The sun sets over the broken city, retracting its warm glow over the rubble and dead bodies being cleaned up. Machine guns and laser rifles echo through the buildings as the fighting continues for yet another day. Jason stands in front of a large window, taking in the desecrated landscape once again.

Putting out his cigarette, he grabs his rifle and heads to the door, preparing for his turn at the front just a couple blocks away. Making his way through the hoard of people huddled up at the base of the building, nodding at the officers as he made his way by. Breaking outside, the smell of burning bodies invades his nose before beginning the short march to the forward positions.

After checking in with the Captain, Jason protects himself with the barricade while scouting out a good position to set up shop in the buildings just behind the line. With some pondering, he spotted one that should work about two buildings down along the front, technically in enemy territory. They didn’t control the intersection yet, so an escape would be tricky, however that was always the case. Saluting his commanding officer, he marked where on the map he would be and slipped out.

The building had multiple floors, windows already broken, and an entrance along the alley. In short, it was the best spot he would get. Cautiously, Jason glided through the building, attempting to avoid noise in case it wasn’t abandoned. Without incident, he made it to the top floor and peeked out one of the broken windows, checking to see if a clean shot was possible.

It wasn’t perfect, he couldn’t see quite as far as he would have liked, but it would have to do. Unshouldering his Balalaika, he set himself up in the shadows. Making sure he was out of sight, that the barrel didn’t reflect any light, and that he could stay put for as long as it took. Finally, he was ready to cast judgment upon one of the SOB below.

Hours pass, the fighting below dies down without any advancement from either side once again. The sun begins to rise, illuminating the desolate scene below. Broken cars litter the road, some burned, glass covers most of the ground with other debris. Corpses can be seen here and there, bloated from sitting in the sun for who knows how long. Laser rifles begin going off again as yet another round of attacks begin.

Jason catches a glimpse just around the corner of the intersection, a shoulder of a commanding officer. He didn’t recognize the shoulder rank, so it must be someone higher than normally came to the front. Holding his breath, he waits, begging that he makes one step forward, one step into view. Moments pass and everything seems still. Time has stopped as Jason stares down the scope.

Finally, and what felt like forever, the enemy’s head is clear of the building. The gray skin with it’s putrid looking eyes is in sight. The breathing cylinder, the large mouth, all of it was within sight.

Jason exhales and gently squeezes the trigger. Again time stops as he keeps the invader in his sights, just in case he has to fire another lump of lead to finish the job. A moment passes before he sees the green blood spew forth, it’s head destroyed from the close range. He finally inhales, knowing he’s made a successful and important kill.