Chronicles of the Apocalypse: Condemnation

In the hospital, Bowers is lying down in a hospital bed, before Pierce enters the room.

Pierce: Bowers!

Pierce approaches Bowers and grabs his hand.

Bowers: Made of steel, sir...It'll take more than a arrow through the liver to take me down....should be up no time soon.

Pierce: Anyone else make it?

Bowers nods.

Bowers: All of Kilo squad is dead....including Keegan....Besides Marcus and Margaret....those two are tough soldiers, sir.

Pierce looks over to Marcus and Margaret, who are tending to their wounds.

Bowers: Sir, I think it's time to consider our other lead.

In Kyle's home, Sarah is resting on Kyles' chest.

Sarah: As always, you have a lovely heartbeat....I just love putting my head to your chest and hearing it....boom....boom....boom....Kyle? Kyle? You okay? 

Sarah sits up.

Sarah: What's up now?

Kyle: You think this is it? For us? For Midtown Manhattan? For humanity? I mean if the A.O.W can't take those things out, then what can?

Before Sarah can answer, a knock is heard, causing Kyle to stand up and answer the door to a A.O.W Soldier.

Kyle: Yes?

A.O.W Soldier: Colonel Bowers and Chairmen Pierce has acquired your presence in the command center, Mr. Desipich.

In the Chrysler Tower, Kyle, Jake, Shawn and James are present at a meeting held by Pierce and Bowers.

Bowers: As you all are aware, the full preemptive strike failed...many of our soldiers, including most of my Kilo squad, are dead.....

Pierce: We need a few days to reform and restock and then we'll attack again.

Shawn: Pierce, you keep on sending more of your men to attack head on and you'll have more dead soldiers on your hands. Bowers and those other two soldiers were lucky to have survived.

Pierce: I understand that, son, but as you see we have very limited resources and very limited amount of time to kill these monsters.

Kyle: What if there's another way to attack? You know; like more info on these things.

Bowers: Well, there is one solution, but it's too dangerous. We have some insufficient intel on the Condemned stronghold. We need to pinpoint the heart of the Shallows and kill their leader.

Pierce: I've just declassified a decommissioned Kronos outpost just north from here. I believe it will give us a lead on the location of the Condemned and more information on their queen as well.

Kyle: Excuse sir, but...uh...What the fuck?! You could've told us this sooner?! You just declassified?!

Shawn: And what the fuck do you mean a goddamned Condemned Queen?!

Bowers: Hey, everything is on a need to know basis, son....we can't risk the time to send our boys to a dead end....we don't know anyone else that could give us a lead on this place.

Jake: Maybe you don't, but we do.

In the prison, Kyle, Jake, Shawn and James enter and approach Barnes' cell.

Kyle: You lied, didn't you? That place you said you were taken too after the fall of Kronos...was a Kronos outpost, wasn't it?

Barnes: More or less...

After a few tense moments, Kyle nods to Shawn, who grabs the keys to Barnes cell and opens it. Jake and James aim their weapons at Barnes.

Kyle: This is your lucky day, man.

In the Chrysler Tower, Barnes is explaining the outlook of the Kronos Outpost.

Barnes: I've only been to this outpost once and I was gagged for most of the time...but these guys were sick....my boys were dying...from radiation....wounds....hell....I managed to escape.

Jake: This place is tight with security.

Barnes: Automatic defenses....freaky ass guy who greets you as you walk in....yeah, it's tight.

Pierce: Even with what Barnes has told us, we still can't take the risk of sending our men out there....

A short pause.

Kyle: Then send me...I'll go.

Pierce: Son, I get you have great military experience.....but it's a big risk.

Kyle: I'll take my chances. I'll go by myself if I have to.

Jake: No, you won't....I'm going with you.

Bowers: A two-man mission?

Shawn: Three....you know I'm down with you, Kyle.

Pierce: Three men against an army of monsters on a dangerous mission?

Kyle looks at James, signifying he wants James to tag along.

James: Oh, no! c'mon, dude!

Kyle: You're our tech guy, James. We might need you to fix something in case we get stuck. I'd feel better if you were along.

James: Okay....only because it's you, dude.

Barnes: It's settled....I'll draw you guys a map.

Kyle: You won't have to, because you're coming with us.

Barnes: Oh, nah....I think I'll just stay here and enjoy the bars....probably go to a strip club if you have it.

Kyle laughs.

Kyle: How sweet; you thought I was suggesting....I'm not...I'm tellin you....you're coming with us...because there's no way in hell I'm leaving here in Midtown Manhattan unless you're in a cell...those are your only two choices.

Barnes sighs.

 Barnes: Fuck it...Alright....but, Kyle, I'm not just going to sit around with my dick in my hand. I'm getting a gun....

Kyle: We'll deal with that before we leave.

Pierce: It's settled then....I know you all have loved ones. Spend time with them while you can. It may be your last.

Shawn: What happens when we do find this "back door"?

Pierce: You'll be given a beacon to signal our boys to attack.

Kyle, Jake, Shawn, James and Barnes exit the Chrysler Tower, before Sarah and Cassandra approach the five.

Sarah: Kyle, what is it?

Cassandra: Why's he out of his cell?

Kyle: Look, we may have another lead....we're going there...but...

Sarah: But what?

Kyle sighs. Later on, Kyle and Sarah arguing about Barnes being included in the mission. Barnes is sitting across from the other side while Jake, Shawn and James are sitting in the corner watching the argument as Ashley approaches the three.

Sarah: Absolutely not! You are not bringing him with you.

Kyle: Sarah, I can't just leave him here with you and everyone else without putting everyone's lives in danger.

Sarah: Do you have any idea how many people we lost because of him?

Ashley: Hey, what's that about?

Shawn: Pierce found a lead on how we can enter the Condemned tunnels.

Ashley: Isn't that a good thing?

James: It is...except Kyle volunteered to go get the information himself....and is bringing us for the ride.

Ashley: So why's she so pissed off?

Jake: Kyle's considering bringing Barnes with us for Midtown Manhattan's safety.

Ashley: Oh....damn.

Sarah: All it takes is one fuck up! One mistake! You turn your back on him and he'll stab you in the back! There has to be another way!

Kyle: Sarah! There is no other way! We've tried everything!....I'm sorry....I have to do this....with them...and Barnes...I don't know what else to say cept I don't have a choice.

Sarah gives an appalled sigh.

Sarah: Fine.

Sarah looks at Barnes before she walks over to him.

Kyle: Sarah...Sarah! Goddamn it.

Barnes: Oh, great.

Sarah: You. 

Sarah points to Barnes.

Sarah: I swear on my life and to God if anything happens to him, I will kill you! I will fucking kill you! Do I make myself clear?!

Barnes: Crystal, ma'am.

Sarah walks off, before Kyle speaks to Barnes.

Barnes: She's a keeper. I like her.

Kyle: Better get some rest. We're getting up early.

Barnes: Yes, sir.

Barnes walks off.

Kyle: And Barnes!

Barnes: Yeah?

Kyle: Behave or you'll get a bullet to your ass.

Barnes: I'll keep that in mind.

Barnes walks off, before Jake speaks to Kyle.

Jake: What are you thinking?

Kyle: He's going to fuck us the first chance he gets.....but to make sure that doesn't happen, you still have those bombs?

Jake smiles. In the night, Jake is sitting in his apartment alone, before he pulls out a picture of himself and Keera. The next morning, James, who is in a towel, is washing his face up, before Cassandra, who has the bed sheets wrapped around her torso, approaches him.

Cassandra: Hey...you okay?

James: Yeah....I'm just nervous.

Cassandra: Why?

James: Because I'm worried I might not come back....this isn't Kronos or Zeus Corps....this is something we were never prepared for....

Cassandra: James, we've survived for twenty-four years....and humanity's still here...now, was last night worth it?

James: More or less.

Cassandra: You dick!

Cassandra punches James in the chest, before the two laugh.

James: No...I remember that...I mean it's still in between my legs.

Cassandra laughs.

James: Yeah....last night was worth it....because you know; you're the reason I'm going to come home....and then I'll stay with you....just with you....holding you....next to you.

James and Cassandra kiss, before the two share a hug. Near the gate, Kyle, Jake, Shawn and James are loading up on weapons and gear along with A.O.W assault rifles, shotguns, pistols, frag grenades, grenade launchers, mortars, rocket launchers, the Gods' Fist weapon, knives and armor laid out for them.

Shawn: Dude...this shit is fuckin bangin...

Bowers arrives.

Bowers: Courtesy of the A.O.W, boys. Take whatever you like.

Kyle, Jake, Shawn and James examine the weapon while James examines his repair kit.

James: Incredible.

Bowers: That right there, my boy, are the most finest tools created by the A.O.W and seeing as how you were able to create a flying robot made from scrap, I figured it'd be your taste.

James: Thanks.

Kyle examines the flash grenades.

Kyle: Hmm...how do you think these will work on Condemned?

Jake: Work well on Skinners...

Kyle: Still we'll take em...

Shawn picks up the A.O.W armor.

Bowers: Ah...strong armor there...built out of titanium tri-weave....and liquid fluid armor.

Shawn: Uh...I think we'll manage without the armor.

Bowers: Son, it's a lot of fire power those things carry.

Jake: With all due respect, Bowers, we managed to get out of tunnels without that armor. We'll fight without it.

Bowers: Fair enough.

Barnes arrives.

Bowers: Mr. Barnes.....Chairman Pierce had our best technicians make you this last night.

Bowers has two A.O.W soldiers present a case and open it, revealing a mechanical A.O.W arm.

Barnes: Well, fuck...

Bowers: Go ahead.

Barnes grabs the mechanical arm and inserts it into his socket, twirling his mechanical fingers.

Barnes: Fucking sci-fi shit...

Bowers: It has a blade and turret feature.....just shoot the right people, son.

Barnes: This feels like.....the terminator.

Jake: Yo, you are not fuckin Rambo or the Terminator.

Barnes laughs.

Barnes: Son, please....Terminator ain't got shit on this!

Barnes accidently activates his mechanical turret feature, putting holes in a car and a building and causing pedestrians to lash at Barnes.

Shawn: Goddamn, Barnes!

Midtown Manhattan Pedestrian: Hey! The hell's wrong with you?!

Midtown Manhattan Pedestrian: You trying to kill us, asshole?!

James: Barnes, dude, drop it, before you get yourself shot.

Barnes turns his mechanical arm turret back into a hand.

Barnes: My bad...I got a little trigger happy. 

Barnes clears his throat.

Barnes: So....Kyle, where's my gun? I admit this arm is bad-ass, but I'd still like a pistol.

Kyle looks at Jake, before approaching Barnes.

Barnes: Well?

Kyle pulls out an A.O.W gun like injector.

Barnes: Uh...Kyle...that's not a gun...

Kyle: I know. I got eyes.

Barnes: I'd like a gun. You know; the one that kills?

Kyle: You'll get a gun. 

Kyle makes eye contact with Jake, Shawn and James.

Kyle: But first....

Suddenly, Jake punches Barnes in the back, before Shawn and James force Barnes on his knees restraining him.

Barnes: Hey! The fuck?! The fuck you do-

Kyle injects a device into Barnes' neck as he is restrained. The injection weakens Barnes, before Jake, Shawn and James release him.

Kyle: That hurt?

Barnes: What the hell did you just inject me with?!

Jake: That would be a A.O.W D-24 neurunanite device.

Kyle: A detonation device...which is in your neck...

Barnes: Wha-

Barnes stands up.

Barnes: You're insane.

Kyle: No...

Kyle presents detonator.

Kyle: Just cautious...here's the deal, Jack. You're on my team now. I'm the C.O and you will listen to everyone one of my commands. You disobey me and boom. You try to harm or kill me or anyone else and boom. You try to escape and boom....you piss me off....I'll fuck you up....and then boom. Get the picture? That serum may have made you impervious to bullets and knives, but I'm betting if I blow your head off, like your brother, you won't be so lucky.

Barnes scoff before Kyle hands Barnes a pistol.

Jake: Now, why don't you wait in the tank?

Barnes walks over to the A.O.W tank, before Kyle begins mocking him.

Kyle: Atta boy.

Barnes looks back, before Kyle clicks his tongue. Barnes, annoyed, enters the A.O.W tank.

Shawn: You know; I always thought my first dog would be more.....human.

The Midtown Manhattan gates open as Shawn and Jake hugs Mitchell, Caleb and Maya goodbye while James is holding Cassandra.

James: I'll come back.....this isn't goodbye.....

James kisses Cassandra as Kyle is with Sarah, holding her in his arms.

Sarah: I can't count how many times you've left me.

Kyle: This will be the last time. I promise you. I'll do all I can to stay with you. Just hold you so close in my arms.

Sarah faces Kyle as he touches her face.

Sarah: I know I've said it before, but- Barnes-

Kyle: Don't worry...when he does, I will kill him.

Sarah: Be careful, Kyle.....I don't want to lose you. 

Sarah turns to Jake.

Sarah: Jake, take care of him.

Jake: Don't worry, Sarah....I'll bring my baby brother back home to you.

Kyle shares a kiss with Sarah.

Kyle: I love you. I'll always love you, Sarah.

Kyle walks over to Ashley.

Kyle: Take care of your sister for me, Ashley.

Ashley: Take care of yourself, big brother....

Ashley hugs Kyle before kissing his cheek. The A.O.W Tank driven by Kyle with Jake, Shawn, James and Barnes as passengers leave Midtown Manhattan as Sarah, Ashley, Caleb, Mitchell and Maya watch and wave goodbye. Pierce, Bowers, Marcus and Margaret are watching the A.O.W tank leave, before Sarah puts her hand over her heart as she watches them drive away.

Sarah: Goodbye, my love....