Now that Christopher knew his family was safe, he settled into a seat, donning a pair of headphones to establish communication with the soldiers who had rescue them.
"Thanks, guys, for saving us," he said, his voice steady but laced with genuine gratitude.
One of the soldiers replied, "It's nothing, Major General. We're just following orders."
"Nothing? This is far from nothing! We nearly lost our lives back there. I owe you all a debt of gratitude for bringing us back safely," Christopher insisted, his tone a mixture of relief and admiration for the soldiers' bravery.
The pride swelling within the soldiers was palpable. They had risked their lives to save Christopher and his family, and even though they had encountered near-death experiences, the satisfaction of completing the mission made it all worthwhile.
Christopher Reignius held the rank of Major General in the U.S. Special Forces, at just in his late 30s making, him one of the youngest to achieve such an esteemed position.
His illustrious career was marked by numerous heroic deeds in various missions, not only indicative of his remarkable skills but also bolstered by his family's long-standing legacy in military service. The Reignius clan was acclaimed across America, known for their honorable contributions and successful missions in the armed forces.
"So, what's the situation outside? Has the zombie outbreak worsened?" Christopher asked with a casualness that belied the gravity of the circumstances. "The Marshal didn't give me any updates; he insisted that I focus solely on my mission and my family."
The Christopher's family had been vacationing in Hawaii when the catastrophic outbreak took place.
Fortunately, they were all together when chaos ensued. For a family so steeped in military tradition, they had managed to endure the relentless zombie hordes for several months due to their knowledge and preparedness.
When relatives learned of the turmoil unfolding in Hawaii, they knew they had to act swiftly, prompting military officials to launch a rescue mission. However, the response from the officials was lackluster; they only agreed to send help after requesting Christopher to undertake a field mission to gather research data and samples. In exchange for completing this task, they promised an airdrop supply that would assist in their survival. Only if the mission is finished will you get rescued.
Christopher's anger simmered beneath the surface at the audacity of the request, despite being part of the prestigious Reignius family. Nonetheless, he felt compelled to comply, knowing the safety of his family depended on it.
"No, sir," the soldier replied.
"The zombie outbreak is confined to specific regions—Australia, Taiwan, Japan, and Hawaii."
"Thanks to our president's swift actions. He was quick to coordinate with world leaders to implement measures to contain the outbreak from spreading by blocking all travel routes and quarantining the infected," the soldier added, trying to reassure him.
As their conversation continued, the helicopter's pilot glanced over at Christopher's son, who was still bleeding from injuries that marred his feet. Despite being bitten by a zombie, the boy appeared remarkably normal, an image of innocence amidst chaos. The pilot's concern grew; he hesitated before speaking.
"Sir, I apologize if this sounds inappropriate, but will your son truly be safe? What if the infection spreads in the helicopter? What if the officials—"
."They will make an exception for my contributions to America. You just make sure nothing happens to my son—understood?" Christopher's voice cut through the tension, firm and unyielding.
His warning carried weight, a menacing reminder of his influence and charisma.
"Yes, sir!" the soldiers responded in unison, saluting from their seats even though Christopher didn't see. They remembered him well, earning the nickname "the Tyrant Healer of the Battlefield" for his fierce dedication and fearlessness.
Known for his heroic deeds on the front lines, Christopher had a reputation not only for being an exceptional medic but also for his straight-talking nature. He didn't hold back from swearing at his superiors or his enemies, characteristics that made him notorious yet respected among his peers.
With a decisive nod, Christopher lowered the headphones.
While Christopher reminded the soldiers, Angella sat by his side, waiting for him to finish.
"Did something happen outside?" she asked.
Christopher reported to his wife what he had heard from the soldiers.
"Thank God we haven't lost our normal life," Angella said, a look of deep worry etched on her face. Her voice trembled as she continued, "But are we really going to be alright?"
Christopher, his brow furrowed with concern, responded, "I'm not sure. My only focus right now is our son."
His tone was serious, the weight of the situation evident in his eyes.
"I completely understand you, Chris, but remember that our Arthur is not a zombie," Angella replied firmly, trying to ground herself in the reality of the situation.
Her conviction was palpable, but there was an underlying fear that she couldn't shake.
"However, he does show symptoms of infection—his eyes have blood vessels bursting and his skin is growing pale, almost like it's necrosis." As she spoke, tears began to spill down her cheeks, turning her words into a sob.
"I don't know what's happening to him, and that's what scares me the most," she confessed, her voice quivering as she trembled from the weight of her emotions.
"It's okay," Christopher said soothingly, wrapping his arms around her in a comforting embrace. "We just need to keep moving forward, like we always do. Please, don't cry now."
His gentle hug seemed to momentarily ease her distress.
After a few minutes, Angella finally managed to collect herself, wiping her tears and regaining her composure.
"What do we do now, Chris?" she asked, her voice steadier but still laced with uncertainty.
"We need to find out more about Arthur's condition," Christopher replied, his expression serious again.
Angella nodded, understanding the importance of the next steps. "I'm going to my dad for medical equipment so we can investigate his symptoms more thoroughly," she said.
Angella was well-respected in her field, a doctor specializing in medicine and biology. She was renowned for her groundbreaking research on new medicine that had recently gained global attention.
Her father was the head of a highly esteemed bioengineering company, known for its extensive network of hospitals around the world.
Christopher's expression shifted as he said, "Are you sure that's a good idea? You know things are still tense between us. Our last conversation didn't exactly go well."
He looked away awkwardly, memories of past conflicts clouding his mind.
The mood turned from somber to strained, the air heavy with unspoken lingering issues.
"Chis, you're still not going to apologize to Dad?" Angella pressed, raising an eyebrow.
"Why should I apologize to him when he doesn't support my decision to enlist in the military?" Christopher snapped slightly, irritation creeping into his voice.
Their shared history loomed between the couple, memories of their time together in medical school, where their competitive spirits had been a constant source of tension.
They had been fierce rivals, always striving for top marks, yet somewhere along the way, they had fallen in love.
Their relationship had even garnered approval from their families—especially Angella's father, who saw Christopher as a promising son-in-law.
But the bond had frayed after graduation when Christopher chose the military over joining his father-in-law's prestigious company.
The rift had become a bitter point of contention, and Christopher felt the sting of resentment each time he thought of it.
"We're asking Dad, and that's my final decision," Angella declared with a hint of annoyance.
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry for being so stubborn," Christopher conceded, a hint of a smile breaking through as he playfully ruffled her hair, hoping to lighten the mood.
"Stop it, Chris. The children are watching," she admonished, though a small smile crept onto her face, a fleeting moment of normalcy amid the responsibilities surrounding them.