He snorted, then sighed. “Yes, I understand. You Americans, such technology whores, so weak. But I will do as you say.”
“Good. You’re a good fighter. We can use you, but go off on your own again, and I’ll put a bullet in you. True story.”
“It’s been done before, and I am still here.”
“Me too, Ziv. Listen, we need you, and the time for lone wolf is over. This conversation is done.” I turned my back and left him standing there.
I keyed the mike to raise Brit. “Brit, take Red, get over to the pallets, get the supplies, see if you can get some transport running.”
“Roger that.”
“Ahmed, you and Killeen have overwatch. Ziv and I will be there in a minute to start forting up. Tell Doc to keep an eye on Desen.”
I headed over towards the office building, not looking back to see if Ziv was following. In the East, the sky was starting to lighten.
Chapter 13
Sunrise brought a wind, like it always did. The air was full of pollen, and Brit started sneezing as she pulled up in a pickup truck, the back filled with supplies from the two pallets. We had included spare car batteries, a foot pump, Fix-A-Flat, gasoline, everything needed to get two or three vehicles running. She had found a fairly new Ford F-300 pickup with a winch on front. She knew what to look for.
We quickly unloaded and started forting up the building. It was two stories, and we started by boarding up the windows with plywood and two by fours. The generator, running quietly with a special muffler, had sandbags around it to further dampen the sound. Doc ran an air-powered nail gun, tacking up the plywood. The sound of hammers would carry too far in the summer air. Ahmed ran a steel escape cable from the roof out to the nearest building while Red and Ziv worked on demolishing the stairway up to the second floor.
On the roof, Killen sat in overwatch with Brit on the spotting scope, watching for Zs that might come stumbling into the yard. Occasionally a muted pop came from the end of Killeen’s rifle, and I could hear Brit calling out spottings. She leaned over and called down to me “Hey Nick, this guy really can handle a rifle. I think I might like him to show me how he handles his gun.” I gave her a salute and she started sucking on her finger. Grrrrrrrr.
We took a break at 1200 and sat down to figure out our next step. Our mission was to see what shape the container yard was in. From first look, it was a wreck. Next to some of the cranes, I could see the bow of a half-sunken freighter rising over the edge of the docking area. That we already knew about from satellite recon, and it was the Navy’s problem. Our interest was in the cranes themselves and the loading bays for the trucks. We had been tasked with getting a complete rundown on how workable they were, and I expected it to take about two full days. If we had the time.
I expected the undead would start showing up tonight, so we had to hustle.
“OK, we have two things to accomplish. Desen is stable, and he can shoot. He stays here. Killeen, he’s your teammate, you keep an eye on him. Ahmed stays here, so the two of you can provide rotating overwatch. Red is staying also.” He was currently up on the roof, keeping an eye out. “Start into shifts, Red and Ahmed, Killeen and Desen.”
Doc spoke up. “I’m not sure Desen is up for it. I think he might have a broken rib, but I can’t be sure without an x-ray.”
“I’m alright. I can fight.” said Desen, then started coughing. “Ow. Fuck, that hurts. Someone gimme a smoke.” Brit handed him a cigarette and he drew it down to the filter, then lay back and passed out.
“Like I said, Desen is out of it.”
“OK, then. Can you three handle providing overwatch on the gate area and cover us as we scout?”
Ahmed nodded. “We can do that.”
I turned to Brit and Ziv. “You two will be coming with me. First things first, the cranes. I’m not sure how we can tell if they’re working without any power, but we can inspect the cables and machinery. Ziv, do you have any engineering experience?” I wanted to bring him into the team. His loner attitude bothered me, and the more useful I could make him, the better.
“In parachute regiment, we learn how to build things so we can blow them up. Mostly bridges, some buildings. Machinery, no.”
“OK, well, if you see anything out of place, anything, let one of us know.” I turned to Brit.
“Camera, pictures of EVERYTHING.”
“You betcha, Chiefarooney.”
Ziv barked out a laugh, short and harsh. Brit shot me a “sorry” look.
“OK, check your ammo, make sure you have water, any extras you want to bring. SP is in fifteen mikes. Poop or piss or smoke, whatever you gotta do. Remember, we won’t be more than 500 meters from the fort. Stay away from the edge of the docks, I’m not jumping in after anyone. Again.”
Chapter 14
Doc jumped up and said “1200 BBC news!”
Ahmed spoke up. “Can we get it on the SINCGARS down here?”
“No, we would have to use the Harris radio if they were broadcasting on those freqs, but they aren’t. Brother this comes courtesy of the US Navy, broadcasting on the AM radio. Just started last week, up and down the east coast. Lady and gentlemen, AM 890, WUSN!”
He walked over to the pickup truck and turned on the radio. We gathered around just as he tuned it in.
“…the BBC News. The Allied Expeditionary Force launched its first area-clearing drive. British, Free French, and Spanish Exile army units started moving forward from Gibraltar into Southern Spain. Latest reports have them driving ten miles and establishing a defensive line. General Sir Richard Trask, Allied Forces Commander, said casualties had been light, and were on timeline to be in Madrid by September.
A Russian nuclear submarine surfaced outside US territorial limits in Hawaii on Tuesday, requesting asylum. This is the third Russian Navy unit to sail to the United States after the fall of Vladivostok two months ago. The Russian government in exile has issued a general order for national military units to turn themselves into the nearest Allied military base.
In Asia, United States surveillance satellites detected three nuclear detonations in the Himalayan Mountain region of southwestern China. All communication with official Chinese government sources have ceased since these detonations.”
I watched Ziv’s face as we listened to the broadcast. His normal expressionless mask was turning into a deep scowl.
“…merican Airborne troops have launched directly from securing the Mexican oil fields to an Airborne assault to secure the locks of the Panama Canal Zone. The 82nd Airborne Division, supplemented by elements of the 3rd Canadian Light Infantry Division landing by ship, are fighting their way through Panama City. Casualties are reported to be heavy.
Other American forces are reported to be making progress in an effort to approach New York City, reaching the Military Academy at West Point. A rail line has been reopened between Albany and Buffalo.”
Brit jumped up and waved her arm in the air. “Hey, that’s us!!!! Woot woot, Zombie Killers in the house!”
We all grinned at her antics, then Doc shushed us. “Shut it, you foolish woman!” he snapped as Brit continued doing a war dance around the truck.
“…nited Nations Agricultural Bureau has forecast another year of food shortages, despite intensive planting in the Pacific Northwest of North America and the United Kingdom. UN estimates have placed the total world population at five hundred million, worldwide.This has been the World News from the BBC.”