Chapter: "Rescue in Flames"
The pale lights of the drones cut through the smoke-shrouded sky as the convoy crept through the ruins of the city. Daniel scanned every corner, the System's information projected into his vision: hot spots, alternate routes, and the enemy's nerves. The mission was clear: rescue Angela and the children, collect supplies, and recover the Umbrella server.
The group made a brief stop in a safe alley, the vehicles in defensive formation. The voices of civilians sounded muffled in the background, loading boxes of supplies into the trucks.
"Okay, team, we need precision," Daniel began, projecting the holographic map between them. "Two main accesses to the school building. The direct route is quick, but exposes us. The path through the alleys gives us cover, but invites ambushes."
Leon approached, his gaze alert. "If we go in the open, we're easy targets. I prefer the alleys, but we cover all angles."
"I agree," Jill said, adjusting the aim of her pistol. "We set traps, we control the terrain. We won't be caught by surprise."
Alice, with a cold smile, added: "I'll take care of the drones and surveillance. If they try anything, they'll regret it."
Daniel nodded. "Alice, Jill and Marcos: infiltration. Leon, Claire, Lucas and I: cover and extraction. Civilians secure supplies and the server. We'll go quietly."
The group set off. The alley was claustrophobic, walls covered in graffiti, debris everywhere. Their boots stepped cautiously.
Suddenly, the buzzing of drones and the crackling of radios revealed the ambush. Umbrella mercenaries emerged from the shadows, machine guns drawn.
"Enemies!" Marcos shouted.
Daniel reacted: "Defensive formation, now!"
Alice slid to the left, eliminating two soldiers with clean shots. Jill jumped onto a container, firing from above, while Marcos used cover to hold off the advance.
"Leon, cover on the roof! Claire, right flank!" Daniel ordered, while using the System to track enemies.
Bullets whizzed by, the chaos controlled. Amidst the gunfire, Daniel heard the voice of a child crying in the distance. Each shot reminded him of the urgency: to save Angela and the children.
With lethal precision, they eliminated the enemies. The alley was clear, but time was running out.
They reached the school building. Reinforced doors, zombie dogs growling in the shadows.
"Quick plan," Daniel said. "Alice and Jill on the side, eliminate the dogs. Leon and Claire create a distraction in front. Marcos and the civilians, ready to evacuate."
The attack was lightning fast. Alice threw a flashbang grenade, blinding the dogs. Jill swiftly took them out with her knife and pistol.
Leon and Claire opened fire from the front, distracting the guards.
Daniel burst inside, finding Angela surrounded by frightened children.
"Let's get you out of here," he said, breaking the lock. Angela's relieved look brought a brief moment of humanity amidst the hell.
With the children protected, the group began their retreat. Civilians carried boxes of food, medicine, and Umbrella's server.
Enemy drones reappeared.
"Jammers ready!" Lucas shouted.
Alice took down the drones with well-aimed shots. The convoy accelerated, vehicles roaring through the streets.
Suddenly, more mercenaries blocked the route.
"Change of plan!" Daniel ordered. "Left, through the rubble!"
Leon led the advance, Jill and Claire protected the flanks, Alice took care of the rear.
The intense shooting, the total chaos, but the team acted as one organism.
Finally, they reached the safe zone.
Chapter: "School of Survival"
The destroyed streets echoed only with the muffled sound of cautious footsteps. Daniel's convoy lined up in formation, engines turned off so as not to attract attention. On the horizon, the school building was partially in ruins, windows broken, doors reinforced with furniture and improvised debris.
The rescue of the children and teachers was the top priority. Inside, there was still life. And inside that school, there was also Angela — Dr. Ashford's daughter, held hostage by Umbrella mercenaries.
"All careful now," Daniel said, adjusting the silencer on his carbine. His voice carried authority and tension. "No unnecessary noise. Leon, Jill, with me on the front line. Alice, aerial surveillance drones. Claire, coordinate the civilians to collect supplies and the Umbrella server. Marcos and Lucas, side cover."
The orders were clear and quick. Each member of the group knew their role, acting as a precise tactical unit. But the emotional weight hung heavy in the air—innocent children were trapped here.
As they approached the school's side gate, the smell of smoke and rotting flesh filled the air. The hallways were littered with debris and dried blood.
"Movement ahead," Jill whispered, pointing to two shambling figures in the hallway. Zombies.
Without hesitation, Daniel took aim and fired, the silencer muffling the sound as the creatures fell. But Daniel's gaze was far away—the memory of the promises he'd made echoed in his mind. No one would be left behind.
The team moved forward, searching rooms, eliminating threats with surgical efficiency. They found a group of teachers and children hiding in a locked classroom.
"We are allies," Daniel said, lowering his gun as he saw their terrified faces. A little girl sobbed in the corner, clutching a dirty teddy bear.
A woman, clearly a teacher, approached with shaking hands. "There are... there are more children in the east wing, and some are injured. And they took a girl... Angela..."
The name rang like a knife in Daniel's mind. Angela Ashford. She was there.
Daniel signaled to the group, his gaze hard. "Jill, Leon, with me. Alice, cover the perimeter."
As they advanced, Alice released surveillance drones. "Movement in the central courtyard. Lots of infected, and armed Umbrella soldiers."
"Alternate route through the hallways," Daniel decided. "No direct contact. We need to find Angela."
With each step, the group cleared the way with precise, silent gunfire. Sweat dripped down his temples, his heart racing, but his mind cool. Daniel felt the weight of each life at risk.
They reached the east wing, where they found more children and an injured teacher.
"I need to check the injuries now," Daniel ordered, beginning the strict protocol. "No one with scratches or bites goes unchecked." Alice brought the medical kit while Jill and Claire searched the wounded. "This boy has a cut, but it looks like glass," Claire said with relief. Other wounds were checked, but no signs of zombie infection. Suddenly, the radios crackled. "Daniel, I've detected heavy movement coming from the north," Alice said. "Umbrella troops, heavily armed, on the second floor." Daniel clenched his fist, his eyes burning with anger. "Angela's there. Let's go." They climbed the stairs in silence, every corner swept with precision. In the hallway, Umbrella soldiers stood guard in front of a reinforced room. "Electromagnetic pulse grenade, now," Daniel ordered. The metallic crack and discharge paralyzed the enemy equipment. Leon and Jill advanced, their shots silent and accurate. Daniel broke down the door. Inside, Angela was tied up, wide-eyed, dirty and scared.
"Angela," he whispered, kneeling down, cutting the restraints.
"You... really came," she whispered, her voice crackling.
"I promised no one would be left behind," Daniel said, his pent-up anger exploding into absolute focus. "Now, we're out of here."
The radio crackled again.
"Umbrella mobilizing forces in the courtyard," Alice warned.
"Evacuation immediately," Daniel declared. "Civilians, take only the essentials: food, medicine, water, and the Umbrella server."
The group moved quickly and in coordination. Teachers led the children in line, fighters protecting the flanks.
In the courtyard, the ambush waited. But Daniel was ready.
"Alice, flash grenade!"
The flash blinded the enemy. Jill and Leon opened fire. Claire and Marcos escorted the civilians. Daniel walked forward with Angela, his arm protecting her.
The shooting was intense, the chaos was absolute, but the group kept their formation. Children cried, teachers screamed, but they followed orders. One by one, they reached the vehicles.
Back at the convoy, Daniel made a final check on the wounded, his gaze intent, implacable.
Angela, hugging a few children, approached. "You did it. You saved us all."
Daniel nodded, exhausted but determined. "There's still a lot to do. But together we can do it."