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As the MAT's W-1 wheeled APC rolled to a stop, it was plain to see that High Command's worst fears had come true. The settlement of Freeway was empty. It was now time for the vehicle’s occupants to find out why.
Stepping out from the back, Lieutenant Williams and ERG Team 1 began to survey the situation for themselves. At a glance, no signs of battle were evident. The gate stood open without any signs of it being forced open. It just seemed like the residents up and left.
After a couple of moments to take the situation, Williams jogged over to driver's door and knocked on the door. "Sergeant Benton! Open up!" she shouted.
Sergeant Tony Benton, the APC's gunner and the brother-in-law to Williams’ mother, popped up from the dual-minigun turret. "Whaddya need, kiddo?"
Williams could not help but smile at her uncle. She may outrank him, he still saw her as that little girl who liked to ride shotgun with him. All affection aside, they still had a job to do. "Take a quick drive around the perimeter and see if there are any breaches in the wall."
"All right, Alli!" the old man replied. "We'll ring ya up if we find anything!"
With the W-1 on its way she turned to the rest of the team and started giving her instructions. "Okay, people. Our first priority is to see if anyone is still alive in this town. Corporal Jenkins, take Butler and Stewart and search the south side of the town. Copeland, you're with me."
"Yes ma'am," the team answered in near unison.
That was when the APC finished its circuit around the settlement's walls, its fusion engines running with just a whisper. Again, Benton's head came out from the turret. "Nothing's wrong with wall, kiddo," he said "but the east gate's open, as well!"
Another smile crept across her lips. "Thanks, Tony! Keep the motor running, in case we need to make a getaway!"
As the team split up, they carefully moved from house to house. Further investigation told a more gruesome tale than at first. Trails of blood led from houses and guard posts to a large hole in the ground in the north side. Shell casings laid everywhere, but no other sign of what the dragged the residents away existed.
Williams put a gloved finger up to her ear. "Williams to Benton, can you read me?"
"Loud and clear, kiddo!" her uncle's voice came through her small communicator.
"We found what looks like a tunnel dug up from below. A number of blood trails lead there. Copeland and I are going to see if it leads anywhere."
"Are you nuts, Alli!?" His voice betrayed the fear he felt at her intentions. "You have no idea what's down there!"
Copeland's own hushed voice chimed in. "Are you sure this is wise, Lieutenant? I don't think ‘underground operations’ is what I was built for."
"There may be survivors down there," Williams half-shouted to both of them, "and they'll need help getting out! We're going in! Tony, get ready to leave in a hurry in case something goes wrong!"
With that, the two climbed down into the unknown.
7 comments
oohh, suspenseful.
Well, I guess they're gonna face some bugs then huh?
Nice story as always.
the extra bits on the suit: http://fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=12595
Nice image. It gave me an idea of what was going on before I started reading.
If I manage to get my comic idea posted, I hope its half as interesting as yours
good scene and story
Nice one