Time: 1525. Location: South America, somewhere along the Amazon River.
The trip has been brutal. The men of Cobra have had to escape the walking dead at almost every turn. While thought of by many as sparsely populated, the massive hordes of undead from the city have converged on their location. In the sweltering heat of the jungle, the weary men march. The men of Vipers' Nest are determined to "escort" their fearless leader to his destination. The Commander has continued to provide for the men. But even his indomitable skills have limits. Food is scarce, but he has been able to gather sufficient edible plants to keep them going. However, he keeps coming up short on protein and fat. The lack of proper nutrition is taking its toll. Minor cuts and abrasions, that a healthy man wouldn't think twice about have become infected, leading to illness and fevers. And still, the five men trudge wearily along the game trail, each step more demanding than the last.
The road they travel is little more than ruts in the mud, originally created by the logging industry. That the jungle hasn't reclaimed it means someone still travels along it.
They have been following a route that will lead them through the old village and pass close by the Viper's Nest. When they had reached the trail, tactical convention had been nearly ignored. They walked in the ruts in an ever-changing order, rather than staggering their formation at the edges of where the path meets the jungle. They realized the enemy they were fighting cared nothing for military tactics. On more than one occasion, they were glad to be on the road instead of the side as they passed draggers lurching out of the undergrowth. At their current state of fatigue, even these slow half-destroyed zombies could have overtaken one of the group.
"We're almost there, Commander." The words barely escape Corporal Akin's chapped lips, causing a shudder to run through his body.
Silence is the answer. The Commander has done his best to provide for his men. He realized each morsel of food provided and that he withheld, every drop of water gathered, each fire started, and every shelter built cemented his men's loyalty to him. But now… Now a seed of doubt is taking root.
A sound stops the group in their tracks.
"Vehicle approaching," Tomax grumbles.
Cobra Commander looks at his men, "Well, what are you waiting for. That could be a rogue Joe patrol. We haven't made it this far to die standing still in the middle of a dirt track. If we are going to die, we shall die with honor." The simple words stir the men to action. They take to the road's sides, melting into the verdant overgrowth, weapons ready. Each man knows his line of fire. It's a tactic that has been used throughout the ages of war. The idea is that should it be an enemy, they can ambush them from both sides. The men wait as the rumbling grows. The Commander recognizes the sound, as do his men. It is one that they have all heard many times before. The HISS Tank moves into view followed by the Vipers' Nest Tactical pick-up flanked by men on either side; a Range Viper leads the way. Following him are a pair of Swamp Vipers, a Cobra Mortal, and the remaining Vipers of Viper's Nest. The Range Viper raises his fist, and immediately the column stops. Hand signals flash as each man takes a knee, and point their weapons into the jungle. The Range Viper kneels down scrutinizing the ground before him. Cautiously he makes his way forward. Each step is deliberate. An eye trained down the barrel of his rifle. He stops feet from the Commander, bringing his rifle to bear. Looking into the brush he he snaps to attention and offers a salute, "Commander, do you need assistance?"
The Commander comes to his feet. The rest of the men come out of hiding. The troops surrounding the HISS Tank remain weapons ready with a new reason, the protection of the Cobra Commander. The Range Viper calls back, and the men of Viper's Nest break ranks and run up to the emerging men.
Seeing Cobra Commander stops Fintak in his tracks, "Commander! Sir, Sgt Fintak at your service."
The Commander returns the salute pointing at the men he had traveled with, "Take care of these men."
"Yes, sir!" Fintak Turns towards Nason and Lee, "You heard the Commander, get moving."
Cobra Commander turns towards the Range Viper, "Is there room on that truck for the men?"
Hesitating, "Sir, we brought it for you."
"Bah! Get these men on there. They've been through enough. I shall be fine walking out."
"Sir, it's nearly 5 clicks…" the Range Viper's voice trailing off.
"Then we better move."
The Range Viper answers with a salute, turns towards the group of Cobra troops, and shouts out his orders, " Get those men looked at. Ready that Tac for passengers. You four perimeter guards." The men move with efficiency, quickly tending the exhausted. They clear space in the bed of the pick-up, offering it to the unkempt men. "If the Commander is walking out, we're walking out with him." Akin states for the group. They make the final trek providing protection for the Commander as they go. Worn out and drained by the long trek seeing the HISS Tank and Cobra troops gives them the strength to carry on.
_______________________
"Sergeant, we have incoming. The package has been secured." The Tele-Viper hands the message to Kosa. Message in hand, he turns and walks out of the communication room. He walks the long hall towards the main ready room where Onesi is waiting uneasily for the message. He had sent out a HISS, Tactical, and a squad of men under the advisement of Agent X-99, who claimed the Commander was nearby. The last several hours have been intense. Fintak enters the room, "Sir." He holds up the paper. Onesi knows by the look on the Viper's face that the message holds good news.
He steps around and takes the slip of folded paper. Carefully scanning it, "Thanks, Kosa. Looks like that crazy fucker was right. Ready the Nest for the Commander's arrival."