The sound of gunfire was beginning to lessen, becoming more sporadic as the group of infected host bodies thinned. Miraculously, the rolling fog that moved over the ground below began to dissipate, revealing lifeless, sickly forms, bleeding on the forest floor. It wasn’t nearly as jarring a sight as she believed it would be, not even when her stress levels were not being unnaturally regulated by the nanites in her system. No longer did her mind race to humanize them. Somewhere between the first body she downed and the last, it had sunk in. They were no longer who they were before, not mothers or fathers, brothers or sisters. They were sleeves for vicious and aggressive parasites to use to their own devices. It was an odd realization to come to, though the commander had made a point to remind them. Before she could even wonder if she was losing touch with her ability to empathize, Nick’s voice was uttering instructions in her ear. Ava held her position while the rest of the soldiers adjusted. She took the time rest her arms, which had been holding her rifle to her shoulder tightly.<br/><br/>When the unit had secured their new locations, the commander was back in her ear again. The brunette sighed soundlessly, resting her back against the trunk behind her to settle in for a long night. Not long after, he informed her that he was moving. Ava sat up a little straighter, having to resist the urge to ask where he was relocating. Beneath the hood of her ghillie suit, she watched as he made his way down using his anchors. Her eyes didn’t return to her zone, till he was out of sight. Though she had been by herself for the duration of their mission, and other missions before, she hadn’t realized how much comfort she took in knowing that he was near. Her thoughts wandered to unthinkable scenarios, ones that made her uncomfortable and anxious. Even if they were able to turn in for their sleep shifts, she would have likely been too restless to relax. She was left to keep watch over her zone in the silence that had returned to fall over the forest. For hours she waited, scanning the ground with her keen ears open to every subtle shift till the amber glow of morning light peered over the horizon.<br/><br/>She didn’t know when to expect the troops, but their arrival was announced by the faintest cadence of footsteps in the distance. Another sound accompanied it, one she couldn’t quite put her finger on. Carefully, Ava turned and pulled the hood away from her face, better able to see through the opening in the thick branches and leaves with it obstructing her view. She could see that the sky behind her was dark and slightly blurry as heat caused the air to ripple. With each passing minute, the footsteps grew louder, coming closer. If it weren’t for the absence of tormented screeches and wails, she would have thought that the infected had found some way around them, but the deliberate footfalls told her otherwise. It was a distinct march, so unlike that manner in which they quietly and slowly got into position days ago. When the troops finally came into view, she was surprised to see that they carried with them strange weaponry.<br/><br/>A pungent scent filled the air, making her feel queasy. It wasn’t until they got closer that she realized that some of them were dousing bodies with a highly acidic fluid, one that dissolved flesh and bone rapidly. The vapors that came off the corpses wafted in the air, the gentle wind carrying the putrid smell of decay and rot. Though unpleasant, it was necessary to ensure that all traces of the parasite were eradicated. Along with it, were black clouds of smoke that billowed behind them as powerful flame throwers breathed fire to scorch the trees and brush. Ava pressed the back of her hand to her nose, waiting for further instructions.