Dead States | Year Zero | Nebraska

by Marty Brockschmidt

  Smiley beamed a grin at the Sergeant. “Sarge. Success, we brought em back.”

  Sergeant Redding got close to Smiley. “You son of a bitch.”

  Smiley held out his hands, feigning innocence. “Hey you said bring em back. You never said in what condition.”

  Sergeant Redding went to take down the rope, but the General arrived and stopped him. “Leave it Sergeant. It will be a reminder to anyone else, planning to go AWOL.”

  In shock and horror and totally demoralized the townspeople were herded into the community room. The Sergeant, to reduce tensions, kept a minimal guard presence on the room. Curiosity forced Stu to watch over the room. The people were despondent, some tried to console their children, few had any real appetite. The usuals, Ivy McPherson, Heather and Lois, did what they could to bolster spirits, but even they showed little hope.

  In surprise to Stu, was the old man, who had recently lost his wife. Stu had pegged the man for retired military, the flat top hair cut, the way he stood as if at attention, gave him away. The cane he always carried, though he obviously didn't need, was an oddity. The old man had always kept to himself, didn't mingle with others. This morning he walked around the room stopping to talk, here and there. In almost every case those he talked to would unconsciously touch the cane and seemed to draw something from it.

  Josh Wade, the General's recruitment officer, came into the community room and went directly to speak with Zack and Billie. Travis Brenner watched as Josh, spoke animatedly to the two young men. Zack and Billie, were smiling and nodding as Josh spoke. In the end Josh clapped the two men on the back, shook their hands and made his way back out.

  Travis passed by the two as he went to empty his tray and heard Zack express. “It's the right thing to do Bill. We either join up, or someday it could be our heads swinging out on that tower.”

  Billie was practically giggling as he teased back. “Yeah right, Josh promising we get to the top of the list to visit the ladies in the Club didn't motivate you at all.”

  Zack grinned as he replied. “Just between you and me, I've been lookin to hook up with Jillian, since she got here, but Nana was right there to shut that shit down. So who's your dream date Billie Boy?”

  Billie blushed as he answered. “I'm thinking I'd like to try some dark meat.”

  Before Zack could answer Travis slammed his tray, square down on the top of Zack's head as he screamed. “You fucking perverts.”

  Travis let go of his tray and punched Billie hard to the side of the head. Amy was watching Travis listen to the older boys and when she saw the anger rising in his face, she had begun to move. When Zack got to his feet, Amy delivered a sidekick to his knee causing Zack to drop screaming in pain. Travis and Billie were trading blows, Travis' anger helped him hold his own for a bit, but Billie was bigger and older than Travis. Billie pushed Travis back and cocked his arm to swing a punch. As Billie's fist came forward, Amy caught the wrist and in one movement twisted the arm with one hand, put her other hand behind Billie's head and slammed it to the table. Billie crumpled on the table, blood streaming from a broken nose and spit a broken tooth from his mouth.

  The guards at the door were enjoying the show, but Stu Redding moved to end the fight. “Okay you two they've had enough.”

  Amy proudly put an arm around Travis. “You, bet your ass they have.”

  Matt came up and stood between the Sergeant and his family. “Sorry Sergeant, those two, have been trying to get at Travis for a while. I guess my son finally had enough.”

  That evening the Club was distinctly less crowded. Sergeant Redding had made it real clear who could attend the club that evening. Anyone taking advantage of his general good nature, would regret that decision. In addition to the guards posted inside the Club, Sergeant Redding continued to personally patrol the hall.

  When the hour with the ladies was up Stu pounded on each door then went to the Club for a cup of coffee. As Crystal handed him the cup she remarked. “I told you, should of just let our people run.”

  Stu cast his eyes down and took a deep breath before speaking. “I didn't plan on it going down that way. I thought I could catch Mrs. Cavendish a break and save you folks some grief.”

  Crystal nodded. “How does the saying go? The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.”

  Stu continued to avoid looking Crystal in the eye. “I am in over my head here. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do.”

  Crystal ignored his plight, choosing to change the subject. “I went to visit Cynthia today. Doc says you stopped by to ask how she was doing.”

  Stu perked up. “Yes Ma'am. I did.”

  Crystal smiled. “Next time, why don't you try stepping in and saying hello. Might give you a little perspective on what you are supposed to do.

  The next couple of days fell into a routine. Between Doc and Sergeant Redding, Cynthia was able to extend her recovery. Crystal had also encouraged the Sergeant to allow herself and the ladies to join the community and participate in the meals and work details. As much as she could Crystal would work alongside Percy.

  Specialist Orin Crosby, excitedly made his way to the General's office. “Sir.”

  The General returned Orin's salute. “At ease. Spit it out man.”

  Orin was shifting from foot to foot in his eagerness to share his news. “I raised another unit on the radio.”

  The General grinned. “Good work soldier. Who's the commanding officer?”

  Orin stiffened. “Uh, I didn't exactly talk to them.”

  The General's eyes flared in anger. “What exactly did you do.”

  Orin avoided the General's gaze. “It was, uh, an automated message, but they gave a call back frequency. I figured you'd want to be there, when I hollered back.”

  The General calmed down. “Alright, you go fire up your rig and dial them up. I'll be in the radio room in fifteen.”

  “Yes Sir.” Orin snapped a salute, spun on his heel and hustled back to the radio, praying there would be somebody at the other end, before the General got there.

  The General arrived to hear. “Staff Sergeant Boone of the 177th. To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with.”

  The General took hold of the microphone. “This is General Mathias Mayhue, ranking surviving officer of this cataclysm.”

  Boone responded. “Pleased to make your acquaintance Sir.”

  General Mayhue queried back. “What is your troop strength and location?”

  Boone came back stating with pride. “At Fort Custer, here in Battle Creek Michigan, we have just over three hundred, National Guard and regular Army.”

  General Mayhue fired right back. “Very good and who is your commanding officer?”

  Boone took a moment to respond. “That responsibility has fallen to me Sir. The Dead infected the majority of our personnel and all our civilian population, before we learned to terminate them.”

  General Mayhue took no time at all to answer. “You hang in there Son, I'm working from this end to establish a chain of command. How are you fixed for food, fuel, armaments?”

  Boone replied somberly. “We were supplied for a full regiment and more. Now we are down to a fraction of our full contingent, we're good.”

  General Mayhue brought the exchange to a close. “Very good. The world is in chaos Son and I am answering the call to bring order. I'm heartened to have the 177th on board. I'll be back in two days and we'll begin coordinating our efforts.”

  Hearing Mayhue's voice brought LTC Amanda Paige, back to the time when she was in the first group of women to be admitted to West Point. Upperclassmen lead by Mathias Mayhue were determined the experiment would fail. The subtle and towards the end, direct pressure they placed on the women caused many to drop out. Dropping out was not an option for Amanda. She had made a promise to her dying father to be the families first West Point graduate.

  Sticking to that promise was tested when Mayhue and three of his cohorts cornered her, forced her to knees and Mayhue undid his fly. “I
f you want to make it to graduation, you know what to do.”

  Amanda was defiant as she snapped her teeth together. “I'm biting off anything you force into my mouth.”

  Mayhue didn't miss a beat. “Lay her down, I'll check for teeth at the other end.”

  Amanda looked at the two men pinning her arms, tears of pain and anger in her eyes, as Mayhue proceeded to sodomize her. “You take orders from this pervert?”

  Amanda's words seemed to have struck a chord as the attacks on her and the other sixty one remaining women came to an end.

  LTC Paige's reverie was ended as Boone signed off. “Sounds a bit like he's thinking he is king of the world.”

  Amanda nodded at her staff Sergeant. “Yeah sounds like the same old Mayhue. Make no mistake, Mayhue has made his career surrounding himself with men who will follow his whims.”

  Following the radio conversation with Fort Custer, General Mayhue kept Sergeant Redding's time largely filled with closed door meetings or organizing a series of preparations. While Sergeant Redding was occupied drilling the men, overseeing enhanced perimeter defenses and seeing their vehicles were made ready for travel, he had less time to monitor interactions between the townspeople and his men. A situation that men like Smiley and Beast were quick to take advantage of.

  At their evening meal Smiley kept Lou and the other townspeople at bay, nonchalantly wielding a large knife to clean his fingernails. Beast took the opportunity to chat with Britney. “What happened to your arm Sweetie.”

  Britney nervously replied. “My Mommy turned into a monster and bit me. Sue Anne had to cut off my arm, so I wouldn't become a monster.”

  Beast, smiling lasciviously, stroked Britney's stump. “Little Sweetie, there is no way a precious thing like you could ever be a monster.”

  Britney not really knowing what Beast intended, just stood nervously and silently let Beast unpin her sleeve. Beast, his eyes gleaming, slowly rolled up the sleeve to reveal the stump. He rubbed his thumb over the end of the stump, then making a circle with his thumb and forefinger, stroked up and down the stub of her arm.

  From behind Beast, Jillian screamed. “Nooo.”

  Jumping on to his back she clawed at his face. “Let her go.”

  Beast was slow to release his grip on Britney's arm, so Jillian bit down hard as she could on his ear. Beast howled in pain, let go off Britney and reached for his ear. Jillian jumped from his back and spat out a piece of Beast's ear. Beast in anger slowly advanced on Jillian.

  Jillian, with blood coming out of the sides of her mouth and down her chin, confronted him unafraid. “You do not hurt my friends. You need to do your dirty stuff, you come to my room. That was the deal.”

  Smiley put a hand on Beast's chest. “Whoa hold on big fella, don't go hurtin the merchandise. She's one of the boys favorites.”

  Beast growled. “She bit my ear.”

  Smiley grinned. “I know, but its a good look for you.”

  Beast calmed down. “You really think so.”

  Smiley nodded. “Definitely, you make it work.”

  Beast put his hand to his ear again. “It hurts bad.”

  Smiley took his arm. “Come along we'll grab the Doc and get you patched up and a little shot of happy juice. You'll be right as rain in no time.”

  As the two soldiers left with Doc, Jillian knelt down and hugged Britney. “See I told you, nobody hurts my friends.”

  Britney hugged Jillian back. “Thanks.”

  Jillian smiled, then Brittany whispered in her ear, “You might want to go wash your face.”

  Jillian stood up wiping at her face. The townspeople erupted in a chorus of applause, causing Jillian to shrink back, unsure of what she had done.

  At the Club that evening Tobin noticed a distinct change in his wife's mood, “Been awhile since I've seen you happy like this.”

  Crystal looked surreptitiously at the soldiers, before answering her husband in an undertone. “I just can't get over Jillian today. Finally some payback and who would ever thought it would come from her.”

  In a similar tone of voice, Tobin replied. “I can see the wheels turning.”

  Crystal smiled and squeezed his butt. “I'm seriously hormonal here and I have been separated from my man way to long. When we get back to our room tonight, I'll show you exactly what I'm thinking.”

  Tobin blushed at the brazenness of his wife, but grinning happily in anticipation, went back to his preps. Winking at him, Crystal picked up her pad and moved out to the floor in her joint role of waitress and bartender. Sergeant Redding was again in a closed door meeting with the General, but guards were posted to prevent any drunken misbehavior.

  On occasion when Crystal was working the floor one of the soldiers, filled with liquid courage, would make a grab for her. Most of the time Crystal would take hold of his thumb and give it a vicious twist. On a couple of occasions, Crystal had to waggle a finger at the guards and one would come over and eject the problem maker from the Club.

  The time came, for those soldier's given an hour with one of the ladies and they made their way rapidly down the hall. This cut the number of soldiers left in the room by nearly half. Tobin began cleaning up his kitchen area and Crystal made a trip around the room, picking up glasses and plates.

  As soon as Crystal had the room tidied she called. “Okay boys its that time. Last call.”

  As Crystal went around the room taking orders, she saw a form moving down the hall and was relieved the Sergeant was patrolling. Crystal brought the soldier's their final drinks and topped off the coffee cups of the two guards. With that done she cleaned up the bar and then began cleaning up the room.

  When Crystal turned she was surprised to see Smiley entering the room. “Sorry, we're done for the night.”

  Smiley, as usual, grinned. “Nope, we're just getting started.”

  Crystal stood firm. “I'm going to have to ask you to leave.”

  Smiley addressed the other soldiers in the Club. “Time to leave Gents, this is a private party.”

  Crystal called out the guards. “You two. Show this man the door please.”

  Smiley spoke to the guards. “You fellas can knock it off for the night, I'll take it from here.”

  Tobin came out of the kitchen brandishing a cleaver, just as the last of the soldiers exited. “What's going on here?”

  Smiley pulled his knife, stepped behind Crystal and placed the blade to her throat. “You, me and the missus are going to have a little fun. Just after you leave your cleaver.”

  Crystal shook her head ever so slightly, but Tobin cautiously placed the cleaver on the table nearest him and raised his hands. Smiley took his knife from Crystal's throat, but kept it in his hand. Using his free hand Smiley reached around and undid the apron tied just above Crystal's baby bump. The apron slid to the floor as Smiley stepped around to face Crystal.

  Smiley put his hands under Crystal's armpits and lifted her onto the nearest table. Tobin's hand reached for the cleaver, but Smiley suddenly pointed the knife at him. “Ah ah ah, we'll be having none of that.”

  Crystal spoke to him. “It's okay, he's just trying to goad you. It's how he gets his fun.”

  Smiley chuckled. “That's right, do what the missus tells you.”

  Crystal and Tobin remained quiet as Smiley continued the taunting. Rubbing his hand over Crystal's belly. “You got a wee bun in the oven. Is this yours boy?”

  Tobin refused to answer, but Crystal moved Smiley's hand off her stomach. “Yes it is our child.”

  Smiley chortled, raised his blade and slit the top button from Crystal's blouse. The three of them were silent as the button clattered to the table. Smiley's breath began to quicken and his eyes took on a gleam as he cut away the next button.

  Once again Tobin reached for the cleaver, this time Crystal stopped him. “Toby don't, he's just trying to play you.”

  Tobin's hand fluttered over the cleaver, while Smiley quickly slashed two more buttons from Crystal's blouse and used the tip t
o open her blouse wide. “That's a good boy Toooby. Do what the missus tells you.”

  Smiley's eyes fixed on Crystal's breasts and he slid the tip of his knife between the cups of her bra and sliced it opened. Again using the tip of the knife he slowly exposed each breast. “Toby my boy, these are spectacular, if you don't mind me saying.”

  Smiley placed the tip of the knife under Crystal's chin and reached with his other hand to lightly touch Crystal's breast, his thumb making slow circles around the nipple. “Mmm, it must be a little cold in here. I guess I'll have to warm these for you.”