collision course (2)

Zeff knew if he wasn't careful, he could die in the aftermath. That he can't go too far with the use of those bombs. Too much power without proper knowledge is just madness.

"But don't forget you're still in area six. It's locked up here," Salmon reminded.

"Yes, and that's where you will be of use to me," Zeff replied.

"What?"

At the same time, Robert was gathering his team to the workshop. Once there, he had them pick up their equipment. It was an eighteen-member team with the highest ranking on the board, holding various kinds of guns like compact heavy artillery, machine guns, rocket launchers, and semi-automatic rifles, all loaded to the teeth with bullets capable of piercing monster skin.

They were as rare as they were expensive, so he had to limit the number of people he would bring along for the expedition.

"Hope you guys are ready," he said, coming close to the locked entrance, followed by his peers.

Once there, he took out the badge he found on Commander Leo's body. It was the authorization he needed to open the dock.

The metallic door hissed open, revealing the cave with red rocks and overhead lights guiding their path.

This time, Robert took out the weapons he got from Dr. Stalin. It was a pair of metallic gloves and boots covering him until the joints and a mask that was designed quite differently from the standard suit his teammates wore.

[Uh, am I doing this right?] he asked; his voice didn't feel like his own. It was more coarse than usual.

On the other side of the communication was Hilda. She was watching the status of Robert's equipment and his life signatures on the monitor. She was his handler, and it was in her job description to look after him. But responsibility was not the only reason she was watching out for him.

[You're doing great. I honestly can't believe you're allowed by Stalin inside his lab. Even I have yet to see what he's like, and he let you touch his equipment? Tell me those gloves and boots on your suit were not all that he gave you.]

[Honestly, this is not the right time. I'm currently going outside.]

[You're right. I'm sorry…]

***

Salmon, at the time, was heading towards the main hall where he received information about the meeting being held. He didn't attend it because he ignored his tablet in his lab and was busy setting up everything Zeff asked him to.

By the time he arrived, the meeting was over, and the expedition was on its way to the entrance, ready and equipped, led by Robert. Most of the ones in the main hall left to the comforts of their labs.

"You're late," said Damian, Salmon's associate and lab partner.

"I'm sorry, uncle. I… something came up, and I had to go," Salmon replied.

"You and your excuses," Damian said. "Was it so important that you left your phone back in the lab and ran off?"

It was the exact moment when Salmon received information that his old friend Zeff had infiltrated the base he was working for, and he rushed to find a hiding spot until this all blows over. Clearly, he failed to do both.

"… Uh, leaving that aside, tell me what happened while I wasn't here."

Damian explained everything that happened at the meeting, how the commander had been found, and that the expedition team was on its way outside.

"Really?"

It was a good thing that Zeff let Leo live, but that only meant he had future plans for him. Leo was someone who had qualms with Zeff long before Salmon came into the picture. He wasn't explicitly part of Spades; Leo was only a supporter of their cause once. He didn't know about Salmon's involvement with Zeff, just like his uncle and all those who weren't part of Spades. He had a second chance in life and didn't want to ruin it by being associated with Zeff again.

Salmon wanted this nightmare to be over as soon as possible.

If the expedition team makes a path, it would be just the right time for Zeff to get out.

***

Simultaneously, above ground, near the hatch, the kids who came with Crimson saw something unusual.

The night was dawning, and it meant the most dangerous monsters of the night would roam. It wasn't something they couldn't take care of per se. In fact, after awakening, they were used to their powers and could take monsters down with the numbers they had.

But nothing prepared them for what was about to come.

Sounds of footsteps were heard dragging through the sands. Kite, a fifteen-year-old boy, noticed it first. He positioned himself on the tallest building still intact, he could find to warn if any monster came towards the base while their leaders attacked the base. A man was heading towards them. Kite had sharp eyes that could see farther than normal humans do before their awakening. He was awakened to the [Archer] class.

"I see someone walking towards us," he yelled.

"Who? Another wanderer?" others asked below.

"No, he doesn't seem like one. Awakened don't stay alone, they always form groups. He looks more like a sick man, trying to find food."

"Really? Do you see anything valuable on him?"

More accurately, they were asking him if he was a worthwhile prey. Stealing from others is the norm in the apocalypse since now, more than ever, it's every man for himself.

"It's far and it's dark. He needs to come closer so I can get a better look."

The description, however, was accurate since the man was walking towards what he thought was 'food'. He had a sickly appearance which soon revealed itself in the moonlight when he approached near.

One of his feet was twisted back, and his skin was so torn you could see his bone while one of his eyeballs was missing. He dragged his other foot slowly but surely towards the Hatch as the smell of humans got more intense.

To those who saw him, he appeared more like a zombie than a prey.

"This is bad," he said, preparing to jump down. "It's a plaguebeast," he yelled.

"Sh*t." Others realized the gravity of the situation immediately.

"Prepare the formation," said the one who Crimson left in charge while he was gone. "It's a plaguebeast; remember to not make physical contact with it."

When Kite came down, Mike, the kid who was friends with Kite, asked just to be sure, "Are you sure that's what you saw? Not a Rustclaw?"

"Dude, I know what I saw," Kite was adamant, "and I know the difference between a Rustclaw and a plaguebeast."

Everyone knows a plaguebeast does not have a standard appearance. It takes the form and shape of anything it infects and uses a variety of powers of the host until the host vessel rots. The wanderers led by Spade only encountered a plaguebeast once, and sure as hell, they never wanted to meet another of their kind for a lifetime.

"How many?" Rick asked.

"Only one."

To make things worse, the fewer they are, the harder they are to deal with. It means a plaguebeast can infect more than one at a time and wanders alone. The plaguebeast in a group means they are weaker and thus support each other. The fewer the number, the stronger they are and harder to kill.

They had learned that a plaguebeast can control anyone it infects, overwriting their will. It happens by physical contact and must be avoided at all costs.

A plaguebeast is the worst enemy you could come across at night.

"Let the leader know of our situation," one of them said.

***

Lieutenant Bucky, assuming control over the base after Leo left, refused to leave the medical section near area one ever since Angelina was found. She was in a terrible state; he still can't believe the enemy was so capable of such dirty tricks. Using his sister as a decoy?

As much as he seethed with rage, he didn't let it keep him away from Ange again. He can never trust his troops again. Zeff is not someone you deal with using normal means.

Facing a class five criminal was a first for him, and he did not know the protocols for that. He was as blind as his shoulder without Leo.

Ange was unconscious ever since she last spoke inside the cell where she was discovered.

Code Zero was still effective, which means all six areas are under complete lockdown. Unless someone had the badge of the commander or the strength enough to break through with brute monstrous force, no one could come in or go outside.

But now… He was reported that everything was falling apart.

Although every area was sealed off, the entire base could not be in any worse situation.

The soldier who brought the report, Matthew, hesitated to inform Buck of what the situation was. The commander was beside a patient's bed. It was Captain Angelina. Anyone could tell the lieutenant general wanted to be left alone.

"What?" Bucky asked when he sensed a presence approaching him from behind.

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If you find any mistakes in the chapter please let me know in the comments below so I can fix them as soon as possible.