Day 5.5
Colin bolted back inside, calling the kids while grabbing a box of food and water.
"Alot of Cursed, I mean Dead are coming toward the Village. You kids are gonna stay in the Coal Bunker till I get back. It'll be dark down there, but no way the Dead can get in. Let's go!"
He lead the kids out round to the Bunker, took the box down, gave the kids a hug to assure them he'd be back soon and closed the Bunker doors.
Colin ran to the back fence and was about to climb it when he got a new System message
[ Bonus Additional Quest [Optional]
Physical Training. Cull The Cursed - 0/50
Lead The Cursed Horde Out Of The Shelter Area And Evade.
Combat Gear Reward ]
Well fuck! There goes the van plan, at least the way he planned it anyway. Physical sure doesn't mean sitting on my ass.
Climbing the fence, this time with ease, Colin headed to the bakery. No Cursed showed up till he got to the road in front of the bakery. 20 - 30 were spread along the street up to the main Village Road.
Colin knew he couldn't use the van till he cleared most, if not all of them, they'd be on him all grouped up as soon as he left the van.
He rolled his shoulders and started his march up the street towards his first Cursed target.
The small aircraft circling unnoticed high above the Village was, unknown to Colin, an RG MK1 Protector, belonging to the Royal Air Force.
The Unmanned Aerial Systems Pilot watched the event unfold below.
" What the hell is this bloke doing! That's a one killing spree right there!"
The Sensor Operator, watching the same video feed from his position, came to the same conclusion.
" God damn! Look at him go! My System crowd count says 36 Corpses on that street, and he's dropped 30 already, with what looks like a spear, with no sign of slowing!
32. 33. 34. 35. And that's all of em. A few more between him and the Corpse Horde up the main road. Wait, he's retreating back the way he came. What's he up to.
"Orders from Higher said to watch for " Exception Individuals " they said. This guy fits that description I think. Copy your data and send it to Ops"
[Physical Training. Cull The Cursed - 36/50 ]
Colin ran back to the bakery van, started it and tore off up the street to the intersection.
Jamming the van sideways, between parked cars on either side of the street, he blocked the road to the Village centre and created a channel leading out of town.
He hoped it would drive most of the Cursed where he wanted them to go.
It put their Shelter inside that channel though. That will have to change.
For the moment though, Colin jogged up the main road. A dozen Cursed lay that way before he reached the Villages edge.
Spinning his spear with confidence, he thrust at the Cursed at his front, the spear punching through its forehead. Side Stepping he spun, wiping his weapon around and removed another's head in a splatter of dark blood. Thus he proceeded to his destination, a trail of butchered corpses at his back.
[Physical Training. Cull The Cursed Complete - 55/50
Weapon Skill Increased
Cull Bonus - Endurance Increased ]
The Horde of Cursed, 1000's strong, had closed to around 300 metres. Still outside their visual range.
Colin already knew other Hordes may show up, even a steady ongoing stream of Cursed. He have to move to another Shelter in the City centre, for awhile at least.
As the Cursed at the front came in to whatever they used as sensory range, they sped up slightly, those behind noted the change in the Cursed ahead and followed suit. And so on back through the crowd.
Colin, for his part, started his fast walk leading them. Singing bits of whatever songs came to mind as loud as he could.
Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor, Devon
" Current feed shows the Individual is now baiting the Corpse Horde, leading them away from the Village centre. His kill count is in excess of 50 at this time, but he has made no effort to engage the Horde Sir."
" Tough but not stupid it seems. Thank you Major " Brigadier Goodman.
" How long to bring him in? " addressing the Base Commander present.
" We can have him on board a Merlin 20 minutes after wheels up Sir " replied Colonel June.
" After that mob has cleared out of course Sir " he amended.
Nodding in agreement, Brigadier Goodman issued his orders.
" We've lost too damn many good men because of haste Colonel. Use your best judgement and get a helo out there for that man as soon as possible. That Protector will stay on station for constant tactical updates for you. The Country needs that man. That is all Commander "
Kenn, Devon
Day 5.75
The nightmare parade was going well for Colin.
He couldn't see how well his bakery van baracade was holding up, but he knew there was a shit-load of Cursed right behind him.
He was 500 metres away from the bakery situated at the south end of the Village, and he would start his getaway run shortly.
" If you want me to win for you, where ever you God's of the Multiverse are right now, let me pull off this plan. Um...Amen" he shouted to the world as he began his sprint for the bakery.
The Cursed followed at their own pace, but follow the did.
Colin was well out of the visual trigger range of the Cursed when he reached the Bakery fence. Skirting the perimeter at a jog, he made his way back to his shelter and the kids. Jumping the fence, He could see the van blocking the driveway rocking as Dead staggered into it. But since every impact was against the side, there was no chance of moving it.
Colin crept round the house all the same, not wanting to tempt fate. He gently lifted the Bunker door open, leaving it propped open to let in light and crept down the stairs.
" you OK kids?" He called quietly, the result being two small bodies barrelling into him, their little arms hugging him tight.
Smiling at them, he hugged them back, reassuring them that he was going out again.
Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor, Devon
Day 5.75
" Sir, we have the likely Shelter location of the target. A residential structure on the western edge of the Village. Protector feed shows the Individual entering what is likely a Coal Bunker under the residence"
"Thank you Sergeant, The Commanders been waiting for this Intel. Let's not have him waiting any longer eh? Send it over to Command Group". The Captain on duty for the surveillance unit was pleased, so many loses so quickly, he wanted a win.
" looks like the Bootneck Boys will get some work"
The Sergeant smiled without looking up from his equipment. " I dare say they will Sir. Its holding them back from action is what gets on their nerves Sir"