Momoko nodded. It was an interesting gift, even if it looked cheap.
Summer looked at him expectantly, but he smiled at her. “Soon!”
“Oh!” she said with a pout. She puffed her cheeks out a bit, which caused everyone to laugh. Even Tosh managed a slight chuckle.
Scott offered a little heart shaped necklace to Saiko. “The ruby necklace will give you a two percent chance to inflict a burn status whenever you attack something at melee. It also has a defense boost or about two points. That doubles to four if you become a waifu.”
“I can set things on fire with this?” she asked curiously.
“Maybe. The chance is low, but it’s pretty and there’s a small defense bonus,” he said with a smile.
She smiled up at him then tilted her head to the side. “Put it on for me?”
Scott gladly obliged! He slipped behind her and then slipped the necklace around her neck and clasped it. The little ruby heart pendant slid neatly between her breasts and she laughed in a sultry manner.
Summer had her finger to her lips and wore what seemed to be a nervous expression. It was hard to tell with her.
“Thank you,” said Saiko warmly. Scott nodded to her and answered her with a smile.
He turned to Summer and she giggled happily. “My turn!”
She shimmied and wriggled in her seat not unlike how a puppy might wiggle its whole body in excitement. Scott got down on one knee in front of her and pulled out a small box which caused the other girls to gasp.
He opened the box to reveal a diamond ring inside. “Summer Oppai, will you continue to be my future waifu?”
She clapped her hands together happily then cried out, “Yes! I do… Er will!”
Summer practically squealed in excitement as she thrust her forward. Scott lightly slipped the ring onto her finger and then she lunged forward to give him a passionate kiss on the lips.
Saiko lightly fingered her necklace while she gazed thoughtfully at the ring on Summer’s finger. They were the only two who received jewelry, but it was clear that Summer had gotten ahead of her in more than in the one way everyone knew about. Perhaps being cool and aloof was not the only way to win the waifu war?
Once Summer calmed down enough not to smother him in kisses and epic boobery, he explained the nature of his gift to her. The diamond ring was just a defensive item. However, as it was originally an engagement ring it took her affection rating toward him into account. Currently there was a four-point base damage reduction ability ingrained within the ring. Each point of affection she legitimately had for him would boost that by one percent. If she became his waifu, the base defense would rise to ten points. It was nothing to write home about, as an item, but it was the thought that counted.
The group held a brief discussion, and then a decision was reached. They would move out within the hour. It was still early in the day, not even noon, and that would give them plenty of time to reach the police station before dark.
Scott was practically itching to get out and fight a few zombies. His injuries kept him sore, tired, and slower than he would like. Yet, every slain zombie brought him slightly closer to his next point of endurance. Such a boost could only help him to heal more quickly.
“So, she’s expressed interest in coming with us but doesn’t think Officer Motorola will go for it?” asked Scott.
Otakun nodded to him. “Yeah, if anything she would try to go with us if we were to head to the police department.”
“That’s no problem. I can convince her,” said Scott.
“How?” asked Momoko. “She’s probably grateful to you for helping her out, but none of the stuff you mentioned should be happening has happened. She probably thinks you’re a crazy person.”
“I’ll use basic logic on her,” replied Scott.
“This I have to see,” said Momoko with a smirk.
Scott grinned at her, and everyone got up to join him. They went in search of Salami and found her arguing with Officer Motorola.
“An officer needs to go with them to prove their story!” exclaimed Salami.
“Yes. So, I will go with them. You will stay here to keep this place secure,” said Motorola.
Scott stepped forward and spoke up, “I’m sorry, but you have your logic backwards.”
Motorola looked over to him then quirked an eyebrow. “Have you come to tell me more interesting tales of rescue boats and nuclear fallout?”
“No. I’ve come to collect Salami, since it makes more sense for her to go with us,” said Scott. “We’re leaving shortly.”
“It is far too dangerous for her out there, and that is my final word on the matter,” replied Motorola coldly.
“More dangerous than leaving her alone in charge of this place? I hate to break it to you, but I’ve heard the general gossip going around since I woke up,” said Scott. “They don’t respect her the way they respect you.”
“Now, you see here!” said Motorola in a heated tone. “Officer Pepperoni is a police academy graduate and more than capable of policing this area!”
If her tone unsettled Scott, he did not show it. However, he had to ask an obvious question. “Salami’s family name is… Pepperoni?”
Officer Motorola looked at him as though he had asked a question. He looked at her as though he intended to ask where the third meat would be at so he could make a three-meat pizza.
Those words generated an awkward moment between the two. Scott eventually continued the conversation, but things remained awkward for a time. “From what I’ve heard, I agree with you. However, I’m not the people of this mall.”
Scott pointed toward Motorola. “They respect you due to your attitude and seniority. If you leave, you’ll return to find Salami dead or worse,”
He continued without stopping. “Some asshole or other will be running this place like a gang hideout. If anyone is even left alive. Is that what you want?”
“They would not dare attack a police officer…” said Motorola, though it was clear that his words were getting to her.
“Not today. Maybe not tomorrow,” said Scott. “If we’re unable to return any time soon? Think about how they were acting when you were gone for less than a day.”
“Two counts of attempted sexual assault. Three physical altercations. Several people stole food out of the communal pantry…” said Scott. “That’s just what I overheard walking around. Who knows what else was happening that neither you nor Officer… Pepperoni ever knew about?”
Motorola did not speak for a time. Though, there was no sign of surprise in her expression. It was clear that she had already thought about everything that he had said even before he had said it.
“No. It’s far too dangerous out there…” said Motorola.
“Have you seen the vehicle we are traveling in?” asked Scott. “Anything capable of causing us trouble while we roll around in that won’t care whether it’s you or her out there. We’re probably all screwed.”
Motorola seemed to freeze up for a moment but then she closed her eyes and sighed in resignation. “What if I just want to leave this mall?”
“Come with us? I don’t care if both of you come,” said Scott. “I doubt the others will have a problem with having two police officers along.”
“That’s not possible… The people here—” began Motorola.
“You stay here, and you’ll die,” said Scott. “Several of these people are cracked in the head due to the situation outside. It’s only a matter of time before one or more of them decide to do something stupid and this whole place goes up in flames.”
“That. I couldn’t leave them. It’s my duty to protect these citizens…” she replied.
“Ask if any of them want to come along. The cars still work,” said Scott. “We can round up some sturdy looking ones and form a convoy. Most won’t want to leave, but this will free you of responsibility since they get the option.”
“No. I don’t think it will work… Most of these people refuse to do anythin
g,” said Motorola. “Leaving any of them here, and most would stay behind, would be a death sentence unless there is an evacuation planned.”
Scott looked Motorola in the eyes and said, “That’s a choice you’re going to have to make.”
He took a breath and continued, “Save who you can by trying to make it to the police station, or stay here and help whoever is here as best you can and probably still have this place fall before any real help arrives because no one will do anything productive.”
“What if none of you are allowed to leave?” she asked him in an irritable tone. “What if I order you to remain here and stop talking nonsense.”
“You’ll be incredibly disappointed by how little we follow those rules,” said Scott.
She glared at him and started to launch into an angry spiel, but Scott raised his hand and shook his head. “The police might have helped to organize things in various parts of the city early on, but they have barely been seen in days. Most people are on their own and we all know it.”
“So. I’m supposed to just throw away my duty to these people?” she asked him angrily.
“How long will that uniform matter to them? Right now, you’re their scape goat,” he said. “Soon, you’ll be their victim.”
“I have to believe that there is an evacuation plan underway…” said Motorola. “I can’t abandon these people.”
Scott nodded to her. “I understand. If we can find help at the police station, we’ll let them know about everyone here.”
“Just in case, I’ll make sure we have some sensible people on the roof to try and get the attention of passing helicopters,” said Motorola.
“I’d suggest you take some fabric and make several large flags, each with the current date for each day this week to come,” said Scott. “Hang them from all sides of the mall and a few of them on the roof. This will let rescuers from above and the sides know that this is a current shelter for survivors and not a fallen location.”
“It’s definitely a good idea, but I don’t know if we have enough fabric for that,” said Motorola.
Scott started to speak, but it was Salami who answered, “There’s a store dedicated to home furnishings and a ton of sheets and quilts there.”
“Yeah, and there’s that store with a small section of home improvement supplies,” said Motorola. “We already took a few tarps from there to make a signal. Adding the date would probably help a lot.”
“Just be careful, because that’ll also let other people know you’re here too. Some survivors have become far worse than the dead,” said Scott.
“That’s an unfortunate reality,” said Motorola. “Still, we need to do everything we can.”
Scott nodded to her. It seemed that she had come to understand reason. Unfortunately, her duty to the mall survivors came first.
Chapter Twelve
Less than half an hour later, the group had gathered by a second-floor emergency exit. It led to a fire escape that had been blocked off on the ground and at its rooftop exit.
Scott looked to the others. “I checked from the roof earlier, there’s a few hundred zombies wandering around out there. So, we need to be quick when we go out.”
“Can’t you just go kill them all?” asked Tosh in a surly manner.
“The sound will draw more. It’ll take hours,” said Scott. “Though, I don’t hate the idea.”
If he were to be perfectly honest, he would love to have a few days to himself to hunt zombies to his heart’s content. He merely felt the need to help the group reach somewhere reasonably safe first.
“No. We need to get to the police station today,” said Jade.
Scott nodded to her then looked to the others. “The truck is in the front parking lot. We’ll have to cut a path around the side of the building and run that direction.”
“Yeah. Sorry. We did block off the front entrance…” said Salami.
“No. That was the right choice. That entire area is a wide-open glass window display showing off the free buffet inside,” said Scott. “Running around the building is a lot better than leaving it wide open.”
The group looked to each other then to the door. Scott made a quick save then nodded.
Tosh opened the door and rushed out. The others ran out after him one at a time and headed to the ground floor. Scott hopped over the rail and started to clear the way of zombies while the others moved to join him.
Pain flared up inside his shoulder as his remaining cuts and bruises were stressed by his sharp movements. He was Slower than normal, but the pain cleared his mind and made him focus on the task at hand. Soon, adrenaline took over and he picked up the pace.
“So many!” exclaimed Salami nervously.
“It’s OK! I won’t let anything happen to you,” declared Otakun just before he bashed in the skull of an approaching zombie with the butt of his rifle.
Salami looked at him starry-eyed for a moment before being snapped out of her thoughts by Momoko’s shrill voice. “Hey! Get going!”
Scott knocked away two zombies and Saiko finished off another. Tosh tried out his new bat on a zombie that walked forward while thrusting its hips obscenely, and nearly lost his mind when the zombie’s head exploded into chunky salsa. “Seriously?”
Shocked and wide-eyed, he stared at the meat lump that used to be a pelvic-thrusting zombie, then back to his bat. System items were no joke!
The way was cleared for a short distance so, Scott stepped to the side and waited for the others to make a run for it. For this excursion he was not meant to be the main combatant.
Tosh, Jade, and Saiko were the spear head of the team with Otakun acting in the ranged fire role. Scott would get involved if the zombies crowded around, but he needed to conserve his energy and only get involved when things got hairy.
Jade used the bayonet on her rifle to skewer the brain of one of the oncoming zombies, whole Tosh chose to swing away with his bat. The shotgun he intended to use dangled behind him on its strap. There was no need to waste ammunition when dealing with zombies of this level, given what his bat could do.
Saiko leapt forward like an agile cat and slashed left and right. Every stroke of her blade was a death sentence for the already deceased. They barely had the time to mutter an unnecessarily perverted comment before they were struck to the ground.
Unfortunately, the sheer number of zombies proved to be a problem. The further they went, the thicker the horde became.
Halfway to the truck, Scott was forced to join the battle once more. Injured or not, he had to pull his weight.
Scott rushed forward then leapt into the air. His brush axe whirled in a deadly arc and tore the skull of one hapless zombie in half even as he reversed his momentum and thrust the butt of his axe handle into the face of another. The zombie was knocked back, its nose broken, but was otherwise unconcerned. Zombies, apparently, did not give a fuck. His blunt trauma skills were not as potent as his edged weapon skills, and it showed. Even so, he was able to finish it off with a hard cross-body slash that blasted through the thing’s jaw and ripped its rotting head from its shoulders.
Black blood arced through the air in a disgusting clump and splattered the face of a third zombie. Blinded even more than usual by the viscous ichor that now coated its eyes, the zombie proved easy prey for the heavy blade of his brush axe.
Adrenaline raging through his bloodstream, he nearly missed something odd that happened. However, he caught the movement out of the corner of his eye. Scott launched himself forward and tackled Salami to the ground.
A car, an entire car, went flying overhead where she had originally been standing. Nearby, a massive zombie behemoth had appeared. Larger than the first two that he had faced and flanked by dozens of zombies it snarled and beat its massive chest with ham-sized fists.
The car smashed into the sidewall of the mall damaging it visibly, though it did not break through. Salami cried out in fright, as Scott threw himself off her and turned to face the monstrosity.
&n
bsp; [Optional Objective. Defeat the Necro-Erotic Gigantor.]
“Shit!” cried Scott as he reached down and helped Salami to her feet.
“Otakun. Get everyone out of here!” called out Scott.
“What about you?” asked Otakun as he reached Salami’s side.
“That thing will wreck the car and kill everyone here if we run right to it,” said Scott. “I’ll make my way to the police station on my own!”
“That’s insane! You can’t beat that thing in your condition!” shouted Otakun. He spun toward the Gigantor and started to aim his rifle.
Scott put his hand to the barrel of the weapon and shook his head. “If we try to get in that truck with this thing on our ass, we die. There are too many zombies for me to fight it here. Go!”
Otakun started to say something, but Scott pushed him away and shouted, “Go! Dammit!”
He wasn’t able to say anything else as the Gigantor zeroed in on him, out of all of the gathered sweet meats that it desired, and rushed his position. It was as though it could tell that the big barbarian was the best chance at glorious protein to help with its gains.
“What’s going on!” shouted Tosh.
The others had rounded a corner but started back when they heard the crash. Tosh’s eyes widened to ridiculous proportions as he took in the sight of the Gigantor.
“Go! Go! Go!” shouted Otakun as he ran forward. He held Salami’s wrist in a death grip and practically dragged her toward their goal. For a fat boy, he could haul ass when the situation arose!
“What about—” asked Tosh, a hint of legitimate concern in his voice.
“He says we have to leave him! He’ll head to the police station on his own,” shouted Otakun barely stopping his momentum long enough to get it all out. “That thing will kill us all if we try to drive off in the truck together.”
Dead hands grasped at warm youthful flesh, but they caught nothing but air. Tosh bashed in the skull of an approaching zombie then spun to see Scott running off in the opposite direction from them. The big guy was hot on his heels and seemed to be gaining on him. Tosh’s eyes tightened.
Power Fantasy Page 30