Year 2047, August 25th
Hidden amidst the falling of the first autumn leaves inside a sprawling forest, there lies a small but sizable military base unmarked by public charts.
Designed to aid in practicing teamwork and execution of covert operations, it is occupied almost exclusively by a select few chosen squads eligible to use its facilities for training.
Further inside the base, there is a busy but quiet canteen, faithful to their occupation as covert soldiers the sounds of conversation are hardly audible between tables, almost as if they treat every moment as a training opportunity.
At one such table a squad of 8 is seated, discussing in quiet voices, they are the Iron Hounds a small but elite group.
A lean, athletic man with sharp eyebrows and gaunt eyes speaks up, "Have you guys heard there's some kind of pandemic going on, they've cut off communication with several smaller towns already"
The table is silent for a moment before Robert, tall bald man rippling with heavily trained muscles sporting a full brown beard replies "Yeah we heard Markus, have you managed to gather anymore information? I think it must just be a rumour if even you can't find anything further"
Markus opens his mouth to continue when another member interjects, louder than the rest almost as tall as Robert but not quite as large, a blonde man with a crew cut and a sharp angular jawline exclaims
"Psh just cause the rest of us cant figure anything out it doesnt mean Markus can't, after all isn't he our lovely information specialist?" "Im sure..." a third man cuts him off before he can continue blabbering away "Alright Leonard, shut your handsome trap and lets hear what Markus has for us."
"Thanks Mick, so as I was saying, although they cut off all communications and have been trying to bury the matter deep, I've caught bits and pieces from 'survivors' before they manage to control the media. Supposedly its some kind of a viral infection, causing people to turn into zombies, devastating entire towns in a matter of hours, and its not just in our Northern Snow, from what I've gathered entire towns and cities under the Free Coalition and even the Southern Imperium are going dark."
Again the table grows eerily quiet, their meals yet untouched as the 8 ponder the implications of Markus's words
Leonard breaks the silence with a chuckle, "I'm sure its all under control Markus I don't doubt your skills but Zombies? We haven't had any major pandemics in years science is surely advanced enough to control some minor outbreaks, isnt that right David?"
He says looking towards a short so far unassuming squad member sporting light brown hair and gaunt eyes similar to Markus both clearly foregoing sleep one too many times
"Leonard is right, medical science has advanced to the point that although not everything can be cured, there are almost no fatal or unknown diseases, and scientifically speaking a virus shouldn't be able to create an effect similar to Zombies. I'm sure its just something more like an advamced version of rabies."
Leonard smiles, nods and says "See David is one of the best doctors in the army, otherwise he wouldn't have been selected for our Iron Hound squad, after all his role is providing emergency medical treatment to some of the most important people in our country"
Robert being the only one among the 8 to have finished his tray of food straightens up as he finishes the last bite, he chuckles and says "All of us are elites Leonard, but you're the only one among us 8 with no special skills, other than perhaps your pretty face and your loud mouth"
Leonard glares at him but before he can snap back a commanding voice speaks, instantly quieting the rest, it belongs to one of the 3 that have remained quiet, their Team Leader Katarina, aptly code named Iron Snake)
"Shut up you two, we all serve our role in this squad, Mick, cn (Iron Mouse) is our tracker, planner and survival expert..."
She nods to Mick, he's slightly taller than average, being the middle ground of the group, he sports slicked back dark hair with a streak of gray, not from age but rather Vitiligo his short dark beard sporting a similar streak of white from his moustache to the left side of his chin.
Well trained muscles but again not quite as large as Leonard or the giant Robert he's good looking man in his late twenties.
As their eyes meet an imperceptible glint flashes through Katarina's, a fleeting moment of tension between the two unspoken by both, the flicker of desire hidden.
She looks away and continues "Markus, cn (Iron Eel) is our information gathering expert, grappling master and good at stealth takedowns"
"Nina, cn (Iron Vulture) is our spotter, one of the best snipers in the military, and our secondary field medic, her role is vital in covering our escape routes"
"David, cn (Iron Leech) although he mainly serves as our field medic and to provide treatment to any injured extraction targets he is still a highly trained soldier, with skills almost on par with the rest of us"
"Roman, cn (Iron Eagle) is our pilot, driver and machinery expert proficient in flying, driving and repairing many kinds of vehicles"
"And lastly the two of you, Leonard, cn (Iron Lion) and Robert, cn (Iron Bear) both of you are our primary muscle throughout our missions your role only becomes important if we are discovered, which thankfully has only happened twice, through all 7 of our missions. You all remember what happened to Iron Rat the last time we failed to stay covert, we still haven't found a replacement hacker"
As the looks on their faces grew grim she added "I truly hope we never have to rely on your explosives Robert, they must stay a last resort, and as for myself I believe we all know why I was chosen as Team Leader"
Just as she finished speaking a loud alarm beep blares twice through the canteen signifying at least half of the squads present are being sent on missions, causing everyone in the canteen to stop whatever they're doing and stand at attention, tension filling the air waiting to see if their squad is among those called to report for duty.
A voice sounds from a speaker listing squads "Eagle Ceta, Eagle Delta, report for duty"
"Night Breach, Iron Hounds, Wolf Delta report for duty"
As the goice continues listing off a few more squads, the Iron Hounds steel themselves and move together to the commanding office, readying themselves for deployment, unaware of the disasters that are to follow.