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Start Log
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Private Jake Kilbain shuffled uncomfortably in his CBRN
(Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear) gear. It was the
middle of summer in the Northern Hemisphere of Aeren III and his gas
mask and protective gear was making him too damn hot. He hefted his
Erassian made AR30-USG Assault Rifle he looked over at his buddy
Private Tyler Colbeck who was likewise dressed and armed. "Hey when
did HQ say those two Starfleet Medics were supposed to be here ?"
"About twenty minutes ago, bloody typical that we're stuck
out here in the heat whilst they swan in late in the
atmosphere controlled HAZMAT suits. Still, I'd rather be out here than
in there with the infected woman. I wouldn't put it past the Chief
Administrator to cheap out on these gas masks. Hell we're probably breathing
in Asbestos as it is." Tyler replied taking a glance behind him at the
house they were standing guard outside.
Ann Blythe lay on her bed. She was not resting for her
laboured breathing would not allow that luxury.
She felt hot and clammy then chilled to her bones. No
position was comfortable although she had little strength
now to move and try to seek relief.
Her head pounded as though it might surely explode, her
throat was dry and her mouth parched and it seemed to her
that she was on fire, tormented by demons that scorched her
very soul.
Then her vision cleared and she lay staring up at the
ceiling not quite trusting the sudden calmness that overcame
her. The room was silent and she was aware of voices
outside.
She couldn't hear what they said but reasoned that they must
have come to see her and if she did not let them in then
they might leave.
She forced herself to swallow and summoned every ounce of
her strength, pushing herself to sit up but as soon as she
did so the headache returned and she felt faint, clinging to
the edge of the bed.
It wasn't far to the door and stealing herself, she got to
her feet and took an uncertain step.
It was a mistake.
She poised on tiptoe, rigid and grotesque, not able to
either move or speak in the sudden rush of searing pain
that trapped every nerve and fibre of her being.
It passed in a few seconds and she half fell, half stumbled
towards the door, desperate to reach it and the help that
waited beyond.
Kilbain turned at the sound of something tapping the glass
behind him. He jumped at the sight of the infected woman clawing at the
door. He gestured at her with his free left hand. "Go back. Get
back to your bed, the medics will be here shortly. I said get back!"
"Jake..." Came the uncertain voice of his buddy Colbeck.
"What?" Kilbain snapped back.
"Look this way." Colbeck replied and when Kilbain turned he
saw what the interruption had been for. There was five uninfected
civilians walking steadily...no purposefully towards the two Colony
Defence Force soldiers.
"HALT! This area is off limits under enforcement of the
Infection Countermeasures Act 2407. Return to your homes immediately
or you will be fired upon." Just to prove his point Colbeck
brought his rifle to bear on the nearest advancing civilian.
Half blinded by the brightness outside her dim room and half
crazed from the pain that had again spread throughout her
body, Ann saw only moving shadows outside. She heard voices but
could not grasp what they said for her only thought now was
to get outside and fill her tortured lungs with clean fresh
air. Her tapping on the glass brought no response and when her
hand fastened upon a mug left on the table beneath the
window, she seized it and with every remaining ounce of
strength, threw it against the glass which was thin enough
to shatter. The mug and her fist continued through the broken pane which
gashed her skin cruelly.
"Help me.." she gasped, her voice broken into a croak
Kilbain ignored the sound of the breaking glass and the
woman's weak plea for help, instead focussing on the primary threat in
front of him. "HALT NOW!!!" He shouted at the advancing civilians
who paid no heed to his order. He flipped the safety off his rifle and was
about to bring it to bear on the nearest advancing civilian, a middle
aged male when a combination of instinct, quick reactions and training
caused him to dodge sideways.
The middle aged male lunged at Kilbain. He was faster than
Jake had anticipated. From underneath the middle aged man's skin
metallic like wires erupted out spearing at Kilbain. After narrowly
dodging the wires Kilbain twisted and smashed his rifle butt into the
face of the middle aged man causing him/it to stagger backwards.
Kilbain recovered his stance and fired a burst of three 5.56mm
rounds into his target.
Phil Yelland and Anita Morris materialised only a few yards
away from the scene of utter chaos that met their eyes.
They were prepared to treat a patient with the mysterious
illness and had come armed with Med cases and testing
equipment and were totally unprepared for the scenario in
which they found themselves.
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End of Part 1
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Private Jake Kilbain (NPC Ixus)
Aeren III Colony Defence Force
Private Tyler Colbeck (NPC Ixus)
Aeren III Colony Defence Force
Ann Blythe (NPC Rangi)
Aeren III Civilian
