by Revenge
–—
“Supply train is late, Captain.” Captain Mitchell stood in the center of the command station. Steam rose from the coffee cup he was holding and he looked as if his mind was on other things. “Sir, the supply train is late. It was due in here yesterday.” The captain shook his head, clearing away the cobwebs.
“Thank you, master sergeant. Any word from them?”
The younger man shook his head. “No sir, no communication.” Captain Mitchell took a sip of his coffee and his eyes nearly glazed over again.
“Thank you, master sergeant. I don’t think there is anything that we need to concern ourselves with. Please let me know if we haven’t heard from them by 20:00.”
There was some confusion that crept into the master sergeant’s voice. “Um…yes, sir. Anything else?”
Mitchell shook his head and took another sip of his coffee. “Nothing. You are dismissed, master sergeant.” The younger soldier saluted weakly and hurried off to relay their new orders. Captain Mitchell looked at the clock and raised his mug to his lips.
–—
“Incoming transport, please identify.”
The radio crackled the command for the second time as the Stryker team quickly discussed what they should do.
“Why didn’t any of us think about this?” Hayden cursed. “Of course they aren’t going to let us come through without some sort of verification. We’re screwed…”
“Fucked,” Liam interjected. “Remember, it’s the general state of being for us.”
Hayden threw up his hands and rolled his eyes. “Fine…fucked. Alex, what are we going to do?” Everyone’s eyes turned to the man as he went through their options in his head.
Finally, “I guess I’ll talk to them.” The casualness of the statement took everyone aback.
“What? You are just going to…talk? What are you going to say?” Theresa demanded. Alex shrugged.
“Not sure. Guess I’ll see what they ask.” Before anyone could stop him, Alex had the radio in hand.
“This is Command Sergeant Tom Willis. Military transport and supply requesting entrance to Des Moines with cargo.” The radio crackled back to life.
“Command Sergeant Willis, please provide your serial number and authorization for verification.”
“Shit,” Donovan cursed. “We’re…”
“Fucked,” Liam interrupted. Donovan glared at the man.
“Des Moines, I can’t seem to find the authorization for verification,” Alex said into the radio. Eyes went wide around the small cabin of the train. He gave them an exasperated look and mouthed, “What?”
“Des Moines station, please advise.” Silence greeted them from the other side of the radio for a long time. Everyone looked to one another, hoping someone would have a better idea.
“We’d better get off this train,” Luke warned. “They’re going to blow us to hell any minute now.”
“I think I agree with Luke,” Donovan said. “We’re…”
“Fucked,” Liam said nonchalantly.
“Stop it,” Donovan barked. “Alex, we’ll never…”
“Command Sergeant Willis, this is Captain Mitchell of the Des Moines Security Command. Please provide your serial number.”
“That’s it,” Luke said, throwing up his hands. “They’ve got the head honcho on the phone now, and he’s probably got his finger on the button. It was a good…well, it was an idea, but we’d better get off now.”
“Mr. Kemp,” the radio crackled. Everyone in the train cabin stared at the radio. “Mr. Kemp, please be aware that this radio channel is completely secure, as well as this security room. I have cleared the room of all personnel, and I alone can hear our conversation.”
Almost everyone in the Stryker team was shaking their heads at Alex, trying to get him to keep his mouth shut and not speak to the voice on the radio. Alex didn’t listen.
“Captain Mitchell, this is Alex Kemp. How’s my daughter?”
“Alive, well, and completely secure. She’s been waiting for you for some time now.”
Jaws dropped as they heard what Captain Mitchell said. “Captain Mitchell,” Alex continued, “how can I know to trust you?” He waited for a reply.
“You can’t know, Mr. Kemp,” the voice responded. “But you’ll have to trust me. I have been in contact with your informant. He’s had some very persuasive conversations with a few of us. I can get you into the compound, but once in, it’ll be up to you.”
Alex nodded despite the fact that the voice couldn’t see the gesture. “Okay, trust. What do we need to do?”
–—
The train slowed to a stop inside the Des Moines compound, the squealing of the brakes causing the dock workers to keep their distance. The train stopped and rocked back on the tracks as it settled. The dock workers started towards the rail cars when a low moan rose up from inside the rail cars. The dock workers stopped where they stood and looked at each other, confused. The sound of sliding doors opening followed by the unholy roar of thousands of zombies set the dock workers running.
Alarms sounded throughout the complex and a harsh and tinny voice issued over the loudspeakers.
“Enemies in the compound! Zombies have entered the compound! All men to your stations! All men to you stations!”
The Stryker team continued working their way down the back side of the train, sliding open the doors just wide enough to allow a single stream of zombies to exit. Theresa followed close behind the others, rifle raised, putting down any zombie that got too close.
“Hurry up,” Theresa yelled back as she put a bullet through another zombie’s head. No one responded, instead putting the last of their effort into sliding the doors open faster. Once the last of the doors was opened, the Stryker team swung their rifles from around their backs and prepared to move out.
“Come on,” Luke yelled. “Let’s get the hell out of here!” He barreled around the corner of the train without looking.
“Wait!” Donovan called, reaching out to stop him.
Gunfire erupted from the opposite side of the train and bullets danced across the ground. Luke stumbled backwards, his body riddled with holes. He fell to the ground and lay still.
“Luke!” Theresa yelled, but was stopped by Liam.
“He dead! We’ve got to get out of here!” Liam looked frantically around them, desperately searching for a way out. “Up! Everybody up on the sides of the train.” Liam pushed Theresa towards the nearest ladder as he turned and squeezed the trigger of his rifle. Two zombies who had come dangerously close dropped.
The remaining four of the Stryker team climbed the only ladder accessible to them. Hanging from the sides of the ladder, they struggled to keep their feet above the reach of the waiting zombies below.
“This isn’t working out very well,” Liam said trying for a little humor in his voice. No one laughed. “Anyone have any good ideas? I’m tapped out.” Gunfire erupted once more from the other side of the train, this time as the freed zombies began to make their way around the side of the train. Alex and the others instinctively ducked.
“Okay,” Hayden said. “Do you think they knew Luke was alive, or did he just get popped by an overly zealous trigger finger?” Everyone looked at him confused. “Listen, we’re screwed…”
“Fucked…”
“Shut up, Liam!” Theresa snapped.
“Both of you,” Hayden said. “Listen, if they thought Luke was a zombie, then I have an idea. We call out for help.”
“Are you crazy?!” Alex yelled. “And just announce where they are supposed to aim their guns? I don’t think…”
“Once again, we don’t have many options here,” Hayden interrupted. “They have no way of knowing that we aren’t supposed to be here. They are going to find us one way or another, either hanging here, torn to pieces by zombies, or riddled with bullets. We can’t really be that picky.”
“Okay,” Alex said. “It’s been a pleasure,” he said in an aside to them all.
Hayden pulled himself up to the top of the rail car, barely sticking his head above the upper edge. With his free hand, he waived to get the attention of some of the shooters on the deck. “Help! Help! We’re trapped here! Help!” Some of the soldiers on the deck stopped their relentless rain of gunfire on the approaching zombies and waived back to Hayden. They began touching others on the shoulders, pointing in Hayden’s direction. They waived for him to come over the top of the train.”
“Here goes nothing,” Hayden said taking a deep breath. “Wait for me to get over the top. If I’m still alive, we’ll make a break for the front of the train. Everyone nodded and Hayden slowly pulled himself over the edge of the rail car. The remaining three held their breath as they waited for Hayden’s bloody body to come falling over the side. Instead, his grinning face appeared over the edge.
“Let’s go!” he yelled and reached down to help Theresa up. One by one, the Stryker team made their way to the top of the rail cars.
“So far so good,” Alex said. He tilted his head in the direction of the train engine. “We can get off down there.” Everyone started running as fast as they could towards the front of the train, jumping from one car to the next in a mad dash for the front of the train. Two cars away from their goal, a blood chilling announcement came over the loudspeaker.
“Intruders in the compound! This is General Hill! The intruders have breached the defenses and brought the zombies into the compound! Neutralize them at all cost!”
The sound of gunfire eased for just a moment as the Stryker team and every soldier in the compound realized what had just been said. They were toast.
Bullets ripped through air around them and sparked off the roof of the rail car at their feet. Diving for the raised platform on the backside of the train engine, the four intruders landed heavily and rolled to a stop.
“This isn’t going very well,” Liam said rubbing his banged up shoulder. Bullets chipped up pieces of concrete around the team. Scrambling up, Alex bolted for the nearest door. He threw it open, gun raised at the ready.
Two soldiers started and jumped backwards, throwing themselves off balance. It was just enough time for Alex to react. His gun barked out two short bursts, catching the men in their chests. Their backwards momentum continued and the two soldiers dropped to the floor and didn’t move.
“This way!” Alex called back, not stopping to think about what had just happened. Everyone scrambled through the door and away from the oncoming gunfire.
“Now what?!” Liam called. Everyone looked around briefly to get their bearings and plan their next move.
“We can’t stay here,” Donovan said. “Door down the hall. Let’s go.” The Stryker team quickly moved down the vacant hallway, moving their guns from side to side as they searched for any threats that may be present. The sound of unrelenting gunfire still echoed through the hallway from the train stop outside. The distraction was working, at least for the time.
Reaching the door, Donovan placed a hand on the doorknob and waited for the others to ready themselves. Donovan pulled the door open quickly and the Stryker team entered in single file, each one moving to a practiced position in order to provide cover for the rest of the team entering. “Clear!” each called in order once zero threats were encountered.
This scenario continued through the next few rooms as the Stryker team continued moving through the compound, sometimes waiting quietly as they listened to soldiers running towards the zombie threat. “This is getting us nowhere,” Liam said. “We have no idea where we are supposed to be going.”
“Agreed. Do you know where he are headed?” Alex asked sarcastically.
Liam rolled his eyes. “Hell no. I’m just along for the ride.”
The Stryker team continued moving through the compound, putting as much distance between them and the zombie distraction outside. Once more they prepared to enter another doorway, steeling themselves for an ambush.
The door opened and the team raced in. This room, however, was not empty like all the others. A lone individual stood in the middle of the room facing away from the door, arms raised above his head.
“Don’t move,” Alex yelled at the man. All rifles were aimed at the man’s back as the team quickly moved to encircle him. Once done, Alex took stock of their situation and noticed a note clutched in the man’s hand. “Where is General Hill?” Alex demanded. “Where can we find him?”
The man smiled at Alex. “Good. It’s you.” The man sounded relieved. “The sergeant major said you’d make it. This is a map and access codes. The sergeant major wants you to know that our team is forming up. We will provide you and your men with as much cover fire as we can as you find your daughter.” The man carefully looked around him at the five individuals standing there. “We were hoping for a few more, but I guess we’ll take what we can get. Here,” he said, holding out the documents for Alex to take. Everyone called for his to freeze. He did so immediately.
“How can we trust you?” Alex demanded. The man smiled again.
“Unfortunately, I have no way of proving our loyalty. You’ll just have to trust us on blind faith.” He shrugged. “You really don’t have many other options.”
Alex rolled his eyes. “Don’t we know.” He snagged the documents from the soldier’s hand and moved away to look at them. “Are these accurate?”
The man nodded. “I wouldn’t be here if they weren’t. Follow the track provided, and it will lead you to the general in the safest route available. Our team will lock down that area of the compound and work to keep everyone out, but you won’t have much time. Once General Hill finds out what we are doing, he will call in every available gun he can. Depending on how well your zombie distraction works, he may not be able to hold out for very long.” The man smiled wider and shook his head. “That was a damn good idea, by the way. Using zombies as a fighting force? Brilliant.”
Alex gave the man a look of horror. “Thanks? But it wasn’t my plan. You can thank Donovan for that.” Alex pointed towards the brains behind their distraction.
The man turned to Donovan and gave a thumbs up. “Brilliant!” he said. Donovan rolled his eyes and shook his head.
“Um…thanks.” Donovan turned his attention to Alex. “Okay, where are we headed now?”
–—
“Hold your fire!” Captain Mitchell called to his men as Alex and the others streaked down the hallway towards General Hill’s inner sanctuary. “Friendlies coming in!” Captain Mitchell’s men pointed their rifles at the ground as Alex and the three others passed through their defensive line. “I’m Captain Mitchell,” he said by way of an introduction. “You must be Mr. Kemp?”
“They’re coming,” Alex said to Mitchell, trying to catch his breath. “There were a couple of dozen not that far behind. Sorry.” Mitchell smiled and clapped Alex on the shoulder.
“Not to worry. This is an excellent choke point. We’ll make sure you have some time. General Hill is holed up in the command center, but he’s got guards with him.”
“Where’s my daughter?” Alex panted. “Where is she?”
Captain Mitchell’s expression dropped. “She’s in the command center with him.” Alex’s face went pale and he nearly lost his balance. Mitchell reached out to steady him. “She’s okay, Mr. Kemp. But Hill knew you were coming. She was the first thing he went to get when the alarms sounded. She’ll be okay as long as Cuzman is with her.”
“Who?” Alex asked, confused.
“Sergeant Major Cuzman. He’s been the one sending you your information. He’s been the one that has been looking after your daughter.”
Alex looked to Liam and Hayden, both of which had surprised looks on their faces. “Wasn’t he at New Hope?” Alex asked. Both men nodded. “I don’t understand,” Alex said, turning back to the captain. “That man participated in the murder of our families. He was there when General Hill kidnapped my daughter…”
“Not according to him,” Captain Mitchell cut in. “I can’t say to what happened at
New Hope, but Sergeant Major Cuzman swears he was not involved in what happened, that he tried to stop it. He’s been looking after your daughter ever since, making sure that she is safe and taken care of. That I can speak to. The girl rarely left his sight since they arrived here.”
“And where is acting President Champion?” Donovan asked. The question surprised everyone.
“I’m sorry?” Captain Mitchell asked. “May I ask why you need to know that information?”
“Because he is the cause of all of this,” Donovan said, sweeping his arm around to encompass everything. “All of this, this war, the zombies…all of it was put in motion by Vice President Champion.”
“And just what evidence do you have to convince me of your accusations?” Captain Mitchell said defensively.
Donovan looked the man in the eyes. “Absolutely none. Only speculation, conjecture, and some very tenuous information.”
“Then, I’m sorry, but I can’t give you…
“You asked us to trust you, unconditionally and without evidence. We’re asking for the same.” Mitchell stood facing Donovan. He remained silent. “Something that Sergeant Major Cuzman said about us convinced you to help us, most likely to your death. And you, for whatever reasons of your own have chosen to trust him and our reasons for coming here. Tell us the President’s location.”
Captain Mitchell continued his silence for another minute longer. His concentration was broken by the call of “incoming” from his first line of soldiers. Mitchell took up his defensive position and motioned for the Stryker team to take cover. “Halt!” he called down the hall to the oncoming soldiers, but their guns opened fire.
One of Captain Mitchell’s men went down immediately, his throat torn out by a bullet. Everyone else unleashed a hail of bullets on the enemy soldiers. Alex and his men ducked behind a corner.
“Dammit!” Captain Mitchell cursed. “Fine. I don’t know why I’m going to believe you, but I’m going to believe you. President Champion is here, but he’s not with General Hill. I have some of my men guarding him. I’ll have to go with you if you want to get in to see him.”