Chapter 20 – Choices – Choisir

Mat stood there, unable to move while paramedics and police officers moved in. Strangely, they ignored him and went about their business as if it was everyday that they found a young man, half naked on a site of blood and carnage. Matthiew put his sword in his scabbard, found his discarded desert eagles and went to fetch his riffle and backpack and followed the stranger outside. There, he was met with pandemonium: police cars everywhere, ambulances in greater numbers and at least 25 SWAT team members. And in all this organized chaos, the stranger was talking with the various officers and giving orders that were followed to the letter.
When Mat stepped out of the building, he was directed to the man who threw him some cloth and a wet towel so he could clean himself. Once Mat was dressed, the guy guided him to a brand new blue Mustang GT. When they were both seated, he introduced himself: “I’m called Lance. I’m the second eldest of our kind that we know of. I was born in France 562 A.D. I’m one of the 9 other captain charged with the protection of humanity. Each one of us has his own working method, troops and resources. We have free reign on how we do things. Our only duty is to help the Agency in case of need. Now, where is our enemy and how could this shit happen. Oh, and by the way, I’m the one who saved you the day you got bitten. Now, tell me everything starting with where are we going?”
Mat gave the address of Michelle and explained to Lance what had transpired in the last month or so. How he had found a sentient zombie, how he had assumed that it was with the agency and as they got to the street where the tall blond lived, he was telling Lance how he had blown the staircase when another huge explosion rocked their car. The house where Michelle lived was now a flaming pile of tinder, steel and melting glass. Mat was shocked but lance only smiled and shrugged. Clearly, he was not surprised at all.
- Now What? Asked Mat.
- Now my young friend, we discuss your future, after you finish your story.
So Mat concluded his story and waited while Lance thought in silence. Then, the older man asked many questions regarding the whereabouts of Mat in the last six months. Mat ended up telling his whole story and how he had trained, associated with unsavory peoples and everything. Then, Lance told him everything that had happened at the agency, the intervention at Gaza, the almost death trap in Russia and the heavy toll it had taken on the troops.
It was Mat’s turn to think about the events that had occurred. He came to the conclusion that everything was linked: Gaza, Russia and the attack he had prevent here in California. In his opinion, only a completely insane person could think of something like this and try to pull it off. And now what? That was the eternal question was it not? What would he do of this fine mess? Visibly, ha had been offered a golden opportunity: join the ranks of captains and lead his own crew. Or he could try to disappear again but…Mat knew in his heart that he could never go back to being “normal”. His behavior had spoken for him: he was a zombie hunter. A Dark Blood Hunter, and nothing he tried would never change that. And since he had not accepted the offer of Michelle, it left him with only one option: The Agency. Mat sighed: he would have a lot of answering to do and would have to ask for forgiveness from Thompson, Parkson and RedTail. To name but a few. Still, it had been worth it. For the first time in what seemed an eternity, Matthiew Andrews smiled a true smile. He was going home.
END OF PART 1.

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Chapter 20 – Choices – Choisir
Mat stood there, unable to move while paramedics and police officers moved in. Strangely, they ignored him and went about their business as if it was everyday that they found a young man, half naked on a site of blood and carnage. Matthiew put his sword in his scabbard, found his discarded desert eagles and went to fetch his riffle and backpack and followed the stranger outside. There, he was met with pandemonium: police cars everywhere, ambulances in greater numbers and at least 25 SWAT team members. And in all this organized chaos, the stranger was talking with the various officers and giving orders that were followed to the letter.
When Mat stepped out of the building, he was directed to the man who threw him some cloth and a wet towel so he could clean himself. Once Mat was dressed, the guy guided him to a brand new blue Mustang GT. When they were both seated, he introduced himself: “I’m called Lance. I’m the second eldest of our kind that we know of. I was born in France 562 A.D. I’m one of the 9 other captain charged with the protection of humanity. Each one of us has his own working method, troops and resources. We have free reign on how we do things. Our only duty is to help the Agency in case of need. Now, where is our enemy and how could this shit happen. Oh, and by the way, I’m the one who saved you the day you got bitten. Now, tell me everything starting with where are we going?”
Mat gave the address of Michelle and explained to Lance what had transpired in the last month or so. How he had found a sentient zombie, how he had assumed that it was with the agency and as they got to the street where the tall blond lived, he was telling Lance how he had blown the staircase when another huge explosion rocked their car. The house where Michelle lived was now a flaming pile of tinder, steel and melting glass. Mat was shocked but Lance only smiled and shrugged. Clearly, he was not surprised at all.
- Now What? Asked Mat.
- Now my young friend, we discuss your future, after you finish your story.
So Mat concluded his story and waited while Lance thought in silence. Then, the older man asked many questions regarding the whereabouts of Mat in the last six months. Mat ended up telling his whole story: how he had trained, associated with unsavory peoples and everything. Then, Lance told him everything that had happened at the agency, the intervention at Gaza, the almost death trap in Russia and the heavy toll it had taken on the troops.
It was Mat’s turn to think about the events that had occurred. He came to the conclusion that everything was linked: Gaza, Russia and the attack he had prevent here in California. In his opinion, only a completely insane person could think of something like this and try to pull it off. And now what? That was the eternal question was it not? What would he do of this fine mess? Visibly, ha had been offered a golden opportunity: join the ranks of captains and lead his own crew. Or he could try to disappear again but…Mat knew in his heart that he could never go back to being “normal”. His behavior had spoken for him: he was a zombie hunter. A Dark Blood Hunter, and nothing he tried would never change that. And since he had not accepted the offer of Michelle, it left him with only one option: The Agency. Mat sighed: he would have a lot of answering to do and would have to ask for forgiveness from Thompson, Parkson and RedTail. To name but a few. Still, it had been worth it. For the first time in what seemed an eternity, Matthiew Andrews smiled a true smile. He was going home.
END OF PART 1.
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Mat resta figé de stupeur pendent que les policiers et les ambulanciers entraient dans l’édifice. Ils l’ignorèrent étrangement et se concentrèrent sur leur tâche avec aplomb comme s’ils arrivaient tous les jours sur les lieux d’un carnage avec un jeune homme à moitié nu couvert de sang et de viscères. Mat rangea son épée dans son fourreau, récupéra ses desert eagles et sortit sa carabine de sa cachette et son sac à dos puis, sortit pour rejoindre l’inconnu à l’extérieur. À l’extérieur, Mat fut frappé par le pandémonium qui régnait : des voitures de polices partout, des ambulances en nombre plus élevé et au moins 25 membres du SWAT étaient là. Et au milieu de ce chaos organisé, l’étranger parlait avec les différents officiers, leur donnant des ordres qui étaient exécutées sur le champ et suivit à la lettre.
Une fois à l’extérieur, Mat fut guidé jusqu’à l’inconnus qui lui lança une serviette humide et des vêtements. Une fois nettoyé et habillé, l’homme l’amena jusqu’à une Ford Mustang Gt Bleu de l’année. Une fois assit, il se présenta : « Je me nome Lance. Je suis le second plus vieux de notre bande que l’on connaisse. Je suis né en France en 562. Je suis un des 9 capitaines chargé de la protection de l’humanité. Chacun d’entre nous a ses propres méthodes, ressources et troupes. On a carte blanche tant qu’on obtient des résultats. Notre seul devoir est envers l’Agence. Bon, assez bavardé. Où se trouve notre ennemi et comment on s’est retrouvé dans cette merde? En passant, je suis celui qui t’a sauvé quand tu t’es fait mordre. Bon, raconte-moi tout et dit moi où aller.
Mat lui donna l’adresse de Michelle et profita du voyage pour lui raconter tous les événements des derniers mois. Sa découverte d’un zombie conscient, sa conviction erronée qu’il faisait partis de l’agence etc. Comme ils arrivaient dans la rue où se trouvait la grande blonde, Mat était à expliquer comment il avait fait sauter l’escalier lorsqu’une énorme explosion retentit. Là ou la demeure de la femme se tenait quelques instants plus tôt se trouvait un tas de bois fumant, d’acier tordus et de verre fondu. Mat était sous le choque mais Lance se contenta de sourire.
- Et maintenant, on fait quoi? Demanda Mat
- Maintenant mon jeune ami, tu termines ton histoire et on discute de ton futur.
Mat termina son histoire et attendit en silence pendant que Lance réfléchissait. Puis, ce dernier lui posa une myriade de questions sur ses agissements des derniers mois. Mat en vint à lui raconter toute ses aventures : de sa fuite du centre, à son entrainement personnel, à son association avec des gens peu recommandable et tout le reste. Lance, de son côté, lui raconta ce qui s’était passé à l’Agence : les troubles à Gaza et le presque échec en Russie avec son piège qui avait demandé une dîme énorme en vie humaines.
Ce fut au tour de Mat de réfléchir. Il arriva à la conclusion que tout était lié : Gaza, la Russie et l’attaque qu’il avait déjouée ici en Californie. Il était d’avis que seule une personne complètement cinglé avait pu penser pouvoir réussir ce genre de plan. Et maintenant quoi? C’était son éternelle question n’est-ce pas? Qu’allait-il faire de ce sympathique bordel? Il s’était fait offrir une opportunité en or : rejoindre les rangs des Capitaines et diriger sa propre équipe. Ou il pouvait tenter de disparaître à nouveau…Mat savait en son fort intérieur qu’il ne pourrait jamais retrouver une vie normal. Ses réactions avaient parlées d’elles-mêmes : Il était un chasseur de zombies. Un Chasseur de sombre sang et peu importe ce qu’il tenterait, ce fait ne changerais jamais.
Et comme il n’avait pas accepté l’offre de Michelle, il ne se trouvait vraiment face qu’à une seule option : l’Agence. Mat soupira. Il aurait beaucoup de comptes à rendre et il devrait demander humblement pardon à plusieurs personnes dont Thompson, Pakrson, RedTail pour n’en nommer que quelques uns. Malgré tout, ça avait valut la peine. Pour la première fois en ce qui semblait être une éternité, Matthiew Andrews sourit d’un véritable sourire. Il rentrait à la maison.
Fin de la partie 1