Part One- Rescue, Interrupted

 

Jimmy ran through the house, grabbing essentials while Michelle took care of baby Rachel.

“I can’t get a hold of my Father!” Michelle cried. “He won’t pick up.”

“You can’t think of that right now. We have to focus on getting out of the city,” Capreze called back. “We have to get to safety.”

“What’s going on?” Michelle said, rushing into the living room with a day bag and a crying baby. “What attacked the city?”

Jimmy turned to look at his terrified wife’s face.

“Sir?”

Everything started to fade, the color washing away as the voice yanked Capreze awake.

***

“Your Grace? We are receiving a transmission from the Boss,” Montoya said, gently tapping the Bishop on his shoulder. Bishop Wyble stirred and looked out the transport windshield then at the Deacon.

“Well, about time. How late is he?” Wyble asked.

“Two hours, Your Grace.”

“Remind me to have him fed two pounds of his own flesh when this is all over, as penalty for making me wait.”

“Of course, Your Grace. A fitting punishment.”

“It is, isn’t it?” the Bishop agreed waving his hand impatiently. “Put the Boiler through.”

A grainy image of the Boss appeared upon the windshield.

***

The Boss stood in front of his transmitter array, his face red with anger and frustration, as the Bishop came up on his vid screen.

“You made me wait, Boiler,” Bishop Wyble sneered.

“I already warned you about calling me Boiler,” the Boss growled.

“Yes, yes you have. I ignored that warning since it came from cannibal trash like you,” the Bishop responded, rolling his eyes. “Now, where are you and why haven’t you met us with the Capreze woman?”

“I won’t be making it to your rendezvous point,” the Boss grumbled. “The fucking mech bitch escaped in the night.”

***

“Okay, what are we looking at, Jethro?” Capreze asked, sipping his coffee. The rest of the base personnel watched Jethro expectantly.

“Well, sir, this communication was intercepted and recorded in the night,” Jethro responded tapping at his tablet. “Just watch and listen.”

They all watched as the vid was played of June being beaten.

“How long ago was this?” Capreze asked when the transmission was over.

“About eight hours,” Jethro answered.

“So, the Bishop should already have June and be almost back to the mech base, right?” Bisby asked.

“Well, no,” Jethro said. “Here’s the live feed from the base.”

***

“You’ve had eight hours and she’s still missing?” the Bishop asked annoyance dripping from his words. “This is why your, um, ‘people’ will always be trash.”

“Watch it,” the Boss warned. “I may stop lookin’ for her and start lookin’ for you.”

The Bishop exploded with laughter. Montoya offered a handkerchief and Wyble took it, dabbing at his eyes. The Bishop took a couple deep breaths and composed himself. “If she isn’t in my hands in the next four hours then I send everyone I have to wipe you and your mutants out of the wasteland once and for all.”

***

“You see how the Ranchers are slacking?” Jethro pointed out on the vid feed. “The Bishop obviously isn’t back and it doesn’t look like they are expecting him anytime soon.”

“So, what’s you point?” Harlow asked.

Jethro looked to Capreze. The Commander sighed. “His point is we may have time to rescue June.”

“What?” Rachel scoffed. “She ran out on us! She fucking cut Steve and left him for dead!”

“And she’ll answer for that, Pilot,” Capreze said. “When she’s safe.”

“How far away are we?” Bisby asked, ignoring the Caprezes and focusing on Jethro.

“Well, that’s the good news.”

***

Doctor Themopolous stepped from the transport and away from the morning meeting. She wasn’t a pilot and military logistics gave her a headache. Stretching, she turned about, taking in the vastness of the wasteland. Directly behind her stood Mastelo and several other Skinner men and women. The Doctor jumped, a small, surprised squeak escaping her lips.

“Good morning,” Mastelo greeted. “I apologize for startling you.”

Themopolous, hand to her chest, smiled weakly. “Good morning. And no apologies necessary.”

The two watched each other for a moment until Mastelo cleared his throat. “Is the Commander available?”

“Yes, of course,” Themopolous answered.

***

“I don’t care, Baby Girl!” Capreze shouted. “You will be accompanying Pilot Bisby on this rescue mission.”

“You have got to be kidding me?!?” Rachel yelled back. “She doesn’t deserve our rescue!”

“Ahem,” Themopolous interrupted.

“What?!?” the Caprezes shouted in unison.

Themopolous’ eyebrows raised. “Um, Mastelo would like to speak with the Commander.”

Capreze pushed past his daughter. “Bisby? Plot a course with Jethro. Pilot Capreze? Ready yours and Pilot Bisby’s mechs.”

The Commander stormed from the transport. Rachel whirled on Bisby, but he held up a hand. “Don’t start. You can vent when we’re on our way.”

Rachel fumed.

***

The Boss restrained himself from smashing the transmitter array to pieces. “Fucking pack that up!” he yelled at his driver.

The young woman leapt from the ATV and immediately started breaking down the array. The Boss lifted a handheld com to his mouth. “Someone tell me somethin’ good!” he barked.

He was met with nothing but static. “If someone doesn’t respond with good news, I can guarantee none of you will live through the day.”

“Um, Hanson and me think we’s found their trail, Boss,” a voice squawked.

“Good,” the Boss growled. “Where are you two at?”

“Near Smalley Gulch.”

***

“We need to keep moving,” June said. “Is it almost charged?”

Olivia, sitting in the ATV’s passenger seat, a still sleeping child in her arms, looked at the ATV’s dashboard. “No, looks like it’ll still be another hour.”

“Shit,” June said.

“You should get some rest,” Olivia whispered.

June stared from the shadows of the rock outcropping where they were hidden, kicking at the cable running from the small solar panel to the ATV absentmindedly. “I’m afraid to rest. I don’t think I’d get back up.”

The older child, resting in the backseat, sat up suddenly, head cocked and listening.

***

Hanson stopped the ATV and grabbed the pair of binocs out of Delroy’s hands. He scanned the dry gulch below and tossed the binocs back. “I don’t see shit,” he complained.

Delroy lifted the binocs to his own eyes. He checked back and forth, finally focusing on one spot. “There, right before it turns.” He pulled the binocs away and pointed.

Hanson squinted. “Nope, still don’t- Oh, wait, yep. That shiny thing?”

“I bet that’s a charger,” Delroy said, stepping from the ATV and retrieving his carbine. “We better get down there and find out before the Boss calls again.”

***

June watched the kid listen for a moment. “What do you hear?”

The child crawled from the ATV and June helped him to stand. His body was twisted and warped from being raised in a cage and he wobbled a bit on his feet. He pointed out into the waste, cocked his head again and then pointed up out of the gulch. June patted him on the back and eased herself to the edge of the shadows to take a look.

The second the light hit her face a shot rang out and bits of rock shattered by her head.

***

“Damn! Missed!” Delroy cursed.

“Should we call the Boss?” Hanson asked.

“Shit no! If we get down there and they’s gone we’re fuckin’ dead! Better he not know until we’s got them’s bodies bagged up.”

“But, Boss said to not kill the mechie bitch, didn’t he?” Hanson asked.

“Yeah, but that don’t mean we can’t kill the others. It’s just an old woman and the breed feed,” Delroy responded.

Hanson grabbed his own carbine and surveyed the edge of the gulch. “Ain’t too steep.” He stepped onto the grade and control-slid his way down.

Delroy slung his carbine and followed.

***

“Good morning,” Capreze greeted Mastelo.

“Good morning, Commander,” Mastelo responded turning towards those accompanying him. “I have brought our council with me this morning to discuss some issues.”

Capreze raised an eyebrow. “Issues? I’m guessing not everyone wants to join forces with us.”

Mastelo chuckled, as well as a couple of the others. “You are correct. Many do not see the benefit.”

“Of course. They’d be foolish not to question,” Capeze said, gesturing to the transport. “Let’s meet inside before the heat gets too overbearing.”

The group laughed and Capreze smiled. “But, I guess you folks are used to it.”

***

“This is bullshit,” Rachel grumbled as she powered up her mech.

“Cut your old man some slack,” Bisby said over the com. “He can’t turn to the UDC brass anymore. He’s got to be feeling pretty isolated.”

“Yeah, but why take the risk of going after June? She deserted us!”

“Because, we need every damn mech pilot we can get! Think for fuck’s sake! We’re it. We don’t know what’s happened to Masters or Jay or the Rookie and we have no idea if Mathew made it to Windy City or not.”

Rachel was silent.

“Oh, sorry, Rache,” Bisby muttered.

***

“I’m detecting heavy activity on the relay net,” Shiner said.

“Yeah? Like what activity?” Mathew asked.

“Unclear. We’d have to risk detection to fully assess.”

“You know what? Fuck it! I think being fully informed is worth the risk. If the Outsider just keeps getting stronger then sooner or later it’ll be able to find us, relay or no relay.”

Shiner processed. “I do not fully agree, but I do not have a better alternative.”

Shiner/Mathew reconnected to the relay net.

“Holy fuck!” Mathew yelled mentally. “That’s a whole lot of deader minds!”

“They are massing for something,” Shiner said.

***

“I am sensing movement,” Stomper stated.

“In the cavern?” Masters yawned. “More zombies?”

“No, it is coming from the wasteland,” Stomper answered. “The ground is vibrating considerably.”

Masters processed the data that Stomper was detecting. “Hmm, if I didn’t know better, I’d say that was an army. I mean, listen to it, it sounds like thousands of feet and… wheels.”

Masters/Stomper turned towards the direction of Foggy Bottom and focused the scanners. “It is coming from that direction,” Stomper said.

“Well, I’m tired of just sitting here and waiting. What do you say we go check it out?” Masters asked.

***

“If we do find June,” Rachel said. “I can’t promise I won’t kick the shit out of her.”

“I hear that,” Bisby replied. “Whether directly, or indirectly, she led to Steve’s death. And as much as I hated that man’s blueberries, he didn’t deserve that.”

Rachel laughed a little. “God, those muffins were horrible.”

The two mechs, motor drives engaged, moved across the wasteland quickly, the wasteland heat shimmering across their exoskeletons.

“I take it back,” Rachel said. “I have a feeling June has already paid for everything she’s done. Who knows what those cannibal fucks have done to her…”

***

“Give me your pistol,” June said to Olivia as she helped the woman and two deformed children find better cover back in the shadows, putting the ATV between them and the direction the shot came from.

Olivia handed June the pistol. “We don’t have much ammo.”

“Don’t worry. If I need more bullets than what’s already in here then we are fucked,” June responded. She saw the looks in the children’s eyes and smiled weakly. “Don’t worry. This is what I do for a living. Or did, at least.”

June crouched low and scooted towards the edge of the shadows.

***

“Yep, that’s a charger,” Hanson whispered, as both he and Delroy, carbines at their shoulders, slowly approached the bend in the gulch. Neither man got a chance to step closer as June rolled from her cover, took aim and fired her pistol.

Delroy caught two bullets in the gut while Hanson collapsed instantly with a hole between his eyes.

“You fucking bitch!” Delroy screamed, falling to his knees, his hands holding his own intestines.

June approached casually and planted a kick squarely into Delroy’s insides. He fell over screaming and continued to scream as June ground down on his guts.

***

A small woman spoke first. “We understand your situation, Commander, but many of us do not see how your peril truly affects us.”

Capreze smiled and leaned forward. “It is no longer about ‘us’ and ‘them’, or about ‘you’ and ‘me’. Whatever is going on out there is bigger than all of us. I truly believe that if we do not band together, the fate of the human race is sealed.”

“But, what proof do you have?” a young man asked. “We do not know you and you did not know of us until yesterday. Why should we trust you?”

***

The ATV flew over hills and across the wasteland as the Boss spoke into his handheld com. “Delroy? What you got for me?” The Boss waited, but there was no response. “Delroy? Answer me boy or I swear you’ll end up like Chunks!”

The Boss was answered by a loud crack coming from the com then the sound of June’s voice. “Delroy is like Chunks, except for the junk in the mouth part.” June laughed. “Did you like that, Boss? I figured you could appreciate the aesthetic of a good genital mutilation.”

“I’m gonna gut you, bitch,” the Boss growled.

***

“Yeah, I don’t think so,” June responded to the Boss’s threat. “You keep forgetting I’m a mech pilot. UDC trained and tested. You think a crazy fuck like you can take me down?”

“You won’t get far with that old cunt and those little meals slowing you down.”

“Now, is that any way to speak about your own mother?” June started stripping Delroy and Hanson of their weapons. “You don’t get it, do you? You are so used to isolation that you think we all are, but it isn’t true. I have a home, I just forgot for a bit.”

***

“Jethro, if you please,” the Commander said. Jethro wheeled forward and handed each of the Skinners a tablet.

“I’ve put together a vid briefing so you all will be up to speed on the situation,” Jethro began, tapping at his own tablet. “It’s only a few minutes long, but you’ll get the idea quickly.”

Capreze leaned back and watched as Mastelo and his people viewed the vid. Security footage of the UDC troops turning into zombies filled the small screens, then of the Ranchers take over of the base and finally the intercepted communication between the Bishop and the Boss.

***

Masters/Stomper crested the small hill and looked out at the expanse of wasteland.

“Well, we don’t really need scanners to analyze that shit,” Masters said sarcastically.

“But, the scanners do give us an accurate count of the forces,” Stomper replied.

“I was just kidding,” Masters joked. “You’re gonna have to learn sarcasm or ‘we’ will never work.”

Stomper processed. “The need for ironic humor when faced with overwhelming odds is puzzling.”

“Yeah, well, you’ll learn,” Masters responded, quite serious now as he watched several dozen transports and what looked like thousands upon thousands of zombies march across the wasteland plain.

***

“My God,” Mathew exclaimed. “How many are there?”

“It appears to be every single citizen inoculated, including all UDC troops,” Shiner responded.

“All of them?” Mathew gasped.

“Yes. All of them.”

Shiner/Mathew processed the information streaming through the relay net. “Where the fuck are they going?” Mathew asked.

“The possibilities are too numerous,” Shiner replied.

“Let’s narrow it down, shall we?” Mathew chided. “They are coming from their respective city/states, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Then what is between all of them and their points of departure?”

Shiner processed. “Many things.”

Mathew sighed. “But, what is the most significant choice?”

“The UDC stronghold.”

***

“We don’t know why the UDC has inoculated the city/state populations nor why their troops are assisting the Ranchers,” Capreze said as the Skinners finished watching the vid briefing. “But, we do know it’s not because they want to make new friends.”

Mastelo and the council looked at each other warily. “We cannot commit all of our people,” Mastelo finally said.

“No, of course not. And we cannot arm all of your people,” Capreze responded. “We can only arm about 80 of your people.”

“That doesn’t seem like an adequate number,” the small woman stated.

“No, it’s not,” Capreze said.

***

“We can’t handle that many,” Masters said.

“No, we cannot,” Stomper agreed as they returned to the cavern mouth.

“We need to find Jay and the Rookie and return to the base,” Masters stated as the massive mech knelt down and reached into the cavern. “And we’ll need this.”

After a couple attempts, Masters/Stomper was able to remove the salvage mech from the cavern without damage. The new mech stood upright, the smaller mech held in its fist.

“Now, how do we find Jay?” Masters mused.

“The sensors show an underground river,” Stomper responded. “They may have escaped that way.”

***

“And what the fuck is up with her pretending to be me?” Rachel asked.

“Pretty smart move, in my opinion,” Bisby replied. “It made her valuable and kept her alive.”

“Whatever,” Rachel grumbled. “Okay, I’ve got to stop trashing her.”

Bisby stayed silent, knowing Rachel wasn’t finished.

“But, Jeezus fuck, she gets under my skin,” Rachel continued. “And I don’t know why!” Rachel sighed and checked her navigation readings. “Were not even close yet, are we?”

“Nope,” Bisby responded. “Might as well do some system tests while we have the time. Wanna read the checklist?”

“Yeah, sure, whatever,” Rachel responded.

***

“You think we can track the river through the ground and find where it comes out?” Masters asked.

“Yes, our scanners are easily strong enough,” Stomper responded.

“Well, let’s get on it…Oh, shit,” Masters paused. “Matty and Shiner won’t know where to find us.”

“We can try to contact them via the relay net.”

“But, that will give our position away.”

“Our position will be compromised the moment that army crests the hill.”

“Good point,” Masters conceded. “You aren’t as basic as you think.”

“Complexity can sometimes get in the way of answers,” Stomper replied.

“Hmmm… Well said,” Masters agreed.

***

“Why are they all headed to the UDC stronghold?” Mathew asked.

“I believe that is where the Outsider originates from,” Shiner answered. “Which may mean ‘Outsider’ is a misnomer.”

“Maybe we should call it Big Fucking Ugly In My Head,” Mathew joked.

“Hey guys!” Masters called over the net. “Listen, we- Jeezus! Is it me or did the relay net get WAY crowded?”

“It appears every inoculated human has become connected and active,” Shiner explained.

“Yeah, we just saw the Foggy Bottom contingent heading our way,” Masters said. “So we grabbed Jay’s mech and are on search and rescue now.”

***

“Do you have our coordinates?” Masters asked.

“Yep, we’re adjusting course and heading that way. Keep us posted,” Mathew answered. “And go ahead and stay connected. It doesn’t really matter anymore now that the entire wasteland is about to be caught up in a net of deaders. No place to hide really.”

“Have you tried contacting the base?” Masters asked.

“No, not yet,” Mathew responded. “It’s easy for us to talk, but I’m not sure if we can access the base com system.”

“Open channel?”

“No, too risky. Everyone can hear that. Ranchers, Boilers, everyone.”

“Yeah, that’s true,” Masters agreed.

***

“Yes, send it through,” Deacon Montoya said over his com. He tapped at his console and brought up a new image on the windshield. “Bishop? Your Grace?”

“What is it now, Deacon? Is it more disappointing news from the Boiler?”

“No, Your Grace. We have received information that two of the mech pilots have been located in the wasteland. And, well, they…”

“You hesitate, Deacon, please do tell,” Bishop Wyble sat up, interested.

“Well, Your Grace, they have somehow merged with the Demons.”

The Bishop stared at Montoya for a moment. “I’m sorry, Deacon. I must have misunderstood you. Merged?”

***

“You know we’re already long gone from where you think we are,” June taunted over the handheld.

“The wasteland isn’t big enough for you to hide from me, you fucking bitch!” the Boss roared.

“Oh, I’m not going to be hiding, but you may want to. If I do see you again, I won’t be as quick as I was with Chunks.”

The Boss punched the ATV’s dashboard then turned and punched the young woman driving. The ATV swerved dangerously, but the driver regained her composure.

“Watch where you’re going, you fucking idiot!” the Boss screamed.

“Temper, temper,” June mocked.

***

Commander Capreze pointed at his tablet. “The mech base is here and we’re…here.”

The council looked at their tablets then back at Capreze.

“I don’t know how many vehicles you have,” Capreze continued. “But if we could have three of your people armed per vehicle, then I think we can stage a decent assault.”

Mastelo and the council looked from one to the other confused.

“I am sorry, Commander, but I think you have the wrong impression of our resources,” Mastelo said. “We do not have vehicles.”

Jethro and Capreze stared for a moment.

“No vehicles?” Jethro asked. “Shit.”

***

“Return to the base, Montoya,” the Bishop commanded. “I must be presentable when His Holiness, the Archbishop arrives. And I need a secure com line so I can contact our UDC brethren. This ‘merged’ mech development is quite troubling.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” Deacon Montoya responded as his console beeped. “It appears the Boss is trying to communicate.”

“That Boiler is barely capable of grunting, let alone full communication.” The Bishop rolled his eyes and sighed. “Put him through, Deacon. “

“Of course, Your Grace.”

“You better have good news, Boss,” the Bishop hissed.

“I think I do,” the Boss responded.

***

“Think the Capreze whore is heading home,” the Boss shouted above the wind as he steadied the transmitter array in the back of the moving ATV.

“You think?” replied the Bishop.

“That’s what I fucking said, ain’t it?’ the Boss snapped. “Pull the cocks out of your ears and listen up. The. Mech. Bitch. Is. Coming. Right. To. You!”

“Oh, well then I guess we don’t need your assistance anymore, Boiler,” the Bishop laughed.

“Oh, I think you do,” the Boss said. “Unless you want my people’s sole goal in life to be attacking Rancher transports every time they leave.”

***

“Hey Biz, did you catch that?” Rachel asked over the com.

“Yeah, we must be close enough to pick up on their transmissions,” Bisby responded. “And it sounds like we’re heading the wrong way.”

“June has no idea the base has been overrun.”

“I know, I know,” Bisby replied. “But, we have no idea which way she’s coming from. We can’t intercept her.”

“Should we head back and let the Commander know?” Rachel asked.

“Probably should. This has all turned into one big giant shit show,” Bisby growled.

“It always is with June,” Rachel replied.

The two mechs reversed course.

***

Harlow sat in her mech, cockpit open to the hot wasteland wind. Below her she could hear the zombies pounding at their confinement in the transport storage compartment.

“Hey Doc?” Harlow called.

“Yes, Harlow?” Themopolous responded over the com.

“What has the Commander said about those fucking deaders?”

“I haven’t had a chance to ask him, Harlow. He’s been a bit busy.”

“Well, we got to do something. I’m going to go fucking nuts with all that noise!”

“Yes, you’ve made that perfectly clear,” Themopolous laughed.

“Well, apparently I haven’t been clear enough since the deaders are still banging away!”

***

“No vehicles is going to make an assault on the base difficult,” Capreze sighed.

“What if we don’t attack them, but make them come to us?” Jethro said. All eyes turned on the wheelchair bound mechanic. “If we can get most of their forces to bring the fight here, that would leave the base exposed. We win the fight and keep some of their transports intact, then re-take the base.”

“A solid plan except that it exposes where we live,” the young man said angrily.

“You can’t hide forever,” Capreze stated. “At some point you have to face the world.”

***

“Hey guys? Jethro here,” Jethro’s voice squawked over the com.

“What the fuck are you doing, Jethro? I thought we needed to keep com silence,” Bisby barked.

“Change of plans,” Jethro responded. “The threat isn’t pursuing and we’re pretty sure we aren’t their target anymore.”

“What? None of that makes-” Rachel started.

“We’ve gathered some new intel. Just head back to camp. You’ll be briefed then. Understand?”

“No! I don’t fucking understand!” Bisby yelled. “Let me talk to the Commander.”

“He’s occupied. You guys are just gonna have to trust me on this.”

“We’re on our way, Jethro,” Rachel said.

***

“Your Grace?”

“What is it now, Deacon?” Bishop Wyble snapped, removing his eye shade.

“My apologies for interrupting your rest, Your Grace, but Reverend Dell just reported that they intercepted a communication over the mech base’s secure com channel,” Deacon Montoya reported. “They were able to triangulate the location of Capreze’s camp. We know where they are, Your Grace.”

The Bishop rubbed his hands together. “Wonderful, Deacon. Have all transports readied immediately. And have word sent to the Archbishop that I may miss his arrival as I plan on leading the assault on the mech heathens personally.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

***

“Damn, this freakin’ river goes on and on and on,” Masters complained as he and Stomper followed the sensor readings. “There better be headroom down there if they did take this route, otherwise they’re going to be holding their breath for a long time.”

“You talk a lot,” Stomper replied.

“Um, that was random,” Masters chuckled.

“Yeah, tell me about it,” Mathew interrupted. “We’ve never been able to get him to shut up.”

“Hey!” Masters exclaimed. “Are you guys listening? No fair! Get out of our heads.”

“That would not be wise,” Shiner responded. “Communication is key to our survival.”

***

“By the way, as much as you think you are the center of the universe, we weren’t listening,” Mathew said. “We were about to let you know we picked up communications among the UDC deaders about routing transports and troops deep in to the wasteland.”

“Yeah, so? They’re all being routed,” Masters responded.

“Yes, but it sounds like they are going after our folks.”

“I have confirmed that the Ranchers are readying their forces and the UDC troops available to them. They are planning an assault on Commander Capreze and anyone with him,” Shiner said.

“Well, that sucks,” Masters said.

***

“Looks like it’s working,” Jethro informed Capreze. “The Ranchers and UDC at our base are mobilizing.”

“Alright, then we have maybe a day,” Capreze replied. “Time to get to work.” He turned to Mastelo and the council. “Bring me your best fighters, the ones with the best eye. Today they learn to shoot.”

Mastelo stood and the council followed. “And when this is over, we can count on your assistance and protection in giving my people a home outside of the deep?”

“Yes, you have my word,” Capreze answered extending his hand. Mastelo grasped it and the two men shook.

***

“So, if they have been found and we are certainly being tracked then there’s no reason to keep silent, is there?” Mathew asked.

“It would appear not,” Shiner responded.

“Well, then open the com.”

Instantly Shiner accessed and opened the mech com system. “We are connected.”

“Commander Capreze? Jethro? Anyone out there? This is Pilot Jespers. Come in.”

“Matty?” Jethro replied. “Is that you? Holy shit!”

“Hey Jethro! Good to hear your voice.”

“No shit, man. Where the fuck are you?”

“We’re a ways from you folks.”

“We? Who else is with you?”

“Um, you’re gonna want to get Capreze.”

***

“Capreze here. It’s good to know I can count you among the living, Pilot.”

“Hey me too!” Masters interrupted.

“Mitch?!? Baby is that you?” Harlow interrupted.

“You bet your sweet tits it is! And guess what? I’ve got a brand new mech! And it’s fucking huge!”

“We are huge,” Stomper corrected.

“Right, sorry. We are huge!”

“Pilots? Who is with you?” Capreze asked, caution in his voice. “What new mech?”

“Yeah, that’s going to have to wait, sir, if Masters can keep his trap shut,” Mathew responded.

“Sorry. I’ll let you two speak.”

“Two? What is going on?” Capreze barked.

***

“Listen, I can’t go into too much detail, but you have Rancher and UDC transports coming your way.”

Capreze glanced at Jethro and put a finger to his lips for the mechanic to stay quiet. “We do?”

“Yes, sir. But it gets worse.”

“Worse? How?”

“Sir, every single person that was inoculated is now dead and walking.”

“I’m sorry, Pilot, did you say every person?” Capreze asked.

“Yes, sir. All city/states have been overtaken and if they didn’t comply, they were destroyed. Windy City is gone, sir.”

“And Foggy Bottom is now a deader army on the march,” Masters added.

***

“Yes, sir, we have confirmed that there are hundreds of thousands of deaders moving across the wasteland,” Mathew said. “If you push scanners to full, you should be able to pick up some of them.”

Jethro immediately began tapping at his tablet. “Jeezus fuck! He’s right, sir. I’ve got at least 20,000 coming at us.”

Capreze looked at Mastelo and the council. “You’ll need to move quickly.”

“You can count on us,” Mastelo affirmed as they left the transport.

“Mathew, Masters, I want you on me now,” Capreze ordered.

“No can do, sir,” Mathew responded.

“You better explain yourself, Pilot.”

***

“Well, sir, I have gotten myself in a bit of a tech mess,” Mathew said. “Masters and I are on our way to find Jay and the Rookie.”

“Jay? You lost Jay?” Jethro asked.

“We were separated when the Hill Stomper attacked and the cavern mouth caved in, then the storm came and I went all black-outy and-”

“Thank you, Pilot Masters, we get it: Jay is missing,” Capreze interrupted.

“And the Rookie, too,” Masters added. “That boy saved our asses! You’ll never guess what he can do! Holy shit!”

“I’ll await the report. Now about this tech mess, Mathew…”

***

“Harlow? Do you hear anything?” Themopolous asked.

“Hold on,” Harlow said, muting her com. “Hear what?”

“Exactly. The zombies in storage have gone quiet.”

“I’ll be right down.”

Harlow grabbed a sawed off pump action shotgun she kept in her cockpit and descended her mech. Themoplolous walked cautiously to the transport’s storage compartment and waited for Harlow.

“So, why do you think they stopped kicking?” Harlow asked, leveling the shotgun at the compartment door.

“I don’t know,” Themopolous replied.

“We address Commander Capreze only,” four monotone voices said in unison from the compartment.

Harlow pumped her shotgun. “Holy fucking shit!”

***

“Unless I find Jay I’m stuck in a mech cockpit for the rest of my life,” Mathew said.

“I understand your situation, Mathew, but I want you and Masters joining us immediately,” Capreze ordered.

“I’ll stay and keep looking for them,” Masters said. “My scanners are the only ones strong enough to track the river anyway. Plus, I’m not hooked into the net as extensively as Matty and Shiner.”

“No,” Capreze ordered flatly. “You’ll return also.”

“With all due respect, sir, I just went through some crazy shit with those two and I’m not leaving them out here,” Masters responded.

***

Capreze pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. “Masters, I have given you a direct order.”

“And I am ignoring that order, sir,” Masters replied. “You’ll have to shoot me when this is all over.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Masters! You know I’m not going to have you shot! Just get your ass here now!”

“Sir! You have to come out here!” Themopolous interrupted over the com.

“I am a little busy, Doctor,” Capreze responded.

“The zombies in storage are speaking, sir!”

Capreze sighed. “Of course they are.”

“They want to speak to you directly.”

“Of course they do.”

***

Capreze stepped from the transport and approached Themopolous and Harlow. “Fine. Masters you continue searching, but Mathew, I want you on me right fucking now!”

“Yes, sir,” both pilots responded.

“Oh, and Masters?” Capreze continued.

“Yes, sir?”

“Fuck you.”

“Understood, sir.”

The Commander stood looking at the storage compartment. “Well?”

Harlow kicked the door.

“We address Commander Capreze directly,” the voices said.

Capreze put the heel of his hand to his forehead and pulled his sidearm. “That’s more than a little unsettling.”

“No shit,” Harlow responded.

“Well, Doctor, will you do the honors? Harlow and I will have you covered.”

***

Themopolous yanked the storage compartment open and leapt back. Capreze and Harlow, pistols ready, watched the four body bags shake themselves free of the compartment and fall to the ground.

“We address Commander Capreze directly,” they repeated.

“Speaking. Who the hell are you?”

“We are the hundreds of thousands, we are the one, we are the Outsider.”

“How about I just call you Fuckhead?” Capreze said.

The bags convulsed. “For that insult, you will not become part of the one. You will not get the glory of joining the Outsider. You… you… you…”

“I think I broke them,” Capreze said.

***

“You cannot break what is all knowing, all seeing!” the deaders chorused.

“So what do you want?” Capreze asked.

“For all to be one and to undo the great wrong!”

“You want us to submit to your control?”

“You will submit or you will die!”

“Yeah, well, fuck you,” Capreze said as he stepped forward and silenced each body with a head shot. “Harlow? Burn those.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Hey, Jethro!” Capreze called stepping to the transport door. “Open all channels.”

“Sir?”

“You heard me. I’m done with this chaotic bullshit! Time to bring some order back to this fucking hellhole!”

***

Capreze cleared his throat.

“Attention inhabitants of the wasteland! This is Base Commander James Capreze. I just want to let everyone, living and undead, know that I will no longer put up with your fucking games. I will no longer put up with the Cults, cannibals, the mindless killers and thieves. I will no longer allow myself or my people to be the wasteland’s bitches, always having to clean up everyone else’s mess. So come and get us, if you dare. We’ll be right here.

“Oh, and Outsider? After I kick every last mother fucker’s ass. I’m coming for you.”