Thrust & Parry: Z Day

by Luke Ashton

  “For fuck sake man tell me were not taking the crow cannons.” Rim whinged as he picked up another 2 SA80s.

  “You know Rim, if you did as much whinging as you did hauling weapons we would have finished by now.” Rim walked off in silence just as Jim started bringing what was left of the ammo out. They worked in silence for a while and once Jim had got all the ammo out he wandered over to his mini. Paddy was checking over the vehicle as Rim and Whethers wandered back and forth with armfuls of supplies.

  “How’s it looking mate?” He asked Paddy as he approached.

  “Not bad to be fair Twitch. Front left lights out but everything looks fine. Just need to check fuel level.” And with that Paddy jumped up into the driver’s seat and turned the key. The engine roared into life and a second later cut out. “Looks like it’s nearly out.” Paddy said as he jumped down.

  “No worries mate, we can get some fuel as our first stop.”

  Rim reappeared with the 2 boxes of ammo. “All done mate.” He announced as he dropped the boxes in the pile and slumped over it.

  “Nice one. Go and see how Whethers is doing.” Jim ordered.

  “This is the last of the food boss. Do we need any of the pans or owt?” Whethers asked as he returned with a large box in his arms.

  “Everyone got mess tins yeah?” Jim asked around the group. He was answered by a chorus of positive grunts.

  “Grab a big pot and a ladle and call it a day mate.” He said to Whethers. Turning back to Paddy and Rim he said “Right lads. Start loading this shite into the truck.” And with that Jim climbed up the back and stood at the back, near the cabin. Paddy climbed up with him and stood near the opening. Rim passed the food up first, followed by the ammo and then the weapons and they were stacked evenly at the back. By the time half the food was loaded Whethers had returned with the pot and Jim ordered him to empty the Mini of food and bring it over. Once he had done he was told to grab a jerry can and syphon the fuel out of it.

  “Erm.. Boss.” Whethers was looking at the gate as Jim poked his head out of the canopy. Peering over he saw what Whethers meant. The little girl at the gate was now joined by a few friends. Few meaning around 30. They were all pressing up against the gate. There was a crowd about 3 deep so the front zombies looked like they were being slowly grated through the bars.

  “Ah well lads if you haven’t killed one of these bastards yet, now’s your chance. Aim for the head. Firing line.” Jim’s section lined up about 10 feet from the fence. Whethers set up the bipod for his Gimpy and laid down behind it. Jim turned to him as he settled behind his gun. “Remember mate. Single shots. I don’t want a ricochet from the bars on the gate catching one of my lads yeah?” Whethers simply nodded.

  “Watch and shoot.” Jim gave the order as he took a knee and brought his rifle up to aim. Paddy let off the first shot as the little girl dropped in a mist of claret. As she hit the floor an elderly man immediately pounced into her place and trampled her. The last glimpse of her was as his walking boots crushed what was left of her head. Jim let off the next shot half a second later which hit a man in a worn looking, blood stained suit in the left eye. His head snapped back, hitting the woman behind her. Jim watched through his sight as the businessman’s head disappeared from his sight and the woman behind’s nose exploded. As Jim watched her head snapped back. From the ringing in his left ear Jim guessed it was Rim. Jim took aim on the zombie to the left and slowly squeezed. Half his balding head was hidden behind the bars from Jim’s angle so he took his time, controlled his breathing and fired. A glancing shot span the zombie round and Jim watched the back of his head bounce off the bars as he fell. He was still moving, trying to get up as Jim put the second round into the side of his head. Finally Whethers let off a shot and hit one of them in the neck. It recovered quickly and Whethers let of a short burst which caught the zombie in the face, destroying it in the process. This went on for around another minute until the last zombie dropped with a grunt. There was now a small pile of zombies on the floor.

  “Stop!” Jim called and there was a clicking of safety catches. “Right lads, fresh mags on. Old mags bombed back up. I need the Mini empty of fuel, food and weapons. Ready to rock and roll in 10.” Jim had just changed to a fresh mag and was only about 2 rounds down. He climbed into the back of the truck and pulled out 3 ammo boxes. One for each of the weapons that where being used. Passing them down he jumped down and lit a cig. He puffed away, feeding rounds into his magazine as he did so. Once he had done he stood up. Paddy was now working with Whethers to set up the long link of rounds for the Gimpy. Rim had 2 mags on the ground and was filling a 3rd. Jim didn’t get involved. Rim was filling Paddy’s mags for him so he could help Whethers since he had not had much contact with the Gimpy. The lads finished and started a human chain to get the food into the truck.Jim joined them and it was empty in a matter of minutes. Rim set about with a rubber hose syphoning the fuel out of the mini into the jerry can as Jim did one last sweep round where they had been working and then checked the mini. It looked strangely empty now. No food or ammo. Moving round the front he dragged his daysack out and shouldered it. Jim pulled the bags from the foot well and the glove box containing the batteries and the cigarettes and dumped them all in the middle seat of the cockpit. He went back and grabbed the weapons he had collected so far and added them to the file in the cockpit.

  “Right lads, I want Rim and Whethers in the back with the Gimpy and Paddy up with me. No top cover on these vehicles so you are my eyes, ears and linkman to the Gimpy gunner. Rim your Whethers support so make sure he’s always got ammo and always has the information needed. When we get to the petrol station I want Whethers set up at one entrance and Rim at the other. Paddy, you get the Gerry cans filled up. I’m going to check out the store and see what we can salvage. Do we have any bin bags?” Paddy rummaged in his daysack for a second and pulled out a role. Jim took them and stuffed them in his leg pocket. “Right lads mount up. I want to hear when you’re all in position.” And with that Rim and Whethers climbed in while Jim and Paddy pulled the tailgate up and locked it in position. Jim climbed into the driver’s seat while Paddy hit the gate code and ran back. As the gate slid open Paddy got comfortable in the passenger seat and slid open the small window between the cockpit and the back compartment.

  “You hear me ok Rim?” Paddy shouted at the engine roared into life.

  “Loud and clear mate. Almost as loud as your mum.” Replied Rim and Paddy rolled his eyes. He turned to Jim.

  “If that fucker gets bitten I have first dibs on shooting him.” Paddy said with an evil grin. Jim smirked as he rammed the beast into gear and pulled off. The sound of breaking bones and squelching organs was drowned out by then engine as they rolled over the pile of bodies.

  Rim could just about be heard singing as they roared onto the main strip. “She’s got a hole in her sock, a hole in her shoe, a hole in her nickers were her minge pops through.”

  Chapter 8

  As Jim neared the petrol station it seemed nice and quiet. The station itself was a standard petrol station with 2 entrances facing the road. The only difference with this one was it was linked with the Sainsburys behind it so it had an off-ramp at the back down to the car park. Jim pulled in and up to a pump. As he slowed to a halt Paddy jumped out and ran to the back of the truck. Rim was ready and passed him down 4 jerry cans. He grabbed the nozzle and started to fill. First was the truck followed by the cans. Jim jumped down a started jogging towards the shop. Rim had leapt over the tailgate and had got into position behind a bollard to cover the off-ramp while Whethers struggled down with his massive weapon. He eventually made it over to the forecourt sign and lay behind his weapon using the sign as cover.

  Jim reached the shop and peered in through the windows. It looked empty but the lights were on. He moved quickly to the automatic doors and they slid open noisily. At that moment there was a guttural screech from inside the shop and a young spotty Asian teen came charging out to greet him, although Jim
reckoned he wasn’t the friendly shop keeper he always was. He whipped up his weapon and fired. Jim was already stepping into the shop by the time the puss-filled zombie’s head hit the tiling. Inside the store to the right was a set of small trolleys. Jim grabbed one and placed 4 bin bags in it, all open and ready to receive. He left it there while he recced the rest of the shop. He didn’t want to get a love bite while trying to decide which shampoo smelt nicest. He moved quickly but silently from isle to isle. Each one was clear. Sweat was running down the back of Jim’s neck by the time he had returned to the trolley. He filled one bag with tinned goods, another with perishable goods and the third with cigarettes, lighters, tobacco, medical equipment, puncture repair kits, WD40 and all manner of things that seemed like they could be useful for survival. Before he filled the final bag he needed a key. He moved over to the teenager and gave him a kick. He didn’t move. He dug in the teens pocket and pulled out a set of keys. Pushing the trolley over to the till he slid a small key in and pulled the draw out. The actual money draw could be pulled out and Jim did so and emptied it into the bag. When they were all full he dashed out to the truck with the trolley, tied off the top of the bags and slid them over the tailgate. He then slid between the truck and the fuel pump to speak to Paddy.

  “How are we looking mate?” He asked in a hushed tone. It seemed redundant since he’d just fired a weapon but it was habit.

  “Rim and Whethers have set up a perimeter, the trucks full and I got 2 jerry cans to go. What was the round fired all about?” Paddy had obviously heard the shot.

  “The cashier greeted me at the door. I think he needs a few lessons on customer service.” Jim smirked at Paddy.

  “Paddy, Paddy.” Rim whispered in an urgent tone. Jim stuck his head round the pump.

  “What you got mate?” He asked.

  “I’ve got 5 or 6 approaching. There walking so they can’t have heard us yet.” Rim replied.

  “Wait out. If they get too close, drop ‘em. ” Rim simply nodded. Whethers was next to chirp up seconds later.

  “Twitch mate?”

  “What’s up bud?” Jim replied as he reached the back of the truck. Whethers simply pointed. There were 2 or 3 zombies on the other side of the road, aimlessly passing by as they hunted out their next meal. Jim said nothing as Whethers looked for answers from his section commander. He simply waved his hand over his face and mouthed ‘stay in cover.’ Whethers nodded and turned back to watch them. Jim glanced back at Paddy who was still filling jerry cans. He had one left to go.

  It was that moment when all hell broke loose. Rim had opened up as the zombies mounted the bottom of the off-ramp and the zombies that were simply passing by decided they wanted a piece so Whethers joined him. From there it seemed the zombies were appearing round every corner. Jim took up position near the shop and started dropping zombies coming up the road. Whethers was doing the same for those coming down. A zombie came flying from the 4th floor balcony of the multi-story car park across the street and landed with a crunch. His legs must have been broken on impact as he started crawling towards Whethers with astonishing speed. Whethers hadn’t seen him as he got within 5 feet. Jim turned and tried to line him up but his head was bobbing about all over the place. He reached Whethers and grabbed his boot. Whethers span round instantly and kicked out at the zombie, catching him square in the face. It didn’t make a difference to the zombie. It crawled forward and sunk it teeth into Whethers boot. Jim leapt up and sprinted over to Whethers who was thrashing wildly now. He dug the barrel of his rifle into the zombies head hard, pushing it into the grass bank. He snatched the trigger and felt the gun kick in his hands. The zombies grip on Whethers boot slackened instantly. It didn’t move. Half the zombies head had now disappeared and Whethers looked breathless and wide eyed. Jim looked around. Zombies were appearing from all sides now. He could still hear Rim banging away down the off-ramp.

  “How the fuck we doing Paddy!” Jim called with a sense of authority that would have made a skinhead flinch.

  “Last one boss, nearly done.” Paddy called back. Jim turned and dropped the closest zombie charging up the road.

  “Whethers get back in the truck and get set up. Rim! How you looking?”

  “Closest ones about 200 meters away boss.” Called Rim back.

  “Fall back. Paddy hurry the fuck up we are leaving!”

  “Done boss.” Paddy replied from the back of the truck as he fed the last jerry can over the tailgate. Jim took over Whethers spot as he sprinted back to the truck. He slipped his Gimpy over his back on its sling and scaled the tailgate with cat like precision. Rim was close behind him and mirrored him on the other side. Jim dropped the 2 closest zombies and ran. He reached the cockpit and jumped in. Paddy had got engine was already running and was facing away from him, weapon out of the window. Searching for a target.

  “Everyone set?” Jim called as he slammed the door. A chorus of grunts confirmed it and Jim stamped on the accelerator. For the first time in Jim’s life he heard a 10 tonner’s wheel spin. It sounded like he was running over hundreds of cat tails as he fought to get some grip on the forecourt tarmac. The truck found it and lurched forward. Jim spun the wheel hard just in time to miss taking out the front of the shop. As he lurched onto the main strip 7 or 8 zombies decided it would be a good idea to charge straight at the truck. Jim decided to put the front plate to good use and watched as they hit it head first. The sickening sound of bone breaking on steel echoed over the roar of the engine as zombie after zombie bounced under the truck. There was a shout from the back and Paddy relayed.

  “Rim says those fuckers aren’t getting back up.”

  “Tell him if they do to drop them. We need to get somewhere quiet.” Jim replied. Paddy passed the message back and then turned back to Jim.

  “What about the drill hall?” Jim nodded thoughtfully and threw the truck round the roundabout towards the drill hall. He cut left into the university and headed for the wooden barrier that was a cut through to the drill hall. The truck barely slowed as the wood splintered against the truck. He skidded to a halt in front of the gates and Paddy was already pouncing out to get the gate code. At that moment the Gimpy opened up behind him. Paddy jumped back in.

  “Find out what the fucks going on Pad.” Jim shouted as the gate started to move. Paddy called back and got a shout in return.

  “Zombies boss, lots of ‘em, closing fast.” Paddy shouted over the rattle.

  “Come on! Come on!” Jim shouted at the gate, willing them open. They seemed to be moving exceptionally slow. Jim revved the engine. Over the noise Jim just heard Rim shouting.

  “Fuck off you undead fucks!” The gates finished opening and Jim threw the truck into gear. It lurched forward and as soon as they were past the gate he threw the handbrake on and pounced out. Paddy did the same at the other side and saw that Rim wasn’t kidding. There was a swarm of zombies charging towards the gate. Jim brought his weapon up and started firing. There was too many coming at them too fast to be precise. He just needed to slow them down so the gate would close.

  “Paddy, shoot the sensor.” Jim called over the truck and a second later there was a ping of metal on metal and the sound of sparks flying. The sensor was a motion detector. A safety feature put in with the gate to stop it closing on cars or people. With it working the gate would keep opening every time a zombie got too close. He hoped shooting at it was enough to put it out of action. He found the answer seconds later when one passed the sensor. The gate kept closing and the zombie was hit by the Gimpy seconds later. The bullets ripped through his chest, throwing him backwards. The gate was nearly closed and several of the zombies where pressed up against the gate. Jim watched as the gate closed on the zombies head, trapping it. It was trying to regain itself. The gate strained under the pressure as its grip got tighter. Jim pulled up his weapon and put a round into the top of its head. The skull gave in and crushed under the pressure. The gate clicked shut as the remainder of the zombies head split. The top of i
ts skull dropped and rolled on the floor.

  “Magazine!” Whethers called from the back of the truck.

  “Rim get him sorted! Pick your targets now lads, watch and shoot.” Jim called. There was still around 40 zombies trying to get through the gate and the ones at the front were getting pulled down in the struggle and trampled. The gate was still holding strong. “In fact. Hold your fire lads. Let them kill each other for a bit.” More zombies seemed to be appearing. “Only drop the ones that are coming through.” As Jim spoke one of the zombies started trying to climb over the others, aiming for Whethers and Rim. It reached the gate and its head snapped back. Paddy had dropped it and it fell over the gate and landed in front of it. Jim squeezed a shot into it just to make sure. As the lads watched zombie after zombie was pulled down and trampled under the feet of the horde.

  “Right Whethers on me, take Rims rifle. Rim, take the Gimpy and watch out. Paddy, support him. ” Jim called and there was a flurry of moment. Paddy pounced into the back of the truck as Whethers jumped down. Jim moved round the front of the truck, grabbing his daysack on the way and dropped it against the wheel .

  “What’s up boss?” Whethers called.

  “You know the drill by now. Take your boot off. ” Jim replied as he un-holstered his pistol. Whethers looked concerned as he dropped onto the daysack.

  “Boss, it didn’t get me I swear.” Whethers pleaded, clearly worried for his life.

  “You know I need to check mate. Take it off.” Jim ordered, bringing his pistol up to Whethers head.

  “Ok boss take it easy. Please.” He begged as he slowly unlaced his boot. There was a minute or two silence as he slowly slid his boot off, only broken once or twice by Rim letting off a shot at the few zombies smart enough to get through. Whethers sock slid off slowly and he lifted a shaking foot to show Jim. It was clear. Jim breathed a sigh of relief and pulled out his fags.