by Germann, Tom
Sue and Tracy had disappeared to clean up and the rest of the group headed for the vehicle loading area of the warehouse. They made a quick stop at the armoury and drew their rifles and shotguns before carrying on. It took a few minutes to get their weapons as the clerk on duty slept there and was passed out inside the locked room on a cot. He woke up quickly enough and handed over their weapons.
There was no one else there yet.
The group quickly started checking over their vehicles with Sam driving the lead vehicle with First Caisson, Sergeant Vajjer drove the second with Toker in the observation area and manning the machine gun and finally Weibe was driving the command variant for Major Wagner. Rifles were handed out from where they had been stored overnight.
The light machine guns were loaded in the vehicles locked into their cradles. Each gun only had one belt of ammunition the CO had agreed to release in case the infected were out en masse, and Sergeant Vajjer took a few minutes checking the weapons over, verifying they were still looking functional.
Everyone agreed the machine guns were a waste. To stop a zombie took a headshot, but they could be useful if there was a crowd. But otherwise just a waste. They couldn’t even use the ammunition with their rifles. Every vehicle also had a flare, two smoke canisters and a small demolition kit including two sticks of dynamite. Just in case they had trouble with a tree.
The command variant only had one radio mounted in it to communicate with base.
There had been no need to discuss it as everyone had immediately agreed they would use their own communication gear in the vehicles. The radios from this place would sometimes work, but more often they wouldn’t.
It only took the crew a few minutes to prepare the vehicles to depart. They wouldn’t start them until they were about to drive out of the garage. The silence of the city would be broken by the grumbling roar of the three diesel engines starting up. Every infected within ten city blocks would hear the noise and start moving. Better to start then drive off.
The one point of contention was the ammunition allotment. The headquarters company still held to no more than thirty rounds per day issued per man. The clerk had simply handed out three partial bandoliers when they showed up at the armoury.
They had quietly accepted them and been thankful they had hidden away extra ammunition in their personal packs before they had come into the site.
They were also thankful they had kept the side arms they had picked up secret from everyone. Only officers seemed to carry side arms. The shotguns they had were overlooked as a good weapon to be carried by a sentry. Again though, there was no ammunition to be had for any of their weapons.
After they had finished checking their vehicles over everyone met by the small office that had been used by the floor supervisor before the outbreak.
Sergeant Vajjer was talking to the rest of the troops. “I really wish we could do test firing in here so we know everything works. I mean it is standard, but it would probably wake up any local Z’s. So, after we get far enough away. Maybe after we check the first outpost we can all do a quick test. We should be fine, I checked all the weapons over after we got them and they were good then but it’s a good habit.”
First Caisson nodded. “I completely agree with you. You would be amazed how many times something small breaks after you were out and the weapon sat unused for a few hours. Better to do a function test and firing before leaving. As soon as we are done at the first outpost we all light it up. Just one round, we can’t afford to waste ammunition.”
Major Wagner looked around for Sue or Tracy. “Where are they? Maybe we should put off leaving until we find them.”
Steven shrugged and shook his head. “Come on Major. They’re just getting themselves cleaned up. Nothing better than sleeping dressed and waking up floating in a pool of your own sweat to make you feel like death warmed over.”
“Who’s sleeping fully dressed? No need for that now is there? After all we have thick, high walls and all the doors are secured from outside entry!”
Everyone turned and there was the Commanding Officer in full dress uniform. To his side was the Flag Sergeant with the small unit flag on a lance and behind them were Sergeant Tannis and six other soldiers all properly turned out and armed with rifles and side arms.
They all remembered how nervous the soldiers had been when they opened the vehicle door the day before. It had seemed to take forever before the door had opened. When the vehicles had rolled in it had seemed like there were dozens of soldiers there, all armed and looking ready for action. When the doors opened to their nice cozy and secure home everyone in the company was terrified of something coming in.
Major Wagner came to attention and saluted the CO. “We were just talking about the habits we formed while living outside. Better to always be ready to move which means staying fully dressed even when sleeping. You know how it is sir.”
The CO nodded, “Absolutely I recognize the importance of being able to move out immediately when the enemy attacks. Well hopefully we can get you to relax enough to break that bad habit. Especially when we head back to the redoubt. No need to worry there.” The CO looked around. “Where are the ladies today?”
Sergeant Vajjer spoke up quickly. “Sir, they weren’t feeling too good this morning and they wanted to take the time to get themselves dressed then I believe they were going to clean up in the kitchen.”
The CO nodded, “No need for the ladies to do kitchen work right now, we have several soldiers on extras for minor infraction.” He shrugged, “Well good work for them anyway.” Then he made shooing gestures with his hands toward the group. Jimmy and the rest went off to the side and checked the chains used to open the vehicle doors to make sure they could get them open and closed quickly.
Everyone else mounted up into their vehicles and prepared to roll out.
All the gunners stayed standing in their vehicle hatches and at a signal from Major Wagner yelled down into the vehicle to start.
With a roar the diesel engines started up and the huge vehicle doors started opening while the crew pulled on the chain.
The first vehicle lurched forward then started rolling more smoothly out the door then turning right before disappearing. The second vehicle followed.
Major Wagner made sure he stayed standing in the rooftop hatch and as they rolled forward saluted the CO.
The CO was beaming while he returned the salute.
Wagner couldn’t help but notice the way Sergeant Tannis and his goons had been smiling. It was a bad look. They had something planned.
As soon as he could Wagner dropped the salute and dropped back into the small turret and pulled the hatch closed throwing the lever to lock it.
At least inside the vehicle he didn’t have to worry about someone accidentally discharging their weapon into his back. He had talked into the night with Caisson and Vajjer. They expected the worst.
His vehicle had just turned right and he could hear the crash of the huge roll-up door closing.
Inside the turret, the engine made an insane amount of noise and the heat was building up fast.
Thankfully the small walkie talkies had an auxiliary plug and they had earbuds. Putting those in cut the noise a bit and it was possible to faintly hear what someone was saying.
They slowly rolled down the road while Wagner reviewed the small map board he had set up.
The first outpost was just down the road. Just a few miles and they would find out what had happened to all the soldiers that had been sent out. More than likely they were holed up in a warehouse type building being very quiet so they weren’t found.
They would not have a lot of time when they pulled in. They couldn’t stop the engines and take the chance there would be a glitch in starting up again. There were two extra seats in the back of each vehicle except for the command one which was supposed to have a series of radios and a communications expert sitting at a small seat monitoring all the radio nets.
> Those seats would be tight and uncomfortable. The zombies would come but if they were quick they should be fine for carrying people if a vehicle died out here.
The loud rumbling of the engines echoed back and forth in the deserted streets. There were no other sounds to act as interference and the large grumbling vehicles could be heard almost ten blocks away.
In the circle of noise the vehicles threw all around them zombies slowly turned. There had been no noise until the day before when the vehicles had rolled in which had brought the dead to a higher state of awareness. They had not had enough time to fully settle down into a dormant state so were much more active. Some struggled to pick themselves up and as the small convoy rolled away they were completely unaware of the hundreds of the dead were moving after them
Those first steps were slow and faltering but they became faster and almost more confident as time went on. Even as the vehicles had pulled away there was one thought running through the dead’s rotting minds. Food. Noise meant food.
A SHORT HALT
T
hey had only driven out the door and a short distance down the road before they paused. As soon as they had stopped their walkie talkies were broken out and the earbuds put in.
They didn’t have radios issued for communications within the convoy and the one radio in Major Wagner’s vehicle for communications back with headquarters hadn’t heard anything from the larger radios back at HQ manned by a clerk. At least not after he had turned the power on and watched the radio struggle to life only for the internal light to fade away almost immediately.
They ran a series of comm checks on their personal radios then had a quick conference.
“Caisson, I want to check these vehicles over more. I trust that Tannis guy and his goons as far as I can throw ‘em. If we had the capacity I would check the fuel tanks for sugar, all the fluids to make sure nothing was punctured and for any explosives they may have planted on us. Over”
“Vajjer, we did an eyeball inspection of the vehicles. There were no drips under the vehicles and I rolled under all three quickly. They would have to have climbed into the engine to do anything and I find it hard to believe they would plant a bomb on us, over.”
“Wagner. I think you’re reading a bit too much into our mutual dislike. Picking a fight, I can believe. I can believe a lot. But for them to actively sabotage our fuel or plant a bomb? It’s way over the top. After all we are all stuck in this together. We need to advance and put them out of our mind for now. We are driving three of their rare armoured recce vehicles and I can’t see anyone being stupid enough to lose those. Let’s get through this and get back as fast as we can. We have room if anything goes wrong. Any disagreement on this? Over.”
There was silence from the comms. After thirty seconds more, the lead vehicle revved up and slowly started moving away.
As the vehicles drove away the engine noise built into a dull roar inside the metal shell. The crew member’s helmets that had been on the seats of the vehicles had thick ear flaps which made a lot more sense as they drove away now. They looked like cheap caps and the only real protection they offered was some hearing protection. It also made more sense why no one had seemed concerned about the vehicle’s lack of radios and why it hadn’t seemed important for the convoy to check in.
The communications were ancient, poorly maintained and obviously not working.
Wagner took the headset for the radio and looked it over now he had a little time. It was an easy enough system to figure out and the frequencies were already set. Yet the headset wire was almost completely chewed through and the radio mount had been welded many times. It looked like both the antenna and power lines had been welded as well.
The thing was a paperweight.
Wagner shrugged and dropped the headset next to the radio. He climbed back up into the tiny turret and checked the surrounding area as they drove away. The machine gun was properly fixed into its cradle and seemed to be in excellent condition as it swivelled freely. He ignored it for the moment though and considered the passing buildings as they drove on.
Where were all the people?
AN OUTDOOR MEETING
U
nknown to anyone in the convoy there were eyes on them. Back at the headquarters building just below the roof was a large balcony which gave a clear view over the surrounding areas. Standing there watching the three squat armoured vehicles drive away was Sergeant Tannis, two of his personal goons and Butch.
One of Sergeant Tannis’s men, a rat-like looking Corporal, had his rifle up with his arm wrapped in the sling for more control. He had been resting the weapon on the rail that went around the balcony, aiming at the vehicles below.
As the vehicles drove off he brought the weapon up, unwrapped the sling from his arm and shouldered the rifle. The chance at a shot was gone. He spoke quietly and his voice was harsh. “It’s a shame. I had a good feeling. I could have taken one or two of them out. Now? They ain’t going to stop until they get to the outpost.”
Sergeant Tannis ignored his henchman, instead he smiled and turned to Butch. He slapped the bigger man on the shoulder. “You got nothing to worry about there Butch. I got you out of trouble last night and those goodie two shoes are going to get what’s coming to them soon enough. As soon as they are gone we can take care of the rest and maybe you and the boys can get a chance to set up a dance with those girls.”
Butch glared at Tannis. “We wasn’t going to be doing anything bad with them girls. We just wanted to spend some time with them. I don’t see what’s wrong with it. After all it’s only been all you smelly yard apes for the last few weeks now. The last girls we seen was that pretty young one on the last convoy.” He looked down at his feet and kicked the metal decking. “What happened wasn’t our fault. We just wanted to spend some time with her then well, it went wrong.” The big man stopped talking and glared out at the skyline.
Tannis made sure to keep his hand to himself. “I know Butch. But I made sure it was all cleaned up as well, right? We all looked after you. Those trouble makers will be gone soon then we can stop the stupid idea of leaving here. I mean look at it all, Butch. Everyone out there except for a few people is infected now. If we get on that train we’re gonna go join a bunch of other people stuck in a small bunker waiting for the food and water to run out. Here? There ain’t too many infected and we can go out sometimes and loot food from houses or a grocery store.”
Butch was nodding agreement but he looked confused, a look which seemed to fit him. “But how we going to stay behind? The CO is gonna get us on the train no matter what.”
Sergeant Tannis smiled. “Well, maybe the CO is going to have an accident Butch. If you and the boys help we can stay here and not worry about dying if we are careful. Heck there’s a few years worth of booze and food in the city waiting for us to come collect it. I bet we even find some girls who would like to dance with you. We just need to find ‘em and get them back here. After all what woman wouldn’t want to be in a place like this compared to what’s out there?”
Butch nodded. “You can count me and my boys in on this tomorrow Sergeant Tannis. The CO should be looking out for us and not getting ready to send us somewhere to die.” He turned and took the steps leading into the building. As he closed the door the two other men with Tannis turned to talk to him.
The weasel man was the spokesman. “Probably a good thing I couldn’t take the shot. Be better if they get a chance to go and meet some of the infected.”
Tannis nodded. “Absolutely, after all you boys made sure their gear was all checked and in top condition, right?”
Both men nodded and weasel gave a mean little chuckle.
Tannis looked at them both and his expression had changed, angry and distorted. “Now listen up boys. We have our guys, Butch’s guys and Miguel on board. The rest like those clerks and one or two others would stand up and do something if anyone agreed with them but no one does. We run this building. I ru
n it and I am saying we ain’t leaving tomorrow. Make sure everyone is ready and when it’s time we have to move fast. The train can’t leave, we need to stop it when we sort out the problems so no one else can come here in future.”
Weasel looked at him and nodded. “You got it boss. But don’t you think someone else will come eventually from back there?”
Tannis shook his head. “Boys this is as good as it gets. We’re taking what we can hold here and living the good life while it’s to be had. Back there? Those dumb asses still think they’re going to take the country back. They all going to die.”
Sergeant Tannis walked to the stairs followed by his two goons. The last man closed and secured the door.
As they went inside to check their preparations for tomorrow the three armoured recce vehicles in the distance drove off toward the first outpost to find and bring back the soldiers, sent out in the first place to help save the people of the city.
As those vehicles drove away no one was watching. There was nothing to see in an industrial sector of a city hit by a plague. Everyone would have gone home.
Except for the few infected who had wandered away from everyone else hoping not to be shot down as a carrier.
There was some movement in the area. Not much, just a few victims, dead, but now come back.
Yet there was no noise in the city. No vehicles driving, no sound of movement. Not even of animals like birds or dogs. It was so silent that the screeching of the door opening had brought the dead to awareness. The sound of the diesel engines rumbling had given them focus and slowly they started following the sound.
There were only a few of them. For now.
OUTPOST ONE