Warning Them

Thomas's jaw tightened as Cruz's voice echoed over the intercom.

"A horde?" he repeated, already moving back toward the command terminal. "Cruz, you certain?"

"Affirmative, sir. Thermal confirms. Movement patterns consistent with infected. They're migrating fast. Looks like they're following sound—maybe caught a whiff of engine noise from Villamor's convoy."

Logan stepped up beside Thomas. "Route 29's a bottleneck. Forest on both sides. They won't see 'em until it's too late."

Thomas tapped the monitor twice, zooming in on the drone feed. The distant forms were unmistakable now. Hundreds of shambling heat signatures pushing through the underbrush like a dark tide. Southbound.

"Can we raise Villamor on comms?" Thomas asked, voice sharp.

There was a pause before another voice crackled to life on the overhead speaker.