Kael opened the door, stepping out with his rifle slung across his chest. The Super Soldiers followed silently.
Each one was forced to roll up their sleeves, expose their necks, and show their legs. The guards carried lanterns with them…
This was already a routine, and there was nothing new about this arrangement.
Their eyes focused on their skin as they searched for the telltale marks of infection.
The inspection was thorough. One of the guards even pressed a talisman against their skin, watching for any reaction. When none came, he finally nodded.
"They're clean," he said. "Now for the entry fee."
Another guard stepped forward, holding out a container. "Five zombie cores each. Standard rate. Pay, or turn back."
Kael's jaw tightened. "Five each? That's robbery."
He knew that it should only be three Zombie Cores.
The guard shrugged. "Shelter rules. It's also dark as you can see. Anyway, we don't care who you are. You pay, or you stay outside with the dead."
