7
The Complex
Kinta opened the doors to our dorm, “Alright, this is “C” dorm the farthest away from the main building, so you better get up early to make it to the briefing room on time.”
Everyone sighed, “What time is that-sir?” asked someone.
“0530. Keth still wants that report. There are small libraries on the first floor of every dorm. You will find the information you need there. Breakfast is available from 0400 to 0515. Now I have the dorm keys for each of you.” Kinta pulled out a folded piece of paper, “Okay,” he read the note, “ I need Taylor Prizim, Ciarra Powell…” many more were mentioned, and after what seemed like hours, he called me, “Last I need Corr Zaphad, Lucas “The Beast” McHeart, Josh Everstone, and Durgma Gelfred. You four are to go to room 50. Here, I have your keys.”
We took our keys and headed up the stairs, “Looks like they want to keep us in good shape.” Josh remarked.
“Yeah, no elevator.” said Durgma.
I had never been in the company of a Gann, but Durgma seemed to be cool. We walked to the last room, and Durgma walked up to the door with his key. His head only came a few inches above the knob. He unlocked it and walked in.
“Ah, I think that bed is too small for me.” said Lucas.
“Yeah, I think you’re right.” remarked Josh
The room had two bunk beds, a bathroom, and a dresser, “Think all of our clothes are the right size?” asked Durgma.
“That would be weird.”
I held one of my shirts to my chest and it fit perfectly, “It is weird.”
“How did they know my size?” asked Lucas.
“Yeah, your size of all, Beast.”
“Do ya’ think that all these clothes are white? If they are, do we have to wear tighty whitey?” asked the Beast. I found a pair and snapped the elastic waste band, “Ah, now that‘s not right.”
I sighed and grabbed a shirt, shorts, and some ‘tighty whities‘, and took a shower. Later, I felt refreshed as I walked out in to the bunks. Everyone seemed formily introduced.
Lucas walked over to me, “Josh, Durgma, this is Corr Zaphad.”
I waved, “Hey Corr.” remarked Durgma.
“A man of few words, eh?” asked Josh. I nodded, then he chuckled.
“What time is it?” asked Lucas.
Durgma looked at the clock, “Ten.”
“I’m going to bed.” stated Josh.
“Yep, same here.” Lucas layed on his bunk, his arm and leg hung off. He got out of bed and pulled over the night stand. He positioned it so it would support his leg and part of his arm.
I set the alarm for 3:45 a.m. I climbed up the ladder in to the bunk over Lucas. What a day I thought. I killed three gangsters and had been drafted into the military. I wondered where my family thought I was, anywhere but the military I bet. What would tomorrow be like, I questioned myself as I fell asleep.
Back at the complex.
Kinta walked back into the complex. He ran into Cameron and Allisha.
“General, sir!” Cameron clicked his heels and made a crisp semper fi.
“At ease commander.”
“Sir.”
“What happened to your arm?”
“Gun shot, sir.”
“How?”
“Long story, sir.”
Kinta nodded, “Who’s this bonnie lass?”
“Just a friend.” Allisha smiled.
“Well good night, commander.”
Cameron nodded, “Wait, sir.”
“Yes, commander?”
“Do you know if Keth is in his office?”
“He should be.” Kinta answered.
“Thank you, sir.” Cameron spoke as Kinta walked on.
Cameron and Allisha walked on to Keth’s office, “Commander Keli requesting permition to speak.”
“Permition granted, commander.” Keth allowed.
“Thank you. Sir, the rebels are on Karthrill.”
“What?” Keth sat up straighter in his chair.
“They destroyed the Allmenegger estate, sir.”
“Did your friend make it out alive?”
“Yes, I did.” Allisha stepped forward.
“This is Allisha, the heirloom hunter?”
She was taken off guard by him saying heirloom instead of treasure hunter, “Yes.”
“Are you the only survivor?”
“I don’t know.” she said as she thought about her mother.
“Keth,” asked Cameron, “What are we going to do? The media is going to find out about the rebels.”
“They aleady know about the rebels, but they might find out that we are at war with them.” He coughed, “If they ask us we’ll just lay low and say we’re investigating the matter.” Cameron nodded and he went on, “Oh by the way, you’re not going to Cantus, you’re going to Delta Colony. Here are the tickets.” Keth handed him four tickets.
A flood of bad memories rushed Cameron‘s mind, “What!”
“Peter and Blare will be tagging along also.”
“No, why are we going back to Delta?!”
“There have been many reports of disappearing people and the gaurds that go to look for them.” Keth informed.
“Isn’t there any other person that can do this job?”
“Cameron, you, Blare, and Peter, are the only ones that have been there before. I think your group would be the most qualified to take this mission.” he stated.
“No one could be qualified enough for the horrors that colony holds.”
“Well, it’s an order, you leave tomorrow. You are dismissed.”
Cameron sighed and grabbed the tickets.
“What is this Delta colony?” asked Allisha.
“Don’t ask me now.”
“Good night commander.” Keth called as they left him.
“Night, sir.”
Allisha and Cameron ran into Blare and Peter on the way to his room. “What seems to be the matter, Cameron?” asked Peter.
“We’re going back,” Cameron blurted out.
They all seemed to know where he was referring to. “No, comrade.”
“Keth’s orders Peter. We leave tomorrow.”
They sighed as they took their tickets. “I’ll be getting read,” Blare turned. “Nice meeting you, Allisha.”
“You too, Blare.”
“Night Cameron.” Peter went the same way as Blare.
“My room’s this way.”
They walked into Cameron’s room and Allisha found it to be very elaborate, “Nice.”
“Yeah, and I just got it today that’s why I left my new car at my old apartment, it was the last thing left.”
“Okay, does this place have a shower?” Allisha questioned.
“Sure does, towels are in the closet.” he sat on the couch, “Don’t hate me if I’m asleep by the time you’re done.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t.” she chuckled.
Cameron made a bed out of the couch and got some extra pillows. As he lay there, he thought about the day and how full it had been. He moved into his new place, found a girl he had not seen in two years, and saved her all in one day.
Allisha came out of the shower ready for bed. She saw Cameron asleep on the couch. She walked over to the light panel and flicked it to the off position. Over to the bed she went, and right when she was about to lay down she noticed a light coming from Cameron’s office. She sighed and moved to his office. There was always something that kept her from getting what she wanted.
The light was on Cameron’s laptop. The light was a video log that was blinking. “None of my business,” she whispered.
As soon as she touched the finger pad the video log resumed. Allisha watched as Cameron was grabbed by a white creature and thrown back inside a vehicle. Blare bent over Cameron to check his vitals.
“He’s still alive.” she stated.
Blare caught Cameron’s hand as he popped up, “B?!”
She nodded.
“Dave, get this thing moving!” yelled Sarge, at the driver.
Thud! “What ever that thing is, it’s back!” shouted Peter.
Water started to seep in, “Ah, Sarge, water.”
“What Sparx, water?! Dave, is it bad if water gets to the engine?!”
“Yeah!” Dave’s rough voice called back.
“Oh crap! Look out.” Sarge shouted.
Thoom! The vehicle exploded. An other I.G.G swam in front of Cameron catching a piece of shrapnel form the vehicle.
Cameron propelled himself to the surface and looked around in the water for the rest of his group. He saw Dave and the other I.G.G face down in the water. Then Blare, Sparx, Peter and the Sarge popped up out of the water gasping for air.
“Blare, I want you to scan for any life forms in the vicinity.”
“Negative, sir.”
“Good, let’s move toward that beach.” Sarge commanded. Five minutes later they laid foot on the shore line, “Let’s scout out those pillboxes and see if there’s anyone in there.”
They stayed low as they moved to the boxes, “Hey Sarge, if there was anyone in there why didn’t they shoot at us?”
Sarge looked at Sparx, “Just keep your mouth shut and feet moving.”
They made it to the base of the pillbox without a shot fired. “Hold here, I’ll check the entrance,” said Cameron
He moved around to the entrance of the box. He looked down his sights of his MR-C and flicked on the light to see into the dark door way, “Clear.”
The rest of his group moved through the door way and flicked on their lights, “Looks like this place has been vacant for some time.” stated Sparx, shining his light on some rusty pipes that were dripping water.
“Or, maybe not.” contradicted Peter looking at mutilated bodies.
“Ouch.” thought Allisha.
The group heard a scampering of feet, “Did you hear that?” Blare asked Cameron. His camera bobbed up and down while he nodded.
“Do you think whatever killed these men could still be here?” asked Sparx.
Cameron heard a noise from a corner, so he wipped around to see what was there, nothing was. Then he scanned another corner and leveled his barrel. A substance of saliva dripped from the ceiling to his weapon, He slowly looked upward.
Allisha’s heart raced.
“Holy crap!” it was one of those creatures.
The thing dove toward Cameron, but he was ready. Cameron slammed the stock of his MR-C against the demon’s head and it shattered apon impact. The rest of the body tumbled to the ground.
“That was close comrade.”
“You’re tell’n me.”
Then many fell from the ceiling and came up though a crack in the floor.
“Eat lead!” Sparx screamed holding the trigger of his weapon down. The MR-C’s firing rate was fast so fast that the bullets shredded the creature.
“Where are these things coming from?!”yelled Peter.
“Peter,” commanded Sarge, “see if you can find a way out of here!”
“On it, sir!”
“Sparx, Blare, cover him.”
“Yes, sir,” they said in unison.
Cameron got his weapon torn away form him as he swung it at a creature. He noticed that Peter had found another way out while he was getting surrounded. Cameron watched as Sarge and Sparx jumped down the hatch along with Blare.
“Cameron! Come on!” Peter cried.
“Just go, I’ll make it somehow,” Cameron assured.
Peter took one last look at his lone comrade then jumped through the hatch, closing it behind him.
Cameron charged through the hoard of demons toward the entrance and smashed one into the wall. Cameron dashed outside and started to push the door. The heavy door moaned on its hinges.
Allisha’s heart started to speed up as she saw the things getting closer.
He finally got the door shut, and turned the crank which locked it. Then, as he paused to get his breath, one of creatures’ faces was implanted in the door. Cameron looked inland and saw the silhouette of a city. He started to run for it hoping the city would be a safe haven.
A creature from the top of the pillbox spotted Cameron. It jumped and roared all the way down. It landed on him, shoving him to the ground.
Cameron struggled to break free. He saw the thing pulling back for a punch. The fist hit his face again and again. Cameron struggled to get the thing off of him. He put his foot in the demon’s stomach and gave it a hard shove, launching it off of him. The creature leaped from the ground to its feet. Cameron pulled at his side arm in his holster.
It was stuck. “Aw, come on!” Cameron lamented.
The thing lowered its shoulder as it charged at him. It struck him with immeasurable force. Cameron sailed through the air, slammed into the ground, and skidded to a stop.
He pulled his pistol from the holster. “Yes!” he rejoiced.
The demon tackled him, but Cameron gripped the sidearm for dear life. He stuck the barrel of the pistol in the creature’s mouth. He pulled the trigger, it was all over.
Cameron got up and wiped the blood off his face, trying to slow his heart pace. At that time the heavy door burst off its hinges, and the creatures flooded out. Cameron fled for the city. He could hear the things getting closer and closer.
All the sudden, tracer rounds flew passed his camera. The rounds caught the closest demons in the knees, keeping them at a safe distance from him.
Cameron kept on running. He saw C-4 explosives propped up on the ground.
Crack-thoom! Cameron jumped and made it past the C-4 just in time.
Allisha didn’t need to be there to know his ears were ringing.
Cameron picked himself up off the ground and walked into the building the tracer rounds came from. He walked and the camera recorded a young boy in his teens climb down a ladder.
“Let me guess, I.G.G?”
“Yeah, and who are you?”
“I’m part of the Jacobites, a small division that fights the rebles.”
“That’s good to hear, you got a name kid?”
“Marcus, and I’m not a kid.”
“You look awful young.”
“The Jacobs need every man they can get to fight the rebels.” Marcus paused, “I thought there would be more than just one I.G.G.”
“There is more,” Cameron stated.
“I didn’t see any,” Marcus told.
The camera panned to the ground, and Allisha thought about the rest of Cameron’s group.
“Well, we need to get you back inside the walls, before more come.” said Marcus motioning to the door with is AK-47.
“Let’s go then.”
“Hey, you’re going to need more than that pistol, here take this.” Marcus tossed him another AK.
They walk up a small flight of stairs to the door. Marcus turned the knob and pushed the door open a few inches. He stuck the barrel through the crack and looked through the sights “All clear, now watch your step.”
They walked across a narrow cat walk above the rubble from part of the building.
Thoom!
“Aw, crap! They’ve started shelling again. We need to get out of range.”
“How do you know when we’re out of range?”
“The rest of my group’s out of range.”
They were running by a line of old apartment buildings when Allisha heard a sharp whistle.
“Get down, Marcus!” Kaboom! Cameron tried to shelter him from the explosion.
Cameron looked up and the camera focused on a large piece of rebar in front of him, “Get off me, I’m fine!”
“I just saved your life.” Cameron said, showing Marcus his back. The protective blast armor was covered with metal and rock shards.
Marcus turned, “Come on.”
“Are we almost there?” said Cameron running to Marcus.
“Yes!”
They walked up an alley way and halted, “What, why are stopping?”
“Shsh! That building over there is friendly.” Marcus stated, pointing across the street, “This building next to us is the rebel’s. Good thing we got here in a cease fire.” he pulled out a laser light and clicked it twice. Then, in the Jacobite building, a single light shown briefly. “We’re going to run across the street on three. One-two-three!”
They sprinted across the street into the other building. When they did this, both buildings erupted with weapon fire. Bullets whizzed passed them.
How they did not get hit, Allisha did not know.
Cameron dove behind a short wall, and he stayed as low as he could get to the ground. With all the bullets hitting the ground, kicking up little clouds of dust, the noise of automatic rifle fire, and the cursing of the men, Cameron froze.
Allisha didn’t know it, but this was Cameron’s first real fire fight.
Marcus tapped Cameron on the shoulder, “Shoot man, shoot!”
Cameron watched as Marcus unloaded his weapon then reloaded. Cameron blind fired a couple shots from his AK-47. He then mustered up enough corage to subject himself to the Rebel Fist. He sighted in on an insurgent. Cameron pulled the trigger and felt the weapon pound his shoulder. He saw the rebel die from a terrible case of lead poisoning.
“Oh man! They’re gonna charge!” shouted a man that was shot instantly after he said it.
Heavy machine gun fired from the rebel building to cover the advancing troops. Rebels poured from their walled structure. Cameron and the other Jacobs fired at the same time killing the first and second rows of rebel When Cameron had to reload, along with the rest of his allies, the rebels breached the building.
With all the yelling the speakers distorted. The camera focused on Marcus, so bent on killing rebels with his sawed off shot gun.
Cameron caught a rebel running at him with his weapon held above his head. He brought his AK up just in time to catch the insurgent’s club. Cameron shoved the gun of his weapon. The rebel hesitated and that was all Cameron needed. He brought it down on his enemy’s cranium.
The rebel fell and Cameron saw a homemade rocket propelled grenade launcher aimed at him. “RPG!” he pulled Marcus and another man down to the ground with him.
Zroom-Kaboom!
The rebels and the other Jacobites were gone. “We can’t stay here any longer!” shouted the man Cameron pulled to the ground.
On the way out, Marcus grabbed another man by the collar who was sitting on the outside of the building. So, the four of them ran down the street dodging rifle fire as they went. They ran into a back alley to seek cover.
The man Cameron saved walked over to the man Marcus grabbed, “Jriff, how did you survive that explosion when we all would of died if not for the G.G.”
“Look Nadec, How should I know?”
“How should you know, how should you know?!” questioned Nadec.
“I think you’re a traitor, we can’t have traitors.” said Marcus moving closer to Jriff, tightening his grip on the shotgun.
Cameron turned around from watching the alley entrance to see Marcus. He moved closer to Jriff. “Marcus, we’re friends right, right?”
Marcus shook his head as he pulled the trigger, Boom! Blood splattered on the wall.
Allisha couldn’t stomach anymore before she went to bed. But she still wanted to know more. She emailed the video log to her mp3 player so she could watch it later. As she turned off his laptop, she noticed his desktop picture. It was of Cameron and her with a whole bunch of other kids at the beach right before he left for the G.G. It was a going away party for him. Those kids were worry free then, no war and no white creatures. But she wouldn’t be thinking about those demons tonight.
She walked out into the den where Cameron was asleep. She wondered how he could sleep after what he had been through. The only thing that would help her to fall asleep would be the memories of that beach.