What will happen if_ if he absorbs Zombies energies?
Didn't that mean he was flying toward a land filled with resources? A smile crept across his face—he couldn't wait to get there faster and test his theory.
As the plane soared ahead, Zerek peered out the window, scanning the terrain below. He spotted small movements dotting the ground—likely roving bands of zombies and monsters. The landscape was an unnatural kaleidoscope of colors, dominated by shades of pink and purple.
Ever since the radiation wave, even the trees and plants had become irradiated. Entirely new species of wildlife now roamed the lands, most of them hostile and dangerous. It was no wonder humans couldn't survive outside the cities anymore; too many creatures now saw humans as prey.
A voice echoed through the intercom: "All members, please equip comm links. Approaching target city in 15 minutes."
Zerek reached into his pocket, pulled out his comm link, and clipped it onto his ear. He powered it on, hearing a burst of static that quickly cleared. A few voices came through before he switched it off again, leaving it in place.
Jake stirred from sleep, roused by the voice, and clipped on his own comm link. His eyes blinked with lingering fatigue. "Man, I think I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today…"
Zerek gave a guilty smile. "How do you feel, Jake?"
"I have no idea… like I feel weaker overall, but not tired anymore. It's weird—I can't really explain it." Jake stretched slightly, then continued, "Anyway, we're almost there. Are you nervous, bro? I'm a little on edge. Commander Varyn scared the shit out of me with what we're up against. I'm a melee fighter, so I'll be in the thick of it. You're lucky you can keep your distance. I kind of wish I were long-range now."
His face paled slightly as he went on, "I really hope to God there are no squealers waiting for us. The moment I feel the ground shake, I don't give a damn—I'm making my team hunker down and hide until it passes. Hell no, I'm not waiting to hear one of those squeals. Screw the mission at that point."
The beautiful young woman seated nearby had overheard and gave Jake a slow, approving nod before casting a brief glance at Zerek, then quickly looking away.
Zerek was about to continue the conversation when a sudden scream rang out, "ENEMY ATTACK INCOMING!"
Zerek snapped his head toward the window—his eyes widened as he spotted massive fireballs arcing through the sky, launched from the ground far below.
BOOOOM
The plane shuddered violently as everyone was jerked forward in their seats. Someone near the front shouted, "Shields held, but we're already down to 70% after a direct hit! More incoming! Change of plans—we're bailing now! Everyone, form single file lines to the doors on either side of the aircraft and jump! Regroup on the ground and proceed to the target location. Stick together—strength in numbers! All comm links have maps to the target city. Turn them on and keep them on! Good luck, and stay alive!" the pilot roared.
Zerek unbuckled and rose, falling into a rapidly forming line. Jake was already ahead of him—he must've unstrapped fast. The guy was practically vibrating with nerves as he muttered under his breath, "How the hell did they forget about flaming fireballs in the damn sky? This mission's already in the shitter. Move faster, people! I need out of this flying deathtrap…"
Zerek's pulse quickened as he glanced out the window—another fireball zipped dangerously close. Then he saw one coming directly toward them. He shouted, "INCOMING FIREBALL!"
BOOOOM
The second impact tossed everyone off their feet. A few unlucky souls were flung through the open doors, plummeting through the sky with screams trailing after them. Discipline collapsed—nobody cared about forming lines anymore. Chaos erupted as soldiers scrambled to the doors, diving out the moment they stood up.
Zerek finally reached the door and launched himself out right behind Jake. Wind tore at his body like invisible claws. He felt exposed, like the air was stripping him bare. It punched into his mouth and popped his ears. A brutal headache flared behind his eyes, but he fought through the disorientation as the ground rushed up to meet him.
Others below had already deployed their parachutes. Zerek reached for the button on his harness and hit it—his chute deployed with a sharp tug. Voices crackled over the comms, frantic calls for help and screams flooding his ear. He turned it off for now—he needed silence to focus.
An explosion thundered above him. Moments later, he spotted the burning wreckage of their plane slamming into a hillside, erupting into a fiery inferno. Relief flooded him—he'd gotten out just in time.
His gaze shifted to the ground, and his expression darkened. Below, clusters of unevolved zombies stared skyward, waiting for their prey to descend. Then came the braying howls—Zerek's gut twisted.
Jackals.
He turned toward the sound and saw the horror unfold. A corpse lay in pieces, torn apart as Jackal zombies feasted on the remains. The main pack had cornered two survivors—a melee fighter and a short-range support, standing back-to-back.
The support had already lost an arm—clearly bitten and severed with the ice sword still clutched in her remaining hand. She was holding the line, firing icy shards from her blade, wounding some of the Jackals—but not killing them.