The group had plenty of water, including one tank in the gym and another four outside. Of course, the taps were still working as well. Somebody raised the idea of collecting more water, but there were no barrels or anything suitable to collect the water in.
One pallet contained medical items, including several boxes of medicine. Shelley had quickly organized these. According to her, the group wouldn’t be suffering any headaches for a while. There were even a couple of cases of feminine hygiene products, along with wet napkins, hand sanitizer, soap, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and a bunch of other hygiene products. There was even a case of condoms, which got awkward laughs from a few folks.
Joe took charge of the medical equipment. His findings included first aid and surgical equipment, including a ‘state of the art portable MRI machine’, as he called it.
The pallet with weapons included a military radio, a set of four in-the-ear communication devices and a set of half a dozen walkie-talkies. Or rather High Capacity Line of Sight Radios, as the box advertised.
“We should get that radio set up as soon as possible. There might be all kinds of information out there.” Joe suggested once he heard about the radio.
“Yeah, I think you’re right, Joe. Maybe we can catch an update from Matheson and the guys.” John chimed in.
“I used to be a hobby ham radio operator. This rig is a bit different, but I think I can figure it out...” Joe added.
“Jack can help you.” Craig offered. “He’s got a fair bit of experience with technology – right son?” Jack nodded enthusiastically. He had been in the electronics technology club at high school for two years and had taken an MIT elective class as part of his grade 12 curriculum.
“Count me in. I was a Communications and Transportation Expert for her royal majesty’s army.” Emily said with a self-depreciating smile. “It was a shite job, but at least I learned how to drive a bus and use a radio without cocking it up. Much.” She grinned.
Joe smiled. “Sounds good. Let’s get started as soon as we’re done here.”
John and Bill continued looking through the pallet and found multi-tools, knives, a couple of machetes, candles, headlamps, flashlights, a crank power charger, fire starters and a bunch of batteries. As for weapons, there were eighteen pistols, six rifles, four semi-automatic assault rifles, and one sniper rifle. The rest of the pallet was all bullets. There was also a box filled with cans of pepper spray. John scoffed at that. What good is pepper spray going to do to fend off the undead?
Another pallet contained a mix of farming tools and seeds. This pallet also included a box of books, including instructional books on farming and gardening. Patrick also found useful items such as collapsible water bottles, water purification tablets, fishing kits, snare wires, and rope.
The last pallet contained boxes of clothing. It was all army stuff, in various sizes, including shirts, pants, underwear, socks, gloves, hats and rain ponchos. Other than clothing, this pallet also contained sewing kits, Mylar blankets and other household items.
In the corner of the gym where the cots had been, Nat discovered several tents, tarps and ground pads, as well as a tote containing a bunch of camping gear including a camp stove with several small propane tanks.
They had somehow overlooked one box sitting off to the side. It contained some things that made sense, like a couple of compasses, several maps, a couple of whistles, a GPS unit, and some note pads, but also some items that raised eyebrows. There was a stack of cash money and a bag of coins, as well as one small bag of gold coins and a larger one containing silver coins.
Ern commented on this. “A fiat currency is only as strong as the government behind it. So those dollar bills might be useless. Gold and silver though! that has always been worth something!”
Now that the items had all been sorted out, the question became what to do with it all.
Shelley had the idea of storing all the medical equipment and medicine in the nurse’s office, which was located right behind the main office. Rachel was quick to volunteer Christine, stating the young woman had the required experience from working at the veterinary clinic. Christine did not look pleased to be pressed into service by her mother and shot her mom an annoyed look. She recovered quickly, however, and the two young women got to work.
The main office was to be set up as the armory. Most of the group were not comfortable with having weapons lying around, so a locked office felt like a better alternative. John and Bill took the lead on sorting organizing and storing the weapons.
Craig and Ethan volunteered to be pack mules and lug boxes to the new clinic and armory, while Rachel, Melissa, Patrick and Rosa took on the task of organizing the rest of the supply drop.
Ern wanted to have a look at the furnace and water heater and took off after appointing Keith as his helper. The oriental man looked confused but then just shrugged and followed the old man.
Sarah and Nancy took Claire into the kitchen to see about preparing meals.
Everybody got busy with their tasks and the hours passed quickly in the dim school interior.
That evening, Ern asked for everybody’s attention after supper. He volunteered himself to be the resident maintenance man. His experience in building maintenance made him the perfect person for keeping their new home operational. He announced that the furnace was in excellent shape, with a reserve of fuel that would last for months to come. He stated confidently that they’d run out of food before they ran out of heat. Then was embarrassed as he realized what he’d said.
Emily spoke next. The English woman had an update regarding the radio. Apparently, setting up the radio was proving to be a challenge. Several components had to be found first in the pile of boxes. Emily was the only person qualified to properly identify the components, so the exercise consisted of Joe and Jack taking turns bringing her gear to look at. Eventually all the required pieces had been found and brought to the media room. Maria had discovered a roof access hatch in the library, and the plan was for somebody to install the antenna on the roof the next morning.
Joe went next, providing a brief update regarding the new ‘clinic’. He stated that all the medical items had been moved to the new clinic. Shelley and Christine would have keys and man the clinic when required. Joe himself would be called upon for any serious injuries. The first band-aids and painkillers had already been distributed.
The armory was also set up. Bill and John would be the primary custodians of the weaponry and the room would be kept locked. Interestingly, several group members expressed interest in learning how to use the guns. John immediately started to plan some training sessions.
The most exciting news had been left for last. Ethan had volunteered himself to be a lookout from the media room and had been scanning for newscasts at the same time. He caught two short broadcasts and recalled them for the group.
He was flicking channels at random when he stumbled onto the first one. A couple of people had holed up in a television station and were broadcasting a desperate plea for help. Their building was surrounded by the undead, and several windows had been smashed by the time they managed to get their signal broadcasted.
Chapter Twenty-nine
Trouble at W.K.O.N. Channel ten
The video feed had not started yet, showing a black screen. However, the audio was working. Ethan stared at the black screen, fascinated by the voices he was hearing.
“Is it on? ... Yes?”
Scuffling sounds could be heard. “Let me get in front of the camera. Ok I’m ready.”
More scuffling sounds. “Turn it on Pete. No. Not that one. I see a red light on that camera. Switch to another camera!” This as the screen showed a green wall and some cables on the floor.
The scene switched two more times before a disheveled man came into view. The image was slightly out of focus as the man stood in front of the newsroom desk.
What Ethan could see in the slightly hazy looking image was that the man was probably in his late fifties or early
sixties. His mostly bald head showed hints of white or grey hair around the ears and temples. The man had a big scratch on his head that started (or ended) on his forehead, almost between his eyes. His clothing looked scuffed and dirty, and one sleeve of his jacket was stitch-ripped at the shoulder. It looked like there had been a tug of war between his sleeve and the rest of his jacket. The jacket had won out. But only just.
Despite all of this, the man sounded refined. Distinguished, even. Ethan leaned in close as the man started to speak.
“We urgently require assistance! If there is anybody out there, receiving our broadcast, then we ask you to please send help! Send the army!” The man forced himself into some semblance of composure.
“My name is Calvin Lahey and Peter Malone is here with me. We are at the WKON channel 10 station on South Highland, and we are surrounded by the undead!”
As if on cue, the sound of a window smashing in the distance could be heard. Calvin looked off camera for a second.
“Several of them have broken into the building. We do not know how long the doors will hold. Please send help immediately!”
Another crash could be heard somewhere in the distance.
“These undead are relentless! They spotted us yesterday and have been pounding on the doors and windows ever since! And the noise drew more of them! We retreated once the windows started to crack. We locked the internal doors and hid out here in the studio. We had hoped that they would lose interest and go away, but they never stopped... Now we’re trapped in here!”
“These things – they are not what you think a zombie should be! They are faster than you expect. And smarter! I saw at least one trying to use door handles to try to get into this building!” A noise drew his attention. He turned his head to look off-camera, then slowly turned back to face the camera. The fear in his eyes made the hairs on Ethan’s neck rise as he watched.
“You can’t see this.” He said to his audience. “But there is one outside the door, trying to use the door handle. I can see the handle going up and down on our side.”
Within a few seconds the sound of pounding started. Calvin turned back to the camera.
“We don’t have much time.” He sounded desperate. “Please. Somebody, help us!”
Calvin took the microphone off his jacket, put it down on the news anchor desk and walked out of view. The pounding continued in the background until the feed was cut several moments later.
Ethan stared at the tv screen. It only showed snow now. He shook his head and turned away from the tv. He walked up to the window and stared out of it.
Calvin’s plight was so real and urgent. His fear was so tangible, that Ethan could feel it.
Ethan’s thoughts were interrupted when he spotted some movement. When he focused, he could see zombies in the distance. He watched them, fascinated.
They all moved in the same direction. Ethan figured that one of them had spotted or heard something and reacted, creating a cascade reaction with the others. They would move rapidly for a few feet, but without any stimuli they would slow down and eventually freeze in that familiar unnatural pose, until something else caught the attention of one of their group and the whole thing started over again.
Those zombies are far away. Ethan thought as he watched them. He considered what Calvin and Pete had experienced. He remembered the fear on Calvin’s face. The fear in his voice as he realized that the undead were outside of his door.
How would I feel if they were outside the door to this room?
The idea unnerved him. Shaking his head, Ethan got back to the television. A frustrating and fruitless hour passed. Ethan was ready to give up. Then, he found another broadcast.
THIS SECOND BROADCAST came from a military bunker. A tired looking person sat at a simple desk. Grey concrete surrounded the young man. He looked to be in his early twenties, with curly dark hair and heavy rimmed glasses, which he adjusted before speaking.
“America.” The young man seemed at a loss for words as he hesitated. He stared at the camera for a moment. His face betraying a multitude of emotions.
“... Sorry. I’m not used to this.” He swallowed. “It is my ... sad duty, to inform you that President David Clarkston died this morning. He did not suffer, and he wanted his brain to be destroyed as soon as he died, so that he would not re-animate.”
He took a deep breath and sighed as he let it out.
“President Clarkston was a unique man, loved by many. His determination, wisdom and sheer strength will be sorely missed. He did not want people to mourn his passing. He asked that we continue to work towards getting through this crisis.”
“Unfortunately, we are aware that the vice president, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president pro tempore of the senate, and the secretary of state are also all confirmed to be deceased. Our nation is currently under the command of General Theodore Davies, who was appointed the ‘General of the Army’ designation by our President yesterday.”
“General Davies was a trusted advisor of President Clarkston and has agreed to take on this new role. General Davies does not wish to be addressed as President and does not harbor any intentions to be President.”
A small smile escaped the spokesman.
“General Davies also does not wish to appear on camera at this point in time. He does wish to assure the people of America that he will honour President Clarkston’s wishes. We will transmit the locations of supply drops soon. He asks survivors out there to ‘hang on.’ Once the supply drops have been broadcast, he strongly urges people to work together.”
The young man sits up a little straighter. He pushes a few curly locks of hair away from his forehead and adjusts his glasses.
“Our latest estimates show that North America suffered an infection rate of close to ninety-five percent. Sadly, we are also aware that many uninfected people have perished. We have calculated that there are less than fifteen million people left alive in our nation.”
The young man swallows hard before continuing.
“One hundred and twenty million people have died, and an additional two hundred and twenty million have risen as zombies. The army has culled the numbers of the undead, and estimates are that they have destroyed up to fifty million of them, but the numbers remain staggering.”
He fixed his glasses yet again.
“I been instructed to share these details with you to impress upon you that there are very few living, uninfected people left. We need any survivors out there to work together. Please, do not see other survivors as enemies or threats. There are plenty of supplies for all those that remain. Honour President Clarkston’s wishes, and help each other. Help us rebuild the nation.”
“We urge those people in major metropolitan cities to leave these areas as soon as you can, as the cities are overrun by the undead. For the rest of you, please stay indoors. Hide, and stay safe.”
“Please stay tuned for further instructions. We will repeat this broadcast every four hours. Thank you and good luck.” And with a nod from the spokesman the broadcast ended.
Ethan relayed as much as he could remember about what he had seen. The group sat in silence. Some people crossed themselves. Their President was dead.
“Hey.” Craig looked around him. “People, please.” He stood up. “I know this is hard. But what we need to do now is exactly like our president asked, God bless his soul.”
He was met with silence.
“We are alive. We have a safe place, that we made safer today. And we can do more!”
Still there was no response. Craig slowly sank back down to his seat.
It was Ethan who stood up next. He walked over to John. “Hey, mister. Miller... I’d like to learn how to shoot a gun. Do you think you can teach me?”
“Me too!” Christine shot out of her seat, before Joe or Rachel could say anything.
Another half a dozen people made their interest known over the next minute, so John decided that his first instructional class could start right awa
y.
Keith was also approached. Several people, including Emily, Patrick and Rosa were interested in learning self-defence. They set up a training facility in the gym downstairs that evening.
The rest of the group decided to collectively head to the media room and try to catch the re-broadcast from the government bunker.
Ethan was happy to set the tv up for the group. Once he was done, he made his way down the stairs to where John was starting to teach basic gun handling and safety. As he walked down the stairs, he thought about Channel Eight.
Ethan had been following the newscasts religiously since this all got started. The local news channel: Channel Eight had been his primary source of news, and the tv at home had been continuously tuned to that station. Ethan had a huge crush on their news anchor, Tammy Jensen. He figured that he surely wasn’t the only one. Tammy was strikingly beautiful. And those eyes...
As he got to the bottom of the stairs, he wondered about what happened to her...
Chapter Thirty
Tammy
October 28, 9:50AM
The sound of gunshots in the distance stirred Tammy from her slumber. The room around her was dark and silent. She sat up and swung her legs off the edge of her bunk. The concrete floor felt painfully cold to her bare feet. The sharp sting to the soles helped to bring her into wakefulness. She looked around in the dark room and could barely make out the other cots.
The rest of her team had voluntarily moved into the quarantine building last night.
They were more than just her team. They were very close friends – or even a family. Tammy had been there for their weddings and their divorces. She had a brief fling with Pete, the editor and they had both come to the realization that they were better friends than lovers. She remembered Becky, and the miscarriage. Tammy and the rest of the team had supported Becky through that, and the almost inevitable collapse of her marriage that followed a few months later.
Apocalypsis Immortuos | Book 1 | Syndrome Page 18