We continued the sweep of the zone. We never encountered any other skeletons or any other undead. We were thankful for that. Once we had finished this felt the breach to be inspected.

We stop well before then and eat some energy bars and drink. Hills stomach had announced its unhappiness so loudly that we could not ignore it. She was very embarrassed and was trying to apologise. I waved it off.

The route we were given ended at the breach. So, we found ourselves standing there looking at the bubble that surrounds it.

“Ready for this.” I ask Hills.

“I don’t know.”

“Fair enough.” I could not fault that answer knowing what was next. Hills had performed well on her first training mission overall. I think if she continued then she would be a fine operative. I was sorry for her your first missions are never easy. For the life, she was facing, I knew she still did not fully understand. I was not brave enough to destroy what illusions she had left.

Did that make me a coward?

Probably.

“Let’s go. But be ready any threats we have missed will be drawn here when we step in.” I walked towards the bubble with Hills a step behind.

We enter the bubble and look upon the breach. The sense of wrongness floods over us. The urge to flee from this thing that did not belong, I was ready but Hills was not. Of course, they are briefed and told what to expect but the reality of it was so different. My anger surged in response to the feeling the breach gave me and I forced myself to breathe to calm down.

She staggers back and out of the bubble back into the zone proper. I follow and find her ripping up her faceplate doubled over and starting to throw up, which is not the worst reaction I have seen. I focused on controlling my anger as it is getting worse when I encounter breaches.

I let her empty the contents of her stomach waiting for her to recover. She does and lowers her faceplate her face still pale.

“I am so sorry!” She was adding to the earlier embarrassment in her mind, making her start to panic over it all.

“Don’t worry I’ve seen far worse reactions.” I need to calm her. “What flare are you going to fire here as we have checked the breach?”

“Er… blue. Yes, blue flare for a checked breach on this mission.” She was thrown for a second but quickly recovered.

“Go on then.” I prompt.

She fumbled for the flare gun. She did get it out and was starting to aim it to the sky.

“Check the flare first.” I tell her. “Check it’s the right one.”

“I loaded it before entering the zone. It’s blue.”

“Always check. Always.” I tell her sternly. She nods and checks. Satisfied she lifts her arm and fires the flare off. The blue glow causes the fog and shadows to dance.

“First attempt firing we have not been in here too long then.” I say offhand. “We are done let’s go.”

We proceed to leave the zone. I have her walk ahead slightly. I quickly notice that she has her guard down and is relaxing her posture.

“Keep aware Hills. We’re not safe until we reach the base camp!” I am harsh saying it but it had to be said my anger giving it extra bite. She jumps like she’s been shocked with an electrical charge and quickly gets her shield back up.

“Sorry.” She turns slightly and what I can make out of her face is bright red.

“Always remember. Zones are always dangerous always! Especially if you think there’s no danger anymore. Now eyes forward let’s get out of here.”

If she was planning on making small talk that exchange had killed that idea. We progressed at a good pace and soon were nearing the zone boundary near the base camp. I was harsh but I am trying to get her to understand what she needs to in order to survive.

The zone was as depressing as all others I had been in. The grave chill was sitting on my mind and stopping me from feeling warm. Even as I am sweating in the armour from the weight and exertion. Hills was probably in the worst state not used to the effects of the chill.

My paranoia was a well-earned and proven state of mind. I knew if she was to survive that she was going to…….

I leapt forward knocking hills forward as a fast-moving figure collided with my shield. I was knockback staggering several steps. The impact sent a shock through my arm and shoulder. I remain standing. Just.

I pull my shield up as the attack continues. The figure is a blur as my shield is rocking with impacts and wood splinters fly. The stench tells me what I need to know.

Fuck Ghoul!

“Hills emergency flare. EMERGENCY FLARE!” I scream out. This is bad. I drop the axe and draw my gladius. I cannot see an opening to counterattack, all I see are the blur of claws attacking.

I cannot see her, I hope she can hear me. I am focused to try to stay alive.

The attack is relentless and I am on the back foot. Desperately blocking the claws, being forced back. The strikes are hitting my shield and my arm is going numb from the impacts.

It’s fucking fast!

I can’t think only react, impacts causing my arm to now transmit pain. My shield is cracking under the assault. I need an opening. Rage surges in my chest as the chill tries to slow me down. The heat is a welcome friend right now but I must control it.

Behind the Ghoul, a flare fires off and a red glow filters through the area. This distracts it only for a second but it’s enough.

I go on the attack.

I push forward closing the distance. Thrusting forward with my blade. I get a glancing hit black blood flowing and a claw gouges my forearm armour in return. But it is backing up, I am bleeding I can feel it.

I follow keeping the pressure on, I cannot relent.

My feet are now firmly grounded. This allows me to shield barge forward-leaning in with my shoulder. The impact is solid and I hear a cracking sound from my shield. I push the ghoul back more but a claw rake across my helmet ripping my faceplate off. It is hanging partly on but does not block my sight.

I thrust it with my gladius again connecting with a solid hit.

I receive a scream of rage, the strong stench of rot and a claw shredding my shoulder armour. Don’t know if it penetrated. I twist and pull the blade back. Another scream.

An impact to the right side of my helmet staggers me to the left and I am seeing stars and black spots. I lose sight of the ghoul. Pain flares across my back along with a tearing sound. As I feel my armour has been ripped through. I now scream in pain.

I swing my shield around as I twist my torso. The flat of it hits the ghoul. I continue to hit it with my shield. It hardly moves using an arm now to block my attacks.

It is soon on the attack again. My shield is once again between us and I am moving furiously to block, I don’t know how much more the shield can take.

I see Hills trying to move up behind the ghoul.

“Hills get out of here! Get to the support team!” I yell. She stops hesitant and unsure.

The Ghoul is distracted by her and I am going on the attack again.

My blade plunges into its lower torso again. Black blood oozed across my hand. I am in deep with my blade deep and close in. I can smell the creature’s rotten meat scent and I almost gag.

The Ghoul screams again. Its full attention turned to me. I lose sight of Hills.

The Ghoul pushes with all of its strength knocking me back. I am still holding my gladius. Thankfully.

I don’t get the time to continue as again I am on the defensive being pushed back. My shield has cracked under the attacks now. I can see gouges in the steel band around the edge and part of the shield is missing.

The attacks are slower. The damage I have inflicted is being noticed now. But I still have no opening, my own injuries are affecting me.

My right arm and shoulder are numb now from the impacts. Pain is flaring from my back as I am moving. I am bleeding I can feel it in two areas. And I am seriously pissed off as well!

A mace hits the Ghoul on the back of the head. It staggers forward from the blow.

I leap forward with all my strength and body weight behind what’s left of my shield.

I push the Ghoul to the floor and quickly pin it by sitting on its hips. I use the broken edge of my shield ramming it down again and again into the Ghoul’s face.

My rage fuels my increasingly savage attack the sound of blood pounding in my ears. Blow after blow keeps impacting its skull. Black blood and ichor fly everywhere. I just keep going not focused on anything attacking!

My blows slow down. As I get tired the adrenaline can only take me so far with my anger. The Ghoul’s head is caved in. It’s dead.

I am heaving in the air as fast as I can. I am flooded with pain messages from my body. Looking around I see Hills a short distance away throwing up again. The stench of the Ghoul is really bad. I realise that my face is covered in gore and that it is in my mouth. I soon join her in throwing up as well.

I collapse quickly after that.

I lay there breathing. Face mostly in the dirt and grass.

Everything is hurting. Emotionally I am exhausted as well as physically.

“Operative Harrington…… are you alright?” Hills asks from above me. I cannot see her.

“Not really.”

“Can I help?”

“How’s my back?” It was hurting and I am sure I am a bleeding mess, but how bad?

“Oh, God! Your bleeding! I need to do first aid!” She realised how badly I was injured.

I heard her fumbling. Looking for her med kit most likely. I was not in the mood to be her first attempt at administrating first aid.

“Has the support team arrived?” I sit up. Lots of pain with that action!

“Not yet…. Should you be moving?”

“Not really. Help me up.”

She helped me up and I groan all the way. I pick up my gladius as I get up. I put it away back in its sheath. Standing now I look around. She is supporting me still by making sure I do not collapse as I sway on my feet. The pain in my back is burning now with its intensity. It is bringing tears to my eyes.

“I am ok.” Hills stands away letting me stand on my own. “Where’s my axe?”

Hills quickly finds it and gives it back to me. I feel ready. Fuck who am I kidding? I am in no condition for another fight. My shield arm is now pulsing with pain and my shield is wrecked. My back is burning as well as my left forearm.

The red and blue light from the flares is really messing with the fog and shadows. It’s trippy actually. That thought quickly brings back some bad memories.

We hear movement. Looking around we see the support team approaching us from the fog. Sargent Grey in the lead they were all ready for trouble. The six of them were scanning for danger. Grey gave us the once over and frowned at what she was seeing.

“All right, what happened?” She asked. Knowing we could be in danger I did not mess around.

“Ghoul ambush on the way out. Its body is behind me. Three type ones eliminated as well.” They all visible tensed up more at the word ghoul and I don’t blame them.

“Richards get Harrington and Hills medical attention. The rest form a perimeter now!” She moved to the Ghoul’s body and a soldier came over to us.

“Injuries?” He was focused on me. Opening a very large military medical bag.

“I think Hills is ok. My back and arm got shredded.” He quickly moved around me. The hiss of surprise tells me it’s not good.

“Sarge, I need to treat this now!” Richards tells Grey. She looks over from the Ghoul and nods.

“Hills go see if the Sargent can use some help.” She nods and moves away.

It takes several very painful minutes to get me to the point that we can unzip the top section of my armour. When we do blood sticks the armour sections on my back to the t-shirt I am wearing. The cold and damp air does not help one bit and I express my unhappiness with some creative language. Richard cuts the back of my t-shirt off.

“You have a claw injury running from your shoulder blades to your lower back. It’s long but not deep. I am going to staple you up. It will hold until we reach base camp. You are going to have a scar I think.”

“Great, another to add to the collection.”

While this was happening, Hills was shadowing Grey. She had inspected the battle sight and got a rough idea of what had happened during the fight. She came over when she had spoken to Hills.

“How is he, Richards?” She asked I knew not to get involved.

“A few more minutes and we will be ready to go.” He told her.

“Jones, Wright get that ghoul body into a bag we are moving in 5.” The two soldiers went to work. They will retrieve the body for study to try to find out where it came from.

The next five minutes pass quickly and we are soon on our way out of the zone. It is slow going due to the body and my injuries but we are all much happier when we can see the sun again.