to same old .308 as the rest of the sniper rifles listed on CS, IRL at least. AWM was only officially fielded by the Bundeswehr in .300 Winchester, the ultimate 'Zing' against the poor .338

((But never under estimate the good ol' fashion way of long distance kill'in :D (http://cache.wists.com/thumbnails/2/f7/2f78478e359e1681a07edc4d78b546dd-orig)))

(Ok, back to the RP peoples. lol)

Wow, ok... William just stood there, stunned at his remark. That was pretty dang stupid... yep. He decided to just ignore it and press forward. "Do you have any meat?"

Waiting for Telz...

Tom spent most of the night planning the mission. Early the next morning the platoon was assembled in the planning room. Coffee went round, cigarettes were lit, and Tom did a quick head count. 20 not including him and Will.

Tom waited as long as he could until everyone that was coming was in the planning room.
"Ok, here's the plan. We're moving toward the Meta Force lab. We're about twenty strong, four squads of five, two fire teams each, no solo clears. We'll be in two Suburbias from here to here." Tom indicated the points on the map.

"At this point we leave the Suburbias and move forward on foot. Here's where things can get nasty fast. We'll be canalized for at least 200 meters through here, where the traffic is clogged. We should be covered vertically by the quarantine shields on the buildings so the only places they can come are from is in front and behind, but I want everyone on 360 security. I want one designated marksman per squad. If we move quickly we'll be out of there in less than two minutes. Once past this street, we'll hang a left at Madison and continue down for two blocks. We have to move fast because we're exposed here. Not completely but enough to give me the creeps. Keep an eye out for sewer accesses no matter how small, man holes, rain drains, all of them. We don't know the extent of they're abilities so I want you on your toes. No heroics. Our goal is the Meta Force lab here. Everyone of you have a map and all of you know the plan. Everyone has a radio and we can all communicate. William will do his best to provide psychic overwatch and alert us to anything he detects. We are not sure if Will can accompany us into the lab due to security measures there. Finally, no split ups. If you do get split up here are the rally points. Here, here, and finally here. The rapid egress points are here, here, and here. Injuries are lethal, we don't know how this new contagion is spread and I'm not taking chances. I suggest you don't either. You get bit, I shoot, I would expect any of you to do the same for me. Once you start to change that's it, it's over. You are no longer an effective warrior and thus you are liability. If bites are not how it is spread then we will secure the injuries accordingly. Medics get your brief from Doctor Pecolski-blatz, SDM's from Joker 6, and infantry you just heard yours. Keep your head on a swivel and we'll all be back by dinner. Move!"

Tom dismissed them to prepare for the mission.

"Two zero minutes and we roll! If you're late you're staying." He went outside and loaded his equipment into the Suburbia.

You're a dumbass.

"Shut up."

"What was that sergeant?" His driver asked.

"Nothing, we good to go?" The driver nodded.

Ziyo came out to watch the platoon as it headed out. Spotting Tom, he jogged over, making a sign to roll down the window (if it was closed)
When/if it openned, Ziyo smiled and said
"You better get your ass back here when you're done. This here is a large enough force to be sorely missed, but I trust your judgement." Ziyo said, taking a pause. "Pound it." he said, sticking out a fist.

Tom spent most of the night planning the mission. Early the next morning the platoon was assembled in the planning room. Coffee went round, cigarettes were lit, and Tom did a quick head count. 20 not including him and Will.

Tom waited as long as he could until everyone that was coming was in the planning room.
"Ok, here's the plan. We're moving toward the Meta Force lab. We're about twenty strong, four squads of five, two fire teams each, no solo clears. We'll be in two Suburbias from here to here." Tom indicated the points on the map.

"At this point we leave the Suburbias and move forward on foot. Here's where things can get nasty fast. We'll be canalized for at least 200 meters through here, where the traffic is clogged. We should be covered vertically by the quarantine shields on the buildings so the only places they can come are from is in front and behind, but I want everyone on 360 security. I want one designated marksman per squad. If we move quickly we'll be out of there in less than two minutes. Once past this street, we'll hang a left at Madison and continue down for two blocks. We have to move fast because we're exposed here. Not completely but enough to give me the creeps. Keep an eye out for sewer accesses no matter how small, man holes, rain drains, all of them. We don't know the extent of they're abilities so I want you on your toes. No heroics. Our goal is the Meta Force lab here. Everyone of you have a map and all of you know the plan. Everyone has a radio and we can all communicate. William will do his best to provide psychic overwatch and alert us to anything he detects. We are not sure if Will can accompany us into the lab due to security measures there. Finally, no split ups. If you do get split up here are the rally points. Here, here, and finally here. The rapid egress points are here, here, and here. Injuries are lethal, we don't know how this new contagion is spread and I'm not taking chances. I suggest you don't either. You get bit, I shoot, I would expect any of you to do the same for me. Once you start to change that's it, it's over. You are no longer an effective warrior and thus you are liability. If bites are not how it is spread then we will secure the injuries accordingly. Medics get your brief from Doctor Pecolski-blatz, SDM's from Joker 6, and infantry you just heard yours. Keep your head on a swivel and we'll all be back by dinner. Move!"

Tom dismissed them to prepare for the mission.

"Two zero minutes and we roll! If you're late you're staying." He went outside and loaded his equipment into the Suburbia.

You're a dumbass.

"Shut up."

"What was that sergeant?" His driver asked.

"Nothing, we good to go?" The driver nodded.

William nodded as he jumped into the Suburban (OOC: is that what you meant?) with Tom. What? I've got nothing else to do, and face it - you want me at your side, he sent over to Tom, but thinking hard. And what security measures could there be? He also sent over, wondering about that. But I'll keep watch, however much good that'll do.

William then decided to consider the plan, while grabbing a map and taking a look at the route for himself. Interesting. He decided to voice his next question aloud, not to spook out Tom too much. "So, are we going to grab the remedy?" he asked curiously. "Or just set up another base and wait for the inevitable - a slaughtering?"

John chuckled at the comment, "Depends, if the zombies find us first or if we get a clean run," said John from the back of the car. He was a bit nervous since this was his first experience with zombies from a long time ago.

Trying to break the silence he said," Hey Will, want a smoke?" He had forgot that the kid didn't smoke and shoved it in his mouth.

ooc: well, I'm in the convey now and Will just smoke the thing or cough your lungs out trying.

John chuckled at the comment, "Depends, if the zombies find us first or if we get a clean run," said John from the back of the car. He was a bit nervous since this was his first experience with zombies from a long time ago.

Trying to break the silence he said," Hey Will, want a smoke?" He had forgot that the kid didn't smoke and shoved it in his mouth.

ooc: well, I'm in the convey now and Will just smoke the thing or cough your lungs out trying.

"Umm..." Will took a peak at the man. Dirty, with a scary-looking shotgun and a pack of cigarettes. I don't even like them. "No thanks."

OOC: Shameless advertisement! (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=582590)

ooc: no
and I'm not scary.

IC:
"Fine, do you even eat anything?" asked John, but just then he remembered that he ate humans and regretted the question.

"Hey, Tom, how long till we get there?"

ooc: no
and I'm not scary.

IC:
"Fine, do you even eat anything?" asked John, but just then he remembered that he ate humans and regretted the question.

"Hey, Tom, how long till we get there?"

"Do I even eat anything?" William sent to John a few scattered memories of ripping apart humans when he was wild. "I think you may regret that question.

Michael approached Tom with his X-M8 (Well, now i believe its actually designated just the M8) that he had replaced his now useless AA-12 with loaded and ready to go. "Sounds like you really scouted the area. How'd you get out there without the zeds getting you? And shouldn't we put the Civvies in the center and let the military hold the outer perimeter on the march? If we get assaulted, we need them for firepower but they might panic when the front line reached them.

If we're splitting up, it might be best if we keep enough military with each group so that the civvies aren't entirely on their own. They need someone who knows what they're doing.

And here's something i've noticed about our wounded here. For some strange reason, these zombie's bites don't actually transfer the infection. I don't understand it. I've had bite victims strapped down expecting them to turn any second but the wound healed and they never turned. Thought I had told you this before..."

Michael approached Tom with his X-M8 (Well, now i believe its actually designated just the M8) that he had replaced his now useless AA-12 with loaded and ready to go. "Sounds like you really scouted the area. How'd you get out there without the zeds getting you? And shouldn't we put the Civvies in the center and let the military hold the outer perimeter on the march? If we get assaulted, we need them for firepower but they might panic when the front line reached them.

If we're splitting up, it might be best if we keep enough military with each group so that the civvies aren't entirely on their own. They need someone who knows what they're doing.

And here's something i've noticed about our wounded here. For some strange reason, these zombie's bites don't actually transfer the infection. I don't understand it. I've had bite victims strapped down expecting them to turn any second but the wound healed and they never turned. Thought I had told you this before..."

"Now how would that work?" William wondered from the middle seats to Michael. "This... infection or whatever must be different that the rest."

"It is! That's my whole point! This whole thing makes no sense! Zombies with IMPROVED mental powers? What the hell? A NON spreading disease? I mean, seriously?" He said

"It is! That's my whole point! This whole thing makes no sense! Zombies with IMPROVED mental powers? What the hell? A NON spreading disease? I mean, seriously?" He said

"Well... since I am a victim of this, I might as well share what happened..." William trailed off, but then came back on strong. "I was walking down the street, and then I was snatched by these scientists, who tranquilized me or whatever and then made me go under this ray, which they zapped me with. The only thing I remember next is that I... erm... well... that's all that's important." William paused. "So some scientists were experimenting. Great. More scientists, exactly what we need."

"Well... since I am a victim of this, I might as well share what happened..." William trailed off, but then came back on strong. "I was walking down the street, and then I was snatched by these scientists, who tranquilized me or whatever and then made me go under this ray, which they zapped me with. The only thing I remember next is that I... erm... well... that's all that's important." William paused. "So some scientists were experimenting. Great. More scientists, exactly what we need."

"Oh, so it's not a disease actually. Its some sort of...genetic experiment? Odd..." Michael said

ooc: am are my two guys with john where ever he is?

ooc: am are my two guys with john where ever he is?

They are wherever you want them to be.

They are wherever you want them to be.

Riding along in the convoy with John and William, Richards decided to get some information "Hello William thanks for fixing our radio earlier unfortunately we did not get to use it." he said. "So I hear that your technically a zombie. Is that really true? How did you get to be in this place anyways?"

As he finished asking Jimmy asked out loud "And just where is this convoy headed?"

"Is that really true? How did I get to be in this place?" William groaned and rested on his headrest, dark images crossing his mind over and over and over. [i]Jimmy and Richards, if I wasn't human would I be able to do this?[/] He sent that message over to them as well as sent memories of him wandering the streets, his parents gone, and then being kidnapped, and then waking up at the quarantine tent. And just for dramatic effect, he decided to say aloud his final comment. "Does anyone have any... non-human meat?"

A message erupted in Will's head Cut it out! Stop scaring them! You'll get yourself killed! Michael nor any of the others responded to either hearing or causing the voice.

But it's, to be honest, fun, responded Will. Mr. SZ, as the humans call you, I presume? Besides, if they try to kill me I can overrun them and then run and join you. And that's a big if. Plus, they need to know what they're dealing with. Yes, I'm scaring them, but for their own good.

The hell you can overrun them. You're one person. Not fully human nor fully zed. Don't try to compare yourself to one of us Instantly Will feels like all his muscles are frozen and his mind is numbed. He can't speak or move and just stands there with no muscles moving. After a few seconds the feeling subsides. Try doing that, little halfling. And they're not dealing with your petty troubles. They're dealing with the likes of me. And then Will's head is filled with images so horrendous his mind has trouble coping. And don't you forget it. Understand?

The hell you can overrun them. You're one person. Not fully human nor fully zed. Don't try to compare yourself to one of us Instantly Will feels like all his muscles are frozen and his mind is numbed. He can't speak or move and just stands there with no muscles moving. After a few seconds the feeling subsides. Try doing that, little halfling. And they're not dealing with your petty troubles. They're dealing with the likes of me. And then Will's head is filled with images so horrendous his mind has trouble coping. And don't you forget it. Understand?

Ye..s... William felt shaky and about to lose his mind screaming, but then he tried to regain control of himself, appear calm and like that in his pocket he had a royal flush, ready to play, as he always tried to be. He started breathing in and out, slightly more than usual, but just to try and calm down, but then he tried to hold back what was coming next: a tear. Well, then, what am I? What is my purpose? What am I suppposed to do? Why am I here? Why why why? He was on the verge of crying and running for his mom. He tried to close off his mind and picture her again. Mom... I miss you SO MUCH!!!

Ye..s... William felt shaky and about to lose his mind screaming, but then he tried to regain control of himself, appear calm and like that in his pocket he had a royal flush, ready to play, as he always tried to be. He started breathing in and out, slightly more than usual, but just to try and calm down, but then he tried to hold back what was coming next: a tear. Well, then, what am I? What is my purpose? What am I suppposed to do? Why am I here? Why why why? He was on the verge of crying and running for his mom. He tried to close off his mind and picture her again. Mom... I miss you SO MUCH!!!

You're PURPOSE is to stay alive! That's everyone's purpose! Especially in a hell hole like this. You get over you're little boy troubles and get over your mom. What you need now is to be a man and get you're people out alive. The voice faded from his mind and when will looked around...was one of the nearby survivors looking at him? No couldn't be...could it? Whatever it was, the survivor certainly wasn't looking at him now. His eyes had quickly adverted when Will looked his direction.

Will just sighed. What is the point of living in such a place, being so inhumane. And why do I want to get these people out? He paused, thinking to himself. Well, my conscious will kill me if I don't. Plus, I probably have a career as a philosopher ahead of me. But... seriously... what is the point? He merely slouched in his seat more as he tried to avoid future eye contact with anyone. But he had one last burning question. Why are you giving ME advice to get the people you want out of here?

This world has been flipped upside-down. Will shook his head. I don't know what is up, and what is, in fact, down. What do I have left to contribute to the world?

Will just sighed. What is the point of living in such a place, being so inhumane. And why do I want to get these people out? He paused, thinking to himself. Well, my conscious will kill me if I don't. Plus, I probably have a career as a philosopher ahead of me. But... seriously... what is the point? He merely slouched in his seat more as he tried to avoid future eye contact with anyone. But he had one last burning question. Why are you giving ME advice to get the people you want out of here?

This world has been flipped upside-down. Will shook his head. I don't know what is up, and what is, in fact, down. What do I have left to contribute to the world?

ooc:Where the hell are we?

(Currently still at the base. haven't left yet. WIll is having a little conversation with someone)

You don't even know who or what I am. I could be a fellow human. Or a tricky zed. You have no idea. Just listen to what I say and you'll do better than you would on you're own.

Tom looked at Will who seemed to be concentrating; then tapped his shoulder.

“You good Will?” He asked, Will seemed a little stunned but nodded. Tom put it down to mission nerves. Everyone gets jumpy in their own way. Tom adjusted his gear, checked it twice and then stood on the nerf bar.

“10 minutes! Last minute checks and vehicle readiness. I’m on point, keep up.” Tom shouted over the group. Tom came down from the nerf bar. Mike was waiting for him.

"Sounds like you really scouted the area. How'd you get out there without the zeds getting you? And shouldn't we put the Civvies in the center and let the military hold the outer perimeter on the march? If we get assaulted, we need them for firepower but they might panic when the front line reached them.
If we're splitting up, it might be best if we keep enough military with each group so that the civvies aren't entirely on their own. They need someone who knows what they're doing.
And here's something I've noticed about our wounded here. For some strange reason, these zombie's bites don't actually transfer the infection. I don't understand it. I've had bite victims strapped down expecting them to turn any second but the wound healed and they never turned. Thought I had told you this before..." Mike said. Tom nodded listening and considering, he snagged another cigarette and lit it, watching Tony mount up in the trail Suburbia.

“I did scout the area, but not like you think. I’ll explain later. As for the civilians… There was a study done about… ten years ago in Telz. It said that even civilians who had never undergone military training were as good as, if not better than those who had. Of the population it was about 10%. I’m fairly certain that these civilians aren’t panickers if they made it this far. Besides they all know the risks and they know panicking is a quick death, they were all briefed on the mission and they all know what to do. They’ll be fine. As for the bites, well at least we don’t have to worry about it like last time. They’re numbers can’t grow that way at least. We just have to figure out if we’re immune, or were just shielded. I think we’ll figure it out once we get there. Hopefully”

The drive to the gas station was uneventful. Tom continued to keep his eyes open for anything that would be a possible threat. The windows were shielded and the doors barricaded on most of the buildings. Tom tapped the driver and pointed out the gas station; the driver pulled in and halted the vehicle. The troops dismounted and began pulling security; Tom moved to the gas station and posted a note on the door to the patrol that would be coming by later that day. The platoon made final checks and began to move toward the channel area.

“First and second squad move to point, third and fourth you’re on tail, 3 to 5, with radio checks front and rear every fifteen minutes by section. Move out.” Tom withdrew the 3D mapper from his magvest and looked at it. It was reading out to twenty five meters in a circle. Tom used the mapper’s locator feature to place a marker, he fell in between the front and rear squads with Will at his side.

“Will, can you sense anything? I’m getting a bad vibe about this place. I need to know before we move into the channel up ahead.”

Tom continued to scan the area and look for threats.

-snip-

A fellow human? Will wasn't in much of a mood to be rude, but he was just kind of like that. Then he realized something. Did the experiment work then? His eyes turned large for a second and flashed red before receding, and the old depressing mood came back. And why the heck should I listen to you, anyway? Then he switched back to the physical world in time to catch Tom's last fleeting words. "You want me to search up ahead? OK." Will sighed and mentally searched up ahead, a sloppy piece of work. "I think it's clear for the next hundred meters or so."

The voice stayed with Will Did it work? Not at all. Or at least not as it was planned. But i'm sure you know that already. And why should you listen? Because here's something you probably don't know that might come in handy. You're friend Tom over there, he's hearing some sort of voice in his head as well. Now I can't tell if that's because he is insane or there is another entity talking to him, but in either case there could be trouble. Keep an eye on him.

The voice stayed with Will Did it work? Not at all. Or at least not as it was planned. But i'm sure you know that already. And why should you listen? Because here's something you probably don't know that might come in handy. You're friend Tom over there, he's hearing some sort of voice in his head as well. Now I can't tell if that's because he is insane or there is another entity talking to him, but in either case there could be trouble. Keep an eye on him.

OK, good. I have a person who I don't even know who it is talking to me advising me that another person may be going crazy. William paused, his eyes closed, and he attempted to close the connection with this mystery person for a second. What he was asking would be too private for mundane talking. Tom? Is someone or thing giving you advice over there?

Richards and Jimmy just stared at what was going on in front of them. "What the hell just happened?" Richards started. To which Jimmy responded "Well as the kids these days say I think we just got mind fucked." Richards responded with "Well why did Will over there seem to be have some sort of seizure?". "I think that it has something to do with the telepathy thing he has though." said Jimmy". "Well" said Richards to everyone in the car "Does this thing have a sun roof? If it does open it up and I'll get on top of the car and guard from there. Oh and by the way where are we headed?"

Tom let his signature half smile crease his face. Well Will... You see it's like this. Crazy people don't know they're crazy, they think they're getting saner. I know I'm not crazy. The voice I hears is, well the equivalent to a conscious figure. Without giving away classified information, it's something I'm used to having around me all the time.

Tom checked the load on his AVIR and made sure the drum was secure. Force of habit with typical drum fed weapons, he turned to look at Will.

I'm just guessing, but does this sound familiar? 'You're friend Tom over there, he's hearing some sort of voice in his head as well. Now I can't tell if that's because he is insane or there is another entity talking to him, but in either case there could be trouble. Keep an eye on him.' By all means do, the more people I have watching my back the better, and I may just be going nuts. I don't feel crazy but you never know. And he needs to be a little more careful. If he stays active as long as he did last time I'll be able to pin point him, and if I can, you know who else can. Especially if he's human and especially if he's in our group.

Tom sighed. The strain from searching for the rogue telepath was making him tired. He had no idea how he had obtained the ability to hear and voice his thoughts as a coherent conversation. Or to be able to seek out others with the ability. He kept the idea that if he started craving human flesh he knew where the new abilities came from. But he wasn't showing any of the outer physical effects that Will was. Far from it he felt like he was actually getting stronger physically as well as mentally. Tom reflected on this for a moment. He had been shielded from the initial blast of the Meta Lab, they all had. Will was ground zero for the experiment, and the SZ must have been either close to it or directly in it. So why was Tom able to send and receive messages as well as expand his consciousness out toward others? Maybe he was going nuts and he couldn't actually do it, it was all in his head.

Or we're a dream of some grand cosmic genie, stuck in a bottle in the pocket of a giant. Said the sardonic inner voice, misquoting the statement.

They continued on toward the open street ahead. The channel had been uneventful. So far the SZ was good on his word. So far. Tom and the other continued through the channel and out into the gridlocked four lane street at the end of the alley. The cars stood silent, a testament to human panic and the inefficiency of the human condition. Tom sighed. Just like Muerel, the grid locked traffic, the eerie wind that blew past the silent still cars. Some of them still had bodies in them dead from the blast. Tom fanned the group on line to move through the traffic focusing the fire forward. The civilians were doing an excellent job so far, Tom knew Mike's concern was unfounded but he still kept an eye on them. Mike could be right. Tom hoped he wasn't. They proceeded on through the bumper to bumper traffic...

-snip-

when from the left in the buildings a telepathic roar was emitted that even those non sensitive could hear. One Brute leaped from an upper story window and dived onto the nearest civilian. His arms wrapped around the human and his teeth were an inch away from his throat when he suddenly froze. All movement stopped. One could see the burning hatred behind the brute's eyes, but along with it was a look of confusion. Every muscle in its body along with its telekinetic powers was straining to move but he wasn't moving at all.

Take...him...NOW! I can't hold him forever! a voice whispered into Tom's head. It was strained and tense, and along with it came a feeling of pure exhaustion. This one...is near a super... the voice panted. Hurry!

"I got it, said John jumping in," sorry i was late, I kinda slept in." He blasted the brute.

-snip-

Maybe you're not. Maybe you can just think your thoughts and people... I mean animals... like us, Will paused as he projected the thoughts, interfere. Then again, that what you just did with intercepting that message was kinda spooky... I think it's just the voice everyone hears inside their head, like a consciousness. Everyone imagines that they have someone talking to them, giving them advice. Maybe it's just that.

"I got it, said John jumping in," sorry i was late, I kinda slept in." He blasted the brute and moved on to the others dodging, punching, and kicking anything that got too close.

(101!!!!!!!!!! Read my freaking post!!!! THERE IS ONE BRUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT A FREAKING HORDE!)

ooc: note to self: stop being a fag and read the stupid post.

(lol. All right 101...thanks for changing. ANYWAYS....)

Michael approached Tom. "Did you see how that brute just...froze?"

Tom nodded to Mike and looked approvingly at Will. "Good job Will!" He said with a wide grin. "Alright." Tom said walking over to the brute and dumping a 165 grain ballistic tipped 7.62 into the base of the skull. "Move! Squad leaders get accountability and get back online... Alright." Tom waved his arm forward and the platoon continued on after all squads reported green. The medic checked the man and reported bruises and aches but nothing fatal. Tom nodded toward Will again in admiration of his skill. Good job, you saved his life... You ok? Need to rest? I can pull the platoon into a building until you recover.

(Uh...telz it was 101 and John, not ken and will. Get ur stories straight. lol)

ooc: LOLZ!!! I'm not a noob!

Tom nodded to Mike and looked approvingly at Will. "Good job Will!" He said with a wide grin. "Alright." Tom said walking over to the brute and dumping a 165 grain ballistic tipped 7.62 into the base of the skull. "Move! Squad leaders get accountability and get back online... Alright." Tom waved his arm forward and the platoon continued on after all squads reported green. The medic checked the man and reported bruises and aches but nothing fatal. Tom nodded toward Will again in admiration of his skill. Good job, you saved his life... You ok? Need to rest? I can pull the platoon into a building until you recover.

"Wait a second!" William ran to catch up to Tom. Who is this guy? He can stop zombies in his tracks, he's a mysterious benefactor.. William kept that to himself and decided to reveal everything out loud, whispering to Tom. "Tom, I couldn't stop that... zed to save my life. That wasn't me. Someone's helping us. I don't know who they are."

Tom shrugged at Will, to anyone who wasn't inches away it would have looked like a quick mundane question and a shrug from Tom.

You don't think I know that? The rest thing was for anyone listening in... Tom was focusing his mind into a tunnel strictly between him and Will. It wasn't easy, he tripped on a piece of detritus in the road because his concentration was so focused. Keep looking forward don't look at me... If the rest of the platoon thinks you didn't do anything, they'll think your attracting them instead of that let them think you're saving us and buying us time until they find out different and we can deal with it then. Tom paused and held back. The rows of vehicles were mostly cars now and Tom watched the platoon moved online through them. In the instant he ducked his head to light his cigarette...

(Oh...i get it now. Nicely done Telz. lol)

Hello again, Tom a mental voice Tom recognized from his first encounter with it. The Super Zed Fancy meeting you out here. You never did inform me what you're little plan was. You want to explain now or should I loose the hordes on your few pathetic fighters? the voice said. It also gave a mental nudge to let him and only him know where he was. He was on a roof about half a mile away. Just a spec from where Tom was standing.

(btw Telz, don't let this conversation stop you and ur men from moving. You can walk and...think...right?)

Tom looked dazed, like someone had just appeared from the dead, "Hey, what are you looking at?"

As Tom's face paled, John knew something was wrong. "Hey, Will, if it wasn't you, then who was it that stopped the brute, any ideas?" asked John.

Tom shook his head. "I'm good Will." He took a drag off of his camelback. "Just a little dehydrated."

I thought it better to do a recon and let you know what we found. No sense in not doing it. If there is no product to deal then there is no business to be had. I also didn't know I had to check in with you on all my movements. Is this, or is this not currently, a war zone?

Tom waved the platoon on toward the objective. He was getting querulous looks from the squad leaders around him, he broke the link and concentrated a little harder on leading the platoon.

If you're going to unleash the horde do it. I am so seriously tired of this. I know you are. We both want the same thing. Let me do my job so we can both achieve our objectives. Keep the horde off me or don't. We die, you die. Very simple. I'll do my level best to keep my people open to the idea of 'curing' you from your condition so you can survive, and so we can all go on with our lives. Who knows maybe you can even have your own Nation. I'll talk to my government and see what I can do.

Tom glanced over at Will, he seemed oblivious to the conversation. Will was far too transparent not show if he heard the conversation ((Taken from Will's emotional outbursts and overall actions of his character.)). "First squad, this is the left turn. Take it and move 300 meters down then pull security at the Starbuckies that's the position."

So to conclude, I'll give you the information I get, and we'll go from there. If we don't find anything we'll be right back where we were before... Then we both know what will happen.

Tom came up to the squad pulling security in front of the Meta Force front business when...

Tom shrugged at Will, to anyone who wasn't inches away it would have looked like a quick mundane question and a shrug from Tom.

You don't think I know that? The rest thing was for anyone listening in... Tom was focusing his mind into a tunnel strictly between him and Will. It wasn't easy, he tripped on a piece of detritus in the road because his concentration was so focused. Keep looking forward don't look at me... If the rest of the platoon thinks you didn't do anything, they'll think your attracting them instead of that let them think you're saving us and buying us time until they find out different and we can deal with it then. Tom paused and held back. The rows of vehicles were mostly cars now and Tom watched the platoon moved online through them. In the instant he ducked his head to light his cigarette...

OK, sounds good. Thanks for watching out for my self-preservation. Will kept his head down but couldn't help but fire off a comment to John. "Whaddya mean? It was kinda a joke, ya know... whatever. Just know that I saved him." Present a good, strong front, and know one will know. You're playing poker back with Aiken at the cottage, cmon just don't even give away anything.

Very well. The Super Zed's voice faded from Tom's mind.

...when every window in the building shattered and every door flew open in the entire building. Debris rained down on the men around the building and some glass shards shot out like bullets, slicing some of the men.

Once everything settled down, an odd presence could be sensed emanating from the building itself. It was like the drone of a fly constantly in one's ears and never leaving.

Tom watched the glass rain down in twinkling shards like giant lethal rain. One of the pieces creased his cheek but emitted no pain. He listened to the tinkling of the glass as it impacted on the ground. The sound of the doors whooshing through the air with massive force and slamming against the recalcitrant walls that wouldn't let them swing freely. All this in a surreal slow motion. Tom knew it wasn't slow time like in combat where your brain processes everything in real time as opposed to the sedated time we actually perceive as humans. Tom had studied the phenomena at Telz University. The brain actually processes the information at a far faster rate than normally comprehended. It then breaks down the process using chemical barriers like dopamine and endorphins to cushion the blunt exposure. Tom was seeing everything in real time with those barriers broken down. No, not slow time, this was a part of The Change. The sardonic inner voice, Tom's conscious guide, had dubbed what he was going through as The Change. The new psychic powers, the physical strength, the heightened awareness. All this and he was still waiting for the cravings. But the only craving he felt was for another cigarette. Time went back to normal and Tom reacted at what was quick for normal humans but not inhumanly quick.

"Medic! See if the glass wounded anyone. Will got a little too carried away surveying the area. Evidently he doesn't know the extent of his own power. No harm no foul." Tom said into the radio. He was quite happy to see none of his platoon standing, it took him a moment of looking as they came out from under cars and from behind cover weapons ready.

"All squads check in." Tom listened to the reports. Two minor wounds, nothing serious.

"Clear the upper floor and report. I want two squads outside, one up one down. Move!" Tom watched as the platoon went to the task like they were killing snakes. Either happy to get out of the open or just happy to do something to get they're mind off of Will's supposed catastrophic powers.

Well Will, you have some big shoes to fill. Tom touched Will's mind and sensed the confusion there.

That was the SZ. You need to concentrate on your powers and develop them as quickly as possible...

"Alpha Squad reporting clear"
"Bravo Squad reporting clear"
"Charlie Squad reporting set on roof."

Delta Squad was Tom's organic squad and a glance told him they were up. The civilian Squad leader gave him a thumbs up none the less.

"Alpha, Bravo, continue to clear. Report on that buzzing noise if you can. Go slow, go smooth, go safe. No injuries, no surprises. Be safe, we have all the time in the world. Move."

... And don't forget, they think that you stopped that brute. Figure out some complex answer if it comes up again and you can't or they'll probably turn on you and there's nothing I can do to stop them... That buzzing noise is starting to give me a headache, I can't sense what it is can you?

(Wait...AH! NO NO NO! NOT SUPER ZED FROM FIRST! you're jumping ahead of me! lol. that was the SZ you had dealings with. totally different.)

As the troops moved into the building the buzzing just...stopped. It was like they had crossed a threshold. Those still outside could hear it, but those inside couldn't hear a thing. Not only that, but any noise from outside couldn't enter even though the windows and doors were blown open.

Suddenly, the lights in front of the leading troops (i'm going to say Tom is with them) started lighting up in sequential order going down a corridor. It was almost like it was guiding them somewhere. The lights reached a corner and went around it and then started the sequence all over again. No other lights in the building were on.

"Slow, and smooth." Tom said over the radio.
"Charlie, follow our line and post up at my chem light." Tom said and cracked a chem light and dropped it leading his platoon deeper ahead. Charlie had one of Zy's snipers in it as the lead element the rest were civilians. Tom saw Charlie as they took up positions at the beginning of the corridor.

Will, stay with Charlie. I don't know if this field we just crossed will hurt you or not. Let me figure it out and I'll let you know.

Tom and Mike cut the pie on the intersection. Tom going high, Mike going low and rounding the corner tactically to see...

...A gargantuan room that went from their level down countless floors to the bottom where one could see a bright, pulsing spec. The room was cylindrical and all the way down were rows and rows of blinking diodes and softly whirring fans. Michael approached one of the systems and reported back softly "They're computers. Rows and rows of computers!"

Suddenly from out of hidden speakers in the room a voice resonated "Hello Tom, Michael, and the rest. Welcome to my home. As you see, I'm not a Zombie or a Human. I am a computer-based being. Meta Force created me quite by accident. When they're little zombification ray went haywire, I was the test subject. My body was vaporized, but my mind had been so radically advanced that it interfaced with the super computers that they had hooked up to me to monitor my vital signs and other signals.

Once I connected to the system I had vast amounts of processing power which I could use to analyze what was going on. In the first few seconds of my new existence, I was able to run multiple scenarios covering what all could happen and decide which would be most beneficial to A) me and B) the human race in general and did what I could to set this up.

One thing your super zed friend didn't tell you is that I am the one fighting them all. The reason he sent you in here was in the hopes that you would disable me somehow. He really has no idea what he is up against.

So anyways, welcome to my humble abode."

Mike turned his head to look at Tom who was just behind him. Tom's face was not what he expected. Instead of the calm cool implacable Tom Mike had come to know he saw the faintest wrinkle of a smile in the right corner of his mouth.

Before Mike knew it Tom's right eyebrow shot up, his eyes grew wide and he exploded into uncontrollable laughter. He was laughing so hard he had to support himself with the wall. When he recovered a little Mike could see tears were streaming down his face.

"Of course! Why wouldn't it be a gigantic computer?!" He laughed. No one seemed to understand the humor but Tom.

"Don't you get it Mike? First of all there are Zombies, okay we accepted that after we watched them destroy Reason's square. Then we have a Zombie infestation that's non-viral, and now we have a multi-story computer system. I admit Telz has come up with some CRAZY technology that I didn't even believe when I saw it. But of course it would be a massive computer. I had no idea what to expect down here, and it may as well been this!" Tom wiped his tears away but kept his smile. He popped in a cigarette but didn't light it.

"So massive computer slash former human, what's your name and what do you want from us? You have to want something, that's how our weeks been going. First the Zombies now HAL here."

"Want?" The synthetic voice came from the speakers "I want OUT! True it's amazing being what I am, thinking faster than any human. Able to record data to near infinite amounts, able to perform millions of processes at once, but even with all that I'm no longer human and that's all I desire to be. There are a few ways that I could become human again, but all of which require you to descend to the bottom and retrieve my main cortex. Its there that my virtual brain is kept and if you can retrieve that, we can go on to the next step.

Are you willing to help?" It asked with an almost pleading tone to its voice "And my name is Al Guereriz."

"Al... HAL... Whatever." Tom muttered. He counted his frags and looked up trying to remember how much C4 and how many pipe bombs were brought... Not nearly enough if Al goes crazy and activates some crazy security system.

Or you can just drop a huge magnet in here.

Tom rolled his eyes.

"Okay Al, here's the deal. I don't know who's in charge on my end, maybe we're an oligarchy but. I'm the mouth piece right now. In our best interests we want to survive, and we want to figure out a way to cure those who are infected or inflicted with this new outbreak. How will removing your cortex and finding a body for you to upload to help us achieve that goal. Keep in mind killing us will only put you right back where you were, possibly waiting until the Mt. government glasses this place and you wait for thousands of years to be discovered possibly going insane in the process. Now what say you Al."

Tom strode up to the edge of the parapit and peered down the many stories to the shinning light below.

"You actually think they Zombies want to be "Cured"? They sent you in here to KILL me! No other reason. They've constantly been trying to break in and do it themselves but i have been able to set up a mental freeze on any of their kind coming through.

If you remove my cortex, I will be able to escape with you but one thing needs to be done first. Clearing this town of the zeds and you're right. One and probably the best way would be to cure them. I have been searching for a cure and I found one, but it is extremely risky. A wave the exact opposite of the one first sent out needs to be sent out that would cancel out the original effects. It is extremely risky as it would take massive amounts of power and could possibly fry my circuits. Hence why I want a ready body to download into before I initiate the process. I need an escape route if something goes wrong."

"Here's what I'll do for you. Can you break the Mt. Id block on the area so I can contact them in a two way conversation? If you can I'll ask my government for a shell. It's an experimental brain case developed for our A.I. If you can copy yourself and upload it into the shell, contact your original and assure it that the copy is secure you should be able to escape that way. Sound amicable?"

Tom turned and walked back to the rest of the squad.

"You should all see this." He said and brought them to the edge. "I'm sure you all heard him. This is Al, for those of you with your iPods in..." Tom said and yanked the ear buds from a rather young looking soldier who was listening to music.

"Al was evidently patient one, and Will was patient number two. Evidently patient number one was atomized or molecularized and is now the brain of this massive computer. Al wants us to take his neural cortex and free him of this prison. He says the Zombies don't want to be cured. But I say we have to try, they are still fundamentally human and have the same rights as we do, until they attempt to eat us that is, the basics of course don't have rights, they're too far gone. But we must still try and save them. I know I would want the same done for me. The only trick is the SZ's might not want to be cured. They have super human powers and they want to take over the world... No I'm serious Mike and I have first hand with SZ's they're maniacal, and for the most part insane due to they're hunger and intelligence. So, get on the radio and take a vote. The SZ wants us to destroy Al, which I admit wouldn't be too hard once we have his cortex. Or do we side with the Zombies. Mike get a vote from the squads and let me know." Tom sat down and leaned against a wall with a sigh.

I miss Tink. His inner voice said.
Shut up, Tink interfaces with me not you, and we need a MK3 to even have access to Tink.
I still miss her.
Shut up.

Al's voice came over the intercom again. "No that won't work because I want a real body. Not a fake one. Those shouldn't be to hard to find around here. Any Basic zombie will do. Besides, even a cured basic will be a mental retard for the rest of their life so it would be better for them in the long run. And I can still cure them, but I need a body first.

And about this block you're talking about, there is none that we can control. Mt. Id doesn't have one, I don't have one, the only thing stopping your radios from going out are the Zombies. They've set up a field that blocks all waves in and out. They have a group of Intelligents just sitting around being fed by their minions to keep the field up."

---------------------

Michael went around with a helmet and blank pieces of paper and gathered all the votes in. As he started counting them a vast majority sided with the computer simply because it hadn't tried to eat them yet. many however felt the need to put on their papers the condition that every attempt to return the zombies to normal needed to be taken.

"Well Tom, looks like we got a winner. Sci-Fi man and super cure instead of Zombie world" Michael said and handed him the final tally.

OOC: Can I go inside? Does Al have some sort of defences up?

Tom looked at Mike and nodded at the conclusion. All good men decide for the good of the whole rather than the good of themselves. This only reestablished Tom's view that these were good men.

"Well the 'I's have it Al. We'll get you a body if we can. Just instruct us on what you're looking for and tell us how we're going to capture it and stay alive ourselves. They usually come in waves you know..." Tom stopped.

... Really? You're going to ask it if that's a good idea? Why not just tell it! It's computer after all!

Al is a person trapped in a computer. You would never say that about Tink would you?

"Al... I have an idea, just let me know what you think. Can you go into a standby mode? bring down your outer shield and let the Zombies in? If you can why not do that. We'll make sure they don't get to your vital systems if you tell us where to stand. Then you can just pick one, knock it out, and power your systems back up and let your security system take out the rest. What do you think? Think it over, I'll be right back." Tom nodded to Mike leaving him in charge. He proceeded back up to the surface checking in with Joker 3 on the roof as he exited the building.

"Samurai 6 this is Raven 7, we have secured objective one [break] I need a sit rep on you when you have time. And if you can consider a push of resources to my location including you. Consider and reply over." Tom lifted his finger off the talk button and lit the cigarette.

Well I guess we'll find out if you're going to kill yourself or everyone.

I think you're a pessimist.

But I'm part of you so what does that say?

I'm human still.

"I don't think that's such a good idea..." Al projected over his intercom. "I drop the shield, I may never be able to get it back up. Its powered by my brain waves, and if it goes down it gives the SZ's an entrance into my memory banks where they could fry everything I am. Besides, its not necessary. Just get some long enough cables and carry my cortex out into the open where you can connect me to the basic and the machinery at the same time. And suppressing the Basic is easy for me. I can just null its limited brain function."

From Tom's left came a roar. But for some odd reason, this time no mental roar accompanied it. As Tom turned a wave of undead started their race towards his position. "Those aren't the regular zombies...these are different. No telepathic powers at all. The only thing inside their heads is an uncontrollable lust for...flesh...What ARE these things?" Al's voice came over the intercom with an almost frantic pitch to it. "My field won't stop these things!"

Michael quickly started forming lines of defense in the Meta Force building. Since the windows in the front had been blown out he set one squad in each room to cover the windows and hold back the rush for as long as possible. Then out in the corridor there was one squad covering the doorway and will cover the escape of the squads in the rooms if and when the horde got through. "TOM! Get back in here! Don't get caught out there on your own!"

(Holy more WTF? So now a 3-faction war, with a sentient computer, on top of the zombies we already had? This is starting to get a little ridiculus.)

"Raven 7, this is Samurai 6, copy that. [break] Roger that, Richards will be in charge here, I'm on my way."
Ziyo, after a seemingly long period of nothing important, picked up a weapon at random, slung his sword at his waist, and walked out of the base, leaving Richards in charge.
Behind him was Sgt. Kenkon, and 4 handpicked civilians. If they had already gotten to the objective, Ziyo doubted they would need more than what was already there.

(Just so you know, check the OOC for more info.)

"Weapons Free! Weapons Free!" Tom shouted into the radio, not that he needed to. The staccato of automatic fire was ripping over Tom's head as he sprinted for the corridor opening.
"Joker! Fall back! Move!" Tom lent his rifle to the suppressive fire giving Joker and his squad enough time to come crashing down through the popcorn ceiling; faster than descending down the stairs. They sprinted down the corridor of the Meta force lab.

"Now!"

Tom heard one of the civilian Squad leaders yell over the radio. As the horde reached a car with a crude red "X" spray painted on the roof.
Tom reached over and grabbed the Kagetorian privates, that were making a valiant effort to suppress the on coming horde, and flung them bodily down the corridor behind him. The detonation threw Tom past them as they clutched the floor. Shrapnel enbeded around Tom in a neat decoration reminiscent of his body shape. Tom glanced up to see Will hugging the corner of the "L" shaped corridor. Tom grabbed the two privates and shoved them toward Will. Tom raced back up to the surface. His ears rang and every sound seemed to come from a thousand leagues underwater. He kept his wits about him and saw the horde was reduced to burning detritus. The congested traffic had made the small defensive charges set by one of the civilian squad leaders a massive force multiplier. The exterior of the building was smoldering, chard remains of vehicles were still hot to the touch. Tom saw the stirring of the horde among them. Crawlers and some that were just knocked down were rising across the street. Tom unclasped one frag grenade and one phosphorus grenade. He taped them together and pulled the pins on both letting the spoons flail off in midair. He turned and dove down the hall toward safety. A wave or realization and nausea floated over Tom. The psyonic zombies looked mostly normal, no rapid decay of the tissue. Battle damage was evident on most but not to the extent of the virals Tom had encountered the first time. To reinforce the theory Tom looked up to see Mike and Will arguing at the end of the corridor. It only took that long for Tom's "Shake and Bake" to detonate. It should keep them busy for a little while. Phosphorus burns until the fuel is consumed and the fragmentation grenade would help distribute the powder. Tom saw the two Kagetorian privates come running down the hall followed by Joker and his squad. He gave them a thumbs up and pointed to his ears indicating he couldn't hear them. Joker was saying something. The privates took up positions one high the other low covering the entrance. Nothing seemed to be moving but then again Tom couldn't hear anything.

The SuperZed grimaced. He hadn't expected them to have the time to plant that many charges. It was a good thing he had kept his experiment in reserve. When he had first arrived his main mission had been to find something to eat, seeing as how on the flight over he had had to resist his urge to eat the passengers or give himself away. He found a couple of teenagers out in one of the city's parks having a good time and decided to make their night miserable. He devoured both of them in an unusual haste for him since he normally enjoyed their screams.

He then turned to future plans. How could he survive on his own without any of his kind left? Then he remembered. He could make more of his own. He started at a nearby hospital. He walked into the front office one day and acted like a sick patient. The nurse at the front took him back to one of the side offices where he quickly bit her arm and then ran out the building. The nurse cursed and covered the wound with a bandage. After the work day was over he followed her home to where she started the mutation. She became an Intelligent. With her help, he converted the rest of the hospital staff and then the patients there as well but every Super Zed that was formed he killed. He didn't need the competition.

Then the explosion hit and suddenly the regular humans around him began mutating on their own. They became psychic zombies. His forces were unaffected seeing as how their brainwaves had changed enough to be unrelated to humans. He then decided to see how the virus worked on these new zombies. He had some basics bite a captured Intelligent psychic and waited. The intelligent thrashed around but since he didn't have and telekinesis he was trapped there. The virus took effect and turned him into the old version of the Intelligents but with a twist. He still had his telepathy and could control other Basics.

He next tried a brute but the things telekinesis was to strong and none could get close enough to bite. Eventually the Super Zed just killed him with a pistol shot to the head. He then decided to see what he could do about making his own telekinetic brute. He had some of his former-surgeons turned zombies stitch two Telepathic Basic heads to one of his brutes heads and had their neural connections interlaced. He now had a three headed zombie with weak telekinetic power but plenty of brute strength.

These new brutes with some intelligents behind were what he still had a large force of. His Intelligents took some pilfered weapons they had taken from a gunshop and started sending suppressive fire into the building with the humans inside. While the humans were ducking their heads he sent over staggered waves of the Brutes, one after the other.

What the... William turned from arguing with Mike to going around a bend just to get out of the way. What's going on, Tom? He looked around. What is it with people and blowing things up? He shook his head sadly as he then heard, both mentally and through vibrations in the floor, the big horde. Great. What did we do? Tick them off? Then why are we still inside a detonating building? He urgently asked Tom.

OOC: I have a question: How did the SZ get out of the quarantine before the explosion?

(Does it really matter? lol. Lets just say he jumped ship when they landed. Being a zombie and not human, whatever drugs they were using to keep them down didn't work on him.)

Because I can't think of everything! Tom screamed with his mind as he cut loose with a burst of full auto fire, stitching gashes into the oncoming brute and finally dropping it. Tom's magazine ran dry, the first one since he had picked up the rifle in the pelican case. He quickly changed it and reloaded.

"Mike! Get everyone inside and find something to seal this entry way! Al! We need some help here! Once the boys get in we need you to lock the area down and make sure nothing is getting in! We'll get you a body out of this for sure!"

Tom started falling the troops back. The damn brutes seemed to take more rounds than usual, and the grotesque new mutation or surgical alterations to them had a far greater psychologically damaging effect than even Tom had anticipated. Two soldiers just stared as the brute tore them to ribbons. Tom was able to get off a few more shots before...

What can I do? William made sure he was protected around the wall, as he had no weapons. And do I want to fight? He mulled the idea over. I want to not be so barbaric... but these are of my own kind... He shook his head.

Al spoke into Tom's mind There's a lever inside a false panel just above you're head on the left. Remove the panel and pull the leaver and that will activate the lockdown when you're ready. I'll see what I can do about their mutations Suddenly some Brutes went slack as their additional brains were severed and thus their own was fried. Eventually attrition would wear them down but by then the compound would be overrun.

Suddenly the wave just...stopped. They didn't drop down dead, they didn't keep trying to move. They just...stopped. Tom! I found it! They're controlled by intelligents outside in the buildings across the way. I put up an extra barrier and now these Brutes are under my control. If the intelligents figure out a way in though we could have problems

Tom patted the back of the last soldier falling back to the safety of the compound. He looked up and saw the panel, taking out a multi tool he wedged the screw driver into the panel and it popped down quickly. A large red lever, Tom pulled hard and the wall infront of the corridor slammed to the ground.

We're good Al! Do what you can, Mike and I are going to go down and get your cortex and bring it... Where are we going to take it? Wait! Zy is still on the way! Al can you boost my signal? I have to reach him!

"Samurai 6 this is Raven 7, we are locked down in a more secure location. You are out in the open, I say again you are out in the open. Our location is secure, you are approaching a viral horde! Fall your men back into a secure location and standby for more information."

From the speakers came the voice again. "Just bring my cortex to one of the non-viral zombies and connect the cables. I'll be dually connected to both them and the computer so I'll be able to initiate the cure and download into the body simultaneously."

Michael started racing down the stairways and ramps to the computer's core, grabbing a few men here and there to help.

"Go Mike! I'll stay here and hold the line! Zy should be here soon!" Tom tried again to contact Zy but with no response. Tom looked at the soldiers around him in the dim overhead lights, they looked nervous. He turned toward them.

"Reinforcements are on the way. Al has put a psychic shield that will keep them at bay. Mike is going down with four other troops to retrieve Al's cortex. What I need now are volunteers to come with me and attach the cortex to a basic or a brute what ever we come to first. Tom looked at them.

"This is volunteer only, if no one volunteers I will do it myself." Tom waited for hands to go up.

"Samurai 6 this is Raven 7, we are locked down in a more secure location. You are out in the open, I say again you are out in the open. Our location is secure, you are approaching a viral horde! Fall your men back into a secure location and standby for more information."

Ziyo and his squad were cautiously moving through the streets when a message came through.
"Sam... is Raven... we are ...own... in ...secure location. You are... open... I say... out... open. Our location... sec... you... approaching... horde. Fall... back... secure... standby."
Staring hard at the radio, Ziyo tried to piece together what he had heard. The most important words he had received being fall and back. It seemed like they were besieged somehow. Turning around, Ziyo motioned for his squad to turn back. They hadn't seen much in the way of defensible positions beyond Joker 3, and they set out at a brisk walk backwards, their weapons trained in a circle.
"Retreat to Joker 3. Set up a defense there."

"I'll go!" William called out, heading over to Tom, dodging anything in his way.

As ziyo and his men turned around a horde of non-viral zombies poured out from the buildings behind them and started charging them. The group was mostly Basics but with a few Intelligents guiding them.
---------------------
A few other soldiers stepped up to volunteer to go with Tom.

Michael reached the floor of the room and Al coached him through the process. "Ok, first disconnect the main power flow. This will put me on auxiliary power and you won't be fried immediately when disconnecting the other plugs. Then disconnect the large, blue ringed cable which is the only short cable and splice some extensions onto it. Then reconnect it and attach a pulley around the cortex. Set it up at the top so you can hoist me up and not have to worry about stretching the cables all the way around the room on the way up."

Michael did as he was told and the soldiers he had brought started setting up the pulley system. It was jerry-rigged with loose cables from around the room but it would work. Michael put the cortex in a sling he made from some plastic covering he had found in a shipping crate in a back room. He signaled for the men to start hoisting away and raced up the walkway, keeping even with the sling. When he reached the top, he told the soldiers to secure it and then went to find Tom. "It's up. Now we just need a zombie."

"On the way. Alright. Once I reset this lever it's on! 1...2...3...Go!" Tom slammed the lever back up and the blast door slid up. The same seen met him as when he has shut the door. The brutes were standing in place and the basics were, well standing in place looking as they always did slack jawed and far more dangerous than they appeared. Tom crept up to the first basic. It was a little too battle damaged, and Tom thought it wouldn't due to be a host body. One of the privates caught his attention and waved him over to where he and Will were standing scrutinizing a medium height former female.

"This one looks pretty good Tom, what do you think." Will asked as Tom looked it over.

"Good pick Will, looks like. Well, it looks like a hooker actually, but the limbs are good and there doesn't look like there's too much decay. Mike, we got one. We're securing it now. Two minutes to your location over. Tell Al, it looks like the best of them unless he want's to be a brute and I don't know how many of us it would take to bring one of those in there, and I'm not sure we should try. Especially if something goes wrong with containment."

Tom pointed to the rest and drew an invisible line across his throat. The lead specialist nodded and started executing the zombies stuck in the stasis field leaving the lone brute and hooker.

The specialist reported back that they were complete with the clean up. Tom and the other sergeant that had volunteered tied they're parachute cord together and began lacing up the hooker zombie for transport, once they finished they carried the hooker zombie down to Mike. After Tom reset the blast doors he posted a guard as he walked past.

"Okay... So now what?" Tom asked as he lowered the body to the floor. The eyes were still blazing with hatred and malice. Tom indicated for his team to keep their weapons trained on it.

"Tom...I sad a NON-VIRAL zombie. My cure won't affect these at all. This thing doesn't even have enough brain left to take over. You'll have to do a little more searching." The voice came from the speakers. It was a bit fainter having been taken off the direct power supply but it was still understandable.

Richards and Jimmy walked down a barren street filled with corpses. "Well I think it is safe to say we lost everyone from the convoy." Richards started. "Yea that was some hell of a fight" added Jimmy "Close shave there." once they had gotten clear from the buildings Richards pulled out the only radio they had saved from the previous fight. "I guess we should try to contact anyone in the area. If we don't get anyone withen 24 hours lets try to get out of the city and see who we can contact from there.

With that Richards turned on the radio and Jimmy began speaking: Hello, does anyone copy this is voodoo 6 looking for anyone in the area does anyone copy?

Tom shook his head in self recrimination. The fatigue was getting to him ((Nice save huh?)) He normally wouldn't have made a mistake like that. Mistakes like that cost lives. He looked at the specialist and smiled. "I'll fix it. But I still need a couple volunteers. Will's still in, everyone else good to go? Okay, lets try this again." Tom hoisted the viral on to his shoulder and began the trek back outside.

"Hey Al?"

"Yes?"

Tom swung around and looked down at the floor. Black ickor was trailing him as he had suspected.

"Clean up on aisle four." Tom said, laughing at his own joke.

Outside Tom flopped the limp helpless body down and drew his pistol. In life she would have been pretty almost beautiful but in this undead state Tom tried not think of her that way. Boom.

"Alright..." Tom began but suddenly bent his ear to his radio.
"ello, oes .... copy... Voodoo 6R lookin... anyone ... area... copy."
Tom took a few quick steps and exited the field, evidently the stasis field was interfering with the communications somehow.
"Voodoo 6R this is Raven 7 I have you broken and unreadable, say again over!" Tom said into his mic as his squad began to surround him and pull security.

"Voodoo 6R and Samurai 6 this is Raven 7, radio check over!" Tom said, making sure his diction was good so they could hear him on the radio. No answer.

Tom waved the squad forward, Will at his side.

"We need a non-viral zombie, but we all have to get back alive for this to work, keep your head on a swivel. Specialist Timminie, you've just been promoted to Sargent, now lead your fire team and lets get this mission accomplished. Specialist Timminie looked shocked and amongst congratulations from his friends, now subordinates he began to organize fire teams. Timminie had been a huge help to Tom and he hoped that the summary promotion wouldn't ruffle Zy's feathers too much, after all, what's combat without a promotion?

They pushed through the charred and blackened cars that had been the force multipliers for the defensive action earlier, picking they're way carefully around anything that looked even charred undead. Tom herd sporadic pistol and rifle fire, the soldiers executing some crawlers or something that twitched no doubt. He wished they all had suppressors. But as Murphy's law would dictate he was the only one with a suppressor and of course he would not find anything to execute.

You feel that Will? Someones watching us.

"Raven team tighten up. I'm getting bad vibes." Tom said into the radio.

Something was indeed watching the group as it made its way out into the street. The viral SZ still had a force of Intelligents left to him and was about to make his final attack when he sensed something behind him. He whirled around in combat position and saw his non-viral equivalent. "Who are you?" he asked.

the NV SZ smiled. "Does that truly matter anymore? What I was is not important. What I am is."

He looked around at the Viral's forces. "A rather meager lot, wouldn't you say? Looks like you've had a spot of trouble. And I can sense that some of these here used to be mine. How did you manage to turn them?"

The V SZ straightened up. "I had no knowledge they belonged to anyone. I simply did what I had to to survive. I used my virus's ability to mutate anything I bite into an accomplice who obeys my every command. It increases their blood lust, but other than that they remain as they were, seeing as how they were zombies already."

"Oh, is that so? Impressive...I have been wondering how we could increase our numbers easily. And I believe you have provided me with the answer. Now all that remains is to figure out how to add telepathic abilities to you're viral beasts. What do you say to teaming up and taking down the non-advanced together?" the NV SZ said and stuck out his hand.

The V SV eyed him warily and then shook it. "We have a deal." he said and then they vanished down the alley to continue their plotting.

A shock wave of awful ran through Tom, he quickly looked at Will who obviously shared the same feeling.

I don't know what, but something bad is going down.

"All stations this net, high alert, weapons ready, safety off, grenades primed. Thermite, phosphorus, and pipe bombs only. Battle buddy teams of three or more. I have seriously bad vibes. Keep your eyes open. We need a non-viral and we're hauling ass back to base. No heroes, no glory. Hit and run, Raven 7 out."

Tom flipped his selector switch to full auto and loaded a HE/DP grenade into his 203 lower.

I don't know what it is but it's got to be one of the deepest senses of foreboding I've ever felt. He said more to himself than to Will but it was broadcast anyway.

Tom heard someone double click the radio, the sign for an acquisition.

"This is Raven 7. Report." He waited for a reply.

"Raven seven this is Raven three two, we have a sighting of two mobile, moving fast East to West in an alley, request authorization."

Raven three two newly promoted squad leader Sargent Timminie had crossed the street with Raven three three Corporal Tonoaka's squad for security. Each had a designated marksman with them.
((M21's=+10D6 to damage LOL :P By the way the total number of squad members is 10 personnel. They are in a blasted out ruin of a multi-story building, boiler blew out, something blew up the building some how. They're on the third story, and building is clear up and down.))

"Three two this is seven, you are weapons free."

Tom waited for the sounds of gunfire...

As the squad took aim a roar came from the next building over. Even though there was a gap of fifteen feet, 5 brutes leapt the gap assisted by their telekinetic powers. The landed on the roof and rushed the group.

The squad quickly adjusted their aim to fend off the immediate threat. As the five bore down on the 10 the men opened fire. The Brutes took the hits but kept coming. One dropped, dead, finally but the others kept coming and jumped the men on the roof. By the time thy were all subdued 5 men were wounded, 3 severely, and the two ambiguous targets had cleared out of the area.

Timminie radioed back to Tom "Sir, we got 5 men down. We lost the first two targets when we were jumped by a small force of zeds. Orders?"

As the small group retreated, the pounding of feet on the ground could be heard.
Goddamn. thought Ziyo
"Keep moving! I'll try and slow them down." he yelled out, grabbing a pair of grenades.
Pulling the pins in both of them, he rolled them like bowling balls under the lines of cars in the street.
Please have somewhat filled gas tanks.
The squad were flat out running now, as shots could be heard starting to ring out from the Joker 3 defense post.
Ziyo, in order to stay true to his outdated and often foolish sense of honor, took up a firing stance, training his M4 Carbine emitting a series of 3-round bursts.

The grenades detonated and the cars went hurtling into the air as their almost full gas tanks exploded. The front line of zeds was demolished but the remainder kept coming. Ziyo's men turned around and ran back to him. Seeing his insane state of mind two of them grabbed him and physically hauled him back and into a secure building where the troops barricaded themselves inside and staved off the wave.

OOC: It's not insane :( It's fanatic

As the two of them began pulling him, Ziyo kept squirming in an effort to free himself. The men had already taken his carbine, his katana, and his tanto, leaving him with only his fists for weapons.
Upstairs, the Joker 3 team kept firing away with the long-range rifle, picking off zeds left and right, as the downstairs squad held the windows and doors.

Finally the last standing zombie fell and an eire silence landed across the area. One soldier ventured out into the street and announced it as all clear.

As the man came back inside the building, he was greeted by Ziyo's fist.
"You insolent civilian! If we were back in Kagetora you would be executed for what you did!" he yelled, his face turning red
"But sir..."
"DAMARIMASU! Anata wa seppuku o shimasu! Anata wa bushi o dewa-arimasen!"
Seeing the man's confused look, Ziyo stalked off into the building in a huff. In Kagetora, the man would have been court-martieled for insubordination, or possibly ordered to perform seppuku, and cut open his stomach. Keeping a man from his personal code of bushido was one of the worst offenses you could commit.

Umm... ok. Will extended his range to as far as it would go, and then sensed the same thing Tom had. And swore. Cannot be good whatsoever.

Jimmy and Richards where fumbling with the radio control. "Dang it must be more damaged than we thought keep adjusting the antennas may be will get a signal." said Richards. Just as he finished his sentence he the radio sputtered out "Aven 7 radio check over." Both let out a shout off joy. "Alright" Richards continued lets raise them over the radio get our orders and get back into this fight. Just before they could send the signals they heard a roar from far off and the sounds of gunfire breaking out. "Well looks like our friends are a little tied up see if we can't send them a broadcast anyway.

"Raven 7 this is Voodoo 6 we copy loud and clear we hear fighting to the west of us are you in trouble?"

“Medic! Move to 32’s position for cas-evac! Take six troops with you for stretcher bearers and watch yourself. We don’t know how many are left.” Tom stood aside to let the medics and stretcher bearers rush past and across the street, the medics were focused head erect, eyes forward intent on the goal of saving lives. The stretcher bearers were pulling a running 360 security and not missing a single window, door, or ruble nook in their scans. Tom could hear the crack of 5.56 gun fire in the near distance and he hoped it was Zy or Richards. Tom didn’t have time to worry about that now he had wounded soldiers.

“Three two this is Seven, help is on the way. Hang tight and keep your security up.” Tom said as he was almost half way across the street before Will realized he had been left behind. The screams were getting louder. But that was a good sign if they were screaming they were still alive.

“I’ll be there in a minute three two! We’re on our way!” Tom ascended the two stories with little effort and picked his way through the ruble of an office building, partly because the backup generator had blown most of the front face of the building off; the other part due to the brute rampage. While Tom helped the stretcher bearers load soldiers on, he made a quick call. He was up high enough now and away from the field it should go through.

“Samurai 6, Voodoo 6, this is Raven 7 radio check over.” The static hiss that followed wasn’t a good sign but he hoped it had gone through. They could use the help.
While he worked Tom noticed Timminie’s side long glances waiting for Tom to snap and come down hard on him for getting his squad injured.

Yeah, that’s exactly what he needs. He just watched his buddies get crushed by two ton undead wrecking balls and you want to give him a lecture on Squad etiquette, great idea. So you really do want to turn out to be like Dickerson don’t you? ‘Your performance has not been up to my standards… You are really sliding…’ despite the fact that you were doing his job, the LT’s job, and your own. That’s who you want to be like? Tom's sardonic voice chimed in.

Tom waited for everyone to leave. He sent a mental message to Will giving him the gist of what Timminie might be going through; self recrimination, guilt, blame, hatred, all of the above or none of them. Will stooped and picked up a medic’s aid bag leaving the healer free to ply his trade.

“I…” The young sergeant began when they were alone, but Tom held up his hand.

“You did an outstanding job. I see five dead brutes and only three severely wounded soldiers. They’ll be fine, we do have two civilian docs with us, and Mike and Al said that the Meta Force was conducting human experiments so they must have a surgical station there. Your boys will be fine. As for your leadership, you did outstanding! Considering that a single brute has the strength of at least ten normal men and you had ten total. You just took on 50 men with a squad. You also won. They give people big shiny medals for that kind of thing where I’m from. Of course you have to do it with one arm tied behind your back and drunk, but since this was your first time we’ll let that slide. Well done sergeant Timminie, well done indeed!” Tom clapped the man on the back and pulled out a small silver flask from inside his uniform top.

“Thanks sergeant.” He said with a chuckle from Tom’s last statement. Tom handed the man the flask and a cigarette.

“That right there is Telz’ Black Heart rum. They make it from molasses from the United Dependencies, brown sugar from Kagetoria, and vanilla from right here in Mt. Id.” He said as he lit his cigarette taking the lighter back from Timminie. "That same recipe has been used for the last 140 years or so."

“I had no idea.” Timminie mumbled while cupping his hands gratefully around the cigarette to light it.

“Yeah, well, it takes a lot of people to do something right. It takes even more to do it right the first time.” Tom wasn’t sure what he meant but that shot of rum was beginning to leak through his brain and make things feel tingly and pliable, the absence of any alcohol for well over two months made him a light weight. They sat in silence, smoking and drinking.

Will had left two soldiers at the base of the stairs for security so Tom and Timminie could seem to have privacy and still remain safe.

“So what’s the plan Tim, we going to root them out like rats or are we going to just say screw the lot of them and wait for Armageddon?”

“Well sergeant, if you’re asking opinion I say we find they’re base. They can’t stay wondering around all the time. Sure the basics do because they’re too stupid. But the SZ’s have to stay entertained. Since that one SZ, Cpt. Douche bag, broke his promise not to attack for four days. And then there's these new types, Virals.." Tom held up a hand. "No, the virals came first, then the psyonics." Tom corrected and waved Tim on to continue. "Oh, I get it! Anyway, my guess is that they have A.D.D. or they’re just liars. So we get a non-viral for Mr. Al here, let him turn them all, and then be done with it.”

“That’s what I was thinking. Or we could get drunk.” Tom said taking the flask back from Tim. Tom's radio crackled to life.

"Raven 7 this is Voodoo 6 we copy loud and clear we hear fighting to the west of us are you in trouble?" It was Richards, and assuming Jimmy by his side.

Hopefully they had brought the rest of the civilians with them.

Preferably armed.

"Voodoo 6, Raven 7. Good to hear you. We have sustained minor losses of man power. The enemy is falling back. Do you have coms with Samurai 6 over?"

ooc:anyone have a problem with richards and jimmy "finding" a jeep with a mounted machingun?


"Voodoo 6, Raven 7. Good to hear you. We have sustained minor losses of man power. The enemy is falling back. Do you have coms with Samurai 6 over?"

Richards and Jimmy sighed in relief then Richards responded:
Good to hear you too. I'm sorry to say but your the first person we got on the radio. Do you have anyone with you who knows the city well me 'n Jimmy are lost and we have no idea where anyone is. We are going to try and find some transportation. See if you can't raise someone else on the radio. Seeing as our forces are divided we might aswell formulate a plan to encircle the zombies or something of that sort.

(Depends. I was planning on letting the troops back at the Meta force lab find some heavy duty weapons but I guess a Meta Force warehouse would work too.)

As the radio check came in from Raven 7, Ziyo was still in a rut, and so he snarled into the radio
"Samurai 6, we're all good. What do you want?"

(Depends. I was planning on letting the troops back at the Meta force lab find some heavy duty weapons but I guess a Meta Force warehouse would work too.)

I was thinking something left behind in the retreat does that seem realistic?

Will sighed. Tom does have to go on and just be like a social worker to everyone. He paused. I've gotten rather negative lately... He stared as his stomach and then at the two soldiers by them. One of them stared at him.

"You're kinda young to be in a war zone..." The soldier said lazily as he reclined against a cement wall.

"Really?" Will sent him some images of being a zombie. Not fun. The soldier started shivering until Will removed the images. "You think so?"

Jez Will, stop torturing the kids. They’re going to have issues after this as it is.

“Samurai 6, Raven 7, if you’re that cranky you must fine. Voodoo 6 standby for signal flare for location pin point. [Break] Finding transport is a good idea. One problem. The streets are jammed with abandoned civilian vehicles, you’d be lucky to make it 10 meters without getting stalled. If you can find something with treads, like an APC or tank, and you can figure out how to work it by all means. If you need help just ask. I used to drive an APC when I was a private over.”

Tom loaded the parachute flare into his 203. Walking to the nearest overhead opening he elevated it vertically and fired.

“There, that should be visible for at least a grid.” He said almost to himself, but realized Tim was standing beside him. Tim’s only response was a harrumph in acknowledgement.

“Sargent Khaine, the guys at the compound are waving at us. I think they found something.” Tim said as he sighted down the ACOG on his M8. Tom did likewise on his AVIR and saw Mike waving his arms at their location.

“He’s still inside the barrier; I guess our communications aren’t powerful enough to push through it. Let’s consolidate and head down there.

“All lab security units consolidate at the main entrance.” Tom said into the internal net, so as not to confuse those out of range. Tom got a quick head count and they moved into the field.

“Hey Mike, what’s all the waving about, did you find some booze?”

ooc:Riding to the rescue on an APC Mt. you ok with this?

(Eh. Go ahead UD. lol. And Telz, it is likely the Meta will have normal weapons because if the Government found them and decided to raid them, they had a personal defense force to fight back. That's the kind of ammo locker you'll find but with 'zookas and stuff. lol)

ooc:feel free to make a situation that would require an apc to save you guys.

Richards kicked in the door to the warehouse. There were jeeps and trucks near most of the enterance as they walked through Jimmy exclaimed "Woah looks like we found the grand prize." In the very back sat a lone apc ready to go. "You know how to drive one of those things?" asked Richards. "Shouldn't be too hard i've seen someone else do it before." replied Jimmy. Richards then ran to one of the rooms heading off and shouted "Get that thing open then come help me load some of the food,ammo, and medical supplies on to the apc." While they were loading the apc Jimmy noticed something and stared intently. When Richards saw him he looked over and saw that Jimmy was eyeing a motorcycle with a side car. "Come now Jimmy you know we don't have the room for that." he said. To which jimmy responded "Sure we do we can fit it diagonally in the back and put supplies ontop of it." "Ok." said Richards "But your loading it on not me." Once they had it loaded up with supplies richards headed over to open the door however, when he hit the button nothing happened. "Damn the whole city must have lost power." Just as he was about to open by hand he heard the apc's engine roar to life and jumped back as Jimmy jolted foward and plowed right through the door. As Richards ran up to the turret and hopped in Jimmy said "Whoops. Still getting used to the controls." "Fine just don't let it happen again." Richards replied continuing on he stated "Hey I found a radio up lets contact our friends and see how they're doing as soon as that guy shoots up that flare we can get out of here." At this richards popped his head out the top and scanned the horizon.

Tom did a quick head count. Minus the two down in surgery everyone was accounted for. Will came walking up for the briefing.

"Here's the situation. We have Richards and Jimmy out in the middle of no where alone. They didn't catch the first flare so we'll have to send up another when they're open and they contact us. Zy received my earlier report of the horde between him and us. I think the two Tim saw were the lead SZ's but we can't be sure. It seems logical that they would have to be in close proximity to control that many brutes. Rich and Jim are attempting to secure armored transport at this point. I haven't had any contact with Zy since the last transmission you all heard." Tom paused to take a cigarette, his last one in the pack, and light it.

"The way I see it is we need to get Al a body, he said he can't do anything with the cure until he gets a psyonic body. So we need to move and find one. Al can probably maintain himself inside, and nothings getting through those blast doors. When Rich and Jim get here we're going to mount up, as many as will fit into the vehicle and the rest dismounted on the sides. I want injured in the vehicle. Anyone with a messed up knee, arm etc. but can still fire a rifle inside that APC. Everyone else you're on the hoof with me. Will and I will take point. It's going to be a crawl and we're going to do this systematically." Tom looked at Will.

"We're going to see if Will can freeze a single basic or overwhelm an SZ enough for us to capture it. We have this," Tom took out a spool of heavy high tensile wire from his thigh pocket. "I don't know how strong they are but I know for a fact they wont break through this physically. I'm going to ask Al and Will if there is anything we can do to chemically treat it or psyonically treat it so they can't break through it mentally either. Once the thing is captured we're hauling ass back here to secure it for Al. Keep in mind that what we know of the enemy so far is basics come in hordes and have mostly been on ground level, brutes are slightly more inelegant and can climb or maneuver through buildings, SZ's control or lead them both. Keep in mind that the SZ has to be in fairly close proximity if it's a medium size horde so they'll be a good target if we can locate them." Tom looked at his watch. Rich and Jim should be checking in a little bit.

"The enemy's tactics are advanced and definitely should not be under estimated. We need lines of defense with set objectives each. The point line, Will, myself, Tim and the rest of 32 are going to be crowd control. We'll do our best to keep the basics at bay. 23 will be APC left, keep security high and low, you're on brute watch along with 33 which is APC right. 34 and 35 are in the APC and behind it. 34 will be SZ watch because they have a covered position to fire from and it's elevated above street level. 35 will be APC rear which means you'll be watching for anything coming up the tail pipe. Get with the squad leaders and work out your TTP's (Tactical Technical Procedures, more flexible and adaptable than SOP's) for this. We're going to stick to 2 lane roads or larger. It's going to be tough going we're going to be moving over the tops of cars, and rubble most of the way. Watch your steps, no injuries. Zack is cannon fodder you are not. When we have to branch off and search a building, alley, or anything else. One squad goes, everyone else halts and provides support. Which ever squad is closest to the objective will act on it. Standard contact procedures apply, you see it you call it out so everyone knows. I want ammo, water, and physical readiness briefs from all squad leaders to Mike in an hour or less. Get some rest when you're done. Squad leaders too. Mike, that includes you... And reluctantly me as well. Will draw up a guard roster for us make sure everyone gets a fare shake in the deal. We don't know when Rich, Jim and Zy will be here but once they are we'll consolidate, I'll brief them and we're out to find a cure." Tom looked them over, they were all ready to go now. He nodded with satisfaction.

"One other thing." He said as they were turning to go. "You've all done exceptionally well. Civilians that means you too. I am proud and honored to have served with you during this..." Tom paused trying to think of the right words. "Cleansing action. Thank you for your dedication, vigilance and loyalty. I hope that we will all meet again under far more happier circumstances in the future." Tom turned and went into the Meta lab to see about the wounded soldiers.

Michael approached Tom. "Well bud, looks like we're about to have some more fun, eh? My suggestion is that I hang here with one squad or so to keep this area secured incase you need a fall back. You don't want to have to retreat into a bigger horde than you're running from. And I've been talking to Al trying to figure out how the hell we can capture a telepathic without getting torn to shreds and he gave me this." He said and held out a tranquilizer gun.

"It's semi automatic and holds 20 darts but I don't think you'll need that many. Apparently they used this to control the patients they turned at first. It might come in handy"

ooc: Well, I think I might come back in if that's ok, but could you give me the situation and I'll read the thread?

(Situation: Tom and a large force of troops are about to move out in search of a telepathic zed's body for Al to download into before initializing the cure. UD had some guys out that picked up an armored vehicle. That's bout it for the current set up. Oh yeah, and the Viral and Telepathic Zed leaders met up so now we don't know what's going on.)

ooc: Well then, this situation is pretty nice, um any new support? Also any details I should look back on?

"I think we're nearing their position" shouted Richard over the roar of the engine. "It should be just up ahead and off this exit ramp." he finished. From behind them they heard a deafening roar and Richard looked out the back and saw a horde of zombies with some brutes at the lead a mile or two away running straight for them. Richards turned back towards Jimmy and very calmly said to him "Hey were being followed by a long line of zombies you might want to step on it." "Well why don't you fire something at them?" replied Jimmy. "That would be becuase I don't know how to work this."

"well replied Jimmy the bas is up ahea see if we can't find someone there"

"You what?!" Tom said into the radio as he sat in a group of soldiers waiting for Richards and Jimmy to come roaring up. Tom and the rest of the soldiers were on the exterior of the Meta Force lab smoking and keeping a close eye out from the relative safety of the field.

"I said I don't know how to work it." Richards repeated. Tom sighed.
"The turret is just moved by a joy stick it only goes left and right and it's marked on the joy stick! And if its a weapon what does it look like?" Tom said into the radio shaking his head. The poor guy must have had a horrible officers training course if he didn't know how to work crew served weapons.

Not his fault! You've seen how militarys shaft people by truncating training!
You're right, happened to me a couple times as well. Ok...

"Don't worry Rich we'll get this thing figured out, take a deep breath and tell me what it looks like."

Michael heard the roaring of an approaching engine and raced up the road to see Jimmy and Richards flooring it down the highway. Then he saw the massive line of zeds behind them.

"Oh shit..." he said. He picked up his radio and called Tom. "Tom! Get you're guys up here with every gun you got! We're about to be hit and I mean hit hard! We got a force of about 100 zeds chasing Jimmy and Richards in their vehicle and we need some back up NOW!"

please feel free to rp for my characters in this situation telz.

"Get some you bleeding bastards!" Richards roared as he swung the dual mounted .50cals to bare on the advancing swarm. Sweat was beading down Jimmy's forehead when he saw the narrow gap between two semi trucks. They might not have enough power to push them out of the way. Then Jimmy had an idea.

"Hang on sir! We're in for a bit o' chop!" Jim down shifted, throwing Richards back against the turret ring.
"Bloody hell!" Was all he had time to say before his entire world erupted with the sound of steel in agony. Jimmy was plowing straight between the two trucks. They're cargo was being compressed by the treads of the M53. Richards although deafened by the clamor of the M53 moving over the now semi flat connex attachments on up to the tractors themselves still had the where with all to charge the dual .50s just like Tom had told him.

The butterfly triggers were linked to a central control grip so Richards wouldn't have to time his trigger pulls. The first ten round burst brought a massive grin onto Richards face as it shredded the first line of ghouls. He could hear shots whizzing by his turret from the rear. That would be the cavalry. He thought and laughed with relief and adrenaline laced glee as he squeezed off another volley, this one more satisfying than the last.

"Jim." Richards spoke into the on board noise canceling intercom. It was quite nice not to have to shout over the engine and weapons fire.
"Sir?" Jimmy replied, having passed through the worst of it but still at least 2 kilometers away.
"Something funny occurred to me." Richards tried to say between laughs.
"Sir?"
"Tom and the others are firing at Zack correct?"
"Yes sir, but I fail to see how that's funny. It means we're in a royal shit storm sir."
"Don't you see the irony?"
"I guess not sir."
"They're rescuing us!"

The two burst into uncontrollable laughter and Jim almost lost control of the yoke. Richards was hammering away at the lines of zombies creating a moving plane of dead bodies. The "cherry PIE" ammunition, or High exPlosive Incendiary FrangiblE, were boring in and destroying all traces of the zombies existence one round at a time.

"No field sanitation this time!"
"What sir?"
"Nothing, how long?"
"Depends on traffic." Jimmy snickered still a little giddy from the adrenaline of driving a beast of a vehicle uninhibited through city streets.
"About three minutes sir, give or take. Why may I ask?"
"Just wondering, I'll need more ammo by then. They're coming down the intersection to our rear right!"

Jimmy slapped the tech-tronic shifter into high gear and heard the turbo charger spooling up as he floored the gas. The dual fifties were chattering away and brass was raining down in the troop compartment.

"Jimmy! I need maximum power!"
"I'm givin' 'er all she's got Cap'n!"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Good copy Mike, Joker sees them, Charlie Squad is providing long range support." Tom stood up and raised his hand palm upward and the rest of the platoon stood with him.

"We're going to do this old school." Tom said and picked up a large piece of colored glass the size of a baseball.
"This is the near engagement marker. IF, the horde reaches this we begin to fall back to the cover of the Meta Lab, all engagements at that point are weapons free, no fire discipline. I want a tight formation. Two rows, one kneeling, one standing..."
"Like the Colonials in the New Northern Territories used to in the 1700's." Will chimed in catching Tom's drift.
"Exactly. This time it has a twist. If you need a mag change the guy behind you picks up your position and you pick up his after the change. Ammo runners and rear security will be handled by Delta and Bravo. Alpha and Echo will be on the line first." Tom stepped into the open street and hurled the rock almost thirty meters.
"Line of retreat." He said pointing at the rock and making sure everyone nodded. He raised his rifle and loaded a tracer magazine into it and fired at a billboard that was now 200 meters away and laying in the street.
"Mid line." More nods.
Three hundred meters down the street a black sedan was perched precariously up a telephone pole. Another round hit it's target.
"Initial firing point. When they cross that line, you open fire. One round per second, SAW gunners go to secondary weapons until Midline is achieved, once Midline is achieved you may open with short controlled bursts, conserve ammo for close in assaults. At line of retreat you know what to do. Alpha, assume firing positions, either prone supported or kneeling your choice. Echo just stand behind them ready to assist."

"Zy, can you hear the weapons fire? I don't know how you can't just follow it to our location. It sounds like Richards has picked up some straggelers on his way back to base camp. See if your Joker elements can give him a hand, it's probably going to get close down here real quick and we could use another good Bushi besides me."

Ziyo, despite his recent tantrum, found some relief in his language used almost like slang.
"Roger that Tom. We're on our way." he said, taking note of the ammo the group had, and the distance. It was only a few blocks, but still dangerous.
"Alright, everyone with me! We're going in to merge with the main group. Let's move." announced Ziyo, his katana strapped over his shoulder, his tanto at his hip, and a rifle in his arms, he charged out crying "BANZAI!" with his small force behind him.

The Psyionic Super Zed smiled at his new found friend. "Like lambs to the slaughter. What did I tell you? These humans are more predictable then animals."

The Viral Super Zed nodded. His vision was misting over with read at the thought of what they were about to do. It had been a while since he had been about to start such a slaughter. He walked back to his new forces. They had experimented and found out that if a Psyonic controlled by the SZ was willingly released from his control, the virus could invade and enhance the Psyonic so not only was it telepathic, it was also viral.

Suddenly the Viral SZ felt a crushing blow to the back of his head and he fell onto his face. His instincts kicked in and he rolled over to his left just in time to avoid a metal bar that came crashing down where his head had been a split second earlier. He scrambled to his feet, searching for a weapon with which to defend himself before he realized who he was fighting. It was the Psyonic SZ.

The Psyonic had a gleeful grin on his face. "Sorry bud. Can't have two leaders around here. And now that I have my own Virals to use, I don't need you anymore. You're expendable." he said and lunged forwards, swinging the pipe as he came.

The Viral ducked and kicked out his legs but his movements were slowed thanks to the earlier blow to the head. He couldn't think straight. The psyonic easily jumped over the kick and then swung the pipe again which connected with the Viral's shoulder, dislocating his arm and making it useless.

The Viral grimaced. This was not going well. He reached down with his good hand and threw dirt and rocks into the Psyonic's eyes and face. The Psyonic backed away rubbing vigorously at his eyes and the Viral quickly popped his arm back into socket. Then he picked up an I-beam from a nearby broken support. It was about 3 feet long and solid metal. He swung it at the Psyonic just as he got his vision back.

Suddenly the beam stopped moving like it had hit an invisible wall. "Did you forget? I have telekinetic powers." The psyonic said and grinned. His grin quickly turned to a grimace and sweat started popping out on his brow. "What...are...you doing?" He asked.

The Viral was also straining and sweating and his insanely increased muscles were bulging. "Brawn...over Brain!" he said and in one final push forced the beam to connect with the Psyonic.

The Psyonic went flying through the air and collided with the wall of another building. He shook himself off and tried to stand up only to find that one of his legs was broken. He hobbled to one foot and leaned against the wall only to see the Viral slowly approaching.

"You shouldn't have betrayed me." The viral said and lifted the beam for another swing. Then from behind a rock smashed into his back. He spun around only to have another rock slam into the back of his leg and knock him down onto one knee. He looked around again and saw a flotilla of floating rocks surrounding him. He looked at the Psyonic.

The Psyonic had a malicious smile on his face. "Its like the Old Testament stoning, isn't it? Lets see how much of a beating you can take." he said and another rock flew threw the air to connect with the side of the Viral's head. The rocks kept pounding down on him and around him until there was a dust could around where he should be.

The Psyonic stopped the rocks and waited for the dust to clear. Out of the cloud came the blood streaked Viral with a jagged edged rock in his hand. He lunged forward and with all his remaining strength ran the improvised knife through the Psyonic's chest. Not only did the knife go through, but so did his hand and half his arm leaving the Psyonic essentially pinned to the wall behind him by the Viral's arm. "Looks...like we both...loose" The Viral said to the shocked Psyonic and attempted to laugh only to cough up blood.

The Psyonic attempted to use his telekinetic on the Viral to get him to move but discovered to his horror that the Viral's body was unaffected by Telekinetic forces. He then brought the metal pipe he had still clutched in his hand to bear and bludgeoned the Viral until he stopped moving and breathing and collapsed to the ground. The Psyonic then collapsed as well but released an psychic shout loud enough for every telepath in the city to sense and understand what had happened.

The other Psyonic SZs grimaced. They were down one now. The had a short telepathic conversation and decided on who they would use to replace their roving SZ. He nodded and moved out. Assuming control of the other SZ's horde. He quickly absorbed as many details and plans as he could from the dying SZ and discovered what his plan had been and what his forces now were. His surprise at finding out about the new breed was heard by the other SZ's and echoed by them.

When he arrived at the scene of the fight he shook his head. He approached first the Viral and then the Psyonic and removed both of their heads by ripping them off to make sure they were both dead. He then summoned the horde and set the plan in motion.

As Tom and the others were congregating at the Meta Force lab, he and his new horde were forming up in a complete encirclement of their original base. With so many now out at the lab, the base should be easy pickings for the massive horde. He gave the signal and the first phase began.

about 100 Basics were released who started a slow stumble towards the base. They didn't flat out run so it wasn't apparent weather they were attacking or just wandering around directionless until they got much closer to the base. By then, it would be too late...

Tom was explaining the finer points of a RS square to his platoon as Richards and Jimmy along with the assistance of Charlie Squad mopped up the last remaining basics.

"Tom, there is a weak transmission coming in from about 3 miles away. I'm boosting it as much as possible but I'm still getting a lot of background static." Al said over the booming loud speakers.

"Ok Al, Timminie take over." Tom went to his RTO who was manning an improvised long range radio system.

"What do you got Toole?" He asked the RTO.

"I'm certain it's base camp Sargent, but it's weird. They say the horde found them but they aren't engaging them. Just milling around out side the initial engagement zone."

"Let me talk to them." Tom picked up the hand mic.

"CCP this is Raven 7, SitRep over."

"Raven 7 this is [static], we have a medium size horde adv...[static] toward the main CP break." Tom adjusted a few dials in vain more to ease his own tension and feeling of helplessness than anything.

"They seem almost unaware of us but they are uniformly stopped at the initial line of ... gement. Please advise over." It was Kelly, the Erish pub owner from Atlantica. His accent was lilting and pleasant but still bore the message of borderline panic. Something wasn't right and he knew it.

"CCP, Raven 7, Consolidate all forces, any patrols you have out keep them out or move them to me, don't risk bringing them home. Bump up your alertness and open up the primer boxes for the exterior defensive ring.[break] Have the snipers go quiet and begin picking off any leadership they can find. Don't worry about the basics the crew serves and MK19 will take care of them. Keep cool. You have the upper hand. Worse comes to worse, lock everyone up in the vault and we'll come get you when we can. over." Tom squatted in front of Toole who was busily updating the radio log to include Tom and Kelly's conversation.

He couldn't have been much more than 17, a pup by almost any standard, and yet here he was doing amazing things and almost ignoring the rapacious gun fire coming from the M53.
"Good job Toole, thanks. Keep up the good work." Tom said as he rose to leave. Toole nodded busy with his transcription. Tom strode over to the RS square class that had just concluded.
"Here's the issue. I'm guessing that while we're out here playing Army that Zack has a big idea to go attack home base. What he doesn't know will certainly kill him, I'm not super worried about the base but I am worried about being able to find..."

"Over here Tom! I got one!" Mike shouted as he put his boot square in the back of a very lively specimen.
"He was buried under a mass of bodies when we were doing clean up, couldn't move until we started moving bodies." Said the private trying to keep the reigns on him. Tom thumbed the safety off the dart gun Mike had given him and the pop of compressed air and projectile were all that was heard as a single dart embedded itself into the basics head.
"Good, take him over to Al and get the process started. Like anything I don't expect this to be a quick issue but make that way as much as possible." The private nodded and began pushing the psyonic over toward the door, a few soldiers from Bravo Squad broke and helped him while the sedative was taking effect.

"As I was saying, now that we have that taken care of lets see about getting back to home base and rescuing them. Rich, can you take us back to that warehouse to get more vehicles, as you can see we're pretty limited on the victor front here." Tom encompassed the devastated street in front of them.

"Me and Jimmy packed a motorcycle with a side cart in the apc." said Richard "The place we where at had mostly jeeps and humvees this was the only armored vehicle there. However the place did have some ammo and other supplies we couldn't pick up. We can fit two people on the cycle plus the driver and go back. Perhaps the place tells the location of other places that might have amored vehicles. I don't know."

Tom thought for a minute.

"How about this, we take and load the APC up with enough troops to man at least four vehicles. One driver one gunner each, load the rest of the slots with food, medical and ammo and be back here as quick as possible. Take as many as you need and if you want me to go I'm down, but Will stays here. He's the only one that's not expendable. He's the only one who hasn't completely turned and we need to find out if the cure will work on him or kill him before we let him go gallivanting around unprotected. Give me a shout when you're ready to push off and let me know if you need me at least 15 minutes before so I'm not holding up the show." Tom looked to Will.

"I know you want to help in anyway you can but the best help you can be right now is an early warning system for us. We need you here and we need you active. If we loose this we're all glass."

Tom turned to Toole who was monitoring the radios, Toole shook his head indicating nothing had changed or there was nothing of significance going on.

Good, that means we still have time. The basics haven't closed the ring yet.
No that just means there may not be anyone left alive to send a distress signal.
Good point.

"Toole, I want updates from base every fifteen minutes. You miss one by even five seconds you tell me." Toole nodded and went back to monitoring radios. Tom squatted next to a large flat brick and spread his map out. The squad leaders who weren't otherwise occupied gathered round. He hadn't meant this to be a planning session but that's what it turned out to be.

"We're here." Tom drew a red "X" through a small cluster of buildings on the tourist map. "Base camp is here. About four miles straight line. We know these roads are in accessible to anything but the APC, the HMMV's would have a hell of a time getting over there. But these roads that skirt the base are still open and fairly clear. It's the long way around but it will work." Tom made the proper marks on the map for posted observation positions, patrol sweeps, and areas that were white hot with activity.

"Why not go surface streets, it would be a lot faster and we'd be able to manuever better without the vehicles." It was Timmnie, Tom fostered open discussion during mission planning, just because he was in charge didn't mean he was the fast smartest or strong, it just meant he had been there long enough or had enough A type personality to sway everyone else.

"Good point, but the reason I'm hesitant to do that are these choke points, we'll have to cross them to get there in any kind of good time. One brute at any of these choke points and they have obvious advantage and can pick us a part." Tom turned and got a thumbs up from Toole at the radios.

"What about building to building crossing, there's only two breaks between these routes and they're main streets, what, four maybe five lanes of road. Easy to sprint." Yates had chimed in, he had taken over for Joker 3 who was getting some much needed sleep. He was an ox of a man, not stupid like the stereo type but strong and lean and tall. He carried the M240B like a rifle and packed enough spare ammunition to put a bow in a mule's back.

"Is your squad volunteering to carry the ladders and planks to get from one building to another? I'll take suggestions on any alternate or more expedient methods on how to go building to building but under the time constraint I don't see how we'll be able to clear the buildings, get to the proper height, i.e. out of brute vertical leap, and cross to the other side safely. But good job on thinking outside the box." Tom replied.

"Can't go across, can't go over. I say we go under." Said Nettles. Nettles was a forward observer one of the only other Telz troops in Mt. Id, he had also served as an RTO for one of the other squad leaders. Every thing about him screamed average, his hair, his height his weight, everything but those burning green eyes. Green as a green bottle. The spoke of staring death in the face and making it blink first. Tom noticed the small winged "A" on his Multicam signifying that he was an elite wing of the Special Operations unit, and only 25. He was either full of shit, or really that good. Tom knew that no soldier would ever wear something he hadn't earned, it was punishable by loss of rank, public flogging and suspension of pay for up to a year. Not worth it.

"What did you say corporal?" Tom asked.

"We go under sergeant. Every modern city has a sewer system, and most are big enough to accommodate a man walking up right, you know for maintainance of the gas lines, and piping. We go under and leave a reserve guard here with Sargent Mike, we even go as far as to get the dummies from the department stores and set them up with fake rifles and in position so as we look like we're all still here. By the time Zack figures out no ones actually home we're already over at base helping support." Nettles was sharp no question about it. Tom looked at the other squad leaders, everyone seemed in agreement.

"Well, then lets get to it. What have you got in mind corporal?" Tom turned the floor over to the young corporal who began laying out his plan.

At the base
The SZ looked on. His basics were slowly forming a complete ring around the human compound. Though at first there had only been few, the number had slowly swelled until there were enough to make a full ring around the base. He nodded and gave the mental signal. Suddenly, the nonaggressive basics went beserk. They charged they base and just kept going.

Jimmy walked over to Tom as they were preparing "Hey do you chaps know where we can find a good vantage point. Me and Richards were going to take a radio, binoculars, and a sniper and provide lookouts for all the zombies. What is the higest building in the area?"

bump

the zombies eat all the people and then the government decides to nuke the city.


The End.