《Task Force 1228》Chapter 3.3
Advertisement
Farrell gave another sad nod and said “The disease is very fast acting and once it gets into your bloodstream you have no chance of amputation being effective. Well unless you were to sever the limb as soon as the romero bites into it since it takes less than a minute or so for your blood to travel completely around your body. But we are long past that option here. The only recourse to prevent another outbreak and to prevent the victim to succumbing to it is to destroy the brain.”
Another outburst from Mikey was forestalled by Paul as he glared at him as he said “So you're saying we can’t save our friend from death and that the only way to save him from becoming some kind of zombie is to destroy his brain? And there’s nothing we can do to change that then?” Farrell shook his head “Sadly no the only recourse is to end the suffering of the victim before they turn into a romero.”
The civilians were all shaking with barely controlled anger and Paul again addressed Farrell “Fine but at least let us do it. He’s our friend and we would want him to do it for us. So we will do it for him.” They remained tense as they waited for the response from Farrell who looked back to see what Murphy would say. Murphy simply nodded his head in accent to their request. Farrell then drew his weapon to the surprise of the civilians who jumped back into a defensive stance. Then turned it around so the handle faced Paul.
Before Paul could grab it. Mikey reached out and snatched it away from Farrell. “I’ll do it myself he’s my cousin it has be me and only me.” He started to walk with determination to Holt who was now lying unconscious in the back of the disabled vehicle. After only a few steps he came to a sudden stop and in a soft voice asked Farrell “how much time do we have until he changes?” Farrell, in turn, looked over to Saunders who walked over to check on Holt in the back of the disabled vehicle
Advertisement
He checked his pulse which was slow and steady but a cold sweat had broken out on his forehead. “Judging from his symptoms, maybe 3 hours. Could be more could be less. Every person is a bit different depending on the strength of the immunities in their bodies.” Mikey’s head drooped and he stared at the ground for a moment then spoke softly “Is it okay if we wake him up and see if he wants to wait to change or have it taken care of right away?”
Murphy chose to step forward and introduce himself to answer the question. “Hello gentlemen my name is Murphy I am the team leader and the on the ground commander of this operation. I checked with base command and they let me know we have about 5 hours until we have specialists coming to complete the clean up. We need to remain here until then. So if he wants to wait until the change that’s fine but only so long as it’s before the arrival of the specialists. They won’t care about trying to help you guys out and will force us to eliminate any infected.” Mikey grit his teeth but nodded in acknowledgement.
He walked over to wake up Holt and speak with him. Repeating the explanation that was given to him and what had been said. Holt decided to wait until the last moment before the change to let them end it.
Paul, who had remained near the squad asked them “So are you guys like some sort of government organization that kills zombies or some shit?” Chuckling Connall was the one to respond knowing whatever he told the civilian wouldn’t matter after the specialists got there. “Yeah something like that. Although we take out more than just these romeros.” Paul’s eyes widened slightly at this “So there’s other monsters out there aside from just these romeros as you call em?” Connall laughed again “Yeah there’s a whole lot more than just these out there. In fact these are some of the easier ones to take care of as long as they don’t get elevated into a class 4.”
Advertisement
Their conversation lasted for several hours. Charlie squad arrived during this time having taken care of any remaining romeros. They also checked with command through murphy to make sure satellite imagery showed no further movements of the undead. Everything was clear so they were simply waiting for the specialists to arrive.
The 5 hour deadline was quickly approaching when Holt started convulsing. Thick sweat covered his body and his skin was a pallid grey. Saunders who had stayed nearby caught sight of this and approached the convulsing young man. “This is the final stage before he dies and reanimates as an undead. We have maybe 5 to 10 minutes. I would say your goodbyes if you haven’t already”
The mood grew increasingly somber and Mikey who still held the gun that Farrell had loaned him moved next to Holt and softly said a few words that only they could hear. He was followed by Paul who did the same. Again saying a few quiet words only they could hear. Then finally the third surviving civilian walked up. He was nearly forgotten as he had remained in the background quietly without saying anything to anyone. He was a light skinned young man of average height and size with long dark hair. He also quietly said a few words then went to stand next to Paul with his eyes glued to the ground and his hair covering his face.
Everyone having said their goodbyes knew it was time to end it. Holt’s convulsions had stopped and he had lost the last semblance of consciousness. His breathing had slowed to the point where if you didn’t look closely you couldn’t tell that he was still living. They moved him out of the back of the vehicle and onto a blanket that they placed on the ground as Holt had asked of them.
Mikey walked up, his grip on the borrowed pistol causing his fingers to turn white while it shook uncontrollably. He put the barrel of the weapon onto his friend and cousin’s temple as tears escaped his eyes. He said goodbye one final time and told his friend he was sorry then pulled the trigger. The report deafening in the silence. Gray matter and blood spraying from the wound. The gun fell from Mikey’s hand as he turned away from his cousin and running away from the group. They watched him leave and allowed him to be alone.
The sound of a helicopter grew louder and louder as it approached from the distance. Connall who was standing next to Murphy said to him “Looks like the specialists are here. Should we gather the civilians for their debriefing?” Murphy nodded saying “Go ahead and gather them together.” Connall was stopped as he started to walk away by Murphy’s voice. “You know I kinda feel jealous of the kids. Their friends just died but they won’t remember everything that happened today. The terrible memories that were made will be gone. It would be kinda nice to forget some things. Especially these kinds of things.” Connall gave a sad smile and nodded as he walked away his voice trailing with him. “Yeah wouldn’t that be nice to be so ignorant again.”
Advertisement
- In Serial36 Chapters
The Laptop Hero (Portal/Isekai LitRPG)
[participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge] - April 2022 Silas got summoned to another world—by a group of kids attending magic school who seemed rather unhappy with the results of their ritual. After a brief glimpse of his summoners Silas woke in the town dump. Unable to speak the local language, a misunderstanding escalated and before long Silas wound up in a jail cell, the locals having confiscated all his worldly possessions aside from his laptop, which had formed some strange bond with him. Now he can summon his laptop at will, and he can view his Status, level up, and gain powerful skills and magic as if he were some character in a video game, which is great and everything, but all Silas really wants to do is sit in a dark room and play games on his laptop. Only, life isn't a game, and Silas needs to get his act together because everyone else is playing for keeps. Or does he? Maybe for Silas life is just one big game now, with everyone else stuck playing by his rules. Assorted Disclaimers, in no particular order: I am only posting this on RoyalRoad.com, so if you find my story elsewhere it was not posted by me. Please do let me know! While I do consider this a progression fantasy, and have tagged it as such, Silas's Status improvements will not necessarily proceed in a linear fashion. His RPG stats will have ups and downs, exploits and nerfs, periods of growth and stagnation. Such is the life of a gamer, to be held under the thumb of the all powerful devs, or in this case a certain goddess devoted to the idea of Balance. SIlas himself should learn and grow, improving and progressing in areas where he struggles, or rather, to show such is my goal. The story is told from multiple points of view. While other PoVs will come and go, Silas shall remain the only lead character. The world Silas finds himself on is not a nice place. Expect him to encounter gore and traumatizing content and bad people who do bad things for selfish (or possibly noble) reasons from time to time. Some characters will use profanity, however due to cultural differences the curse words used will differ from those used in our corner of reality, so I'm not including the profanity content warning. Silas himself isn't one for foul language. No explicit sexual content here. This novel is intended for mature readers, however, and will include mature topics, including, but not limited to, sex, violence, death, and taxes. No harem. Might be an eventual romantic interest, possibly even some competitive jealousy, yet as his story begins Silas is too overwhelmed with other concerns to consider long term plans. Musophobics might want to steer clear of this story. Same goes for turophobics. You have been warned. Keep in mind, however, if my other disclaimers didn't make this clear, I only have the faintest of outlines at the moment. This story will take me where it will. My goal with this story is to write it to the end, something of a long-term writing exercise, with the hope others might take an interest in my work and encourage me to keep at it. I've started a number of works before, even finished a few, but this is the first time I've shared any work in a public forum. My temporary cover was made by me, in GIMP using public domain images. If you can do better I'll happily accept your submission and give credit for your work here!
8 181 - In Serial49 Chapters
Madness Led by the Hands
‘Great, no… splendid. It was for naught.’ ‘Naught? Depends. If your desire is to send an army of killers our family’s way, yes indeed. If it’s plain survival you seek, then no.’ ‘They don’t coexist?’ ‘What… don’t tell me you’re still all groggy from the fall. Perhaps in novels, but real life is much tougher–––many more times a drag than anyone can possibly imagine. If dusty history is not a reliable teacher for you, then the pandemic surely took that place. At least that one has the advantage you needn’t be literate to savvy how reality always trumps imagination.’ ‘Whatever you say, whatever you say. So… what now?’ ‘Now? Isn’t it obvious? Now we shall survive. And live a good life.’ ‘Ohh… pretty much everything here has something against this little weird wish of ours. Might you consider?’ ‘Then pretty much everything here is a goner.’ ‘Hm, I don’t like the sound of that. Too much trouble, you see. I’d prefer laying low somewhere safe.’ ‘…nobody told you it’s mutually exclusive, no–––or did you forget about that too?’ ‘Fine, then I wish my future enemies all the best.’ ‘They are undeserving of your pity.’ ‘Of course not. That unlucky bunch won’t ever comprehend the reason behind their demise. Just let me smoke in peace and offer my condolence in advance.’ ‘Idem, let me study alchemy, unobstructed by all, if possible. This also includes you. By the way, are you sure you smoke to offer condolences? It seems like an excuse to me.’ ‘I-it is none. Plain truth, you see?’ ‘Seriously, why did I even ask...?’
8 261 - In Serial12 Chapters
Elemental School of Hard Knocks
When Kyra's mother dies after giving birth to her little brother Ihaka, she is left with the choice of staying with her abusive father, or going where she knows he won't follow. Another world entirely. With Ihaka in her arms and nothing but a survival pack on her back, Kyra steps through the newly invented portals to a strange land. Never once looking back. ~~~~ This Novel was written entirely by me. All rights are reserved.
8 160 - In Serial37 Chapters
Mecha Dragons of Mars
It's the not-too-distant future and Earth is no more; the planet was accidentally blown up by explosives expert Cole Rapp after being deemed no longer habitable. Humanity (or at least what remains of it) has relocated to nearby newly terraformed Mars to try to start anew.Other than the recent immigrants, no signs of terrestrial life have been found on the fourth rock from the sun. But recent strange sightings and unexplainable fires seem to suggest that Earthlings are not alone. Could it be Martians, mysterious and hostile? Or is it something far more dangerous? (Cover Art Credit: gej302)
8 172 - In Serial9 Chapters
Crafter's Passion (AKA Gleaners' Guild)
2038, California. Stan is doing his mandatory "volunteer" service years on a collective farm when he encounters Thousand Tales, a game that offers immortality to the super-rich. He can't afford to have his brain uploaded like those elite customers, but maybe he can turn a profit out of the game instead of just playing it. Not as a legendary swordsman or a brilliant wizard, but as a dealer in the junk no one else seems to want. If he plays his cards right, he can draw the attention of both the farm's supervisor and the game's ruling, meddling AI. Should he, though? LitRPG. Part of the world of "Thousand Tales", a novel series on Amazon, though no knowledge of it is expected. This story is around 12K words long. I'd appreciate feedback to help write a much longer version! Updates every few days. Cover art from game-icons.net, by Lorc, CC-BY. Update! This story was originally called "Gleaners' Guild". It came out on Amazon under the name "Crafter's Passion" and has many reviews there, thanks in part to the support of RR readers like you. Thanks! It even has a sequel, "Crafter's Heart".
8 100 - In Serial14 Chapters
Minecraft power in a strange world
a world where there are cultivator, sorcerer and Knight. a boy that could literally punch a tree down is added to it. what will happen? kinda SI, because the protagonist got some of his trait from me. going to be slice of life, with not really a major plot.
8 94