16 Speculārī

Mattias and Tsuyoshi started driving right after they had their breakfast. They were provided by a sturdy car, two 9-millimeter pistols with 2 spare magazines each and 2 sub-machine guns with 2 spare magazines each. In hindsight, this much preparation was too much for a simple scouting mission but after listening to the leader, they asked for some extra things. Even though they were not looked kindly after this request, it was still done.

After all, their mission was far too important to risk the negative consequences, even if a couple of strangers were doing it. The warehouse they were told about was in the middle of two other survivor groups territories so it was expected to encounter other survivors and at the worst case you would have to fight them.

The duo hoped that they were not discovered by anyone while gathering important information. What they were doing was the most reckless thing they have ever done. Only the two of them were going up against probably hundreds of zombies. At least they were given some music CDs to listen to calm themselves on the road.

They didn't have much problems on the road other than some stray zombies and some cars that were left in the middle of the road. They cleaned the road nicely while being careful of the surroundings. Like that, they drove for almost an hour and a half.

"Hey man." (Tsuyoshi)

"Yes?"

"Tell me, why did you agree to his request and not fight back?"

"Well… Because he could've let us die back in downtown but he didn't and instead helped us. He also took us in when I was about to collapse from exhaustion as well."

"Really? I actually thought you were not to pay back favors from strangers."

"There is also the fact that he didn't kill us when we were at our weakest. He's powerful Tsuyoshi. More than we can handle now."

"Ah there it is. Your reason side."

"I am always reasonable Tsuyoshi. I always think with reason."

"So what do we do? Just follow his orders and live our lives there?"

"Do you really think I am the type to follow orders? We will learn what we can, be it information or other things, and we are out. We will not stay there more than necessary."

"When is that?"

"How am I supposed to know that? Besides, having a couple of friends may come helpful in the future. We alone won't be enough after a while trust me. I watched enough TV shows about this subject."

"You know I trust you bro."

"I sure do. That is why we will be extra careful today. Do not try to act like a hero. Do not get into unnecessary fights and don't act on your own."

"You talk as if I'm a child!"

"You can get impatient at times. You are a bit, too excited about fighting."

"Really?"

"Yeah. We will go in and look around without making too much noise. We will gather whatever we need and at the first sign of danger, we are out. We are more important than some strangers."

"We sure are! Let's go! Let's fucking do this!"

"That is why I told you to be extra careful."

After sighing, Mattias drove on. They were in a part of the city that was neither too urban nor it was too left out from the city. It was something in between where the area had a big supermarket but some distance between houses and buildings. It was the perfect childhood neighborhood. Well, before the voice talked to them at least. Now, it just looked desolate and abandoned with zombies here and there.

Mattias stopped the car and got out under the questioning gaze of Tsuyoshi.

"The reports state that there are no survivors living here and there is a high number of zombies. Most likely the populace here all turned. We will be walking from here."

"Are you sure?"

Mattias looked before closing the door and looked at Tsuyoshi solemnly.

"I am never sure. Let's go."

Tsuyoshi also got out of the car and drew his katana from his waist. Seeing he didn't take his guns with him Mattias told him to take them with him. Even though Tsuyoshi didn't like guns he still had to use them for his own safety.

The streets were wide and zombies were about. There were not many cars in the vicinity as well so not many options for cover. The buildings mostly had gardens but there were small apartments as well here and there.

Thanks to their training, Mattias and Tsuyoshi didn't have problems with fighting off zombies. Their teamwork was good as well. Normal zombies were not a match for them.

"Where is this warehouse anyway bro? We've been walking for half an hour already but still no signs of a building like a warehouse."

"We still have a ways to go so don't exert too much strength. You will need it."

"Do you know where it is? Have you come here before perhaps?"

"This is the first time I am here. But I was also given a map when I said I was not familiar with the area."

"That's fortunate then."

"Yes. Let's pick up the pace a little. We don't have all day."

The clock was showing 9 o'clock in the morning and they were told to return before afternoon. Reason being the increase of activity of the infected at night. As well as the lack of lighting. Although the city lighting network worked it was not perfect as no one was maintaining it and there were some parts of the city that just were in the dark when night came.

They were finally able to see the logo of the supermarket. This was a big chain company so they were everywhere in the country, everybody knew of them. The markets were always full and the employees were especially friendly. But now that the apocalypse happened, it looked broken down with destroyed glasses and doors with cracked walls.

"That s the supermarket. That means we are close to the warehouse as well." (Mattias)

"This is the first time I'm seeing a market close to its warehouse."

"Well this place is a bit special it seems. This warehouse is the distribution hub to the surrounding area. The supermarket we are looking at is just happens to be close."

"Well ain't that convenient?"

Since they were close to the target, they had to be especially careful from that point. They started sneaking around, first making sure the surrounding area was clear of both zombies and humans. Anyone other than them would be a threat to them there.

They saw a couple of cars near the market, two to be exact. Mattias told Tsuyoshi to stop and took position to observe them behind a wall. The drivers were out of their cars, smoking while waiting their friends.

"What is it bro?"

"Seems to some survivors. Two people by the cars, smoking. They seem to be waiting."

"Other survivor groups?"

"Don't think so. They seem too random for that."

"Why do you think so?"

"They look like your average delinquents. They may some people who are- Ssh. The people are coming."

Mattias sentence was cut in half when he saw a group come out of the market dragging a couple of shopping carts. They were filled with canned food, drinks and various other stuff.

"Yeeehaw. This was a good find indeed! Big bro Takaki will be happy!"

"Shut your mouth! Do you want to attract those things?"

"Sheesh sorry man."

"Let's go, we already met our quota for the day."

"How about we check the warehouse too? I heard there was a lot of stuff there!"

"Do you really think those guys will let us near? I heard The Collar Gang was there."

"Those guys? Shit man let's get out of here then. Those guys are bad news."

"Yeah. Load the cars."

They loaded the cars one by one and then drove off. Mattias and Tsuyoshi watched them until they saw them turn a corner in the distance. They were driving away from the warehouse and from what Mattias could hear, there really was a big load in that place. There was just a single problem though.

"Collar Gang? What kind of a lame name is that?" (Tsuyoshi)

"Well they said they were bad news so I don't think names matter at that point."

"Do you really believe them? I mean, that is one lame ass name bro."

"Don't underestimate your opponent, however they may look like. You taught me that."

"You're right sorry. Just… too tense."

"I understand you but I also need you to be cool."

"Don't worry bro. I will come back to my usual self when it matters."

"I know. Let's go. We need to see if this Collar Gang is too numerous."

They then started walking towards the warehouse, aiming to see the Collar Gang and their positioning. It was a fifteen-minute walk from the market so they were extra careful when looking around. Although there were zombies around, their numbers were low and they weren't huddled together. Still, Mattias advised to stay clear off them in case there were people there besides them.

And he was right to thinks so as they approached the warehouse, they could see the silhouettes of people moving about. Not moving like a zombie but more 'living' movement like mimics and gestures and laughing.

The silhouettes Mattias could see numbered more than 10 but his position didn't really let him see the whole place. They were approaching the warehouse from its front side but because they were sneaking, they had to move around the buildings and make themselves as less seeable as possible; resulting in making themselves see less as well.

They were across the street from the entrance to the vicinity of the warehouse. Watching atop a garden wall behind a tree. The warehouse was surrounded by a stone fence and had an automatic door. There was one entrance and that was protected by two cars.

"What do you see?" (Tsuyoshi)

"People, about 10. Can't see much though, this damn tree gets in the way."

"Do you want me to cut it?"

"And give away our position? No thanks. We need to approach but between us and them there are only cars and street lamps. We are lucky that we are far away enough for them to not notice us."

"What do you suggest?"

"Well there's only one entrance to the building and it is covered by two cars it seems. I see two people coming out of their sunroofs with what seems to be like a machinegun. We don't have much choice but to either find another entrance-"

"Which is unlikely."

"Or we can storm our way in."

"Which would defeat the purpose of this mission and our agreement in the beginning."

"Precisely."

"So what are you thinking?"

Mattias looked ahead and just smiled.