A lone wolf Deadbolt operator encounters a sleeping girl in the Zaravan EZ.
She’s definitely out of this world, to say the least.
Zaravan EZ, Urzikstan - I+6 18:11 (June 30th, 2023)
“They just don’t stop coming, do they…” I blurt out, my finger still on the trigger, round after round lodging themselves right into the undead waves coming at me.
While a strange, definitely totally OSHA compliant machine whirrs in the background no less, slowly analyzing the surrounding areas to do…something.
Outlast contracts. Simple enough premise, right? Activate the Phase Neutralization Device — or PND as everyone other than Dr. Barrera calls it - in the area and stick around near it for a bit while it does its job.
…while having to fend off group after group of the Dark Aether’s creations, of course, if the inhuman screams and gunfire is anything to go by, not to mention a warehouse of all places not being the best place to fend off hordes in.
We do get fairly okay compensation for these. Don’t get me wrong on that. If anything, I think Deadbolt’s paying us pretty good for this kind of stuff, and I know how necessary this work is…
…but I kind of wish there was something to freshen things up sometimes.
“Last mag…” I let out with a whisper as I reached for the last filled rifle magazine I brought, inserting it through the magwell and releasing the bolt catch, the empty mag coldly hitting the floor.
The rounds go off, one by one, each landing in the skull as they usually do and taking a zombie down with it, blood splatting onto the ground—
—but an ominous click suddenly went off.
Crap, I’m out… I gently let the M4 hang down and hurriedly reach for my sidearm, but before I could raise it up, a zombie shoves right into me, knocking my gun away and me into a metal shutter.
The zombies slowly but menacingly approach, and with my head still spinning, barely even managing to see things clearly anymore—
—it was only a matter of time before the PND finally finishes the job off, and by that apparently it’s destroying the Aether Crystals and sending a shockwave, turning all the zombies — and by some tech wizardry I still don’t quite grasp not me along — into a fine red mist.
“Good work. I am sure Dr. Barrera will inform me of what he learns from this…whether I want or not.” Ravenov’s assuring voice remarks over the radio. “I’m sure he will, sir… 6-4 out.”
I pick myself off the ground and loot the ammo packs where the zombies were — which apparently by R&D’s words somehow always has the exact magazines we have, no matter what — and prepare to exit the building…
…and that’s when I noticed the security room connected to the walkways has its door ever so slightly ajar.
Something’s wrong. I slowly walk up the stairs and to the room, stacking up - even if it’s just me here - against the slightly open door, rifle still on auto, preparing for a hostile engagement or anything else…
…and gently push it wide, entering the room and scanning for threats or anything valuable worth bringing back.
There were neither, and instead…well, I wish I knew the words to truly describe what I felt - if the English language even had words for this situation - at what I saw on the floor.
A young, white haired girl sleeping peacefully. Around high school age, probably a first year. While more concerningly in full proper tactical gear — as in, the proper good stuff special forces boys use, and her gun — some kind of submachine gun — slung on her back, no sidearm in sight.
…let me remind you of one thing, in case you forgot: this is in the middle of the EZ, undisturbed. Somehow. Especially the part where Terminus Outcomes hasn’t gotten to her yet.
And I have not even talked about her being in tactical gear and armed to the teeth — or at least, for a highschooler on Earth anyway.
…what the hell am I seeing? Am I dreaming? Is this yet another one of the Dark Aether’s shenanigans?
I pinch my cheek. Really, really hard at that.
The girl is still here.
Okay, this is definitely reality. Or not my dream, at least.
I put my rifle back on safe and slowly approach her to examine. Taking my gloves off and putting my finger on her wrist, I notice a pulse…but also unintentionally, some odd marks on her clothing.
…“SRT Academy”? “RABBIT Squad”? What the hell even are…? I get distracted, but immediately snap myself back to reality. Come on, man, focus! She’s still alive! You’ve gotta wake her up and get her outta here first, no matter what!
I slung my guns on my back, put a hand on her shoulder and gently tried to sway her awake. “Wake up.” Emphasis on “tried”. No response.
I try to shake her awake harder. But same effect - or to be blunt, nothing.
Wake up already… I thought, but the ever not so subtle sounds of catwalk footsteps draw my attention, and I turned around to a few zombies already starting to stumble their way towards us both.
Their growls send a chill down my spine as I instinctively reached for my knife-
Oh… I didn’t bring one today… Sighing in disappointment at my past self, I reached for my pistol and shot at the zombies, both undeads falling down as expected — strangely reassuringly this time around…
…but also having forced the girl awake, because what else would her body starting to subtly twitch back to life and finally opening her eyes be in this case? And also a blue halo fading in-
-wait, a halo?! What the hell’s going on- What is she?! Is she related to the Dark Aether or what-
Before I could finish that thought, she began reaching for her gun and I immediately holster mine in response, raising my hands in front of me to try and calm her down. “Hey. Calm down, I’m not your enemy. You’re safe here.”
That seems to have worked, her immediately putting the gun back on safe and-
Gunshots - 5.56, likely Terminus at this timing - interrupted the two of us and that train of thought of mine. “…not for long. I’m Cooper. U.S. Army. You?”
“Tsukiyuki Miyako. SRT Academy, RABBIT Squad Leader-“
More gunshots ring out nearby, strange Russian curses and undead howls making their way to my ear. “Miyako”, eh… Definitely doesn’t sound familiar. “…follow me then, Miyako. You’ll be safe with me.” I assured her — tried to, anyway, because I got back was a doubtful look.
Does she…really distrust me that much?
The sounds of a Lachmann rang out through the room, echoing back from the walls and blending into the screams and roars of local undead falling like domino pieces.
“That should be the last of them. For now.” One operator remarked, his voice calm but still noticeably wobbly.
“Yeah, better be.” His less experienced partner sarcastically replied, voice with barely a hint of emotion.
“Dude…what are we even doing here?”
Metallic sounds of a catwalk suddenly ring out above them, and both operators immediately pointed their rifle at where they thought the noise came from. But nothing was there.
“Stay alert… 2-1 to Actual, be advised, possible threats in the area. Clearing now. Over.”
“Copy, 2-1. Stay frosty. Out.” Their handler coldly confirmed.
“Head on a swivel. Shoot anything that moves…” The older of the two ordered.