Xkill by Michl Dr. Thomas D

Author:Michl, Dr. Thomas D.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-12-29T00:00:00+00:00

9

The Hunting Dead

Tahil’s voice echoed with urgency. “Shit! Cocco’s on the brink of overheating!”

The mechanical rhythm of Cocco’s gallop had been their only reality for what felt like hours. Tereza was aware that the robo-dogs weren’t meant for this intense level of exertion, especially not with the weight of three people.

“We need to stop, or we’ll fry his circuits!” Tahil continued.

With a sudden deceleration, Cocco ground to a halt. Tereza’s grip loosened, and she tumbled onto the ground, gasping for breath.

Tahil, quivering, voice shrill, shouted, “What just happened? Who ... why ... ?”His breathing grew rapid and shallow.

Farzan, dismounting shakily from Cocco, struggled to find his footing. His gaze settled on something past Tereza. “We’re near the lagoon. We can’t rest yet.”

As Tereza tried to regain her bearings, dawn’s soft glow pierced the horizon, contrasting with the panic around her.

“Answer me!” Tahil screamed.

Farzan took a deep breath, steadying himself. “The humans ... they’re dead. It’s the exoskeletons controlling them. We’re being hunted by the dead.”

Tahil’s disbelief was palpable. “You mean like ... zombies? Like The Walking Dead?”

Farzan’s face remained blank, a muscle twitching in his cheek.

“Ugh, you uncultured—” Tahil began, frustration evident.

“Enough!” Tereza cut in, her voice stern. “We move now. If we’re near the boat, that’s our ticket out of this nightmare.” She locked eyes with Farzan, a nod of gratitude. “Thank you.”

“You were right about the communication port,” he admitted, brushing his nose as if to wipe away the memory. “But after that, the body just dropped. Lifeless. Nakatani was long gone, just a corpse in a cage. Then I saw you, with that second one ... ”

“Rob,” Tereza whispered, sorrow thick in her voice. “We left him ... his body behind”

“We survived,” Farzan said firmly, trying to mask his own pain. “That’s what counts.”

Tahil looked frenzied. “Who took out Rob? The exoskeletons or—?”

Tereza completed the thought. “Shadi?”

Ignoring the brewing storm of questions, Farzan reiterated, “Move! To the lagoon, now. We get to the boat, and we leave this nightmare. Everything else comes later “

Their path was lit by the morning sun, its rays filtering through the trees. A gentle chirping surrounded them, momentarily masking their dread. But then another sound, more sinister, pricked her ears.

“Oh no! The hunting dogs,” Tereza whispered, horror evident. “They’re coming!”

***

Leaves rustled, rapidly advancing. Without thought, Farzan’s hand flew to his P90 submachine gun.

Empty.

The weight of firing every last round into Konrad settled heavily on him. He cast the useless weapon away, his left hand snatching up his combat knife.

The approaching noise grew frantic.

Suddenly, a bush trembled and out lunged an augmented hunting dog, its jaws enhanced by an exoskeleton. Time seemed to stretchReacting on pure instinct, Farzan raised his right arm as a shield. The dog’s teeth sank in, splintering the bone with a horrifying crunch. Pain seared through him, electric and fierce. Momentum sent him tumbling back, but with his uninjured arm, he thrust the knife deep into the dog’s skull. He twisted mid-fall, landing heavily atop the writhing creature.

The dog, undeterred, thrashed wildly, refusing to release its grip.

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