Chapter 272

The lab was only twenty minutes from the base—the exact reason command had assigned Lieutenant Carter's team for the extraction mission.

"Lieutenant, what's the situation at the lab?" Corporal Reeves asked from the passenger seat.

Carter's knuckles whitened around the steering wheel. "Zombie horde. They're swarming the perimeter."

"Command wants us to evacuate the research team intact."

A sharp inhale came from the backseat. "Wasn't the lab sealed with biometric locks?"

"It was." Carter floored the accelerator. "Unless they cracked the codes..." His voice dropped. "Worst part? The only admin who knew the passwords turned."

Silence filled the vehicle. That lab housed the only viable research against the zombie virus.

Thirty minutes later, the convoy arrived at the scene.

Gunfire and guttural snarls clashed in the air. Hundreds of undead were battering against the lab's outer walls.

"Lock and load!" Carter grabbed his walkie-talkie.

Static crackled before a hoarse order came through: pincer maneuver in ten.

He turned to Aria Bennett. "Stay in the truck."

She arched an eyebrow. "I can help."

"This isn't a game." His frown deepened. "There's at least three hundred hostiles out there."

"Do I look like deadweight to you?" Aria's smile turned icy.

Carter gave her a once-over. "Yes."

Live comments exploded:

[Ultimate toxic masculinity!]

[Show him what you got, Aria!]

[Popcorn ready for this humble pie moment]

Aria's lips curled. "Actually, I'm a hacker."

"Seriously?" Carter's expression said he'd rather believe in flying pigs.

"I can restore the lab's surveillance system." She wiggled her tablet.

The squad exchanged skeptical glances.

"Let her try," Corporal Reeves muttered. "What's the harm?"

After a tense pause, Carter keyed his radio.

Five minutes later, lab personnel responded: proceed with caution.

"Stick close." Carter shoved a handgun at her with obvious reluctance. "Don't slow us down."

Aria chuckled. "Better prepare your apology, Lieutenant."

When the assault began, no one noticed the faint blue glint in her eyes.