The Red Talon armored transport groans as it tears through a chain link fence, the heavy suspension slamming against the uneven asphalt of a desolate industrial park. Smoke billows from a nearby guard shack, obscuring the source of Corporal Maxwell's distress signal.
John
The signal is localized to the warehouse straight ahead, but the perimeter is swarming with them, Seth.
Seth
The numbers are too high for a standard extraction, and the lack of return fire from Maxwell's team suggests we are already too late to catch them alive.
John
Should we punch through the gate and draw them off with the horn, or do you want to dismount and clear the flank on foot?
Seth grips the frame of the transport door, the metal vibrating as dozens of bodies slam against the armored plating.
Seth
The engine is overheating, and if we stall in this courtyard, we are just a tin can full of bait.
A sharp, rhythmic banging sounds from the rear door, accompanied by a low, guttural moan that doesn't belong to a human throat.
+ Scene Quest Added
Survive the industrial park ambush
“Tell all the soldiers to ready there weapons”
SUCCESS (Good Tactics, rolled -1)
Seth
Lock and load, everyone. We don't stop for anything until we reach that warehouse. Check your safeties and keep your eyes on the shadows.
John
You heard the man, weapons hot. If it moves and isn't one of us, put it down.
The soldiers inside the transport snap to attention, the metallic clicking of rifles being readied echoing through the tight space. The vehicle shudders violently as the horde outside begins to claw at the side panels, denting the heavy steel.
Seth
If we exit through the side hatch, we draw them into a kill zone. But if we stay, we get swarmed once the engine gives out.
The driver slams the truck into reverse, the tires spinning and screeching against the concrete, spraying gravel and black smoke into the air as the back door buckles under a fresh wave of pressure. A massive, decayed hand breaks through the upper vent, clawing frantically at the interior light.
“Get us the hell out of here rook that's an order”
SUCCESS (Good Tactics, rolled -2)
Seth
Get us the hell out of here, rook! That is an order!
John
Engaging reverse, sir! Holding on!
Seth lunges forward, gripping the overhead support rail with his left hand while his right hand pulls his AK-47 tight against his chest. The driver slams his foot down, and the armored transport lurches backward with a bone-jarring metallic screech. The momentum throws the decaying corpse hanging from the vent backward, its fingers losing their grip on the steel frame. Gravity takes over as the creature is flung out into the smoke-filled air, tumbling toward the encroaching swarm. The engine roars, finally finding enough torque to tear the heavy tires free from the cracked concrete, and the truck begins to fishtail away from the loading dock.
Seth
If we can maintain this speed, we might just break the perimeter before the transmission grenades itself.
“Where the hell did everyone go John we were supposed to have a full squad did they all die?”
SUCCESS (Great Reasoning, rolled +3)
Seth
Where the hell did everyone go, John? We were supposed to have a full squad. Did they all die?
John
I don't see any signs of them, sir! Just these things. They must have been overrun before we even turned the corner!
Seth
The comms went dead right at the rendezvous point. If the squad is gone, this whole operation is a suicide run. I need to keep my head, or I'm joining them in the dirt.
The truck tires catch grip, spitting gravel and rubber as the vehicle lunges forward. Ahead, the perimeter fence looms, but the path is blocked by a mangled heap of discarded riot shields and a stalled delivery truck. The engine whines in a high, agonizing pitch. John grips the steering wheel with white-knuckled intensity, his eyes darting between the encroaching horde in the rearview mirror and the obstacle rapidly approaching.
“We're friends don't treat me like a boss call me brother or my actual name”
SUCCESS (Fair Natural Leader, rolled -1)
Seth
Listen, John. Drop the title. We are in this together, man. Call me Seth. We are brothers until we clear this mess or die trying.
John
Right. Sorry, Seth. The engine is redlining. We aren't going to make it through that truck if we hit it at this speed.
Seth
The radiator is hissing. If the block cracks, we are sitting ducks in a steel coffin. I have to blow a path through that wreckage before the transmission gives out.
Seth swings his door open, the armored metal screeching as it hits the side of the swarming undead. He plants his boots on the running board, the weight of the AK-47 steady in his grip despite the violent lurching of the vehicle. Ahead, the rusted hulk of the delivery truck blocks the exit. He raises the rifle, sighting the fuel tank beneath the mangled riot shields.
“Shoot at the fuel tank”
Hit for 1 damage — fuel tank struck back for 1 damage
Seth pulls the trigger. A sharp crack rings out as a bullet tears into the fuel tank, metal sparking and leaking volatile liquid onto the asphalt. The tank vents a geyser of pressurized gas, the blast wave catching Seth square in the chest. He is slammed backward against the door frame, the wind knocked out of him, his skin scraped raw by the harsh metal.
John
Seth! Get back inside!
Seth
My ribs are screaming, but I’m still standing. That fuel is exposed, but the truck isn't blowing yet. I need one more clean shot before the engine stalls completely.
Seth gasps for air, steadying himself against the shuddering transport. He ignores the throbbing in his torso and recalibrates his aim toward the leaking fuel pool. Nearby, a cluster of walkers pivots toward the sound of the gunshot, their hollow gazes locking onto his position.
“Okay lets get the hell out of here man we need to go now”
SUCCESS (Good Tactics, rolled +2)
Seth
Move, John! Floor it! Forget the gear, just drive through the gap!
Seth dives back into the passenger seat, his boots sliding against the slick floorboards. He slams the heavy armor plating shut just as a walker’s rotting fingers rake against the exterior steel. The transport lurches forward, the engine spitting a final, metallic shriek of protest. With the fuel pooling on the ground and the sparks from the previous shot still showering the asphalt, the truck smashes through the barricade of riot shields. The impact sends plastic shards flying into the air, clearing the path just as a dull, orange glow begins to rise from the fuel spill behind them.
Seth
The engine is dying, but the inertia is enough. If we can put enough distance between us and that leak before the ignition, we might actually make it out of this hellhole alive.
The armored transport swerves violently, tires spinning on the slick pavement, racing toward the distant perimeter gate.
Quest Complete
Survive the industrial park ambush
Skill Upgrade: Tactics Good→Great