“We can’t fight thousands of infected. They’ll run right over us,” Mandy objected.
“We don’t have a choice unless you want to abandon this place and everything we’ve worked for,” Nick said.
“But thousands? Do we have enough guns and ammunition? People?” she replied, her cheeks pale.
“That’s why we’re here, Mandy. To come up with a plan to save us all,” Nick said. “I, for one, don’t plan to run. Where would we go anyway? Where would be safe from this scourge?”
Silence fell.
“So, what do we do?” Mandy asked at last.
“First, we need to address our supplies. We’ve had an influx of survivors running from the horde, and more are surely coming. They seek our help and protection.”
“Yes, but can we feed them all?” Mandy asked. “We’re running low as it is.”
“Each of them has their own supplies to contribute, plus we desperately need more hands,” Nick said. “I say we welcome them with open arms.”
“Alright, but we’ll still need extra food,” Mandy said. “And we’re running low on other stuff too.”
Nick nodded. “I know. I propose the following: Saul, can you organize volunteer raiding parties to gather as much food, water, fuel, and medicine as possible within the next two days?”
Saul nodded. “I can, but they’ll have to strike out further than usual. We’ve tapped everything nearby.”
“Just make sure they’re back inside the base by day three. I can’t risk anyone being caught outside by the infected.”
“Got it,” Saul replied.
“Andrew, the community listens to you. Can you ask everyone who has anything extra to spare to donate it to our collective supplies?” Nick continued.
“I can speak to them,” Andrew confirmed. “But I don’t know how effective it will be.”
“Just try. Every little bit helps,” Nick said. “Also inform them that we will all need to ration our food and water strictly from now on. Electricity too.”
“May I suggest we continue with the school lessons for now? It will keep the children occupied. Plus, I can provide aftercare for those whose parents will be involved with the preparations,” Andrew said.
“That seems wise,” Nick said. “You could recruit a few of the older teenagers to help you in that regard.”
“I’ll see to it,” Andrew confirmed.
“Mandy, I also propose that you cut all rations by a third and reduce the hours during which the thrift shop is open.”
“People won’t be happy with reduced rations, Sir,” Mandy said.
“I know, but needs must, and it’s only temporary,” Nick said with a sigh.
“Alright, Sir. I’ll see to it,” Mandy said. “What about the warehouses?”
“Make sure all our incoming supplies are stored and cataloged as soon as possible,” Nick said. “We need everything to be inside and locked away before the horde arrives. Who knows how long we’ll need to get by on what we have?”
Dylan leaned over and said in a low voice. “She’ll need extra help, Nick.”
“Andrew, can you recruit extra volunteers from among the civilian population? We need all the hands we can get: general workers, builders, medical personnel, caretakers, raiders, and fighters. Anyone able and willing to assist in some regard needs to step forward.”
“I’ll put out the call,” Andrew said.
“That does not include the very old, young, frail, and sick, of course. Mothers with babies and young children are also exempt, but everybody else needs to pitch in,” Nick said with a stern look. “We can’t afford any slackers. We are facing the fight of our lives here, make no mistake.”
“Understood,” Andrew said with a grave nod. “I’ll make sure the people understand the gravity of the situation.”
“Good. Have them report to whichever station best suits their skills as soon as possible. We have zero time to waste,” Nick continued.
“Yes, Sir,” Andrew replied.
“Is everyone up to speed so far? Any questions?” Nick asked.
“Just one. What about our defenses? Do we have a plan? One that doesn’t involve all of us being eaten alive by the undead?” Grissom asked.
Dylan threw Grissom an annoyed look, not thrilled with his manner. Trust him to try and humiliate Nick in front of everybody. He’s just pissed off because, after all these months, Nick still hasn’t allowed him back into the ranks.
Nick remained calm in the face of Grissom’s interrogation, however. He even took the time to crack open his energy drink and take a few swallows. After putting the can down, he smiled. “In answer to your question: Yes, we have a plan. A very detailed plan.”
“Who came up with this plan?” Grissom asked.
“Several military experts came together in its creation, and I’m sure even you could find no fault with it,” Nick said.
“Let’s see it then,” Grissom answered, folding his arms across his chest.
Dylan rolled her eyes and shifted closer to Nick, offering her silent support. He threw her a quick nod before turning back to the room.
“First of all, we’re setting up several observation posts to warn us when the horde arrives. Our best option is not to have to fight at all and to make the base as difficult to get to as possible. With that thought in mind, we are creating several hit-and-run teams. Their job will be to pick off and lead away as many infected as they can leading up to the city. Once the horde reaches the city limits, we’ll make use of camouflage, obstacles, booby traps, and misdirection to push them away from us,” Nick explained, pointing to a map of the city and Fort Detrick on the wall.
“We also plan to draw them away by the thousands once they reach these two intersections.” Nick drew two arrows on the map with a permanent marker, each pointing in a different direction away from the fort.
“How?” Grissom asked.
“By using decoys. Cars equipped with sound systems,” Nick replied. “Their objective will be to lure the infected onto a different trajectory. One that leads them away from us. What do you think, Tara? I defer to your expertise when it comes to all things zombie.”
“It could work,” Tara said with a firm nod. “The infected respond to noise and movement. If they see or hear something, it will trigger their hunting instincts, and they will follow.”
A low murmur of approval ran around the room, but Nick raised his hand to forestall it. “That doesn’t mean we won’t have to fight. There are many things that could go wrong with such a plan, and even if it works, not all of the zombies will follow the decoys. Some might push ahead on their path. Therefore, we need to set up several lines of defenses outside the fort with each falling back onto the next.”
“What happens if those defenses fail?” Andrew asked. “What about the civilians inside their homes? Who will protect them?”
“The main problem we face is the sheer size of the fort. The base is simply too large for us to defend with the number of people we have. Even if volunteers and new arrivals greatly augmented our fighting numbers, it would still be impossible. That’s why I want to pull everyone back into this area.” Nick drew a line that encompassed the lab, infirmary, the supply warehouses, munitions warehouses, and a single housing block with a community center.
Andrew frowned. “You’re asking people to abandon their homes and move in there?”
“Even more. I’m asking that everyone who is not actively engaged in the battle take refuge here,” Nick said, pointing at the community center. “All the women and children. The frail and the sick. We’ll make sure that extra vehicles, fully fueled and supplied, are ready to ferry them to safety should things go wrong.”
“You mean if the zombies win,” Andrew said.
Nick inclined his head. “It’s better to be prepared for every eventuality, is it not? But, if we’re lucky, it won’t get to that. We’ll use everything at our disposal to reinforce the fences: razor wire, stacked cars, containers, and ditches.”
“Because I believe this is our best chance at survival,” Nick said. “And because I believe this place is worth fighting for.”
“For you, maybe,” Grissom said. “Not for me.”
“You’re welcome to leave, Grissom,” Dylan said, her temper snapping. “Nobody will stop you.”
“I’m sure you think that but who else thinks it’s better to leave?” Grissom asked, looking around. A few hands went up, mostly among the civilians, and Dylan itched to tell them how stupid they were being.
“Tell me something,” Nick said. “Where do you plan on going? Where do you think you’ll be safe? Because there is no such a mythical place. The infected are everywhere, and you’ll have to stand and fight at some point. It might as well be now on terms of your choosing.”
A few hands went down, but Grissom remained resolute. “It’s better to live to fight another day. We all know what happened to Fort Knox. What makes you think we stand a better chance than they did?”
Nick straightened up, squaring his shoulders. “Listen up and listen closely. Anyone who disagrees with my plan is free to leave, but you’d better be gone by nightfall. Also, you’re not taking anything except that which belongs to you. What we need now is people of resolute heart and spirit. People willing to fight for their place in this world. If that’s not you, then get out while you still can, and God be with you.”
“I’m going,” Grissom said, backing away.
A few others, mostly civilians, went with him, but the majority stayed.
Dylan shook her head and mumbled below her breath. “Good riddance. What a bunch of pussies.”
Nick looked around the room at those remaining. “My offer stands. You have until nightfall to leave. Please make your people aware of that fact, Andrew. Let it not be said I stood in anyone’s way.”
Andrew nodded. “I’ll tell them.”
“Good. Let’s get back to business, shall we?” Nick said. “Mr. Davis. As our engineering expert, I want you to shore up our defenses, focusing on the last line of battle. We need to ensure the safety of everyone and everything inside that border. We will also require sufficient lighting, water, and electricity for those buildings. Feel free to recruit anyone you need to assist you in these endeavors. You have two, maybe three days maximum.”
“My team and I will do our best,” Davis said.
“Mac, you know what you need to do. Arm our fighters and ensure a steady supply of ammunition throughout the field of battle,” Nick said. “And Mandy, you will have to distribute emergency supplies to each building and line of defense, plus set up the community center.”
“I’ll need more runners,” Mac said.
“And I’ll need a whole lot of extra hands,” Mandy added.
“I’ll see to that,” Saul volunteered. “As soon as the civilians come in, I’ll send bodies your way.”
“Thank you,” Nick said, looking around. “Is there anything else? Any questions?”
Silence reigned.
“We still need to iron out a few details regarding the outer defenses, observation posts, and fighting teams. For that, I’ll need Corporal Parker, Sergeant Dhlamini, and Private Alex to stay behind. The rest of you are free to go about your duties.”
As people began to move toward the exit, Nick added, “One moment. The last thing we need right now is to spread panic and discontent. Please try and keep the populace calm and optimistic. If you hear of anyone stirring trouble, please report them to me. Meeting adjourned.”
Dylan watched as the people filed out of the room until only the chosen few remained. “What about me?”
“Could you speak to Amy for me,” Alex asked. “I’m afraid she’ll be scared if she hears this stuff from other people.”
Nick nodded. “Go ahead. You and I can talk later.”
“Alright. See you tonight.” As Dylan left the room, she reflected on how much Nick had grown into his role. He’s a true leader now—an inspiration to us all.
Chapter 12 - Tamara
Petersburg, Virginia; 11:48 am
Tamara lay low across the handlebars, her right hand gunning the throttle as she gained speed down the highway. She’d finally left the horde behind. After days spent circling around them, she rejoined the I95 just before Petersburg. Now, the open road beckoned, and she wasted no time putting distance between her and the undead. She wasn’t sure where she was headed. She only knew she had to get away. Maybe I can live in the mountains, or on a boat. An island. Anywhere without zombies.
Her thoughts winged back to her time spent hiding in the dumpster, and she grimaced. It was hands-down the worst experience of her life. She’d spent two days lying in filth, unable to move or make a sound. She could neither eat nor drink and had to empty her bladder right where she lay. Never again.
The tail end of her shirt flapped in the wind, sticking out from underneath her leather jacket. A strand of hair stuck to her visor and teased her nostrils. It didn’t matter. She relished the feeling of absolute freedom.
Thick stands of trees streamed past on either side, and the blue sky stretched far ahead into the distance. Wispy clouds spoke of warm summer days to come, and the temperature was mild, minus the icy touch of before. It was hard not to feel optimistic.
It wasn’t long before she spotted a car in front of her. It wasn’t the first. The roads were the busiest she’d ever seen them since the dead rose to munch on people-burgers. They all had the same idea she did. Run.
Without slowing down, she leaned to the side and zipped past the blue sedan. A couple of faces stared at her through the windows, but she ignored them. She wasn’t in the business of making friends. All she wanted to do was to find a nice, safe, secluded spot to mind her own business in. She’d had enough of people to last a lifetime.
With the car in her rearview mirror, she focused on the road ahead. The sensation of speed was a pleasant one, and a smile lingered on her lips. The powerful bike had been a lucky find. In mint condition, it even had the keys in the ignition and the helmet on the tank.
The feeling of joy remained until she hit an invisible ditch hidden by a patch of gravel, and her front wheel wobbled like crazy. Desperately, she fought for control, but it was a losing battle. Her back tire spun out, and she kicked off seconds before the bike became airborne.
Tamara flew across the tar, instinctively tucking her arms and legs into a ball. She hit the road with terrific force and rolled across the asphalt, coming to a rough stop on a stretch of dirt.
The bike continued flipping across the ground, pieces of the fairing splintering off with each hit. Soon, only a mangled wreck remained, one tire spinning in the air as it came to rest against a tree trunk.
Tamara coughed, dirt and slime coating her lips. Her vision grew fuzzy, and a chainsaw buzzed in her ears. She tried to move, but her body wouldn’t cooperate. A trickle of blood ran down the side of her head, warm and sticky. At last, she gave up and sagged into the dust, every muscle in her body on fire.
A set of wheels rolled to a stop next to her—a blue sedan. The car door opened, and Tamara blinked at the approaching set of boots with rising hope. “Help…help me, please.”
Instead, rough hands tugged at her leather jacket until it came free of her body, not caring about the pain they inflicted. Next, the same hands removed her boots, and the belt slung around her hips. With it went her only weapons: a knife and a pistol with a couple of shots left in the magazine.
“N…no,” Tamara pleaded as the boots climbed back into the car, leaving her alone, hurt, and vulnerable.
With a screech of rubber, the sedan spun away. Rocks and gravel peppered her body, and she was thankful she still wore the helmet. At least, the robber had left her that much. It didn’t matter, though. She was as good as dead. Left in the open, covered in blood, and with no means of defending herself, she was a sitting duck.
“Y…you fucker. I’
ll get you…someday. Whoever you are,” Tamara swore. It was a hollow threat, though. She wasn’t going anywhere. The darkness that lurked in the corners of her vision swooped in, and she sagged into the dirt with a rattling sigh.
Chapter 13 - Rikke
Petersburg, Virginia; 12:23 pm
Rikke clung to the steering wheel of the RV with both hands. The vehicle was somewhat clumsy and a lot bigger than she was used to driving. Even so, it proved to be a lifesaver. Not only was she able to get away from the horde after they passed by, but they were able to live inside it while making their way north. It provided them with a secure place to live and sleep while on the road.
“Here you go, Rikke. I made you something to eat,” Arely said, sitting down in the passenger seat.
“Yeah, kiddo? What is it?” Rikke asked, glancing at the steaming bowl.
“I found instant noodles in the cupboard, and the kettle was full,” Arely replied.
“Noodles?” Rikke exclaimed, her nostrils flaring at the beefy aroma. Her stomach growled. She hadn’t had a hot meal in ages. “What about Eli?”
“He already had his, and so did I,” Arely replied, blowing on the hot food.
“Thanks, kiddo. It smells delicious. Tell me when it cools down a bit,” Rikke replied. She drove for another couple of miles before taking the bowl from Arely. “Here, you hold the wheel steady while I eat. I don’t want to stop.”
Arely giggled as she grasped the steering and kept the RV on the straight and narrow while Rikke quickly slurped down the noodles. Afterward, she took back control of the vehicle and said, “That was great, Arely. Maybe it’s time I teach you how to drive.”
Arely glanced over her shoulder before shaking her head. “Eli doesn’t agree.”
“Yeah? What’s wrong?” Rikke asked.
“He says that was very irresponsible of us. You should’ve pulled over,” Arely explained.
Rikke shrugged. “I suppose he’s right. That was kind of dangerous. Sorry, Eli!”
Rise of the Undead (Book 6): Apocalypse Z Page 9