Rachel shook her head. “I have been calling everyone in my contacts.”
“Any luck?”
“No. Maybe you should try.”
“My phone is lost somewhere in the Bahamas.”
“I’m sorry. I mean that genuinely. Phones hold memories.”
“Yes, they do.”
“You okay?” Rachel asked.
“Yes. I wanted to thank you for what you did today.”
“I believe you would have done the same for me,” Rachel said.
“I would have.”
“When Evie threw up blood on you, all I kept thinking about was my son. How no one could get near him, how they just took him and how alone he had to feel. I wasn’t going to let that happen with you.”
“Even if it meant your own life?”
“I got news for you.” Rachel nudged him. “I don’t fear death.”
“Hmm.” Rigs nodded, sipping his drink. “I see that.”
“It’s still early, you know, for me, for Barry. It’s only been three weeks since we lost everyone.”
“You do what you do to get through,” Rigs said. “And I’m sorry I made you mad today. You are really good at taking them out.”
“For a housewife from Indiana?” Rachel teased.
“Sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. You’re right. I … uh … went to the range twice a week. I belonged to a gun club because Cliff, my husband was so damned liberal I did it to irk him. Now … now when I go after the stiffs, I think of my husband and my daughter and what they did to him. Maybe one day the anger will leave, the hatred.”
“By then taking them out will be a habit for you.” Rigs brought his drink to his mouth and noticed the Eliminator Welcome Pack on the table. “Have you read that?” he pointed to it.
“Every word.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep.” Rachel nodded. “Liz worked really hard on a plan. She worked really hard to keep the city alive. Bringing people to safety, starting Eliminator teams before they were a thing. But it’s gonna fall you know.”
“What is?” Rigs asked.
“Pittsburgh. It’ll fall, they’re expecting it. I heard Liz talking about her next location and maybe even having a mobile command.”
“Why do you think they’re expecting it?”
“Because of all the runners and lurkers we saw on the side of the road. They aren’t taking time to take the ones out around the city, they’ll just keep them out. Eventually, they’ll break through. They’ll get everyone out and sweep Pittsburgh. According to that … we’ll never really eliminate them all in a city. They target small towns. Small communities that they can secure once clean.”
“Wow, you really did read it.”
“Didn’t you?”
Rigs chuckled. “I’ll leave you and Kasper to be my information source since between the two of you, you guys have been right the whole time.”
Rachel leaned forward, set down her drink, lifted the bowl and untaped the spoon from the lid. “Thank you for bringing this.”
“Gotta keep up your strength.”
“Let me ask you something.” Rachel removed the lid from her stew. “How do you think we’ll be as Eliminators? Me, you, Kasper, Barry, and the new guy?”
“Honestly?”
“Nothing less.”
“I think we all have nothing to lose and are driven in some weird way. We, Rach, are going to be awesome. We are a natural team,” Rigs said. “We will define what it means to be … Eliminators.”
FIVE – SEE CLEARLY
May 22 – Day 35
Robinson Township, PA
There was a certain buzz and rush about the facility that Barry didn’t understand, it was almost as if they were being rushed. At least for him and Sandy. Seven teams were rolling out, all of which were getting supplies, ammunition and instructions. Perhaps it was just the excitement of the day. Or maybe Barry was just slower than everyone else. He hated leaving the airport. It felt like home, even with all the strangers strolling about as if they owned the place. But it was time to go. Time to do what they signed up to do.
Rigs and Charles went to grab the ammunition and weapons. Rachel and Kasper retrieved the food and other supplies while, Barry went with Sandy to the medical division to gather her supplies and help her put them on the flat dolly.
The young man pointed to a stack of boxes, then rattled off the contents of the boxes faster than Barry had heard a human being speak. He was grateful the man handed Sandy a list.
“Back of the vehicle is the medical office. It’s small so make sure you only load what you need and place the other boxes in the undercarriage storage. You should be good for a while, but you can always come back.”
“Will I have time to stock before we leave?” she asked.
“You should. Assignments are being given out, we have a lot of areas to hit. One last meeting with teams before you are dismissed. And oh …” he snapped his fingers. “A pound of medical grade marijuana.” He handed her a sealed bag.
Barry lifted it. “Why do we need medical grade marijuana?”
“It was requested.”
“By whom?”
The man looked at his sheet. “Kasper, for his glaucoma.”
“What?” Barry barked out with half a laugh. “Kasper is twenty-five, he doesn’t have glaucoma.”
“Sir, who am I to question?”
Barry waved his finger to Sandy. “You control that.”
“Absolutely.”
“And that’s it,” the stock man said. “Good luck to you out there.”
Barry wasn’t sure where ‘out there’ would be, he actually didn’t even know where their vehicle would be. He grabbed hold of the dolly and headed with Sandy back to the central area of the compound.
<><><><>
“This is not going to be enough,” Rachel said looking at the dolly of food as she and Kasper waited for the others to join them. “It really isn’t.”
“Maybe they’re expecting us to get more on the road.”
“Yeah, but didn’t they say the sweep teams go through first and take everything?”
“I’m glad we hit that liquor store yesterday.”
“And we got some practice in on real stiffs,” said Rachel. “Rigs should have come with us.”
“I keep telling the dude that. He doesn’t listen. He thinks they’re all gonna be out there with muzzles and garden gloves.”
Rachel shook her head. “He’s one of us and we need to watch his back.”
“True.”
“It’s cool though, isn’t it, that Sandy is on the team,” Rachel said. “I was so happy they let her come as long as she passed the deflect the infection test.”
“I think she passed because they didn’t have a medic to give us.”
“Doesn’t matter, I am glad to have her and …” She leaned into Kasper. “It had to make you laugh when Barry scored higher than Rigs on the mental awareness test.”
“Dude, the look on Rigs …” Kasper cleared his throat and upped his chin.
“What?” Rachel asked, then noticed Rigs and Charles pulling the dolly of weapons and other items.”
“Look,” Kasper said, “It’s Rigs and …” he started to sing. “Charles in Charge of our days …”
“Stop,” Charles said calmly. “Just stop.”
“So, here’s the deal.” Rigs held up a set of keys. “Our Eliminator vehicle is out back. We can take this stuff out there, but they said to hold off until after we pick up our assignment folders and instructions.” He gave a nod as a point to indicate Barry and Sandy were returning. “I just told them we’ll take our stuff out to the vehicle, but won’t be able to really organize until after the final instructions.”
“Which I think will be fast,” Barry said. “Something is happening here. I feel it.”
“Me, too,” said Rigs. “Did you get everything?”
Sandy answered, “Yes, and I will be controlling your medical marijuana.” She raised an eyebr
ow to Kasper.
“Dude! For real? Medical grade.”
“Wait.” Rigs held up his hand. “Why do you need marijuana?”
“He doesn’t,” said Barry.
“I do,” argued Kasper.
“No one,” said Charles. “Needs marijuana.”
“Not true,” Kasper said. “I do.”
“It’s for his glaucoma,” Rachel added.
“Oh stop,” Rigs laughed. “You have glaucoma?”
“I do.”
“No, way.”
“If he says he has glaucoma,” Rachel said. “Why are you arguing with him?”
“Because he’s a fucking pot head.”
“Jeremiah, language. Ladies are present.”
“He’s very misogynistic,” said Rachel. “So he doesn’t notice those things.”
“What the hell?” Rigs asked.
“Jeremiah.”
“No, you can scold me over the word ‘hell’, have you heard her mouth?” Rigs pointed to Rachel.
Rachel gasped.
“And we have totally steered off the weed topic,” Sandy said.
“You’re a doctor,” Rigs stated. “Does he have glaucoma?”
“Oh my god,” Rachel scoffed. “You think she can just look at him and see? She’s a baby doctor, so unless it comes out of his vagina, she can’t diagnose on sight.”
Rigs partially closed his eyes for a second and then turned his head to Barry. “And you say nothing about her mouth.”
“She said vagina. It’s a body part,” Barry replied.
“No,” Sandy said.
“No?” Kasper asked. “A vagina is not a body part?”
“That’s not what I …”
“Technically,” Rachel said, “if you think about it. Is it a body … part.”
“Stop,” Sandy said loudly. “A vagina is a body part. I said no because I don’t think Kasper has Glaucoma, he’s far too young.”
“See,” Charles said.
“I can’t dude,” Kasper said. “I have glaucoma.”
“Kasper,” Rigs snapped. “You don’t have glaucoma.”
“Okay maybe not, but that’s because I smoke marijuana. It makes it go away.”
“Fine,” Rigs gave in. “You have glaucoma. Smoke the weed.”
Kasper snickered. “The weed.”
Rigs grunted. “We need to get our stuff to the vehicle so we can get to this briefing. Here.” He reached to the flat dolly and started handing out large bundles wrapped in cellophane. “These are your uniforms.”
Kasper looked down to the blue and white patch with the letter E. “The logo is cool.”
“It is,” said Rigs.
“I don’t get one?” Sandy asked.
“You’re the doctor, you don’t have to.”
“Oh, good.”
“We have to wear them?” Barry asked.
“For now,” explained Rigs. “So we can be identified on sight.”
Rachel held her package, she just stared at it.
Rigs noticed. “You don’t want to wear a uniform?”
“I have no problem wearing a uniform.”
“Then what is it?” Rigs asked.
“Green is not my color.”
“I see.” Rigs grabbed the dolly handle. “Tough.” He pulled his dolly and walked away.
Sandy and Barry followed.
After they were gone, Rachel turned to Kasper. “What did I say?”
Kasper shrugged. “Some of those military guys are like that. You think he bought the glaucoma thing?”
“No. Not at all.”
“Damn it. Good thing he’s not our leader. It would be a complete power trip, like later seasons’ Rick from the zombie TV show.”
“Oh, so true. But … if he’s not the leader,” Rachel asked. “Who is?”
SIX – LOST CAUSE
Liz Nazinski always looked camera ready. Her hair done, make up perfect but not too much. She dressed like the congresswoman she was instead of a woman in the apocalypse.
Business as usual even if it wasn’t.
“Jeremiah Rigs,” Liz lifted a thick manilla folder from the table as she stood before their team. “I’m going to let you handle these and inform your team since I assigned you the leader of your team.”
“What?” asked Rachel out of the blue. “He’s the leader?”
“Is there a problem with my choice?”
“No,” Barry answered. “No, there is not.”
Liz smiled politely. “I was asking Rachel, Mr. Bick.”
“It’s fine,” Rachel said. “I’m a little surprised. I thought Barry would be assigned leader because of his … his …” She cleared her throat. “Mature status and managerial skills.”
“Unfortunately, Mr. Bick doesn’t have the skill level we need against the dead. Sgt. Edward was instrumental in the decision, although he favored Kasper. Which would be a good choice, but medical informed me he has glaucoma.”
Rigs smirked. “I’ve been informed of that as well.” He lifted the folder. “I will review this and inform them what needs to be done.”
“Perhaps you can do that while they load up the vehicle. We need you on the road …” Liz looked down to the table. “My notes say your team hasn’t chosen a name yet.”
“I thought we had one,” Rigs said. “E-Team D1U4.”
“Everyone is picking crafty names.”
“We’ll figure something out,” said Rigs.
“Good. You’re my last team, and I need to head out. The president wants to meet with me and make this a nationwide effort,” Liz said. “So don’t be surprised if you end up a thousand miles away one day.”
That prospect seemed far off. Especially since there were only a total of nine teams and three states to cover. The program would have to spread fast and far for that to happen.
The Eliminator RV, which looked more like a bus, was just outside the doors, under-carriage flaps open. The vehicle was decked out. It wasn’t meant to be a live-in vehicle. A place to spend the night if need be, for the most part, when they arrived in a town they were to select a place.
In the RV was designed by a local survival expert and they had everything they needed. There was a separate storage just for gas cans. They couldn’t load them on top because the steel fencing gates retracted to the roof and rolled down if needed for protection, caging in the entire RV.
There was a lot of take in. Too much to read during the short time while loading the RV.
Rigs left the weaponry up to Charles, he of course would inspect. No matter how big it seemed inside, there were still six of them riding in the RV and space inside was an issue.
Rigs instructed them to have enough weapons on board, but not too many. He found a space inside to place some extra weapons, then left the envelope on the kitchen table and went outside to help finish loading.
“Not that,” he heard Sandy say to Kasper. “That case has to go inside. That’s the Eliminator survivor case.”
Rigs’ interest was piqued. “What’s that?”
“They explained it’s in case one of us gets bit or scratched. Amputation kit, an anti-viral serum they said works if we amputate within an hour of the bite or scratch. And … a weapon to prevent us from turning if it gets to that point.”
“Wow,” said Rigs.
“Wow is right, they thought of almost everything,” Kasper commented.
“Almost everything?” Rigs asked. “Okay, I’ll bite. What great apocalypse one did they not think of?”
“For starters they didn’t …” Kasper turned quickly at the sound of gunfire. “What the hell?”
Rigs stepped to the side to look around the RV and he saw soldiers racing toward the end of the property firing on the fast moving herd of dead that swept their way. “Shit.”
Charles, Barry and Rachel came from the RV.
“What’s going on?” Rachel asked.
“Stiffs,” answered Rigs. “Everyone arm up. Sandy in the RV. Now. Kasper grab her stuff.�
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“What about …”
“Grab it.” As soon as he said that, Charles handed him a rifle and magazine. Rigs prepped his weapon, as his team armed up.
“Rigs!” Sledge shouted. “What are you doing?”
“Heading out.”
“No. Get your team out of here.”
“There are too many. You need …”
“We need the Eliminators out where they can do their jobs. We have sweep teams here. We can handle this. Go!” Sledge ordered. “Now!” as he charged toward the fight.
“Is he serious?” Charles asked.
“I guess so. You heard the man,” Rigs said. “Everyone in.” He reached down grabbing the last box as Barry shut the hatches. “Drive.” Rigs tossed Barry the keys.
“And go where?”
“Hit the highway.” The sound of gunfire increased along with mortars. Rig looked back, there were so many of the dead. Too many. The army would have to take extreme measures to take control. Using much more than just guns. “We have to go … now.”
“We’re not fighting them?” Rachel asked.
“No, Rach, we’re leaving. They want us to go.”
She shook her head in disgust and slammed her hand on the doorway as she stepped back in. “And they wonder why there’s an apocalypse problem.”
He didn’t quite understand her comment, the six of them wouldn’t make a difference. Everything was a battle for Rachel, and he was learning, she never wanted to miss a chance to fight. Rigs was sure, eventually, she would get her fill.
SEVEN – FROM A DISTANCE
Pittsburgh, PA
The Morrison family called Lawrenceville, Pa home. They had a row house there, two children, a ten month old and three year old, both girls. Steph and James loved their jobs in the food industry and adored their artsy neighborhood. When news of the outbreak happened, it was far away, barely in the news and both of them refused to give in to any virus hype.
They dropped the two kids off at Steph’s aunt and went to work as usual.
Neither thought anything of it until James served a classic New York Style Reuben sandwich to a couple at table six and no sooner did James set it down, then the man began to violently vomit. Bloody vomit flowed from his mouth like a fire hydrant. While James jumped back, startled, the female dining companion tried to help the man and, in a minute, she too was thrashing and throwing up.
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