Zombie Off

by Scott Lee

As the boat pulled up to the dock, Doug was still pondering Connor’s plan.

  “He’s insane,” he kept thinking. “But it just might work.”

  He had to admit that it was probably the only way they could get to Morrow, and it’s something they’d never see coming.

  Jumping to the dock, he quickly tied off the boat as a sleepy Diana emerged from below deck, still holding her M48. Smiling, she waved to Doug as she walked across the boat and stepped on to the dock next to him.

  “Hey,” she said smiling.

  “Have a good nap?” he asked.

  “Best ever,” she replied.

  “By the way, you’re not going to need that here,” he said, pointing to the tomahawk.

  “So this is your home? I know this place. I used to jog by here before the apocalypse hit.”

  “We’ve got a pretty good setup here. Solar panels on the roofs supply electricity, rainwater collection barrels, a well guarded and secure wall around the place. So far we’ve been doing OK.”

  “Do you have room for one more in there?”

  “I’m pretty sure we can find room,” he said smiling.

  Just then, Connor stepped from the boat and approached the two.

  “I’m going to get cleaned up and then head to my room. I’m guessing Doug will help you get settled in, Diana.”

  “You bet,” said Doug.

  Once you’ve gotten cleaned up and had something to eat, I’d like you two to stop over to my room. We have a lot to discuss before we set the plan in motion.”

  Diana looked at Doug, somewhat confused.

  “I’ll fill you in on the way,” said Doug.

  Turning, the three headed for the edge of the dock where they rinsed off quickly before heading to the wall.

  As they reached the gate, the guard checked the clipboard and then checked her watch, writing down return times next to Doug and Connor’s names.

  “Good lord. Looks like you guys have been through a war,” she said, looking at the bloody jumpsuits and jackets they carried in their arms.

  “We have,” said Doug.

  “You guys OK?” asked the guard.

  “We are now,” replied Doug. “We have a new arrival.”

  The guard nodded, looking at Diana.

  “Make sure you get her signed in,” she said. “But first, you know the drill.”

  Nodding, Connor and Doug spread their arms and as the guard checked them carefully for bites.

  “Now you, sweetheart,” she said.

  Diana complied, and after a thorough check the three were heading for the container.

  The three crawled through the small opening and passed through the dark container to the doors at the far end. Getting the signal from the guard outside, the doors were opened and the three passed into the safety of the complex.

  Once inside, Connor was about to speak when Diana grabbed him again, hugging him one more time. Stepping back, she handed him the M48.

  “No,” he said. “I want you to keep it.”

  Smiling, she slid the weapon into the sheath that was still attached to her side.

  “Thanks Connor.”

  “Don’t mention it,” he said. “Besides, I think it suits you better.”

  Turning, he walked away.

  “I’ll see you guys in a bit,” he called out over his shoulder.

  Diana turned to Doug, her eyes wandering about the complex around them.

  “What now?” she asked.

  “We get you signed in and get you a room.”

  As the two walked off towards the office, she took his hand in hers.

  “Any chance I can get a room next to yours,” she asked.

  “ I think that can be arranged,” smiled Doug.

  Connors first priority was to deliver the medicine that he had found at the hospital. The family was ecstatic, showering him with praise and thanks and owing him their debt of gratitude.

  “Anything you need,” said the father. “Any favor. Just name it.”

  Brushing all the praise aside, he politely excused himself, leaving the family to tend to the sick child.

  From there he headed across the complex to his home. As he walked into the apartment building, he passed the two old men who were still sitting in the same chairs, this time playing backgammon.

  “How’d it go, Seeker?” one of the men asked.

  “I’m still here,” replied Connor, never breaking stride.

  “Looks like this one didn’t go as smoothly,” said the other man, making a rare comment.

  “You might say that,” said Connor as he headed for the stairs.

  A minute later he stepped inside his apartment to the delight of Monty, who stretched happily at the sight of his person. Jumping off of the couch, the big gray tabby raced across the room to greet him.

  “Hey buddy,” said Connor smiling.

  Reaching down, he gave him a healthy dose of behind the ears scritchins before moving to the table and getting rid of his weapons.

  “I gotta get cleaned up, big guy,” he said as the cat followed him to the bathroom.

  Grabbing a washcloth from the towel rack, he stepped into the tub where he already had soap and a few buckets of water ready. Monty joined him on the edge of the tub as he washed up, occasionally batting at the cloth if it wandered to close to him.

  Once he was clean, he grabbed some fresh clothes and went to the table where his mission maps still lay open. Moving the city maps to the side, he slid open a long drawer in the table and rooted around for a different map. Finding the one he wanted, he opened it up and laid it out on the table, immediately tracing lines with his finger. After looking the map over for a moment, he threw on his boots, grabbed his katana from the closet, and headed for the door.

  “I’ll be back in a few minutes, Monty,” he said as he closed the door behind him.

  Turning, he raced down the hall and to the lobby, moving quickly across the room and out the door. Once outside, he headed straight for the radio room, which was located in the office building in the center of the complex. Stepping inside, he made straight for the man sitting behind the large bank of radios.

  “You guys get our message we sent this morning about the swarm in the park?” he asked, cutting straight to the chase.

  “Sure did, Seeker. Thanks for the heads up.”

  “Is it still contained within the park?” asked Connor.

  “Yep. We have a crew out on the bridge watching the situation. So far, it’s still bottled up by the river and the embankment of 422. Not sure how long they’ll stay there. The crew says it’s one of the biggest swarms they’ve seen yet. At least ten thousand Z’s, probably more.”

  “Good,” smiled Connor. “Because I have a way to deal with the swarm, which will kill two birds with one stone. But first I need to use the radios. I need to send a message to Chemcorp.”

  “Sure thing. Help yourself.”

  Sitting down, Connor dialed in the channel on the CB radio that he knew was monitored by Chemcorp, then picked up the hand piece and called for a response. Moments later, one of Morrow’s men answered the call.

  Connor wasted no time in setting up a meeting, in one hour, to acquire more ZOMBIE OFF. Morrow’s product was vital if his plan was going to succeed, and he needed it as quickly as possible.

  Breaking off radio contact, he smiled as he got up from the chair.

  “Keep me apprised of the situation with the swarm. Let me know if there’s any significant movement.”

  “Will do,” replied the radio operator.

  Leaving the office, he headed back to the building he had just come from.

  “Time to cash in on that favor,” he said.

  Five minutes later, Connor returned to his apartment to find Doug and Diana, cleaned and refreshed, sitting on the couch, a happy Monty sitting on Diana’s lap.

  “I think he likes her,” said Doug smiling.

  “No doubt,” said Connor, smiling. “Glad
you guys could make it. Sorry I’m late, but I had a few things to take care of before we get started.”

  Diana grinned.

  “Didn’t peg you as a cat person,” she said.

  “There’s a lot about me that would surprise you,” he said as he headed for the kitchen. “Can I offer you a drink? I have warm beer or water.”

  “Beer,” they said in unison.

  “Okay, then.”

  Grabbing three beers, he headed back to the living room and sat down on a chair near the couch, tossing aside the dirty clothes that were draped on it.

  Cracking open his beer, he took a long swig and then looked at his two friends, his look turning serious.

  “Getting out of the city was the first part of our task,” he said, looking from one to the other. “To finish the job we have to stop Abe Morrow.”

  Doug and Diana nodded in agreement.

  “I wish we had time to rest, but the situation dictates that we move quickly. I’m not sure how much of my plan Doug shared with you, but it’s going to be risky. Once again, I’ll give you the choice to join me or not.”

  “I can’t believe you’re even saying that,” exclaimed Diana. “After what we just went through, there’s no way I’m bowing out now. Morrow has to pay.”

  “You know I’m in,” said Doug. “I’m like fungus. You can’t get rid of me,” he said smiling.

  Connor nodded, a slight smile crossing his face.

  “Good. Now, how much has Doug told you?” he said, looking at Diana.

  “Just that you plan to catch a swarm, whatever that means.”

  Connor leaned forward, his look serious.

  “That’s exactly what I plan to do. We could try and infiltrate Morrow’s facility, but that would be very risky based on what you’ve told us. He has cameras everywhere, and more than enough men to defend it. No, we need a weapon that has no fear of guns or cameras. No fear at all. We’re going to bring a swarm to his front door, and bash it down!”

  “How are we going to do that?” she asked.

  “The scouts here at the complex have verified that it’s a swarm in Valley Forge Park. A very large one. That’s the reason for the urgency of our plan. We can’t risk the swarm moving before we get there. If that happened, the entire complex could fall.”

  “So what’s the plan?” asked Diana, a look of worry on her face.

  “Zombies are attracted by numerous things, but at the top of the list is sound. I plan to take a vehicle into the park, and lead them out like the Pied Piper. I’m going to take the swarm straight up 422 to the Chemcorp fences, and then we’re going to let them in.”

  “I like the plan so far,” said Doug. “But where do we come into the picture?”

  Connor sat back and took another swig of his beer before answering, his eyes gleaming.

  “As much as I despise Morrow, his ZOMBIE OFF spray is invaluable to this and all the other safe zones out there. We can’t lose that.”

  Looking straight at Diana, he continued.

  “If we can reach his computers, can you download all the data, all the relevant information on ZOMBIE OFF? Could you download the formula?” he asked.

  “I think so. But I’m no computer hacker. If he has passwords and such, I might be stuck.”

  “I can help with that,” said Doug. I was pretty good with computers before the world went to shit. I’m pretty sure I can get to the info.”

  “Excellent,” said Connor, sitting back. “Now we wait for my package to arrive.”

  “Your package?” asked Doug.

  “I had to call in a favor. In order to pull this off, we’re going to need ZOMBIE OFF,” he said, his look hardening again. “I couldn’t risk making the exchange myself because they might recognize me from the hospital rooftop. So I sent someone in my place to get the goods. While you were getting captured in the mall, I managed to acquire a decent amount of gold from the shop across the street. I sent that gold with my emissary to get more ZOMBIE OFF. He should be back in about an hour or so.”

  Doug and Diana exchanged looks.

  “You need ZOMBIE OFF?” suddenly Doug’s expression changed, his eyes going wide. “Oh no . . . no way . . . you’re not thinking . . . “

  “Yep. We’re going in with the swarm.”