Legacy of the Living

by Sean Liebling

  I felt like shit, with a massive headache, even though I had gotten a few hours of sleep with my head lying on my girlfriend Cara's lap. I had three lady friends, Cara, Jean and Corey my LSS or 'little sexy soldier' and Trust me, three girlfriends are more than a handful for any one man but it was the times and now three women to one man was considered normal. Currently I was surrounded by all my lieutenants with one exception. My best bud Pete had been killed last night while protecting the women and children within the granary. It had taken me a while to get to his body, but finally I was there, then Sandy was in my arms sobbing her heart out. These people were my family, and my family had just experienced a major blow. It sucked the big one!

  My name is Jay Scarmon. Appointed interim Governor to the State of Michigan and Colonel of Marines (retired then pulled back to active duty). I was also the leader of a large survivor group in Newaygo, Michigan, in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. Through circumstance, I was in the right place at the right time to grab a hold of the remnants of surviving factions of refugees and decimated military units while somehow molding them into a cohesive community that grew stronger daily. We examined life on a day-to-day basis and did our best to survive and grow. We were succeeding even though sometimes it didn't appear that way.

  The last week had been seven days of death and destruction. I’d pulled the town together, helped a National Guard unit, killed thousands of the undead we refer to as zombies, and had been named interim governor for the state of Michigan as mentioned. Along the way I'd accumulated my three girlfriends while making sure my own three beautiful young children survived. We had relocated to a more secure location from my home underground shelter but it still wasn't enough. We needed to be proactive from this moment forward.

  "We'll bury them Sunday morning in the Newaygo City Cemetery just outside town. I want a sane preacher to conduct the ceremony if one can be found. If not, Major Weston, you're elected. Make up assignments for grave detail also please." I saw the Major nod with some difficulty, as he was a mass of minor wounds, while nurse-in-training Judy hovered over him with loving attention. Last night the Major had almost died while leading a group of men to the rescue of dozens of children trapped by zombies coming up out of the river. He had held fast with most of his team dying around him, and it was only with seconds to spare that I had managed to come to their rescue leading a company of Strykers over the top of one of the granaries.

  "Also, Major, I want you on creating a barrier along the river. Do it from a lawn chair if need be, but we must protect ourselves from this new breed of zombies that seem to function under water." I saw him nod again and sighed to myself.

  Hell, I just wanted to go off, start shooting the damn zombies, and never stop. But I could not. I had kids and a responsibility to this community now. Earlier I had obtained a Situation Report (SITREP) from my LSS, one of my girlfriends and our brilliant Communications Officer. Now I turned to Master Sergeant Darin Trask, whose coal-black skin glistened in the early-morning light as we stood outside near the gate surveying the damage. He was rapidly becoming my right hand. Good thing I didn't have to jack off anymore. His hands were rough looking. We had bonded as best friends ever since I saved his team’s bacon at the fuel depot several days ago.

  "First things first and that means local security and supplies! Top, get some people out to the Utari compound and strip it clean. Then the Church if it's safe. Take a bulldozer with you on a trailer and bury them in both places. Don’t worry about identifying the bodies, as we do not need to remember the stupid and evil. Get your crossbow teams out on rotation nonstop. I want to conserve as much ammunition as possible. If it's clear, we're making a run three miles down the road to that gun and archery shop. We need more of everything," I said as he nodded.

  We had patrols out everywhere, patrolling the streets and countryside while eliminating every zombie they could find. There were still quite a few near us, and I knew more would be arriving, and soon. I also knew the bastards had deliberately amassed for their attack last night, hoping to take us by surprise. In that, they were partially successful, causing the death of too many. I had crews demolishing homes within our new fire lanes in preparation for creating a truly safe inner haven. We were now on overdrive and were not stopping until it was done. It would not be done for a long time, because after this ring, we would start another in another community, then another until the entire state was safe. After that, onward, working with others until the country was rid of zombies, although better men than I would see it finished.

  "What do we know about these that crossed the river, Top. Anything yet?" I saw Darin sigh and shake his head, frustration written plain on his features.

  "All we know for sure is they all seemed to be coated in a thick slime of some kind. My guess is it protected them from the effects of the water somehow. I'm not a scientist though, so I have no idea what it is, or how they secreted it. Most of the zombies we examined didn't have it. The only ones that did have it were those that came in from the river. I realize it seemed like a never-ending wave, but it was actually only a couple thousand. Overall, it was a relatively small number compared to the total last night."

  "Right! When the doctor is free and has gotten some rest, fill him in and get his best guess. We'll contact our European friends we've been in contact with over shortwave and see if they've come up with anything. Every little bit helps." I moved on to the next subject.

  "Rosita! How many train cars of potatoes and carrots, cabbages and whatever have your people dug up in the last few days?" My first question involving supplies was directed at Rosita, the wife of Miguel, my main administrator. She was a whip-thin fiery Mexican of unrivaled intelligence. God, I treasured her. She was combing all the local farms and picking leftover produce. It was amazing how much was still in the ground after the automatic machines harvested. We were currently storing them in unused railroad cars. We had plenty of them.

  "Four, Senor Jay, but I'll send them out for more as soon as you say it's safe. There are many farms in our area, and we've only been to a few." She sat back down. I did a rough calculation in my head. About six months of food for our current bunch, but I knew it would soon become exponentially larger.

  "Good, but I received a report this morning; we have a lot more survivors headed our way, both military and civilian. Grab everyone not doing anything essential and put them on food gathering details. I would prefer at least ten cars before you’re done but do what you can. Potatoes with carrots or cabbage soup with some meat and greens added will be the main course on this winter's menu, people. We're saving the canned goods for as long as they'll last. Make sure you have someone on each crew that knows farm equipment and make sure the spring planting gear is properly stored away. We'll need them in a few months." I saw her nod at my words. I knew she would do her best. I was not quite finished with her yet.

  "I'm adding to your work load. Get a planting crew together. Get with Master Sergeant Trask and have two squads accompany you to the Michigan Conservation greenhouses just east outside the town along the River. I'm pretty sure they are currently full of pines. Rip them out and plant whatever greens we'll need for a balanced diet this winter. Any zombies from that direction should be light, so they shouldn't be much trouble. Get the greenhouses planted and we'll send a crew every week to fill the drip tanks from the river pumps." I knew they used the drip method with large overhead water tanks beside the metal and plastic buildings for irrigation. I drove past there at least a hundred times on my way to see friends. She nodded again and started talking to a girl beside her who must have been her assistant. I waved for their attention again and she turned back as I started speaking again.

  "Staff Sergeant Steve Tremaine here," I pointed at him, "will shortly be sending out a heavy reconnaissance in all directions. There are also a ton of commercial nurseries and greenhouses between here and Fremont. I'll want those planted next, so gather up all your seeds, and then find more. We are going to get many refugees
in as I was saying, and Newaygo is already full or just about. Fremont will be the next town we'll fortify for several reasons. It's much larger, it has a municipal airport, and there is an old natural gas-fired power plant that's been mothballed in Hesperia which is only seven miles away. Not only will we have power here but also in Fremont soon, I'm hoping." Rosita nodded, waited a moment and when I didn't say anything else turned back to her assistant. I let them be for now.

  "Listen up people. I just spoke of power and there is a reason I did. A few years ago I went on a tour of the Hardy Dam power plant. At the time, it was simply something to do, to occupy my time with and keep the kids entertained but I learned a lot. For one thing, I learned that most power plants are not actually de-commissioned or retired, they're simply mothballed or put into storage in a manner of speaking and that there are many in our area." I paused to let that sink in and saw looks of surprise appearing on most faces.

  "Miguel, I need that list of power linemen we discussed. Grab as many soldiers as Top will give you and get them out to the Hardy Dam power plant. It's less than five miles away and should have the juice to provide all our needs with proper conservation. I saw we had a couple retired engineers amongst our survivors. Grab them and take them with you. I want to know what's up out there, and how long it will take to bring the generators back online. I already know from my tour that the main shaft was removed, and the power breakers, but should otherwise be functional. Check and get back to me. Got that Top?" I was addressing both of them now and they nodded.

  I wanted to call on Dr. Mansk next, but he was in triage treating our hundreds of wounded from the mass zombie incursion last night. I would figure out our medical supply situation later when he was free, but I knew we had to be getting low with as many wounded as we’d had lately. I looked around then stood up and looked again. "Where's Jason?"

  "Reaping, sir. He said he was going to head south and get a lay of things. He said you would be headed in that direction soon." My LSS, little sexy soldier I had nicknamed her, spoke up, informing me of the why of Jason's absence. Fine. I think Jason knew me better than I knew myself. I smiled slightly, knowing he would thin them out for us. Every bit helped. Jason was my man, and went by the name Reaper. He had come home after working the late shift on day two of the apocalypse to find his entire family dead, including grandchildren. After burying them, he claimed the Lord had given him a new calling: to use his skills as a retired USMC sniper to backlog the lines in purgatory with the undead. I needed about twenty of him too.

  "Miguel. Multi-task, and while you’re with Master Sergeant Trask, I want any unqualified men and women to start arms training now! Grab all boys and girls sixteen on up. Rosita, you get the rest; all unattached adults not engaged in active defense, and those fifteen and under that are all old enough to dig up our winter food staple. Miguel. Set the lights for the compound on a timer so no one forgets to turn the damn things on again. Make it an hour before dark." Miguel nodded, as did his wife. "Re-check the pawn shop downtown. I know you only found a few pistols and shotguns, which means they're hiding the rest of them somewhere. Knock down the walls and tear up the floors, then hit county records for their homes and any properties the owners owned in the area. We'll find their stash because we need it." I then turned to the entire group.

  "I don't have to tell anyone here how bad we fucked up last night." Everyone nodded. "I'd love to say it won't happen again, but we're only human." I paused again briefly then continued, "But never again will we be caught by surprise like that!" I finished with finality and saw everyone's firm nods. "If only three percent of the population in this state survived that means there are approximately three hundred thousand survivors in Michigan alone. We obviously can't fit them all here. We're already close to capacity as I previously mentioned and my plan is to branch out from here into the larger towns as more come in. We’ll use towns that are close enough for mutual support during any zombie outbreaks, or attacks by marauders or other forces that feel we shouldn't survive." We had been attacked by marauders two days ago and had dealt with them harshly. My plan also revolved around those towns that were close to the old power systems that used to be the mainstay of this electrical grid system before we started buying our power from Canada and piping it in from other areas. We would get those back online, and with proper electrical conservation, I suspected we would be fine for a few years. By then, hopefully we might be back to a semblance of normalcy.

  "Jay. If there will be that many survivors, why don't we just relocate to Grand Rapids or Muskegon?" Miguel had raised his hand and was speaking now.

  "Simple, buddy, I'm changing the demographics of our lifestyle. No more major cities, instead we'll use smaller ones. Major cities breed many habits, most of which are not good for a healthy society. If we survive, it will be generations before we are even close to our former population levels. My thought is towns of no larger than ten thousand at the most. Not necessarily agrarian either, but also manufacturing. Everything designed as best we can manage. However, I'm adamant on this point. No large cities because they breed a poor class, and gangs, and are havens for many types of undesirables that can blend into a larger population base. By keeping it smaller, we'll know the people in our communities. It will be safer, hopefully, and we will know immediately who the troublemakers are and deal with them. From now on, everyone works to the best of their ability. No more welfare but we protect and care for our own until they’re able to care for themselves. In addition, Grand Rapids used the coal-fired plant south of Muskegon for electrical power. That coal was brought in through the canal from Pennsylvania and New York. We are unable to do that at this time. I believe it has also been decommissioned. My point is there is no way to provide power to Grand Rapids. Eventually we'll strip it and burn it to the ground." I saw him nod.

  "Senor, what about retirees? We have many, and some cannot handle any form of hard labor which is the most needed." I saw he wasn't done with me yet. I nodded.

  "Those that can work will work. They will help out, and besides, it will make most of them feel good and needed. Those that cannot work we will take care of. I realize many worked their entire lives and it has all gone to shit. I can't help that. What I can help is our survival and that takes precedence over any other concern. If all they can do is peel potatoes then they will do that. Knit scarves, help watch young kids. They can stand guard, you name it, and they can help. As I said, those that are truly infirm we will take care of. Nobody gets left behind and nobody does without while I'm boss. Our retirees will be cherished for they are going above and beyond all expectations. At this time, that cannot be helped. My only concern is our survival, and we will survive!"

  "Si, Senor. Agreed! What about those with special needs? We have some autistic, and some with other disabilities, both children and adults."

  "We take care of them, as I said. They are our family. It's that simple. Does anyone object?" I looked around and saw everyone shake his or her head in the negative. "Good, because this isn't a negotiation. We'll figure out how to house and care for them. Dr. Mansk can help with that along with everything else he's doing." I paused and turned around surveying all the damage, then faced my crew again.

  "We have two days to secure this area because Sunday, we hold services. We will bury our fallen heroes and those they tried to protect!" Everyone was silent and there were more than a few tears. The lieutenant was in or recovering from surgery. He had been the senior officer of the last group of National Guard to report in, and had led bands of soldiers against the attacking zombies. They had chewed his arm to shreds at the elbow when he became trapped under a group of the undead. I did not know if the doctor would have to amputate, but regardless, he would be recovering for some time. In his place, Staff Sergeant Steve Tremaine took charge of the Rapid Deployment Elements.

  "Steve. Assemble the Strykers and whatever other vehicles you need. I want a heavy element reconnaissance in force in all four directions. Conserve your ammo. Just run
over the bastards." He nodded at my words, and I continued. "I want you to hit White Cloud to the North, and Fremont to the West. Gauge their strengths and keep an eye out for survivors. Do not take any chances with the survivors. If they appear hostile, blow them a new asshole. We're done screwing around." He nodded again much more emphatically while grinning. He was the man for the job. "You heard what I told Miguel. I want Fremont opened up as relocation for incoming survivors. We need another town, and it's perfect as it will hold five thousand easy, and perhaps even ten thousand, and has a local power source." Everyone was nodding now.

  "LSS! Get on the radio. Send out an All Call to everyone. If I'm the damn governor of this state, I'm going to act like it. Tell them to get their asses in here now, and bring all the survivors they can find. We'll figure out a way to feed them if we start to run low on food." She grinned up at me in acknowledgment.

  "All right people. We're growing in size and sooner or later we'll become a threat to this new rogue government and whatever forces they still command, if we're not already on their radar that is." Agreement was on everyone's face as all had been apprised of our current intelligence. I wanted nobody in the dark. LSS had been informing us for days of reports of the military bands of rogue government forces sending assassination squads against loyal government forces, and even a multitude of air attacks against their positions. I expected the same against us for we were about to get really vocal on the airwaves.

  "Chief Hawkins!" I turned and addressed our Chief Warrant Officer 2 in command of our heavy weapons’ Light Battalion. He snapped to attention. His crews had performed superbly all night, and if he was tired, he didn't show it. "You're Heavy Weapons. I've put the Badgers into use as zombie flatteners, but give me a rundown on them and their capabilities."

  "Well, sir. First of all, you're using them wrong, and I'm surprised the techs didn't tell you that."