Z-Day Chronicles: Genesis

Chapter 12

Up on the tower, Tyrese was keeping watch at the main tower with a few other soldiers. Miller arrived and turned to Tyrese, handing him one of the two cups of coffee he had in possession.

"You got the time, Officer?" Miller asked.

"Yes," Tyrese answered as he checked his wrist watch. "Current time I have is 23:50."

"What's our current situation?

"All is clear on this end, Chief. No sign of undead or raiders. I was just about to tell some of my squad to check the north gate."

"No need to do that," Miller assured. "I already sent some of my men over there. We haven't checked the west gate yet. See if you can send some troops over there to cover those grounds."

"Yessir," Tyrese respomded as he turned to a group of three soldiers. "You heard the Chief. Head over there and give me a Sit-Rep."

"Yessir," the soldiers responded as they turned around and left the tower.

"Keep eyes on the western gate," Tyrese told one of the soldiers on the tower. "Let me know if those men arrive."

As the soldier nodded and raised her binoculars to the westen gate area, Tyrese took a swig of the strong black brew, swishing it around in his mouth before swallowing it.

"Irish coffee, Chief?" Tyrese asked.

"I figured you need a little bit of a kick to keep you awake," Miller answered.

"So is Jake enjoying his leave of absence?"

"I'm pretty sure they're both enjoying his leave of absence."

As they waited for any word on the western gate, both Miller and Tyrese continued sipping on the spiked brew as they continued conversing.

"They arrived, Officer," the spotter answered as she handed Tyrese the binoculars.

"Alright," Tyrese responded. "Prep the spotlight in case they find anything suspicious."

"I haven't heard too much from the west gate," Miller whispered to Tyrese. "Something doesn't feel right."

"What do you propose, Chief?" Tyrese asked.

"I'm thinking after those guys do a ground survey, we give them a fall back order and get Spartans in that direction."

"We can do that."

"Tower One, this is Ground Patrol Alpha"

Tyrese answered his radio, where that response was coming from.

"Go ahead, Alpha," Tyrese ordered.

"We might have a situation at the west gate. The entrance is open and there are no guards to be seen."

"Light it up," Miller ordered the tower spotters.

Once the spotters turned on the spotlight, they pointed it to the western entrance. As described, the gate was torn open, and the two spotlights at the entrance sat motionless, covered in blood stains.

"The hell??" Miller whispered.

As everyone on the tower continued staring at the gate entrance, Tyrese noticed that the trooper on the ground was by himself. He quickly picked up his radio.

"Alpha," Tyrese began. "Where the hell are the other two?!"

Miller saw the man start looking around, waving his handgun and flashlight in every direction.

"I don't know sir!" The soldier responded. "They were just here with me!"

"Alright," Tyrese continued. "Your current orders are to fall back now. I don't know how long that gate's been open, but I don't want you taking anymore chances."