Chapter 27: Conflict with New Survivors

November 24, 2058 – Morning

The morning after leaving the laboratory felt heavy for the Aegis Squad. They trudged silently toward the survivor camp, a few kilometers from the site. Their breaths were labored, their clothes filthy with dust and zombie blood. Despite their exhaustion, there was relief in knowing the primary host had been destroyed.

"How much farther, Major?" Lila asked, adjusting the rifle slung over her shoulder. Her face was brighter than before, though traces of trauma from the recent battle remained.

Pan glanced at the digital map displayed on Hart's tablet. "About three kilometers. Stay alert. This path is often patrolled by zombies."

"Are you sure the survivors at the camp can be trusted?" Rico interjected skeptically. "We don't even know how many of them are still alive."

"Nothing is certain," Pan replied tersely. "But we don't have a choice. We need intel from Selman and time to recover."

As they pressed on, the environment began to shift. The trail they followed showed signs of human activity—tracks from vehicle wheels marked the dirt road ahead.

"We're getting close," Cong remarked, pointing forward. In the distance, a camp surrounded by barbed-wire fencing came into view.

A Tense First Encounter

Approaching the camp's gates cautiously, the Aegis Squad was greeted by several armed guards in tattered uniforms, their weapons aimed directly at them.

"Who are you?!" barked one of the guards, a bearded man with a suspicious glare.

Pan stepped forward, raising his hands slowly. "We're the Aegis Squad. We're here to meet Professor Selman."

The man scrutinized them for a moment before speaking into a radio. After a brief exchange, the gate creaked open. A tall woman with short blond hair emerged, flanked by several armed men.

"I'm Mira," she said flatly. "We've heard about you. Come in, but leave your weapons here."

"We're not surrendering our weapons," Pan replied firmly. "We're here to help, not to be sitting ducks."

Mira narrowed her eyes. "Then don't expect us to trust you."

The tension thickened. Rico gripped his rifle tighter, while Cong and Lila exchanged wary glances. Before the situation could escalate further, a calm yet authoritative voice came from within the camp.

"Let them in," an older man in a lab coat said as he stepped forward. "They are our guests."

Professor Selman's face was a blend of exhaustion and wisdom. "I've been expecting you, Major Pan. I'd like to hear your story."

A Fraught Discussion

Inside the camp, the atmosphere was far from welcoming. Survivors eyed the Aegis Squad with suspicion. The group was escorted to a small room serving as a makeshift command center. Professor Selman sat in a worn chair, Mira standing behind him with her arms crossed.

"What did you find in the laboratory?" Selman asked, cutting straight to the point.

Pan detailed their encounter with the primary host, the blue-eyed zombies, and the parasitic worms. Dr. Alaric added specifics, sharing his meticulous notes on the events.

"The worms spread through water," Alaric explained. "If Dominion engineered this, they've created a bioweapon far beyond our comprehension."

Mira interjected with a scoff. "So you destroyed the host? Impressive. But what guarantees do we have that you haven't brought something worse here?"

"We don't have time for a trust debate," Lila retorted sharply. "We're on the same side. If you've got anything useful, say it now."

Selman raised a hand to de-escalate the tension. "Enough. Mira, focus on solutions. Survival is our common goal."

Before they could continue, an alarm blared through the camp. Survivors scrambled into action, while Pan and his team instinctively took defensive positions near the door.

"What's happening?" Pan demanded.

A breathless guard rushed in. "Mutated zombies! They're approaching from the east!"

A New Threat

The Aegis Squad and the survivors quickly manned the camp's defenses. From a watchtower, Pan observed the approaching horde. Among the zombies, something stood out—a massive creature with bloated, armor-like skin leading the pack.

"It's that shielded zombie again," Lila said, her voice tense.

Cong raised his rifle. "We've taken one down before. We can do it again."

Before they could strategize, a small explosion erupted within the horde. Out of the smoke emerged a new type of zombie—elongated, with quick, leaping movements.

"What the hell is that?!" Rico exclaimed, his eyes wide as the creature vaulted high toward the camp's walls.

Pan tightened his grip on his weapon. "Get ready. This isn't over."