Operation Z by Szepanski, G.D. (well read books .txt) 📗

Jim had been happy he never gave in to Corinne’s advances when he arrived at the camp. There might be time for love again someday, but not with a woman like her.

“Isaac, I need you to go with me into town today. We need to get a new water pump for the hydroponic farm.”

“Take someone else, Jim! I could go into labor at any moment and he needs to be here for me.”

“Corinne, you’re only seven months pregnant, so it’s highly unlikely. Besides, what help will Isaac be with your delivery?”

“Stop giving my man such a hard time. He’s a…”

“Both of you stop it! I’ll be ready to go in ten minutes.” Every once in a while, Isaac put his pants on and spoke up.

As Jim turned away to gather his gear, he heard the two of them continue to bicker. If there was any justice in the world, Corinne would have become a zombie and Melody would still be alive here with Jim. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out the way Jim wanted them to, and he had lost Melody forever.

April walked into the room as Big Jim checked his equipment one last time. He always double and triple checked everything before a mission. This thoroughness kept him alive during his time in the Problem Solvers, and it would preserve him during the apocalypse.

“Hey kid, keep an eye on the plants and that pump while I’m gone. Do you need something from town?”

“How ‘bout a Hershey bar?”

“Uh… You know we are going to an electrical supply house? I don’t think they have candy.”

April displayed her infectious killer smile. “That sucks! Well, watch your ass out there. I need you to return to me safely.”

“You got it, sweetie. Those zombies won’t get the best of Big Jim.”

“You’re getting older and slower, you know.”

Big Jim laughed at her insult. “I can still kick your ass, youngster. I’ve got to get moving. Watch yourself, April.”

Jim had been teaching April survival skills, and she caught on fast. She could shoot better than anyone else at camp, besides Jim, and she understood the basics of hand to hand combat. Her physical limitations were only being five foot five inches tall and weighing about 100 pounds soaking wet. April fought like a feral cat, and Jim hoped it would be enough when the time came for her to fight for her life.

Isaac was already in the garage when Jim entered. He had two ATVs ready to go. The quickest way to town had them follow a narrow trail which wandered up and over the mountain. They could travel this path with an ATV, but no other vehicles could make the trip over the rugged terrain. Jim had hoped to bring the GTO back to the camp, but it hadn’t been a practical decision. He hoped the car would remain hidden in the house's garage on the hill and he could reclaim it someday.

“Why do you always bring the bow and arrow, Jim? Take an AR-15 like me.”

“Zombies respond to noise and my bow is silent. Your rifle will draw every zombie within ten miles if you start shooting. Who will be smart then?”

Without waiting for a reply, Jim started the ATV and headed toward the path to town. He knew Isaac would follow him because he may not be the smartest tool in the shed, but he was loyal. Isaac owed his life to Big Jim, and he never forgot that even without being reminded. Jim bailed him out during their first encounter and several more times since then.

After crossing over to the opposite side of the mountain, there was a turnoff where Jim always stopped to look over the town. It stood higher than the balcony on his previous home and at a different angle, but it provided a view of the entire town. At one-point Jim returned to the town and finished barricading the road with the remaining school buses, so any unknown visitors to town were rare. Today the town appeared to be empty, so Jim urged his ATV onward.

They reached the warehouse and dismounted the ATVs. A few zombies roamed the far end of the street and appeared unaware of their presence. Isaac raised his gun and Jim spoke one word.

“No.”

Isaac dropped his aim and turned toward Jim with a hurt look on his face.

“They don’t even know we’re here. No need to let them and their friends know. Only take them out when you have to.”

Jim entered the building with Isaac on his heels. A large warehouse space with tall metal shelves filled a football field sized space.

“The pumps should be down this aisle. Keep your eyes open for trouble.”

Isaac nodded and followed Jim with his rifle pointed toward the ground. Big Jim appreciated the second set of eyes but wished they belonged to a more capable operator. Their search lasted for about ten minutes before they found what they were looking for. Luck had been on their side because there were three pumps on the shelf. Jim grabbed two and Isaac struggled to carry the third. Looks like they would make it back to the camp in time for lunch. As they exited the building, Jim saw the men before they spoke.

“On the authority of the NUS, I order you to halt and surrender.”

Ten men stood in a semicircle between the exit of the building and the two ATVs. They wore the same black uniforms, but all carried different weapons. None displayed the training or discipline of military personnel.

“What cha taking from that store, gentlemen? Where ya heading to?”

Jim knew no good could come from cooperating with these morons, and he hoped Isaac would be smart enough to keep his big mouth shut.

“Uh… Water pumps.”

So much for Isaac being smart. He had to take control of this encounter before things got out of hand. Isaac would give everyone at the camp up without even thinking because he didn’t think. Just consider his ill advised relationship with Corinne as a case