Chapter 6: The Mission and the Unraveling

The time had come for Aiden Zayyan and his team to execute their high-stakes mission. The infiltration of Medigenix was crucial to exposing the company's role in the impending apocalypse. Aiden, Olivia Chan, Marcus Reyes, and Sofia Moreno had meticulously planned their operation, and now it was time to put their plan into action.

Mission Plan Details:

Objective: Infiltrate Medigenix's headquarters, gather evidence of their involvement in the stock manipulation and suspicious activities leading to the zombie outbreak, and expose this information to the public.

Team Roles:

Aiden Zayyan: Oversee the mission and handle any unforeseen challenges.

Olivia Chan: Handle security and any combat situations.

Marcus Reyes: Lead the tactical approach and ensure safe entry and exit.

Sofia Moreno: Conduct intelligence analysis and data extraction.

Entry Point: The team would gain access through a back entrance known only to a few insiders. Marcus had arranged for a forged access pass to facilitate their entry.

Data Collection: Sofia was tasked with infiltrating the company's secure servers to extract financial records and communications that linked Medigenix to the rise of the zombie outbreak.

Exit Strategy: Once the evidence was secured, the team would exit through a prearranged route and upload the data to a global network of media channels and internet platforms.

The Mission Begins:

As the clock ticked toward midnight, the team moved stealthily toward Medigenix's headquarters. The skyscraper's imposing structure loomed in the distance, its sleek facade illuminated by the city lights. They navigated the streets with precision, their every step calculated and deliberate.

Inside Medigenix Headquarters:

Aiden: (whispering) "Marcus, how's the access looking?"

Marcus: (checking his device) "We're in. The pass is holding up. Stay close and keep it tight."

Olivia: (scanning the area) "I'm clearing the path. Any guards will be taken out silently. Keep moving."

The team entered through the back entrance and made their way through a labyrinth of corridors. Olivia's sharp eyes caught sight of a guard patrolling nearby. She swiftly neutralized him with a silent takedown.

Sofia: (whispering over comms) "I'm at the server room. Starting the hack now."

Sofia's fingers danced over the keyboard as she bypassed the security protocols. Her face was illuminated by the glow of the monitors as she extracted files and data.

Marcus: (keeping watch) "We've got company. Two guards coming our way. You've got five minutes, Sofia."

Olivia: "I'll handle them. Just focus on getting that data."

Sofia's fingers worked frantically as the minutes ticked by. The sound of footsteps grew louder. Olivia moved with practiced ease, dispatching the guards before they could raise the alarm.

Sofia: "Got it! I've pulled everything we need. Let's get out of here."

The team quickly gathered the files and prepared to leave. As they made their way back to the exit, Aiden noticed an unsettling detail. Dr. Julian Frost, the head scientist, was nowhere to be found in the data they had gathered.

Aiden: (grimly) "We've missed something. Dr. Frost isn't here. We need to find him."

Exposure and Realization:

Once they were safely out of the building, the team regrouped at a secure location. Sofia began preparing to release the data to the public.

Olivia: "The hack is almost ready. We've got access to every major channel and network. But we've got a problem."

Marcus: "What's that?"

Olivia: "Dr. Frost. We didn't find any data about him. If he's still out there, he might be behind a lot of what's happening."

Sofia: (focused on her screen) "I'm about to start the broadcast. We'll get the evidence out there, but we need to focus on tracking down Frost next. I'll dig through the remaining data and see if there's anything we missed."

Aiden: "Agreed. We'll need to follow up on every lead. Frost won't be easy to find, but we can't let him slip away."

As the evidence of Medigenix's crimes hit the global media, the world erupted in shock and outrage. The New Year's Eve celebrations began. Fireworks lit up the sky, a dazzling display of light and color against the darkened horizon. Yet, the festive atmosphere was marred by an undercurrent of fear and anticipation.

The First Patient Zero:

In the midst of the revelry, as the first firework exploded into a brilliant cascade of sparks, an alarming sight disrupted the celebrations. The first patient zero appeared, marking the beginning of the zombie apocalypse. Panic swept through the crowd as the initial wave of infection spread, setting off a chain reaction that would soon engulf the world.

Fortifying the Base:

With the outbreak now a reality, Aiden refocused on expanding Sanctuary Haven into a fortified city. The base's transformation included:

Fortified Perimeter: Strengthened defenses with reinforced walls and additional security measures.

Living Quarters: Constructed to accommodate an influx of survivors.

Workshops and Laboratories: Set up to support research and development of survival technologies.

Aiden's aim was to prevent societal collapse like that in his own time. The fortified city offered refuge and hope, but entry was controlled strictly. Anyone wishing to join had to undergo a rigorous screening process, ensuring they were committed to rebuilding society rather than contributing to the chaos.

The New Reality:

As the first dungeon opened amid the chaos, Aiden felt a troubling sense that the gods were observing him closely. The rapid progression of events seemed too orchestrated to be mere coincidence. Despite the pressure, he remained resolute. His focus was on survival, building a new society from the ruins of the old, and pushing forward despite the challenges.

The base's screening process became a crucial aspect of maintaining order. Survivors and recruits had to prove their worth and commitment to the new world Aiden was striving to build.

As he surveyed the expanding base and the turmoil outside, Aiden's determination only grew stronger. He knew that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but with his team and the fortified city, he was ready to navigate the storm and build a new world from the wreckage.