Planet of the Dead (Book 2): War For The Planet of The Dead

by Flowers, Thomas S.

  "What are you doing?"

  Ignoring him, she shoved the chair against the door and double checked the locks.

  "Mia?"

  She started moving around the apartment, turning off the lights and the TV which had been blaring some sort of text on the emergency broadcast station.

  Elliot watched, his heart thumping harder in his chest. He kept rubbing his mouth with his hand. Starting to call her, tell her to stop, but stopping himself midway. Finally, after darting back and forth, seemingly satisfied, Mia stopped and sat by the window, knees pressed against her chest, rocking. He wheeled over to her. He wanted to comfort her, to say something, but didn't have the words.

  At the door, that same thumping sound but louder, and with it came an awful moaning, a hungry pitiful sort of sound. The door rattled against the large stuffed chair. The hinges creaked against the strain of what Elliot could only imagine as a mob of drunks slamming themselves against the apartment door, trying to get inside.

  Mia whimpered, glancing at the door, rocking with her knees tucked in, tears streaming down her face.

  "Who's out there, Mia? Are those infected people?"

  "The dead are out there," she said.

  And outside the window, the dark sky was filled with a brilliant bright light.

  "Jesus--" Elliot and Mia shielded their eyes.

  The world shook, the entire apartment building felt as if was doubling over.

  Glass shattered.

  And then they felt warm--incredible heat, and then nothing else.

  The News

  Part II

  24-Hour News Network

  Across the nation, those still able to watch, tuned into an emergency broadcast. The loud screeching bleep and pixilated "Stay Tuned" was replaced by the somber face of President Bruce Johnson. He wore a gray suit with a bright American flag pin on the collar. Sheets of paper were laid out in front of him. His withered hands folded together as if in prayer. To those old enough watching, he had the strange resemblance to President Richard Nixon--even his voice was gravelly and low. He cleared his throat and began.

  "Good evening, my fellow Americans. Tonight, I want to talk to you on a subject of deep concern to all Americans and to many people in all parts of the world stricken by this horrendous disease. I believe that one of the reasons for the deep division among leaders of the United States is that many Americans have lost confidence in what their Government has told them about our efforts to stem the tide of these indeed dark days. The people cannot and should not be asked to support a policy which involves the disposal of the dead unless they know the truth about that policy.

  "Tonight, therefore, I would like to answer some of the questions that I know are on the minds of many of you listening. How and why did this disease first take place? What policy changes has this administration initiated? What has really happened with my predecessor? What choices do we have in dealing with our deceased loved ones? What are the prospects of our survival as a people, a nation? Now, let me begin by describing the situation I found when I was sworn in early this week. The disease, this sickness started four weeks ago. At least one and a half million Americans have been killed due to the outbreak, thus far. Efforts made by the CDC have been behind schedule. No progress had been made with negotiations with our Allies despite the United States having put forth a comprehensive joint operation proposal. The outbreak is causing deep division at home and criticism from many of our friends as well as our enemies abroad.

  "In view of these circumstances there were some in Washington who urged that I end the spreading of the outbreak at once by ordering the immediate nuclearization, in effect neutralization of selected U.S. cities. It is with a heavy heart that I agreed with my Chiefs of Staff and authorized the targeting of these selected cities, deemed Operation Arrowhead.

  "From a political standpoint this would never have been a popular nor an easy course to follow. After all, no sitting President would think of launching attacks on their own countrymen. I could blame the probability that none of us would survive this plague--which would be the result had I failed to act. Some within my Cabinet have put it to me quite bluntly: Operation Arrowhead was the only way to save as many American lives as possible.

  "I have a greater obligation than to think only of the years of my administration and of the next election. I have to think of the effect of my decision on the next generation and on the future of peace and freedom in America. Let us all understand that the question before us is not whether we carry out these strikes or not--to act or not to act. The question at issue is not over the policies of the disposal of the recently deceased. The great question is: How can we win America's peace? Well, let us turn now to the fundamental issue. Why and how did the outbreak begin in the first place? The answer to that has not yet been made clear. But one thing is. Our resolve as a Nation!

  "I have chosen a plan for survival. I believe it will succeed. If it does succeed, what the critics say now won't matter. If it does not succeed, anything anyone says then won't matter. I know it may not be fashionable to speak of patriotism or national destiny these days. But I feel it is appropriate to do so on this occasion. Two hundred years ago this Nation was weak and poor. But even then, America was the hope of millions in the world. Today we have become the strongest and richest nation in the world. And the wheel of destiny has turned so that any hope the world has for the survival of peace and freedom will be determined by whether the American people have the moral stamina and the courage to meet the challenge that stands before us.

  "Let historians not record that when America was the most powerful nation in the world we passed on the other side of the road and allowed the last hopes for the survival of millions of people to be suffocated by the forces of nonintervention. And so tonight--to you, the great silent majority--I ask for your support. I pledge to you as your President to end the war of our undead in a way that we could win our definite survival. I have initiated Operation Arrowhead to enable me to keep that pledge. The more support I can have from the American people, the sooner that pledge can be redeemed; for the more divided we are, the less likely our success. Let us be united against defeat. Because let us understand: this horrible plague of undead cannot defeat or humiliate the United States. Only Americans can do that.

  "As President I hold the responsibility for choosing the best path to our survival and then leading the Nation toward it. I pledge to you tonight that I shall meet this responsibility with all of the strength and wisdom I can command in accordance with your hopes, mindful of your concerns, sustained by your prayers.

  "Thank you and good night."

  The Emergency Broadcast resumed.

  After some time, the news networks--those still in operation came back on air. On one of the surviving channels, two reporters were talking to someone off screen. Eyes filled with the concern countless others likely shared.

  "Did he just say they were nuking U.S. cities?" one of the reporters asked an unseen party.

  "Hank you're on air!"

  "I don't give a fuck--seriously, did he just say what I think he said?"

  Silence for a moment, and then, "Yeah, I think so."

  The reporter looked at his cohost, licking his lips frantically. "Did he say which ones?"

  And then the signal cut out.

  On another channel, a single middle-aged man sat rubbing his temple. He wore a vest and button up underneath; his bowtie was slightly crooked. Some commentator was speaking to him offscreen.

  "You scientists are supposed to come up with a way of solving this problem. It doesn't make any sense. How have things gotten this bad? And just what has happened to these people? Are they alive? Dead? Something else? People eating people, its insanity! And most importantly, why haven't you scientists come up with a vaccine to save our lives?" the commentator said.

  The scientist looked into his hands and then at the camera and said, "The first question we must ask ourselves is, are these cannibals? No, they are not cannib
als. Cannibalism in the true sense of the word implies an intraspecies activity. These creatures cannot be considered human. They prey on humans. They do not prey on each other--that's the difference. They attack, and they feed only on warm human flesh. Intelligence? Seemingly little or no reasoning power, but basic skills remain as well as remembered behaviors from normal life. There are reports of these creatures using tools. But even these actions are the most primitive. These creatures are nothing but pure, motorized instinct. We must not be lulled by the concept that these are our family members or our friends. They are not. They will not respond to such emotions."

  Scoffing from an unseen crowd. Jarring, loud now, louder than before.

  Above the noise, the commentator broke in. "What are you saying? Are you saying..."

  The onscreen scientist slammed his fist down on the table next to his chair. "They must be destroyed on sight!" he yelled.

  More rumblings, some hisses of shock.

  The scientist giggled to himself. He smiled and looked at the camera. "Well, I can think of another alternative. Since these things seem to congregate in heavily populated areas and since we have not touched upon any of our nuclear resources... why don't we drop bombs on all the big cities?"

  Silence.

  "You can't be serious?" the commentator whispered. The crowd behind him hushed.

  "I am deadly serious! What are the choices? They won't run out of food, that's the problem you see. And they won't run out of food as long as we're still alive," the scientist went on.

  Some talk was going on off camera.

  An argument.

  The scientist was watching them intently. "What did he just say?" he asked the commentator. "Come on, tell me. What happened? What's going on?"

  The commentator cleared his throat, "The President just authorized the use of nuclear weapons on U.S. cities."

  Deadpan.

  The scientist blinked. "It was the most logical choice."

  "Logical? What's logical about the murder of millions of American lives, sir?"

  "This isn't Republicans versus the Democrats, or if we're in a hole economically or... or if we're in another war. This is more crucial than that. This is down to the line, folks, this is down to the line. There can be no more divisions among the living or it'll be the end for us all."

  Shouting.

  Arguing.

  Twitter

  Worldwide Web

  @MollyKendzior: Hurricane Melania forming in Atlantic. Could include toxic sludge and lagoon of pig manure as it reaches landfall. #Melania #UglyStorm #BunkerDown.

  @JohnRose: I'm quite irritated at #FakeBook today. Somebody there decided that my photo of that man biting a police officer was unfit for us to see, so they deleted it from my account. That, my friends is CENSORSHIP and fails future generations. #OutbreakIsBeingKeptASecret

  @KUHBNEWS: #Outbreak through the eyes of a first responder and his disposable camera. UNREAL! Watch it on our website www.KUHBNEWS.com #WhatIsGoingOn.

  @RubySpeller: We have a crisis in the White House. It's embarrassing. It's heartbreaking. It's infuriating. How is the rest of the world looking at us, our own POTUS infected by this #outbreak and gunned down? #NeverForget.

  @JolieSmith: Has anyone heard about this #tentcity in Nebraska? Is it safe?

  @Hinojos: Police are telling everyone to stay indoors. Are we on lockdown? What if someone in our house is sick and needs to go the doctor? What are we supposed to do? #outbreak.

  @GoGoPancakes: WE'RE OPEN! Come back out daily special now 50% OFF. Exit I-20 and Pine Drive. #EatMorePancakes #DontWorryAboutOutbreak #Hoax.

  @BobBest: Instead of reuniting families and securing our borders, our POTUS is launching nukes at our cities. Federal government is allowing this to happen without any sort of checks or balances. Who is next? And what happens to those so-called safe zones when they get zapped by radiation? #ThisIsTheEndFolks

  @ChurchLady4Heaven: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things we have done." #2Corinthians510.

  @RabbiBarryTuchman: "Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt." #TheProphecyOfDaniel #Ketuvim.

  @ForeverLogical: You people are insane. The safety of American people is the POTUSs absolute highest priority. Heed the direction of our leaders and everyone will be fine. #ThisIsNotTheEnd #Libtards

  @NBCSportsFan: Does anyone know if the USA vs MEX game is still going on? I turned on #ESPN but nothing is showing. I tried ESPN2 and still nothing, just reruns of highlights from the World Cup. #GoUSA!

  @Channel3News: EERIE EVACUATION, @TedChannel13News captured a striking contrast on his way to report on #outbreak in Austin, Texas. Empty freeway vs. a glut of evacuees fleeing #Houston | Ted reports live from Fort Hood later on Channel 13 News at 10PM CST.

  @PottsNMugs: What did POTUS say? Nuclear weapons against US CITIES??? I can't believe this is happening. Why can't the #CDC find a vaccine? #NoToNukes

  @tacomagirl: What happened in Seattle, Washington today? Looked outside to see what was going on with all the looting in our neighborhood and there was a bright flash on the horizon. Strange. Nothing on the news. Nothing on the radio, just static. Does anyone know what is going on? #IsThisReallyTheEnd?

  @DaveMatthew1: @tacomagirl, I saw the same thing over in Duvall. What is going on? Nothing on the news either? #WhatHappenedInSeattle?

  @PatriotSteve: @davematthew1, @tacomagirl, POTUS launched nuclear weapon in Seattle. The city was overrun with victims from the #outbreak. You need to find a safe zone before the radiation cloud comes your way. It had to be done. #MakeAmericaSafeAgain #ISupportPOTUS

  @SkippThompson: @patriotsteve, how can you support nuclear weapons on US soil? This is horrifying. Why aren't we focusing on creating a vaccine? #WhosNext? #IDontSupportPOTUS

  @GovDoug: 800,000 dead Americans isn't an "unsung success," it's a national disgrace. Just like POTUS's comments about the media's response to #NukedSeattle #WhosNext. It's nothing but disrespect for the memory of those lost, torn from their homes, and all those still affected by the #outbreak.

  @BibleMike: #Outbreak? I've never seen no flu that made a dead man walk again. This is nuts. Are we really that ignorant? PEOPLE the LIVING DEAD are walking amongst us! #ThisIsTheEndTimes #Revelations.

  @Crystalline: The president left soldiers stranded in Iraq and Afghanistan who were caught in this #outbreak. #BringOurTroopsHome you shit bag script flipper. Our troops can help us. But POTUS isn't helping. Scared. If you seriously support this asshole than F*CK ALL OF YOU! #RememberSeattle #RememberOurTroops #ISupportGenRusk

  @AmericanDave: Right on @crystalline! #NoMoreNukes, let's use our troops and secure our borders. I heard 1stCav has Texas on lockdown and totally secure. #ISupportGenRusk

  @MaryBethSue: OMG, I'm so scared. I was on Skype with my husband who is deployed in Ballad, Iraq. There were a bunch of people shouting around him and then we lost signal. He hasn't called me back. No one from REAR D is answering the phone. Does anyone know what happened? Are they okay? We have four kids that miss their daddy. God, please let my husband be okay. #BringOurTroopsHome #ScaredMama.

  @BreakingFoxNews: REPORTING LIVE from Fort Hood. Refugees continue to pour into the base. Camps have been erected. Food. Water. All provided by #1stCav soldiers. The mood is HIGH #ISupportGenRusk

  @Aristotle: Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely #Buddha

  @FreakOnLeash: @aristotle, and what happens to the wise when the dead come back to life to eat the living? #outbreak

  @Aristotle: @freakonleash, we're fucked.

  Polk

  Part II

  La Porte,

  Texas

  Polk left Karen at home, not that she would want to bring her--not on an errand such as this, hunting down someone who probably wasn't even alive. She'd knocked on her door before leaving, telling her she left the AR15 on the bathroom sink if she neede
d it and to be sure to lock the sliding window after her.

  "I won't be long," Polk promised.

  Karen's response was nothing--silence.

  Polk slid out the window and trotted across the acre lot through the back with her spiked prosthetic tucked away in her combat bag, the ACU printed backpack--the one her team leader had given her shit about for sewing a Bruce Lee patch on the front. Not quite Army regs. Leaving the rifle behind, she favored instead on this expedition a Colt .38 Special. The revolver fit snugly into a hip holster, a relic from her Army days, belted around her tattered jeans. Summer was coming to an end, fall loomed close, but still the humidity dragged on and on, soaking her black tank, matting her long hair that she kept in a pony-tail.

  Jumping the fence at the back of Jonny and Karen's lot, Polk kept low and ran to the nearest tree closest to the road. She had already scoped out the route, scrounging for the keys and a full tank of gas to a Kia SUV a week ago. The former owners decided early on not to witness this new world gone mad.

  She never knew their names.

  Looking around, she waited. There weren't too many of the nasties walking around. Scattered, they didn't pose much of a threat. What she worried about most was the Chevy and those drunks from the other day. She'd killed two of them and doubted they were the kind to forgive and forget.

  Satisfied that it was all clear, Polk stood and started for the SUV.

  One of the walking dead, a woman in a torn skirt and ripped blouse and yellowish pale skin growled at the sight of her moving towards the Kia. Moaning, the dead woman started shuffling toward her across the driveway to the car. Polk made it and closed the driver side door just in time. It would have been an easy kill, but she didn't want to draw too much attention, especially not this close to home.