Rokocin, Gmina Starogaurd Gdansk, Pomeranian Voivoideship, Poland

  0746 local time, 05/08/30

  The cold nocturnal night shrouds the forest in darkness; evergreen trees filled the vision of the surrounding area. chirping insects and rustling of leaves by the breezy wind are the only noise.

  although there is no moonlight to give anyone light to see their path. there should be lights in the distance to give a sense of direction and people who could and would help. However, the current world was not what it once was.

  amidst the cloudless stars a rhythmic sound echoed in the starless sky

  "we're near the AO! ETA 5 mics out!" the pilot called out as the Blackhawk shakes through the unstable gravity

  behind the cockpit sat six well equipped hazmat operatives who were checking and loading their gear as the improved version of the Blackhawks makes its final approach

  "Alright listen up, we are approaching the target area. so, let's go through the plan one more time..."

  The undisclosed facility is revealed to be Secret Laboratory. A research facility constructed far beyond the safety of the city walls of Gdansk, as a precaution in case an experiment goes wrong and the anomaly within the Artifact does not harm the civilian population.

  Good News is that when the experiment went wrong, the anomalies wiped out all the combat personnel present and created a massive electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that knocked out the facility defenses. However, the Bad News is that the blast created new anomalies that have infested the area after the failure to contain it, also the electro blast didn't go unnoticed. PMCs and other mercenaries within the vicinity are already enroute, to make matters worse. other City States who have forces nearby have also dispatched teams to secure the anomaly artifact. Gdansk and Krakow being the largest in comparison to troop strength.

  Intelligence have uncovered intriguing information. surrounding a certain artifact. That is cable to open portals on a magnitude scale, this report has sparked interest within higher echelons. Hence the operational need for more manpower and equipment for this mission. As this was no normal scavenger hunt led or given to Paid contractors. A whole Squad was requisitioned from SOC (Special Operations Command)

  To avoid this dangerous clash the United Nations International Security (UNIS) based in New York have devised a plan. A Fast Extraction Operation. Launched from a UN Nimitz Carrier, requisitioned and refurbished, after the collapse of the United States central authority into individual Territories and competitive States that still retains a semblance of unity.

  The First Group consisting of Teams one and three will insert themselves in the park within the forest outskirts, the group will head to extract access cards and intel from the terminal database in the old communication tower. then infiltrate the Secret Laboratory through the loading bay from the forest. Objectives are to secure the artifact within the facility and head towards the extraction zone where the Second Group, comprised of two and four will be stationed to receive.

  "We are arriving in Rokocin Village standby to deploy" the Blackhawk swept in, landing gently onto the land

  The team disembarks the pristine Blackhawk down the bushy park. The radio crackles alive.

  "GOC to Seven-One. Checking in, Over"

  "GOC. this is 7-1. We've passed Kilo, Over."

  "Acknowledged, 7-1. Commence the Operation. Good Luck, Over and Out"

  The team sets off immediately towards the tree line as the resounding rutters fade into the distance leaving the clearing in silence. Except the dense forest had faint echoes of inhuman screeches.

  "all teams status report"

  the radio crackles alive with affirmations and reports

  "Tiger reporting. We are combat ready bask. Out"

  "Nova here, Team Four is enroute with Three to secure the area. Out"

  The Squad lead 'Bast' confirms their reports before turning to Team Three "Storm. everything set to go?"

  "Gears good and IRS strops have our address" Storm reports checking the HUD information on his forearm PDA

  "I don't like it. No movement so far around the AO..." Long Eel says peering across the foliage and fuana "You think they left and went somewhere else??"

  "These monsters aren't going no-where, Long Eel!" the Hunter says in afrikaan accent, scoffing at his words while flashing his tactical lights across the trees "they ain't animals who migrate in the savannah, so quite acting like a puss and pull your balls up you Kak!"

  a chorus of faint chuckles arises within the group

  "Sorry boys, but I am pulling the lady card the moment I get shot, so you better carry me out" Raze laughs glancing at Bask " though that's if the mercs shoot all you pussies already..."

  Before, satellites can pinpoint locations and anything on earth. However, the Holocaust has sprouted anomalies with different abilities that have caused mass casualties and disrupting the electromagnetic physics of Earth. But one of the most prominent abilities that proves to be problematic is the Reanimation of the corpses into mutated monsters. whom have no Thermal Signatures.

  Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

  "Do you think we'll have more support besides the HEMTT as an exfil point??" Long Eel asks

  "If these fuck wits didn't hit us 10 years ago, we would have C-130 gunship or a predator to blow any motherfucker" Storm snarls, causing everyone to cringe at their grim situation.

  Bask knew high valued missions such as these, have put the survival indicator below double-digit percentage. Against these odds it would have been a normal call for additional support or even have the whole operation to be called off and wait for more planning and resources to be in place. However, they no longer have such luxuries. those days gone, where a lot of consideration taken for the success and safety for personnel. Nowadays, it's do or die.

  "Griffin, how far from the target area?"

  The forward scout replies in heavy polish accent "500 meters out, we'll reach the compound perimeter by 0830 if we remain at a cautious pace"

  bask nods along before calling the squad in order

  "Okay fellas, we've done this before, so lets not die today. Two take left flank we're moving. Remember... Move, Eliminate and Extract, everything on site and Evac the hell out. ESE this Shit. Go!"

  ESE, abbreviation for; Enter, Secure and Extract. This was the motto of all Extraction teams, used on every mission.

  The group passes the village Rokocin, the desolate village leaves an ominous vibe to those who come here, just like any abandoned ghost town after the fall.

  "Contact...2 o'clock, 40 meters out" the group halts in position as they screen the flanks

  "what is it, Hunter?"

  "Screechers..." he calmly replies

  Screechers, nickname given to the humanoid black stick figures currently standing dormant in sleep. though not the official names, but given for their inhuman cries distinct from any creature on earth. the atonomy is slick black reflective skin and deformed spike heads. These creatures are known for slashing with their claws when they close the distance. And are extremely dangerous when they come in sheer force in numbers

  Though these humanoid anomalies are not immune to bullets and are easy to kill. Their main concern is ammo consumption, as there is no longer a permanent logistics in this world anymore, unless they are operating close to base. And to make matters worst is that there are just to many anomalies identify and all have different abilities which covers their strengths and weaknesses.

  For the Screechers weakness, when there are no prey within the surrounding the screechers tend to go in deep dormant sleep as to conserve energy and await new prey lurking. A simple headshot will do the trick. Although, if its a miss you will get the horde.

  "Silence these Stick Figures..."

  Taking advantage of this opportunity the group began to down any screechers currently in dormant. Precise shots and minimal sounds was key to beating the bats while they were inactive.

  It took half-an-hour through trudging in the cold overgrown forest has paid off. as the group have finally arrive at the Communication Tower.

  The outlook of the building appear to be decayed with rust and moss. exterior place is a mess without maintenance, outgrowth of plants dot the exposed concrete pavement, the radio tower and other metal structure are covered in rust. the whole place has fallen into disrepair.

  "GOC, 7-1. we've passed Terminal" the control operator acknowledges. Bask than turns to Storm "Two, we're getting into position, you know what to do..."

  With hand gesture Team One disperses to the outer perimeter. Leaving Team Three alone at the entrance.

  "Fuck yeah..." storm mutters in delight, he gestures to his men to takes out their suppressors for the confined space before entering the main complex.

  The run down appearance was a farce upon closer inspections, revealing the interior structure to be clean and pristine, save for the fact that not everything is repaired as there are still flickering lights, piles of rubble here and there, along with wrecked office furniture's laying around. And that it has also been infested with Screechers.

  Expertly head shoting the monsters, they continue to move clearing room after room towards their goal. The Data Terminal.

  "Hunter where's the bloody Terminal!?" Storm complains as they search the floors endlessly while quickly dealing with Screechers

  "its in the room, around this corridor-" he replies leading the way to the terminal

  Right then, a beeping noise echoed from said corridor they were walking towards. anxious and fear took over as they quickened their pace.

  Someone has beaten them to the terminal

  As they were about to turn the corner Hunter bumps into someone and falls on his bottum

  Everyone stood still in shock as they see a Scarfed person in Urban BDU with a high powered weapon and packed in with tactical gear

  Private Military Contractors

  "Contact! 12 o'clock!" Griffin Exclaims, instantly dropping the Contractor after a few shots at point blank range "7-5 has enemy contact! moving to engage! Over"

  Down the Corridor and in a large office space, there was a Gas mask and Yankee Cap contractor huddled around a buzzing computer. When the heard the body of their comrade drop.

  "Oh Shit! They're Coming!" cries the remaining two contractors as they melted into cover.

  Team Two quickly turns the corner. Having switched to their Primary they Hoped to make it into the room before the mercenaries reorganize themselves

  But to no-avail as the contractors sprayed the doorway. Forcing Terra Two besides the doorframes

  "We gotto get in!" Hunter exclaims, as he pulls out a flashback. Looking at the others for confirmation, who replies with a brief nod "Flashing!"

  "Grenade!!" cries a contractor, before a pop of an explosion rings out

  "I'll Cover Fire" Griffin states checking his magazine before loading it back "Go"

  Griffin leans out, firing into the general direction of the Mercenaries

  "Roger! Moving!" Storm yells rolling through the doorway and into the lines of desks. With Hunter following behind.

  "Reloading!!" Griffin cries slumping back into the doorframe

  an exchange of gunfire unfolds between the two sides, neither giving in. But the inhuman cries beyond were coming closer

  "Terra 2, this is Terra 1. We've engaged Screechers nearby with more inbound, mop up the engagement or we'll be overruned. Over"

  "Wilco Terra 1" Storm says turning to Hunter "We have to end this. Now!"

  "ah... Cover me!" Hunter says, spotting another door

  "Go! I got you!" Storm assures firing at the yankee cap contractor hiding behind a concrete pillar.

  Hunter bolts to the adjacent room, he speed walks through the moss room before crouching beside the door facing the enemy gunfire.

  "The Access Card is almost complete..." says a contractor beyond the door

  peaking out he spots the gas mask contractor in the process of reloading his scoped AKM behind a desk

  "Huh??" he notices a shadow besides his feet, coming from the room next to him

  Reacting quickly Hunter swings out and pops the gas mask mercenary through his lens, as he crumbles onto the floor with a red mask

  "You Fucker!" the last man fires wildly at Hunter, who hastily stumbles back "I'll-"

  But his words are cut short as Storm appears behind and guns him down

  "Terra 1, targets KIA, no casualties on our side. Moving to secure the item. Over"

  "Copy Terra 2, just in time. Anomalies are closing on this area in seconds. Get the item get out. Over"

  "Solid copy. Over" he turns to see Hunter wincing out the door. Wrapping a bandage over his arm, signaling his fine "Griffin get the Card. We're bugging out"

  To Be Continued