The very first photo was of a dead civilian, with their hands clawing at their throat. The nails black, lips blue eyes a pale white with green veins running through the white, tongue sticking out a bulbous thing that looked like a swollen muscle. He clicked to the next photo, this one was of the creature with flesh like leather, arms long and swinging eyes shining in the dark. Swaying. Each limb melting and turning into solid bone, sharp enough to easily cut a man in half. "This new strain of the God virus turns the hosts muscles into bones, the skin melts and forms into a harder outer shell. Turning it into a weapon. There have been a few cases of rabid victims, just like Crusa."
He flipped to another photo, "Gangrene sets in around the mouth and cracks the corners. Their eyes are glossy; however, some are still able to talk." Emmett tried to hold back a shudder, this was the worst case he had seen yet, "The part I want you guys to know, is this; you can get infected in anyway. Blood, spit, kissing, scratching and or, biting. It is a level five contagion. Take any and all precautions possible. There are no vaccines that we know of." He flipped to another photo.
It was a woman with long blonde hair that covered most of her face. The difference was her legs reminded him of spiked stilts. Her hands were down at her sides, stained red. Nails dripping. "These type of infected are what we call weepers. They have long nails that can cut through steel. They will cry, beg, and try to bring you in. It's how they hunt." Emmett looked over his team and saw the determination.
"How large is the infection radius? Any containment breaches that we know of?" Myrna questioned.
When he looked over, he saw her hand on Ace's and his jaw tightened. A deep pain of jealousy shot through his body, he answered with the only thing he could, "It hit too hard, too fast for anyone to even try. Everything is a dead zone in there. The hospitals, schools and places of work and residency, take everything as a possible hot spot." He straightened his shoulders and looked over the faces of each one of his comrades. Nearly all of them were calm, almost too calm. We've been through this too many times.
"Now, we all know Myrna is new. She hasn't even completed her training, but that’s fine. She's one of the few survivors of Crusa. She is more than capable of holding her own…" He let out a slow breath, "She is also project Yellow Cat. We have our ticket into finding Alfred and the Company. We will put an end to these disasters, and she is the one who will help us."
When he laid his eyes on her, he saw that she meant business. She was nodding, "I will do everything I can to make sure my—Alfred stops this. Too many people have been killed over this." Myrna squeezed Ace's hand harder.
He took a moment to let it sink in, he was falling into her big bright eyes. Hearing the determination in her voice, he internally vowed he wouldn't let anything happen to her. He would let himself be killed before anything laid its hand on her.
Not even Alfred would stop him, "Now, our main objective is to get down there and infiltrate the Eyson base of operations. From there, we should be able to find Alfred."
"How do you know he's still there?" Ace questioned.
That made Emmett smile, with a single push of a button the screen changed to a moving dot on the map. "We know, because before Agatha went M.I.A, she tagged him with a micro tracker. Alfred hasn't left Eyson. He's still wondering around the streets, going right to his base of operations. Now, there is one last thing I need to tell you before we head out." He clicked the button again, and the screen changed. They were going to wear a new prototype battle mask made by the guys in the labs. It was made from a rare plastic and metal alloy that connects to their battle suits to filter any toxins out of the air as they breathe. The battle suits were also made from a lightweight metal that would protect them—hopefully—from most of the damage.
He heard Myrna gasp, it was a work of art. The battle suit was pitch black, pulsating a deep scarlet color. The mask wrapped around the wearers face with a built-in mic and earpiece, with black plastic tubing that goes into the suit.
"Would the glow give us away?" Myrna asked, "It's nice, but what protection will it give us?"
Emmett was prepared for this, he faced his team and looked at each and every one of them in the eyes, "It's made from a new light weight metal that's flexible. The reason it's glowing is because you're not in it, and the suit is off. Once you gear up, the suit will acclimate to your body and activate. It will warn you when you are near an infected. It will also give you much needed flexibility and speed. We don't know how hot Eyson is, and we don't know if the virus was spread in the air, water, or food. So, we are taking every precaution we can. Within these suits are built in maps, it will show you where to go, and where Alfred currently is." He straightened his back, "Gear up everyone, time is of the essence."
◆◆◆
Running her fingers over the battle suit, the cool metal still glowed at her touch. Mina had removed all her clothing and couldn't take her eyes off the beautiful material. She was impressed with how far technology had progressed in the military, especially the corps. Just because these new suits had been made, doesn't mean it'll keep you safe. Swallowing she pulled the suit down and stepped into it. Immediately a puff of cool air crossed her flesh, and the metal clamped down tight on her arms and legs. The scarlet glow disappeared, and the suit became matte black and smooth.
She connected the masks tubes and put it on.
Another puff of cool air surrounded her nose and mouth. The mask wrapped around the entire lower back portion of her head; a soft musical note came through her earpiece followed by a soft, Scottish male voice. "Body activation; Ms. Locklear. Project; Yellow Cat. Conforming to specifications…" Silence before a light crackling came through her earpiece. "Body modifications activated. Good evening Yellow Cat, welcome to the Scarlet Corp. My name is Neeve, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Myrna was quiet, surprised.
"Please give me voice activation Yellow Cat, I must know this is your body and suit." The Scottish voice was still patient with her.
Unsure of what to say, Mina thought quick. "My name is Myrna, not Yellow Cat."
Soft laughter, "Thank you for confirming Yellow Cat, are you prepared for what lies ahead of you?"
She made a face, "Are you actually talking to me—"
Emmett's voice broke through the comm, "Myrna front and center, the helicopter is warmed up and ready to leave."
Her heart skipped, and she left. The Scottish voice was playful and teased her, "Have a crush on the captain Yellow Cat?"
"Shut up." She grumbled, "You're not a real person anyway."
There was a chortle, "Actually you're wrong. I control all these battle suits. I'm in the control room on the third floor of the basement. Like I said, my name is Neeves. I've been meaning to talk to you for a while now." Soft tapping, "I see that the suit that Captain Normandy is recording an increase in body temperature."
"He's nervous." She replied, waiting for the elevator to come down. "Besides, stop talking to me you're—"
"Going to distract you? Doubtful. Everyone has their own codename, and yours is Yellow Cat. I am here to guide you through the city of Eyson and to get you to the Company's HQ." She heard more typing. "Your creator, Alfred, he has a much bigger plan then just releasing this new strain…"
The elevator opened and she pushed the button for the roof, "Alright, what do you mean?"
"Well, first off. Why would you shit in your own backyard? We've been chasing Alfred for the last sixteen years, and we finally have him where we want him. We just weren't expecting him to jump the gun like this. Eyson has a population of one hundred and thirty thousand. That's going to be a lot of damn monsters." She kept tapping her foot, and Neeve's spoke again, "Relax, your heart rate is through the roof right now Yellow Cat, this is your first mission, and we need you to focus. Okay?"
She let out a breath, "Yeah sure—"
When the elevator doors opened the first face, she saw was Emmett, his suit contoured to his body, and she couldn't stop looking. He was a big dud
e, and she saw every toned muscle in the dark suit. The mask covered his face and nose, he was taller than her and she had to look up at him to look him in the face.
She could feel his eyes roam over her face and body, it made her aware that the suit was also conformed to her own body, showing off her every curve and muscle.
"Now isn't the time to feel embarrassed y'know?" Neeve's joked.
She nearly jumped out of her skin when he spoke up out of nowhere. "That's not funny!" Mina snapped.
Emmett only raised his eyebrow, "Neeve's bothering you? Well, you'll get used to him." He glanced back to the helicopter before returning his attention back to her, he placed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed. "Look, everything will be alright. I'll take good care of you on this mission. This is big, people will get hurt, even die. Whatever you do, don't panic. You also have Neeve with you, if for some god forsaken reason, we get split up he will guide you right back to us. I have him linked into you, and only you. I want you to know that you will not be alone on this mission."
She gave him a slow nod.
"He didn't even do this with Agatha." Neeve commented. "He has some deep feelings for you Kitty Cat. His heart rate is through the roof right now."
Mina let herself feel the strength in his hands for a minute longer, "Come on Myrna, it's time."
Chapter Eight
Mina kept looking her handgun over and over. Checking everything from making sure she had a bullet chambered to the cleanliness. She had her standard issue gun, and her uncle’s revolver. Ace was right next to her doing the same thing.
"Hey mina?" Ace spoke through their commlink.
She looked over at him, "Yeah?"
Ace holstered his gun, and she heard the sigh in the mic, "I won't let anything happen to you I promise. I know we haven't had a chance to stay with each other much since you started your training. But, after everything is said and done…when we get back, how about we start over? Maybe look into adopting Lyle?" There was a soft laugh from him, "Once we take Alfred down, we can do everything we wanted to do. A normal life, far away from Crusa and Eyson. Maybe we can get relocated somewhere nice."
Mina could feel her own smile, "Yeah, that sounds really nice. Somewhere far away from all this shit. I'm tired of constantly fighting for my life. Once we take Alfred into custody, they wouldn’t need us anymore right?" The hope in her eyes shown bright as she grabbed his hand. "I think we should take Lyle in; give him the life he deserves. It's the least we could do."
She squeezed his hand and felt a moment of sadness. They haven't even had a chance to hold hands since the briefing. It felt good being this close to Ace again. Mina had been so busy with her training, she almost completely forgot to give him time. After all, Ace had been through hell and back with her. He was there when Nadine…when she had no choice but to take Nadine out. She saved his life when he had gotten infected.
"I'm sorry." It came out as a whisper. "I've been a horrible—"
He took her face into his hands, "Don't you dare say it. We agreed that we wouldn't be official till all this shit was over. You haven't been horrible. You've been doing your job, we both agreed that taking Alfred down was number one."
There was light turbulence, and she reached out and grabbed on his arms tightly. "Please Ace, don't leave my side during this mission. I need to know you're going to be there. Just like Crusa."
His eyes lit up as his smile reached them, "Of course. I'll have your back if you have mine."
"E.T. A three minutes get your ropes ready for descending." Emmett spoke over the open line.
Ace let her face go as he quickly got to his feet and left her side. Mina watched him walk to the door of the helicopter where the other people on their squad was lining up and getting ready. She got to her feet, and Neeve started to talk to her, "The Captain is jealous you know?" she heard him take a drink, "Every time he sees you and Ace his blood pressure rises."
She had nearly forgotten Neeve was even there, he had been so quiet the last hour. Mina followed Ace and stood behind him. "Why would he be jealous? Ace was there first."
"Because the last time he was in love with someone, Alfred kidnapped them. Used them in trying to make the first human weapon." She heard him put the cup down, "Basically used to make someone like you."
Her heart dropped as the helicopter door opened. Wind whipped passed her as she watched Emmett grab onto the rope and hook himself up to it. He didn't look at anyone else but her, and the first thing that came to her mind, "I wish I was never born…"
Neeve only replied; "Don't we all Kitty Cat. Don't we all."
One after another her teammates jumped from the helicopter. Jameson, Snow, then Ace. Ace hooked himself up to the rope. Before jumping he went to Mina and lifted the mask off her face, he lifted his own up. "I love you." He had to shout to be heard over the soaring wind. He grabbed her by the back of her head and pulled her in. She tasted his lips on hers. Mina closed her eyes, enjoying the sweet moment. She reached out and touched his sides with her fingers.
"I love you too…stay with me." She whispered against his lips.
He lowered his mask, and she lowered hers. She heard him clearly, "Always Mina." He disappeared.
She went to the edge of the helicopter holding onto the door. Ace had already descended halfway down the rope. Mina grabbed it and hooked herself up to it. "Oh god, I'm scared."
Emmett spoke through the headset, "You got this Mina, hold on the rope and jump. You're hooked."
She closed her eyes and jumped; the free fall made her stomach shoot right up to her throat. It was a thrill, but she also felt like she needed to pee. She didn't realize she had screamed till she landed on the ground with a thud.
There was light laughter in her earpiece, as Ace unhooked her from the rope. All sense of joy left them as the sound of the helicopter lifted and disappeared. They were surrounded in silence, "Welcome to hell." Neeve spoke through her earpiece.
When she was in Crusa, the whole city had caught fire, and everything was burning down around her. There were constant car crashes, people were jumping to their deaths.
Here…
"Everything is quiet…" Ace spoke through the open line.
He wasn't wrong, the whole city had looked like it was just put on pause. There wasn't any blood on the road, no stench of death. There wasn't even trash on the streets. It reminded Mina of the episode of the 'Twilight Zone' where the guy survived a bombing, to be the last man on earth.
But he ended up breaking his glasses.
She reached behind her and unholstered her assault rifle, her nerves were already on edge. The whole city of Eyson, just had a false feeling to it. The buildings were a deep gray, like it had a layer of ash over the cement.
She took one step forward, and watched as her foot kicked up dirt, or dust…
"Something's not right—" Her voice trembled. "Even Crusa was in turmoil when the virus was set loose. People were screaming, dying, and eating each other."
There was a soft fog rolling in, there was gentle tapping in her ear. "That's not fog Kitty Cat."
She went to the front where Emmett stood, Ace right on her heels. "Captain that's not fog."
His eyes widened, "What is it Yellow Cat?"
"It's smoke…" More silence before Neeve finished what he was saying, "Alfred activated a smoke screen, they know you're there. Watch yourselves. The whole city is covered in it, it'll hide the creatures too."
Mina replayed the message, and she heard Emmett curse over the feed. "Alright everyone, stay close. Alfred knows were here." The very silence of the city brought them all into a state of unease. There wasn't even the moaning of the undead. She had a tighter grip on her gun and held it close to herself.
The smoke was so dense, they couldn't even see a foot in front of them. Ace was right next to her; Snow was following behind and Jameson was taking the rear. She kept looking around her. Emmett's bulky frame blocked out mostly everything, the sunlight couldn't even break throu
gh the thick smoke.
She reached for her flashlight and Ace took hold of her wrist. "Don't. We don't know what these things are attracted too." She nodded.
"Alright everyone, let’s go." Emmett started at a steady jog, and they followed behind. As they jogged further into the city, she managed to take a quick glance to a store that was selling televisions. It was nothing but static.
"Where is everyone…?" She whispered.
"I don’t know Myrna. Where does the map say Alfred is hiding out at?" Emmett asked.
She reached up to her ear, and a holographic screen came out of the mask. "He's held up underneath Eyson's monument. He hasn’t moved since 1900, we need to head over there. That's about a ten-mile jog from here…" Her eyes roamed over the map, "If we take Maybell street and cut down through Hazel Lane, it'll cut some time off."
They all stopped jogging for a moment, "It'll take about three hours to get there on foot." Ace was watching her go through the maps. "We have to do this quick. Our guys will be here in ten to clean this place up. We have to hurry—"
"I found a quicker route—" As she was speaking, a sudden chill ran through her body. Dread filling at the bottom of her heart. "Something's not right…something's about to happen. Captain—"
Emmett turned to look at her, "Oh god, please help me!" It was a male child, screeching. She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck rise. She held on to the grip of her gun tighter.
Her teammates had the same look on their faces. "It could be—" Snow whispered as he raised his gun.
"Please! It hurts! It hurts so bad!" The screeching child's voice came from in front of them.
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