In order to attempt the trek back before, he would need a lot of luck on his side, for the first part of the plan to work. Starting the fire was easy, flames soon crept up the doors and began to take hold. The more difficult part of the plan, was breathing, as there were no windows in the corridor to exhale the acrid smoke. He hoped that he could breathe in enough clean air from the small gap under the exit doors at the other end of the corridor. Mark now lay on his stomach, with his face pressed to the small gap underneath the ancient doors. Despite the air this low being breathable, it left a rancid taste in the back of his throat, and the rotten smell that came with it was nauseating. As the fire ate into the wooden doors and the room began to fill with the dark, cloying smoke, Mark continued to gulp in mouthfuls of air from the outside. He was amazed to be staring at what appeared to be hundreds of pairs of feet, on the other side of the locked door. It was strange that they all just seemed to be standing there waiting. Survivors had learnt after the first few days not to make noise to attract them; it just drew them to the door, and they had pounded on it for hours on end. If he ever made it outside Mark feared what had become of all those people, he sensed something evil had possessed them, but he had made a promise to Emma that should she die, he would escape. So Mark waited patiently for the fire to go out, he would hen test the doors to see if he could keep his promise.
Berwick-Upon-Tweed, England, 20th July, 22:15 GMT
“So much for the safe zone.” General Terence Harper grumbled to the room full of guests, each being summoned for the latest military briefing aboard the HMS Dragon destroyer. The collected group all sat staring at the satellite pictures taken of the small town yesterday afternoon. “By now you have all been briefed on the collapse of Berwick, and the loss of our nuclear launch codes at the Government bunker at Battersea.” The general announced. Harper looked agitated, when a hand shot up into the air, “Yes what is it?” He didn’t know the name of the individual who dared to interrupt him, and he wasn’t that bothered if he ever come to learn of it. “Why is the retrieval of the launch codes such an issue sir?” “Because our ground forces have been decimated. I should think that it would be obvious, look.” He bellowed as he pointed towards the satellite imagery. The unknown officer relented in his pursuit, “But sir, every country across the world is suffering the same fate as us. Why would they launch an attack on Britain, when they can’t even defend their own country?” Harper slammed his hands down on the large table, in front of him, he wanted to express his disdain for an officer questioning his motives. “Why don’t you ask the President of the USA that same question?” Harper paused for effect as the officer squirmed in his seat. “Oh you can’t, because he got shot down by the North Koreans, whist returning from his little revenge mission.” The General sarcastically spat at his young inquisitor.
“Now if you have no more stupid questions to ask, would it be possible to find a solution to our little problem?” Harper asked, glaring at the officer. Another officer decided to raise his hand. “Yes?” The officer seemed reluctant to address his superior, he knew from experience that if his idea wasn’t acceptable, he would be met with a verbal baptism of fire from Harper. “All of our ground forces are presumed lost, and any that are still active are acting on their own, of their own accord.” Frustration spread across Harper’s face, “Do you have something worthwhile to add to that summary?” “Yes sir, sorry I was getting around to it.” “Any chance you can do it a bit faster then?” To the nervous officer it now felt as if the room was ready to swallow him up, “We still have access to the emergency bunkers, and their relevant staff. Why don’t we send each of the teams to Battersea to retrieve the codes for us?” Thankfully for the officer, his idea had caught the attention of his superior, “What makes you think that they would be willing to leave the safety of their bunkers for a field mission?” “That’s easy sir, we take the safety away from them.” “Carry on, you’ve got my attention.” Harper informed the officer as he sat forward.
“The bunkers were designed with two fail-safes that none of the bunker staff were ever made aware of, as well as the one they do know of.” The young officer came across with much more confidence now, as he scanned the room he smiled as he noted that he had everyone’s undivided attention. “We theorised that if a bunker ever fell into the wrong hands, that we should be able to control its use from the outside. With that in mind we have full access to their power supplies, utilities and controls.” Harper looked amazed by the officer’s statement, “You mean we can control absolutely everything from here?” “Yes sir, absolutely everything.” “What was the second failsafe you spoke of?” “We also reasoned that each bunker should have a second entrance, hidden within the tunnels of the underground system, should we ever need to enter one.” As he paused for breath again the group of officers began to get agitated, eager to hear the third fail-safe that the bunker staff did know about. “Each bunker administrator has a black master key card that will open any of the bunker entrances, once the card has been authorised.” “Is it worth authorising them then?” Harper asked as he sat and thought. The rest of the group sat in silence, as they studied their superior, who was now in charge of the country, until a surviving member of the Government was found. All decisions relating to the country would rest upon Harper’s shoulders. “Okay give them twelve hours’ notice. Tell them that the power will be turned off for everything apart from communications links, and it will remain that way until we have the launch codes. Inform them of the hidden entrances in the underground network. Encourage their support and then let them down gently when you tell them that both the main entrance at Battersea will open automatically, and will be waiting for them.” “Yes sir.” “One more thing officer, I want both entrances to every other bunker opened automatically, just in case we get lucky and survivors stumble upon one.” “Right away sir.” The officer said and then darted off in the direction of the bridge to carry out his orders.
The journey through the eastbound tunnel was slow, as the visibility was close to zero. With only the odd paraffin lamp illuminating a tiny area, it was hung in, being their only respite from the dark. They had to grope around in the dark in most places, as the walls hardly ever ran in a straight line for long. At some point they had decided to link arms to ensure no one was left behind, this had made their progress even slower. After what had happened in the station entrance, none of them were in too much of a rush, knowing that they would soon have to explain to the Grubby Ones boss exactly what had happened back at Tower Hill.
No one had mentioned the incident, and it was as if it had never happened. Morgan had raced straight over to Kathy after the dramatic conclusion of events, to check she was okay. She had dismissed the whole affair and seemed to be more concerned at Penny’s wellbeing. When Penny had stressed to them that she was fine, that was the end of it, and discussions moved onto other subjects. “How far is the next station now?” Shanice impatiently asked Morgan again by tugging at his sleeve. “Not too far I think,” Morgan replied, hoping that he was right. A double tug to his sleeve made him stop completely, “But I need to go to the toilet Morgan.” “I think most of us do Shanice. Is there any chance you can hold on for just a few more minutes?” He could just about see Shanice shaking her head, even though he was only a few inches away from her. “Oh no, if I have to hold on anymore I will definitely explode.” Morgan couldn’t help but laugh at her, “Now I don’t think any of us wish for you to explode darling.” The rest of them joined in laughing with Morgan, it was amazing to all of them how the little girl’s innocence seemed to be the greatest cure for the disaster that was around them. “Hold up everybody it looks like it is time for a toilet break.” Morgan announced to the others. “Thank God for that, I thought I was going to piss myself.” Heather blurted out, and then when remembering that Shanice was with them, she quickly apologised, “Sorry guys.” “So I’m not the only one exploding then?” Shanice asked whilst giggling to herself.
Just ten feet to the
ir right, hung another of the paraffin lanterns, it just about lit up the recess it sat in. The women all moved as one towards the dim light, whilst the men turned away from them, facing the other direction, out of courtesy. Looking up the train line Morgan was certain he could just about make out the outline of a stationary train up ahead, he hoped that the station itself was just past that. The quicker he could lead the group out of the darkness the safer they would all feel. After the incident back at the previous station he didn’t intend staying around too long. The men stood far enough away from the makeshift toilet area that they couldn’t be overheard. Jackson thought now was a good time to check on Morgan, “How you holding up Jay?” “Yeah I’m okay thanks Jackson.” “That was rough back there mate, some of us could have got hurt.” “Yeah it was mate, after everything that’s happened the last few days I’m impressed with the girls, they have been rocks.” Jackson nodded in agreement at Morgan’s statement, “This world was fucked up enough before the outbreak. Now it is just FUBAR.” Morgan half laughed at Jackson, I hear what you’re saying bro. Don’t know what is worse, whether it’s the zombies of the survivors that tarnish it more. Jackson then turned to Gerard, “What about you mate? Are you okay?” The younger man asked. “Yeah I’m holding up Jackson, all I worry about is what all of this is doing to my little girl.” “Yep exploding daughters isn’t good for you I’d imagine?” Morgan chirped in and instantly made the three of them laugh.
“Hey boys, are you going to hang around chatting in the dark all day?” Shanice’s voice interrupted from their men only chat. “No Shanice, we are ready to go, but less of the cheek please madam?” “Ok Daddy, sorry.” “Well let’s crack on now then, shall we?” Morgan jokingly asked, in a half attempt to get Shanice of the hook from her father. He continued, “I can see the train ahead, and hopefully the station is the other side of it.” The group then reformed their chain link, and once again began their trek towards Monument station.
They had only taken a few steps when they were suddenly blinded by a strange light turning on, one that their dilated pupils weren’t ready to accept. After the initial shock had worn off Morgan could see that five spot lights had lit up the area in front of them. Some of them still shielded their eyes with their hands, and were reluctant to look at the new light. “Why have they turned on?” Morgan was asked with the familiar shirt tug. “We don’t know Princess.” Her father was quick to reply to her. Another light flicked on in the recess that they had just left. In the pitch black darkness they weren’t able to see any of the features of their makeshift loo, but now with the light illuminating the entire area everyone stood staring at the mysterious door. Morgan wondered how long that doorway had been there, but he could tell from the new bricks built around its frame that it hadn’t been there for long.
When the small sign above the doorway was illuminated all the survivors could do was stare up at in shocked silence. “Welcome to Chatsworth Bunker.” Shanice read aloud to the others. Morgan and Kathy just looked at each other, “Did you know that was there?” Morgan asked her. Morgan didn’t need her to answer the question as she still looked dumfounded by the doors existence. A faint buzzer sounded, and then the door amazingly clicked open. “I don’t know about you, but I want to know why there is another entrance to the bunker, that I didn’t know about.” Kathy said as she gave Morgan’s arm the slightest of squeezes. “I’m with you on that one. We wasn’t briefed about a second entrance either.” “Is this your bunker?” Shanice wanted to know. She turned to the little girl and smiled, “Yes it is, shall we go and get you some ice cream?” “Oh my god, yes please. I thought ice cream was extinct now like the do-dos.” Every one of them chuckled as they walked through the open door.
The doorway led to a narrow corridor, which was lined from floor to ceiling in metal sheets. It was no surprise to Kathy that the rest of the group held back, so that she would have to lead the way forward. She kept the thought to herself that she knew nothing of this entrance, and that she was walking into the unknown, as much as the rest of them. She had absolutely no idea where this entrance led to, even though she had studied the blueprints for the bunker. Walking into the unknown she continued, happy to go first as long as it kept the others reassured.
With the corridor being so narrow there was hardly any room to move within it once all eight members of the party had entered it. At the far end of the corridor was a second door, and to the right of that sat a key card slot. After rummaging through the pockets of her bag, Kathy eventually found the master key she was looking for. She nervously slid the card into the reader and waited for the small light above the lock to change from red to green, before hearing the satisfying click of the locks being disengaged. There wasn’t any hesitation from the soldier, as she entered the second door, prompting the others to follow suit.
All that waited for them on the other side of the door, was a lift. There were no signs, no digital welcoming screen, just a bland metal lined corridor, slightly wider than the last. As they moved forward Kathy felt some comfort from hearing the door close behind them, and then electronically locking securely. She didn’t like the thought that someone else could stumble across the secret passage, and then just walk in. If the contents of the hallway had been disappointing to them; the lift would hardly enthral them. Once gain it was lined with the same metal panels, there wasn’t even a button pad mounted into the wall for them to operate, all that was featured in the wall was another key card slot.
As soon as Kathy inserted the black card into the slot the tiny carriages doors closed behind them. The lift began to ascend for a short period, before it came to a halt, but the doors didn’t open back up. The group all started to look around the carriage, and then at one another, as if seeking an answer from each other as to why the doors wouldn’t open. It wasn’t until Morgan retracted the black key card from its slot that the doors decided to open, to a few sighs of relief from the survivors. The survivors found themselves looking at a metal panel until the doors finished opening, and then amazingly the entire wall panel slid open, it was then that Kathy realised where she was, as she stood facing the stainless steel panelled walls of the kitchen.
What surprised Kathy, wasn’t the total disarray the kitchen now lay in, but the lack of reception committee when they all walked into the galley of the large kitchen area, Kathy knew the area was monitored by CCTV and was surprised that the group they had left behind weren’t monitoring them. If someone infected had managed to make their way into the bunker unannounced it would compromise the safety of the entire facility, she shook her head, disappointed someone wasn’t keeping watch and intended to bring it up when she came face to face with the other group. At the same time thoughts of who had designed the hidden entrance trouble her, it also concerned her that none of the staff had been privy to that information either. Kathy led them out of the kitchen doorway, whilst still somersaulting ideas around in her head.
Chatsworth Bunker, London, 20th July, 22:45 GMT
The group followed behind Kathy as she headed straight for the control room, she was shocked at the disarray the bunker was in. Everywhere they could see was littered with discarded food containers and empty drinks bottles. Discarded items of clothing, along with spent bullet casings were scattered all over the place. “How the hell could they have made this much mess in a fortnight?” Kathy asked Morgan. He shrugged, what could he possibly say to placate her? Even he was shocked at the state of the bunker, it was just an abuse of the facility, but what bothered him more was that at least one person had been firing a weapon inside the compound, rather than using the firing range downstairs.
As they walked through the dormitories, to many of the group it felt like only yesterday that they had left here looking for something more than the safety it was able to provide. In the short time they had been gone, they had lost three of their own, but looking at the devastation that the remaining survivors had caused, already vindicated their decision to leave them behind. The only two of the g
roup that didn’t seem to notice the mess were Gerard and Shanice, but this was their first time there; both seemed more in awe at the size of the bunker, and although Gerard and Daryl had spent plenty of time talking about the grandeur of the place, Gerard had never quite been able to picture the sheer scale of it in his mind.
A puddle of dry blood stopped Kathy in her tracks. Looking down at it, she could see drag marks leading from the puddle and down the stairs. “I want everyone apart from Morgan and Jackson to stay here.” She instructed them without turning to face them. “You two with me.” Kathy motioned to the two soldiers as she began creeping up the stairs with her weapon drawn. The two men followed suit, following Kathy. Morgan was trying to remember how many people they had left there, for the life of him he just couldn’t remember; he was ashamed to have forgotten, it was if his mind had forgotten that they had ever existed.
They crept up the stairs, aware of a smell that they had become more than accustomed with, especially over the past few days. It wasn’t the festering, rotting smell that followed the undead, instead they were faced with the smell that came from one of the living being seriously injured, or even killed. When they reached the top of the first flight of stairs, they came across a body, slumped against the wall. A bullet through the man’s forehead, had put an end to his short life, and the tell-tale powder burns around the wound, told the three of them that the shooting had taken place at point blank range; he had clearly been executed. “Can you remember his name?” Kathy whispered in Morgan’s ear. All he could do was shake his head, as he still couldn’t recall any memories of the group. “His name was Taigh. There was a young Irish girl with him.” Jackson whispered to the pair, whilst they looked down at the body. “Looks like the poor sod had the shit beaten out of him first.” Morgan commented, fixated upon the cuts and bruises evident on Taigh’s face.
Day Zed - Box Set: Volumes I and II Page 22