The Last Human

11.

Allen POV

We've been walking in silence for a while, and it's getting to me. "Hey Steven. Does it ever get to you. You know all the death?" I ask.

He gives a sigh with a shake of his head before he answers. "More than I want it to kid. I was there when a lot of my friends died. Every now and then I see their faces staring at me. I'm guessing you have a face haunting you?" he inquires.

"I lost my brother in an ambush. We were surrounded from all sides, and then one by one they picked us off. A bullet ripped through my brothers throat. I could hear him trying to breath as blood filled his lungs. I lost count of the other faces, but his is always there." I tell him. He stops suddenly grabbing my shoulder with one hand stopping me as well.

"Remember kid it wasn't your fault if it was an ambush. You're lucky they didn't get you as well. I can't say I have been there, but I can say that you have honoured his memory." he says looking me directly in the eyes. "Now we should keep moving we're almost there." he finishes.

We march on to the location keeping a good pace. It takes a few hours to reach the location on the GPS. What we are greeted with is a small camp that's empty. There's a few tents a small campfire, and a couple of ATV's. We quickly check the tents only to find them empty aside from sleeping bags.

"Steven. Do you think we can hotwire one of these ATV's?" I ask him.

"Let take a crack at it, but I can't promise anything." he tells me. In just a few minutes he's got one running, and we hop on. He drives while I direct him to the only other saved location.

We reach the location, and see that it's a fortress. We stopped just out of sight of the guards on the wall, and we get off the ATV. "Steven you stay out here." I tell him as I go towards the fort. However he stops me before I can get more than a few steps.

"Are you stupid. I'm going with you." he tells me.

"Your a lot bigger than me. Besides if I have to run I need you providing cover fire." I chuckle. I then leave him there moving to the fort wall careful to avoid being spotted. At the bottom of the wall I see no clear way over the wall. So I walk around the fort till I spot a main gate with a ton of guards. I creep up to try, and listen in their conversation.

"All I'm saying is I don't understand why the boss wants human kids." one guard said.

"We're not paid to know. We get paid to do a job that's it." another responds.

'So they have human kids here. I gotta get inside.' I think to myself. I move away from the front gate so I can climb the wall. Once I find the easiest spot to climb I get to it.

Veronica POV

We spot Steven crouched not to far from his ATV next to a tree. We move up next to him gaining his attention startling him. "What are you doing here captain?" he asks me.

"I'm the one that should be asking you that sergeant. Now where is Tagert?" I ask him. He seems to keep looking at the fort with guards all over it. "Shit. You mean he went into that place. Alone." I growl out.

"I tried to go with him, but he was very persistent to go alone." he tells me. I order Anna to get to a spot with good line of sight. Just as I go to order the team to follow me we hear gunshots.

Allen POV

I reach the top of the wall only to stop before getting on top. Guards patrolling leaving no gaps for me to sneak by. 'Those kids need you Allen. Going loud is my only option.' I think to myself. As the next guard passes I have myself up behind them. Acting quick I put my rifle to the base of their skull, and pull the trigger. I quickly grab their harness holding them up, and spin around to use as a body shield.

The next guard opens fire peppering his fallen teammate. I use the dead bodies shoulder to hold the barrel of my rifle. I fire back clipping their leg distracting them, and then finish them with a head shot. The guard behind opens fire hitting my back plate armor. I still feel the impact knocking me forward onto the ground. I flip my rifle to full auto rolling over, and empty the clip into the last guard near me.

I move quickly pulling myself up looking for the stairs to get down the wall. Finding it I move down them as quick as I can till I reach the door at the bottom. I open it seeing guards heading probably to their battle stations. Using the chaos I run towards the main buildings door. I open it finding it not locked, and head inside quickly.

I see no guards in the halls which raises red flags. I stay on my toes checking each door I pass till I reach the one I'm looking for. On the other side of it is human kids in cages. I move quickly inside, and get to opening the cages.

"Who are you?" one kid asks me with wide eyes.

"My name's Allen Tagert, and I'm getting you kids out of here. Are there more?" I ask the kids.

"Once they change they never come back." that peaks my interest.

"What do you mean change?" I ask.

"After a while you just change like your not you. You become silent, and obedient." Another kid tells me. 'So they're making soldiers out these kids.' I tell myself. I go to the door to check the hallway only to see a line of enemy soldiers. One steps forward with their rifle hanging from it's straps.

"Mr. Tagert come out with your hands up, and no one gets hurt." they offer. I pull out my radio in hopes Steven hears me.

"Steven I don't know if you can hear me, but I'm trapped." I say looking at the kids.