by WR Peden
I then jump back to reality with DJ talking to me. “Hey, you OK buddy. You looked like you were in a trance and you have tears running down your face.”
“Uh yea, yea” I answer as I wipe my face. “Just had a flashback to before all this when my family went missing but it's fine. Let's get moving so we can try and get on base before dark,” I suggest.
DJ inquisitively looks at me but doesn't say a word as he follows me to the truck where we load all of our items into the back seat. DJ finishes loading his stuff and gets in with his bat that he picked back up on the way out. I finish putting my stuff in the truck and decide to throw the shopping cart into the bed of the truck as well. I open the door, step up on the side rails and take a moment to look around. Growing up in and around the area to see it turn into a zombie oasis saddens me. I look around and see the only life forms around now are those of the undead for as far as the eye can see. Surprisingly the structures of the city are still in great condition leading me to believe that this undead takeover hasn’t been going on for very long.
I suddenly hear a car that sounds like it's speeding up, as I look back to the north towards the stop light right up the road. I wasn't the only one who heard the sound as a group of close to a dozen zombies turn and slowly almost methodically walk towards the noise in the middle of the road. Without warning the car blasts into the group of zombies knocking some down and sending parts flying all around. The car comes to a stop but due to the commotion a horde of over thirty zombies have made their way to the area, some of them faster than others. The guy driving the car gets out after repeatedly trying to crank the now smoking car. He starts opening fire on the approaching horde but is quickly overtaken and devoured like hogs eating slop.
I quickly get in the truck, start it and head back the way we came opposite that of the current onslaught going on utilizing it as a distraction. We head back toward the interstate and head east towards the main gate of the base. As we are driving down the on-ramp to the interstate DJ lowers his window, sticks his bat out and takes a big swing just as we are passing a lone zombie. A shriek of laughter comes out of DJ as I watch chunks of flesh fly out in front of the truck and into the truck as I drive right into the debris field of flesh. I chuckle as we speed up and start flying down the abandoned interstate finding more and more zombies as we get closer and closer to the larger town of St. Robert outside of the base.
“Hey Look” DJ points to the Soldiers of ZED sign on the side of the road that reads next exit.
I start looking around and notice a fairly decent wall approximately fifteen to twenty feet high with prison like guard towers every couple hundred yards for as far as you can see along the south side of the road. As we get closer to the exit we notice a military like a checkpoint set up at the top of the ramp blocking all access in and out of what looks like the civilization Levi spoke of just outside the base walls. I continue to look around as we make our way up the ramp and see a complete three hundred and sixty degree coverage with heavy duty machine guns mounted in military pillbox style facilities with a guard posted at the entrance wearing the uniform and insignia for the Soldiers of ZED. “Well, I guess we’re here” I joke as I look around. We slowly approach following the commands and directions from the guard located at the entrance.
“This area is restricted how can we help you?” Asks the gate guard.
“We come from Lebanon and were told of this location by Sgt. Meeks” I politely respond.
“Wait right here” instructs the guard as he steps away to the adjacent guard shack and picks up the phone. After a few moments, he hangs up the phone and returns to us.
“Sgt. Meeks said he remembers you. He says for you to go in and report to the sheriff's office and they will assign you a place to stay and he will get with you in the morning” instructs the gate guard who proceeds to give directions. “To get to the sheriff's office go through the gate turn right at the first light go down approximately a quarter mile it's on the right in the old fire station building.”
“Thanks, I know exactly where it is,” I reply. The guard motions for the gate to be opened as I slowly proceed through the gate and up the ramp to the main road. Fortunately for me, I use to live here in town a long time ago and much hasn't changed except for the new ZED addition and protection. I follow the directions of the guard while looking around taking in the sites of some repurposed buildings, multiple tents set up with cots visible from the city roadways.
We get to the first stop light and turn right like instructed, I notice something we haven't seen in a while, a convenience store that is actually operating at the corner of the main road and light.
“Did it get stopped before town?” I thought to myself as we pull into the old fire station which has a new sign that reads “St. Zachery City Hall.”
We come to a stop, I jump out and grab my pistol and DJ hops out with his trusty bat, we close the doors and head inside. An officer at the front desk greets us, “Hell of a mess we got going on around here, I'm sure glad to see more people have survived, where did yall come from?”
“Down the road in Lebanon, I woke up not sure where I was, ran into Sgt. Meeks and his crew who told me about this place up here. I then saved ol DJ here from certain demise and we decided to make our way up here while I look for my family,” I reply.
The moment I mentioned my family an officer in the back got up and went straight to the sheriffs, I acted like I didn't notice but continued to glance back and forth toward the office until the sheriff and I locked eyes. He stood up and hastily walked towards me. I greeted him with a handshake.
“Hello, I'm Sheriff Trivett I run St. Zachery and work for hand in hand with ZED and his men. So, my men tell me you made it here from Lebanon, scouting reports tell us the hordes are gathering that way more frequently and attacking in groups. What can we do for you fine gentlemen?” He asks as he introduces himself.
“Well sir, I had the pleasure of meeting Sgt. Meeks and crew in Lebanon and he informed me of you all and told me if I make it up this way contact him for a place stay and work” I answer. The sheriff waves for one of his guys to come over, he gives him direction and promptly tells us to have a good evening and welcome to St. Zachery. The officer tells us to follow him as we head out of the Sheriff’s office, He gets in his patrol car as we get in our truck and follow him out of the parking lot, back down the road to the light at the corner.
We turn right going further into town for about two or three miles. As we top a hill DJ points out a tent city like area set up in an open field near the old park. The officer turns towards the tented area, pulls into a nearby parking lot and stops as we follow and pull up right next to him. He gets out and approaches us.
“Here we are, that tent over there will be yours,” he states as he points near the end of the row. A gentleman comes up to the officer then looks at us and introduces himself.
“Hello, I am the operator of this area, you guys call me Josh.” He states as he puts his hand out for a shake. I shake his hand and introduce us,
“The name is Cordell, Cordell Banks and this is my good friend DJ. We just made it in from Lebanon and are trying to find my family but figured we could meet up with Sgt. Meeks while we look.”
“Well that's great to hear, we are glad to have more to the community. Here follow me!” Josh instructs.
Josh is my height but a rather large guy older gentleman. Just the short walk to our tent he was out of breath. DJ and I hop out of the truck with weapons in hand as we follow Josh down the path looking around and acknowledging people who act like nothing has happened around them.
At the end of the line, Josh stops and begins to speak. “You guys will have to share a tent, but they are plenty big enough for two cots and your equipment. Everyone around here is nice and honest. Just a warning the Sheriff doesn't play with thievery or malicious intent.”
“Thank you for your hospitality,” I say in response. “DJ stay here I'm going to mo
ve the truck to right up there,” I say as I point to a spot right in front of the tent just up the hill. I go up to the truck and move it then start to unload it as DJ comes up to help. After unloading our gear and supplies into the tent with DJ’s help we look around and notice it has gotten pretty dark and most everyone has already gone inside their tents.
“I'm going to go ahead and rest up,” I inform DJ.
“Sounds like a great idea, it has been a hell of a day. Hopefully Sgt. Meeks can help you find your family, I can't thank you enough for the help you have provided me.” DJ states.
“It's not an issue, You're welcome to hang with me while I look for my family if you would like, or if you would rather stay here that is fine as well,” I reply.
DJ doesn't respond but looks around as I go into the tent, organize some of our stuff and set up my cot to make it as comfortable as a cot can be. After a few minutes DJ comes inside and does the same. As I lay down and fall finally fall asleep after the long day we have had.
Chapter 6
The next morning I wake up after having the best night of sleep I have had since all this started. I sit up on the cot and try to wake up, I look around and don’t see DJ. After a few minutes of stretching, I get up, put my boots back on and head out the tent. As I open the tent I quickly notice the sun is up as brightness fills the tent and I become temporarily blinded as my eyes try to adjust. After adjusting the first thing I notice is the truck is still there, then I look around and look for DJ but can’t seem to find him. I ask a couple of people in the neighboring tents but they don't recall seeing him.
After no luck, I go to the fire pit area that had already been established by the previous occupants and start it up with the help of a neighbor. The neighbor is a middle aged man with a full mustache. He was a little heavy but carried it well. We talked for just a few minutes as he helped get the fire started and introduced himself as Mike. While the fire heats up I go inside and gather a few items to make a warm breakfast, again something I haven't had in at least a week. After what seemed like forever my breakfast to finish, it does and I finally get to enjoy a warm meal. As I'm putting up my stuff, I hear the familiar sound of a military convoy. Once you hear a sound like that it becomes a sound you will never forget especially those of fully equipped military vehicles ready for anything. I grab my pistol and put it in my belt under the shirt on my backside as I look out. I then see a rather large shadow of a man get out of the stopped Humvee near my truck.
“Cordell, is that you?” Asks the man.
“Yes, who’s asking?” I reply still only seeing the silhouette of the man.
“It’s Sgt. Meeks, I assume you remember me.” Sgt. Meeks answered.
“Yes Sir, Sorry to bother you, but the last time we met you told me about this place. I did some time as a member of the United States Marine Corps and love your quasi-military environment, security and believe I could be a valuable asset around here. I wouldn't feel right being around without helping.” I mention.
“Did you make it here alone? I thought my guard informed me there was two?” asked Sgt. Meeks.
“Yes Sir, I met a young man by the name of DJ who lost a friend in Lebanon to those things. He is out and about but he is here.” I respond.
“Well hurry up, get ready and come with me. I can’t make any promises but I'll see if the boss wants to talk.” Sgt. Meeks instructs.
I turn and go back into the tent, quickly grab a couple of items including a few other mags and try to secure my pistol a little better for concealment. I'm still unsure of this group, but so far they are the most organized and hell, they did save me after I set that alarm off. After I get ready, I start to head up to the Humvee but stop. “Hey buddy, If the kid that was with me yesterday returns can you tell him I’ll be back?” I ask Mike as he nods in acknowledgment. I make it up to the Humvee and hop in the open door as a soldier climbs in next to me.
“I met the Sheriff yesterday, does he do the assignments around here?” I ask.
The soldier chuckles next to me as Sgt. Meeks answers. “No son, I'm taking you to meet ZED himself. I think you and him will get along quite well and seeing what you have done to get here with no equipment the last time I saw you to a little arsenal in your tent.”
I shake my head in acknowledgment but then get to thinking, how does he know what we have in the tent? Did DJ tell him? I run through several scenarios in my head as we are traveling down the road but seem to forget them as we cross into the base from the new main gate. Seeing some of the destruction and toll it has taken on the buildings and the several dead, decayed and rotten corpses on the ground that looked like they were mowed down with a meat grinder but know from my tours overseas that are the effects of a high-powered machine gun.
After quite a bit of driving we pull up to a multi-story government building that I quickly recognize as the headquarters building with the Corps of Engineers emblem still embedded into the building but the biohazard skull spray painted over it. I hop out and check out my surroundings as I notice the white house style security all around the complex as I follow Sgt. Meeks inside. I enter the building and notice an even larger security detail protecting inside including the entrance, complete with metal detectors and four heavily armed men at the front door.
“Excuse me, sir, I need you to empty your pockets and put any weapons you may have over here. Only authorized personnel are allowed to carry inside.” Says one of the guards.
I walk over to the side and start to empty my pockets of a few snacks and several pistol magazines. I then reach behind me and pull out my pistol and notice the guards change their stance just in case. I proceed to pull the magazine out of the pistol then rack the pistol three times to ensure that it is now clear and put it inside the container along with my magazines. I look over to the closest guard who is watching me intently.
“I know what I have and it all better be there when I leave!” I say out loud as I look to the guard.
“Is that a threat?” says the now jumpy guard.
“Nope, simply a warning,” I reply with a smirk as I walk through the metal detector and go over to Sgt. Meeks and follow him down the hall.
“You have some balls, I will tell you that.” Sgt. Meeks comments.
“Well, Sgt. I don’t trust anyone and quite frankly I'm looking for my family and if they ain't here to help then I will have a problem. That guy touches my weapon, my first line of defense to get my family then it's an issue, if not then I'm fine. I will say however I do like the tight ship that runs around here.” I reply.
“Fair enough that is completely understandable. ZED doesn't like a thief so that shouldn't be an issue. Speaking of which his office is just ahead.” Sgt. Meeks responds.
We continue to walk down to the end office, Sgt. Meeks motions for me to stand by as he enters in a military fashion briefing the gentleman behind the desk of the office. I continue to look around while I wait and notice at the end of the hall around the corner from ZED’s office, a room with a high security system in place on the door and four soldiers standing guard in front. I start studying the guard's movements when I hear my name being yelled out.
“Mr. Banks, Mr. Banks.” Sgt. Meeks yells.
“Oh yes, sir,” I answer as I turn and go to Sgt. Meeks. “Sorry, I was just looking around,” I state as I approach.
“ZED is ready to meet you. Go on in, I will leave you two to chat.” Sgt. Meeks says as he directs me to the office.
I walk into the office, looking around the office finding some unique one-of-a-kind items around the room and photos from all over the southern United States on the walls, but they appear to have been ravaged much like Lebanon and the areas I have seen thus far. I walk up and extend my hand out to the man behind the desk.
“Hello, My name is Cordell Banks. It's nice to meet you finally. I assume you must be ZED. You have a nice quasi-military group around here. Did you and your men organize this entire area and set it up to run l
ike this?” I ask as I introduce myself.
“Welcome and yes, the name is Zachery Edward David, but most just call me ZED for short. I use to work for the Center for Disease Control and after the outbreak, I did what was necessary for survival. Fortunately for me and my connections, I was able to come up here and take control of one of the largest military base in the United States after it was vacated by the government. If it's prepared for war, why can it not be converted to enhance survival of mankind.” He answers
As ZED is talking to me, I catch bits and pieces of how he set all this up, but I can’t help noticing a few things out of the norm from ZED. For instance, it was fairly warm inside the headquarters and ZED is wearing a full battle dress uniform sleeves down while others have sleeves rolled. He also had the brightest green eye I have ever seen. In an extremely rare almost impossible feat ZED had a blue right eye and a bright green left eye and although I couldn't get a great look, it appeared as if he had some sort of makeup concealer on as well. I started to think back to the story that Levi had told me about Dr. David who I now know as ZED himself. I start thinking about the room I saw earlier and begin to think that there is a strong possibility the stolen vials of Tripton-Z are located in there as it is heavily guarded and secured.
“So what kind of skills do you have, What type of job do you think you could do well here in St. Zachery?” I hear ZED ask as I snap back into his conversation honestly not remembering anything he said in between.
“Well sir, I am a war veteran as a member of the United States Marine Corps along with as many other survival skills and being a big fan of the quasi-military way of life you have provided here, I can be a huge assest. However, I do have a request that my friend DJ be well taken care of.” I respond.
