Finally, the zombies were suppressed but at an unanticipated cost. Compared to previous operations in England before the vaccine became available, where wild zombies were simply shot in a relatively humane manner and their bodies burnt, here many were still alive, though severely maimed and dying. Mason was saddened to be told that out of one hundred and fifty villagers, twenty-six remained alive and only a dozen could be saved, even with the vaccine.
Commander Hodgeson himself found the sight shocking, and he had seen rather more death in his time that he would ever have wished to. 'It's only slightly worse than the battle of Stannicvale,' he said.
'That was as bad as this?' Albert Mason said aghast.
'Almost.'
'I remember advising you on equipment but I had no idea…'
'One never does, unless you see it for yourself.'
'When they get into a mass zombie fury like that, there's nothing will stop them, other than bullets.'
After the last casualty had been dealt with, Professor Mason turned to his friend and said, 'The video record of this battle will be circulated amongst all world governments. Hopefully, they'll get the message about why biological weapons are totally banned.'
'And yet your predecessor managed to ignore that fact.'
Mason sighed heavily. 'Vigilance, always vigilance. As we've seen here, you can't always spot the miscreants in advance but we can try to stop them before they take anyone else down with them.'
Cleaning up began immediately after the end of the battle, a series of pyres was constructed and the entire area covered in chemical spray. In the presence of religious officials and the appropriate funeral rites, the bodies were burnt as a final act to eradicate all trace of the virus from the village.
'Albert, I have to pass on your recommendations for villages which may have had contact with this one.' It was late in the evening and Hodgeson and Mason were still alone in the command module. Wrappers from field rations overflowed the wastebasket and the aircon strained against the heat produced by the monitoring equipment.
The professor mopped his brow and examined his notes. 'I think they need to go to a radius of fifty miles.'
'As much as that?'
'To be sure. I've checked the results for potential water contamination and it looks like they're safe on that at least.'
'We're talking six villages here. What procedures do you suggest?'
'The inhabitants all remain at home for seventy-two hours. The troops used here monitor and enforce that.'
'It's essential no-one leaves.'
'Precisely. To save on precious vaccine, they only need to inoculate the lorry driver, those who've had contact with him and anyone showing symptoms.'
'After three days?'
'By then they should have been able to ship over enough vaccine to inoculate the whole village, if necessary.'
'Villages.'
'That's right, all of them. Meanwhile, they shut down all movement in and out of the region.'
'Bit of a tall order.'
'It's that or zombies.'
Chapter 13: Aftermath
Seventeen months previously, at the news of the first outbreak of zombieism, the rest of the world had waited in fear of it erupting outside the UK. All movement out of the UK ceased, as planes and ships were turned back without being able to do more than refuel and take off again. For a week the world held its breath to see if the scourge of the dreadful disease had escaped what were referred to by every other nation as 'those contaminated shores'. Meanwhile, the UK population was forced to continue with making the best of what was available. Although oil tankers were not permitted to enter British ports, the gas pipelines were still kept open from Eastern Europe, so vital energy resources were maintained throughout the crises of the first and second outbreaks.
Several million vehicles were commandeered by the government for recycling. Their fuel tanks were emptied and the contents used until natural gas conversion kits could be assembled for public service vehicles and other essential transport. Many homeowners either converted their car to gas, or donated their vehicles, in order that public transport systems could be enhanced. Once the zombiefied areas of south west England had been treated for eradication of the virus, many people left crowded cities like London to take over land for cultivation.
In de-zombified and depopulated parts of southern England, people could afford to buy up whole estates, bulldoze all but one or two of the largest dwellings and use the land for crops and raising animals. Over more than half a century, the population of England had grown to the point where it was no longer possible to be self-sufficient in food. Since the mass deaths from the first zombie outbreak, the population had fallen to a sustainable point and even many inner city households woke to the sound of a cockerel crowing. Schools and technical colleges actually flourished in a way they hadn't since the 1950s as kids realised the value of learning something which would help them to stay alive. By contrast, the desertion of certain parts of the metropolis had allowed those areas to become riddled with looters and gangs living off what they could find in the empty streets, houses and shops.
The zombie detector torch, or ZDT was made available in large numbers. It was to be sold at a profit but the proceeds were not destined for the pockets of any individual. The ZDT was to be sold by the British government, with the resulting profits being used to support the UK economy.
During the zombie outbreaks, many guns were taken from infected soldiers by panicked and desperate members of the public. This prompted the British government to make firearms both legal and widely available, so that uninfected citizens could defend themselves against rampaging zombies. The move definitely dealt a blow to rampaging zombie hordes but there were also innocent casualties. Many civilians unskilled in the use of guns were killed in shootouts by 'friendly' fire and cross-fire. By the end of the trial of the Minister, the government agreed that it was no longer appropriate to have so many firearms out in the general population. A passionate plea, supported by Party Political Broadcasts, relied on the good will of the British people.
All weapons were required to be handed in to police stations country-wide. Within a week, it was announced that more firearms than had been originally issued were recovered for disposal. By the end of seventeen months of zombies, murder and mayhem, the public had lost all taste for their use. Another benefit of the UK borders being closed was that use of illegal drugs had been all but eradicated and what few members remained of criminal gangs also relinquished their guns.
Since the stolen phial of virus had wreaked its havoc in the hands of extremists and a third zombie epidemic had been averted, the day was getting closer to when everyone could at last return to their previous lives, as far as that was possible.
Chapter 14: Steve On TV
Maisie chased a stewed prune around her plate. 'I'm like totally bored with hotel food and I want to see my mum.'
'Your mum does a full choice of breakfast menus, does she?' Alex said, eyeing her own plate and wondering if she should have gone for the kipper rather than the eggs Benedict. For once Steve wasn't there to negotiate a swap with.
'No but there's like no peanut butter. A bit on toast would be nice.'
Rachel paused from gnawing on a slice of melon. 'Maisie, you only have to ask!'
'I know but I don't like to.'
Rolling her eyes and pushing back her chair, Rachel set off to the hot food buffet bar in search of a piece or two of crispy bacon.
It was the morning of the eighth day at the hotel. Boredom and frustration had eaten away at the fugitives initial euphoria at being extracted from the zombie battle at Stannicvale. Even though the kitchen would provide whatever they wanted and a whole range of entertainment equipment had been made available, what they needed was something to do. Steve was the lucky one. With his mother's permission, he'd been whisked away by armoured limo to the studios at Television House.
Before the fugitives were even awake, the British Prime Minister t
ook the decision to speak to the whole population of the United Kingdom. Police cars with loud hailers patrolled the streets of every town and city, and TV and radio announcements were repeated from dawn. At nine o'clock sharp, the Prime Minister made a simulcast on every channel:
'The second outbreak of zombieism has been eradicated on British soil. Yes,' he said with a smile of such reassuring warmth that it dared anyone to disbelieve him, 'there are no longer any zombies in Britain.'
The PM stopped, as if for a round of applause before continuing, 'Every person infected from Kilkorne and the surrounding area, all the new infectees in fact, have been saved from developing the late stages of the disease and are, at this very moment, being returned to their homes. This proves without doubt the effectiveness of a newly-discovered vaccine against the zombie virus.'
'Now that a successful vaccine has been tested, production will be ramped up. It is my intention that every person in the UK will be inoculated within a month. This, however, is not the only good news I have interrupted your TV or radio schedules to speak about.' He looked to his right and the camera panned in that direction to show a rather apprehensive-looking young man.
'On my right here, I have Mr. Steven Reynolds. He was a key player in devising a weapon in the fight against zombieism, not only in the United Kingdom but across the world. This young man is the inventor of the Zombie Detector Torch, or ZDT, a device you will be seeing a lot of in the future. Steven, please tell us briefly how it works.'
Steve's expression indicated that he'd rather eat his own trainers than speak up in front of the Prime Minister and every radio and TV owning member of the UK population. However, the voice of the programme director in his earpiece reminded him that if he'd survived a zombie attack, he could say a few words on TV. Blushing deeply, Steve said, 'The torch makes people's eyes glow green if they're infected with the virus.'
'And why is that important, Steven?'
Steve's jaw felt as it had become paralysed, until the voice in his ear reminded him that his mother would be watching the broadcast. 'Oh, erm, because it works within only a few hours of someone being exposed to the virus.'
'I understand that the torch,' The PM held up a small metal cylinder, which in fact was a theatrical prop, 'will expose a proto-zombie even before a blood test.'
'That's correct.'
'Thank you Steven for that useful explanation. Combined with the vaccine, this torch will be of the greatest assistance in persuading world leaders to open their borders once more to UK citizens and to release the stranglehold on the UK economy.'
The camera refocused on the Prime Minister. 'It is early days yet but I am hoping to enter talks with the United Nations this very week. Thank you all for your patience and endurance.'
Even before the end of the official broadcast, the media had initiated what became days of end-to-end newscasts with on-the-spot reporters and pictures from around the world, playing guessing games as to which country was most likely to open its borders to UK citizens and where the first planes and ships carrying supplies bound for the UK would embark from.
'Why couldn't I have gone with Steve to be on television?' Rachel said, expressing her exasperation at having to remain in the hotel with everyone else. Even Mrs Reynolds had not been permitted to accompany her son.
'Because, like, you haven't invented anything,' Maisie said.
'We all did something,' Fred complained. 'I did plenty of useful stuff with the sword, cutting through those bushes when we escaped from the castle.'
'Yes, Maisie,' Rachel said in a sulky voice, 'you even got our bags and stuff when the floor collapsed.'
Maisie smiled. 'That was like pretty cool, actually.'
Since the kidnapping, no-one was very keen to use the TV lounge anymore and the fifty-inch screen had been relocated to the bar, which had become the place where the fugitives gathered every day between meal times. It did, however, serve as a constant reminder to Rachel of her passionate desire to be 'on the other side of it'.
'It's not just inventing the torch,' Sarah said. 'Steve did save you all by getting you in the castle and squishing those zombies.'
'But you drove the van right out of Kilkorne with us all in it.'
'Like through that whole army camp!' Maisie was breathless with excitement reliving it over again. 'Those sentry guys with guns, like trying to catch you out.'
'I don't know what was worse, following the army trucks up the cliff road with no lights, hoping we wouldn't get seen…'
'Or drive off the edge.'
'Oh, Maisie! Don't remind me about that. I was going to say "or going through the camp".'
'We could hear you from behind the boxes inside the van.' Fred said. 'It was really hard to stay quiet, especially when you were telling the soldier about the pies.'
'I'll never know how I managed that. I was scared half to death.'
'But you still did it. You should be on TV, too.'
They'd lost count of how many times they'd recounted each other's role in the escape from their village after the second zombie breakout from Breathdeep. The teenagers were of an age when the story never seemed to tire.
Alex had thus far kept out of the conversation. 'I expect we'll all get our chance to be on TV now that the news is out,' she said. Alex had also wanted to go with Steve, not to be on TV but just to be near him. She had to trust the sergeant to keep him safe, after he'd made it clear they could better maintain security with Steve on his own.
As soon as Steve returned from recording the broadcast with the Prime Minister, they were given the news: Rachel's desire to be on television was to be fulfilled that very evening. Steve would also be interviewed in a special news programme, along with each of the other of the escapees, including Maisie, Fred and Sarah. After months of depressing zombie reports and the resulting economic deep freeze the country had sunk into, the whole nation was hungry for news of something going right for a change.
Chapter 15: Rachel's Night
Rachel left no opportunity unexploited in the 'run-up' to her debut on national television. She spoke personally to the network producers, suggesting programmes featuring her preparation for the show, following every step of her makeover with celebrity hairdressers, make-up artists and stylists. Managing to get a word in somehow, Steve put up the idea of having a feature on Old English Monuments.
The media swung into action, surrounding the hotel with photographers and TV cameras. A limo arrived at one point to take Rachel and Maisie to an upmarket salon for makeovers and on from there to a heavily sponsored shopping trip. The excitement increased as news came in of deals done with international media companies for rights to show the interviews. Rachel returned to the hotel long enough to deposit Maisie and show off her new look in front of the others, quite beside herself at the thought of being on global TV.
At seven in the evening, a lively and dramatic theme tune played as Rachel made her way to The Sofa where, before sitting down, she bowed and twirled to raucous applause from a 'live' audience of TV soap actors, news anchors, pop singers and sports personalities.
'Rachel,' said the show's host, 'Everyone is so thrilled to see you at last.'
'Thank you,' she said, grinning so hard she could barely speak. 'I'm very excited to be here.'
'Now tell us, how do you feel about your narrow escape from the zombie-ridden village?'
'Kilkorne? It was always a bit of dump. Y'know, for a teenager.'
The host's smile wavered for less than a second. 'But being overrun by zombies might have been a more important reason to leave.'
'And the army. They were just as keen to catch us and take us to that Breathdeep place, where everybody dies.'
'You mean where they developed the vaccine.'
'Maybe so but the first time they all died, including my sister.'
'I'm so sorry to hear that,' the interviewer said, with a sincerity born of personal loss. 'So many people lost loved ones in the wake of the first zombie breakout from there.'
'You'll make my mascara run!' Rachel said, her lip trembling.
'We'll move on in just a moment but first I must reassure our…' the interviewer paused to make sure Rachel was paying attention, '…global audience, that everyone who was taken to Breathdeep from Kilkorne has made a full recovery.'
'Of course,' Rachel said, 'It's easy to forget that everyone in the whole world is watching.'
The interviewer stopped and gave Rachel his most disarming smile. He was a well-known celebrity who had risen through the testing ground of presenting childrens' programmes, comedy stand-up, and had reached what he considered his personal pinnacle, that of hosting chat shows.
'I'm sure the viewers are more interested in the part you played in the escape. When we come back after the break, I hope you'll be able to give us some exciting revelations.'
After several minutes of advertising, the pair returned. Rachel was laughing at a joke the presenter had just finished before the sound came up.
'So, Rachel, this programme is syndicated world-wide. You'll be recognised in the street after tonight's show. What are your feelings now?'
'Well it's y'know, great to be on TV. I always wanted to be on TV.' Rachel crossed her legs and clasped her hands around her knees, the bright pink dress she had chosen shimmering with sequins in the studio lights. Leaning forward she smiled at the billions of people she imagined were hanging on her every word. 'It was very scary, y'know, our escape. Like I said everyone was out to get us.'
Keen to deflect Rachel from the previous topic, the presenter guided her towards some of the features of the escape which had already had plenty of coverage, thanks to Steve. 'I understand the castle played quite a part.'
'Oh, yes, we hid there. Twice in fact. We thought the dungeon was haunted but of course it wasn't.' Rachel laughed, prompting spontaneous applause, and the presenter joined her, encouraging her to continue on a lighter note.
British Zombie Breakout: Part Three Page 5
