The lands were in ruins. Buildings were destroyed and reduced to piles of debris. They were will aware of the situation in Australia - especially in the Northern Regions - they had never expected it to be that demolished.
Not to mention the entire half of the continent was submerged in water. There was not a single form of life in sight. Some had even been hoping to see a few dozen people on top of the few surviving buildings, waiting for help to arrive.
But what they saw instead was unexplainable.
***
Two more weeks passed in a blur. It had taken a few days for the cohorts to transverse the entire continent, but it was relatively fast due to their mode of transportation.
When they passed the Southern Region, they scouted a few areas that they would have to visit during their expedition. These were mainly the camps survivors established in order to share resources and continue surviving.
They also saw the few dozen camps that unfortunately succumbed to the disease. They saw dozens of bodies laying lifeless on the desolate streets. They had no wounds on their bodies which only made concluding their deaths much easier.
No one really knew if they were dead or not, and no one could really find out. Descending meant contracting the disease, and no one was willing to take that risk. Even if they were still alive, and only sleeping, they were still as good as dead.
And so they pronounced dead on the spot.
They spent the other week to establish their own military camps, which will serve as the first stronghold - among other to be established once the Main Evacuation Army arrives. They chose a desolate forest region isolated from the rest of the continent.
No human had set foot on these forests in more that two decades. It was considered too dangerous, and so it was perfectly suited for the fearless. Since they already knew that the monsters that dwelled deep in the forest were nothing compared to the calamity that threatened to consume Australia.
After a few calculations, they came to a conclusion that they had only a few months before the entire continent falls under the onslaught of the disease. And so they had to accelerate their advancement.
Immediately after research and strategising, they started preparing for advancing deeper into the continent, and exploring the different camps to see if they can find anything to help them against the disease.
They would start with the seemingly unaffected camps, and maybe try to help them by issuing supplies and protective gear. They would then use the newly gathered information to advance towards the more affected regions.
It was a risky move in their part, but there was very little choice as well. The original strategy was changed too. Originally, the Combat Unit cohort would have been the first to advance. After confirming safety, Jack's cohort would follow suit and gather information and samples for the Medical Healthcare department.
Which would stay behind by the way.
Now, because of the very little time they have, and the unforseen dangers of the forest, plans have changed. The Combat Unit special cohort were to stay behind and guard the military camp from the "bears", while Jack's cohort would advance alone.
Not even the Logistics Department dared to set one foot closer to the calamity. The two remaining cohorts just looked the other way and completely dismissed the idea. Some pretended to be busy with building the camps, the fear in their eyes were visible. So Major Black did not push the issue any further.
Since the continent was vast, and they had no other vehicles, they used the military aerial one they arrived in. The mood was somber the entire time. No one had the strength to talk, not even Oliver. They had different reasons to be sour though.
Some were thinking about how treacherous their colleagues are. They simply avoided the whole deal about advancing towards the camps, and just basically threw them into the alligator's maw.
Others were just worried and fearful about what they might find once they reach those camps. It made sense considering they did not really have that much information about the disease, and so they had no idea if those survivors already had it or not.
They could living peacefully with the disease literally under their noses.
The other thing that worried Jack, Benji and James is the whole missing memories deal. They had talked about it a few times, and things were starting to get a lot better, but that is exactly what made them feel uneasy.
They still had no idea how the whole thing was carried out. For all they know, they could have some kind of technological alterations done to their brains, allowing the perpetrators to manipulate them at will.
But there was also a minor flaw to that reasoning. In order for something like that to happen, there had to have been some kind of surgery involved, and neither Jack nor Benji had brain surgeries in the past.
Or they just simply did not remember...
In any case, this remained just a theory. No matter how plausible it sounded, it was just that. A theory. Unable to prove anything, they just simply shoved it to the back of their minds and did nothing about it. And now they were back to the familiar aircraft thinking about it again.
The pilot announced their arrival and everyone was simultaneously jolted out of their thoughts. The aircraft descended slowly, and the camp came into view. It landed nerby, by relatively far from the camps, for safety reasons.
Dozens of civilians got out of their tents and stared at them in awe and weariness. They were worried as much as they were elated to see them. Everyone quickly recognized the military vehicle, so they knew that the unkown visitors brought help.
But they also worried because they did not know whether they had brought the disease to them or not. Six silhouettes revealed themselves from the vehicle, and appreached them. They looked somewhat safe, considering Jack and his cohort were shrouded in safety gear that covered them from head to toe.
One elderly woman, suddenly moved and approached Jack and his cohort slowly. She stood in front of them and bowed slowly.
"I am Dora Judler, the elder of this camp. I welcome you, please follow me."
Before she turned around, Jack suddenly spoke. His voice even but firm.
"Are you not going ask who we are? Where we came from? What we are doing here? Nothing at all?"
The woman flinched, but quickly regained her composure. She gave him a faint smile.
"That is exactly why I an inviting you inside. To get to know you, and your reasons for visiting us. But that is not really difficult to find out, judging by your vehicle and uniform of course. Please follow me, I will explain along the way."
She turned her head, and walked towards a young woman and spoke something unclear in her ear. The young woman sprinted forward and disappeared from view. Jack frowned but did not say anything. He followed Dora and the rest of the cohort did as well.
Dora spoke without turning her head.
"We established this camp from the few supplies handed to us by the union of governments, but there were too many of us. So they had to ration the food causing many to starve and die. Many risked their lives to hunt for food on other camps, and others simply chose to survive. We were one of those others."
She remained silent for a few moments, and then continued.
"No one really knows how the disease operates, except succumbing to it is very cruel of a fate. So we secluded ourselves in hopes that we could keep it at bay for as long as possible. But even that was too much to ask. "
She turned around and smiled.
"Come along now, the tent is just this way."
***
They all sat around a ragged carpet, in a small, intricately designed tent. There were looks of contempt in their faces. Jack looked at the woman serving tea and frowned. The elderly woman, Dora, simply chuckled.
"How are you supposed to enjoy tea with those things covering your faces. I understand that you are wary of the disease as well, but i can assure you our camp has been secluded for a long time. We have not seen new or unfamiliar faces - except for you of course - and we have not experienced any symptoms of the disease."
Her smile disappeared, replaced with something cold.
"But it is entirely up to you whether you want the tea or not."
Benji sighed and took off his protective gear. They all did. They cradled the warm tea and gobbled it up like they have never tasted tea in the lives. Soon it had to be refilled again. After the refill, the real conversation began.
"I knew who you you are from the moment your vehicle descended upon our camps. Everyone did. We have been waiting for you for a long time after after all. The union of governments - including our very own - promised us reinforcements. They told us that soldiers from outside countries were coming to aid us."
She sighed.
"Of course we were afraid, but also hopeful. We were afraid of how unpredictable the disease is, but also hopeful because we knew that outside countries were not affected by it. We have been praying for you. Not only for your arrival, but also for your safety. I am glad that you found ways to protect yourself against the disease. Then there is still a bit."
Jack tilted his head a little and remained quiet. He continued leisurely sipping on his tea like nothing was wrong, but the cohort knew better. They knew that he simply remained quiet because he did not want to demolish the little hope they have built, or there was something else in his mind.
So it was James who spoke instead.
"Unfortunately, we know as much as you do right now. We have no idea if these things really help or not, but I do have a feeling they will prove to be useless as well. I do not know about the others, but that is the reason why I took off my gear. Because I knew that it would not matter if the disease was roaming around these camps."
He shrugged.
"On the other hand, these could also be useful, so do not dismiss that hopeful facade just yet. Just be aware that we are also still experimenting."
He took a sip of his tea and looked around in contempt.
"You say that you have not seen any new faces, so that would mean there have not been any new civilians. But I still have one question. How sure are you that no one has ever sneaked out for some reason? Someone mischievous and unruly, a child perhaps?"
Dora raised an eyebrow as if confused by something, but then smiled as if she had just realized another thing.
"We do not have many children here. The teenagers that were around at the beginning chose to leave because this place was "too uneventful" for their adventurous nature. You see, there is a rule in these camps that states: it does not matter whether you are family or not, once you step outside you are no longer allowed to come back."
She looked around the walls of the tent, tracing the shadows that gathered outside.
"Once that happens, they are marked by our protectors, to make sure that they never set foot on these camps ever again. But also, there are a few uncertainties in this rule of ours. For one, they do not need to set foot in these camps in order to spread the disease, they just need to be close enough."
She sighed and looked at James.
"Forgive our incompetence your sir, but we are also not omniscient. We do whatever we can ensure our safety. There are influences we cannot protect ourselves from."
Jack, who had been quiet throughout the whole conversation, looked at James and chuckled.
"I think you have been spending way too much time with Benji my friend."
James cleared his throat and opened his mouth to retort. However, before he could, Jack's expression suddenly turned serious and he cut him off before James could speak.
"All of you, us. I would like a word alone with Miss Judler."
He looked at Benji and winked.
"And Mr Walker, please get rid of those pests gathered around the tent for me. Appreciate it."
After they left, he gave Dora a menacing smile and said:
"Now that we are alone mam, will you please tell me more about these protectors of yours. And be sure to include the mercenaries i recognize among them."