"Why the hell did you kill our only specimen?" The lead researcher screamed. "Do you know how many men died to capture him alive?"
Gerald slowly turned to the man and spoke. "We have come to understand that these things are commanded by a much more fearsome creature. They are controlled and under orders. Everything they see and hear are transmitted to their leader in real time."
The Major and the researchers gasped as Gerald continued.
"Central has made great advances in isolating the virus that turns people into these 'spawns'. It is an ever-changing virus that is completely under control of their leader. Even if we could synthesize a cure for the virus, in a matter of minutes, it would become obsolete. It would be useless before we could even administer it. To combat something like this, Central's technology would have to advance by at least three hundred years. And even then, that would only give us a chance at combating. Success would still depend on luck."
"Then…" The Major started after understanding the implications.
"It has been decided that we will enact a Raze and Burn protocol. For the survival of our race, everything, I mean everything, must be destroyed."
"The people inside…" The lead researcher began.
"The only way to infect is through direct transmission, it has been discovered that their leader can only control so many of these spawns at once. And the direct transmission is selective. The spawns and their leader feed on our blood. If they turned everyone, they would not be able to survive. My team and I will enter the quarantine area and see to the general publics safety while dealing with this mess. Those who have been bitten but don't show symptoms after twenty-four hours can be released."
Those in the room began to contemplate the situation.
"Major." Gerald called.
"Yes, Sir!"
"Take agent Dasher here show him your permitter defense. Take his suggestions as gospel. Once we enter the quarantine area and our enemy notices danger, they can not be allowed to flee and disperse. I hope your men are prepared to defend the fate of the world. Satellites have confirmed that all of these creatures are still contained in the city. We will remove this scourge from the inside, but if even a single one escape… Well, Central isn't prepared to risk the planet for the sake of one city. Do you understand the consequences of failure?"
"Sir, yes, sir!" Major Willis answered loudly.
"Then go now." The Major and Dasher exited the research room.
"Agent Alpha, Agent Charlie."
""Yes sir.""
"See that this thing is disposed of properly, collect every sample taken and ensure its destruction. Sweep the base and make sure nothing remains."
""Understood.""
"Bravo, you're with me." Gerald said, walking out of the room.
When the researchers were left with Alpha and Charlie they turned to the agents. The lead researcher spoke.
"I have met agents from Central before, but your boss… He…"
"Is a badass." Alpha said with a grin.
The lead researcher nodded eagerly while Charlie elbowed Alpha in the side.
"What, just because we work for Central doesn't mean we have to be robots. Besides, you have to admit, boss is indeed a badass."
"Hmff, that goes without saying." Charlie then turned towards the researchers. "I hope nobody holds anything back. You all should be aware of what at stake."
"Yes ma'am, we understand."
***
Gerald led Bravo to the car.
"What can I do for you sir?"
"Pull out your phone."
Gerald then tapped his phone to Bravo's. Maps started to download on the man's phone.
"Start studying, these are satellites photos of Dawn city taken this morning. Memorize as many roadways as you can. Pay attention to collapsed buildings and abandoned pileups. If we have to flee in a hurry, I don't want to turn down any dead ends."
"Okay, this is something I am good ate."
Gerald nodded before sitting on the bumper of the SUV and tinkering on his own phone.
Twenty minutes later Alpha and Charlie exited. The groups of researchers split up and escorted them to different areas of the base.
They nodded to Gerald, indicating that the lab was clean before they left.
After an hour, Major Willis and Dasher returned.
"And?" Gerald asked.
"The Major and his men will hold the line well. You can rest assured."
"Good." Gerald said.
The Major revealed a faint smile after hearing Gerald approve.
"Sir, is there anything else you need?" The Major asked.
Gerald stroked his chin before answering. "Are supplies still being sent into the city."
"Yes, daily deliveries are made. Only essential supplies though. Food, water, bullets and medicine."
"Where can I find alcohol and tobacco?" The Major looked at him with a confused expression. Anyone from Central should know that those things are not provided to soldiers.
Gerald explained. "The local police force won't give us the same respect that you do. Sometimes it is easier when you arrive with gifts. It will also make the locals more forthcoming with information."
The Major understood. "I will have my people find out."
"Umm, Sir." Said the soldier following the Major.
"What is it?"
"We and a couple of others noticed a drug store our first day here. It's only a few blocks away."
The Major scowled.
"It isn't like that sir, we never touched. Only noticed it and talked about what we would want to drink when we go back home. You know how it is sir, just soldiers talking at night before shuteye."
"Address?" The Major asked after his scowl disappeared.
Once they had the address, the Major and Gerald entered the car that Bravo started up.
They pulled into a deserted parking lot in front of a drug store, a military vehicle followed them in.
The door was easily opened, and the group entered, Gerald was pleased with what he saw.
"Find some boxes and load up liquor and put in the trunk of our car." Gerald instructed the soldiers, who didn't hesitate to act.
He moved around behind the counter and started to pull out cartons of cigarettes, stacking them on the counter while Bravo put them in bags.
He opened up a carton and put two packs into his jacket and then passed a pack to Bravo.
"I don't smoke."
"Doesn't mean you can't offer one to somebody else."
Gerald pulled out a box of lighters and took that too after storing one in his pocket.
A short while later, they were on the road heading towards the entrance of the city.
The gate's in the iron wall were heavily guarded. Several barricades were placed, and hundreds of soldiers stood with their weapons ready.
Bravo stopped a hundred meters from the entrance.
The Major and Gerald got out of the car as another two vehicles pulled up. Alpha and Charlie got out and reported.
"Everything has been destroyed."
"Good, get it the car."
The two complied.
"I will take precautions to make sure nobody gets any funny ideas. I will double check and triple check."
Gerald nodded and took out a pack of cigarettes and opened them. He stuck one in his mouth before lighting it up. He then offered a stick to the Major.
He accepted and let Gerald light it up.
"I didn't think that those from Central were allowed to smoke." He said with an eyebrow raised.
"Were not." Gerald said while taking a drag on the cigarette. "But this mission… If we fail, none of us will come out of here. And if we succeed… my team still won't be able to make it. This is our last show." Gerald then turned towards the Major and stared into his soul with a penetrating gaze. "After we are done, the survivors inside will still need you and your men to protect them. In fact, Central isn't too thrilled with my plan. They would rather wrap this up with a single missile and tie a bow on this whole situation. This will be my end, but I hope you and your people will do everything you can to see that the innocent people inside can survive the aftermath. The creatures inside aren't the only threat to these people. Your mission has always been to safeguard this place and its citizens. Only citizens are allowed to come out. If things go how I think they will, we won't be able to destroy everything once these monsters are dead. You and your people will have to make sure that nothing comes out. Do not forget your orders."
Gerald flicked away his cigarette butt and got back in the SUV.
As they drove away the Major understood the mission he was given.
"Open the gate!" He called out. He then stood at attention and saluted the car that was driving off ahead.
As the gate to the city opened, a dozen soldiers with heavy weapons swept the tunnel. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, they backed up and let the car enter. As the SUV drove in, the gate behind it slammed shut and was locked tight.
Bravo flicked on the lights. The combat vehicle was originally decked out with several high powered spotlights on the top of the vehicle, but now with it reskinned. The headlights were able to illuminate the tunnel like daytime.
The group drove slowly for three minutes until they approached another thick steel gate. The vehicle came to a rest in front of the gate.
"Should we get out and knock?" Alpha asked after they had been waiting for a few minutes.
"Just wait." Gerald replied.
A few moments later, the gate began to rise.
Several police officers in high visibility vests appeared on the other side and ushered them forward.
Bravo rolled forward until an officer with a clipboard motioned for them to stop. He then walked to the passenger window that Gerald had rolled down. The officer peered in the vehicle for a moment, before pulling back after he saw the spooks in black suits.
"Delivery is a little early today, and it looks a little light." The officer joked.
Reaching into the bag beneath his feet, Gerald pulled out a pack of cigarettes and passed them to the man.
"Yeah, we are a bit light today, but the regular delivery will still be on time."
The officer quickly put the pack away with a smile. "Since the military let you past, I am sure you are supposed to be here, but the Commander requires everyone to sign in." He said while passing over the clipboard.
Gerald took it without balking and began to scribble on the form. "The southern district still off limits?"
"Yeah, things have been getting worse. There is talk about evacuating the eastern district next, but we don't even know where to put the people. I am guessing you guys aren't actually here for a delivery. What is the reason for your arrival?"
"Yep, were not delivery men. We are… cleaners."
The officer looked into the car again. "You five are going to clean the city?" He asked with a fair amount of skepticism.
Gerald shrugged. "Yeah, five is a bit overkill, but we all have our orders."
The police officer wasn't sure what sort of expression to make. Gerald reached out his hand to the back of the car. Dasher placed a bottle in his palm.
He then passed the whiskey to the officer. "Make sure the others get a taste when they are off duty."
"Wow, thanks." The officer replied while taking the clipboard back. He then waved to the last gate which proceeded to open and grant them access to the city.
"Head to the command center." Gerald instructed. Bravo nodded and drove.
When the gate shut, the others in the interchange area came by to bum some smokes and make sure that the officer didn't plan to hoard the liquor to himself tonight. After the spoils were divided. The officer who approached the car checked the clipboard to get the name of the nice guy who came bearing gifts but was surprised to see that nothing was written. There were only the scribbles of a toddler filling in every line of question.
He looked to the gate that was already closed and shook his head before radioing the command center.