Z-Series (Book 4): Z-Takeover

by Hatchett

  “No bullshit.”

  “Fuck it, I’m doin’ it. You ain’t goin’ anywhere anyway, so yer’ll still be here when I get back.”

  “No, I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I’m takin’ the helicopters.”

  “Feel free,” Jack confirmed, “but please don’t kill any more of my pilots. Will you let them come back once they drop you off?”

  “Not a fuckin’ chance. How else we gonna get back? I ain’t walkin’.”

  “I thought once you saw what it was like, you’d want to stay there.”

  “We’ll see, but ya ain’t gettin’ rid of me that easily.”

  There was no way Jack was going to mention the secret underground railway. It was far better that Mamba spent a few days, or preferably weeks or months trying to find an entrance to Burlington, and if he got bored and gave up, then it would take him even longer to get back to Heathrow if he could somehow manage to get the heli’s back. Then, with any luck, Mamba and his crew might all get caught by a horde of zombies and that would be the end of them.

  “I better get sorted,” Mamba said, standing up, not really thinking things through, but fully focused on the promise of getting his hands on the rich and famous. “I’ll even kill that fuckin’ ponce for ya,” he added, nodding towards the phone.

  Mamba waited until Jack had placed his palm back on the scanner and the door had clicked open, then he entered the Security Command Centre to find Basir, Ahmed and Ayla back from breakfast.

  Jack purposely let the door close, as if by accident, then quickly tapped his earpiece and said, “Listen up. This is Jack, don’t do anything until I say.”

  “Roger,” This came from Issy, “But we’ll still get in place.”

  “Roger, Jack,” Bear confirmed.

  “Good. Speak soon.”

  With that, Jack tapped his earpiece again and quickly put his hand on the scanner to open the door and follow Mamba.

  “Ahmed, get all our lot all together ‘n all the leaders of Volkan’s people outside here now,” he ordered.

  “Outside where?”

  “Duh! Outside the fuckin’ door at the end of the corridor, between here ‘n the restaurants. That fuckin’ big open space. Ya know?”

  “OK, what we doin’?”

  “Wait ‘n see,” Ahmed. Yer gonna love it.”

  “Oh shit!” Ahmed muttered to himself. ‘Another of Mamba’s bright ideas comin’ up.’ He quickly got Gert to set up the right communications then relayed the message across the airport.

  “Basir! Put a bomb in here, under the counter. Small one.”

  Basir jumped at the chance and ran to his rucksack.

  “Gert! Get me maps and as much information yer got on this Burlington place, then everyone get out of here unless ya wanna die.”

  Mamba headed for the exit, closely followed by Ayla and Jack.

  “Mamba, what are you going to do with the bomb?” Jack asked, concerned.

  Mamba stopped and turned in the corridor to face him. “It’s not right ya havin’ the satellites ‘n shit, so I’m blowin’ ‘em up. Then ya can’t use ‘em to watch me.”

  “But, if you’re coming back, you won’t be able to use them either,” Jack pointed out.

  “Don’t care. I don’t need any help.”

  With that, he turned and continued along the corridor onto the Level 1 concourse, where people were already congregating.

  85

  Day 19 – 08:15

  Hendon Police College

  Issy was standing next to Nathan Briggs and watched from the tarmac as the last of the policemen and women made their way up the ramp of a Chinook.

  “Thanks for your help Nathan,” Issy said.

  “My pleasure. I hope it all goes well.”

  “It will. Once we land in the field, we’ll send the Chinook back in case we need the reserves.”

  She and Nathan looked across to the additional thirty or so people hanging around.

  “No problem. You better get going.”

  Issy shook Nathan’s hand then turned and ran towards the ramp. At the top, she hit the communicator to tell the pilot to go and hit the switch to raise the ramp. She then took her seat next to a bloody Andy on the bench seat, took her own jar of blood and started getting dirty as she waited for the Heli to take off.

  “You OK?” Andy had to shout near her ear.

  Issy just nodded, focusing on what was about to happen.

  The journey didn’t take long, and by the time they reached the designated field and landed, Issy saw that the other Chinook from Battersea had already landed, and the soldiers had disembarked and dealt with the stray zombies in the field.

  Once everyone was off Issy’s Chinook, the ramp closed, and the pilot prepared to head back to Hendon to wait with the reserves.

  In the meantime, Issy sorted out sentries to make sure there were no unwanted visitors then got together with the other Leaders to discuss developments.

  “Did you all hear Jack’s order?” Issy asked.

  There were nods all around.

  “Did you hear the discussion with Mamba after the phone call?” Dave asked,

  Again, everyone nodded.

  “I think Jack’s managed to convince Mamba that it would be a good idea to fly a hundred and forty kilometres to Wiltshire, drop him off in a field and let him try and find the Holy Grail,” Gina said, smiling as if it was a joke.

  “Well, it does exist,” Travis pointed out.

  “Yeah, but whether Mamba will find it is another matter!” Dave pointed out, and they all laughed.

  “Maybe he’ll just go, and we won’t have to fight anyone,” Andy suggested. He saw the look on Issy’s face and asked, “What’s the matter?”

  “I want everyone to be safe, of course I do, but I also want Mamba dead,” she replied.

  “Worst case,” Dave said, “Mamba can’t find it and has to walk back. That’ll take him a few months, assuming he survives.”

  There were a few more laughs.

  “But then we’ll be back in a position of strength,” Travis pointed out, “and we’ll be ready for him.”

  “Like we were this time?” Issy asked sarcastically. “And anyway, didn’t you hear that Mamba’s planning to blow up Security Command? That means we’ll be effectively blind.”

  “Then we need to build better defences,” Dave suggested.

  “And traps,” came Joel’s voice through their earpieces.

  “The perimeter is at least five kilometres. We can’t reinforce the whole lot properly, even if we had years on our hands,” Issy pointed out.

  “Yes, we can,” Andy disagreed. We have over a thousand people on site. If they all helped, we’d do it in no time.”

  “Well, let’s get through this first,” Issy suggested, “then we can talk about it some more. The question is whether we should go in now and try and save Security Command.”

  “No,” Bear said through the earpieces. “Jack said to wait, so we wait. Saving Security Command is not worth it if it costs people their lives.”

  “I agree,” Dave said, and there were nods all around.

  Issy was frustrated but accepted the decision. “Then we wait,” she said.

  86

  Day 19 – 08:30

  Heathrow Terminal 3, Security Command Centre

  Mamba waited until it appeared no one else was coming to his little gathering.

  “Quiet!” he shouted and waited for everyone to settle down.

  Jack came up to him and suggested that he might also want to consider letting the people in check-in go about their daily work. He explained that the vast majority of them were never armed in any case, except for a knife in case they came across a zombie.

  “How they gonna come across a zombie when the whole place is secure?” Mamba asked, confused.

  “People still die of natural causes,” Jack explained.

  Mamba shrugged. He couldn’t give a shit if someone died and turned. The fuckers still living
would have to run for cover, wouldn’t they? He turned to the group of people waiting to hear what he had to say.

  “I’m goin’ on a journey ‘n all my group are comin’ with me. That’s only thirty, so I’m lookin’ for another twenty odd volunteers.”

  “What’s the journey?” asked Temel, wanting to know what Mamba had already volunteered him for.

  “We gonna go find the rich and famous,” Mamba explained with a big smile, while everyone else looked confused. “They hidin’ like cowards underground in a different part of the country.”

  “Where?” someone asked.

  “Dunno, Jack said near Bath.”

  “But why are you interested in them?” Sami asked.

  “Cos they a bunch of snobs. Politicians. Senior police. The Queen. Oh, ‘n more models than ya can shake ya dick at!” he added, smiling. “And a lotta arseholes who need puttin’ out of their misery.”

  That brought a few smiles from the group, except Ayla, who was frowning and thinking that she might have some more ‘Princess’ type complications coming up.

  “We got birds here,” someone pointed out, “and plenty of people we can kill.”

  There were a few nods in agreement.

  “Yeah, but this will be an adventure! Think of the hunt. Too fuckin’ easy here.”

  There were a few people nodding, and Jack could detect a sense of excitement building within the group. Good, his plan to get rid of Mamba was working, and it shouldn’t cost any more lives.

  “When are we going?” Temel asked.

  Mamba thought about it. “We need to load the big bird with gear first. After lunch,” he said, reaching a decision.

  “What about those staying?” Sami asked.

  “They keep things under control ‘til we get back.”

  “What about Volkan?” asked the same person.

  “What ‘bout him?” Mamba said. “He’s back at the pyramid. I’m sure he ain’t bothered.” Mamba smiled, partly to reassure the group, but mostly because he was thinking about a squashed Volkan under tons of concrete.

  Faruk: “What about our art?”

  Ismet: “We haven’t finished.”

  Mamba hadn’t noticed the twins, but he looked towards them. “Ya still got a few hours. If it ain’t finished, ya can finish it when we get back.”

  “How long are we going to be away?” Sami asked.

  Mamba had no idea. “A few days,” he replied.

  Jack almost laughed but managed to stop himself. Mamba was clearly brilliant at some things, yet he was badly lacking in other areas.

  Mamba felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to find Gert holding a stack of papers which she handed to him.

  “All we’ve got on Burlington,” she said. “Can I go get some breakfast now?”

  “Yeah, good job, Gert,” Mamba said, shuffling through the papers. Then he turned to the group. “Ahmed, get the gear we need in the big bird.”

  “Like what?”

  “Duh, use yer loaf! Like food and guns and shit. I got the map, can’t do everythin’ meself.”

  Ahmed shrugged.

  “Sami.” Mamba said. “Ya sort out the volunteers ‘n who gets to be in charge when I’m gone.”

  Jack tapped Mamba on the shoulder, “Don’t forget about letting everyone go about their business.”

  Mamba nodded and turned back to the group. “Also, afore we go, check everyone for weapons, collect ‘em all ‘n lock ‘em away in the armoury. Then they can go feed the animals ‘n grow stuff and shit.”

  Mamba turned to Jack. “Happy now?”

  “Yes. Thanks.”

  “Basir! Come here,” Mamba ordered.

  Basir came jogging over, his eyes bright with excitement. “Can I do it now?” he asked.

  “How much damage is that fuckin’ bomb gonna do?” Mamba asked.

  “Not much,” Basir said.

  “It betta not touch the armoury next door.”

  “It shouldn’t. There’s thick concrete walls.”

  “OK, ya can blow it. But if it fuckin’ touches the armoury, I’m gonna let Faruk and Ismet use ya fer their art.”

  Basir was suddenly a little uncertain. “I might just make a slight adjustment.”

  Basir ran off to the Security Command Centre.

  “Are you sure you want to destroy all the video links?” Jack asked.

  “Yeah, why not?” Mamba replied.

  Basir was back a few minutes later, holding a detonator in his hand and chomping at the bit to press the button.

  “Can I?” he asked.

  “If yer absolutely sure,” Mamba said, the warning implicit in his words.

  Basir pressed the button and there was a muffled boom from the Security Command area, followed swiftly afterwards by smoke.

  “Ya betta go make sure it ain’t on fire… ‘n that the armoury is still there.”

  Basir ran off to investigate.

  Ayla came up close to Mamba. “Anything I can do?”

  “Plenty ya can do!” he said, leading her away to find a nice quiet spot.

  87

  Day 19 – 12:30

  Heathrow Terminal 3, Apron

  Mamba walked down the steps of the jetway onto the apron and shielded his eyes from the sun as he looked all around. Ayla followed a few steps behind.

  Mamba saw that people were going about their normal business all over the airport, with some of the armed Turks keeping a watchful eye from a distance.

  Ahmed was giving orders by the ramp of the Chinook, and when he saw Mamba, he sauntered across. Mamba noticed that he was wearing a pair of sunglasses.

  “Where ya bin all mornin’?” Ahmed asked. “We bin busy.”

  “So I see. We bin sleepin’…amongst other things,” he said, looking towards Ayla and grinning mischievously.

  For some reason, Ayla didn’t look all that happy to Ahmed.

  “Where’d ya get the shades?” Mamba asked, “let’s have a look.”

  Ahmed handed them over and Mamba tried them on.

  “Thanks, bro!” Mamba said and headed for the Chinook. “Do I look like a cool motherfucker or what?” he said over his shoulder.

  “What the fuck?” Ahmed shouted, blinking against the bright light.

  Ahmed waited for his eyes to adjust then realised Ayla was staring at him.

  “Ya OK?” Ahmed asked.

  “No. I’m fed up with that bastard,” Ayla said, glancing in Mamba’s direction. “He doesn’t care about me. All he’s interested in is sex.”

  “Took ya long enough ta work that out,” Ahmed noted.

  “Thanks Ahmed, I thought you’d be on my side.”

  “I am. I tried ta tell ya, but ya wouldn’t listen,” he said, watching what Mamba was up to a few metres away.

  “Yeah, I know. My stupid fault. I don’t want to go with him to wherever the fuck he’s going.”

  “He ain’t gonna like that.”

  “He isn’t going to care. All he’s interested in is the gorgeous models he thinks he’s going to find and fuck at the end of the rainbow.”

  Ahmed chuckled. “Ya could be right there, but he’ll still want ya by his side in the meantime.”

  “Second best eh?”

  “We all second best to Mamba.”

  “You could stay here with me,” she suggested quietly.

  Ahmed’s stopped chuckling and his head snapped around to look at her. “Now ya are fuckin’ jokin’! He ain’t gonna let me stay here with ya!” Ahmed started laughing nervously at the ridiculous notion. “Ya betta off comin’ ‘n I’ll try ‘n keep an eye out fer ya.”

  “Would you do that for me?” Ayla asked.

  “Of course,” Ahmed said, refusing to meet her stare.

  “I like you, Ahmed,” Ayla whispered, putting a hand on his shoulder.

  Ahmed flinched slightly, not sure what he should do. In the end he muttered ‘gotta go’ and almost ran off towards the Chinook to find out what Mamba was up to.

  He found Mamba aboard
the aircraft, checking through the equipment and weapons that had been loaded and trying on some combat gear.

  Mamba looked up as Ahmed approached. “Ya done a good job, bro. Lovin’ these machine guns ‘n the threads. Make me look like a SEAL.”

  “I’ll feed ya fish,” Ahmed offered.

  “What the fuck ya on ‘bout?” Mamba asked, confused.

  “Never mind,” Ahmed muttered. “When we goin’?”

  “Now. Get everyone on here.”

  Ahmed went to the ramp and started yelling for people to get a move on. “Time ta go, people!” he shouted.

  Basir ran past him carrying his rucksack, followed shortly after by Temel, Umit, Emre and Khalid. Others joined the line, although Ahmed didn’t know them, so they must’ve been Volkan’s men. He looked around, but Ayla had gone. He looked at the building and the many windows, and could’ve sworn he saw her waving before disappearing, but perhaps it was his imagination.

  “Everyone here?” Mamba asked from behind, making him jump. “Bit nervous Ahmed, what’s the matter?”

  “Nothin’! Ya just made me jump.”

  Mamba walked past him to Sami who was standing a few metres away.

  “Ya OK Sami? Everythin’ sorted?” Mamba asked.

  “Yeah. All good,” Sami replied. “I’ve decided to stay here.”

  “OK, not a problem. We’ll be back in a few days, right? We’ll have a massive party ‘n I’ll bring’ some gorgeous birds with big tits back for ya. Sound good?”

  “Sounds great,” Sami replied. “Have fun.” They bumped fists and Sami turned and headed back into Terminal 3.

  Mamba took one last look around and turned to go back up the ramp, ready to depart.

  He looked around at the fifty or so people sitting on the benches with pride. He spotted Faruk and Ismet sitting together near the front, Temel in the middle, Basir next to Ahmed towards the end. This was going to be fun.

  He hit the button to raise the ramp and went over to Ahmed. It was as he was about to sit down, he noticed Ayla wasn’t there, so he quickly scanned both benches. There was no sign of her.

  “Where’s Ayla, bro?”

  “Dunno. Thought she was with ya.”

  Mamba thought about it. “Fuck her! She’s too late. She’ll have ta wait ‘til we get back.”