"That's not it, Sir. Ah shit, Sir. Bridget's dead. Died protecting the kids. The Major saw her go down standing over them firing away. He couldn't get to her in time. Also eight of the children she was protecting are dead. Mostly eaten. I lost my lunch when I saw the scene, Sir. Just don't go." He was dead serious.
I stood there; I don't know how long, stunned. Unable to move. Bridget gone? Eight Children in one group? All gone? I felt someone wrap their arms around me in a hug from behind and briefly looking over my should saw it was my LSS. What the fuck was happening?
"Sir. Look. I know you think as the leader you need to go there and see this. You don't. Has nothing to do with leadership. We need you everywhere. Not just in that one spot. Also, you want to remember Bridget the way she was the last time you saw her. Not now. Not like this. Sir. Her face is gone and the kids are... Sir! You need to concentrate. It's obvious they’re going after the kids. Concentrate on that. Let us do that for you, Sir. We need to check on that Trustee's group too. Estimates are at least several thousand came from that direction along Highway 82."
I heard his words and slowly nodded. All I wanted to do was hold her alive in my arms again. Hug and kiss her. Remember what we had, however brief it was. I nodded again looking him in the eyes.
"How's Jessica and your kids?" he smiled briefly at my question.
"Good Sir and thank you for asking. They're in a house just over there outside the Compound. That's where we are staying. Zombies didn't really go after the houses. They could have. With those numbers it would have been easy pickings but they didn't. They concentrated on our main compound after somebody started wiping them out with a monster truck! Thank God for whoever that was. The bad part is they targeted the children first in every instance I saw."
"Yeah. We need to figure out what's going on." I smiled inwardly because I knew who those two in the monster truck were.
"Sir. Get to the CAPC and get on the net and coordinate for us. You know this area better than anyone else. You're in command. Do your job, Sir!" I nodded again sighing.
"Right. Come on LSS." I muttered and trudged to the CAPC near the end of the buildings. It had its own little spot. Close to the main entrance so I could get to it quickly first thing every morning for updates. "Why are you here anyways? I thought you'd be coordinating communication."
"I was. Then my trainee Zeke took over."
"Zeke? I thought Sam said he was a pothead and totally brain dead."
"Well he was, but after he really came down off that crap and started thinking again, he's actually a really smart kid."
"Hmmm. okay." What else could I say?
The inside was nice and warm with hot air blowing in my face as I opened the hatch. I sat on a stool while my LSS checked on reports and started feeding me information. Zeke was at the end, busy with the remote monitoring. I needed to shake out of this. Get it in gear. I sighed again, leaned over while turning Corey toward me, and kissed her softly. Yeah I knew she liked domination but it just wasn't in me right now and besides Zeke was here. Her arms went around my neck returning my kiss three fold. I felt a little better. No I felt like shit but we had work to do. I separated myself from her and pulled out one of the local maps we kept here.
"All right LSS I'm not up on all the units we have operating right now. Remind me tomorrow to force them to integrate immediately." I saw her nod and knew she would. Her memory was freaking awesome. "How are the southern units doing?"
"Good Sir. Light resistance once the main body of zombies was destroyed. Many escaped into the woods."
"Yeah figured that. Their getting smarter. Another note. Find out why they can walk underwater now. Also, find out why they're getting smarter. Put more people on the short wave's and glean the mil traffic."
"Yes, Sir."
"Pull some units from the southern group and send them to check on the First Baptist Church bunch and Devils Hole. I have a really bad feeling about the church. And have someone find Miguel. I need him."
"Yes, Sir."
There was urgent banging on the hatch. It wrenched open and the Major Weston staggered in. I jumped up and helped him to a stool half carrying him. He nodded his thanks and threw some drivers licenses down in front of me. He was covered in blood and stank like zombie shit. At least six field dressings adorned his body and I could see his shoulder was bleeding again. He looked like the poster child for an emergency medical unit.
"We have trouble Commander. Big trouble." I had noticed he was no longer called me Jay. Weird.
"No shit Dan. Trying to add to my heaping plate of bad shit?"
"These two from Muskegon." he pushed two drivers licenses at me. One male the other female. "These three zombies are from Grand Rapids, and these three are from Lansing and there's more of each." he was separating his pile of licenses and sorting them into stacks for me. He turned and looked at me.
"What? Their migrating, it's obvious." I responded.
"Agreed Sir but think about it. You have over a million people in Muskegon. Almost a million in Grand Rapids and a million and a half in Lansing. Do the math."
"We're fucked." I said it in a whisper after a short pause. I could do the math.
"Maybe, maybe not." He responded and was silent for a moment deep in thought. I let him be for I was also. No way we had enough ammunition to counter that number. Maybe, just maybe if my long range plans worked. I didn't know.
"Sir, we have to figure out a way to take them out more efficiently. There were almost four-hundred million people in the United States a week ago and if ninety percent or seventy percent, hell even fifty percent or anything even remotely close to it are these zombies, then we need a new plan. We need to figure out what can kill them besides bullets and grenades because I'm not positive there is enough manufactured ammunition to do the job."
"Or find the bastards who did this and make them reverse it." I muttered. Everything he said made sense and I had already considered that. Actually there was enough ammunition but I would break that to my entire crew at another time. He was looking at me again in that studied way.
"You have no doubt it's manmade and deliberate." He said it as a statement not a question.
"Dan it was the vaccine that turned them into zombies. I'm a long way from stupid." He chuckled at that comment.
"No you’re anything but stupid. There's no way to reverse it though. You do realize this yes, Sir?"
"I know Dan. The fever would have burned out any cognizant brain cells worth keeping. I do know this. But if even one percent survive until spring that's four million people in the United States alone. That's way more than needed to recreate a fully functional modern society. It would not take long for us to bring select industries back online and get things moving forward. I'm not a doomsayer that expects to revert to the ninth century, and I have plans that might get us full electrical power back within a week."
"Correct Sir. More than enough as you say." He had raised his eyebrows at my mention of power then with obvious reluctance dropped it for now. "We'll talk more about this later Sir, and this shadow government we're all worried about, but tomorrow. Right now we both have jobs to do."
"To right Major and since you’re obviously ambulatory consider yourself on active duty again. No more bed rest and pretty nurses." It was a joke but he started laughing with an amazing amount of gusto. He had touched a nerve with the shadow government comment. I would explore that more with him tomorrow.
Just then the hatch swung open again and a red-faced middle-aged woman burst in with a frightened look on her face. I feared the worse. The zombies were re-attacking.
"Major!" Her look, tone and body language was directed at Weston. He looked surprised and a bit pleased. "You should be in bed. What are you doing out of bed? I'm going to fail my nursing exams if you keep this up." She was mothering over him. Crying out at his various wounds. I only needed a split second look to realize it had nothing to do with nursing and everything to do with her feelings for him and from th
e look on his face, they were reciprocated.
"Now Judy, I'm fine. I'm also on active duty again." he was smiling at her in a very tender way that really looked out of place on his face.
"Active duty? But you’re wounded. How could they?" The Major was pointing at me and her gaze swiveled in my direction. Oh I get it. Blame the chief eh? My estimation of the Major's feelings for her rose about five notches at the same time.
"Yes, Judy is it? He's back on active duty. Sorry about that but if he can stagger out and kill five-hundred or so zombies while suffering multiple wounds he can do the rest of his duties. You can blame me."
"Governor it isn't right. We're not ready; I mean he's not ready." Well that cinched it.
"Well Judy I have an idea. Since he did experience more wounds in battle I'm pretty sure he'll need a nurse by his side twenty-four/seven for the foreseeable future to mitigate any unforeseen complications with his recovery." I saw it took her a second to process that one but the Major was trying hard not to burst out laughing.
"In fact," I continued. "It might be wise to make friends with my LSS here. Sorry I mean Corporal Corey Rider." I jabbed a thumb in her direction. She was smiling at the interaction speaking almost sub audibly into her microphone. Multitasking. The women smiled at each other and instantly hugged. I shrugged. Weston muttered.
"Women always hug. Is this where we hug, Sir?"
"Only if you want another wound, Major." I replied totally serious. And he started laughing again. It took him a minute to stop and I saw fresh blood seeping through his bandages.
"Okay Judy get him out of here. He's bleeding all over my clean CAPC and that's sort of irritating. If he doesn't stop, his first job will be on a cleanup detail." They all laughed but she helped him to his feet and they left. I smiled after them.
"Well LSS some happiness for a shit day after all."
"Yes, Sir." And she was settling in my lap kissing me tenderly then molding herself around and hugged me tightly. I really needed that. All her curves fitting in all the right places. In fact, all my women were almost the same size and fit against me perfectly. We stayed like that for a minute then she jerked.
"Incoming traffic, Sir. One moment." and she jumped up taking her softness with her. Damn.
"Sir. Not going to like this. FBC is wiped. Totally." I knew the term and the connotation. No survivors. Shit almighty! Nothing like bad news on top of bad news.
"Are they sure they're wiped?" I responded. I was so tired.
"Their calling into the woods and checking but so far no survivors. The unit sent to Devil's Hole reports their fine and he suspects their getting drunk on moonshine. Some was offered to his squad, which he refused. Said it smelled a bit too 'new'." I had to shake my head at that one but it figured.
Well thank god Les's group had none of the children with them. Combined with those that had left there would have been upwards of fifty or sixty kids with them but I hadn't permitted them to take any until they were viable. Seems they weren't.
Someone banged on the hatch again and it opened with Dr. Minasian's tired visage peering in. He looked at me making sure it was me I think and slowly came in.
"We have all the survivors stabilized. I need to get back for two surgeries but I wanted you to know that, Jay."
"Thank you Doctor. Is there a count on the dead yet."
I saw him hesitate then look at me, a sad expression on his face. "Yes Jay. Forty-four children died tonight and forty-two adults."
I stood up instantly, anguish on my face. Fuck! Forty-four children? Okay things were going to change and like in the next twenty-four hours. Those fire zones were going in place pronto. It took me a few minutes to get myself under control before I could speak to the Doctor. I swallowed heavily.
"Thanks Doc." he nodded and left. I turned to my LSS.
"Recall our outer units and have Sgt. Trask set up heavy patrols." she nodded and got busy.
I had a lot to think about. Sometime in the next day or two we would bury our dead with all honors and affection. Then we would get busy. We'd figure it out and make it work. This was too much blood, brains and bullets for my taste. From tomorrow forward would start a new chapter in our existence. The Legacy of the Living.
Epilogue
Don paused before knocking on the Doctor's door. He was worried. Things were getting out of hand quicker than anyone expected. He firmly believed in the order but things were unraveling too fast for his peace of mind. Only a week and already three expeditions were missing. They only had twelve out and each had its own area to secure. They had two backup expeditions and he had issued orders for their immediate deployment but he had little hope of them reaching their assigned positions.
The infected were everywhere, and migrating from the major cities in droves searching for food. Whole grids were going black and that was not a good sign. And the Doctor. Sure, he was in charge but he was treating all the women like personal pets and they didn't like it one bit. They had all signed on to the project. Given an oath and dedicated their lives but that didn't necessarily mean free sex anytime the boss asked for it. Already there had been several examples made of non-compliant women. As intended, it had scared the others into submission but only for now. It had also made a great many of the men angry. Especially these 'surgeries' the Doctor was starting to order on some of the Technicians, men whom he claimed suddenly had inferior genes. That was going over like a large lead sinker in a bucket of water.
Finally, he knocked and the call to enter was received so he opened the door walking to the doctor’s large desk. As he approached, he saw the soles of two very petite shoes facing him from under the desk. Oh Man, he's got a girl in here right now sucking him off. No wonder there's a shit-eating grin on his face. The doctor’s desk was large and high so thank God he didn't have to see the head of whomever he had coerced bobbing up and down. This wasn't cool at all.
"Sir. I have dispatched our two reserve expeditions to take the place of two that have failed to report." he saw the Doctor shove a hand down then lean forward with a grunt.
"There were three Don. Did you forget?" Oh, shit. Lynch was cranky obviously.
"Of course not, Doctor. I did not send an expedition to Michigan to replace that expedition. I'll handle that one myself." His reply was almost a snarl and the Doctor was slightly taken aback then relaxed and his hand did something under the desk and a smile slowly sufficed his face again as he nodded.
"All right Don well you know best. I assume you'll be taking some of the armored Humvees. How many do you think?"
"Not hardly Sir. I'll be flying."
"Flying? But our Air capacity isn't that great. We have considerably more armor than air assets because we've lost some recently."
"Granted Sir but there is no way I'm committing suicide, and no way I'll let anyone make me. Those expeditions I just sent out at your orders are of course dead within forty-eight hours. No way can they survive the infected masses. I'll fly, thank you."
The Doctor stared at him for a full minute without speaking then finally nodded.
"Well do as you see fit, Don."
"I always will Doctor." he saw the Doctor frown at that.
"Michigan. That's where your friend Jean is correct?"
"If you mean the friend of mine you met that you tried to get DNA from because of her massive breasts then that would be correct, Sir. I'll go reel her in and stomp out wherever she's hiding.”
"Well Don, I assure you it wasn't the breasts. Of course they were quite large and noticeable but to a Doctor her complexion and bearing and obvious intelligence were equally noticeable and that's why I wanted a DNA sample." The Doctor smiled smugly at him and Don didn't believe a word of it. He would find Jean on his own and make her one of his pets. He already had several willing pets and an unwilling one at this point was perfectly acceptable. He turned and left without responding.
*****
DAY 8: 0400 ET
Miguel finally reached me. I was sitting alo
ne by the kerosene heater in my new living quarters in my recliner brought from my old home, my feet propped close and the Rottweiler pup lay sleeping in my lap. I was gently stroking it as I thought about today, tonight. My women and our children were all sleeping together in the two double beds pushed together, another heater keeping them warm. I would join them soon.
"Señor I am here. I apologize for the delay."
"Miguel it's fine. I know how busy you've been."
"Jay, my friend. There are four children missing. I must tell you this even though I know you will not like it."
Instantly tears welled up in my eyes again. I had just finished remembering everything Pete and I had done together and how much I missed by best bud and now this.
"They're gone Miguel. I doubt we'll find them or if we do I'm quite sure we'll wish we hadn't."
"Sí.“Silence for a bit as we both remembered lost friends. Then...
"Señor Jay, how can you blindly take so many chances, knowing that your niños will be without a padre if one of your plans doesn't work out? You been lucky so far but will it work out the next time? ¿Por qué?"
I paused at his words. No, I hadn't been lucky exactly. Yes, my children and I were alive but no, not all had been luck. I remembered Dorothy handing a child off to another at a dead run before diving into a group of zombies about to catch them. She hadn't been lucky. I remembered little Jacks parents in little clumps of bloody flesh with him the only survivor through their strength and diligence and sacrifice, I remembered Sandy crying over the still form of Pete in a long line of bodies. Bodies of those we loved. I remembered way to many others also. They hadn't been lucky. I knew what I would say. It was so much a part of me and a part of us as a living breathing caring species.
"Why?" I looked up and stared at him. "Because we are who we really are. All around us are good people I trust." And I mentioned Michael, and Sam and Jason. Then the Major, beaten up as he was yet still standing strong and ready for more, screaming defiance as the hordes rose against him. I continued pointing out all the others around us, the soldiers and civilians, many with wounds, some with grievous wounds yet still upright and more than ready to give their all yet again.
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