Chronicles of the Apocalypse (2011)

Killen: There we go. Home stretch.

The three cross a hurdle and move to a swampy street nearby.

Dante: Just to ask; there's nothing in these waters we need to worry about, right?

Bo: No....trust me...although, I did hear out further north that the radiation hit the bottom of the oceans and turned abyss sea creatures into....God knows what know...anyway, we don't need to worry, old man. You're fine.

The three men crossed the swamp.

Dante: You guys sure know what you're doing. I'll give you that.

Bo: What do you mean?

Dante: I mean, I know you guys have done this type of shit before, but....what I'm trying to say is thanks.

Bo: Yeah...don't mention it.

The three men reach the steps of the capital. They enter, only the find their former running party members, dead, gunned down.

Bo: Fuck! No....no...no...no

Bo runs over to the bodies.

Dante: What now?

Bo begins to frantically search a corpse's pockets.

Killen: What are you doing, Bo?

Bo: Looking for something....that can say what happened....they were organized....they were aware....this wasn't bandits or Blood Hogs....or even Zeus Corps...this had to be something else...Goddammit!

Killen: Something else like what?

Bo: I don't know, Killen! This wasn't supposed to happen! We've done this so many times! I don't see how it could've happened!

Dante: Again....what are we doing? Can we get back to your hometown without these guys?

Killen: Yeah....but it's not going to be as easy....these guys had a route....looks like whoever did this....took our mapping route.

Bo: Well....we gotta try, Killen.

Killen: how? We have no fucking safe route back home.

Bo stands up.

Bo: "Safe"? Look around you, Killen. This is an unsafe shitty world. It's been that way for a long time.

Killen: We do what we need to do to survive.

Bo: But, Killen-

Killen: It's over, Bo! Now, we tried. Let's just head back...and rest....we'll figure out something when we get back to our safehouse.

Dante: That safehouse that's through Skinner and Zeus Corps territory. We can't.

Killen: Well, we're going to have to.

Bo: Not me.....I'm not...this is my last run, Killen.

Killen looks at him confused.

Killen: What are you talking about?

Bo: Like you said; luck always runs out, right?

Killen reaches out for Bo.

Killen: Dude, what the hell are you-

Bo jumps back.

Bo: No! Don't touch me..

Dante: Fuck me....

Dante has a shocked look on his face.

Dante: You're infected.....aren't you?

Killen looks at Bo, who looked like he was on the verge of tears.

Bo: Killen....

Killen: Show it to me.

Bo: I'm sorry, son-

Killen: Show me the fucking infection.

Bo glares at Killen, before he pulls back his collar to reveal a fresh bite wound.

Killen: Jesus fucking Christ.

Bo: Yeah...took the words right out of my mouth.

Bo lets go of his collar and walks up to Dante.

Bo: Give me your arm.

Bo rolls up Dante's sleeve, where his infection mark is.

Bo: Twenty-years, Killen! See the difference?! Huh?! This mark on this man is twenty-fucking-years old. I was bitten an hour ago and it's already bad!

Bo lets go of Dante's arm and walks in front of Killen.

Bo: This shit is fucking real, Killen. You've gotta get this man back home to Cratersville, so the people can help him find his scientist of a brother and help stop this shit.

Killen: No. No fucking way. You may believe in this magic bite shit, but I sure as shit don't. I'm not doing that.

Bo: The hell you're not. Look...

Bo steps closer, giving him a pleading look.

Bo: Look, we both know how this has to end....you make this worth it.

At the moment, the engine of a Zeus Corps Helicopter is heard as Dante looks out the window to see a Zeus Corps Helicopter land and drop off several Zeus Corps Soldiers.

Dante: Fuck....Zeus Corps!

Killen: How the hell do they keep finding us?!

Dante: What do we do?!

Killen: We don't have enough ammo for a fight...and their weapons fair better than ours.

Bo cocks his shotgun.

Bo: I can buy you sometime...but you have to run like hell.

Dante: You want us to just leave you here?!

Bo: Yes. I'm dead. Now go.

Killen: Bo, there's no way-

Bo: I will not die one of those things....I want to die....like a man...so I can see my family again.

Killen: Bo, we might just have to surrender, okay?! Let's just-

Bo: No, just go!

Bo pushes Killen.

Bo: Just get the fuck out of here...okay...

Killen stares at Bo for a few minutes, but then nods and gestures to Dante.

Killen: Dante....

Dante: I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this, son-

Killen: Now.

Dante and Killen run towards the back of the building, leaving Bo to fend for himself. Killen shuts the door and looks it.

Dante: What the fuck?! What did we just do?

Killen: Stop.

The Zeus Corps Soldiers are heard bursting in as shooting is heard right after. Bo is heard fighting back.

Dante: We just left him to die.

Killen: Stop. You stay close to me. We gotta move.

The two of them head upstairs and walk along the floor, then come upon the balcony and they can see Bo, fatally wounded. One of the Zeus Corps Lieutenant walk up to the fatally wounded Bo and aims his gun.

Bo: Do it....so I can see my wife again....

The Zeus Corps Lieutenant looks down and shakes his head, before the Captain walks up shoots Bo in the head.

Dante: Bo...

Killen places his hand on Dante's shoulder.

After the execution, the Captain chastises the Lieutenant.

Cole: What the fuck's wrong with you, Lieutenant? He was wasteland trash.

Cole addresses the other Zeus Corps Soldiers.

Cole: Alright, we got one of them. Spread out! Lieutenant, you're watching the door.

Kyle: Yes, captain.

Dante and Killen manage to escape to another wing of the building.

Dante: What do we do? Killen?

The two see some of the squad coming into the room.

Killen: I got this.

Killen manages to kill of the Zeus Corps Soldiers quietly and take his Zeus Corps Assault Rifle, before taking out of some of the men.

Dante: Holy shit...that thing is powerful for a rifle.

Killen: Uses high-armor piercing rounds.

Killen grabs another Zeus Corps Soldier's assault rifle and tosses it to Dante.

Killen: Time to fight fire with fire.

Dante and Killen head to the ground floor.

Dante: What are we doing?

Killen: Hell if I know...uh....

Dante: How the hell do we get out of here?

Before Killen can answer, the two hear some of the Zeus Corps squad talking amongst each other, causing the two men to duck and hide.

Killen: Alright. We're gonna have to go through that hall.

Killen points through the archway where they can see an exit.

Killen: Stay down. We may have their guns, but they still have the numbers.

Dante and Killen make their way around the guards by hiding behind huge craters.

Dante: There's the exit.

Killen: Alright. I see it.

Killen looks around the corner of a crate they were hiding behind as Dante listens for the Zeus Corps Soldiers to walk past them.

Killen: (whispering) Go!

The two men take off running outside and towards an old subway entrance, then they head downstairs.

Zeus Corps Soldier: They're going into the subway! Stop em!

A large Zeus Corps truck comes closer.

Dante: Shit!

Killen: Fuck! Go! Go!

The two take off running into an old subway as the Zeus Corps Soldiers open fire.

Zeus Corps Soldier: Damn it!

In front of the capital, the Zeus Corps soldiers approach and regroup with Cole and Kyle along with their squad, who have rounded up a gang of teenage bandits.

Zeus Corps Soldier: Captain.

Cole: What happened?

Zeus Corps Soldier: Lost alpha target in the subway, sir.

Cole: Fuck.....well....we can't risk losing any more men chasing two wastelanders. We'll have to track down alpha target another day.

Epps: What about these bunch, sir?

Cole: Execute them.

Epps: Yes, sir.

The Zeus Corps Soldiers, including Kyle and Epps line up in front of the fearful teenage bandits.

Cole: Ready. Aim....Fire!

With the exception of Kyle, who lowers his weapon and shakes his head in disgust, the Zeus Corps Soldiers open fire and execute the teenage bandits.

Cole: alright. We're done here! Let's pack it up! Head back to base.

The Zeus Corps Soldiers enter the helicopter and leave the area. Meanwhile, later on, Dante and Killen exit the tunnel through a door inside the house.

Dante: So fucking glad to be out of there, man.

Killen: We're not out the woods yet. We don't have long before it gets dark. The tunnel's overrun with those things and since it collapsed, we'll have to travel on foot to the station....Trust me when I say; you don't want to be caught out here in the dark.

Dante: Is there something worse in the dark?

Killen: Yes....like I said...you don't want to be caught.

Dante: looks like someone lived here....and when there are people, there's food, supplies...

Killen: (looking through the drawers to find ammo) guns and ammo....

Killen takes the gun and checks its ammo clip.

Killen: looks like someone ran out of options...and used one of the bullets.

Killen takes the gun from the corpse.

Killen: rest in peace....

The two load up on their weapons and head upstairs. Dante opens the bathroom door to find a corpse. Dante gags as he backs up. He then spots a pistol in his discarded hand. Killen walks up to Dante.

Dante: Looks like he got depressed.

Killen: Yeah, he did.....we need to keep moving. C'mon. I know somewhere safe we can stay for tonight.

Dante and Killen walk upstairs to the surface as they notice that it is snowing in a post apocalyptic downtown California.

Dante: eesh...whoever launched those bombs....did one hell of a job...

Killen: That plane over there...I remember when it crashed in the center of the city....a lot of people died that day....

Sunset, Killen enters an empty room with a barrel. Dante enters the room. Killen pulls his gun in his holster and removes his backpack.

Killen: Could you close the door please?

Dante closes the door as Killen pulls out two wrapped sandwich from his backpack, along with a take 5 candy bar, a Twix candy bar and two plastic water bottles. Dante sits down as Killen, with a Twix bar, a sandwich and a water bottle, walks over to Dante and hands them to him.

Killen: you must be hungry, here.

Dante: How many days is this?

Killen: one...always hid an extra bag somewhere in case we got caught.

Dante takes the sandwich and starts eating it. Killen walks back over to the backpack and puts the food on his backpack. He then pulls out a lighter and tries to burn the papers in the barrel. He manages to burn the papers as Killen moves the burning barrel between Dante and Killen, who then sits down on the floor and smokes a cigarette.

Killen: Want one?

Dante: No thanks. I quit once I joined the army.

Killen: Huh. That's brave of you, old man.....

Dante: Oh....Thank you for saving my life.

Killen: Don't mention it....

Dante: Hey, also.....about Bo....

Killen: Save it.....he was my friend, but.....shit just happens.

Dante: Killen....those soldiers....they were Zeus Corps, right?

Killen looks up to Dante.

Killen: Yeah....

Dante: Looks like in the past twenty years, they've upgraded.....advanced...their weapons....are something else.

Killen: yeah. So...before all this...you had a family, huh?

Dante: Yeah....I was married.

Dante looks down at his wedding ring.

Dante: I had a son, too.....

Killen: You remember their names?

Dante: Of course....my boy's name was Harry and my wife's name was Amanda.

Killen: How'd you two meet?

Dante: We were high school sweethearts. She was the cheerleader and I was the football jock. Literally a high school couple.....then college came around and...well, she went.....I tried, but financial aid issues....yet, she still stuck with me....anyway, we had our son....I joined the military to help us out more....and life was just....great...

Killen: Ah....I see....that tends to happen...people you care you about....they often die...

Dante: What about you, man? Any family?

Killen: Family's dead.....parents are dead.....it's just me living amongst some friends in the crater of a town now....

Dante: Sorry.

Killen: Don't be....caring about people...especially in this world...gets your ass killed.

Killen: let's get some rest. (Lies down) Get warm while you can. It's supposed to snow in a few hours.

2000

Dante is lying in bed with a pregnant Amanda.

Dante: Seriously?

Amanda: Yes, I'm serious, Dante.

Dante: You want to name our boy after your cranky ass dad?

Amanda: Hey. He wasn't almost cranky. After all, my cranky ass Dad is the reason I married your handsome ass, right?

Dante: Touche. So....what do we think, though?

Amanda: Well, if he's big and strong like his father, let's name him after your Dad.

Dante: Harry?

Amanda: Yeah...why not?

Dante: It's just....a common name, you know?

Amanda laughs before kissing Dante.

Dante: You know; I think Harry can work.

Amanda: So, Harry it is?

Dante: Harry, it is.

2029

Dante awakens from the nightmare, before he notices spots Killen muttering in his sleep.

Killen: No...no...Mom, Dad.....Dad, please....no,no....

Dante walks over to Killen and shakes him.

Dante: Killen! Killen! Killen! Wake up!

Killen screams awake as he pulls out his pistol and presses it against Dante's chin.

Dante: No! Killen! Stop! It's me! It's Dante!

Killen: Fuck (sighs) Dante....(puts gun down) Sorry....how long were we sleeping?

Dante: shit....it's dark now....

Killen: Damn it....my timer didn't go off....we have to get to my town....now!

Killen stands up as the two exit the building as Dante spots a downed plane.

Killen: what?

Suddenly, a giant winged creature attacks and grabs Dante, taking him up into the air, above the buildings. Dante swings at the creature as Killen shoots at the creature. He then pulls out a knife and cuts the beasts chin, causing Dante to be dropped onto a building as he slides down onto the street.

Killen: You okay? (The beast flies away as Killen continues shooting at it) Get out of here, you fucking bastard! (Looks at Dante, who is standing up) Dante, you okay?

Dante: okay....that hurts....

Out of nowhere, a sudden howl is heard as Dante and Killen are alerted.

Killen: oh, crap

Dante: What was that?

Killen: Bad news.

A giant rat like creature, mutated with a wolf known as a Ratclaw climbs up the structure and howls again as multiple Ratclaws approach Dante and Killen. The two then shoot at them and begin running through the town. The two eventually lose the beasts as they narrowly make it to a ruined theatre. However, the beasts manage to climb in through holes in the walls. The two fight off the Ratclaws for a while and are able to escape. The two eventually run through town again and manage to locate Kyle's town, which is a football field mostly made from small trailers or small homes.

Killen: There's my town! Follow me, Dante!

The two run straight towards Cratersville. In Cratersville, on the tower, one of the pedestrians, a young girl manages to spot the two with a pair of binoculars.

Ashley: Dad! Nathan!

Two other men approach the tower.

Luke: What is it, Ashley?

Ashley: I think I see Killen coming this way...he's got some Ratclaws on him. (Looks through binoculars) Wait....there's someone else with him....

Nathan: who is it?

Ashley: I don't know! It's not one of our runners!.....We need to get those gates open!

Luke: I'll rally the alarm and get Billy on the sniper.

Nathan: Right....Jacob! Walter! Get your armor on and arm yourself with the flame thrower!

Dante and Killen continue running from the packs of Ratclaws as they manage to reach a gate.

Killen: (banging on the gate) open up! Open up, you bastards!

Dante and Killen hold off the Ratclaws with gunfire while in town, two men, Walter and Jacob, who is wearing a cowboy hat, put on a type of armor as Nathan arms them with flamethrowers.

Walter: What do we got, Nate?

Nathan: Killen just got back! He's got a whole pack of Ratclaws on him.

Jacob: Is he alone?

Nathan: No, he's got someone with him....

Walter: What about Bo?

Nathan: I don't know. I don't see him or the crew we sent with him.

Ashley arrives.

Luke: Ashley, you, Sarah and Nora make sure all the children are safe. Nathan, you get ready to open the gate for Killen.

Ashley nods and runs back into town.

Luke: Billy?! You in position?!

Billy is seen yielding a sniper rifle on the Cratersville tower.

Billy: yes, I am!

Billy aims in his sniper rifle and shoots down a few Ratclaws.

Billy: Stonequest must've pissed these things off bad.

In a home in Cratersville, another man, Colin, is arming his crossbow. Outside of Cratersville, Dante and Killen are still holding off the Ratclaws. Dante shoots until he runs out of ammunition.

Dante: Fuck! I'm out!

A Ratclaw jumps at Dante as she manages to hold it off. In Cratersville, Walter and Jacob with their flamethrowers as Nathan arrives at the gate controls and pulls out his pistol.

Nathan: Prepare to open fire!

Dante continues holding the Ratclaw off as Killen shoots the beast off.

Luke: Now!

Nathan: Lifting the gate! Go! Now! Walter!

Nathan presses on the main gate control as the gate opens. Walter and Jacob advance and manage to burn off or fend off the Ratclaws with their flamethrowers.

Walter: Burn, motherfuckers!

Dante and Killen run into Cratersville as Walter, Jacob, Luke and Nathan back away into town. Killen catches his breath as he laughs at Dante.

Killen: Now, that was close.....

Suddenly a Ratclaw grabs Killen's foot and pulls him, but the Ratclaw is shot in the head by arrow. Dante turns to notice Colin loading an arrow.