Altered Alliance: Urban Survival; The Promise (Chapter 1)

Max Urban held onto his girlfriend for as long as he could. She didn’t want to let him go and, quite frankly, he didn’t want to let her go either. But the safe house UAV and surveillance team had found a military base that may be full of supplies to scavenge... or at least that's what the General said when he had put together a squad to check it out.

When Max’s brother Allen Tilsen had come home all excited about the mission Max couldn't resist and had to volunteer. The General of course made the First Sergeant the leader of the mission because Max was the highest rank in the squad which Max was truly okay with seeing as he loved both, being a leader and danger alike.

Allen was not related to Max in blood, but as far as Max was concerned they were as good as brothers, for they had grown up together in the same household doing every activity together since he was six-years old. Max's parents had adopted Allen when Max was eight years old and the two had become best friends almost instantly. However Max didn't like to think about it too often because anything dealing with his parents was a sore subject.

Max could see Allen now from over his girlfriend's shoulder. Allen was hugging his beautiful wife Hannah as she saw him off. She had the same air about her as Taylor did and Max could clearly tell that Hannah was not happy about Allen going on this mission either.

Another thing that made Max and Allen one in the same was their constant desire for danger. Even since they were kids they had loved anything that got their adrenaline pumping. And now with the world in ruins and Earth's dominant species now being the once human, cannibalistic psychopaths, the two brothers had been turned into nothing more than adrenaline junkie soldiers. Fortunately, although they had learned it the hard way, the two soldiers found that adrenaline is not the only thing to live for.

“Do you have to go Max?” Taylor asked holding on to him tight, “You went on two missions last week. Can’t someone fill in for you?”

Max smiled and kissed her gently on the forehead, “Tay, don’t worry I’ll be back before dark… I promise.”

Taylor Dorrian was an amazingly beautiful girl. Max had run into her seven years ago, a year after the first Cretin appeared. She gave him the same look every time he gave her a promise. It was like she was studying his eyes to ensure that he was telling the truth. He could remember the first time she gave him the look.

They had both been raised in Newton, New Jersey where they had gone to the same school and lived in the same neighborhood for ages but they never really noticed each other. Taylor was from a more privileged family, and Max… well, Max wasn’t.

Taylor, Max and Allen were the only teens amongst the few survivors in his neighborhood. Their entire family had turned into Cretin. However, while this was a sad subject, Max never showed his emotions on the matter. He felt that by doing so people would think he was a wimp, even though he seemed to ignore the fact that nearly all of the other survivors were distraught with tears, even a few of the soldiers. But this is how he came to really meet Taylor for the first time.

Max knew who Taylor’s parents were, for they were a big part of his neighborhood. However he didn’t see Taylor’s parents on the Transport and Max expected the worst. Taylor was sitting alone with tears pouring from her eyes and when Max went over to comfort her, she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his shoulder.

Even though she barely knew him, she made Max promise that everything was going to be fine. So Max promised, and he meant it. Max had always tried to keep his promises ever since his mother made him promise to take care of Allen and himself.

After they arrived at the Morristown National Historical Park Safehouse Taylor and Max became great friends, even with Max joining the Safehouse’s Army.

Max joined the US Army when he had turned eighteen after the Ayra had shown themselves to be hostile. However, he had never gotten the chance to go into battle before the Cretin started showing up.

Allen joined the Safehouse Army with Max and they were put through training by some Army Ranger and USMC Veterans. Both Max and Allen volunteered for mission after mission and became highly decorated soldiers amongst the Safehouse. Max volunteered to lead missions from time to time, it somehow helped him to cope with the loss of his family.

He began dating Taylor two years after settling down into the safe house. And six years after that, was ready to ask Taylor to marry him. But he was still thinking of how to pop the question and worried about how Taylor might react.

Max looked over Taylor’s shoulder again to see Allen wearing his ACUs and in full gear giving Hannah a last kiss goodbye. Although Allen was younger he had managed to get married before Max had which often made Max jealous.

Allen’s wife, Hannah, was also a very beautiful young woman and was nearly 9 months pregnant and was expecting in the next few weeks. Max thought that Allen probably shouldn't go for that reason but he didn't want to argue with him. He hated arguing with Allen.

Taylor finally released her grasp on Max and proceeded to unhook her necklace, "Bring this back to me Max."

"I know," Max laughed, "Taylor, we do this every time."

He smiled as she stared him in the eyes. Once she was sure that he understood, she nodded and reached around him to hook the necklace around his neck. Max looked down at the silver chain and the small crossed that hung delicately from the end.

This cross had an intricate design across it which reminded him of his childhood, when read the Bible everyday and went to church almost twice a week. Ever since to Ayra had shown up he had become a lot more lenient in his faith, which he often regretted, but even more often ignored.

As Max stared at the cross he could hear the UH-80 Black Hawk starting up behind him. The military hadn't had time to advance much of their technology since the Cretin had begun appearing around the world. Looking up Max saw Allen and Hannah walking over towards him.

"Time to go Max," Allen said, half-heartedly trying to hide his enthusiasm for the mission.

Max nodded and looked at Hannah, who stared back at him with a serious look, "Max, promise me that you will take care of Allen and yourself and come back safe and sound."

Max froze when he heard her say this. It sounded just like his mother had all those years ago. It made him ache inside but he quickly shook himself out of it.

"Don't you worry Hannah. I'll have us home before dinner."

She crossed her arms and smiled, "Good, you'd better."

He laughed and then leaned over and kissed Taylor, "I'll be back."

She smiled reluctantly and gave him one last hug. Max then turned and began walking towards the helicopter, he hated doing this to Taylor, but the part of him that longed to stay was overcome by his need for adrenaline.

Max looked at his squad who were all huddled at the edge of the helipad. Including Allen and himself there were five squad members, all of different build and personality, but they had been doing missions together for years and all got along just fine.

"Alright boys! Today should be plenty of fun, but I don't plan on having any more excitement than necessary. So let's load up gentlemen!" Max yelled over the sound of the roaring chopper.

All the guys replied will a loud and distinct Hooah and began loading into the chopper.

Max was always the last to load onto any transport vehicle ever since the accident on his first mission as a leader years ago. But as he was about to climb in, the soldier in front of him turned around.

"First Sergeant, I am ready to kick some Cretin butt!" The soldier was short and stocky and had a rugged, scarred face.

"Shut up Riley and get in the Heli!" Max laughed grabbing him by the strap on his pack and pushing him into the chopper.

Max pulled his assault rifle off his shoulder and sat on the bench inside of the Black Hawk. Where he propped his rifle up against his leg and watched as two Safehouse soldiers slid the Black Hawk doors shut from the outside. Max then removed his Kevlar helmet, placing it in his lap where he then slid a headset over his ears and could hear the banter of the two pilots in the cockpit.

The whine of the engine grew louder as chopper rose off the ground. Max stared out the hatch window and at the blue and white painted concrete walls of the Safehouse. When the Safehouse's were constructed into underground facilities to house and sustain families long periods of time they weren't meant to be permanent living quarters, but that's what they had turned into.

The Black Hawk rose up through the horizontal bay door in the ceiling of the cavern and Max watched as people wearing bright orange and yellow vests scrambled around below. On the surface above the bay doors there were canvas tents erected in various places and a makeshift log wall spanning around the entire surface perimeter, which covered a couple acres or so in each direction.

The surface was where the crops were grown and where the Safehouse Army did much of their training. Max spent a lot of his time on the surface running and taking walks with Taylor all of which he probably enjoyed more than anything... well anything other than going on missions.

Looking up at the sky, Max saw that they were headed for some rain and thought out loud, "Ah, good Ol' New York."

"I hear that, First Sergeant!" One of the pilots piped in on the headset.

Max laughed, "So pilot, what's the ETA?"

Max could see the pilot in the right seat of the cockpit turn his head in Max's general direction to show who was talking, but didn't actually look at Max directly, "Name's Norlin Sir... And I'd say about thirty, forty minutes."

"Nice to meet you Norlin. And good."

He was happy with the fact that Norlin hadn't used military time. Max hated that! he just liked to be told things the good old fashioned way, you know the way that everyone is used to.

The tall and skinny soldier sitting across from Max leaned forward, "So, Top... When are you going to propose to that beautiful Miss Taylor?"

The voices of the whole squad could be heard over the headset all 'cooing' at the soldiers question.

Max smirked at the soldier and held up a hand to quiet everyone, "I'm working on it Adams don't worry about it."

"Aw com'mon Top," Riley jumped in, "how long have you two been together?"

"About ten years I think," The largest man in the chopper laughed.

"Shut up Brooks! No its only been six," Max defended himself.

"SIX YEARS?!"

"Ha, Jesus Top!" Adams gaped.

Riley put a hand on Max's shoulder, "Sir, do the girl a favor and ask the question now... She's suffered long enough."

Max could hear Allen chuckling, "Tilsen you have something to say?"

"No offence Max, but they're right," Allen laughed, "Come on I was there with you when you picked out the ring... When are you going to ask her?"

The room got quiet then Brooks asked, "You got the ring?!"

"If you've got the ring... First sergeant, what are you waiting for?" Adams questioned with a mock irritated tone.

Max looked down at his helmet on his lap, "I don't know... The right moment I guess."

"Max, listen you must have some sort of plan?" Tilsen pried.

The squad nodded in agreement and waited for Max to inform them on his plan.

Max looked up at them and shrugged, "I guess. I don't know if it's a good one though..."

There was an uproar as the soldiers bugged Max to tell them, which made Max uncomfortable. But he finally gave in, "Alright fine!... So I was thinking that Taylor's birthday is coming up in a few days and well..."

Tilsen urged him to continue, "Come on Max. And... what?"

"And I was thinking maybe I'd take her out on a picnic on the surface and propose to her then... I don't know."

Everyone then chimed in, "Do it!"

"That's perfect Top!... Better than my idea," Riley mused.

"You think? Well I already knew any of my ideas are better than yours Riley but thanks," Max laughed, "Alright then. I guess it's settled, I'll ask her on her birthday."

The entire Helicopter began 'wooing' and cheering obnoxiously. Max thoughts he could even hear Norlin and the other pilot joining in on the ruckus, which made Max more uncomfortable at first, but soon he was laughing with everyone else.

As soon as everyone had calmed down and started talking about other things than Max's personal life, Max looked out the window and watched as the New Jersey landscape flew by far below. He loved flying in helicopters, it somehow cleared his mind and helped him to think.

Max clutched the cross that Taylor had put around his neck. She had come up with this dumb thing where whenever he went on any mission she would give him the necklace and claim that she wouldn't be whole until he brought it back to her. It was very important to her and it actually did motivate Max to ensure he wouldn't let her down.

Max smiled as he thought about the countless times they had done it. Even though he thought it was dumb, he loved when she did it. He couldn't explain why, even if he tried. It was just that it made him happy and feel like she was there with him when he was away...

Max was broken from his trance though, when Norlin's voice came in over the headset, "Alrighty gentlemen. Ready up, drop zone in less than 5."

After that Max's squad quieted down and the air of the cabin became more serious as the soldiers ready their weapons and gear.

Max peered back out the window and could see a bunch of large buildings below and tall skyscrapers further inside the city. The helicopter had slowed down somewhat as they neared their destination, and the clouds that Max had seen earlier were even darker here above New York City, and it was going to storm for sure. Max could see Cretin far below, scrambling through the streets towards their hives. It was as if they sensed the inclement weather and were scared of a little rain.

"First Sergeant, we're here!" Norlin informed Max, "We'll land you on the roof and then go. They're sending another Chopper in twenty minutes! So that'll give you and your squad about an hour to scavenge. Good luck, Top and stay out of trouble!"

"Thanks Norlin!" Max replied, "Fly safe!"

The frame of the Black Hawk rocked informing the squad they had landed. Max pulled off the headset, replacing them with his helmet and sliding his combat headset onto his ear. He then wrenched the side door open and jumped out onto the roof of the building weapon raised towards his surroundings. When he saw it clear he stood by the door, waving his team out.

Once everyone was clear of the Black Hawk, Max gave the pilots a thumbs up and a little wave, and he watched as the vehicle lifted itself of the roof and headed back towards the Safehouse. Then walking to the side of the roof, Max took a quick look over the side of the building.

They were about five or six stories up and the parking lot around the building was fenced off and had broken run down tanks and humvees scatted around the base of the building. This had definitely been a makeshift Military base at some point and Max wondered if it would even bear them any fruit.

Putting this thought to the side, Max readied his weapon and signaled his squad towards the door to the stairs. They all piled up against the wall on either side of the door ready to go, and Max reached for the knob and tested it. Locked.

Pointing to Adams, Max signaled him to pick the lock and as Adams kneeled down to pick it, the first drops of rain began to fall.

Looking up at the sky Max scowled. He loved the rain... but sometimes, it had uncanny timing.

"We're in." Adams stated, backing away from the door.

Max gave a quick Hooah, and switched on the flashlight at the end of his gun barrel. Reaching for the knob again, he turned it and opened the door cautiously. Continuing forward Max opened the door the rest of the way and lead his squad down the stairs, and through the darkness.