by Jeff Ping
Chapter 7
We approached the main gates to the base and I noticed that it was gated and was a much more secure facility than even Edwards had been. The whole base was surrounded by a 10 foot high fence. I climbed down from my truck and cut the chain securing the gate. Then I pushed the gate open, and returned to my truck.
While we drove onto the base, Mike gave me directions to the supply depot where we hoped to refill our fuel tanks. Passing several buildings, I noticed a few Zombies wandering or standing around those buildings. Mike's voice came over the radio.
"There are the repair shops and storage building. The fuel pumps are around the side of the first building."
As we rolled to a stop, the Zombies started stumbling toward us.
Pete stood up in the turret of his vehicle and started dropping the Zombies with the scope equipped hunting rifle.
In less than ten minutes Pete had either killed or reduced the Zombies into crawlers. Mike walked over to the first Building and tried the door. It was locked. Mike gave it several good knocks, still no response from inside. I walked over with my pry bar and jammed it between the door and door fame and popped the door open.
Mike pushed the door open and started to walk in. I grabbed his arm and said, "Wait, wait until we're sure there's no one in there. Remember, Tony took a shot at me when I found you guys."
"Oh yeah, if anyone is here they will be scared and shoot first and ask questions second. Is anyone in here?" called Mike.
We waited, but there was no response from inside the building. Mike and I walked into the building and looked around. The building appeared to be clear, so I called Pete on the handheld radio.
"Call the others up to this point and keep your eyes open for any of those things."
"Will do, Bill. I'll let you know when they get here." Pete called back.
This building had been a vehicle maintenance garage.
"Did you ever do an oil change Mike?" I asked.
"A couple of times on my old car when I was a kid," said Mike.
"I figure we should do a little maintenance on the vehicles since we depend on them for shelter and transportation," I told him.
"Good point," he said.
When the women and kids arrived, we raised the big garage doors and brought all three vehicles inside.
"That should conceal them from the Zombies and from Tony if he comes looking for payback before we leave," I said.
"Do you think he will come looking for us?" asked Pete.
"Oh yeah, I'm sure he will want to. I just don't know where or when. But he was really pissed. He needs to show that he is the one in charge. He doesn't want John thinking he can just pull out if it suits him," said Mike.
"I won't be sending him on his way with a slight wound if he shows up looking for revenge. The first order of business will be welding the door shut. I don't want the Zombies or Tony to just be able to open the door and walk in. We can use the rollup doors when we leave," I said.
With that I wheeled a welder over to the door and welded the door to the frame in four places.
"OK, lets change the oil in Pete's rig first then you guys can go look around for fuel and anything else we might be able to use while Jack and I do the rest of the vehicles," I said.
"Alright, let's get started. I know how to change oil and stuff. I used to help my Dad do maintenance on his work van," said Pete.
While Pete and I changed the oil in the first APC, Mike decided to check out the buildings adjacent to the one we were in.
When Pete and I finished servicing the first APC June asked Pete to take her to the small exchange to pick up some supplies.
Pete eased the vehicle out of the bay, dropped off their trailer, then everyone but Jack and I decided to go as well. Pete drove away following Mike's directions. Jack and I changed the oil in the second APC and my truck. Lucky for us, Mike had been stationed at this base and knew his way around.
Their destination was a small exchange. A small selection of canned goods and drinks as well as a limited amount of merchandise was available. Everybody got several changes of clothes and Kali and June picked up some clothing for Jack and me as well. Pete grabbed several pair of binoculars while Mike loaded several cases of soda, water and beer.
Before they returned, Jack and I finished servicing the last vehicle. I turned the truck around and backed the truck and its trailer into the bay so we could make a fast getaway if needed. I then did the same with the APC.
Jack and I climbed up to the buildings roof and did a quick look around. The only thing we saw were the guys returning from their little trip. Jack started waving and Mike flashed his lights to show that he had seen him. Jack really thought that was great and hurried down to greet the returning party.
That night we alternated the watch. Pete took first shift, I got the second, and Mike got the last shift.
We stayed in the maintenance garage for three nights. We decided to leave early the fourth morning despite the fact that this base had been Zombie free after we had disposed of the group we found upon entering the compound.
We traveled north on I395. Just outside of the small town of Goldfield we pulled off the highway onto a dirt side road about 5 pm to rest for the night.
The next morning we pulled out and didn't stop until we reached the Navel Air Station at Fallon, Nevada. At NAS Fallon we were able to locate sufficient diesel supplies to refuel all of our vehicles. As we pulled up to the fuel tanks, another M117 raced toward us. At first we thought it might be Tony and John but it was painted blue with a large MP painted on its side.
Two military police personnel jumped out when the vehicle slid to a stop in front of our lead APC. Both of the men had drawn side arms.
"Stop what you are doing! That fuel is the property of the US Government," One of the MPs shouted.
I raised my arms and said, "Ok, ok, I've stopped. Just Relax before someone gets hurt."
The one obviously in charge had petty officers insignia on his sleeve said, "You're the only one that's going to get hurt friend. Now get everyone out of the vehicles and tell them to lay face down on the pavement."
Suddenly, the MP who had been doing all of the talking, took a step backward and was looking down at a dark red stain starting to spread across his chest. He sat down on the pavement and stared down at the spreading blood stain.
Both of the MP's and I looked toward the APC behind my truck. Mike was standing in the Turret aiming an MP5 at the remaining MP.
The second MP dropped his sidearm and started yelling, "I give up! Don't kill me! Please."
I ran to the MP and grabbed him by the front of his shirt and forced him to sit down on the ground beside his dying friend. I shouted for Pete to get out and help me start fueling the vehicles.
Mike said, "They are damn liars, there isn't any US government left. I'm not surrendering to some asshole like Tony who just thinks he's in charge."
While my truck was being fueled, I questioned the MP who had surrendered.
"How many military personnel are still on this base and who is in charge?"
"There are about 15 of us left. Our job was base security. Everyone else was evacuated about 28 days ago. Chief Gordon and I were just making our patrol circuit when we came upon you stealing diesel," blurted the MP.
When all of the vehicles had been topped off with fuel, I asked Pete to watch our prisoner. I walked over and asked Mike what we should do with our prisoner.
"Screw him! I say we snap a cap in his ass and leave." said Mike.
"Damn, I hate to kill the guy just for convenience. He did surrender after all and it was the other guy that was being an asshole," I said.
"Well it's not for convenience. It's necessary in order for us to escape undetected. If we leave him, he will just run and tell his buddies. Then they will come after us. We've already got all the Zombies in the world and probably Tony and Corporal Mahoney after us. Do you really want to add 15 pissed off MP's as well?"
Mike walked away shaking his head but after a couple minutes Pete came walking up. I outlined the situation to Pete.
"I feel the same way you do. I'm not sure I could kill the guy in cold blood. But Mikes right about having more people after our asses. And we have to think about the girls too." said Pete.
Then Mike walked up.
"What's the decision?" Mike asked.
I just stood there and stared at Mike for a moment. Then I nodded to him. Mike looked at me and said, "I'll shoot him then." But before Mike could turn and stride away, I put a hand on his shoulder and said, "No. I'm not going to pass the task onto someone else. As leader of the original group, I'll do it. It just doesn't seem right to ask someone else to do something because I don't want to do it. It's my responsibility."
I walked over to the prisoner and said, "Sorry...I just can't chance letting you go." and raising my MP5, I put a 3 round burst into him.
