Chapter 21: Omnissiah's Breath
[[Operation Purification: Los Angeles]
Day 1896 Since the Outbreak – Operation Zone West America
Los Angeles is no longer a vibrant city. Five years after the infection, traces of human civilization have been replaced by ruins, wrecked vehicles, and corpses rotting silently. However, today, amidst the ruins of destruction, a large-scale operation has finally begun.
In a makeshift headquarters built from steel and stone debris, Colonel Schaeffer stands in front of a holo-tactical map. His eyes are sharp, his expression cold. Beside him stand two important figures: Varn, a field tactician, and Calros Oliveira, a mercenary who has outlasted most in this war.
> Calros Oliveira: "Systems ready. No more talking, let's begin."
Varn, examining the silver cylindrical unit called Omnissiah's Breath, nods slowly. His eyes sweep over the tactical data on his auspex. He knows that this operation must go perfectly.
---
The Spread of Omnissiah's Breath
Accompanied by Skitarii Rangers and a small number of Space Marines, the Astra Militarum forces moved toward strategic points in the city. The booby-trapped and ruined streets of Los Angeles became their terrain. Heavy war machines moved, creaking through the rubble.
The Omnissiah's Breath—a reverse biological weapon turned antivirus, modified by the Magos Biologis Mechanicus—was released into the city center. Microscopic droplets spread into the air, entering the network, infiltrating buildings, and blanketing entire zones in a faint blue glow.
The effects were beginning to be felt. In some places, the undead stopped growling and fell still. Some of them—if they were still biologically intact—began the process of recovery. However, not all could be saved.
--
Sweeps and Clean-ups
The forces moved quickly. They combed through old buildings, evacuating survivors who were still alive from bunkers and basements. Calros led a squad, his eyes alert and his weapons at the ready.
> Calros Oliveira: "Focus on the salvageable. The rest… we'll move on."
Meanwhile, on the eastern side of the city, another squad found a much more grim reality: bodies badly mangled, beyond repair by Omnissiah's Breath. Throats ripped open, internal organs missing, and the remains burned half alive.
Colonel Schaeffer stared at the casualty list through the visor of his helmet. There was no reaction. He had lost too many men in this war to show emotion.
The purification unit's troops—including several Ogryn in heavy armor—began to burn the remains of the unsalvageable. The cleansing protocol was cold and methodical.
---
[Federal Prison Operation – Echo Zone, Los Angeles]
Small Extraction Team – Led by Varn and Calros Oliveira
Location: Los Angeles Federal Penitentiary
Time: +6 hours after Virus Bomb activation
Objective: Extract survivors, specific target: Chris Redfield
---
Situation:
Data from surveillance drones confirms the presence of a biometric signature in the prison complex's underground. After five years of chaos, the structure is nearly collapsed, but the underground levels remain intact.
Varn and Calros have not brought a large force—just a squad of Vanguard and two Rangers for efficiency. No negotiations. No small talk.
> The iron gate is forced open with a Chainsword in one clean pull.
Inside the locked cell, they find thirteen survivors. Injured, dehydrated, and severely traumatized. Among them—Chris Redfield, barely recognizable, but alive.
> Calros Oliveira: "You're Chris Redfield?"
Chris Redfield (gasps): "Who are you? How do you know my name?"
Calros Oliveira: "Claire sent me. She said her brother was stubborn and needed to be saved."
(Chris didn't answer, but his slight nod was enough.)
---
Evacuation and Consolidation:
Evacuation completed in 18 minutes. Prison re-locked, and mobile HQ set up temporary medical triage points outside the city perimeter.
---
Report to HQ – Colonel Schaeffer
Total Survivors Los Angeles:
Normal citizens survived (not infected): ±250,000
Zombies cured through Omnissiah's Breath: ±180,000
Total individuals rescued: ±430,000
Additional Notes:
9% of those who recovered suffered severe nervous system disorders.
17% suffered organ damage.
100% suffered mild to severe psychological trauma.
---
New Orders from Colonel Schaeffer:
"Los Angeles is to be rebuilt. This zone is to become the strategic point of humanity on the American continent."
The forces begin establishing a defensive perimeter, rebuilding basic infrastructure, and preparing for mass quarantine and rehabilitation. The remaining Space Marines remain in orbit using Thunderhawks as rapid logistics hubs.