“What are you guys up to this morning?” I asked as we walked into the kitchen.
“I gots something I want to tell you guys.” Howard said as he sat down. He nodded gratefully at the coffee. Andie came in and sat down.
“Rowdy is in the bathroom.” She said. “I’ve learned to give it about thirty minutes after he’s been in there.” Julie and Lil’ H laughed.
“What’s going on Howard?” I asked, but I felt like I already knew the answer.
“We’ve talked about it every day since Captain Steen and the First Sergeant visited. I think we’re going to move to Fort Campbell.”
There was a stunned silence from all of us. Well, with the exception of Rowdy coming into the kitchen. He scratched himself, and then belched loudly before sitting down. He looked us over.
“Good morning, have I missed something?” He asked.
“Howard just told us they’re leaving.” Julie said. They all looked at him in surprise, and an awkward silence ensued.
“What are you thinking, Zach?” Howard finally asked.
“I think you should do what you believe is best for your family, Howard.” I said. He nodded quietly. “I want you to know, if it doesn’t work out, you and your family will always be welcome back.” He nodded again in gratefulness.
“What do you think, Julie?” Howard asked.
“I don’t want you guys to go.” She said simply. “But, I’m with Zach. If this is what you think is best for you guys, I have to agree.” Her eyes watered up then, which caused Howard to tear up as well.
“How many pounds are each of you allowed to carry on board?” I asked. He showed me the list. I read it over and nodded.
“Clothing can take up a lot of weight, so minimize those. I would go with specialty food items, extra shoes, hygiene items, oh, don’t forget firearms and ammunition.” I said.
Howard shook his head. “They don’t allow that.”
“Conceal it, big guy.” I said. “Don’t allow yourself to be disarmed Howard. Put a handgun in each of the boys’ waistband with their shirts hiding it, and hide the ammunition in your luggage. Trust me on this Howard, you may never have use for them, or you may need to protect your family. Better to have them and not need them rather than the other way around.”
“You think so?” He asked. I nodded. “Alright, then.” He said quietly.
I sighed, and on impulse, got up and hugged the two of them. “We’ll keep the house ready for you guys in case you ever want to come back.” I said again. I have to admit, it was tough. I didn’t want them to leave. They were the last of our original group. It was going to hurt when they left, but I kept it to myself. I didn’t want them to feel guilty.
“Don’t those soldier boys fly in tomorrow?” Rowdy asked. Howard nodded. “Well, that don’t give us much time to throw a going away party, but we’ll sure get started.” He scratched his beard, started to hike his leg, and then remembered he was in mixed company. His face took on an expression of a person trying desperately to squeeze his but cheeks together.
We all rode to the Smyrna airport together. Beforehand, Howard insisted I inspect their baggage to insure they had packed the proper items.
It was a cool, but sunny day. We sat at the hangar and awaited the arrival of the Chinook. The pleasant day had a calming effect. I was leaning against the truck tire and found myself drifting off when Andie spoke up.
“There’s someone coming.” She said. We all stood and watched as an older model Olds Cutlass approached. Other than being dirty, it looked like it was in good shape. I recognized the two in front immediately and stood.
“Those are the two who tried to ambush me, I don’t know about whoever it is in the back seat.” I said. Everyone followed my lead and stood.
They drove up slowly and stopped twenty feet away in a parking lot beside the hangar. I watched them warily. It was time to nip this problem in the bud.
“You guys stay back. I’m going to have a little talk with them.”
I could see the apprehension on their faces as I approached them. The passenger in the backseat was a woman whom I did not recognize. She appeared to be in her early thirties, and with the exception of questionable hygiene, was actually quite attractive. I walked purposely up to the driver’s side. The two of them seemed even skinnier, but to be honest, the last time I looked at them up close was through a rifle scope.
“I believe it’s time for us to have a little talk.” I said through the open window. The driver glared at me and tried to raise a revolver. I yanked my Kimber out and stuck it against his head.
“Don’t you fucking move or you’re a dead man.” I growled. He wasn’t totally stupid, he froze. I reached in with my left hand and grabbed his revolver. “You three get out of the car slowly with your hands where I can see them or else my friends and I are going to start shooting.” They didn’t like it, but they complied. I ordered them to stand beside the car while I searched them and the inside of the car. I found one additional revolver and tucked it in the small of my back.
“Remember what I told you two the last time we met?” They looked at me without answering. I continued staring at them until the passenger finally nodded.
“Explain yourself.” I said in a low snarl.
“Explain what?” The driver responded.
“The last time we were all here, you accused me of murdering your wife.”
“You did! You murdered my wife and my buddy Vernon.” He responded. I hit him with a short punch with my left. He yelped and grabbed his nose.
“You’re lying. I don’t like liars. Were you there on that day?” I asked the woman in the backseat. She shook her head in confusion.
“What are you talking about?” She asked.
I waved my gun at the two men. “These two idiots, along with his wife and another man tried to ambush me a few weeks back. I reckon you shitheads thought I should have bent over and surrendered, rather than defend myself, right?” They stared at me, but didn’t say anything. I punched the driver again. It was a soft punch, meant only to sting his nose a little bit. “Am I right?” I asked again.
“Fuck you man.” He whined.
“Yeah, fuck me. So many of my friends have died and you two pieces of shit are still alive.” I said.
“What are going to do?” The woman asked.
“Why did you come here? Are you going to relocate to Fort Campbell?” I asked.
“We are.” The passenger said. “We don’t want any trouble here.”
“Fair enough.” I said. “I didn’t want any trouble when I was driving along the road minding my own business, but y’all had a different idea, didn’t you?”
“We weren’t going to hurt you.” The passenger said. “We were hungry and just wanted food.”
I sighed. “You dumb shits. All you needed to do was wave me down and ask. I had plenty of food that day. Y’all could have had all you wanted.” The passenger hung his head. The woman looked at me curiously. The driver continued glaring at me. I pointed at the passenger. “Go ahead and get your bags out. I’m going to search for any other weapons, and then y’all walk over to the other end of the hangar. You can wait there for Captain Steen and his helicopter.” I said, and looked at the driver.
“Personally, I want you to try something so I can kill you without remorse.” I said as I glared at him. He returned my glare. There was a trickle of blood seeping out of his nose, and I fought the urge to finish the job. I searched their baggage while they watched quietly. They had new clothing with tags still on them. They had been shopping somewhere. I noted the store name on the tags. If they were able to go in there, we could do so as well. There were few hygiene items, which probably explained their dirty appearance. There were no weapons. I closed the bags and stood.
“Satisfied?” The driver asked sarcastically. I ignored him.
“What are you going to do with our guns and car?” The passenger asked.
“We have no interest in your car. Leave it here, in
case you don’t find Fort Campbell hospitable, but I’m going to hold the firearms for Captain Steen.” I pointed to his friend. “You two have already tried to kill me once, why should I make it easy for you? Besides,” I said. “There is at least one person over there that will feed you your testicles if you try anything stupid, so I’m doing you a favor.”
I looked at the driver, who had snorted and spit on the ground in front of me. “I don’t know your name, but I know you. You may have been a good man once, but now, you’re nothing more than a lowlife piece of shit. You put the life of your wife at risk in order to waylay someone whom you believed was helpless and vulnerable. If you guys don’t like Fort Campbell and come back here, take your car and drive away. Don’t hang around here.”
“Fuck you.” He responded, and spit on the ground again. He was out of the car now, and standing approximately five feet from me. Well within striking range. I stepped toward him and struck him squarely in the nose with a hard left cross. He dropped to the ground.
“No, no, no. Fuck you.” I said without emotion. I walked back to my friends.
“Well, even though I said I would do it, I decided not to kill them.” I said, sat down on the concrete, and displayed the two handguns I took off of them. “They had these on them.” Andie picked one up and began inspecting them as I watched the passenger pick up his friend and helped him walk toward the hangar.
Rowdy chuckled. “Zach, you sure are full of piss and vinegar.” I shrugged.
The Chinook arrived promptly at noon. The pilot circled the airport once, and then landed. When the engines were shut down, the tail ramp lowered and a squad of soldiers exited. Each soldier seemed to have a specific task to perform. Two soldiers chocked the wheels, while three other soldiers carried equipment out of the helicopter. I recognized Captain Steen and Corporal Alexander as they exited the plane. The Corporal grinned and waved as they walked over to us.
“Good afternoon ladies, gentlemen.” He said while shaking hands. He glanced over at the three I had ordered to sit off to the side. They looked back with no friendliness. “Any trouble?” Captain Steen asked.
“Nope. I made my opinion of them known and that was it.” I said.
“One of them has a bloody nose.” He observed. “He must have fallen down while you were giving your opinion.” He looked at me expectantly. I shrugged.
“Oh, that reminds me.” I gestured at Andie. She brought the two revolvers over. “I took these off of them.” Andie handed them over to Captain Steen.
“I’ll log it down and keep them in the armory for them. So, you guys are here, does this mean you’re going to relocate to Fort Campbell?” Captain Steen asked.
I gestured at Howard and Lashonda. “The Allen family has decided to join you, yes.”
“But, not the rest of you.” He said.
I shook my head. “We value our freedom too much.” To my surprise, Captain Steen smiled.
“Yeah, I figured as much.” He said, and looked around. “Looks like a small group for today’s activities.” He looked at me pointedly and gestured to Corporal Alexander. The corporal grinned and ran over to the group of people setting up tables and chairs. An older looking man, maybe in his sixties was standing with the group. He was no more than 160 pounds and a couple of inches under six feet. He was wearing jeans, a white button down shirt, tie, and a blue blazer. He smiled at the corporal and walked with him back to our group.
Captain Steen cleared his throat. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet Fort Campbell’s unofficial chaplain, Don Dexter.” He said hello and we took turns introducing ourselves. I introduced myself last.
He looked me over and cast a glance at the rest of my group. “Are you the young man who is going to be an expectant father?”
“I am sir.” I replied. I motioned to Julie, who was standing beside me. “This is my beautiful girlfriend and the future mother of my child.”
“What are your intentions with her, Mister Gunderson?” He asked somberly. Julie frowned and I saw the hint of her anger starting to surface. I squeezed her hand briefly before answering.
“That is an excellent question Father Don.” I looked around as if confused and then reached into my pocket before dropping to one knee.
“Julie,” I said as I displayed the diamond ring I held in my hand. “I would be honored if you would marry me.”
Julie, Andie, and Lashonda all gasped in unison. She looked at me a moment, and smiled as a tear broke free.
“I’ve told you once Zachariah Gunderson, treat me right and I’ll be with you until the end. I still mean it.”
Father Don married us in front of everyone. We set up the grill and Howard cooked steaks. Lashonda had already prepared side items of vegetables and her special corn casserole. It was the best we could do under the circumstances, but everyone was enjoying themselves. I even invited the trio to eat with us. They readily agreed, even the driver, though he still glared at me from time to time.
“Where is the First Sergeant?” I asked while we ate.
“He had duties back at HQ.” Captain Steen said without elaborating.
“Are you going to sing for us?” Corporal Alexander asked Rowdy with a wide grin.
“Of course I am, Terry.” Rowdy replied. We chitchatted with each other throughout the meal, and of course, Rowdy sang.
“I’d like a word with you if you don’t mind.” Captain Steen said to me. “Let’s walk over to the Chinook. I have something to show you.”
We walked up the Chinook’s rear ramp and he showed me a pallet of supplies. “The First Sergeant and I discussed it, and we’d like you to begin the process of creating an outpost. You’ll find various items which you may need, including ten thousand rounds of ammunition.”
Chapter 44 – Big Mac
“I have a plan.” I said to everyone. We had stopped working for a noon time lunch.
They looked at me quizzically. “Well, Hoss, is this the part where we ask what your plan is?” Rowdy asked with a grin.
“Yep.” I answered.
“Zach?”
“Yes Rowdy?” I responded.
“What’s your plan?” He asked.
“I am so glad you asked! It concerns the outpost we’re going to create.”
“Do tell.” Rowdy said.
I washed down the remainder of my lunch with a glass of water. “Yep, we’re going to scrub the idea of the truck stop for now, and instead use the radio station located on Concord Road.”
“Why the change?” Julie asked.
“The radio is the biggest factor. We’ll be able to communicate to anyone out there listening. Plus, there is a large generator on site. We’ll need to get fuel to the location, so I’m thinking we need to find a fuel truck and fill it up at the reservoir. Then, we get that generator running, and start broadcasting radio messages.”
“If only we had a list to show us what to do.” Julie lamented sarcastically. There was much laughter at my expense, but I didn’t mind.
After the laughter died down, I held up a finger. “That reminds me. I found all of my notepads spread out all over the basement floor. What gives?” I asked.
Everyone looked at me questioningly. Except Andie, she was looking at her plate.
“What’s up Andie?” I asked. “I mean, I don’t mind you reading my notes, but is there something in particular you wanted to know?”
She looked up at me uncertainly. “Um, I hope you don’t mind, but I’m writing a journal. Well, no, that’s not the proper word. Maybe more like a biography of our lives, what troubles we’ve encountered, how we’ve survived, people we’ve encountered. I thought it might be important.” I thought about it, and she was right. It could be important.
“That sounds pretty cool.” Julie said. I nodded in agreement.
The four of us loaded up and made our way, but we were stymied as we approached the intersection of Nolensville Pike and Concord Road. Julie was driving and stopped suddenly.
“I hear gunfire.” She
said. I heard it too. We all readied our weapons as Julie slowly started driving toward the intersection.
Andie suddenly pointed toward the Publix store. “There!” She said. Julie moved toward the Publix store and stopped on Concord, about thirty yards west of Nolensville Pike. There was a miniature RV, surrounded by at least fifty zombies. There were at least a dozen more lying dead, scattered around the RV, and there were more than a few stuck under the vehicle, rendering it unmovable. I watched as a rifle barrel poked out of the window vent, shoot another one, and then disappear quickly. And then, I watched in consternation as one of the zombies started trying to open the door handle of the RV’s passenger door. They weren’t supposed to be able to do that! I opened the door and placed my M4 in the usual spot. The others quickly exited and took up their own firing positions.
I led off the first volley, which resulted in four zombies dropping to the asphalt with an almost simultaneous thud. The remaining zombies turned toward us in tandem, as if they were operated by remote control. Rule 13: They’re easily distracted. They forgot all about the RV. Our disciplined shooting made short work of them. Well, I suppose there was a minor lack of discipline. It seemed Rowdy, even though now he stayed with the team, had developed a proclivity to yell out, ‘Boom, head shot!’ each time he fired. I watched with satisfaction the repeated explosions of the back of each zombie’s heads as each 5.56 full metal jacket bullet exited the skull.
“Green!” Each one of them yelled after reloading their weapons. I looked at them and smiled in satisfaction. Julie returned with a knowing smile. The four of us were working well together, like a well-trained team of soldiers.
“Alright guys. This is weird. I saw one of them actually trying to open the door to the RV.” I said. “Let’s see who the survivor is and then I want to check out those damned things.”
We drove up, and after circling the swath of bodies, parked in front of the RV. I got out while the rest covered me. There was a person crouched down in between the driver and passenger seat. I waved. After a moment, they waved back. I set my M4 on the hood of the truck and began walking slowly toward the RV. The driver’s door opened as I was maneuvering through the corpses, and a person stepped out.
Z14 (Zombie Rules) Page 28
