Zombie Theorem (Book 1): The Culling, page 23
At the beginning of this little lesson I felt uncomfortable and really didn’t want to do this. But now that Vic has taught me the basics, I am feeling a little more confident. I flick off the safety and using two hands, aim the 1911 out toward the little bottle targets that Vic had set up. I slide my finger over the trigger and slowly squeeze it. The gun goes off rocking the barrel up but I have fired this gun before and know that I need to force it down and acquire my target again before firing. I quickly empty the eight rounds and reload with a new magazine. I fire off those eight rounds and find that I came close to the targets and on at least three hit them. I feel good knowing that I don’t have to be so afraid of these weapons.
Vic looks slightly impressed. “Not bad for a middle manager Dan. So later when we have time I will show you how to keep them clean and ready for use, I’ll also teach you how to solve jams. For now, though, I feel competent you will not hurt yourself or your teammates if and when you need to use them. Load them back up, safe them, and holster them. Then let’s go eat and see if Apache and Doc are back or if we have any updates on the NG.” I collect the weapons, reload them and holster the 1911, strap on the shotgun and swing it onto my back. I hand Vic his M4 and we make our way to the Beast.
Brian winks at me and throws one of those awful MREs at me. I catch it one handed and tear it open using the Kabar strapped on my hip. I open the rear hatch, finding Angel sitting there wearing a small set of armor someone had scrounged up. No matter how small it was though, it covered her from shoulders to feet. She wore a helmet on her head that just about covered her entire head. I laughed out loud and she ran up to me and gave a big hug.
“I’m a soldier now just like Apache!” She says with a big smile painted on her face.
I shake my head, laugh, and pat her on the helmet. “Have you eaten yet sweetie?”
“Yup Brian gave me some spaghetti, and some more dessert.” Her eyes light up as she tells me this.
“Good! Want to hand me one of those plates so I can eat?” She reaches under Apaches seat and hands me a plate. I warm up my beef stew. At least that is what it said on the package but it looks a lot like Alpo Dog Food. Oh well I think, it’ll keep my stomach full and keep me going. I sit back not really enjoying my meal but get it down the old gullet without it coming back up so I take that as a mark in the old win category.
I wash my plate off and down two bottles of water, and start feeling a little more like a human again. I hug Angel, and get her settled down for a nap in the back of the Beast using a blanket and pillow that Cupcake had scrounged up for her from the camp. “Good night little miss. I’ll be here when you wake up.” She kisses my cheek and promptly passes out. Brian closes the hatch and secures it.
I walk around the camp looking for Kuppers or Vic and find them at the command post with the First Sergeant and Captain Phillips, along with Senshi. “First Sergeant here says that he has 45 troops on the ground and we worked out defensive positions by trenching in away from the cabins, and some over near the foot of the hill. We also have three marksmen that are holed up on top of the hill facing toward the direction of Stinson. They will act as forward positions to alert us of any movement, and as a trip wire force. We have no antiaircraft missiles, but we do have a machine gun nest with a .50 Cal in it pointing toward the ocean. We can at least put up a curtain of deadly lead which may keep them from firing on us. I think we should put our team around the tent here to act as a backup or relief force. But if they bring more than 100 troops or armor we could end up being screwed quickly.”
“Anybody got an issue with those plans?” No one spoke up. “Approved get going on your plans. Just make sure we have enough ammo at each defensive line.”
I stand there quietly reflecting on everything that has happened to me since the day I showed up to work and was forced into this nightmare. I think about Brian and what we lived through, I think about Matt and what he must’ve gone through when we left on our little mission. I reflect on the Zombies that Brian and I had to kill in order to survive. Finally, I think about Maggie, her strength, her humor, and the pain I felt when we lost her. I go into that little place in my head that allows for me to work on problems without really using too much energy. The place I can just let go and allow answers to come to me. I feel something creeping in on the edges and try to focus on it. A hand lands on my shoulder bringing me to the here and now in a flash. I look at the hand and then up to Vic’s worried face. “You ok Dan? You look like you were just tuning out.”
“I was just chasing some elusive thought. Has anybody even approached the idea that Ridder might use the Zombies as a feint or as a weapon to soften us up with?” I ask without even knowing what was going to come out of my mouth. I even shock myself sometimes when my mouth opens and spews forth it’s ideas and thoughts.
Kuppers stops talking to the Captain and focuses on what I was saying. “Say that again Dan.”
“What if the reason Ridder chose Stinson as a starting point was that they are going to flush the infected at us, to either use as a distraction or to soften us up before they come in and mop up?” I answer finally understanding what my subconscious was trying to tell me.
Kuppers looks stunned as he turns in a circle slowly looking over the camp. “We can’t defend from down here. If they use the infected they will charge down this hill into our camp like a wave crashing down on a shoreline. Vic go get Senshi and Brian quickly.” Vic takes off at a jog, while Kuppers grabs me by my straps and pulls me over to the command post. “Stand here and listen, pay close attention and be a devil’s advocate. If you can punch a hole into something, then speak your mind.” I nod my head yes and lean in to hear the conversations.
“Gentlemen, we can’t stay down here. Dan brought up a very important point, one with dire consequences. If Ridder pushes the infected at us they will come flooding in our little valley and kill us all. We have to move our merry little band of marauders out of here and into the hills above. I need a detail map of the area.” He announces. A private standing nearby pulls a map out of a messenger bag and hands it over along with a red marking pen. Kuppers opens it wide and starts studying the map in earnest, making marks on it then scribbling some out and making new ones. “Look here the only spot we have to defend is at the top of the entrance road from Highway 1. To the south is an elevated position, with boulders to provide some security along with vegetation. We also end up with a choke point, to funnel the infected into. Any suggestions?” He shows the map to everyone, I look over his shoulder and study his markings.
“What about the camp, the prisoners, and the helicopters?” I ask trying to remind him of the reason we are fighting.
“All good points. Gentlemen, suggestions?” Kuppers looks over at the Captain and First Sergeant.
“I say we secure the prisoners and stash them in the locker and shower rooms. Then lay explosives through the lab tent and cabins. We can also scatter some debris around the areas a chopper could easily land.” the First Sergeant points out.
“Our copters can land further south and up on that other shelf above Highway 1, that way we have access to them for an air platform to feed us a bird’s eye view.” He points to places on the map.
“Captain can you get a bird up and have them scope out those areas? Tell them to stay far away from Stinson, I don’t want to expose them to enemy fire or to tip off Ridder.” The Captain nods and turns to a pilot standing by to give him orders.
“First Sergeant, start moving the prisoners and prepare the explosives.” The Sergeant turns and starts yelling orders to his squad leaders standing nearby. They all scatter to pass on their orders.
“Dan, go load up our supplies and ammo into the Beast and ride with Cupcake up to the top of the that hill and find a good spot for her. Good job yet again. Keep this up and I’ll give you a rank.” He shakes my hand and punches me in the shoulder, leaving a tender spot and a bruise I am sure.
I take off running just as I hear a helicopter come to life behind me. Its blades start to turn and the wind created almost throws me off balance and onto the ground on my ass. But I gain my balance and continue to run toward the Beast. “Cupcake!” I yell out getting his attention. He looks up from doing something under the hood of the Beast. I slide to a stop beside him grabbing onto the front of the Beast to stop my momentum. “We need to load all the ammo and supplies into the Beast and drive to the top of the road and find cover to park the Beast up there. Orders from Kuppers.”
Chapter 32
Cupcake looks back under the hood, finishes tightening something up, wipes his hands on a rag and slams the hood down and latches it tightly. He looks at me and arches his eyebrow. “Then what are we waiting for? Wake up little Angel and get her belted up, lets load this thing up and get in front.” He turns and walks away to the rear to start packing up the supplies.
I open the rear hatch to see Angel already sitting in my spot and buckling in, she has her pillow and blankets on her lap. “I heard you two talking, so I decided to help.” She gives me a thumbs up. I return it and turn to help Cupcake.
We load up the ammo and magazines Angel and I had finished loading, along with the MREs and Zomgo packs. I secure the rear hatch and jump in the front seat strapping in. Cupcake climbs in behind the wheel and starts flipping switches and sits back waiting. “It’s a diesel engine so I need to wait for the glow plugs to warm up before starting her.” He explains. An amber light turns on and Cupcake reaches under the dash and suddenly the engine rumbles to life. He drops the transmission into drive and we slowly roll forward, threading our way around running soldiers and supply crates, making our way to the road then twists and climbs out of the camp. We come to a point that has a small ditch then climbs out into the fields above the road. Cupcake turns his head so he can see Angel. “Hold on tight honey we are gonna do some off roading and it’s going to get bumpy.” Angel whoops and cheers from the back.
Cupcake throws a lever near the transmission which engages the four-wheel drive system. He revs the engine and we roll forward and bounce in and out the other side of the ditch easily. Cupcake speeds up as we roll through small bushes and over little rock formations, rocking the Beast on its massive suspension system. We roll to the top where the vegetation is thick enough to hide us from the highway and anyone traveling down it. We come to a stop and Cupcake and I climb out and walk around the field looking for a good place to hide the Beast, but would also be easy to mount up and escape if we need to. I spot a section that looks wide enough to back into and hide the Beast from prying eyes and also with an area where the vegetation is light enough, 200 feet away, to drive through and onto the highway in a hurry if need be. While Cupcake moves the Beast into its new home for the time being, I walk around the field looking over the boulder formations and thick vegetation. I am looking for places to station troops at and keep them hidden from the possible oncoming Zombies and Ridder troops.
I click on my radio and call down to the camp. “Kuppers, we found a home for the Beast and I have been looking over the field, can you send Vic and Senshi so I can show them what I found?”
“Roger they are on their way along with two dozen guards and supplies. We have one of the choppers loading up the rest of the ammo and supplies. It should be showing up soon so be prepared. Over.” Kuppers radios back.
“Roger, thank you. Over?” I try and use his same military slang. I know I sound stupid but I am determined to become one of them so they don’t need to change things on my behalf.
Cupcake comes over and stands by my side looking over the same things I was studying. “Little Angel is back to relaxing on her make shift bed. I pulled the ammo and some of the supplies out of her way. I also gave her a little drawing pad and some pens. We need to find her some toys or something later, poor thing has to be bored. By the way, are you thinking what I am thinking? We can use these boulders to conceal some of the NG and our team too?” I nod at his observations.
“Something like that.” I point across the highway. “Over across the highway is a heavily vegetated area with a creek. I’m no strategist, nor do I understand military doctrine, but If we station troops there and here we can cover more area. If the infected or Ridder come through here we can hit them from two different positions and if we need to retreat, we have a way to cover it. Does that make sense? Do you think you can explain what I am trying to say to Kuppers?”
“No worries I understand what you are suggesting and I’ll brief him on your idea.” Cupcake keeps scanning the area.
I hear a loud sound and look up to see a big helicopter coming to a clearing to land. It hovers for a moment, gauging the terrain and then slowly descends and lands. Four men jump from the interior and start to pull boxes of ammo, MREs, and heavy weapons. They stock nearby then jump back on as the helicopter raises back into the sky and points toward the camp and moves slowly in that direction. I look over and see Kuppers jogging up from the camp leading a group of 40 men. They come up to the supplies then fan out toward the boulder field and take cover, waiting for new orders. The same helicopter appears over the trees and comes down to land in the same spot, unloads its supplies, gains altitude and flies toward the camp again. As it moves away another helicopter, which had been hovering behind it comes in for a landing and disgorges the Captain, First Sergeant, and support staff including their communications gear.
Kuppers meets up with them and guides them to our position. “So boys, any suggestions? You were the first up here.”
Cupcakes points out the boulders and positions across the highway. “Dan here was suggesting we break our force in two. One digs in here by the boulders, another one across the highway in the vegetation. We can support fire missions, suppressive fire, and a retreat if the need arrives. I also suggest we put our snipers farther up the highway before that big bend. That way they can act as a forward operating position and alert us to incoming, also support in sniping when we need them.”
Kuppers nods his head yes to all ideas, then turns and drops orders to Senshi, and the First Sergeant, who had been listening in. I hadn’t even seen or heard Senshi enter our little group. That man was scary quiet, I hope he can teach me some of that stuff, it would come in handy someday. They break off and start issuing new orders and help with digging the troops in and setting up lanes of fire.
My radio comes alive and we hear Apache calling in, “Come in alpha, this is bravo. Over.”
Kuppers grabs his radio and answers. “Bravo, alpha, go ahead, over.”
“Alpha, we got a whole crap of trouble heading your way. Infected, best guess 300, I repeat 300 being led by 100 count Ridder forces. Ridder has three armored APCs, two loaded with M240s one with a .50 cal M2 Browning. No count on ammo but I would assume full load outs. Ridder also has two Blackhawks with M60Ds. I give you 20 mikes before contact. We are beating feet to get back ahead of convoy, we are 10 mikes out, over.” Apache alerts us over the radio.
“Shit.” Kuppers swears and spits on the deck. He yells toward the Captain “We have 20 mikes before contact with 300 infected 100 troops 3 APCs and 2 Blackhawks. Double time this operation quickly. No time to fuck around.” He clicks on his radio. “Senshi you hear last from bravo?”
“Roger that. I’m relaying to First Sergeant and he will cross the highway with his contingent and hunker down. I have these dogs digging in quick and having ammo spread out to each team. We should be ready in 10 mikes, over.” Senshi clicks off his radio and I can see him moving faster and screaming at the men around him to hurry and get their butts moving. I see the three snipers picked for forward duty load up and start sprinting to their assigned positions ahead.
Brian and Cupcake come up and lead me along with Vic back toward the Beast. “We need to get our positions prepared. We will be the backup force if need be. Cupcake prepare the Beast to boogie in a hurry when needed. You will be the lone guard so be prepared to move. Dan you will stick to Brian’s side and do as he does or as he orders. I’m putting you at the back of the front line. I am going to be acting as spotter for the command post as Kuppers quarterbacks the operation from the front.” Vic gives us his orders, grabs his Zomgo pack and extra ammunition and takes off at a dead run to the command post. Brian hands me my Zomgo pack and a messenger bag full of magazines along with a small amount of loads for my shotgun. He grabs his supplies and then fist bumps Cupcake, and we are out of there making our way to the trenched in soldiers.
We find a boulder and go to our knees, taking positions to each side facing out to the highway and the side road to the camp. I hear the helicopters take off and head south toward their designated waiting area. I feel like puking and am fighting to keep it down and not to panic. This is so different than anything I have ever been a part of or witness to. Brian looks over to me and gives me a big toothy grin and thumbs up. “Here, I brought your M4 you got from the NG, I cleaned it and loaded it for you. You’ll be ok Boss, just breath and calm down. When the shooting starts just hold off till you see me start using mine. Ok?” I nod yes, not trusting myself to talk, in case I barf all over the ground. Talk about being out of your element. Shouldn’t I be in a meeting discussing projects and running reports? This was what I was trained to do. Not fight the undead or professional mercenaries. But when you are thrown into something like this, I guess your best is all you can give.
Apache and Doc come running in out of breath and slide in next to us. “Hey guys, mind if we hang with you?” Doc asks chewing his ever present wad of bubblegum.
