"These boots are your size; the equipment assigned to you is in that locker. Remember to only use your weapon against those things; we don't want you shooting people or doing something stupid."
Dominic, who had bathed, took the boots and said, "Of course, I understand. Thank you."
"You're in the Alpha team under Sergeant Castro's leadership; report to him and tell him everything you know," said the woman, who had finished doing everything she was asked.
Dominic's eyes were fixed on his military gear that had been handed to him; he supposed that the people here were desperate to let him in. But this was what he needed; once inside, he would have access to many opportunities and would start from that point his chance to take control.
He knew perfectly well that Sergeant Castro, along with many of his men, had abandoned their duty as soldiers to search for their families. That's why he would do everything possible to rescue them and take them to a safe place.
Now what remains is to establish realizations, offer opportunities, and know if it's really worth saving a life to get a soldier.
"A coin for another," thought Dominic as he changed clothes as if he had memories of his father.
When he finished dressing and put on his vest, Dominic looked at himself in the mirror, meeting a gaze he didn't have a few months ago. His empty look, but still eager to survive, was that of a man who had seen it all.
People often go through many evolutions to reach their best version, but now Dominic was as if he had ignored that rule and gone straight to the most important events of his life.
"I must move..." Dominic took his M4A1 carbine, which was the standard weapon of the National Guard. He knew this weapon was designed for close combat, and now that they were in urban clandestine, it was logical to use a weapon like this.
But Dominic loved his variant, which was the HK416, but obviously he didn't have that type of weapon, so he didn't say anything. He checked all the magazines with their cartridges and placed them in his vest along with two grenades, a knife, and a flashlight.
The equipment was very heavy—more than Dominic had ever imagined—but it was okay.
When he finished dressing, he tied his hair into a ponytail and put on his helmet. He took a deep breath to gain more control over his body and headed towards his unit.
The soldiers who saw him, obviously some of them knew who he was; many had been picking up the corpses with a shot to the head, something that hadn't happened in other places, so that in itself was surprising.
"Is that the rookie?"
"He looks very young; he should still be in the academy."
"Didn't you see how many corpses we picked up? He has what it takes."
Sergeant Castro looked at Dominic as he approached and said, "Are you Corporal Williams?"
"Sir, my name is Dominic Williams, and I'll be at your service from now on." Dominic made a standard military salute while his eyes focused on all his objectives.
"Good, you'll be on the cleanup expedition in twenty minutes, so eat something before you go." Sergeant Castro didn't give much importance to this. This wasn't the first emergency recruitment they had done, so it wasn't a big deal.
"Understood, sir."
Is he worried now?
Dominic could see anxiety in Castro's eyes; at least this would be the easiest link to manipulate. As for the others, as long as he helps one, the others will join the party.
"Are you nervous?" Corporal Cole approached Dominic and greeted him with a smile.
Dominic accepted the greeting and said, "Not at all; I was just wondering about the methods we'll use."
"I'll tell you what method we'll use, rookie. Look at this; this baby grenade launcher turns all those damn man-eaters into mashed potatoes." Corporal Diaz showed Dominic a grenade launcher.
"I wouldn't bother the rookie; he's probably killed more walkers than us individually." Corporal Arsher, who seemed to have more experience, advised them all as they checked their weapons.
Cole smiled and said, "I hope you don't mind their comments; rookies are treated that way, but at the end of the day, we watch each other's backs."
"No, I understand perfectly." Dominic also checked his weapon to make sure it was in perfect condition.
Once they ate, everyone prepared, and Sergeant Castro immediately shouted, "Gentlemen, we're in a race against time; we must clear the route with the nearby community and the center used as a hospital. Remember, any information you know is crucial to eliminating the infected."
"Understood, sir."
"Then get moving, all of you." Castro gave orders, and everyone got into the Humvees.
Dominic was about to get into one, but Castro approached and said, "You're coming with me; I'll keep a close eye on you and see how good you are."
"Understood, sir." Dominic wasn't bothered by this; he knew it was normal.