Hey everyone! I spent a longer time working on this part, so if you enjoy it, please share it with a friend (and also comment & like, because thatās cool too).
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The fourth part of the āSHILOH Transmissionsā . Part 3 will provide background to the story you are about to read.*
[Although the content contains no explicit/gory content, the story can be intense at times. Viewer discretion is advised.]
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āPapa, why do you have to go? You just got back from your long trip; Iāve missed you.ā
āItās only for a little while longer sweetie, Iāve missed you too. When I get back, you know what weāll do? Iāll show you all of the neat things in my workshop. Thereās some new things Iāve been working on that youāll like."
āThat sounds fun! Did you like my robot I made when you were away?ā
āOf course Dani! Youāre growing up to be a very smart young lady. Weāll have a lot of fun when I get back, okay?
āOkay, Papa. I love you.ā
āI love you too, my sweet shiloh. Iāll be back in a month; you be good when Iām away."
āYes Papa.ā
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Smoke lingered in the air. The gray sky hung low over the torn countryside, a gentle rain sprinkled the battlefield. All the while, lonesome breezes ran through smoldering grass.
In the midst of it all, a young woman lay in a waterhole, soaked thoroughly and covered in mud. The battle had swept over her, passed over by enemy and ally alike. Forgotten.
The womanās eyes weakly opened, dazed and aimless. She turned over to one side, getting an arm underneath to push herself up. A cry escaped her mouth and she collapsed back into the mud, gripping her stomach. Two gristly rounds had found their mark, the wounds swollen and burning beneath her vest. She had been injured, although she didnāt know how.
It took nearly a half hour for her to stand to feet, bracing against a nearby overturned jeep. It took even more strength to begin walking out of the gully where she stood.
Columns of smoke rose from the city, while distant gunfire echoed over lifeless winds. The factory where the enemy had been still remained standing, A KLG flag waving proudly over it. It was then she realized what happened, staggering at the revelation.
The KLG had somehow pushed Guard forces back into the city; they had lost the battle. In addition, she failed to secure the paramedic, and had been exposed. Her weapon was nowhere to be found, and she was too weak to carry a rifle. The whole mission had led to failure. Worse still, she had failed to implement her true plan; Shiloh never intended to bring Flatline to Kurtz.
Shiloh wasnāt going to betray the paramedic at all.
She wished to get her away from the battle so Shiloh could confess everything. The mission assignment, Kurtzās purpose for the paramedic, the behavior of the 4th division, everything. Shiloh had been misunderstood, failing to reveal the truth in time.
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Her shock was interrupted by the shooting pains in her stomach. She needed medical treatment, and quickly. Having been healed for so long, she quickly realized just how vulnerable she was in that moment.
Rummaging through debris, she eventually unearthed a supply box. Inside were a handful of bandages, an empty canteen, and a single can of soup. It wasnāt much, but it would take the edge off the encroaching pain and hunger. She quickly scoffed down the soup, covering her mouth to prevent throwing it back up. She needed nutrition, regardless of how it felt.
Leaning against the jeep, she opened a small knife to clean and dress her wounds as best she could. Searing pain shot through her body with cruel blows, and Shiloh gritted her teeth in response. The paramedicās overheal had weakened her tremendously, and its effects still lingered.
āNeed to get back. Have to get out of the open.ā
She had barely taken a few steps when she noticed a glimmer in the corner of her eye. Lawgiver aircraft scanned the ground for life with cold blue lights. She ducked for cover as they flew by, blending into the earth. Each aircraft seemed to bellow in anger; they were looking for survivors.
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As Shiloh staggered back toward the city, the seconds turned into minutes, minutes into hours. Without medication, the pain thrashed her, making the journey an unpleasant one. It took the rest of the day before she reached the outskirts. The desolate suburbs were a haven for criminal activity, and she couldnāt protect herself there. As a result, she headed for the forest. She would rather deal with Rangers than twisted Morlocks or deranged scavengers.
In the forest, trees provided protection from prying eyes. As the daylight faded, she thatched a makeshift shelter against a tree, and snuggled underneath a pile of leaves. Her injured exhaustion had drained her; she could care less about planning for the next day. She quickly fell asleep, hidden for the time being.
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The voice in her dream spoke again:
āWhere are you Shy? Iā¦need you.ā
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The morning brought no shortage of troubles. Shilohās wounds showed signs of infection, festering underneath the wrapped bandages. The pain came in throbbing waves, sending her reeling with tense cramps. She did her best to clean the wounds in a nearby creek of water, but it was a temporary fix at best. Low on water and options, she filled her canteen and used the rest of the bandages.
Shiloh sat down on a log, chewing on a piece of bark for a crude breakfast. It tasted bitter and earthy, but was filling enough.
āWhere am I supposed to go now? The Peopleās Guard probably knows Iām a spy now, and Kurtz is going to have meā¦ā
She stopped her thought. Was Kurtz really going to punish her? The KLG had been victorious that day; it only couldāve happened because Kurtz gave the support. Perhaps he captured Flatline himself and was waiting for Shiloh to be found.
āIf he doesnāt kill me, these wounds will. I need to get back to the base. Maybe heāll see my injury and forgive me because of it.ā
The journey would be a long one, as the base was on the far side of the city. Still, Shiloh perceived it to be the best option in that moment. Without hesitating, she gathered her pack and began the trek.
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The morning had been bright and sunny, but by afternoon, dark rainy clouds rolled in. Shiloh spent several hours ducking in and out cover in an attempt to stay dry. The rain was persistent, but it wasnāt the most challenging part of the journey.
Bands of motley scavengers ran through the muddy streets, many of them with oozing, spiked weapons and flickering torches. Morlocks. They carried KLG and Peopleās Guard equipment in grimy sacks. It was clear they had picked the battle clean, like vultures on a fresh kill. However, they were peering into windows and searching the buildings, as if they were looking for something. Something was off.
āGah, Heimās a scab fer makinā us find this cursed spy. We got the loot, aināt that enugh?ā
āIf you donāt shut it, youāll be the one missing. Heās paying us a lot, and Iām not letting a fool like you muck this up.ā
āShe aināt in here! If the Guard come nā find us, theyāll mangle us up. Plus its gettnā dark, and Razor wanted the loot befur dusk.ā
āThey wonāt find us, Guardsmen areā¦ā
Shiloh couldnāt make out the rest of the Morlockās sentence, although it sounded profane and condescending. They werenāt looking for her, right? She didnāt want to stay to find out, so she stealthily vanished into the concrete jungle.
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The rains had ceased, but flat, gray clouds still hung over the somber city. Shiloh scurried over eroded barriers and crumbling ruins, making her way into the inner-city where the base was. Wide roads sprawled in either direction, and towering skyscrapers tilted to one side, damaged by years of war and decay.
Off in the distance, the colossal base loomed, set against a backdrop of a brilliant orange sunset. A few more blocks and she would have the chance to redeem herself, a chance to make things rightā¦
ā¦but not a chance to notice the person standing behind her.
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Shiloh turned around too late. The figure smashed their gun into her sternum, knocking her over a barricade. As she stood to her feet, sharp needles pelted her torso, igniting a new flash of pain. Shiloh staggered forward and threw blind punches as the assailant, all to no avail. The figure swiftly clocked Shiloh in the mouth, laying her out on the asphalt in a throbbing daze. The stranger, a pale lanky girl dressed in spiked clothes placed her boot on Shiloh. She wore a gleeful, demented expression, a glint of malice in her eye.
āArenāt you a popular one. Kurtz was smart to not trust his clever little bird.ā
āWhoā¦are you?!ā Shiloh gasped for breath as her vision focused on the menacing girl standing over her. A Morlock, the same profane one she saw earlier.
āNone of your business, spy! What you should know is that youāre a dead girl walking. Heimlock has a nice price for your head, and that bounty is mine.ā She continued to speak, a twisted smile on her face.
āItās so funny that you trusted that paramedic. You really thought she was your friend? How do you think she knew about your little plan?ā
This Morlock knew a lot more about the operation than Shiloh expected. The girl mustāve seen the shock on her face, because she grinned even more.
āAw, you donāt know, do you Shaw? Itās a shame really, you working so closely for a āfriendā setting you up for Kurtz. I hear she and Kurtz have gotten along very nicely. Guess she replaced you.ā
It couldnāt be true. Flatline was loyal to the Peopleās Guard; she couldnāt be an operative working for Kurtz! Why did he send Shiloh out if he already had Flatline! She couldnāt believe Kurtz actually wanted her dead!
āNO! I wonātā¦believe your lies Morlock! Cursedā¦scum!ā She scowled and thrashed underneath her enemyās boot, gasping for breath and gritting her teeth in anger. A sharp, searing stab from the Morlockās weapon caused Shiloh to cease, rendering her incapacitated.
āI beg to differ.ā
The sewer-girl then pulled a glowing red device from her pocket, the same kind that Shiloh used with Kurtz. The message on it sent a wave of crushing defeat over her:
āThe Peopleās Guard has been defeated. Flatline has reported back to me safely, but Shaw is M.I.A. Find Danielle Shaw and eliminate her. Once she is dealt with, I will pay Heimlock for your work. You sort out the rest.ā
āKurtz.ā
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āIām gonna enjoy the āeliminateā part of this, Shaw.ā
The Morlock raised a glowing canister above her head, noxious gasses flowing down over her shoulders. A look of deranged joy danced across her face, one of cold-blooded insanity. Shiloh resigned herself to her fate, gently closing her eyes as the sun faded under the horizon. She had nowhere to run anyway.
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A sonorous hum, a blurry wisp, a sudden jolt. The Morlock girl flew against a nearby brick wall, a crackling thud piercing the air. She fell to the ground with a stunned cry, the canisters shattered in pieces around her.
Shiloh, on the verge of death, waited for the inevitable. A different Morlock mustāve wanted the bounty for himself. Heavy steps drew close, the hum getting louder and louder.
āYouāre alive, oh thank God youāre alive! Iām so sorry I didnāt find you earlier, Shy.ā
The voice was not harsh or menacing. It was urgent, yet peaceful, caring, yet sincere. She recognized that voice as the one from her dreams. She knew who that voice belonged to.
āā¦youāreā¦hereā¦Iā¦ā Her voice trailed off as she passed out, the world swirling into darkness.
The kindred voice picked her up off the damp ground, carrying her to safety. In and out of consciousness, Shiloh remembered being hurried in a vehicle into a cold forest somewhere. She heard shouts, although inaudible and muffled in her injured state. All the while, his strong arms held her tight.
Her dreams proved true. Surge had come for her.
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Time will tell when they will returnā¦
I need to publish stuff more often. Thanks Spyro 
