by Lee Thomas
Returning to the ship, I went straight for the bridge. As soon as I walked in, Jeff looked up and handed me a report. It was a damage report from the apartment group. They suffered heavy damage to the buildings, but at least they had no injuries. They were working on repairing the fence damage now.
"This is good, but do we have any news from the hunters yet?" I asked, setting the report down.
"Yes. They found someplace to hole up before the storm hit. They even managed to save the vehicles."
"Outstanding. Tell them to cut their week short, head on back. Also, call Michelle and let her know the girls are not on the injured list. Neither are any of yours." I said.
"Sir, the fence guards just sent in a report that there is a large group of infected and mutants on the eastern perimeter. They seem to be actively attacking the wall. Capt. Crow has called for general quarters on base." Reported the radio officer.
"General quarters, now. Get the secondary's to the fence line. MOVE!" Jeff ordered. Chaos erupted as people started yelling into phones or radios. The announcement went out over the intercom, and the bells rang for battle stations. Any attack on the base immediately put the ships on alert also, in case the attackers broke through.
"I want both the rescue and attack choppers ready to go in ten minutes. Maybe we can draw their attention away from the wall, give the guards a chance to clear them out." I said. "I'm going down, keep me informed."
I left the bridge and headed for my quarters. I quickly got dressed in my armor and weapons and headed back up to the flight deck. The pilots were both almost done with their preflight checks, and the fuel teams were just pulling away. Jeff came out and intercepted me.
"The wall is holding. They are congregating to the north, halfway between the intersection and beach." Jeff said. The intersection was where the highway crossed over the road the wall ran on. We had destroyed the overpass to prevent them from just walking over the wall, and we had a gate there.
“I’m still going to help. Radio me with any updates." I told him. He just nodded at me, even though I could tell he disagreed with me. I slipped my helmet on, tested my radio, and motioned to the pilots to start the engines. Both choppers wound up as the rescue crew and two teams of guards came pouring out of the tower to load up. We all climbed onto the choppers and took off as soon as the engines were ready.
Flying over the base, I couldn't really see the damage from the hurricane as the sun had set half an hour ago. We turned our spotlights on as we approached the broken area. The UV lamps were going, which was keeping the mutants at bay, but the mindless didn't mind them much, so they kept coming. We flew over them with spotlights shining, drawing their attention away from the wall.
Forty yards away from the wall, we started dropping flares to draw their attention away. The guards started firing, taking them out one by one. The mutants kept themselves under cover, away from the UV lamps in the buildings across the highway that lay right outside the wall. Since we were flying back and forth over those buildings, we didn't really have a clear shot on them. Hopefully the snipers inside the wall did. If not, we would go down and clear them out on foot. Not a fun prospect, but our armor had been tested before, and clearly prevented bites.
I signaled for a cable drop on one of the rooftops with a fire escape to the ground. I and one of the teams hooked up and lowered down. As soon as we were unhooked and the cables clear, the chopper resumed the back and forth pattern. It was loud with all the gunfire, which was sure to draw more to the area, but hopefully we could clear this group out and repair any damage before that happened. The second team was dropped on a similar rooftop and began coming down to meet us.
With two men on either side of the ladder providing cover, we climbed down to the ground. The men formed a protective arc around me, even as I tried to become part of it. I couldn't get it out of their heads to stop that. We stayed in the parking lot of whatever business this used to be, making our stand here.
We fought, and moved, the snipers in the towers thinning the herd before they got to us. We picked off the rest without too much effort, but we were all still tired and sweating by the time we made it to the gate. I heard the sound from the attack chopper only seconds before I registered the sound of it coming towards us. We all hit the ground as the choppers guns lit up, bullets plowing into the street in front of us, tearing limbs from the infected, exploding heads, and clearing a path for us to the gate.
Several of the guards had run out of bullets by then, and were using the bayonets on the rifles, or backup swords. We formed a circle, to watch all sides, and moved as quickly as possible towards the gate. Once we made it, the outer gate opened, allowing us entrance to the sully port, a fenced in area used to prevent things from slipping into an open gate. It was basically an airlock for fences.
The outer gate trundled back shut, and we picked off the few infected that made it in with us. Once we were clear, the inner gate opened, and we entered the base proper. Once the inner gate shut, and we were no longer visible to the herd, we began inspecting each other for unknown scratches or bites. Sometimes in the heat of battle, a man might not feel it, until he begins to change.
I cleaned off my blades and put them away, then checked with the men. With no injuries found, we began to process things. I immediately asked for an update on the wall, and was told no damage. No casualties reported, but the herd would probably stick around until daylight. I saw an ammo truck coming, so I knew the snipers and guards would be supplied. Scattered gunfire kept picking them off. I stepped over to the gatehouse, which held a radio room for contact with the ship, and base command. I made sure I cleaned the worst of the gore off me before I went in. I asked the radio officer to send a status update to the ship, then headed towards the command building to speak with Dave.
Riding through the base, I looked at the damage done from the storm. Tree limbs and debris were everywhere. A lot of windows would have to be replaced or boarded up. People were running around, herding animals, trying to catch all the livestock and put them back in their pens, if they were repaired. I was just glad we had only minor injuries. The men blown off the towers worried me. I would have to head over to the hospital later to check on them. I finally pulled up to the command center and parked my cart.
Stepping through the doors, the security guard nodded at me and waved me in. I made my way to Dave's office, nodding and waving at people that I passed. I stopped and chatted with several along the way, as I didn't get to talk to base personnel much. I eventually made it to his office. After knocking, I pushed the door open and stepped in.
"Hey." Dave said, glancing up from his reports. He was worried, and I couldn't blame him. The last two days had been rough.
"Anything I can do to help?" I asked.
"Not really, it's just a bunch of repairs from the storm, and some routine maintenance. Training has been going well with the new people, and the animals are doing well. Had a few issues with the water pumps and filtration systems for a bit, but they are fixed now." He set the reports down and reached back to his cabinet. He opened it and pulled out two glasses and a bottle of scotch. He set the glasses down and filled both. I smiled and reached for one. We touched glasses, and started sipping it. It was good.
"Haven't had a break in quite a while now. We really need a vacation. This storm really threw a kink into how well we were running, too." Dave said with a sigh, leaning back in his chair.
"I hear that man, I fully agree." I said. "I say, once this northern venture is secured and done, me, you, Jeff, maybe one or two more, grab one of those fishing boats and go on a fishing trip."
"Sounds good to me. I hear the attack was successfully beaten back? I'll make sure the entire wall is inspected in detail, starting in the morning. That was not the wakeup call I wanted, just as I was getting into bed. This leadership stuff is not easy." Dave said, sipping his scotch.
"I know. Look, it's what, about twelve thirty, one o'clock? Go to bed. Let the duty officer handle the r
est of the night. I'll talk to you tomorrow." I finished my drink, set the glass down, and turned to walk out.
Stepping outside, I stopped and looked up at the stars, letting the wind blow against my face. I finally headed back towards the ship for a hot shower, and some much needed rest.
Chapter 7
Sept. 3, 2020
Admiral's Log - The past few days have been stressful during their good moments. The storm did a lot of damage, we lost two ships, we almost had a wall breach, but luckily no serious casualties except for four guards who thought they would tempt fate and go outside during the hurricane. They all fell off a tower walkway. Two broken legs, a broken collarbone, one broken arm, a shattered wrist, and multiple bruises, cut, and abrasions. Idiots are lucky sometimes. The livestock were all saved with no injuries. The securement of the peninsula is going as well as can be expected. The bridges are mostly done, and now we can start luring the infected out and clearing the area for living. How much longer can I keep going? I'm not a leader, but these people follow me like I am. I'm trying, but we have still lost people. I want to pass on the responsibility to others, but even where I have done that, they still look to me for guidance. I hope I don't let them down.
I set my pen down and closed my journal as I heard a knock on my door. I looked at the clock, almost noon. At least they let me sleep today.
"Enter." I said, stepping into the kitchen for something to drink. The door opened and one of the message runners walked in. It was one of my favorites, Thomas. He always got right to the point, and if there was more than one message, he had a knack for giving them to me in the right order. He was one of the sailors, but he hadn't been in very long when the world collapsed, so I managed to break him of the 'sir' habit most of the rest of them had. He still wore his Navy uniforms though. Oh well, some habits you know.
"Good morning Sheldon. Jeff sent me down to see if you were awake yet." he said, stepping to the bar separating the kitchen and living areas. I raised my jar of apple juice at him, and set a second glass on the counter when he nodded. I poured both of us a glass and set the jar back in the fridge.
"How are things this morning? Anything he was worried about?" I asked. I knew Thomas was good at picking up on things, and I often got his advice on the mood of the bridge before I went up.
"Fine. Dave sent a report over, an inspection report on the wall damage, if I heard correctly." He told me.
"Good. And how are you this morning, Thomas?" I asked, earning a look from him. I knew he didn’t have any family left after the event, so I made sure he was knew he was a needed part of the team.
"I'm fine, I'm finally adjusted to life onboard a ship. I hadn't quite got used to it before it all went to hell, but it's getting easier." He said. "Jeff didn't seem to be too worried about anything in particular, or at least he wasn't talking about it."
"Awesome. Please let him know I will be up there shortly, and I want a meeting scheduled ASAP with all the senior officers, including base officers." I told him.
"Yes sir, on it." he said as he finished his juice and set his glass down on the counter, then turned and walked out. I took a deep breath as I watched him walk out, thinking about all the ones we couldn’t save. I finished mine, set both glasses in the sink, and went back to my bedroom to finish getting dressed for the day. I needed to clean my swords from yesterday; I only did a cursory cleaning when we finished the battle.
Stepping into the bridge, the atmosphere was pretty relaxed. Repairs were underway from the storm damage, and were going pretty well. I took the report handed to me by one of the officers on duty, and sipped my coffee while I read it. Dave's inspection crews found two other areas on the wall that needed repair, badly. I made a mental note of that so I could speak to him about it later. I glanced at the board, which used to hold flight info, but now held current status. Radar had no contacts, big shock, weather had nothing new coming, which I was thankful for, and no new sonar contacts from the Oklahoma City. The two cruisers had gone back out to finish the bridge mission, which they should be able to complete in a day or two. I saw Thomas in the radio room, sending the messages to the base and other ships for the meeting I requested. Jeff was looking over inventory reports, it appeared, and the two watchmen were staring out their binoculars, one towards the pier, and the other towards the bay.
"Nice day so far, anyone up for some fishing today?" I asked. A few crewmembers turned and looked at me.
"Fishing. Are you serious?" Jeff asked me, setting his papers down, "Have you seen the reports on how much damage we have to repair?"
"Yes, I have. No, I can't do it myself, that's why we have people specially trained for it. We could use the addition to the galley menu, and with the storms rolling through yesterday, the fish will be all stirred up and biting. I'm taking the sloop out, it can hold six people, that leaves room for five more, anyone?" they all looked at each other, but no one raised a hand.
"Just go, I'll hold down the fort here, someone has to." Jeff said, waving me away. He was about the only person that could get away with dismissing me like that.
"Looks like it's just me then." I said, as I walked out of the bridge. Entering my rooms, I quickly cleaned my blades, planning on taking them, just in case. I put on some blue jeans, but packed my swimming trunks too. A swim sounded nice too. A towel and a change of clothes also went into my bag, and I headed down towards the fantail, where the locker was that held all our fishing gear, from deep sea rods, to regular rods. I gathered up what I thought I would need, then had a crewman help me take it to the pier and load it on a cart. The sloop was tied up at a small dock near the airfield.
I headed towards the airfield road, avoiding some debris left over from the storm. The priority was wall line in for repairs, and since the airfield was about as far from the wall as you could get, it would be last for cleanup. I managed to make it to the marina without any problems though.
I pulled up to the marina's office, went inside for the sloop keys, as it did have twin engines for backup, but I always preferred to use the sails. I started picking up the rods and tackle, leaving my bag for later. I walked down the pier towards the sloop, and I was glad to see it was undamaged. I climbed aboard and got all the gear secured, then after retrieving my bag I went to untie the aft line before going forward and getting that one. I then went to the pilot's area and checked on the fuel level. I preferred the sails, but I wasn't stupid. She seemed to be about three-quarters full, so I turned on the generators and engaged the fuel mixers, to make sure there wasn’t too much sediment in the tanks. Everything seemed fine, so I turned the engines over, and started away from the pier. I headed out to the bay, then killed the engines and raised the sails. This way the engine noise wouldn't scare the fish away.
"River, or stay in the bay?" I asked myself. I decided on the river for fishing, since it would probably be better fishing for the smaller fish. This boat wasn’t big enough to take on anything in the ocean. I knew a secluded spot upriver about an hour that is great for trout and bass, as well as swimming, so I headed that way. It didn’t take me too long, even against the low current, as there was a decent wind today.
I found the cove, sailed as close in as I could get, and dropped anchor. I knew a small drift would happen, but that would only set the anchor even more. I turned aft and went for the tackle. As I passed the opening to the lower deck, I heard a splash not too far off, and when I looked, all I saw was the rings in the water. With nothing bobbing back up to the surface, I assumed it was a fish and continued preparing the rods. There were four built in rod holders, two along the aft rail and one on each side rail, so I baited all four rods and cast them all out, settling back and waiting.
Being only about thirty or so feet from either bank, I made sure I kept a close eye on land, just in case. I was glad I did when two infected wandered out of the treeline. They appeared to have not noticed me yet, but I still ducked down, just to be safe. As I watched, three more shuffled out, and all five of them wandered a
round the bank, back and forth. They looked ragged, like they had been out in the woods for quite some time. Even with that, they didn’t look like they were starving, which led me to wonder if the virus didn’t somehow keep the bod running on almost no food. None of the research said anything about that. It was something I would keep in mind and see if we could ever test it.
I sat back in my chair on deck, watching the poles once more, ignoring the infected for the most part, but not drawing attention to myself either. After about two hours without getting even a bite, I decided to reel them in and check the bait, discovering the bait had been nibbled off without disturbing the bobbers. I re-baited all the hooks, and recast.
After about twenty minutes, I finally got a bite, grabbing the pole and snapping it backwards. It appeared the hook caught, as I immediately had tension on the line. After a pretty good ten minute fight, I finally pulled in a beautiful river trout, and a good sized one at that. I pulled the hook out and tossed the fish in the bucket and cast the line back out with fresh bait. Now that they were finally biting, I stayed for about another six hours, pulling in about eighteen trout and bass, all decent size. I had finally had enough and put all of the gear back up and weighed anchor. I raised only one sail and used the river’s current to make my way back to the bay.
Once back in the bay, I raised full sail and headed out to open ocean for a recreational sail. I paid attention to my instruments to make sure I didn’t get too far from shore, and simply sailed up and down the coast for a bit. As the sun went down, the sky turned beautiful as it set. I decided to stay the night on the boat, so I radioed in to the Nimitz that I was planning staying out, and to radio me if there was anything that required my attention. I lowered the anchor then, secured the sails, and headed below deck to enjoy the rest of my night.
Sept. 4th, 2020
I awoke to the gentle swaying of the waves. After relieving myself, I put my pants back on and went above deck. I could see I had drifted towards shore some, but was still about a half a mile south of the bridge, and maybe three quarters to a full mile out. I checked the time, saw it was about six in the morning. I went back below, looking for something to make for breakfast. Unfortunately it seemed I went through all my scant provisions last night with dinner. All the more reason to head back, I thought.