Chapter 27 - Riot

As we ran while taking cover inside the city, our number of troops continued declining.

Our retreat bore many sacrifices from too many men.

The Colonel quietly looked at this scene, unable to tell what he was thinking.

The captain ordered his men to continue firing while retreating inside the city.

Carrying my machine gun, I fired while keeping an eye on George and Jason.

Even though Jason is a really annoying person, he's still someone I lived and ate with for the past couple of months.

"FIRE!!"

"FWOOSH!!*

*BOOOM!!*

One of the soldiers of another squad fired a rocket into the army of ants. Taking down a few dozen, but it was quickly covered over by the mob of ants.

*BOOM!*

*BOOM!*

Rockets from other squads and mine were shot, trying to give us a few seconds more to run away.

We found ourselves in front of a blockade. The soldiers quickly scaled over the wall, trying to get onto the other side.

The soldiers far away from the blockade fired at the ants to give us more time to get up.

The Colonel and the captains ordered us to fire using our guns to save rockets and to prevent friendly casualties.

It was a total riot. The ant army soon crashed into the remaining soldiers. Killing soldiers at a speed comparable to us breathing.

Most of us had already gotten on top of the wall, now firing on to the ants to save as many soldiers possible.

When all the soldiers on the other side of the wall had either climbed over or had died, we stopped holding back.

Sending grenades, rockets, smoke bombs, tear bombs. Everything we had, we threw on to the army of ants.

It was a total massacre. The only thing that was left, was the mix of red blood with a darker red shade of blood that came from the ants.

"Even the ants bleed red." One of the soldiers muttered

We all felt our stomachs churn looking at what was left of the army of bugs. The Red blood, despite knowing that the majority was theirs, still made us feel melancholy.

"What the fuck was that?!" The captain of squad 6 yelled

He grabbed the Colonel by the collar lifting the old man into the air.

"Ezekiel!" My captain and squad 7's quickly ran to pry the the captain's hands off the Colonel.

Squads 5, 6, and 7 brought up their guns and aimed at each squad, watching each other warily.

"STOP!"

My captain yelled, trying to calm the agitated soldiers.

Squad 7's captain was able to pry the other captain's hands off the Colonel.

The Colonel was still able to act calm. He stared at the remains of the previous battle.

"Tell us! What the hell just happened?" Squad 6's captain demanded

"...." The Colonel stayed quiet.

"Tell-"

"We've been infiltrated." He responded calmly

"Wha-"

The already terrible atmosphere turned even worse after hearing the Colonel's words.

"I don't know who it is, or why." He then said.

"All I know is, their end goal right now isn't to kill us. It's to release the monster contained within the 'Snow Globe'." He finished

"So stop bitching Ezekiel, and regroup your troops, or this entire country will fall along with us!" He commanded

Everyone quickly snapped out of their brooding and started lining up according to their squads.

We split up according to our specialty's. Our squad specializes in recovery and retrieval.

We headed toward a radio station within the city, we're aiming to find a satellite phone and request back up.

And hopefully hold back the army of whatever is aiming to attack the 'Snow Globe'.

The previous desolate city was now brimming with the sound of gunfire and blood.

We made it inside the station. Bugs kept on coming from whatever opening was within the building.

From the windows, vents, back doors. It didn't matter as these things always came from out from nowhere.

*BANG!*

Shooting through the head of one of the bugs. I ran with my comrades up the stairs. Our squad split up so we could cover more ground.

One of the senior soldiers of the squad took command, his name was Joshua, we call him Josh.

"Quickly! Move to the left!"

*Screech!*

The claw of a mantis looking slug slashed toward us. I was barely able to dodge it by the breadth of a hair.

Josh managed to aim and shoot a clean shot through the bugs shell, killing it instantly.

Taking a small break, we ate our rations which consisted of dry granola bars.

"Your dodging is really impressive, Mark" Josh complimented me.

"Ah...Thanks!" I said with a chuckle

After resting, we quickly made our way up.

Musashi, our scout and sniper, checked our surroundings before proceeding to lead us forward.

We went inside a room that was most probably an office managers. We checked if there was anything remotely similar to a phone, since you never know.

I sent a side long glance towards the big open window....before I quickly went to take a look again.

Rubbing my eyes to make sure it wasn't an illusion. I called out to my teammates.

"Hey, guys!" I waved them to come

"Please tell me you don't see this" I asked while pointing forward.

My teammates saw what I was pointing at....and we're utterly flabbergasted.

The sea of black Beatles marching and slowly enveloping the entire city.

"They're coming from the east." I heard Josh say

"Shit, that means the 'Snow Globe' has most likely been compromised." One of the soldiers said

"Look!" Josh quickly shouted

In the distance, far from where the beetles were, a large scaled tail rose from the pier.

It twirled in the air for a bit, until it suddenly slammed towards the invisible barrier.

*Crack!*

*Crack!*

The barrier received a stream of cracks.

'The barrier won't hold for long.' I thought

*BANG!*

*Crack!*

*BANG*

*Crack!*