The rooftop was crawling with zombies. Dozens of them staggered across the flat surface, their decayed forms swaying as if in search of prey. Even worse, the condominium complex ground was a sea of undead. Hordes clustered around the entrances of the main building, their grotesque faces turned upward as if sensing the incoming helicopters.
"Confirmed, Cobra. Multiple hostiles on the rooftop and condominium complete ground. Looks like we'll have to clear the LZ first," Sandeep's voice came through.
"Viper 1, this is Cobra. You're clear to engage. Suppress and draw as many hostiles as you can. Focus on the main building's entrances," Advik Bhardwaj ordered.
"Copy that, Cobra. Engaging hostiles now," Viper 1's pilot responded.
The AH-1Z Viper, hovering slightly higher than the Black Hawks, adjusted its position. The nose-mounted 20mm M197 three-barreled rotary cannon in the A/A49E-7 turret (750 round ammo capacity) swiveled downward, locking onto the dense crowd of zombies gathering near the building's main entrance.
"Viper 1, opening fire," the gunner announced.
A deafening BRRRRT echoed as the rotary cannon unleashed a rapid burst of 20mm high-explosive incendiary rounds. Each impact tore through clusters of zombies, detonating in a burst of shrapnel and fire. Limbs and torsos were ripped apart, and the hordes began to scatter in confusion.
"Direct hits," Viper 1's gunner reported. "Crowd dispersing."
The Viper wasn't done. The pilot banked the helicopter slightly, giving the gunner a clear line to the perimeter. Twin Hydra rocket pods activated next. With a whoosh, a salvo of 70mm rockets streaked down toward the densest parts of the horde, exploding on impact and sending shockwaves through the condominium complex grounds.
"Ground forces are thinning out. Proceeding to secondary target," the pilot said, turning the Viper to lead a decoy maneuver. It began circling away from the building, its rotary cannon continuing to fire at scattered zombies along the way.
"Hawk 1, LZ is still hot but manageable. Move to land on the rooftop. Hawk 2, hold pattern and stay alert for evac support," Advik Bhardwaj commanded.
"Hawk 1 copies. Beginning descent," thepilot confirmed.
The primary Black Hawk banked left and lined up its approach to the rooftop. The door gunner swung his M240 machine gun into position, aiming at the zombies still lingering on the landing zone. As they drew closer, the gunner opened fire, unleashing a hail of 7.62mm rounds.
"Clearing the LZ," the gunner muttered, his voice steady over the comms.
comms.
Advik Bhardwaj watched as several zombies collapsed under the barrage. The remaining undead turned toward the noise, shambling toward the edge of the roof. A few managed to climb onto maintenance equipment and air ducts, but they were quickly neutralized by additional bursts of suppressive fire.
"LZ is 70% clear. Still got a few runners on the far side," Sandeep reported, peering out the opposite door.
door.
"I see them," Advik Bhardwaj replied, signaling to the door gunner. "Finish them off. We're landing now."
The Black Hawk touched down with a jolt. Soldiers poured out of the side doors, forming a tight defensive perimeter around the helicopter. Sandeep disembarked first, leading a fireteam toward the stairwell entrance.
"Secure the stairwell! Watch for any surprises," Sandeep said.
"The mission ahead will be quite challenging. Our objective is to thoroughly clean the three residential buildings of any zombies. By 'clear,' I mean ensuring there are no zombies remaining in any of the units or bathrooms. Although we have already cleared this particular building, there are still zombies on the ground floor. Our priority is to eliminate them before advancing to the next building."
"Good," Advik Bhardwaj nodded in satisfaction. "Team Alpha, Team Bravo, you are now clear to execute the mission. Good luck out there."
Team Alpha and Bravo soldiers performed a salute before jumping down. Advik Bhardwaj jumped down next, his rifle at the ready. He swept his gaze across the rooftop, ensuring there were no immediate threats before signaling to the pilot. "Hawk 1, hold position until further orders. Keep the rotors hot."
"Roger that, Cobra," the pilot replied, maintaining engine power.
Sandeep's team breached the rooftop access door, clearing the stairwell landing in swift, methodical movements. Advik Bhardwaj followed close behind, keeping his weapon raised as they advanced.
And as they moved on, he felt a sense of nostalgia as he recalled himself battling against zombies on his way down to the building.
"Area clear," one of the soldiers reported after checking the corridor.
"Good. Let's move," Advik Bhardwaj ordered. "Shadow 1, take point. We're heading to the ground floor. Stick to the plan."
Sandeep nodded. "Copy, Cobra. Let's get this done."
Fifteen minutes later, Team Alpha cleared the ground floor of walkers, the one he failed to clear with his team earlier. It is to be expected as the newly summoned troops are now equipped with more efficient and powerful weapons. The machine gunners were armed with M249 machine guns and carried additional magazines for the rifleman. The riflemen on the other hand are still equipped with the M4 Carbine.
What's more interesting is that whenever they kill zombies, his experience points and blood coins increase.
"Ground floor secured. No significant hostiles," Sandeep reported through the comms.
Then they headed to second building, Advik Bhardwaj got a response from his comms from team Bravo.
"Cobra. We have a situation here, one mewbeasts on building B, we need to support here ASAP.."
Advik Bhardwaj ordered, "Shadow 1, let's head to Buliding B."
"Copy, Cobra. Let's get this done ASAP." Sandeep nodded.
The team descended cautiously, weapons raised. The ground floor was more chaotic. Bloodstains streaked the walls, and overturned furniture created obstacles. This time, the undead presence was heavier. Several zombies staggered out of parking lot, their hollow eyes locking onto the team.
"Contact left!" Asoldier called out.
"Engage!" Sandeep ordered.
Gunfire erupted as the soldiers eliminated the threats.
Advik Bhardwaj fired two controlled shots, taking down a zombie that had been crawling toward the stairwell. Within minutes, the floor was cleared.
"Area secure," Sandeep confirmed.
"Good work. Proceed to the other floors," Advik Bhardwaj instructed.