The next assignment came early the following morning, a medium-threat scavenging run to an old distribution center two kilometers northwest of the hub. The team consisted of Ted, Elena, two experienced hub soldiers, and unfortunately, Jax, who had clearly been placed there by Marcus to observe.
Colonel Voss personally briefed them at the gate. "Intel suggests the center still has intact medical crates. Bring back as many as possible. Watch for coordinated packs,the variants are getting bolder. Return before dusk."
Ted adjusted his pack, pipe secured at his side. His new **Basic Horde Command** skill hummed quietly in the back of his mind, waiting to be tested properly. With 564 Necro Essence, he had room to experiment, but any visible anomaly could fuel Marcus's campaign.
Elena gave him a subtle nod as they moved out. The Ally Bond made their steps fall into natural sync.
The streets near the hub were relatively quiet, but Horde Sense painted a growing picture: multiple small groups of lesser zombies within range, their emotional states a constant low thrum of hunger. One larger cluster of twelve registered near the target building, with faint traces of an intelligent variant directing them.
"Contact ahead," one soldier warned as they approached the distribution center's loading bay. A pack of nine shamblers shambled out from between rusted trucks, drawn by the team's footsteps.
The fight was straightforward at first. Gunfire dropped several. Ted and Elena handled the flank, his pipe crushing skulls with controlled power while he absorbed essence discreetly.
*[Necro Essence +9]*
*[Necro Essence +8]*
As they pushed deeper into the warehouse, the larger cluster attacked. Twelve lesser zombies poured from the aisles, led by a single intelligent variant perched on a high shelf, clicking commands.
"Spread out!" the lead soldier ordered. "Take down the smart one first!"
Chaos erupted. Elena's shots rang out. Jax fought aggressively nearby, occasionally glancing at Ted.
This was the moment.
Ted focused on three lesser zombies breaking toward Elena's blind side. He activated **Basic Horde Command**, spending 25 Essence to send a weak mental pulse: *Turn. Attack the one on the shelf.*
The zombies hesitated for a split second, then two of them lurched awkwardly and swung at each other instead of advancing. The third stumbled into the path of the intelligent variant, distracting it long enough for Elena to land a clean headshot on the leader.
The pack lost coordination. The team finished the rest quickly.
Ted absorbed from four kills during the mop-up, the cold energy surging stronger now that he had influenced them.
*[Necro Essence +10 +11 +9 +13]*
No one seemed to notice the odd behavior amid the fight, except Elena, who shot him a sharp, knowing look afterward. Jax frowned but said nothing.
The warehouse yielded good loot: sealed medical crates, antibiotics, and a few energy cells. They loaded what they could carry and began the return journey.
On the way back, a sudden surge hit, a coordinated wave of twenty infected emerging from side streets, drawn by the earlier noise. This time there were two intelligent variants working together.
"Hold the line!" the soldier shouted.
Ted saw the perfect test. While the team engaged the main force, he slipped to the edge where five lesser zombies had broken off. He poured 40 Essence into **Basic Horde Command**, targeting the small group: *Redirect. Charge the left variant.*
The five zombies suddenly changed direction with unnatural lurching, slamming into one of the intelligent variants and creating chaos in the enemy ranks. The variant was overwhelmed, allowing the soldiers to focus fire and turn the tide.
The fight ended with heavy breathing but no losses.
As they regrouped, Jax approached Ted, eyes narrowed. "Those zombies turned on their own kind. Right when you were nearby. Again. I'm reporting this when we get back."
Elena stepped in smoothly. "They got confused in the fight. It happens. Focus on the haul."
Jax backed off reluctantly, but the suspicion was clear.
Back at the hub, the successful run earned commendations, but Jax pulled Marcus aside immediately upon return. Ted could feel the net tightening.
That evening, in a quiet corner, Elena confronted him directly. "You commanded them, didn't you? I saw the way they moved when you were looking at them. Ted… this power of yours, it's not just strength and healing anymore. You're controlling the dead."
Ted met her eyes, deciding to give her a piece of the truth. "It's growing. The Syste, whatever awakened inside me when I was bitten, lets me influence lesser ones. Weakly, for now. It's keeping us alive, Elena. But if the wrong people find out…"
She exhaled slowly, processing. "I won't tell anyone. But you need to be more careful. Marcus and Jax are watching every move. And if Dr. Thorne gets wind of this…"
The System rewarded the successful test:
*[Basic Horde Command usage logged. Skill proficiency increased slightly. New Daily Quest variant unlocked: Command and Harvest.]*
Ted felt the power expanding, but so did the danger.
The hub's walls offered safety from the horde outside.
Inside, the real threat was growing, human eyes that saw too much, and a rival determined to expose him.
Ted would need to grow faster, or find a way out before the cage closed completely.