Somewhere in the City

Liam -  Alright, gather around, everyone. I need to brief you on something important. During the chaos back there, we spotted a mysterious headhunter in the horde staring at us. Something's not right, and we need to be on high alert.

Soldier 1 - What do you mean, a mysterious headhunter?

Liam - I don't have all the details, but we'll get to that. First, we've received our orders – rescue the major researchers and retrieve their research. It's our top priority. We can’t run.

Soldier 1 - you telling us to face off that apocalypse again?

Liam - Ever heard of a word desertion? If you don't, you're committing that.

Rebecca - Liam, I've been monitoring the vitals of our lost comrades. Surprisingly, some of them are still active.

Liam (Nods) - That's not all bad news. It means there's a chance we can save them. Now, I know things look grim, but we can't afford to freeze up. Our first mission is upon us.

Victor - We've got enough EXOZ suits to carry out the operation. Everyone will be equipped. We all signed up for this; we knew the risks. We're going in.

Soldier 2 (Nervously) - What if we don't make it back?

Liam - I can’t promise anything. But I know there are those among us who voluntarily put their life to save the rest of us here including our captain. I want them to go home alive, and more importantly complete the mission. Even if I have to go alone I’ll do it. SO, WHO IS COMING?

Soldiers in the truck hesitate to follow Liam, Lana sitting in the corner of the room, stands up and comes forward.

Lana (In a deep voice) - whether anyone goes with him or not. I will GO.

Victor (Sitting on the floor) - I am coming with you.

Liam - now then you guys.

Liam Looking toward the others as a whole and then looks at Mark and asks

Liam - Coming?

Outskirts

In the midst of the frenzied battlefield, Emma rushes to help Dylan, who lies fallen on the ground.

Emma - Dylan! Are you okay?

Dylan nods, and Emma pulls him up. They stand back to back, ready to face the encroaching headhunters. The two of them attaches their back, creating a moving defense, revolving to cover every angle as they shoot down headhunters.

Dylan (Amid gunfire) - Emma, if this is the end, I gotta know - why does Lana keep rejecting Victor? He's a good guy.

Emma (Firing back) - Lana thinks he's irritating. Can't blame her for that.

Dylan (chuckles in agreement) - Can’t argue with that.

As they continue fighting, Emma spots a group of headhunters converging toward some comrades.

Emma - (Throws a grenade) Heads up!

The grenade explodes, creating a blast that takes down a significant number of headhunters. Dylan continues firing in all directions. Suddenly, Emma notices a headhunter forcing Carlie, a fellow soldier, on the ground.

Emma - Carlie, watch out!

Emma aims at the headhunter and pulls the trigger. However, realizes her cartridge is empty. Undeterred, she swiftly draws her sword from her back. Activating the thrusters on her EXOZ, she charges towards the headhunter, slicing it from behind. The Blood spills all over Carlie, the headhunter falls, defeated, but the impact causes Emma to crash to the ground, damaging one of her thrusters.

Emma (Grimacing) - Ah! Shit…

Despite the setback, Emma rises, determined to press on. She and Dylan continue to fight side by side, their backs against each other, holding their ground against the relentless onslaught of headhunters. The battlefield echoes with gunfire and explosions as they strive to defend their comrades.

     Dylan continues to shoot down headhunters, maintaining a steady pace. He notices a headhunter charging toward him and swiftly reacts. Pulling out a knife, he uses the thruster on his EXOZ to dodge the attack and stabs the headhunter in the head. The head of the headhunter falls on his knees and he shoots the headhunter's head off with a Glock.  

 Dylan (Exhales) - That was close.

Dylan turns and moves in the direction of the captain, shooting down headhunters blocking his path. Meanwhile, Derrick is checking the captain's pulses. The captain lies on the ground, a wooden stake piercing through his abdomen to his heart, blood flowing out rapidly.

Derrick (Examining the captain) - Miguel, Sam, give me cover fire!

Miguel and Sam provide cover fire. Dylan, now closer, questions,

Dylan - How's the captain?

Derrick - He's gone. The wound... It's too severe.

Miguel and Sam overhears Derrick's words and acknowledges the grim reality.

Miguel (Softly) - Captain…

A headhunter jumps over Miguel, Sam pushes Miguel away and grabs the headhunter’s mouth, the headhunter pushes him on the ground. As Dylan aims his Assault rifle, Derrick shoots in the headhunter’s Leg making the headhunter fall on his knees. Sam then puts a bullet through his throat.

The battlefield echoes with gunfire and explosions as they all strive to survive.

Chaos ensues as headhunters attack the team. Derrick, steps forward to take charge of the situation.

Derrick (Commanding) - Gather around, everyone! Head toward the fallen truck. We need to regroup and secure any remaining arsenal.

Carlie - You listen that up Emma? Pave the way, I’ll provide cover.

Soldiers respond to Derrick's call and rush towards the fallen truck. Emma, out of bullets, skillfully slices through headhunters one by one. Carlie follows Emma, providing cover fire as they advance towards the truck. Dylan, Sam, and Miguel, following Derrick's orders, form a staggered column to move forward.

Derrick (Leading the way) - Keep the formation. Move forward!

The team successfully reaches the convoy truck. Derrick directs those with remaining bullets to provide cover fire while others reload their weapons. Meanwhile, Derrick enters one of the fallen trucks.

Derrick - (Entering the truck) Cover me! I'll try to get in touch with HQ.

Sam - I got your back

Soldiers engage in a firefight, shooting at approaching headhunters. As the weapons are reloaded, a soldier voices a questions,

Soldier - Why aren't they going down? What are these guys made of?

Emma (Reloading her weapon) - They can respawn. If not shot in the heart, they come back no matter how hard one tries.

Derrick emerges from the truck, addressing the team,

Derrick - Communication's down, but I've got the location of an abandoned Ardonia Police HQ nearby. We'll find supplies there and, If luck works, a working communication setup.

Dylan - Ok then. Gather everything we need and move.

The team readies to move towards the Ardonia Police HQ, prepared for both challenges and potential reinforcements

The team, under Derrick's command, moves forward in a formation, engaging headhunters with determination. As the onslaught continues, the headhunters become more aggressive, causing the team's formation to scatter. The soldiers fight valiantly, but casualties begin to mount.

Derrick (Commanding) - Stay in formation! We can push through!

Despite Derrick's attempts to rally the team, the headhunters intensify their attacks. The soldiers fight desperately to stay alive, but the situation becomes dire. The team members start getting overwhelmed, and panic sets in.

Soldier 1 (Panicking) - They're everywhere! We can't hold them off!

Soldiers struggle to survive, witnessing their comrades being devoured. Derrick, positioned at the front, turns back to motivate the team.

Derrick (Shouting) - Hold your ground! We can't let them break us!

The headhunters, fueled by their mysterious abilities, start moving at an unprecedented speed. The soldiers, now in disarray, find it challenging to fend off the relentless attacks. The chaotic scene unfolds as headhunters close in on every side, leaving soldiers with little room to escape.

Soldier 2 (Desperation) - We need reinforcements! We can't do this alone!

Derrick, witnessing the desperate struggle of his comrades—Sam, Dylan, Miguel, Emma, Carlie, and others—finds himself momentarily frozen as the gravity of the situation sinks in. Two headhunters seize the opportunity, attacking Derrick and ripping his head off of his body.

Sam (Horror-stricken) - Derrick!

Dylan looks back to see Derrick's fate, a haunting moment as the team faces the brutal reality of their mission. The loss of their leader leaves the surviving soldiers in a state of shock and despair.

The headhunters, with their emerging abilities outnumber the soldiers, completely breaking their formation. The once-united team now faces a relentless onslaught, with a failed attempt of each member fighting desperately to save their lives.