Zombie Killers: Ice & Fire (20 page)

Chapter 17

The next morning I woke up at 0613, right as the sun was peeking up from the east. My internal clock was a gift and a curse. I looked over to see if Sasha was still sleeping, luckily she was, so I went across the hall to another room where I sprawled out all my gear from the two packs and my plate carrier onto the bed to consolidate and take inventory.

First to be emptied was my scout pack, bigger than a normal assault pack, so it was big enough to hold my necessities. It housed the somewhat standard load: hammock, paracord, water filter, 2 MREs, loose ammo, poncho, lighter, and signal flare. The major difference between this and a regulation pack is my compass and multi-tool were on my plate carrier instead of in the pack, and I opted for a Sig Sauer Mosquito, instead of a small .22 caliber revolver. I also had my personal add-ons: flattened football, sports ball pump, small climbing harness (when I’m not wearing it around my waist),
American Sniper
, my dream career since before the gates of hell opened, Lock pick set, Socks, a sleeping bag strung to the bottom, false insignias, and gum, countless packs of gum that I grab whenever I see it.

The SEAL’s bag had similar stuff, MREs, .308 and 5.56 ammo, poncho liner, sleeping bag, navigation tools, and the like. He even had a suppressor for an M4 in the bag.

As for my plate carrier, I had a Camelback, bolt cutters, IFAK, radio, .308
mags, 9mm mags, jungle-taped knife, aforementioned multi-tool, lighters, matches, chem lights, flashlights, some more paracord and duct tape. I estimated that I had about 125 rounds of .308 at the ready, maybe another 160 in my pack, plus 40 rounds from the SEAL’s rifle, and about 60 9mm with 50 in the back.

After I packed everything back up, I stepped back into the room where Sasha was still sleeping soundly, and set the second bag next to her rifle. If she was traveling with me for now, she’ll need it, the ammo and suppressor especially. I left my pack in my chair, and decided to go have a look around the house. All clear.

When I got back to our room and saw her there, still asleep, I found myself wondering whether I should leave her here or bring her with me as I continued towards the city.

“You some kind of creep watching me while I sleep?”

“Well good morning to you too. I figured you were just going to sleep the day away.”

“I wish, maybe if you weren’t staring at me. What’s it look like outside?”

“Nothing close to the house, but there are a few wandering the neighborhood. We should get moving.”

We cleared the furniture, Sasha mounted the bike, and we were off, heading east, back towards Norfolk

As we went along we began looking for long roads or fields where I could sight in my rifle since I had to mount that new scope. At one stretch of road we found a rusted out white van. I climbed up, unfolded the bipod, and leaned into the scope. First I had to estimate the distance to a particularly ugly walker quite a way down the road. He was in front of a light-colored SUV, so I could figure out where I was hitting when I missed. My rifle coughed and I saw blood splatter backwards, but he kept coming. 5 clicks up, the gun coughed again. No dice, still coming. 5 clicks more and another cough. Bingo. The walker collapsed into a heap.

“That should do it.” I said.

“Well it certainly took you long enough. I thought I was going to have to take over.” She remarked.

“Why don’t donkeys go to school?” I asked, pausing briefly before I answered. “Because nobody likes a smartass.”

Awkward silence…

We climbed down off the van, and continued eastward, I was peddling the bike while she sat on the handle bars. Before we made it very far Sasha announced that she was hungry. I pulled off at a relatively untouched looking house, we dismounted, and she covered me as I approached the door. This one didn’t have a key so I had to rely on my lock pick to get us in and secure for a nice meal. I didn’t care that I had to take my time, I was hungry, and I didn’t want to be interrupted while we ate.

We had an uneventful house clearing and when we made it to the kitchen we were both ecstatic. She found some kind of Baked Potato Soup, and I found 3 cans of solid white albacore tuna. I thought it was surely a feast fit for kings. To make the experience even better, upon my search of the cabinets, I found Old Bay, the perfect seasoning for any food, especially on canned tuna.

We were fairly close to the water now, so I had to do without my post lunch nap and head out so I could see if we could get to a building by the docks and see what their general was up to. Ten minutes later I saw a nice four story building with store front windows, perfect for us to for us to climb to the roof and look out across the bay.

Sasha and I cleared the building floor by floor without a problem and made our way to the roof. After I scanned across the bay at Norfolk Harbor with my binos, I saw something of interest at the dry docks. I focused in on a huge aircraft carrier that was docked at my 1 o’clock. I could see men walking all over it like a cracker overrun with ants. This could be something.

“What’s going on with that carrier they have docked over there? Looks like a lot of commotion.” I thought out loud.

“The General is trying to restore it; at least that’s what I’ve heard the guys on my patrol talking about.” Sasha replied.

I decided it was as good a time as any to get back in touch with the team. I logged onto Facebook on my android and posted a few sentences on out private group.

“I think I figured out what the general is doing in Norfolk. He is trying to recommission a CVN they have in the drydock. Let me know what I should do now.”

Chapter 18

ETHAN

I woke up, sore as I’ve ever been. I checked to see if anyone had responded to my post and was glad to see William had posted, somehow he had survived the crash too. Ryan had relayed some ops orders from JJ for us to continue our assigned missions.

I contemplated my next actions as I geared up. I needed to get a grasp on the movements and operations around the outskirts of the city. William would check on things closer to the port. I went to the window and watched for a few minutes before I departed. Normal to light
zeke activity around. I wasn’t really worried about them in such small numbers. Even with my injuries I was still fairly mobile.

Satisfied that I wasn’t going to run into any surprises outside I decided to head out. I knew that my pursuers had approached the crash from the north so I headed in a roughly north-easterly direction, passing more housing developments and parks as I went. I found myself reflecting on the situation.

We lost a lot of good men on this SNAFU. I’m glad Willy was alright. The lad is seriously hard. Ryan may not be the best CO, but he’ll do what it takes to get us out, or he’ll get himself a ride in here and fight out with us. Plus we’ve got JJ looking out for us.

I broke through the houses and came to a four lane road leading to a more commercial area. I saw a very promising sight, this road had been maintained. Glossy black asphalt patches indicated that someone was repairing it. Since I hadn’t seen any zombies in hard hats, it was safe to assume this road saw heavy use. I was on the right track so I turned left and started down the road, head on a swivel. If a vehicle was to pass by I’d be ready to hop into the bushes.

I came up to the commercial area and decided to do some good old fashioned looting. I wasn’t going to have enough food or water to stay in the field for an extended period. As I came up to a Food Lion I lamented that I hadn’t packed my banjo a la Zombieland. I drew my pistol and flash light and cleared the store aisle by isle, finding a couple dormant zeds, but they posed little danger. I left the store feeling good about my haul; four cans of pork n’ beans.

Last stop on the loot express was a CVS which sat right next to the main road. As I came to the disabled automatic doors I could see the cluster inside. At least fifteen
zulus still mobile inside. Not feeling confident about waltzing in the front, I made my way around back. I found the drive through pharmacy window smashed, and after hoisting myself up quietly I found it exactly as looted as I expected. Not that I needed any more meds.

I noticed that the building has a ladder to the roof and decide I could watch the road as I ate. No less than three Humvees came down the road as I ate my pork n’ beans. I jotted that down while eating and also circled the area on my map. I’d have to let Ryan know when I check back in later. I could also hear sporadic gunshots from almost every direction but some distance away.

I wanted to check the zero on my rifle after the crash and figured no one would question the shots so I set my rifle on the railing on the roof away from the road and took aim at a parking lot 250 meters from the building. I set my sights on the first form I see. Unfortunately it wasn’t a zombie. 

A young woman was making her way towards my position, moving skittishly. She appeared to be in her early twenties, reddish brown hair, well dressed and, aside from a bandage on her right forearm, appeared to be healthy. Questions arise. Is she alone? Is she with the anti American group? If not, are they aware of her or her group? It’s rare to run into small groups or individuals this far into Z-Day so I had to assume she is with opfor (opposing forces for those of you who aren’t doing your part against the zambies).

As I continued watching she slid up to the back of the pharmacy and cautiously worked her way around to the front of the building.

“She must be some kind of level 99 BAMF to walk right in there.” I remarked to myself. “Better steer clear.”

As I waited I could hear the doors being pried open slowly. I waited to hear some shots or possibly whatever sounds ninjas silently make when then kill people with throwing stars. I wondered if there are any ninjas left. Suddenly my deep thoughts were cut short when I heard her scream, “Shit!” I threw myself down the ladder and sprinted to the front of the building. What I found is exactly the worst thing I could imagine.

She was fifteen feet inside the building to my right, her back to the wall with almost twenty around her, and one standing ready to strike. The doors were only open far enough to allow a woman’s frame through but I barged my way in. I drew my pistol as I charged in, taking out the two closest to me with my pistol in three quick shots. The woman looked my way just in time to see me barrel through the group at top speed.

I took three to the floor with me. They all crunched and squished under my weight and I finished them point blank with head shots. I jumped to my feet, now covered in some gore, and grabbed her on my way to the door, getting off five more shots off before I
limped us to the door. The woman helped me tip over a couple of shelves to cover our escape and hopefully keep them from spilling out after us.

We ran across the street and looked back to ensure we weren’t followed. “Are you some kind of stu
pid? How are you still alive?” I asked as I looked her over for injuries.

“Me? I’m pretty sure you just tackled some zombies!” she said defiantly.

“Yeah well, I didn’t think I could shoot them all before they swarmed us. Is that a bite on your arm?” I asked, gesturing to the bandage.

She clearly knew what I was thinking and quickly justified it, “No! I got this working on our farm. Are you one of the new Air Force boys from Langley?”

AFB Langley?! Air Force?! I guess that would explain the Raptors that shot us down. “That’s right. I just got down here. My name is Captain Ethan Szimanski, but you can call me Ethan What’s your name?”

“
Zoey. You seem young to be an officer. Why are you out here alone?” she asked suspiciously.

I could tell she was skeptical. “I got separated from my squad while we were operating in the area.” I answered convincingly.

She seemed satisfied with that answer. “We need to go back in and check the pharmacy. We need the medicine that might still be in there.” She pleaded.

“A. I don’t want to and B. I already did” I lied as I showed her my medical bag.

Her face lit up as she looked in the bag. She looked relieved and I could tell she didn’t want to go back in. Neither did I.

At this point I needed to decide whether to use her to show me where their base is or to distance myself from that kind of attention. I was pretty sure after that display she wasn’t a militant and I could convince her I was with them, but that didn’t mean it would work on the soldiers. Since we were heading in the same direction I decided to accompany her. Having her with
with me would give my presence some legitimacy, plus I wouldn’t have to skulk around on my own.

She looked around nervously before speaking again “It’ll be dark soon and there won’t be any more traffic on the road. It’ll be a long walk back to the camp.” I could tell she wanted to get out of here and that she didn’t care for the walking dead. But I guess no one does. “Would you mind showing me the way back to the camp?” I asked.

She looked slow to trust me but nonetheless agreed. I pulled out my map and had her show me the location of her camp. It was almost a straight shot north from us, apparently where the sea at the opening of the bay. She insisted on carrying some of the meds and I didn’t mind having a lighter load. As it turns out the only weapon she had brought was a baseball bat so I gave her my sidearm.