Alone

In a rainy setting, Camp Howard; Texas, Shawn examines his weapons and armor before looking at Corporal Jackson aka Jackal talks to Shawn.

Jackal: Com check. You reading me, Burton?

Shawn: Loud and clear.

Jackal: All right. Everyone knows what to do this time.

Shawn, Jackal and the rest of Alpha Squad move up towards a house that is being guarded by Hades Corps Soldiers.

Leonard: Two on the porch. Check that three.....Shawn, drop one. We'll take care of the rest.

Shawn aims his silenced assault rifle at the two Hades Corps Soldiers, before shooting one of the soldiers. The other two soldiers are shot by Leonard and another Zeus Corps Soldiers. Another Hades Corps Soldier enters the premises.

Leonard: Got one coming on the porch. I got em.

Shawn guns down the approaching Hades Corps Soldier. Shawn, Leonard and the other Zeus Corps Soldiers cautiously approach the house.

Command: Zeus Corps Zero One. Tracking Zeus. Media Room. North Wing.

Jackal: Copy, command. We are in the safe house. Moving up on hostiles now. Stand by. 

Jackal turns to Shawn.

Jackal: Shawn, toss a red-detect grenade.

Jackal pops the door slightly as Shawn tosses a red-detect grenade. The grenade detonates, showing the red heat signatures of the Hades Corps Soldiers.

Shawn: Counting six hostiles on my hub.

Jackal: Then let's drop em.

Shawn, Jackal, Leonard and the other Zeus Corps Soldiers open fire on the six hostiles, before entering the kitchen.

Leonard: Clear!

Shawn, Jackal and Leonard proceed towards the door, before approaching the door at the end of the hall.

Jackal: Stack up.

Shawn, Jackal and Leonard stack up at the door.

Jackal: Let's do this the quiet way. Mute grenade.

Shawn: Mute grenade ready.

Shawn prepares to deploy a mute grenade while Jackal pops the door slightly before Shawn throws a mute grenade into the room as it detonates, silencing the environment in the room.

Jackal: Go!

Jackal kicks in the door. In slow motion, knocking away a Hades Corps Soldier. Shawn shoots the remaining Hades Corps Soldiers. After the shootout, a Hades Corps Soldier exits the bathroom, before noticing the dead Hades Corps Soldiers.

Hades Corps Soldier: What the fuck?

Shawn shoots the Hades Corps Soldier dead, before Jackal approaches a handcuffed President Obama.

Leonard: Room clear!

Jackal: Mr. President. Sir. We're here to rescue you. Can you authenticate?

Obama: ID Number: 27641. President Barack Obama.

Jackal: Okay. 

Jackal breaks handcuff off of Obama's handcuffed wrists.

Jackal: Please keep your head down and stay close.

Obama: Okay.

Jackal: Command, we have the package. Moving to extraction point.

Shawn, Jackal and the Zeus Corps Soldier extract Obama through the house. Suddenly, a Hades Corps flying drone arrives on the scene, using it's targeting systems to attempt to track down the Zeus Corps Soldiers.

Jackal: Wait one....drone right outside.

The drone is unable to target the Zeus Corps Soldiers and flies off from the safe house. Shawn, Jackal and Obama continue moving with the soldiers using their silenced weapons to take down any Hades Corps Soldier in their way. While crossing out onto the field, a Hades Corps Truck passes by, forcing the team to duck down in the grass.

Jackal: Do not engage. Everyone lay low to the ground. Okay. Hostiles clear. Let's move.

The team continues moving to the extraction point as Jackal deploys a smoke bomb while Hades Corps Soldiers close in. A Zeus Corps extraction truck arrives as Shawn attempts to open the truck door. Suddenly, a Hades Corps Soldier runs by and punches Shawn down, before shooting Obama in the chest.

???: Sloppy, Burton.

The Hades Corps Soldier removes his mask, revealing Barnes.

Barnes: You're dead, boy. 

Barnes turns to the training room control.

Barnes: Reset!

Suddenly, the environment changes as the dead Hades Corps Soldiers stand up, revealing to be training men. The President stands up, removing his disguised face, revealing to be Mark.

Mark: Fuck...that hurt.

Barnes helps Shawn up.

Shawn: Man. You hit hard.

Barnes: Well, it's training, son. You'll get used to being hit a lot. Best weapon's the mind. Use it. You'll be training with me while you're stationed here. 

Barnes turns to Mark.

Barnes: You good, Mark?

Mark: Yeah...just not used to being shot.

Barnes: Hey, you said you wanted to play the President of the United States.

Mark: Yeah, except Obama wasn't shot....God help whatever happened to him.

Suddenly, a jeep rolls up on the field with Ryder exiting the jeep, before he approaches Shawn and Brock.

Ryder: Gentlemen. How'd we do?

Barnes: Failed, sir.

Shawn: Again.....I'm sorry, sir. It's just.....It's guess I'm not too focused.

Barnes: What do you mean "not focused", son?

Ryder: Go easy on the boy, Barnes. He's lost a lot.

Barnes: Well, he's a work in process.

Ryder: Well, this here is a good soldier.....just like his father. Come on. I'll give you a tour.

Ryder and Barnes step into the jeep while Shawn gets into the back-passenger seat as the driver drives off. The jeep drives around the entire Prime Kronos Facility as Barnes speaks into his earpiece.

Barnes talks in his earpiece.

Barnes: Jackal, we're bringing Shawn over to the doc. Get the sync ready for another go.

Jackal talks through earpiece.

Jackal: Got it, boss man.

Shawn: What is all this?

Ryder: What you're looking at is Earth after twenty years nuclear devastation. We've managed to rebuild the meanings of technology in war within twenty years. Kronos has the single largest tech and military in the world, but unlike politics, we answer to no one. We're the only ones who sell power.

Shawn: Power, sir?

Ryder: Yes.

As the driver continues giving the tour, Shawn notices advanced tanks walking on four legs.

Shawn: Holy shit...they did not have this in any other Kronos Facility....

Ryder: And we're the only Kronos Facility left on the planet, which is why we need soldiers like you, Shawn.

Shawn: Sir....Mr. Ryder...where'd you get the name "Kronos" from?

Ryder: I'm glad you asked, boy. What do you know about history?

Shawn: Little here and there.

Ryder: You ever heard of Greek Mythology?

Shawn: Yes.

Ryder: The Titans?

Shawn: Yes.

Ryder: Kronos was a Titan god of time and ages and was, above all, associated with the destructive force of time which sooner or later consumes everything. Zeus and Hades were his sons. Zeus was the God of Thunder and Hades was the God of the Underworld. Zeus was the most powerful God...his weapon of choice was the bolt of lightning.....Unlike all the other Kronos facilities, most of our weapons are projected for energy rounds....therefore, that's why we chose the name Zeus Corps.

The jeep stops in front of the weapons testing building as Shawn and Barnes depart. Ryder calls to Shawn.

Ryder: Shawn....I know you're not in this for the money. You remind me a lot of your father in way. Now go on, son. I'll see you soon.

The jeep takes off while Barnes speaks to Shawn.

Barnes: Ryder's taking a liking in you, boy.....don't let it get to your head.

Catherine is talking with Olivia as Shawn walks in.

Catherine: Ah, the soldier....can I help you?

Shawn: Actually; yes, Dr. Ramirez. You can....Ryder thinks you outta check me out.

Catherine: All right...come over to the table...

Shawn sits down in front of Catherine as she pulls out an x-ray TV that begins to scan Shawn.

Catherine: Hmm....you're troubled on the battlefield...nausea...

Shawn: No....just need to focus more...

Catherine: Mmm-hmm...say "ah".

Shawn opens his mouth.

Shawn: Ah!

Catherine examines Shawn's mouth, before sticking a thermometer in his mouth. Catherine takes the thermometer out of Shawn's mouth.

Catherine: You don't have a fever....

Catherine throws the thermometer in the trash.

Catherine: I say you're fine.

Shawn: Hmm....ain't that somethin.

Shawn steps off the table, before walking over to a machine.

Shawn: Hmm...what's this do?

Shawn presses on a button as a laser is projected that destroys a computer before Catherine runs over and turns the machine off.

Catherine: Jesus! Are you trying to have something of yours blasted off?!

Shawn: What is that?!

Catherine: It's a laser machine, okay? We use this to sever limbs rather than amputate them. It cauterizes the wounds much more faster!

Shawn: Sorry! I didn't know!

Catherine: Look, Sergeant Burton....you ever seen Dexter's Laboratory?

Shawn: Huh?

Catherine: It's a very old TV show. You see; Dexter is a very smart little boy, who has his own lab and has a very annoying big sister named Dee Dee who keeps on touching his shit and fucking up his experiments

Shawn: So, I'm going to guess you're Dexter and I'm Dee Dee.

Catherine: if you're just going to mess around with my toys, then you can't play with them. Therefore, in a polite manner, get the fuck out of my lab, before I put your ass on this gurney and dissect you.

Shawn storms out of Catherine's lab.

Shawn: Moody bitch.

Catherine: I heard that.

In the forest, James is wondering around when suddenly a shadow appears behind him. James pulls out his pistol and turns, revealing to be Mr. Jax floating.

James: Oh! Jax! I almost forgot I had your remote control in my pocket.....well, at least, I'm not alone.....

Mr. Jax beeps.

James: Where is everyone? Uh.....hopefully still alive....Nora though.....she didn't make it....Look, I got separated, okay? Just help me find some kind of small cabin....or at least, some wood.

Meanwhile, one day later, Nathan drives the RV through the ruins New York city, where most of the city including the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building and Times square, is fortified, but it is well guarded by a wall about 18 feet high.

Walter: Holy shit.....that's Midtown Manhattan, huh? Or what's left of it?

Ashley: Oh, my god....that's a lot of buildings.

Sarah: It's beautiful....sure wish James was here to see this.

Kyle: Don't worry. I'm pretty sure he's okay.

Beth: Caleb! You gotta come see this.

Caleb walks over to Beth as they both look at Midtown Manhattan together.

Caleb: Wow....

Beth: Damn shame you don't do Broadway shows.

Caleb: Hey, that's our little secret....

Beth: (laughs)

Nathan drives the RV up to the Midtown Manhattan gates as the group of survivors exit. Billy pounds on the gate.

Kyle: It looks like the only part that remains intact of Midtown Manhattan....as is Times Square, the Empire State Building, and the Chrysler building....rest of the city must be fucked.

Billy: Hello?!

Billy pounds on the gate again.

Billy: Hello?!

Walter puts his ear on the gate wall and hearing commotion inside Midtown Manhattan.

Walter: Dude, I don't think anyone's going to hear you. It's too goddamn noisy.

Kyle: Why don't they have someone on guard?

Nathan: That's a good question. We need to find a way inside or at least, get someone's atte-Duh...

Kyle: "Duh" what?

Nathan: The RV. Horn.

Nathan walks over to the RV, but is startled by a shotgun sound coming from Caleb's 12-gauge shotgun, causing Walter to pull out his pistol.

Caleb: What?

Nathan: Jesus, man! What the hell are you doing?!

Caleb: Getting their attention.

Nathan: Well, stop! It's wasting ammo. Not to mention, it's too damn noisy in there. There's no way that-

Suddenly, the New York gates open as a young man, Mitchell, approaches the survivors.

Nathan: I stand corrected.

Caleb: You're welcome.

Mitchell: Well, new people.....new people that have me on edge and in question.....and wondering why they're shooting guns.

Kyle: Uh...sorry...that was our big blonde mandingo friend here. (To Caleb) No offense.

Walter: Dude, that's a word for you and me.

Kyle: Huh?

Walter: Mandingo is a word for black porn....Christ.

Kyle: What the fuck?

Walter: Mandingo is a word for black pornographic stars. It's basically a white woman getting fucked by dozen of-fuck it...I'll explain another time.

Nathan: Anyway.....we were told that a shipment of weapons and medicine by the name of Miguel Santos were here.

Mitchell: Where is Miguel?

Kyle: Dead....

Mitchell laughs in disbelief.

Mitchel: this would've gone easier if he were alive.

Nathan: The medicine and weapons he gave y'all. They weren't his to give away. He owed us and we want them back.

Mitchell: Well, in this timeframe, doesn't work like that.

Nathan: Bullshit.....my fucking girlfriend died getting here for that shit.

Mitchell: I'm sorry for your loss, but you see we put in money for that medicine....for those guns....the medicine we've already used to heal our sick....but we have the guns....you want them back; you're going to have earn them.

Nathan looks back at the survivors, before looking at Mitchell.

Nathan: How many caps are we talking about here?

Mitchell: We have half a billion caps, but right now, we don't need caps...what we need is help....from the looks of it, you people look like you can take care of yourselves out there....certainly got the blood at the tip of your blades to prove it.....I'll take you to our Mayor.

Nathan: Mayor? Of what? The United Wasteland?

Mitchell: No.....of Midtown Manhattan. One of you can drive this RV into the city.

Walter: I got it.

Walter steps into the RV and puts it in drive as the survivors' step into fortified section of Midtown Manhattan before the gates close. Mitchell yells up to the sniper on one of the rooftops of a small building.

Mitchell: Relax! They're friendly!

The snipers stand down.

Kyle: Least, y'all got snipers.

Mitchell: Yeah, well....just cause we live in the city of lights doesn't mean there's always light here.

Ashley: Oh, my god....Sarah, will you look at this! The street is glowing!

Beth whispers to Sarah.

Beth: It's like she's a kid on Christmas.

Sarah: Best way to keep her.....in a way...

Beth: With the world how it is now....I don't blame her....

Mitchell: By the way, name's Mitchell Parker. I'm the leader of the fighters we have here.

Nathan: Nathan. I'm the leader of this bunch. This here is Desipich. The guy parkin the RV is Walter. Billy....and my sisters, Sarah and Ashley....Caleb and Beth we just met a couple of hours ago....

Sarah: Kyle...his last name is Desipich. He's been in this group long enough to stop calling him by his last name.

Nathan: Sarah....

Sarah: Just saying....What are these buildings?

Mitchell: This is Time Square, honey. Most of this area, including the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building, where our illustrious Mayor houses, is completely intact.....the rest of the city, however, is just too fucked...this is our safe zone....Back in the old times, this was the place where people from everywhere were crowding the street...see that big ball up there? Mitchel points to New Year ball.

Mitchel: That's called the ball drop.....every time a new year starts, the fireworks kick in....I know the feeling of both....there's a Broadway show about to go on now if you girls want to keep yourselves occupied while your men here talk to our Mayor.

Sarah: Nathan?

Nathan: Okay....fine...don't go too far...

Caleb: You too, Beth.

Beth: Yes, Daddy.

Caleb: Don't ever say that again. I'm your brother.

Beth: What? Oh.....ew...

Sarah, Ashley and Beth depart from the others while Walter parks the RV in a garage.

Kyle: Hey....after our meeting with your Mayor, do you think we could use some of your guys for a scouting party?

Mitchell: For what?

Kyle: One of our guys got separated from us near a train station.

Nathan: Kyle, I don't think James would be at the train station where a whole Skinner horde is.

Kyle: So, what? You just want to leave him?

Billy: Kyle, as much as I hate to say it, Nathan does have a point. We don't know if James is alive or not and we can't risk it.....if he's alive, he'll build something out of what's around him....you forget; he's a smart kid. He built that floating robot thingy.

Billy: So, where's this Mayor live?

Mitchell: Right there.

Mitchell points to the Chrysler Building.

Kyle: Damn....that is one big ass building.

Mitchell: I know. If only I had a camera.

Inside the Chrysler Building, Kyle, Nathan, Billy and Mitchell approach the man, Daniel, who is writing in his journal. Daniel removes his glasses and stands up among noticing Mitchell.

Daniel: Mitchell....

Mitchell: Daniel....

Daniel and Mitchell shake hands before Daniel notices Kyle, Nathan and Billy.

Daniel: Newcomers.

Mitchell: First time.

Daniel: Pleased to meet you fine gentlemen. Daniel Brown. I'm the Mayor of New York.

Kyle: Kyle, sir.

Kyle and Daniel shake hands.

Daniel: Are you the leader of your group, young man?

Nathan: No...that would be me. Nathan.

Daniel: Pleasure.

Daniel and Nathan shake hands.

Daniel: I assume you guys are here to meet me.....so let's talk...

Daniel and Mitchell lead Kyle, Nathan and Billy into the office of Daniel, where Daniel sits down in front of his desk.

Daniel: Mitchell. You can leave us.

Mitchell leaves Kyle, Nathan and Billy with Daniel.

Daniel: So first off; welcome to Midtown Manhattan.

Kyle: Thank you, sir...

Billy: it's an amazing city you have here.

Daniel: Manhattan was a lucky city to survive the horrors of the nuclear holocausts....what you see are men and women who are willing to fight and die for the cause.....you and your people are here to collect your weapons, right?

Billy: Yes....

A few moments.

Daniel: Have you ever killed anyone?

Kyle: Only people we've had to kill, sir....people who've threatened us....

Daniel: The way you talk....the way carry yourself, young man.....you're more than a survivor.....what was your occupation before?

Kyle: I was only a baby when everything happened, sir....I am....I mean, I was a Zeus Corps Soldier not too long ago.

Daniel: hmm...Zeus Corps....and Kronos....they have a history with this world....what it is now....makes me question you.....if you're a good man, trying to redeem himself.....or just another pawn.....I'll worry about that later....you want your guns....and I need your help....this city has a problem.

Billy: what kind of problem?

Daniel: We have a pact with...uh...this gang....the Skinwalkers.

Nathan laughs while Billy sighs.

Daniel: So, you've heard of them?

Nathan: Yeah.....we've heard of them....they're the one people we don't mess with.

Billy: "People"? 

Billy scoffs.

Billy: More like monsters.

Daniel: each month, we give them half of our food...for protection from the other gangs....If we don't or miss a due date, well, people die....A lot of them.

Daniel grabs a picture of a mutilated body of one of their civilians and presents it to Kyle, who gives a look of disgust. Nathan and Billy also look at the picture, before giving looks of disgust.

Daniel: This was a month late fee.

Billy: Jesus.

Nathan: exactly what are you asking?

Daniel: We need fighters....A lot of men and women wanted to fight were killed last month, after we were two days late...

Kyle: I'm sorry...you want us to help you fight the mutants?

Daniel: Yes....

Nathan: and if we agree to this, what's in it for us?

Mitchell: Well, everyone here has earned their keep... for this, I'll give you your guns and a place to stay....you guys are looking for a new home, aren't you?

Nathan: Maybe...

Daniel: It's not just you three...didn't you come here with four other people? Two men and three other girls?

Nathan: Yes, but- Oh, gimme a fucking break....look we don't need your help, all right? We're doing just fine.

Billy: Nathan. Nathan....

Billy turns to Daniel.

Billy: Give us a moment please....

Kyle, Nathan and Billy talk about their options.

Nathan: I say we take our chances on the road.....Fort Warren. Still an option.

Kyle: For how long till one of us gets sick or can't keep up....or all of us....we can't keep pushing the group like this, man....

Nathan: So, we just abide to this assholes' offer to have us go into hell?

Billy: Nathan, think for a moment, son....this city....this place....it can be a place for where Sarah and Ashley can be safe....we could have a life here.....

Nathan: Billy, I don't need you speaking for my sisters, okay? I look out of them. Not you.

Billy: I'm not saying that, but-

Kyle: Guys. Guys. Fort Warren is too far of a journey, Nathan....you really want to risk taking the girls that far after what happened....with Zeus Corps is most likely searching for us? Plus what if we run into Bandits or those Butcher folks again? We need this and you know it, dude....

A moment.

Nathan: Two weeks....if I'm not satisfied, we keep moving....

Kyle: Fair enough....

Kyle turns to Daniel.

Daniel: Well?

Kyle: We'll do it...

Nathan: One condition....my sisters stay here.....I don't want them following us into hell then they already have to.