The four of us went through the Medbay once again, as it was the fastest way to the supplies, the Medbay had a long hallway that was connected to the Administration building, where the supplies were kept. The Medbay was secured by the CLF when we got there, so it wasn't as dangerous to cross through unlike before. They were focused on their own problems, so they didn't really take much notice of us, though a few glanced at us. It was obvious they looked at us with repugnance. The USCM and the CLF have been at war for quite some time now, CLF soldiers hold a big grudge on the marines. We've done some really controversial things in the past, but so have they. Neither side is perfect, but that's how things are in a war.
We made it into the Administration building, it was filled with dead bodies, either colonist, CLF or a zombie. There were also a few other soldiers still alive but they were busy trying to push back the zombies. Endsley led us into a small room where the crates were stored. "Close the door," he commanded to one of the two enlistees. I opened one of the crates, and it was filled with weapons and armor, we all helped ourselves. We were all suited up in armored vests and finally had weapons to defend ourselves with. "Oh, I forgot to introduce you, Endsley - This is Ali and McIntosh, two acting marines for now," he nodded at the two men, smiling. "Glad to have you guys with us," approved Endsley. We exited the small room, guns up, we noticed that there were no signs of the soldiers from before, it was quiet. "What's the plan," I asked Endsley. "The Liaisons office is just around the corner at the left of that hallway - Since communications are down, we can send a fax to the Allister or High Command for help in his office," answered Endsley. We followed him through the lobby area, into the hallway he mentioned and went on the first door on the left, it was labeled Corporate Liasion. We entered the room and found a female CLF soldier instead of the Liasion, she looked frightened and wounded. We came in with our hands in the air, as she aimed her the barrel of her gun towards us. Her hands visibly trembled, she had her finger on the trigger and didn't hesitate to shoot. We approached her carefully.
Endsley pointed to the fax machine, and she lowered her gun. She seemed to understand the nature of our plan and understood that we didn't want to do her any harm. Endsley went straight to work at one of the desks to our right working on the fax paper.
BANG, BANG, BANG A zombie must've seen us come into the room... It banged on the door fiercely, the CLF soldier was quick to have her gun trained at the door. I turned to Ali, he had his gun aimed at the door as did McIntosh "Ali, find something to block that door, weld it in place, buy Endsley some time." I commanded. He went straight to work, grabbing a nearby cabinet and welded it in front of the door. Endsley finished with the message, he walked towards the fax machine. He slammed the table, "Damnit!" Endsley cursed, "I don't have access to send the message," he pointed at the CLF soldier. "Maybe you can?" he asked. She limped walked her way over to the fax machine, she tried her ID card.
It refused her ID access as well. Endsley grumbled, he looked frustrated that his plan didn't work as planned. "Goddamnit!" he shouted. He turned towards me, "We need to find the Liasion or someone with higher access" claimed Endsley. I raised an eyebrow at his statement, he seemed to be eager to try anything, to get us a better chance at survival.
"That's impossible. He could be anywhere, perhaps even dead or worse," I argued. "We could head back to the Landing Zone, a shuttle was already called to evacuate the colony," I added. He sighed and gave a slight nod, approving my words.
I gestured Ali to move the barricade away from the door and open it, McIntosh moved over to the woman and put her arm around his neck, as to support her while they walked. We left the office with our guns up once again, staying aware of anything that might come at us. We arrived at the lobby and were engaged by a few zombies, we dispersed around the lobby. One went for me, but I quickly moved aside and put a couple of bullets into the head. It didn't go down and didn't seem to be affected by it. I put a couple more into it, and it dropped this time.
I quickly turned my head around, to check my surroundings. Ali was engaged in combat with the zombies, and Endsley held a door open which led to the hallway we passed through earlier. McIntosh and the CLF soldier were surrounded by a few zombies. I quickly moved to aid the two, firing at those blocking their path to Endsley. McIntosh and the woman maneuvered to Endsley. I proceeded to aid Ali, but Ali was ambushed at that moment. A body that stayed limp on the floor had turned into one of them and grabbed onto Ali, and bit him. He screamed, aiming his gun at the zombie and fired at it. "Fuck!" hollered Ali. The zombie was biting Ali's leg and held him tightly, he continued shooting its head until it died again. I went to the flanks as to protect him from the ones coming directly at him. Fired a couple of shots and grabbed him, we both moved to the door which Endsley still held open for us. A zombie managed to get close on our backs and hit me. It struck my back, piercing the armor. I let out a groan and fell on the floor. To avoid any zombies pouring in, Endsley was quick to shoot a few then closed the door.
It actually managed to damage my skin, to the point it was bleeding. I felt an agonizing pain on my back, but I tried letting it not get to me. Endsley helped me up on my feet. "Don't worry, marine. We still have a fighting chance," he said, trying to encourage me. It was a good gesture, but I knew I was fucked. Ali barely stood up, looking at his leg which bled from the nasty bite wound he had received. He winced slightly, "Well... It was fun being a marine, while it lasted" he chuckled. He didn't look too worried about the wound, or the fact that he'll turn at some point. Rather glad that he had been given the opportunity to fight alongside real marines.
"Come on," said Endsley. "We're almost there!", he went on point towards the Medbay and we followed behind him. I was right behind him, followed by Ali, who was followed by McIntosh and the woman he carried. We thought we were in the clear, but we were ambushed once again. This time not by a zombie, but something bigger and meaner this time. It was larger than us, and had sharp skinny spikes for hands that could rip us a part. It made a loud growl, and went straight for Endsley...
END OF CH:3