As Natasha and the others were still marveling at the horrifying power of the virus, the sound of alarms suddenly blared through the air once again.
"Whooo... Whooo..."
The mournful wail of the sirens sent chills down everyone's spine. Instinctively, they turned their heads toward the direction of Arne City.
Sure enough, a black tide had appeared once more on the horizon. This ti, it was wider and taller than before.
The zombie horde was back.
Barton glanced at the soldiers and agents still resting around them. Without hesitation, he grabbed his communicator.
"Director Nick, requesting permission to retreat for recovery. Our soldiers need rest."
Before Nick could respond, Natasha strode over and snatched the communicator from Barton's hands.
"No, we can't return yet. We haven't confird if anyone here is carrying the virus."
Barton froze at her words, quickly realizing the implications.
"You're right. We can't risk it. If we bring the virus back, the entire helicarrier might be infected."
Nick's voice ca through the communicator, firm and resolute. "Return imdiately. I'll have decontamination asures prepared."
"It's useless, Director," Natasha countered, her tone grim. "Our antidote is ineffective against this virus."
Without waiting for further discussion, Barton decisively shut off the communicator and turned his gaze toward the oncoming wave of zombies in the distance.
"Let's move out!"
With S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel retreating, the remaining Arican soldiers stationed there completely lost their morale.
Within minutes, most of the armored vehicles scattered in chaos, and the soldiers fled, discarding their weapons and equipnt as they ran.
But in the barren desert, where could they possibly escape to?
And how could humans on foot outrun zombies?
As they fled, it didn't take long before the mutated split-mouthed zombies caught up. Screams and cries for help filled the air.
"Ahhh!"
"Help !"
"Save ..."
Witnessing the chaos, the agents from S.H.I.E.L.D. only ran faster.
As the zombie horde closed in, a deafening roar suddenly echoed through the sky.
"Whooo... Whooo..."
Several fighter jets and helicopters appeared, unleashing rockets at the horde.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The modern firepower montarily halted the advance of the zombie tide.
But just as they thought relief was near, the surrounding light dimd. A dazzling beam of energy tore through the sky, slashing through the air toward the aircraft.
"Boom!"
Fireballs erupted in the sky as every fighter jet and helicopter exploded.
"What just happened?"
"Who's attacking us?"
Natasha and Barton exchanged grim looks.
"Was it that mutated zombie?"
"It must be."
"What do we do now?"
Before they could decide, the communicator crackled to life again. Nick's voice ca through, calm yet commanding.
"At your five o'clock position, we've detected a mutated zombie. Capture it at all costs. If necessary, terminate it."
Natasha and Barton's expressions turned grave.
This mutated zombie had taken down fighter jets like it was child's play. Could they really stand a chance?
Still, an order was an order. Even if they weren't confident, they had no choice but to press on.
Quickly regrouping, they approached Lorna.
"Polaris," Barton began, addressing Lorna directly, "the Director's orders are clear. We must capture or kill that mutated zombie at all costs."
Lorna's face darkened.
"Just the few of us? Are you serious?"
Of the mutants she had brought along, only three were still alive—one who could accelerate plant growth, another who could create ultrasonic waves, and one who could detach and remotely control their arms as weapons.
Erik had stayed behind to care for the injured at the hospital and hadn't joined this mission.
Given their depleted numbers, Lorna had serious doubts about their chances. Barton, however, left no room for negotiation.
"Yes, we're serious. It's a direct order."
Lorna clenched her fists but eventually nodded after so deliberation, "Fine. But if things get too dangerous, I won't hesitate to retreat."
"Understood. If we're overwheld, no one expects you to fight to the death," Natasha reassured her.
After regrouping with the remaining S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and discussing strategy, they decided on a bold plan: missiles would pave the way, and Lorna would carry the team into the battlefield using her magnetic abilities.
Nick approved their plan, and soon streaks of light—missiles—fell from the sky like shooting stars, striking the zombie horde.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Explosions scattered the zombies, but the results were limited. While the missiles eliminated so split-mouthed zombies, the majority of the horde rose again and resud their charge.
Suddenly, beams of energy erged from the zombie tide, shooting down the next wave of missiles.
Using the energy beams as markers, Natasha and Barton locked onto the location of the mutated zombie. They turned to Lorna.
"Let's go," she said, raising her hand. A massive tal platform lifted them into the air, carrying them toward their target.
Below, the zombie horde roared in frustration, powerless to stop their ascent.
As they neared the mutated zombie, a beam of energy suddenly shot toward them, piercing the tal platform.
Lorna reacted swiftly, manipulating nearby tal to block the beam.
"Natasha, Barton, it's up to you now," she said, straining to maintain their defenses.
Barton squinted at the figure in the distance. Even from over 500 ters away, the nearly three-ter-tall creature with its grotesque features was unmistakable.
But the distance was a problem.
"I need to get closer," Barton admitted. "My bow can't reach that far."
Natasha nodded, glancing at her pistols. "Sa here. My weapons don't have that kind of range."
Lorna shook her head.
"Too dangerous. The energy beams are too strong. These steel plates won't hold for more than a second at closer range."
"If only we had vibranium-alloy plates," Barton muttered.
"Then what's the plan now?" Natasha asked, frustration evident in her voice.
With the horde below and no way forward, they were at an impasse. Just as the situation seed hopeless, a helicopter appeared on the horizon.
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