Chapter 44

Grey fog. Check.

A sudden drop in temperature. Check.

Damp moisture covering everything. Check.

The onset of mild depression drains what little colour there is from the world. Check.

That confirms it I am in the zone. What joy is my life? The humour I had felt with Gregson has quickly drained away. I get serious and advance shield and axe at the ready. This zone has been relisted as an unknown threat until I discover what happened to the earlier Operative. Being sloppy will be the death of me here.

Looking around I check for signs of recent movement. Basic tracking skills are part of operative training. We are also told to try to leave a trail to encase we need to find our way back. This had become apparent when I was in the New Forest zone last year. This was not as bad thankfully. There were clumps of trees but they were far more spaced out.

The ground was covered with the ever-present layer of dampness. This was going to be a bonus to me here. The tracks left behind by the earlier operative were clear to see on the ground and the tress.

I began to follow the trail. I did not rush as this was a rescue mission there was a good chance of something nasty awaiting me. I advanced with my shield up covering my upper body and axe at my side.

The zone was no different than normal so far and I made better time than I feared moving across the uneven terrain. I moved at a pace that allowed me to regularly check the trail. At first, the trail was consistent but then it started to meander. I could not be sure but it was like she was staggering.

I looked around as I paused to kneel and get a closer look at the trail. I was scanning for threats but I had seen nothing. All in all, I was feeling relaxed. The normal stress was not too bad. Must be getting immune to zones with all the time I have spent in them.

The fog even had a slight yellow tinge to it. Of setting the normal greys. It was quite colourful. Even the drab plants seemed more colourful.

I stopped. Why was everything swaying?

I looked down. There was an indent in the ground. I think she might have knelt or tripped here.

Tripped! That was funny. I laughed slightly at my joke.

I looked around again following the trail into the fog. I lowered my shield and rolled my shoulders. Damn! All this stuff is heavy. Even with all the training.

I begin to move on. I walk at a much more relaxed pace enjoying what I can see of the countryside.

I enjoy walking. It makes me feel relaxed.

I almost forget to follow the trail. I stop and backtrack a few times when I notice that I have lost it. I backtracked more until I found it.

If it was not for all this fog it would be a nice place here.

That’s when I encountered the loss of the trail I was following. The ground was messed up. This was a clear sign of a struggle.

Whoa! This looked bad.

I stood around trying to make sense of what was in front of me.

I was feeling more relaxed now. I know this was bad but I found it hard to be bothered. The yellow-tinted fog was still around me.

I accidentally kick a rock while walking the area. Pain shots up from my foot.

“Mother Fuccc…” I cry out.

Suddenly I have a moment of clarity.

Yellow tinted!

This fact suddenly hit me. Why was the fog tinted yellow? I looked around alarmed. That’s when I realised how hard it had become to focus.

I shook my head. That made everything start to sway again. Not good!

Am I high?

Drugs were never anything I was interested in. Of course, like most teenagers, I had tried dope. We had managed to score some from a shop being only made legal it was easy to get. All it did for me was made me tired and gave me the munchies big time!

I stood there trying to get a handle on my mental state. But I was quickly becoming uninterest again.

No! Focus!

I am being affected by something. Once I realise this, I begin to focus on resisting its effects. But it’s hard.

I look again at the disturbed area. Forcing myself to focus. I notice a trail indicating some was dragged away. I follow that. Shield up again.

The area I am heading into has fewer trees. I walk into a wide space when I stop. Just on the edge of my vision, I notice an odd shape. Now walking around in a fog-bound environment you are bound to see weird shapes but this one caught my attention.

I moved a little closer. Yes, not something in the “normal” category.

I was facing a tall plant? It was like a sunflower but had a much thicker stem. The head had five multi-coloured petals. They were shaped like a starburst. They went from deep purple and faded out to white on the tips. I could see roots at the bottom and two large leaves just above them. The stem and leaves were a very deep green. The roots had the plant stem sit above the ground and four were visible. All in all, it was slightly taller than me. Secondary school biology classes coming in handy.

I had the weird feeling I had seen something like this before. But where? Walking around it my vision begins to go wonky again.

I think the yellow tint was stronger here. Maybe?

Thinking is hard you know!

Again, I was getting more relaxed. I was right this shield is heavy.

I could eat something right now. My stomach growled.

I find this funny and start chuckling to myself.

Fuck! Focus! Focus!

I hit my helmet with the back of my axe. Not too hard but enough to register a little pain. It helps.

I pull myself back into the mellow feeling. I need to remain focused. No matter how much of a bummer it was.

Yes, the yellow colouring in the fog was more noticeable. Was it the source of what was happening?

I look again at the weird plant. Why was it so familiar? I had never seen it before but it was reminding me of something. But What? This was annoying me.

I keep looking around and spot the trail again. I was torn do I keep following or investigating this thing more. I never went closer than five meters. Just inside the limit of vision before the fog begins to obscure things.

This fog here is thicker more like the fog around a breach. Also, more yellow.

My vision and mind are being affected by something. It is causing the yellow in the fog I wonder. Finally, I have this weird plant that may be the cause.

I will move on. I turn and follow the trail. Yea the fog is much thicker than normal. I move a short distance.

I sense something behind me. I tense and spin around. Shield and axe up.

I see the plant is still there and not much else. Weird?

Why was I freaking out? I thought I heard movement. Yea that was it.

I stop just looking encase I can see something.

This dive is messing with me! My senses are all over the place. So is my mind.

I wondered what did I hear?

My heart was still beating hard from the adrenaline rush. I focused on breathing to get it back down. I was able to think a little clearer.

I was still looking around when my sight passed over the plant and hit suddenly hit me!

The plant was still about five meters away and was now facing me when it was not before. I am a bloody fool. It’s the fucking Plant!

I am now aware of the source of the danger. I face it with my shield up and axe ready. I have no idea what I am going to face here. Under these conditions, I am nowhere near my best.

Standing there I watch the plant. I think it’s watching me. Maybe?

I am looking over the edge of my shield having it cover my upper body. There is no movement it is just standing there. This is one strange Mexican standoff. Even if you can call it that.

I know that if I turn my back, it will move so I have only one option. I advance quickly. As I approach two whips like vines shot out from the stem from beneath the leaves.

I react jumping back as they impact against my shield. My arm feels the impact through the shield but it is not bad. I recover and advance again.

The vines are still out and begin to attack me more aggressively from different angles. I take most hits on my shield but several strikes land on my legs. The impacts are mostly absorbed by my armour. But I still feel the impacts and they sting like hell! This has one positive of helping me combat whatever is affecting me.

I get closer and as I go to swing my axe the bloody thing moves to the left! This causes me to overbalance and stumble slightly forward.

I am shocked by this which allows several more attacks from the plant. Impacts hit my head and shoulders. I quickly recover. Gritting my teeth, I move again ready this time for movement.

The plant attempts to dodge but I guess correctly and my axe impacts the stem.

SSSSSSCREEEEEEEEEE!

The sound is an almost physical thing. Pain shots through my head from my ears. I don’t let go of my axe. Just. I cry out in pain.

The axe head has cleaved a good third of the way into the stem and green something is oozing out. The plant rips free of the axe head and the attacks from the vines come faster.

More impacts I can feel across my armour. The pain from the sound had disoriented me. Twice I am hit on the head adding to the massive headache I am developing. My ears are throbbing in pain. Maybe even bleeding.

I get my shit together and once press the attack. The plant is moving fast. Its “roots” at the bottom of the stem are really legs. Having four means it is surprisingly fast. But not fast enough.

I hit it again in the stem knocking it off balance when I pulled the axe head back. I use this opening to kick it I am hardly damaging one of the roots.

This slows it down enough for me to press my advantage. The vines are frantic now attacking without pause. I bare the pain and push closer.

Again, it is unable to avoid my axe swing and I hit its main stem again then again. The green whatever is flying with each strike ripped out of my axe.

It’s dying and we both know it. Its attacks are fast reducing in number and speed. It is also a lot slower on its “roots”. As I seek the killing blow it shakes. Suddenly a great cloud of yellow pollen is ejected from the centre of the star-shaped flower. My left axe arm and shoulder are covered by the stuff. A large amount is in the air between us.

My axe continues it swing it during this. And hits almost on top of the original strike causing the stem to break. I hope to kill the plant.

I stagger back breath heavy. My faceplate has stopped whatever that yellow shit from hitting my face but I cannot help breathing a lot in. I suddenly go weak and collapse onto my back.

Then I trip. I trip hard!