An unexpected ambush

Sergeant Foreman's POV

By the time you lead Team 3 outside so that they could engage the approaching enemy ****, you noticed that a group of nine walkers had indeed climbed their way up the hill. However, you also soon realized what was distracting them and so, quickly spotted an opportunity. So, you instantly urged your partners to take cover behind an abandoned pickup truck on their side of the street.

"Okay, new plan," You said quickly, once you were sure they were all paying attention. "It seems those zombies were following a fleeing deer and are now surrounding its carcass to eat it now that they caught up with the animal. So, we have a great opportunity to ambush them while they are focusing on their meal. Let's make the most of it."

They nodded in agreement and after a few more seconds where you gave them advice based on your experiences fighting these rabid zombies in the past week, the four of you advanced as quickly and silently as possible, eager to get as close as they could to their distracted foes without making a noise. You held your XM9 sniper rifle closely as you approached, knowing that while your own model was older and with a slightly worse suppressor than Zhang's preferred rifle of choice, the fact that your weapon's design still had a bayonet suited you well for this kind of close-quarter stealth tactics, especially if you wanted to avoid attracting more biters during the fighting. So, once you were much closer, you gave the new Swedish recruit a nod which she returned.

And with a new burst of speed, you ran forward, impaling the first zombie in the back of the head before it knew what hit him.

The rest of the pack started noticing them now, ans then two more hit the pavement before they could fully turn around; one by the new Private Second Class under your command and another by Allen's sharp axe. This meant that by the time Zachary pressed through the opening in their formation to beat down a walker with his crowbar, they were already a third of the way done. But then came the next wave of attacks from your group, and you soon settled into an organized and effective rhythm: Zachary would make the nearest zombie stumble by hitting it in the legs with his crowbar, Allen would then finish it off with an axe to the skull. And finally, when the zombies behind them got closer, you and your fellow soldier used the superior reach of your bayonet attached rifles to spear your way forward.

This tactical approach ended up working so well that before even one minute had passed; the entire pack of walkers was cut down. Even you had to admit to yourself that you were a little surprised.

"But now it's not the time to let them know that," You thought to yourself with an almost unnoticeable nod.

So, you smiled widely at them and patted them on the back.

"See?! I told you we would be okay if we worked together and watched each other's back!"

"So you did, Sergeant," Allen said in agreement, the heavily muscular man sighing in relief before returning your smile. "Still, thank you for your leadership. It's good to have people around here that have experience implementing real combat plans."

"For sure," Zachary said with a vigorous nod. "This is way harder and more tense than video game fights."

You chuckled a bit despite yourself. "I appreciate the vote of confidence. But don't forget, plans are useless without capable enough people to execute them, so, don't sell yourselves short. This victory here was a team effort."

They looked pleased at you for saying so, which was good for morale. And it became especially more important when it was also true. Soon, however, you turned to look at the new recruit for your owner's Personal Guard that had taken down a full third of the zombie pack all by herself with methodical efficiency, noting that the former Private Second Class had looked at the horrific face of the walking dead and stood firm all the same.

And so, you smiled at her in approval, the useless doubts that had been preying on you that day now silent and still like the zombies you had personally struck dead.

"Well done, Private Karlsson," You said with a nod of acknowledgement. "I will have to speak with our commanding officer before it can be made official, but know that after your audition today, I will personally bring up the matter with him upon Team One's return and recommend you join our one true owner's personal guard with your rank restored. Congratulations."

The tall and beautiful Swede smiled brightly at that. And then she responded by saluting. You smiled back in approval, appreciating the gesture before returning the salute.

Soon, however, you heard a crashing noise and your whole team turned around on the spot, wary and alert once more.