Love Beyond Farewell

The alliance between North Sector, Sector 3 and Nova Haven was formed.

…

Days passed since Scorch's escape, and North Sector remained on high alert. Commander Taylor increased patrols and surveillance, awaiting Scorch's next move.

However, new threat emerged. Zombies attracted by the recent battle noises, converged on North Sector's outer walls. Alarms bared as undead hordes breached the perimeter.

Captain Lewis rushed to defend the sector, rallying guards and civilians alike.

"Fall back to inner gates! Prepare to barricade and counterattack!"

Charlotte joined the fight, wielding a makeshift weapon against the undead that have infiltrated their outer walls.

Charlotte who had secretly learnt martial arts back when things were normal, killing few undead is a piece of cake talk more of her using a makeshift weapon.

Franklin, who arrived from sector 3 with Lieutenant Patel's team during the Scorch ambush and was still waiting debriefing with Command Taylor, fought alongside her.

"I was supposed to head back to Sector 3 yesterday" Franklin said to Charlotte between zombie kills, "but Commander Taylor, your father, wanted to discuss Scorch's tactics further."

Commander Taylor coordinated defence strategies from the commander center, his voice firm over the comms.

"All sectors, this is North Sector we are breached by zombies. Requesting urgent assistance including Nova Haven our recent ally"

Mayor Santos's response came promptly: "Commander Taylor, Nova Haven sends reinforcement immediately. But warn other sectors, our scouts report Scorch's Raiders regrouping nearby, likely to exploit your zombie breach."

Commander Taylor's expression turned grim as he said to Captain Lewis over the comms. "Captain Lewis, be advised. Zombies are merely Scorch's diversion. Prepare attack alongside this undead onslaught."

Captain Lewis nodded grimly, already anticipating the worst. "Got it, commander. Zombies first, then likely Raiders. We will need to hold both front and rear lines."

He turned to Charlotte and Franklin, who stood ready with a makeshift weapons. "You two, fall back with civilian Evans team. We need people safe behind inner gates."

Charlotte frowned, gripping her bat tightly. "I can fight, Captain."

Captain Lewis barely paused. "Commander Taylor's daughter doesn't die on my watch. Charlotte, fall back."

Franklin nudged Charlotte gently. "He's right, we should go. We can help coordinate civilian defence from inside."

They joined the frantic crowd moving towards the inner gates. Panic was palpable, but people helped each other. A glimmer of community amidst chaos.

As they reached the gate entrance, Charlotte turned back to see Captain Lewis and his team engaging zombies in a fierce combat.

Franklin followed her gaze. "They will hold them off. Scorch is the bigger worry, he might take advantage of this situation to launch another ambush."

Charlotte's eyes narrowed. "We need to warn my dad about Scorch's likely attack plan. Do you think he will hit us during the zombie breach?"

Franklin's expression was cold. "Guaranteed. Scorch sees chaos as opportunity. He haven't learnt his lesson after the last incidence.

He is determined to destroy that vaccine and take over all sectors."

"Don't he have shame, amidst this apocalypse he is thinking of power?" Charlotte replied agreeing with Franklin.

Suddenly, Commander Taylor's voice came over the inner gate speakers, urgent but calm. "All personnel, this is Commander Taylor. Reports indicate Scorch's Raiders mobilizing 2 clicks out. Prepare, inner defences – we expect imminent attack…"

Charlotte heart sank at her father's words.

"Too late for warning him, Charlotte – he already knows," he said grimly.

Charlotte nodded, eyes fixed on the inner gates defences being rapidly reinforced.

"Scorch's timing is perfect – zombies weakening our outer perimeter, now his Raiders are ready to strike inside."

Commander Taylor's voice continued over the speakers, directing defences.

"Captain Lewis will hold outer gates as long as possible. Lieutenant Patel's and Nova Haven teams are arriving soon, they will support inner gate defence."

Suddenly, gunfire and screams erupted from outside – Captain Lewis's team was being pushed back by zombies.

Charlotte gripped Franklin's arm. "They are breaching – Zombies are almost inside!"

Franklin drew his weapon. "Not yet, Lieutenant Patel's and Nova Haven teams are arriving… look!"

Nova Haven and Lieutenants Patel's soldiers poured into the inner gate area, weapons blazing as they secured the entrance against both zombies and awaited Raiders.

Commander Taylor's voice came over speakers again, relief tempered with urgency. "Inner gates temporarily secure. Scorch's raider still in 1 click out – we have minutes before they attack again…"

Charlotte stood beside Franklin, weapon at the ready. "This is it – Scorch's big move. He will throw everything at us."

Franklin nodded grimly. "And retreat only when he is certain he has weakened us enough for a future kill strike."

Suddenly, explosions rocked the inner gates – Scorch's raiders had arrived.

Lieutenant Patel shouted orders as Nova Haven soldiers and North Sector guards held off the intense attack.

Charlotte fought furiously alongside Franklin, but Scorch's forces seems endless.

Just when defences began to falter, Commander Taylor deployed reserve guards, stabilizing the line and the situation.

Scorch's voice echoed over Raider comms, heard by North Sector intercepts. "Fall back – mission accomplished. North Sector's wounded… time to regroup and finish them off later."

Raider forces retreated into night shadows, leaving behind destructions and chaos.

Charlotte stood panting, surveying the damage with Franklin. "We survived… but Scorch escaped again."

Franklin's expression was grim. "Scorch achieved his goal – weakening North Sector's defences and morale."

Commander Taylor approached them, exhausted but resolute. "Casualty reports are coming in. Lieutenant Patel's team suffered heavy losses… Franklin, your debriefing on Scorch's tactics is more than crucial than ever."

Franklin nodded solemnly. "I will give you everything I know for now, Commander. But we need to act fast – Scorch will regroup and strike again soon."

Charlotte nodded urgently. "Dad, we should also warn Mayor Santos – Scorch might target Nova Haven next."

Commander Taylor's expression turned grave. "Agreed. I will send an encrypted message to Mayor Santos immediately, just to be safe. But first, tell me – Franklin what do you think Scorch's next move will be?"

Franklin's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Scorch will try to exploit the rift between sectors – make us doubt each other. Possibly even fake an attack on Nova Haven from North Sector… or vice versa."

Commander Taylor's expression turned serious. "A clever move – we have had tensions with Nova Haven in the past. If he succeeds, sectors will turn against each other instead of him."

Charlotte nodded alarmingly, "And while we are divided, Scorch will strike the final blow – destroy both North Sector and Nova Haven!"

Franklin nodded solemnly. "Yes, his ultimate goal is to take over total control over the remaining sectors and resources."

Suddenly, Lieutenant Patel approached their group, face pale with urgency. "Commander Taylor, we intercepted a partial message from Scorch's comms… before they went dark."

Commander Taylor grasped Lieutenant Patel's arm intensely. "What did it say?"

Lieutenant Patel swallowed nervously. "`Eclipse protocol initiated…' – that is all we got before signal loss."

Franklin's eyes widened in alarm. "Eclipse protocol… I overheard it back at New Eden Sector – it is his codename for a catastrophic plan."

Commander Taylor's face turned ashen. "Catastrophic – what does it entail, Franklin?"

Franklin hesitated, collecting his thoughts before speaking in a low, ominous tone. "From what I overheard, Eclipse involves synchronised attacks on all major sector hubs… plus deployment of a powerful weapon – one that could annihilate sectors within minutes."

Charlotte felt her blood run cold. "That genocide… Scorch wants to wipe out everyone that opposes him! He is extremely selfish and evil."

Lieutenant Patel nodded grimly, "Our intercept suggested Eclipse deployment is planned in approximately 14days… Scorch wants maximum chaos and minimal sector preparation time."

Commander Taylor's expression turned resolute. "We must alert all sectors and prepare unified defence – our only hope against Scorch protocol."

Franklin nodded vigorously. "With a unified sector defence and the vaccine, we might actually defeat Scorch."

Charlotte added hopefully, "Mom's vaccine is our best chance – she has been working tirelessly on it."

Commander Taylor's expression softened slightly at the mention of his wife. "Yes. Your mother has made promising breakthroughs. I will inform her to accelerate production – we need millions of doses ready within 14 days."

Lieutenant Patel nodded and quickly sent an encrypted message to Dr. Taylor's lab.

Commander Taylor continued, "Once the vaccine is ready, we will establish distribution hubs in each sector. Franklin, work with Lieutenant Patel to coordinate sector defences and vaccine deployment strategies."

Franklin acknowledged the task as Charlotte turned to her father. "Dad, how will mom handle this accelerated timeline – her team is exhausted?"

Commander Taylor's concern for his wife is evident but he was still helpless. "I will talk to her personally, this vaccine is not only our hope against Scorch… but also our family's legacy."

Meanwhile, in Sector 3's residential area… Maya sat nervously with Sophia in her private quarters.

Sophia's expression turned grim as she listened to an encrypted message from Commander Taylor on her comms device.

Maya frowned concerningly. "What is it Sophia? You look worried."

Sophia's eyes locked onto Maya's. "It is a warning from North Sector… Scorch has initiated something called an 'Eclipse protocol'. They believe he plans to attack all major sectors simultaneously."

Maya's face turned pale. "Franklin is in North Sector… is he safe?"

Sophia nodded reassuring. "For now. But Commander Taylor urges all sectors to prepare defences immediately. We must protect Sector 3."

Maya stood up, determination in her voice. "I want to help with the preparations, Sophia. Franklin would want me to do something."

Sophia smiled proudly. "I will assign you to our civil defence coordination team. You will work with our strategists to evacuate non-essential residents to the safe zones."

Suddenly, Sophia's comms device beeped again – another message came in from Commander Taylor.

Sophia's expression turned cold as she read the message…

"Maya, it is getting complicated.Franklin thinks the eclipse might be deployed from a location near Sector 3, he is not hundred percent sure."

…

*TO BE CONTINUED*