141 The Short Calm Before Another Storm (1/2)
Day 5 – 10:48 AM – Parking Area, Queens Row Elementary School, Queens Row Area A, Bacoor City, Cavite
The sudden news sparked a commotion among the people around while Captain Dela Rosa was reading the report passed to him by his subordinate. A tight frown could be seen on the squad captain's forehead as he read further through the report. It was already surprising to hear about another large group of people establishing their own settlement but to receive a request for assistance showed that the situation was not ideal in any way. The most pressing question however…
Captain Dela Rosa turned towards his subordinates.
”Who knows where this Firenze is?”
However, none of the soldiers responded to his question and even looked towards the others waiting for an answer. Some even turned towards the Ma'am Kat, the Barangay Chairwoman who was a local and the Barangay Police with her but it seemed that they had no idea either.
PAK!
Mark slapped his forehead as he looked at these people. Nevertheless, it was not surprising. These soldiers were not from this area in the first place. They might know about the main routes but probably not some remote subdivision. It goes the same for the barangay chairwoman since it was unlikely for her to go on a place out of her jurisdiction. As for the others, it could also be understood. Firenze was located at the innermost section of clusters of several private subdivisions. Furthermore, not everyone could enter that cluster without knowing anyone from the inside.
His action immediately caught the attention of Captain Dela Rosa and Irene who was just in front and beside him.
”Do you know where that place is?”
Irene asked.
Looking at the two, Mark replied.
”It's a private townhouse subdivision in Imus, Cavite. It's about more than a dozen kilometers from here following the roads. It's not surprising that all of hadn't heard about the place since it's a new subdivision and not really a well-known one.”
”I see. No wonder.”
Captain Dela Rosa propped his chin with his hand.
”Anyway, what happened? Did the settlement there fell already?”
Mark suddenly asked.
”You know that there was a settlement there?”
”Well, we do. We arrived there the other day escorting Congresswoman Lanie Villa and Police Chief Mallari along with a number of survivors. The settlement was established by a Mutator within the police. We left that place yesterday noon though. Hmmm… You said, 'was'… Then Firenze was overwhelmed by the infected already.”
Mark explained while coming into a realization.
”Yes, the settlement there had already fallen. It seems that they had been attacked by thousands of infected along with gigantic insects. There were also a large number of infected animals within the horde.”
Captain Dela Rosa looked stern as he summarized the contents of the report.
”You said that your group escorted Congresswoman Villa there?”
Irene suddenly asked Mark.
”Well yeah. What of it?”
”I'm just surprised you did that.”
”I'm paid to do so and it's only to escort them to that place. It they requested to accompany our group all the way here, I won't agree. I'm searching for people and bringing a large group of people here in there is just attracting for unnecessary trouble.”
Mark shrugged his shoulders.
”Captain, what are we going to do?”
Irene then turned to Captain Dela Rosa and asked.
”This is not a good place to discuss that.”
Captain Dela Rosa did not dare to blindly decide and they needed to conduct a meeting for this.
”By the way, where are the survivors from that place now?”
Mark curiously asked.
Captain Dela Rosa glanced at the report on his hand and replied.
”It said that they are at Citta Italia now.”
Hearing that, Mark nodded.
It was reasonable for them to stop by that area. As they left the gates of that place closed, it was unlikely for it to be infested by the infected. Nevertheless, it was just a temporary stop. The wave of infected was already coming back and it would not take long to reach that place since Firenze was not that far from Citta Italia.
”Then, it's better for you and your soldiers to decide what to do as soon as possible. Also, is there any results to the people I asked for?”
As Mark asked his question, Captain Dela Rosa turned to Alderick.
”Where's Joey?”
”Sir, I think he's still going around searching. Before we gathered here, I saw him and he said that the search became harder because of the gunshots. The refugees scurried around and closed the doors of the classrooms they were using. But he said that he already found two people along with their families. They were already escorted to our building.”
”I see.”
Captain Dela Rosa then turned to Mark.
”You heard him. Since the search isn't finished yet, I'll just inform you when it's done. You should also check if he found the right people. In any case, we must not delay things so we have to get going.”
”Okay. By the way, I'm keeping the girl alright?”
Hearing that, the squad captain nodded.
”You can do what you want as long as it won't be something against morals or we will be the ones to stop you.”
”But, experimenting on a person is already against morals right?”
”You…”
Captain Dela Rosa felt stifled as he could not find anything to refute that. Luckily, Irene came to back him up.
”It might be against morals but it's not like there's any other choice. Most of all, you managed to save her.”
”Alright, alright. You all should go now.”
Mark started to shoo them away to Irene's displeasure. But it was not like they had a reason to linger either.
”Ma'am Katherine, what are your plans?”