Chapter 8:clearing the village

Hey there Guys here's the next chapter and before we start I would like to thank Danish_Bhandari_1863 and Reader98555 for their support through power stones

So without further ado let's get started

### Ravi's POV

The early morning light barely cut through the dense fog that blanketed the village. Ravi signaled his team to move forward, their movements silent and precise. The once bustling village, home to around 5,000 people, now lay eerily silent except for the occasional groan of the infected.

"Stay alert," Ravi whispered into his radio, his voice barely above a murmur. "We don't know how many are out here."

Ayaan and Rajveer flanked him, their eyes scanning every shadow, every movement. The village was just on the other side of the road from their safe house, but it felt like a different world entirely. Infected wandered aimlessly, their eyes vacant and their movements sluggish.

Suddenly, an infected lunged from behind a parked car, its teeth bared and eyes wild. Ravi reacted instinctively, his machete slicing through the air and embedding into the creature's skull. Blood sprayed as the infected dropped, twitching.

"Target at 2 o'clock," Ayaan's voice crackled softly in Ravi's earpiece. Ravi turned to see another infected shambling towards them, its eyes fixed and unseeing. A single shot from Ayaan's silenced rifle dropped it instantly.

"Good shot," Ravi acknowledged, wiping the blood from his blade. "Keep moving."

They proceeded cautiously, clearing each street and alley. The once vibrant village was now a ghost town, littered with the remnants of its former life—abandoned cars, broken windows, and the occasional body that hadn't turned.

### Rajveer's POV

Rajveer moved with a practiced ease, his rifle at the ready. He had always been good under pressure, but this was a different kind of stress. The infected were relentless, and the stakes had never been higher.

As they turned a corner, a group of infected spotted them, their groans escalating into guttural growls. The creatures charged, limbs flailing. Rajveer opened fire, the sharp cracks of his rifle echoing through the empty streets. Bullets tore through flesh, but the infected kept coming.

"Watch your six," he reminded the team as they approached a narrow street lined with houses. The potential for survivors hiding inside weighed heavily on his mind. Each house could be a trap or a haven.

He peered into a window, his flashlight cutting through the gloom. Inside, the living room looked untouched, as if the family had just stepped out for a moment. But the silence was unsettling.

"No movement inside," Rajveer reported. "Let's check the next one."

### Team Alpha's POV

In another part of the village, Team Alpha, led by Captain Vikram, was making similar progress. Vikram's team had split into pairs, each duo tasked with clearing specific sectors. They moved efficiently, their training evident in every step.

A sudden scream tore through the air as one of Vikram's men was tackled by an infected. Before the creature's teeth could sink into the soldier's neck, Vikram rushed forward, his knife plunging into the infected's eye socket, killing it instantly. He dragged his wounded comrade to safety, his heart pounding.

"Sector 3 clear," one of Vikram's men reported through gritted teeth. "No survivors spotted yet."

Vikram nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "Keep looking. There might be people hiding. Stay sharp."

### Ayaan's POV

Ayaan's mind was focused, every sense on high alert. Clearing the village was necessary, but it was also risky. The infected were unpredictable, and any wrong move could be fatal.

"We're approaching the central square," Ayaan said, his voice steady. "This area's more open. Watch for movement."

As they entered the square, the remnants of a once-thriving marketplace lay before them. Stalls were overturned, and debris was scattered everywhere. It was a stark reminder of what they had lost.

A pack of infected emerged from behind the stalls, their rotting bodies moving with surprising speed. Ayaan's team opened fire, the square erupting into chaos. Heads exploded, limbs were severed, and blood soaked the ground.

"Clear the perimeter," Ravi ordered. "Then we'll check the buildings."

Ayaan moved quickly, his eyes darting from shadow to shadow. Every corner could hold danger, but they had to ensure the area was safe.

### Captain Anjali's POV

Meanwhile, Captain Anjali led her team through the northern sector of the village. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, every muscle tensed for action. She had always prided herself on her ability to stay calm under pressure, but this situation was testing her limits.

As they approached a cluster of houses, a horde of infected burst from the doorways, their eyes filled with rage. Anjali's team fought back fiercely, their weapons cutting down the infected with brutal efficiency. Blood and gore splattered across the walls, the air filled with the stench of death.

"Keep it tight," she instructed her team. "We need to be thorough."

As they cleared each house, Anjali couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. Each home told a story—a child's toy left abandoned, family photos still hanging on the walls. The lives that had been abruptly cut short were a constant reminder of what they were fighting for.

"Sector clear," one of her team members reported, panting.

"Good," Anjali replied, wiping blood from her face. "Let's move to the next."

### Ravi's POV

Back in the central square, Ravi regrouped with his team. "Perimeter secure," Rajveer reported, his face streaked with dirt and blood.

"Alright, let's start with the buildings," Ravi said. "We need to be methodical. Check every room, every closet. There could be survivors hiding."

As they moved towards the first building, Ravi couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He motioned for silence, listening intently. The faint sound of movement inside confirmed his suspicions.

"Prepare for entry," he whispered. "There might be survivors inside. Let's go."

The team moved into position, ready to clear the building and hopefully find some sign of life amidst the devastation, as they thought about the meeting that happened last night.

---

### Flashback: The Night Before

#### Ayush's POV

The large conference room in the mansion was packed, the air thick with anticipation and tension. Ayush stood at the head of the table, surrounded by his team captains. The gravity of their situation was clear on everyone's faces, but there was also determination.

"Thank you all for coming," Ayush began, his voice steady. "We have a plan to clear the nearby areas of infected and establish a safe territory. This is crucial for our long-term survival."

He gestured to a detailed map spread out on the table. "Our immediate focus will be the village just across the road. Before the outbreak, it housed around 5,000 people. Now, it's overrun with infected. Clearing it will not only secure our perimeter but also provide us with potential resources and survivors."

Captain Vikram, leader of Team Alpha, leaned forward. "What's the strategy for clearing such a large area? It's bound to be swarming with infected."

Ayush nodded. "We'll proceed sector by sector, with each team responsible for a specific area. We'll coordinate our movements to avoid overlap and ensure thorough coverage."

He pointed to various marked sections on the map. "Ravi's team will handle the central square and surrounding streets. Anjali's team will cover the northern sector, and Vikram's team will take the southern. Each team will clear buildings, neutralize threats, and search for survivors once the area is secured."

#### Ravi's POV

Ravi glanced around the room, reading the expressions of his fellow captains. There was a mix of confidence and concern. He knew they were all thinking the same thing: this mission was vital, but it wouldn't be easy.

"What about communication?" Ravi asked. "We need to ensure we can stay in touch and coordinate our actions."

Ayush nodded, appreciating the question. "Each team will be equipped with short-range radios and signal flares. We'll maintain regular check-ins and use the flares for emergencies. Ayaan and Rajveer will be part of your team, Ravi, to ensure we have experienced hands in the most crucial areas."

#### Anjali's POV

Anjali studied the map closely. "What about potential survivors? How do we handle them?"

Ayush's expression softened slightly. "Once we clear the infected, we'll search for survivors. They won't be brought back to the safe house. Instead, we'll establish a secure zone within the village where they can stay. We'll provide them with supplies and medical aid, but they'll remain in the village to prevent overloading our current resources."

Dr. Mehta, who was also present, added, "We'll need to quarantine any survivors initially, just to be safe. We can't risk an infection spreading inside our walls."

#### Ayaan's POV

Ayaan leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "And the infected? What's the best approach to dealing with them? This won't be a clean operation."

Ayush met his gaze. "You're right. It won't be. Use melee weapons when possible to avoid attracting more with gunfire, but don't hesitate to use firearms if needed. Speed and efficiency are crucial. We've all seen what these things can do."

He paused, looking around the room. "I know this mission is dangerous, but it's necessary. Clearing the village will give us a secure perimeter and potentially valuable resources. We need to be methodical and thorough. We need to survive."

#### Rajveer's POV

Rajveer felt a sense of resolve wash over him. The plan was risky, but it was the best chance they had. He exchanged a glance with Ayaan, both silently agreeing that they would do whatever it took

"We're ready," Rajveer said, breaking the silence. "Let's do this."

Ayush nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. "Good. We move at first light. Rest up and prepare your teams. This is just the beginning, but together, we can make it through."

---

### Back to the Present

The memory of the previous night's meeting fueled their resolve as they moved through the village. The plan was in motion, and each team knew their role. They were prepared for the worst, but they also held onto hope—the hope of reclaiming a piece of their world from the chaos.

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AN-hey guys here's the frist of the four chapters to be published every weekend

The next one will come out in a few hours so don't forget to leave your reviews and power stones also please join my discord server as for some reasons I am not able to post images here so you will find them on discord and I would really appreciate your suggestions and ideas on this story

P.S-and people I will put a new invite link for discord so use the one given in the latest chapter

Discord link- https://discord.gg/ptAKVZz7

So till the next time

au revoir