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2024-10-29 19:42:56“Who the hell are you anyway?” Alex asked, looking directly into Mason’s eyes. Everyone had different questions, but there was no time to entertain them.
“I’m the guy who saved your asses. Look, we ain’t got no time for questions. Unless you want that big guy over there ripping us apart, we need to find way to get out of here” Mason said. He was already tired of hearing questions and was already wishing he had left. Jake understood what the team needed and spoke to them in private. He wanted them to avoid asking questions but try to make it back to base. “Alright” Mason said, breaking the silence. “We don’t have that much time. That juggernaut will be back on its feet any minute now, and when it does, it’ll be angrier than before. We need to move fast and quietly" “Wait” jake interjected. “What the hell is a juggernaut? Why’d you call the other ones hyper-ragers” His whole team looked at him, since he was the one that said no questions. Mason took a deep breath, knowing these questions would never end. "The N-23 virus doesn't just turn people into mindless, aggressive predators. Over time, some of the infected have mutated into different forms. The ones you see running around like wild animals? Those are hyper-ragers. They move faster and are more aggressive than regular ragers. But juggernauts... they're different. They're bigger, stronger, and a lot harder to kill. They seem to have an enhanced resistance to most forms of attack." The team exchanged uneasy glances. "How many other mutations are there?" one of them asked, her voice trembling. "I've encountered a few, I have like a manual or sorts for that but I’ll show you guys when we escape." Mason replied. "Some are stealthy, almost invisible until they're right on top of you. Others have developed a sort of hive mind, coordinating their attacks. But juggernauts are the worst. They're almost impossible to bring down permanently." "So how do we get out of here?" Jake asked, trying to keep the fear out of his voice. "We can't outrun that thing, and we can't fight it, right?" Mason nodded. "We need to be smart. We use the environment to our advantage. Titan is already scouting ahead. By the way, Titan is the artificial intelligence I designed against the ragers. The drones will help us find a path with the least resistance." As if on cue, the drone that once left buzzed back to Mason, its red light blinking. "Sir, I've identified a route through the alleys that should keep us hidden from most of the ragers. However, the juggernaut is likely to follow us." "Then we make sure it can't," Mason said grimly. He then turned to Jake and his team "Everyone, stay close and follow my lead." The group nodded, trusting Mason’s judgement. They moved cautiously through the debris-strewn streets, guided by Titan's directions. One of the drones had gone before them, clearing their path and informing Mason of any nearby rager. Every shadow seemed to hide a threat, every sound made them flinch. The city's decay was palpable, with crumbling buildings and rusting vehicles marking their path. Every step was a test of nerves. They had made it halfway to their destination, near a warehouse and barricaded themselves inside. It was dimly lit and cluttered with old machinery and crates, but it provided a temporary haven. Mason quickly set up his equipment, activating and checking their status. The sonic cannon had finished charging up for another round. Jake’s team looked around for weapons they could use. “Titan, report,” he commanded. “Sir, we have a situation” Titan voice crackled through the receiver. “ The drone sent ahead of you has detected a group of ragers converging on a young male approximately half a mile from your location.” Mason’s eyes widened.” Describe him” “The boy appears to be light skinned, with dark hair and wearing a grey jacket. He seems to be holding some kind of crowbar. He is currently trying to evade the ragers but he is outnumbered.” Jake’s heart sank. “Ryan,” He whispered. He turned to his group, his face pale. “Ryan is in danger; he must have followed us” “You know that lad?” Mason asked. “He is part of our enclave” Maria said, tears almost in her eyes. “We need to go get him” Without hesitation, Jake stood up. Mason already knew what he wanted to say. He placed his hands on Jake’s shoulder. “it’s too risky. The juggernaut is still out there, and we barely made it alive” Jake knew what he had to do. “I’ll go alone. Just please help get my family home safe”. Liam stepped forward. “We are a team; we’ll all go together”. Jake looked at the rest of the team, they had affirmation all written on their faces. They were ready to put their lives on the line for the other. Mason shrugged, reluctantly nodding. “Alright, but we need to be smart about this. Titan, guide us to little lad’s location, and keep us updated on the ragers’ movements.” “Understood sir” Titan responded.
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The group moved out, following Titan's directions. They navigated through the deserted streets, their senses heightened by the ever-present danger. As they approached Ryan's location, they could hear the growls and snarls of the ragers. Ryan was cornered in an alley, desperately trying to fend off the ragers with a makeshift weapon. His face was a mask of fear and determination. "Ryan!" Jake shouted, rushing forward. “I’m sorry Jake. I thought I could show you that I could also do operations.” Ryan said, almost crying. The team formed a protective circle around the boy, fighting off the ragers with all their might. Luckily for them, the ragers were the first strain and weren’t fast at all. Mason's drones provided crucial support, their sonic cannons disorienting the ragers and giving the group a chance to strike. But the sheer number of ragers made it clear that this was a losing battle. "We need to fall back!" Mason shouted. "There's too many of them!" As they started to r
N-23: The last days Chapter 10 - The Sacrifice II
"Jake, come on!" Maria shouted, but Jake shook his head. "Go!" he yelled. "I'll hold it off and come join you guys soon." He smiled a fake smile. One that Maria knew would be the last. Amongst everyone on the team, she was the one closest to Jake. They would always sit at the balcony at nights looking at the moon while she would tell Jake of her nightmares. Jake wasn’t one to express his feelings. She never knew he dreamt of his daughter every day. He never mentioned anything about her. Once, she kissed him but he withdrew, saying nothing as he stood and left the balcony. Since then, they always looked at each other differently. Watching him die would destroy her. With sadness in their eyes, the group retreated, dragging a reluctant Ryan and a crying Maria with them. Mason's drones provided cover, but even his advanced weaponry couldn't stop the juggernaut for long. As they reached the safety of the warehouse, a gut-wrenching scream echoed through the air. Ryan turned back, his he
N-23: The last days Chapter 11 - Virus profile - 1
N-23 Virus Profile Written by Mason Grey, Scientist and technologist. Introduction Over time, I, Mason grey had carried out various theoretical and practical experiments on these Ragers, to come up with a survival profile for them. Some of the results, shocking and the mutations, breathe taking. This document delves into the scientific intricacies of how the virus hijacks human physiology, the mutations that have given rise to various Rager variants, and the countermeasures that have shown some promise in containing its spread. The following sections will detail the virus’s transmission, transmission phases, biological mechanisms, and the emerging strategies to counter this unprecedented threat. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and never underestimate the cunning of the N-23 virus. Overview The N-23 virus, also known as Necrovirus-23, is a highly engineered pathogen designed with a sinister purpose. Its origins remain shrouded in mystery, but its effects are devastatingly clea
N-23: The last days Chapter 12 - virus profile - 2
Stalkers - Description: These Ragers are stealthy and cunning, often ambushing their prey. They have enhanced sensory perception and can move silently. They could be the scariest as some of my tests has shown that they could mimic normal humans and pretend not to be infected; Attacking when the prey is least at alert. They could be detected by special heat signatures detectors which can show the difference between humans and the cold half dead bodies of the ragers. - Origin: Developed in environments where stealth was advantageous for survival. Einstein Ragers: - Description: I have only seen one of these and they are very scary. They aren’t aggressive like other ragers and possess certain degree of human intelligence. I don’t know if it was a mutation or just an anomaly, but they can co-ordinate complex attacks and set traps. They could also use weapons and fight like normal humans. Unlike other ragers, it has other intentions than feeding and spreading. Surprisingly, it can eng
N-23: The last days Chapter 13 - Aftermath
The explosion shattered the night, sending a shockwave that rippled through the surrounding landscape. A plume of fire and smoke billowed into the sky, briefly illuminating the darkness as debris rained down. Ryan’s ears rang from the blast, his vision blurred by tears and smoke. He tried to process what had just happened, but his mind refused to accept it. Jake, the man who had been like a father to him, was gone—ripped apart by the juggernaut and consumed in the explosion. Maria’s scream pierced through the noise, dragging Ryan back to reality. She struggled against Alex’s grip, desperate to run back toward the burning wreckage that had once been their friend and leader. “Jake!” she cried, her voice raw and broken. “Jake!” Alex felt like he was moving through molasses as he reached out to her. He had to stop her, had to make her see that it was too late, but the words caught in his throat. Instead, he could only watch as she crumpled to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.
N-23: The last days Chapter 14 - visit of pain
The walk back to the enclave was slow and silent, the weight of what they had just experienced hanging heavily over them. Every step felt like a struggle, as if the very earth beneath them was trying to pull them down, to drag them into the same abyss that had claimed Jake. Mason was the only one who wasn’t dragged by what had happened. He had just met Jake, so he wasn’t emotionally attached, though he felt for Jake’s team. His two drones went ahead of them, scanning the perimeter ahead to scout out routes that were ragers free. It was a long and silent walk back to the enclave but after some hours, they were at its gate. Mario, as the enclave called him, was the gate keeper. He was in-charge of watching over the base surroundings for incoming ragers. He had a shift partner, Marcus but Marcus usually slacks off. Mar io could easily read the room as the team approached him. At first, he wondered why they held long faces as their number were complete and they even had one more. “R
N-23: The last days Chapter 15 - Hope
Ryan sat by the gates, thinking. He couldn’t help but continuously blame himself for what happened to Jake. If only he had stayed in the enclave; Thoughts like that. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Sam looking at him with a mix of concern and something else—something that looked almost like respect. “Jake would be proud of you,” Sam said quietly. “He always believed in you.” Ryan didn’t know how to respond to that, so he just nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. The words were meant to comfort, but they only made the ache in his chest grow stronger. Jake had believed in him, and now Jake was gone. How was he supposed to live up to that? Sam’s expression softened, and he squeezed Ryan’s shoulder before letting go. “Get some rest,” he said. “We have a lot of work to do tomorrow.” Ryan nodded again, though the idea of sleep seemed impossible. His mind was too full of thoughts, memories, and emotions that refused to be silenced. But he knew that Sam was
N-23: The last days Chapter 1 - The dream
“Stay close to me, Mel!” Jake shouted, his voice barely audible over the cacophony of growls and screams. His daughter, clutching a small, blood-stained baseball bat, stood behind him, her eyes wide with fear and determination. She had learned to fight, too. There was no other choice in this world. Something lunged at them, its mouth open in a silent scream. It was half dead and carried the smell of rotten corpse along with it. It was called a Rager. Jake drove his spear into its chest, feeling the resistance of bone and muscle before it pierced the heart. Trying to kil them like humans would do nothing most times, depending on the durability of the Rager. This one was no exception as it still continued to move even after its heart was struck. Mel screamed and used her bat continuously to bash its head until it longer moved. The rager fell, but in its place, two more had emerged, their eyes blazing with the hunger for flesh. “Mel, now!!” Jake yelled. Mel swung her bat with all her
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Ryan sat by the gates, thinking. He couldn’t help but continuously blame himself for what happened to Jake. If only he had stayed in the enclave; Thoughts like that. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Sam looking at him with a mix of concern and something else—something that looked almost like respect. “Jake would be proud of you,” Sam said quietly. “He always believed in you.” Ryan didn’t know how to respond to that, so he just nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. The words were meant to comfort, but they only made the ache in his chest grow stronger. Jake had believed in him, and now Jake was gone. How was he supposed to live up to that? Sam’s expression softened, and he squeezed Ryan’s shoulder before letting go. “Get some rest,” he said. “We have a lot of work to do tomorrow.” Ryan nodded again, though the idea of sleep seemed impossible. His mind was too full of thoughts, memories, and emotions that refused to be silenced. But he knew that Sam was
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Chapter 14 - visit of pain
The walk back to the enclave was slow and silent, the weight of what they had just experienced hanging heavily over them. Every step felt like a struggle, as if the very earth beneath them was trying to pull them down, to drag them into the same abyss that had claimed Jake. Mason was the only one who wasn’t dragged by what had happened. He had just met Jake, so he wasn’t emotionally attached, though he felt for Jake’s team. His two drones went ahead of them, scanning the perimeter ahead to scout out routes that were ragers free. It was a long and silent walk back to the enclave but after some hours, they were at its gate. Mario, as the enclave called him, was the gate keeper. He was in-charge of watching over the base surroundings for incoming ragers. He had a shift partner, Marcus but Marcus usually slacks off. Mar io could easily read the room as the team approached him. At first, he wondered why they held long faces as their number were complete and they even had one more. “R
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Chapter 13 - Aftermath
The explosion shattered the night, sending a shockwave that rippled through the surrounding landscape. A plume of fire and smoke billowed into the sky, briefly illuminating the darkness as debris rained down. Ryan’s ears rang from the blast, his vision blurred by tears and smoke. He tried to process what had just happened, but his mind refused to accept it. Jake, the man who had been like a father to him, was gone—ripped apart by the juggernaut and consumed in the explosion. Maria’s scream pierced through the noise, dragging Ryan back to reality. She struggled against Alex’s grip, desperate to run back toward the burning wreckage that had once been their friend and leader. “Jake!” she cried, her voice raw and broken. “Jake!” Alex felt like he was moving through molasses as he reached out to her. He had to stop her, had to make her see that it was too late, but the words caught in his throat. Instead, he could only watch as she crumpled to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.
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Chapter 12 - virus profile - 2
Stalkers - Description: These Ragers are stealthy and cunning, often ambushing their prey. They have enhanced sensory perception and can move silently. They could be the scariest as some of my tests has shown that they could mimic normal humans and pretend not to be infected; Attacking when the prey is least at alert. They could be detected by special heat signatures detectors which can show the difference between humans and the cold half dead bodies of the ragers. - Origin: Developed in environments where stealth was advantageous for survival. Einstein Ragers: - Description: I have only seen one of these and they are very scary. They aren’t aggressive like other ragers and possess certain degree of human intelligence. I don’t know if it was a mutation or just an anomaly, but they can co-ordinate complex attacks and set traps. They could also use weapons and fight like normal humans. Unlike other ragers, it has other intentions than feeding and spreading. Surprisingly, it can eng
- N-23: The last days
Chapter 11 - Virus profile - 1
N-23 Virus Profile Written by Mason Grey, Scientist and technologist. Introduction Over time, I, Mason grey had carried out various theoretical and practical experiments on these Ragers, to come up with a survival profile for them. Some of the results, shocking and the mutations, breathe taking. This document delves into the scientific intricacies of how the virus hijacks human physiology, the mutations that have given rise to various Rager variants, and the countermeasures that have shown some promise in containing its spread. The following sections will detail the virus’s transmission, transmission phases, biological mechanisms, and the emerging strategies to counter this unprecedented threat. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and never underestimate the cunning of the N-23 virus. Overview The N-23 virus, also known as Necrovirus-23, is a highly engineered pathogen designed with a sinister purpose. Its origins remain shrouded in mystery, but its effects are devastatingly clea
- N-23: The last days
Chapter 10 - The Sacrifice II
"Jake, come on!" Maria shouted, but Jake shook his head. "Go!" he yelled. "I'll hold it off and come join you guys soon." He smiled a fake smile. One that Maria knew would be the last. Amongst everyone on the team, she was the one closest to Jake. They would always sit at the balcony at nights looking at the moon while she would tell Jake of her nightmares. Jake wasn’t one to express his feelings. She never knew he dreamt of his daughter every day. He never mentioned anything about her. Once, she kissed him but he withdrew, saying nothing as he stood and left the balcony. Since then, they always looked at each other differently. Watching him die would destroy her. With sadness in their eyes, the group retreated, dragging a reluctant Ryan and a crying Maria with them. Mason's drones provided cover, but even his advanced weaponry couldn't stop the juggernaut for long. As they reached the safety of the warehouse, a gut-wrenching scream echoed through the air. Ryan turned back, his he
- N-23: The last days
Chapter 9 - The sacrifice I
The group moved out, following Titan's directions. They navigated through the deserted streets, their senses heightened by the ever-present danger. As they approached Ryan's location, they could hear the growls and snarls of the ragers. Ryan was cornered in an alley, desperately trying to fend off the ragers with a makeshift weapon. His face was a mask of fear and determination. "Ryan!" Jake shouted, rushing forward. “I’m sorry Jake. I thought I could show you that I could also do operations.” Ryan said, almost crying. The team formed a protective circle around the boy, fighting off the ragers with all their might. Luckily for them, the ragers were the first strain and weren’t fast at all. Mason's drones provided crucial support, their sonic cannons disorienting the ragers and giving the group a chance to strike. But the sheer number of ragers made it clear that this was a losing battle. "We need to fall back!" Mason shouted. "There's too many of them!" As they started to r
- N-23: The last days
Chapter 8 - Escape and rescue
“Who the hell are you anyway?” Alex asked, looking directly into Mason’s eyes. Everyone had different questions, but there was no time to entertain them. “I’m the guy who saved your asses. Look, we ain’t got no time for questions. Unless you want that big guy over there ripping us apart, we need to find way to get out of here” Mason said. He was already tired of hearing questions and was already wishing he had left. Jake understood what the team needed and spoke to them in private. He wanted them to avoid asking questions but try to make it back to base. “Alright” Mason said, breaking the silence. “We don’t have that much time. That juggernaut will be back on its feet any minute now, and when it does, it’ll be angrier than before. We need to move fast and quietly" “Wait” jake interjected. “What the hell is a juggernaut? Why’d you call the other ones hyper-ragers” His whole team looked at him, since he was the one that said no questions. Mason took a deep breath, knowing these q
- N-23: The last days
Chapter 7 - The sound of survival
Mason had Titan power the cannon and shot at the juggernaut, but this time it did nothing than push the juggernaut a few meters back. Mason’s face showed excitement; he was loving the fight. Meanwhile, Jake’s team was managing. Due to the help of the initial sonic canon, the agility of the hyper-ragers were slowed down. It made things easier for them. Rita was a beast; severing heads like she was playing a zombie video game. Maria who was weak was getting a hang of it. She would use the spear given to her by Jake, piercing the heads of ragers. Though she was slow. Rita killed four per one of Maria’s kills. Sam had no problem getting close to ragers. His shooting skills made him keep his distance. Alex and Liam were clumsy as usual, making jokes of everything. Jake on the other hand was weak, still feeling pains from the shockwaves of the explosions. “We are done over here” Jake yelled over to Mason, breathing so fast. “Titan, increase the output and the frequency of the blast.
