The Life of an ATLAS Boy

Epologue

6 Months After the Rebuild of ATLAS

That's it. We're done. I can finally go home and see Dawn. Dawn.
-"Team, be advised. Manticore signatures are inbound on your location."
"Hit the deck!"
Brace for impact, John.
"Umpf."
Huh? I'm not dead? Come on, John! Wake up, wake up. Wake up wake up wake up! What... what happened?
"Come on soldiers! Get up!"
"Laskey here, sir!"
"Holt here, sir!"
"Egan here, sir!"
"Good. We're all alive."
-"Team, report. Good, we thought we lost you there. Armory's down, so your exos are offline. They only seemed to be targeted at the enemies, but why?"
"Thanks Gideon. You make my life easier and nonetheless puzzling."
-"You're welcome Olsteen. Team. We got fast movement in your location."
"Major, they must be drones..."
"What was that scream? That doesn't sound like a drone! It..."
"Quiet down, Recruit Laskey! This is war, so be ready for..."
"Major! Over the top of the prison!"
"Holy shit! It's human!"
"Egan. Shoot it."
"Uh, sir."
"What is it, Holt?"
"Don't check the flank."
"They're all over us!"
"I want to go home! I didn't sign up for this shit!"
-"What the bloody hell are these things?!"
"I wish I could tell you, Gideon, but I can't."
"AHHHH!"
"Laskey! No!"
"Egan, Holt. On me!"
"I'm reloading!"
Time to dig in for a fight. Remember what Calem taught you. Just keep your head up and ass down.
"Egan! Holt! Into the building! Now!"
"They're on me! They're on me!"
"Egan! Holt, stay with me buddy. We're going to be fine."
-"Team, we have a Warbird coming in on your location for evac. Courtyard is the evac point."
"You hear that Holt. We're almost out!"
"What are these things?!"
"I wish I had the answer..."
"Watch above!"
"Open fire!"
"I'm running low!"
"Go! Go!"
I'm coming home, Dawn. I'll see you again.
"One's got me! It's got me!"
"Holt!"
Oh God!
-"Team! Get to the prison yard, double time!"
"I'm sorry Holt! I have to leave you!"
"Major! It hurts! Ugh! My leg!"
Close the door, John. Leave everyone behind.
"Damn."
Pop a flare, let the Warbird know you're alive, and go home to see Dawn...
-"LZ's up ahead. Get ready to bail out."
That's good news.
Holy shit! They're already at the door!
The walkways! They're filled!
-"Keep moving!"
"Come on..."
Almost there. Almost home. Oh shit! They're gaining!
-"Over here! Come on Team, move your asses!"
There's so many... God... how many are there? Just jump to the Warbird, and go home and see Dawn.
Oh crap! Gideon, I'm going to fall! Thanks bud. Wait, the exos still work on these things?! Crap...
-"Go! Go! Soldier, are you bit?"
What?
-"Soldier, look at me! Are you bit?"
By what? Those things bite?!
-"What happened down there? Good, you're clean. There's not many of us left."
Wait, this thing's global?! Oh no...
-" Jesus. You seein' this?...
Ghaa!"
"Gideon!"
Dawn...