Mankind

Chapter Seventeen

As Connor lay restrained on a gurney, the cold metal pressing against his skin seemed to amplify the growing sense of apprehension swirling within him. Each click of the wheels as he was taken along the dark corridors of the Federation stronghold echoed like a harbinger of doom, marking his descent into the heart of despair.

Beside him, Joan's presence offered a sense of comfort in the chaos, her determined stride matching the urgency of their circumstances. Yet, even her unwavering resolve seemed to falter in the face of the grim reality that awaited them.

The air hung heavy with tension, thick with the palpable weight of uncertainty that clung to every corner of the stronghold. Connor's senses were on high alert, acutely aware of the dangers lurking just beyond his line of sight. With each passing moment, the gnawing sense of dread threatened to consume him whole, a relentless adversary that refused to be subdued.

As they navigated the corridors, Connor couldn't shake the feeling of being led to his own demise. The harsh fluorescent lights overhead cast long, ominous shadows that danced menacingly along the walls, their eerie flicker heightening his sense of unease.

Joan's attempts to stay by his side were met with resistance from the Federation soldiers, their gazes leaving no room for negotiation. With a heavy heart, she was torn away from him, her anguished protests ringing hollow against the unforgiving stronghold.

Left alone in the suffocating silence, Connor felt the weight of his predicament pressing down on him like a lead ball. Every nerve in his body screamed out in protest, an instinct urging him to fight against the inevitable. Yet, as the gurney trundled onward, he found himself taken deeper into the bowels of the stronghold, his fate hanging precariously in the balance.

Restless energy crackled through Cassie's veins as she paced back and forth in the command center at Queen's Island, the creaking floorboards beneath her feet echoing the drumbeat of anticipation that pulsed through the room. She tightened the straps of her backpack and secured her weapons in place. The weight of her mission bore down on her shoulders.

Beside her stood the ragtag band of ex-Federation soldiers, their faces etched with grim determination as they readied themselves for the imminent conflict. "We're with you, Cassie," one of them spoke up, his voice gruff. "Whatever it takes, we'll see this through to the end."

Sam and Ryan stood at Cassie's side, their unwavering loyalty an anchor in the chaos. "We've come too far to turn back now," Sam said, as he met Cassie's eyes. "We'll see this through together."

As Cassie glanced around, a surge of adrenaline coursed through her, driving her forward with purpose. "This is it," she declared, her voice ringing out. "The time for waiting is over. It's time to take the fight to the Federation."

With a final nod, Cassie turned to face the looming horizon, her eyes filled with determination. "Let's do this," she said, her voice a rallying cry that echoed through the room. "For Steelton. For Connor. For all those who have suffered at the hands of the Federation. Today, we will fight back."

And with that, they set out into the streets of Steelton, their footsteps echoing against the dilapidated buildings as they marched forward, united in purpose. The time for action had come, and they would not rest until justice was served and freedom was won.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the desolate streets of Steelton, Cassie and her band of allies pressed forward with a sense of urgency. The fading light painted the city in eerie hues of orange and red, casting a glow over the crumbling buildings and shattered remnants of civilization.

As they rounded a corner, they came face to face with a pack of infected, their bodies illuminated by the dying light of the setting sun. Without hesitation, Cassie and her companions sprang into action, weapons drawn and hearts pounding.