Ain_Revenant

That night, Aegis Squad infiltrated an abandoned laboratory complex to capture a mutated zombie alive for research. The air reeked of rusted metal and decay.

"Make sure the trap is ready," whispered Major Pan Colman.

Lila nodded, checking her device. "Ready, just waiting for the bait."

Hart, tracking zombie movement, looked uneasy. "They’re smarter than we thought. We must move fast."

From the shadows, a massive mutated zombie with armor-like skin emerged.

"Wait for it to step into the trap," Pan whispered.

As the creature moved forward, Lila activated the device. Steel clamps trapped it, sending high-voltage shocks that made it thrash violently.

Before they could celebrate, Hart panicked. "Major, something big is moving behind us!"

From the ruins, a giant zombie with protruding bones emerged, smashing through a wall with unnatural speed.

"We need to move, now!" Pan ordered.

The squad hauled the trapped zombie into their containment truck, escaping as the complex collapsed behind them.

Inside the vehicle, Dr. Alaric muttered, "This isn't normal mutation. The virus is evolving too fast."

Hart nodded. "It’s as if someone designed them. But who? And why?"

Suddenly, a loud metallic thud echoed from the roof.

"What was that?" Lila asked, weapon raised.

Hart checked his tablet. "Something's on top of us! But it wasn’t detected before!"

Pan signaled. "Rico, stop the vehicle. Lila and I will check."

They stepped out and looked up. A tall, gaunt creature with razor-sharp claws clung to the roof, staring at them with soulless black eyes.

"What the hell is that?" Lila whispered.

The creature lunged with blinding speed. Pan and Lila dodged, but their bullets had no effect.

"Get back inside! Now!" Pan commanded.

They sprinted back, Rico hitting the gas.

Hart read his tablet. "This thing… it's like a predator. Faster, stronger."

Dr. Alaric whispered, "If this was made by Dominion, we’re dealing with a far deadlier bioweapon than I imagined."

The creature pursued them, closing the distance. Lila and Pan fired, but it dodged effortlessly. In one leap, it grabbed the steel trap containing the mutated zombie.

"It’s trying to take the zombie!" Lila yelled.

Pan hurled a smoke grenade, forcing the creature to retreat. The vehicle sped away.

Inside, tension remained thick.

"We can't keep running," Pan stated. "We need to fight back. And we need to find out what Dominion of Varex has really done."

Worst Zombie Day

November 27, 2058 – Morning

The morning sun rose over the hills surrounding the survivor camp. Despite the golden light illuminating the ground, tension still gripped the camp. A day had passed since they intercepted the mysterious radio signal from Blackridge, and now Pan and the other leaders gathered in the tactical room to decide their next move.

On an old wooden table lay a worn-out map with several marked points. Blackridge was approximately 50 kilometers north of their current location. It seemed like a manageable distance, but with unpredictable terrain and the threat of mutated zombies, this journey could be the most dangerous one they had ever attempted.

"We need to make a decision now," Pan said, his gaze shifting between the group members. "Do we stay here and strengthen our defenses, or do we send a scouting team to Blackridge to gather more information?"

Jenna, still clutching the communication tablet, exhaled. "The signal could be a trap. But if it's real, it means there are other survivors out there who might be able to help us."

Mira crossed her arms. "Or we might end up helping them. We know our camp won't last forever, and the longer we stay here, the higher the risk of something worse finding us."

Cong nodded in agreement. "We can't wait until the enemy comes knocking on our gates again. We need to act first."

Pan thought for a moment before letting out a deep sigh. "Alright. We'll send a small team to Blackridge. Their mission is only to observe and determine whether the place is truly safe. If they don't return within 48 hours, we'll assume it's not a viable destination."

After a brief discussion, Cong, Rico, and Jenna were chosen to lead a five-member scouting team. They carried light supplies and just enough weapons to defend themselves if necessary.

Meanwhile, Pan, Lila, and the others stayed behind to monitor the situation and prepare for the worst. They reinforced the barricades and revised their evacuation plans in case things took a turn for the worse.

As the scouting team departed, the camp fell into an eerie silence. Everyone knew that this decision could mark the beginning of something major—either salvation or destruction.

By late afternoon, Pan and Lila stood in the watchtower, keeping an eye on the surrounding area. The distant forest appeared undisturbed, but Pan knew better than to trust such stillness.

"It feels like we're in the middle of a trap," Lila muttered. "The enemy isn't moving, but they're out there."

Pan nodded slowly. "They're waiting for something. Or maybe… they know we'll be the ones to move first."

Suddenly, static crackled from Jenna's radio inside the communication post. All eyes turned toward her as a faint voice broke through the interference.

"...We see something… this isn't like the usual zombies…"

Rico's voice was choppy, but the tension in his tone was unmistakable.

"We need to get back. It's a trap!"

Before anyone could respond, gunfire and horrifying roars erupted through the radio. Then—only static remained.

"Rico! Cong! Respond!" Pan shouted, but no reply came.

The people inside the communication post exchanged pale, anxious looks.

"They're in danger," Mira said urgently. "What do we do now?"

Pan clenched his fists. "We get ready. If they don't return within the next few hours, we go after them."

Lila met his gaze, her expression grim. "And if they don't make it?"

Pan didn't answer immediately. But in his mind, he knew there was no turning back from this decision.

Chapter 33: A Perilous Decision