“The aliens are all dead. Those things are some type of guard for their ship. Have the guys on the roof see if they can kill them with their grenade launchers.” Caleb ordered
“That won’t work, Lieutenant. They’re too close for the grenades to arm. If they decide to come for us again, we’re screwed.” Hofstetter replied.
The steady chug of a heavy machine gun began to fire. From their perch by the window they could see a couple of the creatures get torn apart with the infected close to them. The remaining creatures took off with amazing speed back to their lair in the hangar. The deep throated sound of an armored car’s engine could be heard over the shrieks of the angry and dying infected.
“Looks like the cavalry’s here.” Pruitt radioed to all, “It’s a Guardian.”
“I’ll go out and greet them.” Gloria said, knowing she was the only one who could. Caleb appeared wasted after his ordeal with the creatures, and the infected didn’t appear happy for anyone that was not one of their own. She crawled out the window and dropped the ten feet to the ground. The infected ignored her as she walked over to the armored car, waving her hat above her head as she did. She climbed on top of the vehicle and knocked a couple of infected off before getting a good grip. She slammed the side of the turret and they immediately headed for the open flight line, clear of any surprises. The commanders hatch clanged open and a major popped up. He had his 9 mil trained on Gloria.
“Status report. Major. What the hell have you and your men been doing for the last two weeks?” Huge tears began to form in the major’s eyes and Gloria could sense what was coming next as he turned the gun towards his face. She kicked it out of his hand, breaking his nose in the process.
She could see a wire hanging from behind his ear. “Major, are they still controlling you and your people?”
“No, it just shut off. They monitored us with the implants and could shock us to the point of death, but not control us.”
“Okay, let’s try this again. I’m Gloria, the invasion is over, and we need you and your men to help reclaim our country from the infected.”
Chapter 33
Douglas, Wyoming. April 15, 2029
The ship was more huge than he imagined it might be and faster. He looked at his watch and, it was 1800 hrs. The ship would arrive in four hours. Will our weapons take it out, or are we just going to piss them off? Arnot wondered. Peters stood in the back of the room quietly watching everything that was going on. I wonder what he’s up to. Perhaps he’s here to remember this moment for the history books? Arnot thought.
“Well, General, everything is like clockwork. They’ll be here exactly at 2200 hrs if they continue their current speed and trajectory.” Peters nodded and went back to his office. He picked up his sat-phone and hit re-dial.
The phone rang once and was answered with a simple “Dah?”
“This is Acting President of the United States, William Peters, calling for Colonel General Sergei Vadimovich Stepashin, Commander of Russian Aerospace Defense Forces.”
“Hello Mr. President. It’s nice to hear your voice again.” Peters could tell it was on speaker and sensed something was wrong, so he tried to be cryptic.
“Serge, I just wanted you to know it’s a beautiful night to see Orion’s Belt. We’re having a party tonight to celebrate it at 2200 hrs our time. The best view will not be seen till 2200 hrs. I just wanted to let you know, since you should have been a cosmonaut instead of a military man. Well, good evening, Serge.”
“The American is most likely drunk again, Comrade. If you will excuse me, I have a command to run.” Sergei was not sure if he pulled it off, but he didn’t get a bullet to the back if the head, so things were promising. If he could keep the FSB officer away from him until 2200 hrs West Coast time, he would die happy, knowing he saved the world.
There was no activity in the hallway, making it possible to duck into the supply closet. General Stanislav Lunev and Colonel Igor Kostyukov were already waiting for him, a cloud of smoke above their heads as both were smoking furiously.
“That son of a whore Dzerzhinskii almost ruined everything. The American president seemed aware something was happening and passed on the information cleverly, perhaps he is of Russian stock. The aliens will be coming from the direction of Orion’s Belt. He plans to attack them at exactly 2200 hrs their West Coast time. We will use both our space-based rockets and particle weapons to aid in destroying the aliens. I alone, will accept the punishment for disclosing to the world our secret weapons. I have a letter in my coat saying I blackmailed both of you for your support, and that you are, in fact, not guilty of any crimes against the state. Half an hour before the Americans attack the aliens, we will schedule a full exercise of all our assets. Now let’s get out of here before you kill me with those awful cigarettes you smoke.” Sergei led the way, and as soon as his co-conspirators were gone, he lit up one of his few remaining American cigarettes.
That old fool only lives because he has become a hero for saving so many. But he shall die for disclosing state secrets to the American idiot. The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation does not take traitors lightly, regardless of their reason. He will not live to see Orion’s belt, such nonsense. FSB General Felix Dzerzhinskii thought. He opened the door to his apartment and cursed when the light failed to go on. He slammed the door behind him and went to the kitchenette to get his flashlight. The total darkness hid GRU Senior Lieutenant Artem Zinchenko waiting, wearing his NVGs. The old general reached up for the cupboard by feel. While his arms were up in the air Artem struck, he pressed the mask against the general’s face and pressed the release button, forcing compressed poison gas into the general’s nose and mouth. He struggled against the lieutenant for less than a minute before collapsing to the floor dead. The lieutenant reached up and screwed the light back fully into the ceiling. Then he stowed his NVGs and the mask into his briefcase. He looked down at the body, resisting the urge to kick him. He thought, there will be a new Russia, with no room for your kind under Colonel General Sergei Vadimovich Stepashin.
Major Arnot disabled the access for Thor’s Hammer from the remote unit outside Travis AFB. He then went to the terminal for Project Blue. The display was able to get a good picture of a huge saucer-shaped vehicle he estimated to have a circumference of a quarter mile. “You’re a big boy, aren’t you?” he said aloud while finishing the target lock for the particle weapons array. He then transferred the data to the targeting system for all three hypersonic missile batteries, locking in the target. He had full control of both systems without the security of needing a second officer to fire the systems. He looked at the system’s chronograph and saw there was still five minutes. He looked over at General Peters, who had been chain smoking for the last hour. “Five minutes, Sir. Do you want to throw the switch to save the world or should I?”
“I really don’t think it’ll make it into the history books in our lifetime Arnie. You go ahead.”
Colonel General Sergei Vadimovich Stepashin looked over to General Stanislav Lunev and Colonel Igor Kostyukov. “Gentlemen, on my mark, turn your launch keys ninety degrees. Three, two, one!” The three officers turned their keys and then watched the cameras from the different satellites show the launch of fifty hypersonic missiles launched at the same time as the particle weapons were fired.
Major Arnot pressed the fire buttons for both systems. There was no excitement or sense of release. He’d just saved the world.
Everyone excitedly watched the main monitor. The particle weapons struck first, invisible from view, except for the shimmer around the alien ship that made it look like it was in a fish bowl. Next, the missiles could be seen striking the same field, exploding harmlessly. A moment later colored beams could be seen hitting the same field surrounding the ship and again a wave of missiles. The ship continued on its course, undamaged.
“Wait until it enters the atmosphere. When it lands, we’ll use Thor’s Hammer to take it out.” If it lands, Peters hoped fervently
.
“Sir, target appears to be launching shuttles.” Arnot reported. He then continued, “They are in orbit over California. They are…” The display was washed out in a bright white haze. When it was once again clear, the ship had been replaced by a huge debris field. Everyone stared in shock, then the cheering started.
“Sir, we’re being summoned by Tomi. This should be interesting.” Favazza reported.
“Let’s see what he wants.” Peters followed Favazza to his office.
“Congratulations, General Peters. You passed the test! One of the problems we had with the court was that the planet was too fractured politically. When your government and your enemies trusted each other enough to join forces as you did to attack the DyB’buk Cruiser, we were able to justify coming to your defense. I will now be recalled from my position here and a senior representative will return in approximately a year for serious negotiations with your planet. We will leave a satellite in orbit to protect Earth from any other potentially hostile species. By then, your planet will be back up and running. Goodbye, My Friends.”
Epilogue
The team deployed to Travis AFB immediately began cleanup operations, using their DEWs with only one incident, Sgt First Class Jorge Hope had mysteriously become infected, though quickly cured.
Lt Caleb White was sent with a small detachment to Texas to initiate operations to begin curing infected city by city. After operations began, the mission was transferred to a more senior officer and Caleb returned to his home town and started a small manufacturing company, selling advanced handheld lasers to the government and military.
Gloria “Grits” Alban, led a detachment to Georgia to begin the cleanup process on the East Coast. After being replaced as the commander of the mission, she requested transfer to Special Operations Command and was denied. She wrote a book about her experiences and is now the Senator for Georgia. There is a strong grassroots effort for her to run for president.
General Peters used the information garnered from the Travis AFB mission, which led to him sending out new teams armed with direct energy weapons to cure groups of infected of every size. Soon after, scientists were able to create larger direct energy weapons modified for use only against infected.
Politicians and senior military leadership initially attempted to have him tried as a war criminal and for serious violations of the UCMJ. He, instead, was publicly honored and promoted. He then retired to private life, remarried his ex-wife and disappeared with his sons, never to be seen in public again.
Glossary
11BMOS for Infantry
1LTFirst Lieutenant, USA, O2
1st LtFirst Lieutenant, USAF, O2
2LTSecond Lieutenant USA, O1
2nd LtSecond Lieutenant USAF, O1
ABAirman Basic, USAF E1, nicknamed Slick, for not having any rank sewn on
AFBAir Force Base
AFSCAir Force Space Command, responsible for space related missions, satellites, communications, intelligence gathering, nuclear deterrence
AmnAirman, USAF E2, nicknamed Skeeter-wings
AR15Civilian Semiautomatic 5.56 or .223 Carbine
BUFFBig Ugly Fat Fucker, B52 Bomber
C-17Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, large USAF transport aircraft
C-130J USAF multirole transport aircraft
CACCommon Access Card, Military ID card with biometric security features
CaptCaptain, USAF, O3
CONUS Contiguous United States; the 48 states
CPLCorporal, USA E4
CPTCaptain, USA, O3
ECPEntry Control Point, point where personnel enter or exit a secured building or base
FCCFlying Crew Chief, USAF
FPCON Force Protection Condition
Lt ColLieutenant Colonel, USAF O5 “light colonel” “Colonel”
LTCLieutenant Colonel, USA O5 “light colonel” “Colonel”
M1117 Guardian ASV, Armored Security Vehicle, four-wheeled armored car, armed with M2 Browning Machine Gun and MK19 Grenade Launcher. Three man crew. Called “M1117,” “Guardian,” or “ASV” (Not currently in USAF use, but is in 2029)
M1126 Stryker, Armored Fighting Vehicle, eight wheels, numerous weapon configurations, ordinarily 2 man crew, carries 9 troops.
M17Standard sidearm 9mm pistol also called “9mm”
M18 Compact version of the M17 also called “9mm”
M2Browning .50 Cal Machine Gun. Called “Ma Deuce” “Fifty”
M45.56 Carbine, semi automatic, and 3 round burst
M4A15.56 Carbine, semi automatic and full automatic, also referred to as an “M4”
M72Portable light anti-armor weapon
MajMajor, USAF, O4
MAJMajor, USA, O4
MARPAT USMC utility uniform, also called Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU)
MG Major General,
MK19 40mm Grenade Launcher
MOPPMission Oriented Protective Posture, chemical mask and protective clothing
MOSMilitary Occupational Specialty
MSGMaster Sergeant, USA E8
Master Sergeant Master Sergeant, USAF E7
NCONon Commissioned Officer (E4 - E6)
NOSNavy Occupational Specialty
OCPs Operational Camouflage Pattern Uniform, both USAF and USA
SIPRNet Secret Internet Protocol Router Network, Secret encrypted military internet
SFUSAF Security Forces 3P0X1, called ‘Defenders’ ‘Sky cops’ or ‘cops’
SFCSergeant First Class, USA E7
SGTSergeant, USA E5
SMSgtSenior Master Sergeant USAF E8
SNCOSenior Non Commissioned Officer (E7 - E9)
SPCSpecialist, USA E4
SrASenior Airman, USAF E4, also called Airman
SSGStaff Sergeant, USA E6
SSgt Staff Sergeant, USAF E5
Technical Sergeant Technical Sergeant, USAF E6
USAUnited States Army
USAFUnited States Air Force
ZAZombie Apocalypse
Snippets from my other novels
2019 Dragon Awards finalist
ZOMBIE AIRMAN: INFECTED WORLD BOOK 1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F31TCVB
Peterson AFB, Colorado. April 1, 2029
Major General William “Willy Pete” Peters awoke to banging in the bathroom. It took him a moment to clear his head as he tried to focus on the clock radio next to his bed. The digital clock showed 1:42. He came fully awake when he remembered he was still in the Spanish House, Distinguished Visitors Quarters on Peterson AFB. He was TDY there for an ORI (Operational Readiness Inspection) that had ended the day before. The general’s wife was still back on the east coast with her cats, refusing to accompany him on any trips. The banging got louder as he remembered the “friend” he had made who wanted to see the historic Spanish House. Amazingly, she knew where everything was in the little one-room house, including the bar. The night was a blur for him now with the only important thing being, to get the crazy woman the hell out of his quarters. He tried to open the bathroom door but the woman was pressing it closed as she continued to pound on it. Once she heard him trying to open the door she began to shriek non-stop. Panicked, Peters finally managed to shove the door open, forcing her to fall backwards into the bathtub. She only had a bra on as she fought her way out of the tub before lunging at him, still shrieking at the top of her lungs. She grabbed him forcibly by the shoulders, and then tried to sink her teeth into his throat. The 55-year-old general was in shock as he fought the twenty-something blonde. He could not get a good swing at her or even kick at her legs. In desperation, he let himself fall backwards and brought up his right leg, flipping her over him towards the bedroom down the hall. She quickly got to her feet as he turned to run to the living room, and then out the front door. He only made it to the small sofa facing the fire before she tackled him, sending him flying over the sofa and into the still smoldering fireplace. She landed behind the sofa. He flashed back to earlier in the night as he mad
e love to the woman in front of the fireplace. Her shrieking quickly brought him back to the present as she effortlessly jumped over the sofa at him. He felt the fireplace poker in his hand, swinging it in desperation without thinking. He was rewarded with a loud smack as it connected with her left temple, dropping her instantly. In shock, he dropped to his knees and felt for a pulse without any luck. Well, I guess that would explain that as he looked where the poker’s two-inch hook was embedded into her skull. He turned from her and puked into the hot embers of the fireplace. Shit, shit, shit, this crazy bitch just got me my last assignment, Leavenworth ‘Bang me up the ass’ Prison.
As he sat there stunned, he was startled by the sound of weapons fire coming from the street. Then even more from a variety of locations, both nearby and in the distance. Great time for a terrorist attack! He ignored the body as he ran to the bedroom to don his uniform and grab his weapon.
I’d better make it to the command center, it’ll be safest there. Peters opened the front door and peeked out; it was once again quiet outside. He stepped out into the small porch, thankful of the decorative wrought iron gate’s extra security. Unzipping his leather flight jacket with his left hand, he shoved his M18 automatic into its custom pocket he’d had made long ago on a deployment to Incirlik AB, Turkey. He turned and locked the heavy wood door before heading for his rental car. He started to push the wrought iron gate open when it was slammed back shut at the same time he heard the shriek from the man before him. Peters jerked back, away from the arm that was now desperately reaching through the gate at him. In the porch light he saw the face of the man shrieking and grabbing at him. His eyes looked black with the pupils fully dilated, wide open and looked like they were going to pop out of his skull in their intensity. His mouth, nose and chin, covered in blood that leaked down over the front of his OCPs (Operational Camouflage Pattern Uniform). His chest tab had the brown bar of a second lieutenant sewn on them. His left shoulder had a large hole where he’d been shot.
Infected World Trilogy (Books 1-3): They Only Come Out At Night Page 83
