The creature finally emerged fully from the darkness. The evolved zombie, with a large body and steel-like skin, charged with a loud growl. Cong and Rico fired at the creature, but the bullets only created small sparks on its surface.
"Target the eyes!" shouted Pan, trying to find a weakness.
With quick teamwork, the team finally managed to bring down the zombie using a smoke grenade thrown by Elis, creating just enough of a moment to strike at its weak point. After the creature fell, they realized there was no time to rest longer.
"We need to move now. More will be coming," Pan said.
November 15, 2058 – 5 Days Earlier
The sound of heavy rain hammered the metal roof of a small laboratory in Zone Beta. Jenna sat at her desk, her eyes focused on the computer screen displaying the latest experiment data. Her face was tense, her hands busy typing, recording the anomalies that kept appearing in the test results.
"Jenna, we need to leave here immediately," said her colleague, Dr. Malcom, in an urgent tone. He stood by the door, holding a bag full of documents. "They're coming. We don't have much time."
Jenna shook her head, refusing to leave her work. "I'm not finished. This data is important. If we leave now, it'll all be for nothing."
Dr. Malcom sighed heavily. "You know how dangerous this is. They've already attacked the main facility. If they reach here, we won't survive."
Jenna finally stopped typing. She looked at her colleague with determined eyes. "I know the risks. But if we don't save this data, everyone out there will have no hope."
Before Dr. Malcom could respond, the emergency alarm blared throughout the laboratory. Red lights flashed on the walls, and an automated voice sounded from the speakers.
"Security breach. All personnel must evacuate immediately. Zombie attack detected."
Panic began spreading among the remaining staff. Jenna quickly copied the last of the data to her portable device. Dr. Malcom grabbed her hand, forcing her to stand.
"We have to go. Now!" he said firmly.
Escape Amid Chaos
They ran through the long corridor, filled with the sound of alarms and hurried footsteps. Other staff members were trying to carry important documents or equipment, but most were just trying to escape.
When they reached the main exit door, a horde of zombies had already broken through. The creatures moved swiftly, attacking anyone in their path. Screams were heard everywhere, creating an increasingly oppressive atmosphere.
Dr. Malcom threw a smoke grenade to distract the zombies, giving them time to escape. Jenna followed behind him, but her steps slowed when she saw a colleague who had fallen, trapped under debris.
"Jenna, don't!" Dr. Malcom yelled, but Jenna didn't listen. She turned to help the colleague. Struggling, she managed to pull them out, but the effort cost them valuable time.
One of the zombies spotted them and immediately attacked. Jenna pulled a small pistol from her pocket, shooting the zombie right in the head. However, more zombies began approaching.
"Go! I'll distract them!" said the colleague she had just saved.
Jenna wanted to argue, but Dr. Malcom grabbed her hand, forcing her to keep moving. They finally managed to reach the back door of the laboratory and exited into the surrounding forest. The rain continued to fall, hiding their tracks from the creatures that were chasing them.
Surviving in the Forest
For the next few days, Jenna and Dr. Malcom survived in the forest. They sheltered in a small cave, sharing the little supplies they had brought. However, the situation grew increasingly difficult. Dr. Malcom was severely injured during an attack by zombies roaming the area.
"You have to go without me," Dr. Malcom said one night, his face pale from blood loss.
"I'm not leaving you," Jenna replied firmly. She tried to tend to his wounds, even though she knew the odds were slim.
Dr. Malcom shook his head. "You have that data. You know how valuable it is. If you stay here, it'll all be for nothing."
Reluctantly, Jenna finally agreed. She left the cave the next morning, carrying the data on her portable device as the only hope to fight the outbreak.
Meeting the Aegis Team
When Jenna found the ruins where the Aegis Team was operating, she had almost no energy left. Her body was exhausted, and her mind was filled with guilt over Dr. Malcom's death.
She hid behind the debris, watching the group from a distance. She saw Major Pan leading the team with determination, while Hart and Cong kept a vigilant watch on the perimeter. Jenna knew this was her last chance to survive.
"Hey! Help!" she cried, stepping out from her hiding place with her hands raised. "I'm not a threat! I just need help!"
The Aegis Team immediately aimed their weapons at her. Major Pan moved cautiously, studying Jenna with suspicious eyes.
"Who are you?" he asked firmly.
"My name is Jenna," she replied, her voice trembling. "I'm a technician from the lab in Zone Beta. I have important information about the outbreak. Please, let me join you."
Major Pan remained silent for a moment, assessing the truth of her words. Finally, he signaled to his team to lower their weapons.
"If you're lying, I'll deal with you myself," he said coldly.
Jenna nodded. "I understand. Thank you."
Back to the Present
Jenna snapped out of her reverie. They were now part of the Aegis Team, but the shadows of the past still haunted her. The data she carried was safe for now, but she knew this was just the beginning.
She looked at Major Pan, who was examining the map with Dr. Alaric. "Can we really stop all of this?" she asked softly.
Major Pan turned to her, his eyes filled with unwavering confidence. "As long as we're alive, we still have a chance. And you, Jenna, are part of that."
With renewed determination, Jenna gripped her portable device tightly. Whatever happened, she was determined to ensure that the sacrifices made would not be in vain.
After successfully downloading crucial data from the old computer, Dr. Alaric showed a file that made everyone fall silent. The file contained a sketch of a terrifying creature with notes on zombie evolution.
"This is a specimen we've never seen before," Alaric said, his voice trembling.
But before anyone could respond, a heavy sound came from the hallway outside the room. The footsteps were getting closer quickly, and a large shadow appeared behind the door.
"Ready for combat!" Pan shouted as he raised his weapon.