Extinction Level Event (Book 1): Extinction Level Event
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“We’re on it, staff,” said Julio, in a forced cheerful voice. “Right, sergeant?”
Chris snapped to. “Yeah.” He clapped his hands. “Let’s get some dinner going.”
“Right, Marines?”
“Where’s that hold?” Ben asked.
“I’ll make that shower roster,” said Mazy.
But Phebe remained hugging herself, her miserable gaze a thousand miles away.
“Hey,” said Mazy. “Phebe. You want the first shower slot?”
Phebe gave a polite, meaningless smirk. “Sure. Thank you.”
“Hey, Mullen, you want second?”
A despondent shrug.
Chris said to Mullen, “What if we let you peep on Mazy taking hers?”
“Fuck you, man.” Mazy laughed.
5.
Peter went up to the wheelhouse. The Coast Guard cutter off the port, waiting. He radioed the others, briefly explaining the situation. Then cranked the engines and turned the wheel, back towards Carolina Beach.
As he predicted, the cutter followed the whole way.
Approaching the marina, he was relieved to see the other boats snug in their berths. If the Guard caught them out on the water, they’d go through the IDs and ear checks too.
Only once the Molly began docking procedure did the cutter turn away. Julio and Ben helped with tying ropes to dock cleats. Peter cut the engine.
He remained in the captain’s chair.
He didn’t feel sad for himself. In fact, he hadn’t wanted to leave at all. But it had been the right thing to do, for the others.
He smiled.
Chris came up and handed him a beer. Peter opened a sweet-smelling wooden box and pulled out two fat Cuban cigars. Cutting off the ends, he handed one to his friend. They lit and puffed until the ends were glowing cherries.
“Back in the zom zone, brother,” Peter said.
“Let’s kill some motherfucking zombies.”
“Do what we do best, man.”
They clinked bottles.
Turning the bottles up to drink, a sound drifted on the wind. They could hear the others coming out onto the deck below.
“Do you hear something?” Ben’s voice.
“Mi Dios.” Julio’s voice. “It’s a klaxon. A civil defense siren. From the fire house.”
“What’s with the air-raid siren,” Mullen’s voice. “Are we about to be blitzed?”
“I don’t think it’s for that.”
“Oh, God no,” Phebe’s upset voice. “The monsters are on the island.”
Mazy’s voice groaned, “This nightmare’s never ending.”
Peter and Chris looked at each other.
“The zombies are here,” gloated Peter.
“Let the zom war begin!”
The two of them reclined, boots up on the console, drinking their beers. They blew smoke rings in the air. And they smiled. They were back in war.
Look out for the continuation of the ELE group’s adventure through the apocalypse in Book Two, Holding Ground, coming very soon.
CREDITS
A totally special thank you to Wilmington and the folks of Paradise Island, North Carolina as well as to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. I hope the dead’s not pissed I wrecked the campus with zombies.
And to the men of the the US Army 75th Regiment Rangers, as well as to the men and women of the USMC. Y’all rock.
Sorry to the Wilmington Police Department and an unnamed hospital. Your sacrifice for the story is much appreciated.
Also, my apologies to the CDC. Sorry for making you look like sold-out dicks. I, at least, threw in a guy who defended your honors.
But I do not apologize to terriers. If they’d learn to shut up with the yapping, I’d then feel bad for getting them eaten so much.
Now, for the copyrighted stuff (alphabetical order):
28 Weeks Later, director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, released 2007, by Figment Films, Sogecine, Koan Films.
Aliens, director James Cameron, released 1986, by 20th Century Fox, Brandywine Productions.
All in the Family, developed by Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin, 1971-1979, by CBS Television, Tandem Productions.
Big Bang Theory, directed by Mark Cendrowski, released 2007-2019, by Warner Brothers Television.
Black Hawk Down, director Ridley Scott, released 2002, by Columbia Pictures, Revolution Studios, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Scott Free Productions. Based on novel Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern Warfare, by Mark Bowden, Signet Books (1999).
Cujo, director Lewis Teague, released 1983, by Taft Entertainment, Sunn Classic Pictures Based on novel Cujo, by Stephen King, Viking Press (1981).
Dances with Wolves, director Kevin Costner, released 1990, by Tig Productions. Based on novel by Michael Blake, (1988).
Dawn of the Dead, director Zack Snyder, released 2004, by Strike Entertainment. Based on Dawn of the Dead, director George Romero, released 1978 by Laurel Group Inc.
Do as I Say, by Clawfinger, Use Your Brain album, released 1995, by MVG Records, Warner Music Group.
Jaws, director Steven Spielberg, released 1975, by Zanuck/Brown Company, Universal Pictures. Based on novel by Peter Benchley, Doubleday, Bantam (1974).
Jumpin’ Jack Flash, performed by the Rolling Stones, written by Jagger/Richards, Bill Wyman, released 1968, by Decca (UK), London (US).
Lord of the Rings, The, trilogy film series director Peter Jackson, released 2001-2003, by New Line Cinema, WingNut Films. Based on novels by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Mad Max, director George Miller, released 1979, by Kennedy Miller Productions, Crossroads, Mad Max Films.
Nick at Nite is on the Nickelodeon network, owned by Viacom CBS Domestic Media Networks.
Night of the Living Dead, director George Romero, released 1968, by Image Ten.
Quarantine, director John Erick Dowdle, released 2008, by Screen Gems, Andale Pictures, Filmax, Vertigo Entertainment. Based on REC by Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza.
Walking Dead, producers Jolly Dale, Caleb Womble, Paul Gadd, Heather Bellson, released 2010- , by Idiot Box Productions, Circle of Confusion, Skybound Entertainment, Valhalla Entertainment, AMC Studios. Based on the comic book series by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard.
Other Stuff:
Twitcher, operated by Twitch Interactive, a subsidiary of Amazon, founded by Justin Kan, Emmett Shear.
Xbox, owned by Microsoft.
YouTube, owned by Google, founders Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, Jawed Karim.
More Other Stuff:
Captain Morgan spiced rum produced by British alcohol conglomerate Diageo
Sheetz, owned by Sheetz, Inc.
Walmart, owned by Walmart, Inc.
AND …
The Belgium F200 Tactical is the FN F200 Tactical assault rifle, made by FN Herstal.
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