Hunters

Civilization wouldn't end with nuclear fire.

It'd be tattered and torn by the likes of disease.

One that could mutate rapidly.

The greatest minds in the world couldn't understand it.

And therefore, it took over.

Chaos followed.

But the disease just didn't stop at death, no.

Those who survived it became something entirely different.

Aggressive, almost indestructible.

Cannibalistic. Mutants.

We began to call them hunters.

Every once in a while, I find something out in the wild.

Something unexpected, useful.

Sometimes I even find things that remind me of a time

that was a hell of a lot better than right now.

Sometimes I wonder,

you know, bringing something back to the camp

is better than nothing, right?

It's definitely better than not returning at all.

Days are long and the terrain is tough,

but it keeps the monsters at bay for now.

This is John wrecker,

trace operative, station 222.

The world we knew is gone.

Pacifica has become a land of death and despair.

Every day, we fight to survive this new nightmare,

fo survive each other.

Dangerous creatures now roam the island,

born out of the apocalypse.

They hunt us from station to station.

And I do the same to them.

They're evolving, becoming more dangerous.

And therefore, so must I.

When I'm out here by myself,

I start understanding these creatures more and more.

I start noticing patterns.

I start realizing their tendencies.

They're starting to become more predictable.

My biggest fear, though, is that I am too.

Sleep is a luxury.

But I know I'm gonna grind it out.

I think of my father

and my father always wanted me in those corners,

grinding it out.

I'm just praying to whatever gods are up there

that maybe let the hope shine in a bit first.

Hey, John. Didn't see you come in.

No, I don't suppose you did there, Lewis, did ya?

You get one?

Yes, sir.

I found their little feeding area,

just outside of that point right there.

What'd it take to bring her down?

A little too much c-4.

Anything left of 'em?

Got the usual bits and pieces.

Copy that.

Did you hear any chatter on the wire lately?

Yeah, 221.

They had a couple of refugees come down with a fever.

A lot of them didn't make it.

Shame.

John, that looks pretty rough.

Go get changed. Go see grace.

Yeah.

Going out again soon?

Yeah, in the morning.

Anything I can get for you?

Besides a bit of shuteye?

I need more grenades.

Copy that. We're running pretty low.

Well then I guess I'll have to use them sparingly.

And some more c-4, please.

Oh, John, John, hang on.

I almost forgot.

Got you all fixed up.

Replaced the lithium reactor,

managed to weld some of the plates back together,

and we fixed the comm unit.

Should be pretty good to go now.

No worries.

Should give you a tactical advantage.

Let's hope so.

All these people, my people.

I walk by, they're huddled in the camp.

They're looking for warmth.

They're looking for food.

They're looking for supplies.

Anything that can help them get by each day,

each hour, each minute.

John.

Sergeant wrecker.

Ah, the war, it's been over for years.

I'm pretty sure we could lose the formalities.

If you say so.

What can I do for you?

Lewis thought that I might need a bit of a seeing to on...

Take a seat in my chair.

Thank you.

Not too deep. Let me grab some gauze.

Was it a scab?

No.

Was it close?

Close enough.

You know, John, their cells aren't like ours.

What?

The scabs, their cells,

after the infection takes over,

it mutates the cells.

You're telling me these creatures don't feel any pain?

That's correct.

It starts on the frontal lobe of the brain.

What do you mean? = the brain starts

to disintegrate.

I've done a lot of research, uh, motor skills,

judgment, social skills,

they're all shot.

Yeah, but these things they...

They communicate with each other.

Yes, they do.

- And? - The cells mutate.

Bone density, it grows slightly.

Then the heart,

it goes to a crawl.

After several days of rapid mutation,

that's when the lights go on.

Rapid movement agitates them.

Motor function now increases dramatically.

As does hunger.

Yeah. Um...

What am I telling you all this for?

You already know it already.

I guess it's just a lot...

It's a lot better hearing it from somebody like you.

I do imagine a lot, by the way.

What do you imagine?

Oh.

Uh, I... I know you're going back out on patrol again soon.

So get some rest.

Get some food in ya.

And be safe.

I just found this incredible, uh, reading material

when I was...

And, uh... it's new words. Uh...

It is a base... it's baseball.

Baseball? =- mm-hmm.

I love baseball.

Ti remember baseball.

I'm gonna, ah...

Oh, I...

Okay.

I got some tests to do.

Right. I'll...

Okay.

J our home is a shambles, all I treasured has gone j

j the town seems deserted, everyone's so forlorn j»

j a storm came from up above but somehow it missed j

j the shrine of Saint Cecilia j

j the bells in the chapel never ring anymore j

j the clock in the steeple can't tell time as before j

j but up on the hillside, stands a place heaven blessed j

j the shrine of Saint Cecilia j

j each day at eventide j

j when I seek haven from my daily cares

j you'll find me by her side j

j it seems so peaceful there

j I kneel in my solitude and silently pray j

j that heaven will protect you, dear

j and there'll come a day j

j the storm will be over and that we'll meet again»

j at the shrine of Saint Cecilia [j

I'm not looking to mess up anybody's day.

All right?

Hey, guys.

I'm not looking for any trouble. Put the guns down.

Bastard!

Don't waste the ammo.

John? John?

John? John? John? John? John? John?

John? John?

Wake up. Wake up, John.

- What's going on? - We need you.

Yeah.

Okay.

Hey guys.

Go ahead, Lewis.

Tell him what you heard.

Scanning through the channels like I always do.

And I came across this communication.

Could barely make it out, and I...

You know, it's just better if I play it for you.

I repeat, we're under attack!

Something, scabs, they're here!

They must have followed a scouting party back to our camp.

If there are any trace operatives in the immediate vicinity,

we need help!

Did you try getting back to these guys?

John, I've tried every channel.

Every open line of communication.

I've just got static.