At a Coronado Beach, a Zeus Corps patrol with chemical suits protecting them from the spikes of the radioactive fluids is seen scanning the beach. One of the Zeus Corps Patrol's locates the decayed upper torso of Rick Barnes, before he speaks into his earpiece.
Zeus Corps Patrol: Colonel Barnes….I think you'll want to see this.
At the Prime Kronos Facility, Ryder and Barnes enter the science room, where the corpse of Rick Barnes is being examined.
Ryder: How long ago did you find him?
Kronos Scientist # 1: About an hour….we're examining the corpse now to see if anything remains of Subject 19's blood….
Olivia: It would be impossible….His corpse has been exposed to the radioactive fluid for three months….if Dante's blood was still running through…uh…Barnes' brothers' corpse….the radioactive fluid would eaten it all…and there we be a small percentage of it left…
Ryder: Pull whatever you can out of his corpse….we need Subject 19's blood….it could still serve us well…
Barnes gives a saddened look as Ryder notices.
Ryder: You all right?
Barnes: I'm fine, sir….just wish I had told my brother….what I wanted to tell him.
Ryder nods, before speaking to the staff.
Ryder: Everyone….this corpse was Sergeant Rick Barnes…..we're going to let Colonel Barnes here….take a few moments with his brother…all of you go to break….that's an order…
The staff leaves as Ryder and Barnes remain.
Ryder: Take your time.
Ryder leaves as Barnes approaches his brother's corpse.
Barnes: Ricky….oh, Ricky….Baby brother…can't tell you how much…..I hated you….you were always the soft one….always hard headed…..never listened….never could take orders well…you were the fuck up of the family….the fuck up of the army….just a first class fuck up, Rick…I can't tell you how fucking much I wanted to put a bullet in your skull, but then you were locked up for killing the doc….despite that….I promise you….I promise you, baby brother…that you will be avenged….you took Dante with you, but I'm going to make sure Kyle joins you too….only I'll do with the power you couldn't handle…
Back in Midtown Manhattan, Shawn walks into his apartment, carrying a string of rabbits as Catherine, who has a haircut, is seen writing in her notebook. Shawn places one of the dead rabbits onto the table as Catherine exclaims.
Catherine: Fuck! Wha-What is this?
Shawn: Dinner.
Catherine: It's called bacteria….and disease….
Shawn: No, it's called a rabbit, not a rat….besides; it's a fresh kill….
Catherine: No, thank you.
Catherine resumes writing as Shawn approaches Catherine.
Shawn: You cut your hair?
Catherine: Yeah? What do you think?
Shawn: Eh….
Catherine: Wow….you say this to your future wife and you're in a for a kick to the balls.
Shawn: Billy told me you've been in here all day….is something wrong?
Catherine: Uh…no…it's just…it's my little brothers' birthday today…
Shawn: I didn't know you have a brother.
Catherine: I…uh…I had a brother….
A moment.
Shawn: well, you can tell me all about your brother…when you're enjoying a dinner with me.
Catherine: Shawn, I said I'm not hungry.
Shawn: Catherine, please….I…I wouldn't be able to rest tonight if I knew you didn't get anything to eat….you've ever tried rabbit? It's nice….
A few minutes later, Shawn and Catherine are eating the cooked rabbit and laughing.
Shawn: So you were babysitting your brother and he snuck out on his homecoming dance even after your parents punished him and you got blamed for it….wow….he must've had some balls…
Catherine: Yeah, I had a very hot date planned with the captain of the football team, but thanks to my little brother, I had to cancel my date.
Shawn: Wow….you and my Mom would've made good friends….because she would not have stood for that shit.
Catherine: Yeah, my brother…he was very passionate about life….about the world….
Shawn: what happened?
A short pause before Catherine sighs.
Catherine: It was the beginning of the Python Outbreak….In Dallas, his school was under quarantine…by Zeus Corps Soldiers…and he was among the few who were accused of being infected….I rushed over to the school….pleaded…begged for the soldiers to let him go…that he wasn't infected….but it was no use…..they gunned him down….along with two best friends…The look in his eyes…..he was so afraid…the day before the virus hit the city, he had gotten into a car accident…..and rather than complaining about it, he gave me a big hug….told me that if this was his last day on Earth, he wanted me to know that I was the best sister anyone could ever asked for.
Catherine pulls out a photo of herself and her brother, before handing Shawn the photo.
Catherine: This was him…..his name was Tyler….he was 15 years old….with a scholarship to the University of Texas….already as a sophomore.
Catherine sheds a tear, before she wipes it. Shawn, saddened, hands Catherine the photo.
Shawn: I'm sorry….no one should go through that…
Catherine sets the photo down.
Catherine: A scientists stays to the task given to them…we can't give in to fear or emotion…..but when you're working for the same company who's responsible for the death of your family and someone you loved….you sometimes wonder….if you are doing the right thing…for your country…for your family...
In the Chrysler Building, Cassandra walks into Daniel's office with a notepad as Alexandria and Daniel are examining their notes.
Cassandra: Dad….I was just in the pantry looking over our food storage….and we're really low…
Alexandria: What?
Cassandra: Yeah….and medical supplies are also low as well….also ammo…more people are getting sick from the radioactive fluid areas….it's about that time again…
Daniel: No…
Cassandra: Dad…
Daniel: Honey, you know how we feel….
Cassandra: …we have to resupply for the summer…which means we're going to have to do that five-day run….
Alexandria: This means more casualties…last year; it was just you and your brother that got back….barely…
Cassandra: but we have stronger people….we have Kyle…we have Shawn…we have Nathan…they're capable of making this run happen…you should've seen them at the dam….Dad, we can do this…
At a field outside of Midtown Manhattan, Kyle, Nathan, Walter, Caleb, Billy and Blake are teaching Sarah, Ashley, Maya, Beth, Catherine and Shane on how to shoot. Shane is seen shooting with his hand on his groin.
Walter: Hey, boy. No one holds their dick while shootin. You trying be a pimp or a survivor? Don't gimme that gansta shit.
Shane: My bad.
Shane puts both his hands on his gun, before managing to shoot the bottle.
Walter: Nice….
Kyle is seen helping Sarah with her shooting.
Kyle: You're doing great; just keep those elbows locked.
Sarah shoots, managing to hit a bottle.
Kyle: Nice!
Sarah: Thanks!
Nathan notices this as Blake continues to give jealous looks.
Nathan: Hey, Sarah! Straighten up your elbows! You're a tad bit off!
Billy is seen teaching Catherine, who is shooting with her pistol.
Billy: Have you ever had to use a gun before?
Catherine: Uh…not really…
Billy: Okay, well….well, you never know when you might have to kill…so just in case…you want to get prepared…here…look your shoulders…tighten up your stance…take a deep breath....aim and shoot…
Catherine aims and shoots her pistol, hitting the bottle, before she laughs.
Billy: Excellent! Helluva shot for a doctor!
Mitchell arrives on the shooting field.
Mitchell: Hey! Hey! Hey!
The survivors stop shooting, before turning their attention to Mitchell.
Mitchell: Daniel's having a town meeting.
In a town meeting at the chapel, Daniel is seen standing in front of the crowd with Alexandria and Mitchell. Among the crowd of the Midtown Manhattan pedestrians are Kyle, Nathan, James, Billy, Walter, Sarah, Ashley, Shawn, Catherine, Caleb, Beth, Blake, Cassandra, Maya and Shane.
Daniel: Thank you! Thank you all for coming! It's come to my attention to inform you all that the number of medicine…food ….and ammo is getting short…again…
The crowd murmurs before Mitchell and another Midtown Manhattan fighter calms down the crowd.
Daniel: Now, with that being said….the time for a five day run into the farther wasteland is required with the season changing….you all know how the spring is…easiest way to get infected by radioactive spikes…and a lot of people will die if we don't have the medical treatment to treat the infected and wounded…..to go further out into the wasteland means a bigger group and I know that's a big risk, but this is required….for our families…for our city….so….I need a group of volunteers…now bigger than 20….so who will go?
Blake and Cassandra are the first to stand up while Mitchell raises his hand.
Daniel: My son and daughter…..I need ten more.
After a few moments of hesitation, Kyle stands up as does Sarah. Nathan, after giving Sarah a look, stands up. Caleb, Beth, Shawn, Catherine, Walter and James stand as well. Eight other Midtown Manhattan fighters
Daniel: It's settled then…..those of you who have families may want to say your goodbyes tonight….you may not get another chance after tomorrow.
In the Stahl home, Nathan and Sarah are seen arguing.
Nathan: No! Absolutely fucking not! No way!
Sarah: Why not?
Nathan: Sarah! It's a goddamned five day run out into the further wastelands! The further wastelands which means monsters that we haven't fucking deal with in a long time!
Sarah: Nathan! I want to help, okay? This is a good thing!
Nathan: Are you doing this for Midtown Manhattan or just cause Kyle and Blake are going?
Sarah: Oh, my god….Nathan, this is not about Kyle…we need to do this and Midtown Manhattan is going to need more food….they need our help…
Nathan: Then let them deal with this! Let us deal with this! I can't keep babysitting you on these runs!
Sarah: I'm not Ashley, okay? I can handle myself…..
A short pause.
Nathan: (sighs) Okay, you can come….but after this…..until you get proper gun training, no more runs….I fucking mean it….
Sarah: Fine….
The next morning, Kyle is seen walking with Shawn, before Walter yells out.
Walter: Yo! Let's go! I ain't got all day! I gotta get home to tuck in Shawn's mama! (laughs)
Shawn: (laughs) Fuck you....
In the armory, Nathan approaches Kyle, Shawn, James and Walter as they are loading up on ammunition, grenades, knives and weapons such as pistols, assault rifles and shotguns.
Nathan: Check your weapons and gear. (to Walter) That includes you, Walter. (takes out a blade and hands it to Walter, who takes it) One thing you think you don't need could save your ass.
Shawn walks by Nathan, who whispers to Shawn.
Nathan: I'll be watching you closely....
Daniel approaches Nathan.
Daniel: How are they?
Nathan: We've been through runs like this...They can handle it.
Daniel: You sure you can lead them?
Nathan: Yeah....I can.....and I will.....
Daniel: Keep my children safe, Nathan....
Nathan: I will, sir.
Kyle, Nathan, Shawn, Caleb, Beth, James, Cassandra, Blake and Mitchell load up the few trucks, before Walter is at the truck, waiting for the others.
Walter: Yo! Let's go! I ain't got all day!
Shawn: Yeah, yeah, we heard you the first fuckin time.
Daniel looks at Cassandra and Blake as the two walk up to Daniel.
Daniel: My children….my oldest son….and my oldest daughter….I couldn't….I couldn't be any proud to call you my children….you two were the first to stand up…
Blake: Well, Dad, it's the one thing you taught us.....to be leaders...to be brave....to be the first to lead into battle....give the people hope...to die for the cause if necessary....
Daniel: Hopefully, that'll be years after you both have a family of your own.....son, give me a moment with your sister.....good luck.....my boy....my son...
Daniel and Blake have a father and son moment, before Blake departs to the rest of the scavenging party. Daniel then speaks to Cassandra.
Daniel: My oldest daughter.....my strongest daughter....you learned how to shoot a gun faster than I could teach it....can't tell you how proud I am.....
Cassandra: Dad, I know sometimes....being rebellious can be a sin, but.....I know it made you proud....being headstrong makes a strong woman...
Daniel: Yes, it does....and you are headstrong....
Daniel hugs Cassandra.
Daniel: Be safe.....both of you.....watch out for each other.....
Cassandra: We will, Daddy...
Cassandra and Blake share hugs with Alexandria and Maya while Ashley hugs Sarah and Nathan goodbye. The scavenging party then drive out into the wasteland as the gates of Midtown Manhattan close while Ashley, Daniel, Billy and Alexandria watch. Meanwhile, at the Prime Kronos Facility, Ryder and Barnes are seen walking.
Barnes: I've seen things, sir.....
Ryder: What do you mean?
Barnes: I've seen good men and woman die because someone either fucked us over or hesitated to pull the trigger....or because they didn't know what they were walking into....
Ryder: Hmm.....Barnes....what I'm going to share with you is personally between you and I.....you remember Subject 19, right?
Barnes: Dante Wilkes.....Dr. Arnold Wilkes' son.
Ryder: Yes.....he was one of our test subjects to see the effect of the late Dr. Burke's Python serum....he thought it could cure diseases....make people stronger...
Barnes: Instead, it destroyed the whole fucking world and killed every single guinea pig we had.
Ryder: Except him.....Dante lived....we had him captured and took his blood in order to create an army of super soldiers....but unfortunately, the Oasis, the machine carrying all the serums Burke created was destroyed and Dante.....our only chance....our seemingly only chance....is resting in peace at the bottom of a radioactive fluid river.....we thought we lost all hope....till your brother shows up.....you see when he was alive.....he injected himself with multiple serums.....becoming just like Dante..
Barnes: Well, guess it didn't help my brother in the end....what's the story with Kyle, sir?
Ryder: Kyle was a brilliant....a brilliant soldier.....respectable....respected the chain of command....only one thing....he was hesitant....like this father....His father's work here was incredible....it was very early phased....it wasn't weapon modifications or armor modifications....he was studying the generic code of the radioactive fluid....he thought he could create a cure.....he handed the idea to Burke....who created the Python virus...
Barnes: Hmm...so what caused Kyle to defect? A man like that?
Ryder: Now, that's a story for another time....but his father wasn't interested in weapons....
Barnes: But Burton was....
Ryder: Yes, he was....but your brother's body contains of what may be Dante's blood....which is still running fresh three months later....Jack? How old are you? You gotta be like what? Forty-five?
Barnes: Thirty-eight, sir....I'll be thirty-nine in July.
Ryder: It has a toll, doesn't it? Why weren't you ever promoted? You should be a Colonel....a fine man with your record.
Barnes: And miss fighting on the field....of whoever or whatever's out there....but...I do make a recommendation....the blood you're getting out my brother's body....you're going to need a test subject....
Ryder: You willing to take that risk?.....you saw what happened to your brother....you've heard about Dante.....can you handle it?
Barnes: I sure as shit can, sir....I'm not Rick.....and I'm not Dante.....I'm a goddamned soldier....but it'll give the wasteland a more further reason not to fuck with us...
Ryder: I like that....
The two men smile while in the wasteland, in a forest, the scavenging party is seen resting. Nathan is seen struggling to sleep as he turns to a hallucination of Nora, who is wearing a white dress.
Nathan: Nora? Nora?
Nora: Hey, baby.....
Nathan: You're....you're alive?
Nora: In a manner.....baby, what are you doing?
Nathan: What do you mean?
Nora: I'm watching you.....and I don't like what you're doing.....I'm scared for you....with Zed.....and Billy...he's our friend....he cares about you....they all do...even Kyle..
Nathan: Honey, Zed...I....that was for Vegas....if I didn't do what I did.... Midtown Manhattan would be on its knees....I had to do it for Sarah and Ashley....
Nora: Honey....I know it's been three months...since you've lost me....but you didn't lose me, okay?....I'm still here. (pointing at Nathan's chest)....You're losing yourself....
Nathan: I just....wish....I wish I could've done something.....I should've done something....
Nora: It was going to happen the way it did....regardless of who's fault it was....regardless if Kyle pulled the trigger.....it happened the way it happened.....the way it was going to happen.....I have to go now...
Nathan: What? No....stay.....stay with me...please?...
Nora: I can't.....
Nora touches Nathan's head, before giving him a kiss on the forehead, which causes him to snap out of the hallucination. Saddened, Nathan stands up and walks up to Walter, who is seen smoking a cigarette.
Walter: Here to relieve me, Captain?
Nathan: I'm not a damn captain.
Walter: Shit....you may as well be one....saw that in you the moment we met...
Nathan: What are you checking me out now, man? I mean, if you want to try something on me, I was sleeping over there, man.
The two men laugh for a moment.
Walter: How did we do it, man?
Nathan: Do what?
Walter: Survive the end of the world? Still be here twenty-one years after?
Nathan: With luck...
Walter: Nah....with God.....God's keeping us alive for a purpose, brother....yeah, we've lost so much....too much....but we're still here....and that says something....
Nathan gives a look as Walter walks back.
Walter: Night, Nathan....