Zombie Killers: Ice & Fire (18 page)

Chapter 12

The mission started right on time. Ethan, William, and two SEALS were in one Blackhawk, Adam, two more SEALS and myself were in the other chopper. Normally the helos could carry more but fuel was an issue; with FOB Ripken out of commission there were no more bases close to the area of operation. We had been in the air a while when we stopped at a Navy amphibious ship to refuel. From there it was on to the mission area.

As we neared the coastline we were joined by a pair of Navy F-18 Super Hornets who quickly identified themselves over the radio. They were our cover for the mission, as well as our air support if we needed any precision bombing once we were on the ground. If I craned my neck and looked up out the door of the Blackhawk I could sometimes make them out above us in the clouds. It was a beautiful, mostly clear day. Not the best weather for a mission like this.

We could hear the fighter jocks over our radio channel as they lined up to buzz Norfolk to see if they could spook any anti-American forces into revealing their positions. I could see their contrails as they accelerated towards land.

One of the pilots got a warning buzz in his cockpit that indicated he was being illuminated by radar. Over the radio we heard him say “I’ve got tone.”

One of the Hornets was outfitted with HARM missiles, High-speed Anti Radiation Missile. The missile is designed to fire straight back down a radar beam and destroy whatever is emitting the signal. Once illuminated by the radar the pilot launched a HARM missile. It dropped from under the fuselage, then shot off like an arrow towards the surface several miles distant.

We were flying low, close to the water with the fighters high above us. The city started to come into view ahead of us. We could see a bridge and beyond that was the former naval base. One of the ships must have been what activated the radar. As we watched the HARM missile arced in and slammed into the superstructure of the ship that had illuminated the Hornet with its radar. The ship’s superstructure started to burn intensely, indicating that it was an older class, made of aluminum instead of steal. I couldn’t make out exactly what it was through the smoke.

With that threat neutralized we heard the pilots coordinate as they circled the base assessing their targeting options before lining up for their bomb run. It was now obvious that the naval base was where the anti-American forces were operating.

The helicopters began to line up for final approach on the target, a large parking lot near the Naval Base. William and Ethan’s bird was in front with ours behind. The plan was for us to go into the city and set down in a clear area to figure out the 5W’s so a future mission could take care of the anti-American presence. The 5W’s of course are who, what, where, why, and when.

We went feet dry over land as the Hornets lined up for their bomb run on targets at the navy yard. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a missile arced out of a cloud bank and curved into the tail of one of the F-18s.

“Holy shit!” The helicopter pilot yelled in surprise. “That was a sidewinder missile!”

“Where did it come from?” I asked.

Looking up I could see the contrails of the missiles and aircraft, the fireball from the destroyed Hornet, there was no parachute. The second Hornet maneuvered wildly trying to locate the source of the launch. Out of the sun I saw a second missile contrail. The Hornet driver
jinked and popped flares and chaff to try and fool the missile.

“Cancel the mission.” JJ’s voice said over the radio. The helicopters began to turn around.

“It must be an F-22 Raptor from Langley Air Force Base” Adam deduced.

“Langley is only twenty miles north of here.” the helo pilot said.

The F-18 lost its duel with the F-22 and took a missile hit in the fuselage. I couldn’t tell if the pilot made it out or not.

The helicopters were back over water racing away from the aerial combat. The F-22 did not want us to get away though; it launched a radar homing missile. It locked onto the other chopper, now in the rear of our retreat. My helo continued to flee the scene but the other chopper pulled a tight turn to try and fool the missile. It headed towards the city where it could hide among the tall buildings and lose the homing missile.

It didn’t work. The missile hit the slow moving rotary aircraft straight on the tail. I could see two people thrown out of the helicopter, but I lost them as the helo maneuvered around a tall building on its way down. I couldn’t tell what happened when the Blackhawk crashed.

“We have to turn around!” I shouted at the pilot.

“We can’t go back there.” The pilot said. “We were ordered out, besides if we go back there we would only end up like the others.”

“My cousins are back there!”

“Forget it mate. They’re gone.” Adam counseled.

“I’ll get an unmanned vehicle orbiting the city as soon as you return to base. We’ll find out what happened.” JJ said. “We’ll be back.”

Chapter 13

ETHAN

I was relishing this rare opportunity to stay above the dirt; enjoying the sites without having to watch my back. I barely knew something had happened before I felt a massive jolt and saw one of the SEALs and William thrown out of the bird as we dropped in a violent spiral. Before I could grab for him he was gone. The pilots call to “Hang on!” was too late. Glad I wasn’t sitting on the edge. I saw the tall buildings wiz past the open doors as we spun uncontrollably. I couldn’t tell how far we made it before we finally hit the deck, nor do I know how long we were down before I came to.

The fuselage was in rough shape and small fires smoldered around me. Luckily I was still ambulatory. I looked around and found a fire extinguisher. My vision was blurry but I knew that if any fuel made it to fire I would be in trouble. I looked myself over first. I banged my arms up as I flailed in the descent, but no broken bones as far as I could tell. My legs seemed to work but I figured my right ankle was sprained. Wouldn’t be an immediate problem with my boots providing support and compression. Glad I actually wear boots, unlike... No time to think about that. I checked my head last and noticed that I was bleeding at a pretty good rate from a gash on my hairline. 

I broke open a combat bandage and tied it around my head as I began to check the other crewmen. The closest man to me was the crew chief.  His head is twisted almost completely around with his eyes opened wide. I couldn’t get a pulse. Painless way for him to go and now one less for me to worry about.  I could hear the gunner moaning and saw him sprawled on the left side of the aircraft, now at the bottom.

“Are you ok?” I asked.

I could see him spit blood as he responded, between gasps. “Chest….hurts.  Can’t….breath.”

“I probably won’t be able to help but I’ll get you out of here.”

I wrestled to get us out the open door above us, using nylon netting to pull myself up. He was clearly in pain but I couldn’t exactly be gentle. It seemed to be sometime in the afternoon but I didn’t think to check my watch. As we came out the top I surveyed the area. It looked like we hit in the middle of a cul-de-sac, probably several miles from where we stated our violent descent.

I didn’t see any zeds but I knew the crash would draw them. I left the gunner about 50 feet from the crash. It looked like a nice area; at least it would have been if the groundskeeper hadn’t taken the last couple years off.

“It’s important that you lie on your side so that your airway stays open. Try to keep the noise down.” I counseled the gunner, who was already turning pale.

I ran back to the crash site but started to feel light headed and fell before I made it. I felt pretty woozy but I tried not to think about it. I could worry about that if I was still alive after I got the others out. The rear compartment was now empty so I headed to the cockpit. It looked like we hit nose fist and there wasn’t much left. As long as the area stayed clear I could focus on keeping the gunner alive.  He was moaning pretty loud now and I continued to think about his treatment as I exited the side door.

There were about 5 zombies surrounding where I left him. That explained the moans. I didn’t have much time to dwell on my SNAFU before I heard the noise of an engine bouncing off buildings heading toward the crash. I ducked back into the chopper and surveyed what supplies I could take. I was going to have to run and whatever I found in here could help my chances on the ground. I was able to grab two packs and the chopper’s first aid kit.

I didn’t wait for them, whoever they were, to get any closer. I grabbed a grenade from my pack, pulled the pin and tossed it into the cockpit before climbing out and sprinting headlong toward the tree line. I heard the explosion behind me, but since cool guys don’t look at explosions, I kept running. I crossed the 40 meters to the trees fairly quickly and I didn’t think I was seen so I took a moment to observe my pursuers. 

They parked between where I was hiding and the crash. They were driving a standard Humvee. Probably not hard to find one of those these days, especially with the density of military installations in this area. But it made me wonder what other military hardware they had access to, I mean, besides fighters, and air to air missiles. Two men got out. At this distance I could just about hear what they were saying.

“Better be careful. There are still secondary explosions.” said the first man, mistaking my deliberate sabotage for accidental damage.

“Looks like at least one man survived the crash.  He didn’t make it far before the dead got here.”  inferred the other.

The zombies didn’t pay them any attention as they feasted on the gunner and the two took their time dispatching them with well aimed shots from their rifles.

I shouldered my M-14 and used the glass to get a better look at them. As they moved toward the crash, the flames cast light upon them and I was able to get a pretty good look. They didn’t look like most of the Reavers I’ve encountered. They were surprisingly well groomed and wearing military style uniforms, not unlike my own, as well as tactical gear.

“We need to clear and hold this area.  The General will want to see this.”

“Roger that.”

I stayed low and quiet so I wouldn’t draw any attention from the dead or living. I went prone behind a tree and continued to observe their movements.  It soon became apparent from the way these men secured the area that they had had some kind of formal training. Retired military?  Reservists?  National Guard?  I kept watching until more men showed up.  It was clear at this point that there was a ranking structure in place with these men. One of the new responders barked out an order to search the area for more survivors and I took that as my cue to leave.

Chapter 14

It wasn’t hard to put distance between myself and the searchers. The dark set in and aided my escape and the suburban terrain was favorable. Plus they didn’t even know I was out here. I think they only made it about one hundred meters out from the crash before turning back. There were fewer zeds  than I would expect from a residential area, but I suppose that if these men are operating in the area they have been cleaning up.

I started looking for a place to set up for the night. I kept moving through the development for a little more than a mile until I came upon a house that sat away from the others.  It looked like it was probably the show home for the development, which means there wouldn’t have been any inhabitants before so there shouldn’t be any zeds now.

I moved around the house, looking in the windows as I circled. I didn’t see any movement as I made my way into the back yard. I came in slowly through the back door into the kitchen. Every surface was covered in dust and the particles dance in front of my flashlight. I took out my chop stick and pounded the butt against the marble countertop which resonated nicely throughout the house.

I heard a singular moan in reply coming from the front of the house. I left my supplies and rifle by the back door in case I had to run back out that way, drew my .45, and, along with my chopstick, I made my way forward, passing through the doorway I came to the living room. 

Standing just out of sight on the other side of the doorway was the source of the moan, a lunging real estate agent complete with yellow blazer. I was able to side step her and finished her on the floor with a single cleave. Zombies rarely think two moves ahead, neither do I for that matter, but it hasn’t been a problem so far.

I checked the rest of the house to my satisfaction, then after getting all my gear up to the attic, I raided some bedding from the other rooms and used it to cover the windows so I wouldn’t project any light. Now that I had stopped moving I could finally take stock of my assets.

I still had my primary and secondary firearms plus two hundred rounds for the M-14 and another one hundred for the SIG along with about six fighting knives, pocket knives, multitools etc. I had maybe three liters of water, but I had a bottle of purification tablets, two MREs and three supplement bars along with a radio and various survival gear I keep on me at all times, including a nice map of the area. I checked the other bags and found more water, rations, and 9mm. I wouldn’t need all my med gear but it would come in handy if I found anyone friendly enough to trade.

Having taken stock, I turned my attention to my injuries. My head wasn’t bleeding anymore but still throbbed. I cleaned the wound and changed the bandage, took off my boots, and felt my right ankle immediately start to swell. I wrapped it and iced it with an instant icepack from the helo’s FAK.  No other injuries stood out so I considered myself lucky compared to the rest of the crew. I hoped William died quick and painless.

Once I finished treating my wounds I went over to the attic window. The house was situated on a small hill so I had good visibility. It was already pretty dark but I was able to pick out a couple landmarks and approximate my location. I posted to the IST5 Facebook page “Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated. Chopper crew is KIA. William and the SEALs MIA. I am down somewhere about 10 klicks east of Portsmouth. I’ve seen what we’re up against. Looks like anti American ex military. They seem to be lead by someone they call The General. Maybe an old commander. I am safe at the moment. Will continue to observe until I hear further.”

It’s a good thing smart phones are set up to operate via radio waves now because it was much safer posting that on the book than radioing in while every bad guy in the state listens in and triangulates my position.

I couldn’t sleep just yet with my throbbing head so I went to the window. I could see lights from the crash site until just after 0200 when the vehicles started to breakaway and headed both west, toward the city, and north.

As activity died down I began to reflect on my predicament. This was probably the first time since z-day that I’ve been truly on my own and I felt both alone and unburdened by my family, constantly having me keep them alive.