"Shit!" The fighting system of the nano-suit lighted up with readings, and I growled. With me at the center, real-time data poured into my visor, charting my motions within a ten-meter radius. I was surrounded by red blips that were getting closer from all sides. The sensation of approaching disaster was nearly oppressive.
With its maw extending wide as though it were attempting to bite my head off, the first one jumped out of the shadows. I didn't think twice. With a hiss, the plasma gun in my grasp pierced its skull cleanly. The blast continued, burning like butter through its body before escaping through the opposite side and hitting whatever poor creature was behind it.
Plasma has tremendous destructive power and wasn't just a glorified missile. One shot could level a building if the rifle's frequency was set high enough. However, using such power had hazards, including as depleting the weapon's energy stores or possibly destroying it completely.
"Behind you! Another runner has emerged from the crowd. I was startled into action by Ariella's admonition. I had come to terms with the harsh realities of my situation by this point. At least these things were no longer human.
One terrifying word roared out from their rotting corpses, guttural groans, and savage movements: zombies.
I was too busy to really consider the ramifications. I put a boosting substance straight into my bloodstream by pressing a button on my outfit. The world slowed to a crawl as the secret formula flooded my veins.
The rapid moves of the zombies became slow-motion, their desperate movements becoming predictable and lethargic. Innumerable battle simulations had accustomed me to the sensation of raw force coursing through my body as my senses intensified.
The substance was a last resort meant to test the limits of human potential. When combined with the improvements made to the suit, it made me a weapon. I needed it more than ever since the zombie stampede would trample me if I didn't make a passage.
Ariella told them to "aim for the head and power up your rifle by thirty percent." "Body shots are insufficient; it appears that everything we've seen in movies is accurate. The ones that were struck in non-critical regions are still in operation.
I didn't even try to answer. I concentrated my attention and went after the second runner. The battle changed in my favor as two swift shots brought it down.
The surviving zombies moved more slowly and lacked coordination in their attacks. I aligned bullets to kill several targets at once, increasing the rifle's power output. Smoldering bodies followed as plasma bolts tore through rotting flesh.
They appeared in all shapes and sizes, tall, small, decaying, and malformed. They blended hideously with their rotting bodies, their ragged clothing clinging to rotten muscles. Most people would have been paralyzed by the unsettling sight, but I didn't have time to be afraid.
I took them out shot after shot. Any fatigue I could have experienced was numbened by the medicine, and the accuracy of the gun made sure no one approached to fire. The horde's numbers started to decline in a matter of minutes.
Ariella's words, "Their numbers seem to be thinning," interrupted my concentration. "The sensors are picking up less movement now."
"Maybe they're retreating?" I proposed, looking about me at the carnage. The ground was covered in hundreds of bodies. The others hadn't even made it to me, but the speedier zombies had been the most threatening. I started to sound a little cocky. "I've encountered simulations worse than this one. I suppose I've improved since then.
Ariella yelled, "Don't get cocky," but her voice was cut off in the middle.
"Ariella?"
She yelled, "Wait!" in a harsh, frantic voice. My blood froze. That tone seemed familiar to me. There was a serious problem.
That's when I heard it, a guttural, primordial sound that chilled my bones. It was different from the runner zombies' high-pitched screams earlier. This was louder, deeper, and much more dangerous. It shook the air itself as it reverberated through the streets like a beast's growl.
"What the hell was that?" Grasping my weapon hard, I asked.
Ariella said, "I'm running an analysis," in a nervous tone. "The database contains no matches. This is a novel idea. It's significantly bigger than the others, so be ready. Seismic activity that I'm detecting is directly approaching us.
My thoughts were racing. "Should I run or find cover?" It wasn't going to be a little item that could rock the ground. It must have been a building's size or larger.
"Run and leave me behind?" Ariella laughed. "Remain and fight. Raise the rifle's power level to 70%. You'll need all of your weaponry if this is as large as I believe it to be."
Ariella countered, "You're not abandoning the craft," It's the safest choice for you. You have no idea what materials are available or what is tainted out there. Whatever it is, it will destroy the ship's hull if it gets there, and you'll be dead.
I gritted my teeth at her arrogant tone, but she had a point. "Fine," I snarled. But don't count on me to always save the day when we're in difficulty. I should be protected by you, not the other way around.
"Yeah, yeah," was her dismissive response. "Be ready. It will arrive.
I spotted it seconds later. In the distance, a huge shadow appeared, its footsteps rattling the earth with each one. It simply kept growing larger, making it difficult for my visor to gauge its magnitude.
My face was dripping sweat under the helmet. "Ariella, are you sure seventy percent power is enough?"
She shot back, "Do you want to risk finding out?"
The monstrous shape of the thing became more apparent as it approached. It looked hideous and foreign, but its anatomy was uncannily similar to anything I had ever seen. I gripped the weapon tighter.
"Here it comes," Ariella said, her voice eerily calm. "This is your moment, Theo. Don't screw it up."
The creature roared again, shaking the ground beneath me. For a split second, I froze. Then, with a deep breath, I raised the rifle and fired.