Outside of Texas, an Air Force pilot was on a reconnaissance mission a few days after soldiers had established safe zones to exterminate the walkers and anyone who wasn't in a secure base.
The operation ordered by FEDRA could either continue on its current path or take a different turn depending on what happened next.
"Zz... Tower, this is Coyote One, requesting communication with Coyote Two several kilometers out. Do you copy?"
"Zz... Copy that, Coyote One. This is Coyote Two. What's your position and altitude?"
"Zz... Coyote One in flight at 1,500 feet above ground level, heading southwest. Any signs of activity in the area?"
"Zz... I've noticed unusual movement to the south. It looks like a base is evacuating."
Evacuating?
The pilot of the Coyote One helicopter went silent for a moment and said, "Zz... Changing course to gather more intel."
"Zz... Negative, all aid missions have been canceled given the infection situation."
"Levi, are we diverting again?"
"Just to be safe…" murmured Levi Okafor, the lead pilot of the bomber helicopter.
This mission was meant to simply report back to the base about the current situation in Texas so that they could take immediate action to solve future problems.
But now, Coyote Two had detected a convoy of helicopters that weren't communicating and seemed to be evacuating. Soon after, they detected even more helicopters heading toward Levi Okafor's location, prompting him to change direction just in case.
"We're getting close, Alex. Arm the weapons."
Alex, responsible for the weapon systems and Levi's co-pilot, sighed in frustration. They weren't supposed to deviate from the mission, especially after the latest orders.
They approached the outskirts of the city, and the radar showed nothing—until a loud beep indicated a helicopter was nearby.
"Where?" Levi looked down, trying to locate the helicopter.
"They're below us. The night vision shows a helicopter being chased by what looks like thousands of infected." Alex couldn't make sense of the tactics being used in this operation.
"That helicopter's a decoy? That's insane."
"It can't be... they're all following it from every direction." Alex couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Levi, realizing the gravity of the situation, immediately radioed the base:
"Pilot to tower, Coyote One. We have eyes on a military helicopter flying low and being chased by a ground horde of walkers. Requesting instructions."
"Tower to Coyote One, given the infection situation, there's no other option but to intensify the extermination operation. You have new orders—use any means necessary to neutralize the threat and ensure the total elimination of the infected."
Levi looked at the helicopter, now being followed by even more walkers, and said, "Understood. Coyote One is now on a combat mission."
...
Alan could see the hell that was these young undead—their bodies still relatively fresh, which made them faster and even stronger.
A horde like the one just released was massive and truly terrifying. For the first time, Alan felt what it was like to stand before a massive swarm of walkers.
"Zz... Keep flying farther out, the bombers are on their way." Alan radioed Rafael, who was skillfully piloting the helicopter.
Rafael nodded silently, staying in control of the flight.
But then, his radar showed another helicopter incoming, and he asked,
"Didn't you say there were three helicopters headed in our direction?"
"Yes, what's the problem?" Alan didn't understand the question since Stuart was leading three bombers.
"Zz... One helicopter is heading straight for us." Rafael grew tense, preparing to deploy flares in case they were targeted.
Alan went quiet. Who would be approaching their position? It was likely a helicopter from another base that thought they were in trouble. But knowing how unpredictable things could be, he braced himself.
"Zz... Bravo Helicopter to unidentified helicopter, do you copy? Requesting information on your current status and position in the airspace."
Rafael said nothing and didn't respond to the call.
"Zz... We've been ordered to bomb all infected targets and wipe them off the map. You need to clear the area—but first, report your status."
Alan closed his eyes for a moment and then opened the radio.
"Soldier, you have your orders, and we have ours. I request that you do not interfere with our operation. Bombers are approaching to complete this mission."
"Zz... Negative. Proceeding to descend for attack."
Alan frowned, looked at Rafael, and said, "We're moving now. Be ready for anything."
"Zz... Copy."
As they pulled away, they heard something falling from the sky—and seconds later, a massive explosion shook the area where the infected were concentrated.
Boom!
The blast rocked Alan's helicopter, but the turbulence eased as they gained distance.
"Let's head to the base. We'll regroup with the rest of the soldiers for evacuation."
Rafael nodded, steering the helicopter toward the base.
"Zz... Bravo Helicopter to unidentified helicopter, I need you to change course to the following coordinates."
Alan heard the coordinates but had no intention of complying.
"Zz... We are in the middle of an evacuation. This base is not secure, and we're leaving now. If you interfere with our evacuation, you will be treated as a hostile. My units approaching from a distance will shoot you down."
At that moment, a convoy of Apache helicopters and numerous cargo helicopters rapidly approached in formation.
"Zz... What's the situation, sir?"
"We received unexpected support from the helicopter on our right. Treat it as non-allied and escort it to the nearest base," said Alan, unwilling to take any risks—he knew an attack was always possible.