0200 Hours — Outskirts of Andulasia Municipality, Catarman Province, Cornalian Region
14th of 9th, 2019 C.T.
Aboard Stallion-class heavy helicopters, Andrew and his team were deployed for an extermination and search-and-rescue operation. The municipality of Andulasia had been placed under a state of calamity following a Rover Virus outbreak. A strict lockdown was enforced as the contagion spread.
The Rover Virus was a highly lethal pathogen known to reanimate the dead. Victims underwent grotesque mutations, transforming into rabid, undead monstrosities. The virus's mutation process took days, and if left unchecked, the infected could evolve into far deadlier life forms.
Authorities suspected the outbreak wasn't of natural origin. Evidence pointed toward a deliberate biological attack on the town.
With the Cornalian Defense Forces lacking the capacity to contain the situation, the Oceanic Union of Fereldia authorized the deployment of a private containment unit from Valhalla Limited.
The response team was composed of operators from the Black Hounds and the Wild Dogs. Their mission: contain the infection, neutralize any threats, and extract civilian survivors—particularly the town mayor and his family.
Andrew's team, consisting of four Black Hounds—including Mikhail—and three Wild Dogs, was inserted near the Town Hall. Every operator wore a fully enclosed exoskeleton suit, providing protection against biological, chemical, and radiological threats.
Encased in steel and protocol, the squad touched down at the town's designated green zone. Though streetlights flickered in the distance, the eerie silence blanketed everything.
"This is Captain Andrew Rowley, Pathfinder 1. Infiltration successful," Andrew reported over comms to Major Gerard Pierce, their commanding officer.
"Roger that, Pathfinder 1," Pierce replied.
"Proceed to the first waypoint. Report any updates."
"Copy that, moving out."
Andrew motioned forward, and the team advanced cautiously down the deserted streets. The Town Hall was estimated to be a ten-minute walk from their drop zone.
"Hometown, this is Pathfinder 1. Roads are clear—no signs of life or bioforms present," Andrew relayed.
"Roger, you are cleared to proceed. Remember, the mayor and his family are our top priority," Pierce ordered.
"Understood. Pathfinder 1, out."
Andrew turned to the drone operator. The team halted momentarily as the drone launched into the air. Upon reaching 300 feet, the operator scanned his pad.
"No heat signatures. No signs of movement," he reported.
"Any odd signals? Interference? Possible Controllers?" Andrew asked.
"Negative, sir. Nothing out of the ordinary."
Andrew gave a quick nod and tapped the shoulder of the point man. "You take lead," he ordered.
The operator nodded and moved ahead, scanning the path. The rest of the team followed in silence.
As the team approached the gates, the point man raised a fist—halt signal. Andrew immediately ordered the squad to scatter ten meters apart and scan the area. Once they spread out, he approached the point man.
"It's locked, sir," the point man reported.
"Then we find another way." Andrew turned to one of the Wild Dogs. "Corporal, I need you to locate an alternative entry into the town hall."
"Yes, sir!" she replied, moving quickly toward the eastern approach.
"Corporal Malik," Andrew called out to the drone operator. "Give her some eyes in the sky."
"Copy that," Malik replied, launching the drone and directing it to cover the eastern sector.
Meanwhile, the point man maneuvered toward the western side of the town hall, sweeping his rifle forward as he moved through the shadows. He paused near a section of fencing—its metal bars were bent outward.
"Captain, this is Seeker 4. I found an opening in the fence. Requesting permission to investigate further."
"Roger that, Private," Andrew responded. "Hayes, return to the team. Malik, redirect the drone to Seeker 4's position and scan for hostiles."
The drone buzzed overhead, scanning the area.
"Nothing here, sir," Malik confirmed with a sigh of relief.
"Good. Everyone, regroup at Seeker 4's location," Andrew ordered.
The team assembled at the damaged fence. Andrew knelt beside it, inspecting the bend. Whatever did this had immense strength—far beyond human without tools. Nearby, he spotted a mangled body sprawled in the dirt. Civilian or militia, he couldn't tell. But it was clear they'd died defending the hall.
"Are we too late?" Hayes asked quietly.
"I don't think so..." Andrew replied, eyes narrowing. "Move in through the breach. Stay sharp."
They slipped inside the fence and entered the gardens surrounding the town hall. The drone continued its silent patrol overhead, scanning in every direction. Most of the lights inside the building were still on, flickering faintly.
"Any sign of hostiles? Friendlies? Civilians?" Andrew asked.
"No sir," Malik replied. "Area's clear."
Andrew tapped his comms. "Hometown, this is Pathfinder 1. We've breached the town hall perimeter. Currently in the garden. No visual on hostiles or friendlies."
"Copy that, Pathfinder 1," Major Pierce's voice crackled through the comms. "Proceed to your next objective, and maintain caution. You have seven hours left before your suits run out of juice. Make it count."
"Roger, Hometown." Andrew ended the transmission and looked to his team. "Let's move."
The drone hovered in place, scanning for any movement around the town hall. Malik, eyes locked on his padnote, swept the area—but still found nothing. He continued his search, pacing slowly when suddenly, the gadget beeped.
Malik froze. "Movement spotted, northeast approach!"
"You sure?" Andrew asked, stepping closer.
"Yes, sir. Positive," Malik confirmed.
Andrew leaned in to examine the padnote. Two heat signatures. One strong, the other faint—trailing the first.
"Could be a civilian," Malik said. "But it's hard to confirm. The lights from the town hall are messing with the night vision."
"Maybe it's a human and an infected," Mikhail speculated, tension creeping into his voice. "I just hope it's not the VIP."
"No need to panic," Andrew said firmly. "We'll get them out."
The squad moved out, heading for the northeast approach—about 200 meters away.
Three minutes later, they arrived—just in time.
A civilian was on the ground, struggling beneath a grotesque form: a Chaser. The mutant had latched onto the man's arm, sinking its fangs deep, drawing out a scream of pure agony. Hayes raised her rifle, but Andrew halted her with a gesture.
He moved in quietly, drawing his knife. In one swift, practiced motion, he slit the Chaser's throat. It gurgled and collapsed.
The wounded man flinched and began crawling away, panicked and shaking. "Please! Don't kill me!"
"Calm down. We're here to rescue you," Andrew said, removing his helmet.
The moment the civilian saw his face, his panic faded. "Thank God... Who are you people?"
"We're mercenaries—tasked with extracting you, the mayor, and his family," Andrew explained. "Do you know where they are?"
At the mention of the mayor, the civilian's face twisted in rage.
"That bastard? He should rot in this hellhole! He sacrificed everyone—just to save himself. Damn politicians. Cowards, all of them!"
Andrew glanced at the man's wounds. "Medic!"
The squad's medic knelt beside the man, inspecting the injury. "Shallow bites, sir. He's lucky. But he still needs treatment—bioform saliva carries pathogens. He might not turn, but there could be complications."
Andrew nodded. "We'll get you out. But we need your help first. Can you guide us to the mayor?"
"No way—I'm not going back there," the man refused, shaking his head.
"Just tell us where he is," Mikhail cut in, his voice calm but firm. "We'll take care of the rest. You have our word."
The man hesitated. Then sighed. "Fine... He's holed up in the courthouse. Barricaded himself in. The town hall's crawling with the infected, but there's a way—go through the top floor, breach from the windows. That's your best shot."
"Understood," Andrew said. He activated his comms.
"Hometown, this is Pathfinder 1. Civilian located—he requires extraction and immediate medical attention."
"Copy that, Pathfinder 1. Second team en route. Status of the VIP?" Major Pierce responded.
"He's barricaded inside the courtroom. The interior's overrun. We're planning our approach now."
"Don't overdo it, Captain."
"I won't, sir."
"Good. Hometown out."