Emergency Briefing: The Outbreak
The screen flickered, shifting to the next video in a sequence of escalating horrors.
A flurry of camera flashes filled the briefing room, shutter sounds snapping amid a crush of reporters. An elderly man, clad in protective gear and a mask, stepped up to the podium.
"We will now begin a briefing on the widespread violent incidents that erupted this morning, Sunday, March 4, 2021. Although the exact cause remains unknown, we are mobilizing all available resources to investigate. The scope of these attacks is unprecedented, spreading across London, Manchester, Bringham, and nationwide."
He paused, his hand trembling as he lifted a glass of water. Camera lights bathed his face in stark relief.
"The President has ordered full police and military mobilization to contain the situation. Citizens are urged to remain safely indoors and to follow government instructions. Additionally, under no circumstances…"
BANG—BANG—RATATAT—
Gunshots erupted nearby, resonating even through the briefing room walls. The man faltered but forced himself to continue.
"Violence of any kind remains a crime. Law enforcement is the sole responsibility of the police and military…"
"Minister! Janet from Highlight Daily! There are rumors online that this could be a biochemical attack or epidemic. How do you respond?"
"No questions will be taken at this time—"
"Then, Minister! Why are you wearing protective gear? Are we facing airborne infection?"
"That is unclear…"
"What about the sky barrier over London? And the rumors about 'zombies'—is there a connection?"
Screech!
BANG—RATATATATAT—
"This concludes the briefing."
"Minister! Minister!"
Soldiers swarmed the elderly man, rushing him offstage as the video cut out.
Escalation of Violence: News Broadcast
The scene transitioned to a disheveled news anchor, his eyes heavy with exhaustion.
"…Breaking news: reports are flooding in about an unidentified terrorist group setting hospitals on fire across the country. In online posts, they claim these acts are 'disinfections' targeting 'pre-infected individuals' under quarantine. The group condemns the government's lack of response, warning that the situation will spiral out of control as soon as these 'pre-infected' individuals awaken…"
The emergency broadcast, relentless since dawn, was interrupted by a piercing beep, followed by the national anthem.
As the first verse played, a map of England appeared onscreen, streaked with red marks designating areas of "containment failure."
[Emergency Martial Law Enacted]
Bold red text and a mechanical female voice followed:
[As of 9:00 a.m. on March 6, 2021, the England is under emergency martial law under Defense of the Realm Act (DORA) 1914. All medical, fire, police, and public services are indefinitely suspended. Citizens are urged to comply with government instructions and proceed to designated shelters.]
A list of military shelters scrolled across the screen, punctuated by another alert:
[Full Defensive Rights Granted]
[Citizens are granted full defensive rights against uncontained infected individuals. Repeating, full defensive rights against uncontained infected individuals.]
Live from Chaos: Steel Man's Broadcast
The screen cut to a shaky YouTube video. A man, known online as "Steel Man," looked straight into the camera.
"Hey, everyone! This is Steel Man, bringing you the news! Like and sub—oh, wait, this isn't the time, is it?" He laughed nervously. "Anyway, I'm on my way to the designated shelter in Liverpool."
A soldier, part of the escort team, approached him. "Excuse me, sir. You're not allowed to film here."
"Ah, damn," Steel Man muttered before giving the soldier a polite smile. "Come on, you know me, right? 'Steel Man.'"
The soldier gave a curt nod. "Still, no filming. We've been warned about these broadcasts. It's stirring people up. If we keep allowing it, things could get out of hand."
Steel Man glanced at his live chat, filled with donations and fast-scrolling comments. Yesterday, his channel was struggling; now, it was booming. This was the opportunity he'd been waiting for.
"Look, I've got over 30,000 viewers right now. That's 30,000 people who need to know what's going on, who haven't evacuated yet—don't you think they have a right to know?"
The soldier hesitated, unmoved by the wad of £50 notes Steel Man discreetly extended.
'Seriously? Not even money?' Steel Man thought. 'Guess snacks would have worked better.'
Still, he wasn't one to give up easily, even with chaos all around him.
Nearby, an old woman screamed, refusing to abandon her dog; an elderly man shouted, demanding a weapon to protect his home. Public order was crumbling, a bitter reality he found himself almost welcoming.
The shelter was packed, citizens pressed shoulder-to-shoulder. Supplies dwindled as desperation grew. Children wandered aimlessly, babies wailed in chorus, someone sobbed over a lost family member. Adults bickered and fought over food rations.
In the midst of it all, a soldier approached Steel Man once more.
"Turn it off. Now," the soldier warned, reloading his weapon as another wave of infected approached.
Steel Man grinned. "Yeah, sure. Of course."
The soldier turned to face the threat, and Steel Man immediately hit record again.
Screeeech—
A Challenger 2 tank rumbled into view, a sight that made Steel Man whistle in awe.
"Whoa! It's my first time seeing a tank up close. Anyway, big news, folks!"
BOOM—
The tank's gun thundered, the blast sending a wave of zombies flying. Steel Man adjusted his camera, the chaos unfolding around him like something out of a nightmare—but with his audience hanging on his every word, he couldn't help but feel alive.
"Shit, if this gets flagged 19+, I won't make a single cent."
In a panic, Steel Man swung the camera toward himself, flashing a forced smile.
"As you all know, all content delivering industry news has been indefinitely suspended, right? Well, since that's the case, I'm thinking of starting a shelter VLOG. What do you think? Are you excited? They're saying evacuations have started in the most critical areas, so if you keep watching, you'll get to experience this firsthand—"
KWAANG—
The sudden explosion rocked the air, and Steel Man's eyes squeezed shut, instinctively ducking.
"What's that on the right?! Block it! Block it, damn it!"
Don't curse. Don't curse… Steel Man mentally scolded himself. If I curse, it'll get flagged.
"Smile," he whispered to himself, then forced a grin into the camera.
"Ah, just a little commotion there, folks! My..."
KWAJIK—
A loud snap, followed by a sickening metallic crunch, made the camera swing toward the noise.
The upper half of a tank had been ripped apart, its barrel twisted grotesquely to the right. The tank, once a symbol of hope, could no longer move, frozen in place by something far worse.
A mass of muscle—grotesque, unnatural, and massive—blocked its path.
"Fire! Everyone empty out your mags, fire at that thing first! KILL IT!!!" the soldier barked.
TATATATATAT—
The soldiers' gunfire was relentless, but the creature didn't even flinch.
"Shit, it's not moving!"
"Throw grenades! For God's sake, throw grenades!"
"Yes, sir!"
The soldiers, desperate and terrified, hurled grenades in reckless panic, not bothering to maintain a safe distance.
BOOM—! BOOM—!
The earth trembled beneath the blasts. Dust billowed into the air, obscuring the chaos. When it settled, the full horror of the situation became clear.
Civilians, their bodies lying lifeless on the road, drenched in blood. Ironically, those who were meant to be protected were the ones hit by the grenades.
"Ah, aaaaah!"
"You bastards! Where are you throwing them?!"
Panic spread like wildfire, the soldiers' fear spilling over into the crowd. The once-organized line of evacuees fractured, chaos taking its place.
Steel Man, still filming the madness, turned on his heels and started to run.
KWAJIK—
But he didn't get far.
The massive muscle-bound beast chose him as its next victim.
A huge fist slammed into the asphalt, creating a crater where Steel Man had once been standing. His remains were scattered across the rubble, lost to the creature's overwhelming power.
Despite the horror unfolding around him, Steel Man's smartphone continued broadcasting live.
KROAAH—
The creature's roar drowned out the screams of those around it.
KIEEEE—
In response, the howls of zombies filled the air, coming from every direction, closing in on the helpless crowd.
"Sergeant! What do we do now?" a soldier screamed, his voice shaking.
"We're out of bullets!" another shouted, panic rising.
"Run... we have to run...!" The sergeant, his face pale, threw down his rifle and bolted, abandoning his comrades.
"Shit! Don't go, you bastards! Don't run!" A corporal yelled, clutching his weapon, unwilling to let go.
THUD—! THUD—!
The soldier's head was crushed by the monster's monstrous fist, his body crumpling to the ground like a broken doll. The rest of the soldiers who tried to resist were obliterated in seconds, their skulls smashed open with horrifying ease.
The last survivors—fleeing civilians and soldiers—were consumed by the horde of zombies that appeared from every direction.
In an instant, the place became a bloodbath, filled with death and agony. The camera lay abandoned on the ground, its live feed still transmitting the nightmare to millions of viewers who were powerless to stop it.
And all the donations, the super chats flooding in—hundreds of dollars—were rendered meaningless in the face of this hellish reality.
KROoooaaAAH—
The mutated monster, a terrifying new form of monstrosity, let out another roar.