Story 548: The Toxic Tyrant

The grotesque figure atop the cracked waste containment tank let out a guttural roar that echoed across the desolate industrial zone. Its toxic sludge-covered arms stretched wide as if commanding its corrosive horde. Beneath the dim glow of the poisoned sky, the Zombie Eradication Tactical Unit (ZETU) braced themselves for another brutal fight.

“We’ve got to take that thing out before it floods the area with more of those sludge-walkers!” Captain Marcus Kane shouted, gripping his shotgun tightly.

Riley “Quick Shot” Bennett already had her sniper rifle aimed. “Just say the word, Captain.”

“Hold,” Marcus said, scanning the situation. “We need a plan. Blaze, how much fuel do you have left?”

Jenna Hart checked her tank. “Enough to turn this place into a barbecue. But if I burn too close to that sludge, we could release toxic fumes.”

“Then we’ll need to keep the fight contained,” Marcus decided. “Huntress, Brain—what’s the weak spot on that thing?”