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Location: Grid 6C – Southeastern Perimeter, 5.8 km from Echo Point
Time: 15:47 | Day 12 of Infection Collapse
The wind whipped dry leaves into spirals as Logan Hale crouched behind a rusted out transport truck, scanning the treeline through his ACOG scope. Smoke drifted from a recent firefight, carried eastward over a ridge where the enemy had retreated into the forest.
But this time, it wasn't over.
Echo Point's latest recon drone had identified organized infected movements—squad-sized units advancing tactically across multiple sectors. The evidence was mounting, and the latest ambush confirmed it. The infected weren't just swarming anymore—they were maneuvering.
> [SYSTEM UPDATE: Enemy Units Operating in Fireteam Formations] [Tactical Threat Level Increased to: CODE ORANGE]
Wraith called from the right flank. "Movement. Three contacts—grid northwest, bounding pattern."
"Copy," Logan whispered. "Engage on my mark."
He pinged the new combat log overlay. The System responded with a projected grid and predictive pathing.
> [COMBAT ZONE LOCKED – SECTOR 6C ALPHA] [Threat Class: Bravo | Squad Cohesion: 73% | Estimated Ammo Loadout: Medium]
Logan breathed in once, then gave the signal.
"Now."
Sofia fired first—her rifle barked a tight three-round burst that dropped a fast mover trying to flank. Wraith followed with two shots, cleanly eliminating a second infected soldier that had taken cover behind a tractor husk.
The third, a tall infected with a cracked helmet and flak vest, raised what appeared to be a captured AK-74. It sprayed wildly across the forward line.
Logan popped from cover and fired two controlled shots—one to the shoulder, the second to the throat. The infected fell backwards in a twitching heap.
> [+38 WAR CREDITS]
But they weren't alone.
The underbrush exploded to life as two more fireteams emerged—eight hostiles, spreading out with practiced aggression. These weren't zombies. These were soldiers stripped of soul, but not training.
"Fall back to cover line Echo!" Logan ordered.
Reaper One, crouched behind a broken concrete barrier nearby, lifted his heavy Gatling and roared into action. Tracers lanced through the trees, cutting down two hostiles before they could scatter. Hammer, from the rear overwatch point, brought the Humvee's .50 cal to bear, hosing down the enemy's left flank.
The infected fired back. Bullet holes tore through the Humvee's side panels. Dragan, lying prone behind a tire, shouted out: "I'm good! They're flanking right!"
"Petrescu!" Logan snapped. "Deploy smoke, move squad Echo-3 left to intercept!"
> [System Prompt – Deploy Reinforcement Squad?] [Available Options: Tier 1 Infantry Fireteam | Cost: 80 WAR CREDITS]
"Deploy," Logan confirmed. "Drop them northeast, flanking support."
> [SQUAD DEPLOYMENT CONFIRMED – 'Grizzly-1' En Route]
With a flash of light and thundering echo, four soldiers materialized 200 meters north of the battle. Grizzly-1, dressed in olive combat armor, immediately took position behind a collapsed billboard and began laying down suppressive fire.
"Enemy fireteam pinned!" Sofia called.
Logan saw his chance.
He sprinted forward, sliding into cover beside Dumitrescu. "Push with me. Wraith, take the left!"
They moved as one. Bullets sparked off debris and shredded foliage. One infected tried to lob a grenade—Wraith nailed him mid-throw.
> [+45 WAR CREDITS]
With their flank collapsing and Grizzly-1 bearing down, the remaining infected began to retreat—still in formation.
Logan didn't let up.
"Suppress and clear. Leave none standing."
Ten minutes later, silence fell once more over the woods.
Bodies lay in staggered formation. Rigs and faded flags marked them as former Russian paratroopers. Their weapons, though corroded, had been cared for.
Logan walked among them, checking for survivors. One twitched.
He raised his rifle, but hesitated.
"Still breathing," Dumitrescu said, approaching.
"Infected?"
Her voice was grim. "Hard to tell. No bites. But the eyes… not human."
Logan made the call.
> [WAR CREDITS EARNED: +164 (Confirmed Kills) +42 (Tactical Maneuvers) +80 (Squad Coordination Bonus)] [New Balance: 1,562.4 WAR CREDITS]
He radioed Echo Point. "Prep medical quarantine. We may have a live one."
Then he looked at the others. Dirt-smeared. Exhausted.
"We need to rethink everything. These aren't outbreaks anymore. This is war."
> [CHAPTER END]