The debrief team arrive the next morning. A man and woman come in and set up recording equipment for the debrief. They told me their names but to be honest I forgot them quickly. Me and names are not good. The woman was in a suit and the man was in a military uniform showing a major’s rank. Dr Helena was with them to oversee my medical condition. She had warned them that she felt that if it was too stressful, she would intervene. They had acknowledged this before starting.

I was far more aware than normal. My head is clearer and I can focus. Normally after some time unconscious, it takes several days for me to get my shit together. But not this time which I thought was a bit strange. I chalked it up to the long nap I had. I feel like I could be released from the ward soon. I probably will not but I feel like it.

They had a camera ready to record the session for the later examination. They moved chairs around so they can sit and begin the debrief. They switched on the camera and we got started.

“Debrief of operation ZCA-0312. The date is 6th of August 2038 and the time is 09:34 hrs.” They started the normal government intro for the records which I drowned out. I keep my attention only enough to focus when required. This was past routine for me these days.

We began the walkthrough of the events of what happened. Starting with the change of mission while in flight I began to add more. I went through the landing and preparation to go into the zone that was expanding. As I was in charge, they began asking questions about my decisions. A new thing for me in these debriefings. Up until then, I was always alone for most of the mission. I was still not happy that I had gotten lumbered with that job.

It was when we reached the hospital that they really got into asking. At the moment the woman was doing most of the talking. She was a woman of Indian descent and for some reason gave off a phycologist vibe over a civil servant. I notice a slight change in the more aggressive attitude during the questioning.

Why am I tensing up? The monitors register a slight change. The old fight or flight instincts are stirring. Dr Helena interacts with her e-pad at this.

“When you reached the hospital grounds you had the rest of your team avoid it. This was counter to part of your orders. Can you explain why?” She asked.

“The grounds were clearly showing signs that they had been overrun. We had limited time due to the time of day. The primary orders were to find the RCT and base camp.” I had to stop and take regular drinks. This also helped me think about what they were asking me. “I had to make a choice we could have searched the buildings but the chances that we would not have come out alive.”

“So, you felt that the hospital was too dangerous for your team to investigate?”

“Yes.” My blunt reply seems to surprise her.

“Did you think that there could be survivors in the hospital” She continued. Pressing her point for some reason.

“Maybe there were. I knew we did not have time so I got the team to move on.” Before she could add more the officer cut in.

“Understood what happened next.” The officer got the debriefing back on track.

I went on going through all the fighting we did up to the cemetery. The officer began to ask more pointed questions here. He was more interested in my tactics on how I had my team approach clearing the cemetery. He also enquired about having Keller step up and my thoughts on her. I told him the truth about how she had acted. Overall, she was solid but lacking on the physical strength side.

I mentioned my suspicion at the time of the second breach.

“Why did you think the second breach would be located at the church?” The woman asked again. What was her name? She was asking weird questions. Anyone who had dealt with Grave type zones knows they have breaches located in or around places of religious devotion.

“Experience.” I was getting annoyed and I find one-word answers to help in expressing my unhappiness. She was tapping on an e-pad she had taken notes. Never stopping. Looking at me directly she asked another question.

“So, you are sure that it was your “experience” that led you to the second breach?”

What an odd question. It was almost an accusation. I was getting a real strong phycologist vibe now, I was sure. Time to change tactics.

“Who are you?” I challenged her. My Spidey sense was now tingling telling me that something else was going on here.

“What do you mean?” She asked. Deflecting.

“Who. Are. You.?” I emphasize the words. “I ask because of your no civil servant.” I bluff this one. After the things, I have been through I do not tolerate bullshit anymore.

“As I say earlier, I am Janet Misra sent to perform this debriefing.” I noticed the lack of position or title. I gambled.

“Phycologist then.” She made no reaction. As she was aware that I was now probing. “So that begs the question why?” Dr Helena answered.

“You went through a series of massive traumatic experiences to your body and mind in a relatively short time. We need to know how you are mental state wise.” I turn my head to her.

“Is that not what the scheduled tests are for?”

“Yes, and you are experienced in answering them. We need a rawer examination.” This came from Misra.

“Why?” I was defensive now that I was sure that something was going on.

“Like Dr Helena said you have been through several traumatic events in a short time we need to make sure you are coping well. PTSS is a real issue for all zones operatives with half of your record.”

I decided to remain silent as I could not trust myself to remain civil. This was an ambush in many ways. It was the officer who got us back on track again.

“I suggest we carry on as a standard debriefing.”

“Ok.” I replied.

So, we returned to the events. The officer had taken over the questioning. He was asking the normal ones but his leaning towards the military aspects was noticeable but not unexpected. Misra never stopped typing on her e-pad.

I walked them through reaching the RCT and the fight to clear the zombies attacking them. I spoke of the choice to pull out with the civilians even as it was getting dark. I told them of the harassment on the way out. When I mentioned first encountering the eyes, they both perked up.

“Can you tell us what you felt or experienced at that time?” She asked.

I glared at her but decided to humour her request. I felt it was important for them to have all the information in regards to this thing. I told them how it affected me and when I realised, I was being attacked mentally. I also told them about how I figured that the attacking undead was coming in waves and that when we reached the hospital it would draw out overwhelming numbers.

“Was this when you decided to head back into the zone to face whatever was there?” Misra jumped in again.

“Yes. I knew that if I did not create a distraction then no one was going to get out.”

“For your information, the hospital was overrun. Secondary teams were used to make sure it was clear after the breaches were sealed. UKZC, believe you made the right decision here.” The officer added to my surprise. What was his name? I felt bad now about forgetting it. Due to the size of the zone, they must have stretched the power cables to the limit to get both breaches.

“This is where we lose you for the known chain of events. What happened to you?” The officer asked. He was keen to know.

So, I took them through what happened next. Up until I returned to the cemetery. Until it revealed itself to me. I gave them a description.

“So, you are claiming it was a Level 4 Grave threat.” Misra asked.

“No. I am telling.” I retorted. Before she could say anything else the officer butted in.

“Can you describe the physical attributes as well as any other displayed powers?” This was important info now.

“Sure. Starting it spoke.” I had to be careful here.

“Spoke!” Both exclaimed.

“It told me I was going to die and that it was going to kill the others.” Time to lie now. I was in no way in hell going to repeat what was said. God knows what will happen.

“How do you reply?” Misra asked.

“I politely told it to have carnal relations with its sister, a dog and its dead mother.” Sarcasm baby!

This threw her for a moment.

“Then what happened?” The officer asked. Not want to touch that one yet.

“It proceeded to give me a world-class kicking in.”

This was the hardest part. Explaining the supercharged grave chill. The creature’s sheer speed and power. The limited effectiveness of my weapons. How I was thrown around with ease.

It became harder to remember as the injuries began piling up during the fight. I was getting all the questions asked by the officer as the doctors had no real frame of reference to work from.

He was trying to be as sensitive as he could but this info was important. I obliged as much as I could. But “can’t remember” and “it was happening so fast” became common answers. I told them of the few times I wounded it.

I told them of my plan to drag out my death as long as possible by moving toward the church. The feeling of being toyed with as it causally followed me. I spoke dully as I recounted it all. It was still painful and raw in my mind.

When it reached the point that we were facing the end in the church it dawned on me that they were on the edge of their seats.

“Then what happened?” The officer asked.

“My last gamble. As it lunged forward, I grabbed it and body twisted throwing it past me.”

“Into the breach?” He clarified.

“Yes.”

“Then.”

“It exploded.”

“Exploded! The creature you mean.”

“Yes. After that, it’s all confused and jumbled.”

“Alright, that’s enough he needs to rest now.” Dr Helena stepped in.

This brought the debriefing to an end for now. I know from experience that there will be follow up later. But they seemed satisfied with what they had for the moment. They wrapped up and took the equipment away.

I was left alone as Dr Helena closed the door. The memoirs were still with me. The shadow with me in the room.

## ## ## ## ##

Outside they said their goodbyes to Dr Helena. They turned and walked away. Both go to the same building but in different sections.

As they walked back to the Administration building Dr Misra looked at the major walking with her.

“Well? Thoughts Major Hawk.” She asked. He remained looking ahead.

“We have both very interesting reports to write.”

“Yes. Yes, we do.” She said then thought for a second.

“Do you believe him?” She asked.

“Yes. I do and that scares me.”

“That the zones are creating ever advanced threats?” She asked.

“Yes. The higher tier threats are far more capable of operating outside zones. This will make things far harder for us in the long run. What did you think?”

“He is not telling us everything. His paranoia is increasing.”

“Can’t blame him, can we?”

“No. Still he will need greater monitoring.”

“Agreed. I will be making a number of recommendations to Command. As no doubt will you.”