“Go ahead.”
“It looks like there are a dozen civilians coming your way.”
“Which direction?”
“Rock Around the Clock Spider, every direction. They don’t seem to move with a purpose. Instead, they seem to be listening. Almost seems like they aren’t all there. Like they are on something.”
Priest gave Webb a serious look, “If these civilians are anything like the doctor we encountered, this is going to hit like a shit storm.”
“I’m not one to shoot civilians without cause.” Abarra exclaimed.
Priest looked at Abarra with concern, “Yeah, me neither, but the thing we encountered was not a mild-mannered doctor. That thing was a raging beast without thought, remorse, or a trace of humanity. Overlord, zoom in on one civilian and give me a behavior read.”
“Copy. Ok, female civilian approaching to your 11 o’clock. 200 yards. She is covered in blood, head to toe. Eyes seem unfocused at the moment. She is moving her head from side to side. She seems to make some sound with her tongue, but obviously I am too far away to hear.”
“That is the fucking clicking noise we heard the doctor making. Along with the abnormal head movements,” Priest whispered.
Webb keyed, “Does it look like she is in shock?”
“Negative. I’ve seen shock and battle rattle. Doesn’t look the same here.”
Webb looked at Priest under furrowed brows, “What caused the doctor to snap and go ape shit?”
“When he saw Shaw. Before that his back was to us, and we were operating in stealth.”
“Ok, I guess we will test a theory. Team, circle the wagons.”
The team set up in a circle with their backs to the center. “Watch your fire lanes. We have 360-degree contact, and I will bait the fox to the henhouse. Apparently, these people have some serious problems, so take a second to assess. But if you need to push the off button, then so be it.”
As Webb finished, the clicking was getting increasingly louder. “Overlord, we are getting ready to poke the bear here. Assess and provide support.”
“Copy.”
Webb looked to his left and fist bumped with Doc to acknowledge he was ready. This continued around the entire team in the circle
until it reached back to Webb, who received a fist bump from Shaw to his right. Webb then let out a loud whooping yell and waited. He didn’t need to wait long. Blood-curdling screams answered the yell from all directions.
“Ah, Spider, that did the trick. There is recognition in the girl’s face. She is going nuts and coming your way at a high rate of speed. Engage?”
“No, hold off until you hear one of us fire. We’re still trying to assess.”
“Copy that.”
Abarra was the first to acknowledge, “Contact 11 o’clock.” The girl who was under Overlord’s surveillance was the first to come into view of the team. The rest of the team, highly disciplined, kept their focus on their firing lanes.
Webb, who was on the opposite side of the circle from Abarra, “Sit rep!”
“She is definitely not in her right mind. We have guns trained on her, and she is still coming, screaming like a banshee.”
“Ok, engage first. If no compliance, then take her down.”
Abarra yelled, “Ma’am, stop where you are and put your hands up!” She didn’t comply and was closing the gap.
150 yards? Ma’am, stop where you are and put your hands up.” Nothing.
100 yards? “I will be forced to shoot if you do not comply.” No recognition.
50 yards? It is when all other civilians came into view running and screaming toward the team. The screams made your blood run cold.