As we advanced toward the base, the sounds of gunfire grew increasingly loud.
Occasional explosions echoed in the distance, mixed with muffled screams and hurried orders in Russian.
Chaos had already taken over, and that played in our favor.
"Gunfire… probably zombies. We'll infiltrate silently and assess the situation," I said, keeping my eyes fixed on the base ahead.
"The squads we eliminated had no communication to know about the shit going down here, or this just happened."
Everyone confirmed with quick gestures, understanding the importance of silence.
We crawled through the snow toward the perimeter fence. From a distance, we could see Russian soldiers running back and forth, their weapons firing frantically at the advancing dead.
Some operated in squads, trying to set up containment barriers, while others fled alone in desperation.
The gunfire pattern gave it all away.
They were still aiming at the body, wasting ammo and time. That meant only one thing—the outbreak had just begun inside the base.
This was perfect. Amidst this chaos, we could infiltrate without drawing attention.
"Change of plan," I murmured, keeping my voice low but firm. "We stay together and head straight for the hangar. There's no time for a conventional infiltration; chaos will be our smokescreen."
Richard gave me a look of disbelief, followed by an ironic smile.
I just smiled back. To me, this was just another mission.
Ryan, always focused and silent, took the lead.
Without wasting time, he pulled a small tactical wire cutter from his vest and cut through the fence, creating an opening big enough for all of us to pass through.
We moved in a line, crouched, advancing quickly into the perimeter.
As soon as we entered, the scene before us was pure chaos.
Bodies were scattered across the base's main courtyard, some still twitching as the zombies feasted on them.
The soldiers were trying to organize a defense near the barracks, while smaller teams protected ammunition depots and vehicles.
A BMP-2 armored vehicle lay on its side, its tracks destroyed, flames spewing from the engine.
Soldiers shouted, trying to evacuate the wounded, but hysteria was beginning to take over.
"Complicated situation," Joel whispered beside me. "If they don't act fast, the horde will spread."