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They overran soldiers who were here to defend these people. Military vehicles to transport to the civilians and those made to provide security just sat abandoned. Some vehicles had bodies of soldiers still contained in them.

“Jesus Christ,” Neville whispered. “Looks like the infected took this place down quick.”

“Yeah, probably had people coming in here who were already infected,” Webb responded. “Question is… where are all the infected now?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t want to be standing here when they come back.” Neville quipped.

“That makes two of us.” Webb replied as the two men spun and sprinted back to the truck. Everyone piled in based on the urgency of Neville and Webb making their way back to the vehicle.

“What’s happening up there?” Dr. Costa asked.

“You don’t want to know.” Neville reversed the truck and spit dirt and gravel as he made their way out of there. “Captain, should we try to see if HQ still exists?”

“Yeah, that’s our only move, Sargent. After that, I have no idea.”

The atmosphere in the truck was draped in stunned silence. Those that had witnessed the scene couldn’t believe what they just saw.

“How could it go so bad in such a brief time? How were the troops overrun so quickly? What does this mean for the rest of the world?” Shin pondered this as he attempted to meditate and bring his blood pressure level down.

Webb just stared out the windshield in disbelief, trying to deal with his dry mouth and scratchy throat. He sat there staring and blinking shell shocked as he was unconsciously shaking his head.

“You okay, Captain?” Neville was glancing over at him.

“Hell, no I’m not… but I will be.”

“Copy that. Feeling the same.”

After a couple more turns, they started down Range Road, which would take them back home, back to HQ, which was the only home they had known for three years. Once they are home, they could renew their spirit, their strength, their sanity. They can resupply, figure this whole crazy thing out and what is still real in the world and what is fantasy. They have blurred those lines over the past weeks and now Webb didn’t know if he could distinguish between the two.

They came up on the main road that led to their unit HQ, and the overwhelming smell assaulted their noses long before they laid eyes on their HQ building. The powerful stench of decay, rot, cordite, sweat and fear all amassed into something living on its own. It all manifested into an environment of despondency and desolation. The demeanor inside the truck completely changed and the tension and anxiety were palpable. They exchanged looks betwe

en the team and as they proceeded closer, their breath caught in their throats.

The picture in front of them was one of barbarians assaulting the ramparts as those behind the walls were trying to repel the assailing horde. The two things missing to complete the scene were a drawbridge and a moat.

Surrounding the HQ garrison were convex containers stacked one on top of another, creating a barrier wall. There were rows of concertina wire along the ground about 10 feet in front of the barrier and mounted on top of the barrier at the front facing corner. Infected were strung up in the wire at the foot of the container wall, still wriggling and trying to reach for the uninfected.

They lined soldiers along the top of the barrier shooting into the multitude of infected trying to breech the fortifications. Countless bodies littered the ground for hundreds of yards in every direction. By the looks of the fortifications, this fight for the compound has been taking place for quite a while.

Acrid smoke ascended into the air from countless fires raging all around the HQ. Fires were burning from roasting bodies, destroyed vehicles and scorched earth. All the fires produced a nauseating and toxic haze that seemed to float around looking for lungs to pollute like it had a mind of its own. Countless infected could be seen attempting to gain access to the compound like a frenzied mob. Their deep-rooted instincts driving them into an agitated state of wanting to spread the virus and just kill what was in front of them.

The question that kept gnawing at Webb was how were they going to get through this substantial horde without getting bitten, ripped apart, or shot. They needed to gain access to the compound, and the logistics were not as simple as they should be. Webb looks at his team. “Ok, options?”

Neville and Shin thought for a minute. “Captain, do you think any of the other units are in the same situation?”

“Probably not. It looks like all or at least most of the infected have made their way here. I am not sure if any of the other units are intact, but I doubt it.”

Shin looked at him, “Maybe we could acquire an armored Humvee with .50 cal turret, blast through to clear a path, or possibly even lure some away so we can get through their makeshift gate.”

Webb looked at the gate and the compound and then to Neville. Neville nodded his head. “Out fucking standing, Shin. Let’s move on that.”

Neville slowly backed the truck up and then turned it around. They had been stationed at this post for a few years, so they knew quite a few of the other units and possibly where to find the vehicle they were looking for.

The 358th Rakassans were a combat unit a mile or so from their HQ. They drove up slowly, even though the entire area looked abandoned. All the buildings looked desolate, not revealing any signs of life. The team made their way to the motor pool to scout out some vehicles. To their surprise, the motor pool was practically full.

“Should we roll with one or two vehicles?” Neville asked.

“Two would definitely swing the scales in our favor, so Dr. Costa would either have to man a weapon or drive one vehicle,” Webb stated. They all turned to Dr. Costa.