Chronicles of the Apocalyse (2011)

Chapter 16: Bargain

At Burton's office, Burton is sitting on his couch, smoking a cigar, before he grabs the picture frame which holds a photograph of James, and Shawn as children. He gives a warm smile.

Burton: My boys. I pray that you're safe.

His radio buzzes as Zeus Soldier calls him.

Zeus Corps Soldier: Sir, I have rumors saying that Sergeant Barnes has destroyed Cratersville.

Burton gives a distraught look. The scene transitions to Burton angrily walks into Barnes' office as Ryan is in there, yelling at him as well. Barnes is standing against the wall with his arms crossed.

Burke: I told you we need my brother alive!

Barnes: Oh, relax, Doc! Old coot wasn't even there.

Burton: But my brother and son were. Did you ever think of that? You disobeyed a direct order!

Barnes: I'm pretty sure they made it. Hell, I mean...they may have not...they are low class....

Burton: "you're pretty sure they made it". What about Desipich?

Barnes: As for Desipich, he attacked our own soldiers to defend the wastelanders in that town....as far as I know, he's dead. In a world like this, family doesn't matter......I learned that when I killed one of my brothers.......yeah.....now there's just two of us left.....

Barnes smiles.

Barnes: And I'd do it again if I had to......for this world....for this company..... I'm loyal to this company and its rules, unlike you and the doctor here.

Ryan: What the hell are you talking about?

Barnes goes to the desk and grabs a disk.

Barnes: Courtesy of the Prime Kronos Facility. It shows surveillance footage from all of the Kronos Facilities....even the inside....amazing.....I got a look at it and part of me...wanted to puke.....

Barnes inserts into the player as the video shows Ryan and Burton in the facility's computers. It also shows them hacking the capsule to Dante's pod.

Barnes: like I said, I'm loyal. I get it though, doc. It's your brother after all.

Ryan and Burton are shocked that Barnes has figured out about their deviancy and betrayal.

Burton: Sergeant, as your superior office, I'm telling you to give me that disk and walk away.

Barnes: And as your Commander, General, I believe I outrank you.

Burton: "Commander"? What?

Barnes: I forgot to mention.....the Prime Administrator had me promoted...and you two (Walks up to Burton and removes his medals) fired. You are no longer in command of the Zeus Corps Military.....it's mine now. 

Barnes turns to Ryan.

Ryan: Take all your toys and leave this facility.

Before Ryan can speak, another Zeus soldier and Epps walk in and grab Burton and Ryan on the shoulder.

Barnes: It's tragic. You two would risk your jobs for a fucking old man, your big brother, who you say could be the cure of the world. Yet, you feel sorry for the world.....the world has killed itself, doc....something tells me....you won't last out there...... 

Barnes to Soldiers.

Barnes: Get them out of my sight.

Epps: Yes, sir. Dr. Fenix. Mr. Burton. 

Epps smirking.

Epps: Sorry about this "sir".

Ryan and Burton are escorted out as Barnes sits in his chair with his feet on the table. Meanwhile, in the ruins of the city, at a barricaded small town, a man is sitting post guard with a rifle. The sign on the barricade is labeled "shit-canned". He suddenly hears a noise near some bushes and aims his rifle at the bushes.