by John Holmes
A young woman was making her way towards my position, moving skittishly. She appeared to be in her early twenties, reddish brown hair, well dressed and, aside from a bandage on her right forearm, appeared to be healthy. Questions arise. Is she alone? Is she with the anti American group? If not, are they aware of her or her group? It’s rare to run into small groups or individuals this far into Z-Day so I had to assume she is with opfor (opposing forces for those of you who aren’t doing your part against the zambies).
As I continued watching she slid up to the back of the pharmacy and cautiously worked her way around to the front of the building.
“She must be some kind of level 99 BAMF to walk right in there.” I remarked to myself. “Better steer clear.”
As I waited I could hear the doors being pried open slowly. I waited to hear some shots or possibly whatever sounds ninjas silently make when then kill people with throwing stars. I wondered if there are any ninjas left. Suddenly my deep thoughts were cut short when I heard her scream, “Shit!” I threw myself down the ladder and sprinted to the front of the building. What I found is exactly the worst thing I could imagine.
She was fifteen feet inside the building to my right, her back to the wall with almost twenty around her, and one standing ready to strike. The doors were only open far enough to allow a woman’s frame through but I barged my way in. I drew my pistol as I charged in, taking out the two closest to me with my pistol in three quick shots. The woman looked my way just in time to see me barrel through the group at top speed.
I took three to the floor with me. They all crunched and squished under my weight and I finished them point blank with head shots. I jumped to my feet, now covered in some gore, and grabbed her on my way to the door, getting off five more shots off before I limped us to the door. The woman helped me tip over a couple of shelves to cover our escape and hopefully keep them from spilling out after us.
We ran across the street and looked back to ensure we weren’t followed. “Are you some kind of stupid? How are you still alive?” I asked as I looked her over for injuries.
“Me? I’m pretty sure you just tackled some zombies!” she said defiantly.
“Yeah well, I didn’t think I could shoot them all before they swarmed us. Is that a bite on your arm?” I asked, gesturing to the bandage.
She clearly knew what I was thinking and quickly justified it, “No! I got this working on our farm. Are you one of the new Air Force boys from Langley?”
AFB Langley?! Air Force?! I guess that would explain the Raptors that shot us down. “That’s right. I just got down here. My name is Captain Ethan Szimanski, but you can call me Ethan What’s your name?”
“Zoey. You seem young to be an officer. Why are you out here alone?” she asked suspiciously.
I could tell she was skeptical. “I got separated from my squad while we were operating in the area.” I answered convincingly.
She seemed satisfied with that answer. “We need to go back in and check the pharmacy. We need the medicine that might still be in there.” She pleaded.
“A. I don’t want to and B. I already did” I lied as I showed her my medical bag.
Her face lit up as she looked in the bag. She looked relieved and I could tell she didn’t want to go back in. Neither did I.
At this point I needed to decide whether to use her to show me where their base is or to distance myself from that kind of attention. I was pretty sure after that display she wasn’t a militant and I could convince her I was with them, but that didn’t mean it would work on the soldiers. Since we were heading in the same direction I decided to accompany her. Having her with with me would give my presence some legitimacy, plus I wouldn’t have to skulk around on my own.
She looked around nervously before speaking again “It’ll be dark soon and there won’t be any more traffic on the road. It’ll be a long walk back to the camp.” I could tell she wanted to get out of here and that she didn’t care for the walking dead. But I guess no one does. “Would you mind showing me the way back to the camp?” I asked.
She looked slow to trust me but nonetheless agreed. I pulled out my map and had her show me the location of her camp. It was almost a straight shot north from us, apparently where the sea at the opening of the bay. She insisted on carrying some of the meds and I didn’t mind having a lighter load. As it turns out the only weapon she had brought was a baseball bat so I gave her my sidearm.
Chapter 19
We passed the time mostly in silence, with Zoey remaining on edge. I could tell she wasn’t used to being out in zeke country. And I was experienced enough to be wary. At one point I claimed to need a bathroom break and took the opportunity to don pirated military rank patches. Something I usually reserved for when I needed to requisition certain supplies from the armory. I was now Captain Szimanski. I doubt Zoey would notice the change, especially in the dark.
After about two hours I started to see lights on the horizon.
“Almost there.” Zoey assured.
I was relieved but I knew we weren’t out of the woods yet. “Don’t let your guard down. They’ll be drawn to the light and noise.”
“I’m not an idiot. But the posted guards keep the area clear.”
As we got closer I began to notice the fence. A mix of chain-link and razor-wire at least 12 feet tall, surrounding a square of fifteen to twenty houses. Flood lights rained down from scaffold guard towers on each corner. They obviously weren’t concerned about drawing attention, but with how much they were operating in the surrounding towns, they were probably doing a good job of culling the zombies. We approached the front gate and I allowed Zoey to do the talking. She got out a flashlight and got the attention of the guard atop the closest tower. “Hey Ed, you got the late shift tonight?”
The soldier responded “Hey Zo. I didn’t even know anyone was out.”
Another soldier, wearing US Navy tactical blueberries, opened the gate as the conversation continued.
“You know how bad the raiders have hit us. I went down to the CVS to get meds.”
The man opening the gates confronted us. “Who’s the fly boy?”
“Captain Szimanski.” I introduced myself, “I was separated from my flight when I came upon your girl here.”
“Is that so? I didn’t think you guys were operating out in that area.”
I could tell he was suspicious, but I held my ground. The trick is to act like you belong. “I was pretty lost after all. Either way I was able to loot the medicals you guys apparently need.” I retorted.
“I guess we should thank you. Is there anything we can help you with?” Seaman Marco inquired.
I needed to find out as much about their operation as I could. “Where is the officer in charge?”
“The officers and their families are housed at Norfolk, sir. Weren’t you shown around already?”
“That’s right. I forgot. You wouldn’t happen to have a radio room, would you? My comms are down.”
“Right this way, sir.”
I followed him and left the meds with Zoey and she went to round up everyone in need.
As we moved further into the base I noticed several fixed gun positions. Mostly mortars and .50 cals behind sand bags. There wasn’t anyone manning them but I guess if they had to repel a naval assault they could pull all their men guarding the outer fence to hop on these positions.
They brought me to the last house in the row, a waterfront property with a view out over the opening of the bay. A small, steep descent led from the end of the road to the water. This housing was in a very strategic location and I was sure it served a role as an early warning for ships approaching Norfolk. Military satellite dishes were planted all along the waterfront. I also saw thick cables running away from the house and over the cliff. I would guess they may have sonar set up in the water.
They led me into the house and into the room that housed the radio, along with some computers and other equipment.
“Here you are, sir. The radio s
hould already be on the correct frequency.”
“Thank you, Seaman. Please, give me the room.” I used my rank to get a chance to snoop around their operation.
“Yes sir. We’ll leave you an escort posted outside.”
“Very well.”
I began to put on the headphones and picked up the mic but once everyone left the room, I moved around and began to take pictures of every important looking piece of paper in the room, all while having a one way conversation with my “superiors.” There was a laminated sheet next to the radio with frequencies and names. Maybe personal frequencies for the higher ups of the operation.
“Come in, Norfolk. This is Captain Szimanski.” I said while riffling through a folder by a computer station. Looked like a log of ship traffic.
“Affirmative. I was separated at approximately 1000 today.” I answered as I turned on one of the computer stations, but it required a CAC Card login, so I moved on.
“Roger, I will write up a report when I return.” I said as I snapped pictures of some charts that were hanging on the left wall of the room.
“Copy that. I’ll hold position here until otherwise ordered.” I said satisfied that I had seen everything. I began uploading the images.
I opened the door and nodded to my escort. “I’ve been ordered to remain on station here.”
Seaman Jaeger acknowledged, “We’ll assign you a family to bunk with.”
“Sounds Good. For now please show me to where they’re distributing the medication.”
“Yes sir.”
We headed back to the gate and turned right toward the interior of the settlement. There was a small park with a playground surrounded by houses. A line of people emanated from a gazebo. The line was mostly women and some children. I guess these were all the enlisted military families. Zoey and two petty officers were in the gazebo with the meds handing stuff out.
“Are there no doctors or medics posted here?” I inquired.
“For the most part the General keeps them on base. We always make requests to have medical personnel and supplies shipped out but they don’t come often. The last time the supplies were raided before they got to us.”
I could tell it was hard for the men. But at least they were all safe here. I made my way up to the gazebo to make an announcement. “I am Captain Szimanski. I am a medic with the Air Force and I will be treating people while I’m here. Please allow the most critical patients to come up first.” I might as well make the most of my time here.
Chapter 20
WILLIAM
The sun was sinking in the sky, so I decided we should just stay put and camp out in the building. We got down off the roof and found a small room on the 4th floor that would be perfect; it even had a window facing the street. After securing the door with a large desk, I walked over and sat down by the window, seeing if there was any activity outside.
It was a cool evening, but luckily we had our sleeping bags, and we stayed huddled up close against the wall. We felt safe. I guess when you’re close to someone you don't feel as threatened when you're outside of safety. I fell quickly to sleep.
I woke up a little after 0600, checked out the window for any threats, then crawled back into my sleeping bag. It was too early, so I checked into Facebook. Finally it was about 0830, and I slid out of my cocoon awake and alert. After I rolled up my bag and attached it to my pack, I decided to wake up Sasha for some breakfast.
"Wakey wakey Sasha, I have a scalloped potatoes and ham MRE with your name on it." I don't think I've ever seen someone wake up with their eyes so wide! She must love potatoes.
While she was packing up and I was watching out the window, I finished off my peanut butter squeeze tube. Breakfast of champions. Next we had to decide if we should keep getting closer to the city, or go parallel to the water and see what else we could find.
Sasha and I walked out of the building and were discussing how we would get her back without them knowing she was with me, when the sound of screeching tires and a roaring engine came from around the corner. I grabbed her arm and quickly pulled her back into the building we had just come from. I told her not to go out. “This is the perfect chance to get me home free!” she exclaimed, so she went back outside and waited for them to pull up in front of where she was standing. They stopped, and simultaneously opened the doors, got out, and drew on her.
She dropped her rifle into its sling, and raised her hands, insisting that she was one of them, even pointing to the insignia on her chest. The older guy riding shotgun in the Humvee called out, “Where have you been, soldier? We thought you were lost when we investigated that helo crash!” He sounded like a mean SOB.
“I’ve been trying to get back here, sir. I was chasing down one of the survivors!” she said, shrinking back from him.
“Well, was it a mission success?”
“No sir! I was unable to kill him, sir!”
“Why the hell not?!”
“He saved me from a zombie, then he got away, Sir.”
I just stood there thinking “Oh God, why is she telling him this?!”
“Did you track him down? Try to find him?”
“Yes sir, I saw him again, but an opportunity never presented itself to kill him.”
“Well it sounds like you failed your mission soldier.”
“NO sir, Plea-” BANG. A single shot rang out. All I heard was her body crumple down to the ground.
He shot her! She pleaded and he shot her. No one stopped him, no one spoke out. These monsters were all going to die. They killed one of their own without batting an eye. It was like a switch was pulled. I blew the murderer’s head off with my first shot, shattering the store front window and revealing my position to the group. They opened fire on me and for what seemed like minutes all I could see was flying concrete and dust. These guys were fools. They were concentrating on where I was, so I crawled along the front wall, over all the glass and debris “Thank God I found knee pads!” I thought.
When they stopped to reload, I popped up and took out another one with my rifle, then slid back behind the wall. “You’re outnumbered now boys!” I said and drew my kopis machete as I ran towards the Humvee.
I beheaded the startled man who was reloading then turned to the last guy. He turned, cross drawing a pistol and shot me.
It felt like he took off my arm, but the round only grazed me. I shot him in the chest and he went down, wounded. I walked up and grabbed his 1911 and in one fluid motion cut off his hand.
“Lemme take this off your HAND! HAHA get it?!” I shot him in the head, and tucked my new pistol into my waistband.
After gathering myself a bit, I knelt down and grabbed the radio off the guy who killed Sasha. Feeling broken hearted but fearless, I keyed the radio and demanded, “If you want to kill me, you’ll have to send more than just one Humvee!”
Can’t wait to see what they’ll bring next.
I threw the radio back at the headless body lying at my feet, then leaned down and checked him for anything of value. He didn’t have anything I needed, but he did have magazines for the 1911 I took from the last guy, so I helped myself to those. Then I made my way around to the other bodies and took anything of use, a few grenades were my favorite find.
I finally stopped next to Sasha. I couldn’t think of anything to say, or even think. I zipped her into her sleeping bag and loaded her into the back of the Humvee. I jumped into the cab and took off. I had to find a place to bury her; she deserved to be treated like a person again, after being put down like a dog.
I drove out a ways back West until I found a nice median where the flowers were in full bloom. I couldn’t fathom why I had taken her death so hard, having known her only a couple days. I buried her with a can of her potato soup; I couldn’t take that from her. “It always rains at funerals, even if it’s sunny outside.” I lost focus for a couple minutes, contemplating life’s deepest questions. When I came back down I said my prayer and loaded back into the Humvee.
“Ki
lling time and killing time.” I stepped on the pedal and thundered towards the coast, after buckling my seatbelt of course. Wouldn’t that be a way to go? Survive the zombies just to die a normal, careless death? I wasn’t planning on it. There were only a few knuckles of sunlight left in the sky, but plenty of time for shenanigans. I mean it’s a rugged truck, so why not have fun. I was going as fast as I could around the debris and obstacles that lay in my way. However, I made sure to swerve into everything and anything that moved. I mowed down every zombie I had passage to hit, and there was no shortage of them on my route.
A patrol was heading my way, and I wasn’t finished having fun yet. I stopped the Humvee and climbed up through the turret with my rifle, and rested the bipod on the roof. Phhht! “Nailed it.” And the Humvee swerved off the road with a dead man behind the wheel. I used to think those things were too wide to roll, boy was I wrong. I continued down the road to where the guys were crawling out of the wreck, and dropped them off a nice freshly pulled grenade. I didn’t need anything they had, and I wanted to make my way to the coast for show time.
As I approached a marina, I stumbled upon a cute little “fortress”, more like a poorly executed roadblock these anti-American military looking guys that I kept dispatching had set up. And they were ready to play. Alright, time for a little bit more fun before I got picked up. They all turned to me and watched, thinking I was one of them; I was in their hummer after all. I stopped, climbed up top again, but this time I racked the slide on the pig they mounted up here.
