Book 3: Chapter 147.1 – Not with you

Book 3: Chapter 147.1 – Not with you

USD: 1 Day after Cadre-S Graduation

Location: Van Biesbroecks star, Meltisar, MIL-1A Elevator, Tram Tunnel

The group of survivors had slowly spread apart as they moved down the lifeless tram line. It stretched in front of them forever, despite the distance they had already made between themselves and the rampancy.

Elis tightened her arms around Freds neck again as her arms burned, pulsing weakness. They had already traveled for at least six or seven kilometers down the darkened straight tunnel.

Some of them had been too wounded to maintain the pace and had been left behind when they couldnt be carried any further. It was a callous and heartless display. The rampancy wasnt traveling that fast, and she hated leaving people behind.

If shed been at least able to communicate, she could have organized some stretchers or the like, but as it was, her only hope was to cling to Fred. As it was, she had to be thankful that she hadnt been left behind as well.Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)

A fearful thought pressed against her. The rampancy and damage was coming from the direction of the transit hub where Alex was supposed to be arriving. It wasnt a massive leap to think that she might be hurt.

The feeling of being unable to do anything left her core feeling numb.

Explosions punched hot streams of air from wherever their destination had been, and Elis had the fear that one of those would carry the rampant nanites ahead of them and cut them off.

It was at least ten kilometers, at the minimum, between each stop. Theyd almost been to the next station, and judging by how far they had come, they were at least two-thirds to the next one.

Fred staggered suddenly, and they almost came down in a heap, but he caught himself. Elis looked up at his face, covered in sweat that ran freely. Concern for his ability to keep carrying warred with her amazement at his endurance. The rest of the group was tired, and none of them had been able to carry anyone further than a kilometer.

The group trying to break into the emergency supply lockers redoubled their efforts. Why they were sealed shut if they were meant for an emergency baffled Elis.

Fred arrived with a length of metal and shoved it into the hinge of the steel cage, and pried it loose with a snap. Several medkits and rows of emergency breathing masks sent Eliss stomach into a freefall. She didnt have a skinsuit under her hospital gown, and it didnt appear there were any available in the lockers.

Fred grabbed two masks and brought one to her and she put it on, anyway.

A few seconds later, a man began to shout. There arent enough masks! Who took more than one! We have to share!

He spun frantically, looking at the other survivors who pulled back from him. He only stopped when his glare landed on Elis.

You! You dont even have a skinsuit! You dont need that mask. Give it to me!

Elis pulled herself to sit up straight as he took a step forward, but Fred placed himself between them.

Fred held up a hand. Relax, we can figure something out. It shouldnt be hard to share a mask.

Elis looked around for a weapon, but there wasnt anything in reach. Sure enough, the frantic survivor wasnt appeased and began raving. The man suddenly swung a fist toward Freds face.

Her nurse sidestepped, then perfectly executed two textbook jabs under the mans chin, sending him sprawling backwards into the lockers. Threatening murder, the man jumped back on his feet and grabbed one of the medkit bags by its strap and swung it at Freds head.

It was knocked away, and the men continued to square off, but Eliss attention was on the kit as it fell near her. Scrambling to pull herself over to it she pulled it open and grabbed the first sharp thing she could find, a pair of pointy scissors.

Turning back toward the fight, she found her effort was unneeded. Fred had the man on the ground, face and torso pressed against the ground while his arms were pinned behind his back.