Through Rough Times - A Zombie Apocalypse Adventure (alternate-timelines.com Edition)

[ukron]

Chapter 76: The Red Line

October 26, 2018 (Z-Day+9)
Andersen Air Force Base, Guam

USAF General Harold "Bullhead" Macmaster: "B-1s and B-52s are coming home, their mission have been a success. They dropped bombs over Kammon Brigde in order to assist our Japanese friends and their deployment in Kyushu. It seems obvious that infected are coming from everywhere from every cities of northern Japan. The JSDF is over strechted between Hokkaido safe zone and Kyushu enclaves. Human casualties are now estimated in millions. I guess that you understand that we will ran out of fuel and ammo before that the Japanese manage to push back those zombies. We have good news about South Korea, it seems that the recent North Korean retreat to their own country help our friends to hold Busan[1] for a while but this seems inevitable that city will fall in a pair of weeks, maybe a month if we are lucky. Happily the Chinese hardliner take over has ended and it seems that the new emergency government is ready to be assisted by international community but we have nothing for them...all of my men and aircraft are used for the Japanese and South Korean theater, sir."

POTUS: "Hold on General, we have some good news for you, some new brave guys will come for helping you with some aircraft and bombs."

General Macmaster: "But sir...yes sir?"

POTUS: "Don't worry general, we have kind of a new super weapons that Vladmir and myself have decide to us. We will inform our NATO allies and China, this is a weapon that will change the course of war. You will have the opportunity to deployed it on the ground."

General Macmaster: "Yes, Sir"

(General cuts communication off)
**************************
"A new weapon, a Russian one?...Oh God...we are crossing the red line if we are using WMD's, if we go nuclear, zombies will still be here, not us..."

A new weapon will change the course of history, maybe not like 1945 atomic bombs, but this marvellous will definitively assure mankind's survival over Zombies swarm.
**************************
Author's Notes:
[1] An obvious reference to Train to Busan.

[stevep]

May 26, 2022 18:30:41 GMT ukron said:

Chapter 76: The Red Line

October 26, 2018 (Z-Day+9)
Andersen Air Force Base, Guam

USAF General Harold "Bullhead" Macmaster: "B-1s and B-52s are coming home, their mission have been a success. They dropped bombs over Kammon Brigde in order to assist our Japanese friends and their deployment in Kyushu. It seems obvious that infected are coming from everywhere from every cities of northern Japan. The JSDF is over strechted between Hokkaido safe zone and Kyushu enclaves. Human casualties are now estimated in millions. I guess that you understand that we will ran out of fuel and ammo before that the Japanese manage to push back those zombies. We have good news about South Korea, it seems that the recent North Korean retreat to their own country help our friends to hold Busan[1] for a while but this seems inevitable that city will fall in a pair of weeks, maybe a month if we are lucky. Happily the Chinese hardliner take over has ended and it seems that the new emergency government is ready to be assisted by international community but we have nothing for them...all of my men and aircraft are used for the Japanese and South Korean theater, sir."

POTUS: "Hold on General, we have some good news for you, some new brave guys will come for helping you with some aircraft and bombs."

General Macmaster: "But sir...yes sir?"

POTUS: "Don't worry general, we have kind of a new super weapons that Vladmir and myself have decide to us. We will inform our NATO allies and China, this is a weapon that will change the course of war. You will have the opportunity to deployed it on the ground."

General Macmaster: "Yes, Sir"

(General cuts communication off)
**************************
"A new weapon, a Russian one?...Oh God...we are crossing the red line if we are using WMD's, if we go nuclear, zombies will still be here, not us..."

A new weapon will change the course of history, maybe not like 1945 atomic bombs, but this marvellous will definitively assure mankind's survival over Zombies swarm.
**************************
Author's Notes:
[1] An obvious reference to Train to Busan.

  I must admit I had the same reaction as the general when I heard the dreaded word Vladimir!  I doubt this will end well.

[ukron]

Chapter 77: Nec Pluribus Impar ("Not unequal to many")

October 25, 2018 (Z-Day+8; mid-day)
Abu Dhabi French military garrison, United Arab Emirates

600,000 civilians lived in modern Abu Dhabi urban center before outbreak, if you don't count those who reanimated as living corpses. Counting those who starved to death and those who take a flight to a foreign country when mass rioting began, it could reach 60,000 to 80,000 survivors scattered into skyscrappers, and in parts of the incomplete Abu Dhabi Metro. Of course no ones will forget to mention the 500 French and U.S. soldiers besieged by the living dead. Some various pieces of military hardware left behind everywhere, zombies corpses and limbs too...the sweltering heat and scavengers didn't help survivors to hold out very much longer.

A large behemoth guards the French "Peace Camp", a large and important Leclerc main battle tank. Its 120mm main gun, pointed in front of the barricades, seemed to shout to un-living intruders:"YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" like a Verdun veteran or an all-steel magician. A bunch of half burned, half torn apart limbs scattered all across the desert and road was the proof of this harsh defense but large "rubbons" of a dark dried blood were also the infantry fight testify: thousands of empty sleeves abandoned on the ground and on the macadam, illuminated in the sun.

But no signs of the living?

A tense and stinky smell of blood and powder went, this sticky reek could easily push everyone to puke. Thousands of scavengers, including vultures are gathered for a feast. Every limbs from the living or from the walking dead was a good meal. For this time, there is enough for everyone. Despite the war machines, guns and bombs, death has won again as ammo and fuel were lacking so fast, air support was collapsing when Al Dhafra air base was overrun. This was at least an heroic defense, meter by meter, each buildings was becoming a new battlefield for thousands of French, U.S. and Emirati tanks crew, airmen or soldiers. A dark smoke was softly ascended from a warehouse destroyed by F-16E delivered bomb, only the oppresing noises of famished ghouls ringed all across the base. The brave, heroic defense of 5th Cuirassiers soldiers and crews definitively made them "unequal to many" but a dead hero is a dead, and possibly reanimated armed man...and no one, no nation couldn't let their heroes die in such humanity's dark times.
*************
Author's Notes:
The title is a reference to 5th Cuirassiers motto/Louis XIV motto. Written by ukron

[ukron]

Chapter 78: Freeze to Death

October 23, 2018 (Z-Day +6)
HMCS Windsor
[location undisclosed], somewhere in Davis Strait

"The world of silent" was barely disturbed by the submarine's slippage, ultra-quiet diesel propulsion very useful for tracking Russian submarines intruding into Canadian territorial waters within the Arctic Circle. Today however another enemy presented himself for Captain Lioyd and his crew: the Infected. These cannibal monsters had submerged Canada and the rest of the world.

The refuge of the Great North were the only place where these sailors think the situation would be better if some of the crew were not locked up in their quarters. The cafeteria and the armament room with the obvious symptoms of the virus. It was a nightmare for everyone to leave the port of Halifax, which was overrun by these monsters, in an emergency. Because of the panic to leave port, none of the crew were checked for bites.

The worst was coming with half of the Infected crew including radio staff, no radio contact with outside, the main radio system have been dismounted.

Complete isolation.

Just like the Franklin Expedition into the Northwest Passage in the 19th century.

The only ships crossed since by the submarine every of them were in drifting state, the crew having been devoured, turned into one of the Infected, or having preferred the drowning to the acute suffering.

The Captain understood this feeling. A sailor would prefer always to die at sea rather than butchered on land but the worst is to let somebody change into a zombie. The captain had cleary failed. The Great North refuge can't be a solution for his failure, right? Every crew members have suffered from his bad decisions, leaving families and friends for a potential chimerical safe. If even the U.S. Armed Forces are defeated by a simple virus, how can 53 Canadian navy officers and sailors change something? Especially when half of this crew now want to eat his limbs and skin.

"I am sorry, I have failed" were his last words when Captain Lioyd as he comitted suicide with his Browning Hi-Power handgun. The captain's final act was to go down with his ship.

After a single shot followed by an empty shell noise disappeared letting just the awfull squeak noise of infected hitting along the partitions and their fists banging on the metallic doors of the captain's quarters.

Aside from that, there was something.

The silence of death.
***********
Author's Notes:
- Written by ukron. Next chapter we return to the OCs.
- I did some research on the HMCS Windsor. It pulled into Halifax on June 30, 2018 and would have remained there at the time of the outbreak as Canadian submarines are rarely deployed.

[ukron]

Chapter 79: Life At Sea (Part 1)

October 21, 2018 (Z-Day +4, evening)
Medbay of the USS Makin Island
Pacific Ocean, currently in transit to Hawaii

I recall what it must have been like . To be shot in the shoulder. I remember waking up, scared. When I woke I was in a hospital-like room. Took me time later to realize that I was aboard a U.S. Navy warship!

I was told by the corpsman I've been treated but that I would be staying in the medbay for another three days. I gave my details out who I am, where I'm from, and what happened the past few days when my friends and I tried to survive the chaos engulfing the mainland.

"Shh, calm down sir. You're alright, you're safe." A voice called out.

I looked to my right to see a Navy corpsman approach. The name on his uniform read out as Peyton.

"What happened? Where am I?" I asked, confused and terrified/

"You're safe. You're aboard the Makin Island. We're on our way to Hawaii in maybe 5-7 days." The corpsman known as Peyton said.

"Am I alone? Did they make it? Did my friends make it?"

"Yes, they did. However, they cannot visit here because we have to conditions sterile." The HM said.

I had some relief in my mind. We made it, somehow. My friends are safe despite that I have not seen them for hours now.

"How long was I out?" I asked the corpsman.

"My apologies. I should have introduced myself. My name's Michael Peyton, hospital corpsman 2nd class, United States Navy." The corpsman replied. "You passed out around 6 hours ago. We removed the bullet for you. It was shock apparently."

He then shows me the 5.56 round that shot me. I could see it was blood-stained at the tip.

"Don't worry, it's nothing serious. You just had a shock after being shot. It's normal and I am amazed how ordinary civilians like you guys managed to get out of the mess southern California had become. You guys did a good job out there."

"What time is it by the way?" I asked.

"It's 11:30 PM." Peyton replied.

"So where are you from? You don't look American."

"I'm from Cebu, Philippines. I was a tourist here, on an exchange program. My passport is in my bag if you need to see it." I said.

"Oh no, that won't be necessary for now."

"I did what I needed to survive." I replied.

"I can understand, not all made it through. We have a couple of foreign nationals on board. While you were away, you got assigned to canteen duty once you are well. All you need to do is help our cooks serve food for the rest of the crew and the refugees on board. You see we are lacking manpower as some of our sailors and Marines perished in the outbreak when Fleet Week 2018 was ongoing so we needed to hire civilians as ad-hoc crew members in exchange for being given stay in this ship. I know this sound cruel but we are really low on manpower here."

Knowing I had no choice, I nodded.

"How long till I need to rest here?" I asked.

"Three days max. You're lucky the wound did not penetrate much. The guy who was responsible was a bad shot apparently." The HM replied.

My heart froze. I knew it was I was so close to dying. Good thing that looter was a bad shot. A few critical moments I would have been dead at the age of 22. I silently thanked God for letting me live again.

I then sat back in my bed with a million thoughts racing in my head. I was so close dying and I was never so scared in my life. All I want to do right now is to see my family and friends and apologize to them. God is so kind for giving me another chance in life. However, I just want to see Gabrielle and somehow apologize to her. I remember seeing her so terrified, the same fear in her face when her boyfriend had to be putdown just a mere four days ago. Attachments are deadly now.

Over the corner, I saw a quarantine room with a familiar looking Texan with two Marines armed with M16A4 rifles standing guard.

"Oh no, Jim..." I said, remembering the Texas was bitten in the right leg and had to be amputated. He appeared to have passed out and is still unconscious. I knew why the Marines were posted there. Anytime Jim might turn, they would shoot him in the head. I was hoping and praying the amputation would work.

"And what of him?" I said as I pointed to Jim who was under quarantine.

"Oh was he with you guys?"

"Yeah."

"We'd been monitoring his condition for the past few hours. So far tests have been negative. The virus has not been detected in his blood but we will keep him under quarantine until further notice." Peyton replied.

The corpsman then passed on a tray of hospital food. I then realized I hadn't eaten lunch or dinner so I gobbled down the food and the juice, not caring how tasteless it was. After that, I fell asleep as the medical personnel recommended me to. All I could think off is that I am thankful to be safe and sound in this warship in the middle of the Pacific. The thought of seeing Hawaii excited me a bit right before I drifted off.

[ukron]

Chapter 80: Life at Sea (Part 2)
October 24, 2018 (Z-Day +7)
USS Makin Island (LHD-8)
Pacific Ocean

It's been a week since the outbreak began. I found it hard to believe a week had past. Just seven das ago, we were in a race for survival heading down to San Diego. We made at a costly rate. We lost people along the way. Worst of all, our friend was bitten in the leg during the process and is under guard in case he might turn into one of those monsters. I was wounded by thankfully it grazed and did not penetrate all the way to hit muscles and nerves. I never considered myself lucky until now. I'm just glad I am alive in this cramped ship but better here than on the mainland.

I was assigned into cafeteria duty to fill in the lack of manpower. There were a handful of civilians, both Americans and foreigners that were caught up at the time of the outbreak. Knowing this, I was glad that I don't feel like a stranger here. The Killer Pandemic Virus knowns no border, nationality, race, ethnicity, political views, and religious beliefs. It infects everyone and so far, no one is immune to it. Even though there were several non-American citizens on this ship, every civilian was directly placed under U.S. Navy command. It sounded cruel but it was the only way to ensure the trade-off of space is fair.

After meal-time we took time to clean the mess hall and prepare the next one so I got out after dinner. Luckily, I had only two more days of shift left as the ship will arrived at Pearl Harbor in two days time. My shoulder still hurts from the operation but I was told it was normal. I heard a couple of stories from survivors and sailors alike. One guy who worked in the cafeteria told me he was holding up with his friends in UCLA before the Infected overran it. He was the only survivor. Others included being forced to shoot a loved one or even a child. Others told stories of mass suicides such as parents killing their children and then killing themselves. It has been a given fact that suicide rates around the world shot-up in just this week, thus it becoming a secondary pandemic.
************************
When I was out of the medbay this morning, I had to be supported by my friends who were more than excited and relieved to see me.

"I knew it you'd make it." Mike told me.

"I'm glad you're alright." Angela said.

It was Gabrielle who was more than happy to see me alright. The moment I walked out, she embraced me so hard as tears fell from her eyes. Then it reminded me on how to value friendship and attachments yet how deadly can be. I saw from the way she embrached me, both of us have been fond of each other. Now if I could only tell her not to be so attached to quickly...

Then Spencer introduced me to his friend Trevor. I was amazed to meet a Marine in full battle gear for the first time. We shook hands as we introduced ourselves.

"Hey, your Spencer's buddy. I heard your story on how you escaped SoCal."

"Yeah dude, it was crazy and I have a bullet wound to prove it."

"I'm glad you recovered. We need every person available on this ship to make it work."

The ship was like an organ and we were tiny blood cells that made it work.

I couldn't agree even further.
************************
At night, we were in the sleeping quarters. We shared one of the bunks with a single sailor. His name was Chadwick Bowman. We asked him why we were given the same room and he said his buddies never made it back to the ship, one of the casualties of the outbreak. We then sent our condolences to him. He said it was part of war and that every person that enlisted to be in the military must be ready to die anytime, be it peacetime or wartime.

While everyone was settling in for the night, I knew this was the perfect time to talk to her.

"Hey Gabrielle, may I talk to you for a while?" I asked.

"Sure." She replied.

"Outside. Privately." I requested.

We then went outside into the cramped hallway. Sailors, marines, and refugees were passing by into their rooms while the others went in for the night shift.

"Hey I just want to apologize, Gabby." I said.

"For what?" She asked, a bit surprised.

"For this whole thing. For that near mess we all were almost involved in. In nearly costed us our lives."

"Don't say that. We had to work together as a group to make it here. We would not have done that if went all by ourselves." She replied.

"Yes I get that. However, there's another thing I must say."

"What is it?" She asked.

"I apologize for being too attached to you even were even in a relationship."

"What are you saying?" She asked.

"I mean before I passed out from my wound days ago, I saw how everyone of you was terrified of losing me. That was almost a reality. I read this somewhere about survival that attachments can be deadly. I am not saying we should not be attached, I'm saying not to be that closely attached especially since we are not even in a relationship." I said before moving aside to let two sailors carrying boxes pass.

"Look, I have spent more time with you during this first week of the outbreak ironically than when we were in the same club in college. Funny isn't it. But yeah you get the point, attachments can be deadly so we both should not expect."

"Oh Gill, there's no need to apologize. Yes, I agree with you on that."

"I'm glad you understand. We both don't know what the future holds especially in this time of global crisis." I added.

"So you're saying we just remain as friends for now?" Gabrielle asked.

"Was going to ask you the same thing." I added.

"Yeah. For sure." She replied.

Then both of us embraced each other and returned to our bunks.

"Thank you." I said to her.

The others were busy browsing their phones or reading books to pass the time. I climbed to my bed, exhausted from a day's work. My arm still hurts a bit and I was told that the pain would eventually be gone. I then starred at the empty ceiling and recalculated my thoughts. I was glad that I cleared my mind on being too attached in this time of the pandemic. I'm glad Gabrielle didn't see it differently to what I meant.

First time caught abroad while a global crisis develops? Check. First time riding a helicopter? Check. Meeting someone familiar of all times and places? Check. Meeting several others that became my friends? Check. Almost dying? Check. Riding a U.S. Navy warship? Check. Though I did prefer riding the bigger carriers as I envied my friend who is currently serving in the USS Ronald Reagan. The Reagan or what the Navy calls the Gipper 76 was currently in the Pacific doing some exercises with the JMSDF at the time of the outbreak. It is mostly likely he is fine, considering the last known position of the Gipper was in the Philippine Sea with the JS Izumo helicopter destroyer as told by some of the Navy crewmen aboard the ship.

This was definitely one hell of a vacation worth a book or a series.

[ukron]

Chapter 81: Life at Sea (Part 3)

October 25, 2018 (Z-Day+8)
Flight Deck
USS Makin Island (LHD-8)
Pacific Ocean, currently in transit to Hawaii

The Makin Island trailed behind a the Carl Vinson and the Theodore Roosevelt escorted by destroyers, cruisers, tenders, supply ships, submarines, Coast Guard cutters, and other civilian craft. As the captain saw one of the largest naval evacuations in U.S. history, he looked at the flight deck where civilians were to be trained how to operate a firearm in case the ship would be compromised or if they would lack manpower for security.

Everyone was invited to see a live fire demonstration on the flight deck of the Makin Island. The already crowded flight deck filled with AH-1Z Super Cobras, SH-60 Seahawks, CH-53 Stallions, V-22 Ospreys, and AV-6 Harrier jump jets was gathered by civilian and military personnel alike. Marines, Navy SEALs, and sailors demonstrated their firing skills on mock targets of Infected.

"A shot to the head is the most simplest thing to kill these things." Chief Petty Officer Dawson said. "Just like those movies. Though I must say for civilians it is harder than it looks. This requires practice and cool."

The Marines and the sailors then pulled out their sidearms and fired perfect shots on paper targets before taking out M4 Carbines and Mk18 carbines in single shot.

"No need to waste ammo or go Rambo."
*****************
After we all went to our shifts. Same stuff to do in this cramped floating boat. By then I deduced that we were already in middle of nowhere in the vast stretches of the Pacific Ocean. Away from the beasties at least.

"Hey guys, wanna play some video games or some UNO in the quarters tonight?" Spencer said. "Chadwick allowed us to use the PS4."

"Eh sure, see you guys tonight."
*****************
After our shifts were done that night, we soon headed to the quarters to do our own things. The group and I stayed in the crowded bunk, talking and laughing while also playing some UNO and Cards Against Humanity. It felt surreal since it was like that moment we were in Huntington Beach, bonding and enjoying while the world burned. The sailor Chadwick was playing Tekken 7 with Spencer. The only difference was that there was no Infected to worry about this ship.

Kinda strange that despite being in a crowded ship, I'm enjoying this life at sea.

However, I really cannot wait until we set foot in Hawaii. It may not be a vacation, but at least we get some fresh air and tropical view of the Pacific Ocean.

[ukron]

Chapter 82: Biological Emergency

October 25, 2018 (Z-Day+8)
Lyon-Mount Verdun Air Base, France

"Hmm?"

"We have some piece of new informations, Mr. President ... good news". The Chief of Staff of the French Air Force, Philippe Lavigne said.

"What?" asked Macron.

"The Americans, they say they have a solution. A solution that can reduce the number of infected drastically. I don't understand well how this new weapon will work but I have some news from our top biological hazard specialist at Vert le Petit Laboratory. They have managed to hold with reduced numbers of soldiers and policemen. Well about our team, the reanimation syndrome necrovirus isn't going to make Infected 'alive' again, they are just 'rebooted' by the virus."

"Then?" abruptly interrupted the annoyed president.

"Sir, their flesh is cold dead. It's an easy prey for flesh eating bacteria and maggots. USMARIID, the American biological war department thinks that such bacteria can be genetically modified and deployed by aircraft bombs and artillery shells, it's seems that Trump convinced Putin and Abe to make a trial on main Honshu Infected zone."

"But don't you think that such weapon can kill humans too, as I know flesh eating virus are a health concern too for mankind." The President asked with astonishment.

"Yes sir, but they said it's a necessary evil." Lavigne replied.

"They are desperate. We aren't. We won't release a weapon that will kill both humans and the Infected, I can't accept that. General, isn't there another solution? I fear that the only other solution would be to wait for winter. If it is cold enough, most infected could lose their motor skills but this isn't certain."

"God, this is like jumping from the frying pan into the fire."
**************
Author's Notes:

[ukron]

Troubled Waters - New Orleans (LA) Part 7: Cherish The Old Ones

October 19, 2018 (Z-Day+2 ; 6:45 AM)
Loyola Avenue (Defense Perimeter code-named Charlie)
New Orleans, Louisiana

Karpov shook the hand of Lieutenant Meyers. This one had taken a bad blow during the air strike and one had to believe, unfortunately that the whole of the troop of the National Guard had perished. The whole place was deserted when the carpet of bomb had hit the city in an outburst of horror and fire, if there was anything left of the city it would surely not be its inhabitants or the old wooden dwellings of the French Quarter.

Lieutenant Meyers barely emerged from his faint, to find himself in the hellish and ambient chaos of the world.

"Karpov, are you alright? Where are the others? We have to alert those at the stadium that Operation Cobalt has started."

"Don't worry about them anymore, I imagine they are in a better world." Karpov pointed to the big scarlet flames coming from the stadium. "As for your men, I imagine that fear has overwhelmed them. "

"Thank you. Thank you for not leaving me."

"Do not thank me too quickly, we must leave this hell as quickly as possible." the two men watched. Karpov helped the lieutenant clearly still struck.

"The refugees, the city...they left forever..."

The screeching and grotesque noises of the Z coming from the old stadium, the old zones and the refugee camps were heard. The putrid smell (a mixture of too burnt meat smell and rot) caressed the noses of two men who were scrambling away across the ruined avenue.

"We have to find a vehicle." The Russian said. Karpov's gaze fell on a Hyundai whose windshield had been broken but not completely destroyed, on the seat before the body of a driver, who had obviously succumbed to the disease, without having had time to start his car. For once luck smiled on Karpov and his new friend.

"It's too shady for to be true." thought Karpov.

After opening the door and planting a metallic debris in the head of the infected, Karpov installed Lieutenant Meyers in the car. His feverish eyes and his worried look indicated nothing good. Bad head trauma or an internal hemorrhage could lead the soldier to death. Glancing at the rearview mirror, Karpov saw the panting and vaguely human figures of the burned horde of New Orleans approaching, the image of the sweet Olga, his smile, his look almost embarrassed but always moving when it announced his engagement. Her death was certain.

Karpov was taken by anger, a mad rage, he yielled to the horde: "Ну и отлично, а ты иди нахуй." ("Go Fuck Yourselves").

He would charge each of these bastards just out of revenge, his gaze fell on the lieutenant, but before he had a friend to save.
************************
23 years ago...
January 1, 1995
Grozny, Chechnya

The sounds of explosion and gunfire was a common noise in this part of Russia where in stood the burnt-out buildings of the capital of the Chechen Republic. To say that they welcomed the New Year correctly is understatement. Explosions rang throughout regardless if there was a celebration or war.

The wounded Russian soldier was waiting for something, not help....but revenge. All his buddies had been butchered by those pigs. The burning wreckage of the T-72 was throwing up a dark smoke causing the lieutenant to cry loudly disturbing his vision as he was looking for his target.

"Here you are,Собака." The sound of the shot was immediately followed by an acute moan and indistinct oaths.

"Time to move or these bastards are going to puncture me"

"Go to this street and then in this building."

"They are not behind me .of...time to blow...but..."

The door of the building opened, Karpov instinctively raised his weapon, a Makharov PM, that he had concealed that the Chechens failed to loot it on his uncocious body hours ago.

[ukron]

Troubled Waters - New Orleans (LA) Part 8: Conflagration
October 19, 2018 (Z-Day+2)
Outskirts of New Orleans




The long line of cars and trucks abandoned along Route 10 was blocking the way to Prairieville, where rumors and warning messages said that a rescue center had been established. Karpov would normally have moved away faster from this city but he did not have the medical skills to treat the lieutenant. He was in an almost asleep state, only keeping himself awake thanks to the words of the Russian.

The night was barely rising and the fires of the biggest city in Louisiana held a nice ocher tint to the sky, but other swirls of smoke spread from the area of the Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area, leaving little doubt as to their origins.

People had fled and so did the Infected. The looters were doing the rest, besides Karpov was struggling to maintain his attention on the road and the potential traps but also on the state of the Lieutenant, less and less good.

The road extended for hours off track and traces indicated that many people had already taken this road, a doubt was instilled in the mind of the Russian as the car barely advanced on the muddy roads.

What if Olga had survived, for one reason or another? Maybe she had had time to escape? Maybe she had made her way through town like him, like her father.

This moment of doubt almost cost the lives of the two men when the long burst of assault rifle hit the vehicle pushing Karpov into the side, ringing him and finally killing the Lieutenant.

Yhe awakening was difficult but Karpov could realize that he was no longer in the car, that he was tied up and gagged and placed on the muddy and smelly ground.

"Ah, our friend is waking up" said a man's voice in a obvious slang.

Karpov opened his eyes and saw that a dozen men of color, armed to the teeth were watching.

"Welcome to the swamps, Ma'an."
******************************
23 years ago...
January 1, 1995
Grozny, Chechnya

The long burst had punctured the woman's belly projecting blood and pieces of ripped tissue. The Young Russian soldier did not react immediately and when the door swung open, he reacted like any other person under these circumstances, as any soldier would.

Karpov leaned over, maybe out of curiosity, maybe out of stupidity above the woman's corpse. A young woman, difficult to distinguish because of the mud and the dried blood stuck on her bundled up face. The little package she wish had found itself propelled at the bottom of the arches of a small staircase. A corner of the fabric had risen revealing a very small body. Karpov was submerged in a vague apprehension, indefinable and almost blocking him the senses. The muscles... these muscles and these senses so vital. The heavy wooden stick of the AKM fell on the Russian's face propelling it into nothingness.

[ukron]

Chapter 83: State of the World
November 1, 2018 (Z-Day+15)




BM-27 Uragan rocket barrage firing on the outskirts south of Moscow. (RT)


"Reports of military counter offensives in southern Moscow are still unconfirmed but local witness confrim major bombings involving thousands of BM-27 Uragan and self-propelled artillery, such military interventions have been increasing since the U.S. President tweet about "something big is happening". Local rumors say a recent deployment of a new anti-zombie weapon on North American and Japanese battlefields, but no one has been able to identify the weapons nature.

Meanwhile the war against "rotting flesh" is still raging one on a ration to 1 to 10 in majpur urban centers, it's now sure that PLA and Hong Kong Police units have left Hong Kong and Macau holdouts, some sources on U.S. State Department have confirmed that they had been low on ammunition and food stuffs since the failed coup d'état two weeks ago and the death of an important number of Politburo members. Some specialists had pointed out the fact that the new Chinese leadership can have nearly avoided a nuclear confrontation with U.S. and Japan after some hardliner putchists have try to launch ICBMs on U.S. bases in Okinawa and Guam.



USMC top officials have confirmed that USMC reinforcements have landed on Busan security perimeter in order to assist U.S. and South Korean Armed units to protect the nearly 6.5 millions of refugees located here. No news from Japanese governement emergency meeting aboard JS Hyuga and the JS Kongo but it seems obvious that the major efforts of Japanese government will be about the military efforts to keep Kyushu safe by securising "Shimonoseki corridor".

Reports are coming from North Korea, CIA and the State Department has confirmed mass exodus to South Korean and Chinese territories, local sources confirmed that Infection has reached the most closest state of the world during the last week. No reports about outbreaks in North Korean state medias.

[ukron]

Chapter 84: Crippled

October 26, 2018 (Z-Day+9)
Medbay of the USS Makin Atoll
Pacific Ocean

He finally woke up after being unconcious for three days. When he awoke, he realized he was aboard a navy ship. He was informed of his situation.

"You've been bitten sir but you're leg was amputated." The corpsman replied.

"What where are those kids? Did they make it? The last time I remembered before passing out was we were in a van headed to the base."

"Yes they are. They may visit you later."

"I...I didn't turn...How come?" The Texan eyed. Two Marines stoodby, M16s at hand. Jim knew why.

"We ran tests. Your blood was negative for the infection. I guess those kids got the infection on time. I'm amazed for a group of millennials without medical experience they were able to pull this out. You are one lucky person, sir."

"Of course, though we must run more 'observations' among you." The corpsman said.

"What...does that mean?" A confused Jim replied.

"We implanted a tracking chip on you as we are not sure if there are miniscule amount of virus in your blood. So far as it was negative but we can't be for sure. I know this seems cruel but we cannot risk further outbreaks. Do you understand why we do this?"

Jim silent nodded. If it meant he would turn, he would have to go down. He did not want to be another Patient Zero of this outbreak. Rather, this was take if he could not "commit suicide" right on time if he were to turn.

"I just want to see the survivors if they are fine." He said.

"Very well. I'll call them."
*************************
"Oh Jim, we're glad you're safe." Jules said to the Texan that saved him days ago.

"Yes mijo, you're old man still has some fight left in him."

Everyone gathered around to see the wounded Texan. The corpsman told them they could spend time here, however, he would be confined within a military barracks in Pearl Harbor upon arrival since the authorities and representatives from the CDC will have to observe if he is safe to be reintegrated into society, provided with the tracker implant. In addition, he would receive treatment for a prosthetic leg in replacement for the one he lost during the scuffle in San Diego.

"Better to lose a leg than a whole life."

He wounded crippled but alive (and not a walking corpse) and that's all that mattered.

[ukron]

The Doomed Column is a shot "add-on" stroy wrote by Thomas27 (a big thank you!), a fellow frenchman and admin of Forum des Uchronies Françaises (a French speaking community about AH).

So join a French army column trapped in Malia desert during the Z-Day.

Enjoy!


"The Doomed Column" (Part 1)
Date : October 19 (Z-Day +2), 2018, 3:03pm
Location : Abéïbara, Adrar des Ifoghas, Mali

Two days ago, the rest of the section set off for Kidal, leaving Sergeant Runberg's "Lynx" combat group high and dry in Abéïbara. Captain Delaure had rushed with the other 4 combat groups to Kidal where heavy agitation was reported. Delaure and the others were unreachable since then and the GTIA (Joint Battle Group) in Gao had ordered Runberg to hold his position.
Its position was a fortification made of embankment and rock, supported by 2 VABs, all set up north of Abéïbara, a commune of 3200 souls populated by Tuaregs, the Kel Tamasheq. Like Runberg and his men, the inhabitants had no idea of the panic that was stirring the planet and were totally indifferent to the presence of French troops near their village.
Following the last radio contact he had had, he now had to make an announcement to these men. They were all gathered around him:

— Gentlemen! I have some news and it's not very good. According to Gao, the town of Kidal is ablaze. Some kind of general riot has broken out. Residents, soldiers and all the rest are acting like rabid rabble. No one knows if it's due to drugs or some shit that's contaminated the water supply. There is no news from the rest of the combat section. Our various positions in northern Mali are preparing a withdrawal to the Bamako airport. We have to regroup with the troops at the forward base in Tessalit, refuel and go back down to Bamako. On the way we will pass by Kidal again and try to reach Captain Delaure.
– Sounds like a zombie story, Lieutenant, said Private Delfosse.
— Shut the fuck up, soldier!" Runberg replied curtly. Bec, Marazano get us ready to go. We're out of here in an hour," he ordered his two team leaders.

[ukron]

"The Doomed Column" (Part 2)
Date : October 30 (Z-Day +3), 2018, 5:57 am
Location : Tessalit, Adrar des Ifoghas, Mali

The Lynx combat group had been rolling all night on the trails. There was no road between Tessalit and Abéïbara which was 150 km apart as the crow flies. Dealing with the relief and limited visibility, as well as a pause to fill the tanks with some of the jerrycans, they had taken nearly 15 hours to make the trip. The trip was uneventful, however the men speculated on what might happen in Kidal and elsewhere. Everyone, including Runberg, was tense and things were not going to get any better.

The FOB in Tessalit did not answer and they now knew why: it was deserted. The 150 people occupying it had packed up without waiting for them. Runberg had instructed Marazano's team to inspect the FOB and retrieve everything that could be useful to them. The lieutenant had gone with Bec's team to interrogate the inhabitants of Tessalit.

The city was sinister, everything was closed, the "streets" were deserted. It was necessary to knock on the doors of several houses before someone would deign to answer a simple question: "Where have the French soldiers gone? " The one who answered was a young man named Adama and the explanation was simple: the French had left the base the day before at about 7 p.m. Of course, the young man did not know why. Runberg and Bec still thanked him for the meagre information and returned to the FOB. There, Marazano told them of his discovery: fuel and ammunition that had not been collected and stored under lock and key, a bolt cutter had been enough to open the storage area. A note hung on the gate that said, "We couldn't wait. Sorry," it said. »
– "What a bunch of assholes" enraged Bec!
– I took care of filling our tanks and loading Jerrycans and ammunition," explained Marazano. What do we do with the rest, Lieutenant?
– Bec, you and your men go back and get Adama to help you find the mayor and the local chief of police.

Bec and his men returned half an hour later. Followed by two middle-aged men.

– Lieutenant, called Bec on his way to his superior officer. This is Mayor Ousmane Ag Abdoula and Captain Moussa Umukuro of the border guards.
– Gentlemen," Runberg began without even greeting the mayor and the captain, "I think serious things are happening in the south of the country. Very serious things, but I don't know what. Do you have any idea what's going on?
The mayor and the captain nodded their heads....
– We're picking up the radio through the antenna at your base," said Captain Umukuro. We stopped receiving yesterday just before the soldiers left. We don't know what's going on.
– We're well on our way," said Runberg. We don't know what's going on either. We must return to Bamako urgently, there is still water, food, weapons and ammunition here. Equip all the people you can trust. If there's a problem, retreat back here and barricade the gate. You'll be safe here. We'll leave as soon as our vehicles are fueled.

Half an hour later, the two VABs of the combat group left the base as the border guards began distributing weapons to civilians. Gao and Bamako did not respond. Neither by radio nor by satellite communication. There were 180 km as the crow flies to Kidal, nearly 400 km of dirt road and 15 hours of travel time. The men of the "Lynx" group had no idea what was waiting for them on the way.

[ukron]

"The Doomed Column" (Part 3)
Date: October 30 (Z-Day +4), 2018, 6:15 pm
Location: near d’Aguel'hoc, cercle de Tessalit, Mali

The Lynx group’s VABs had crossed Aguel’hoc without stopping. The inhabitants of this godforsaken hole probably had no more information than the men they had left behind in Tessalit. 35 km south of the town Runberg’s column had stopped after Private Ben Hamar from his turret spotted a VBL in the distance on the side of the road. The VABs approached at a reduced speed, their gunners ready to use their 12.7 calibre M2HB machine guns. Runberg ordered to halt 30 metres from the vehicle, which was clearly a wreck. He ordered everyone to disembark except the drivers and gunners of the two VABs. Bec’s team moved into position to cover Marazano’s team, who with Runberg were going to inspect the wreckage.

The setting sun and the wind covered everything with an orange hue that grew darker by the minute. Marazano’s men advanced cautiously. Suddenly one of them raised his fist and everyone froze. He pointed to a crouching figure some distance in front of the VBL. The men resumed their advance with a wolf’s pace. The silhouette moved in a jerky manner. The soldiers were now close enough to see that the person was wearing the same outfit they were wearing.
—Identify yourself!’ commanded Marazano.
The strange figure slowly straightened up and turned towards the French soldiers.
—French Army! Identify yourself!’ repeated Marazano

The man appeared seriously injured and staggered forward, emitting an inept borborygma as his only response. He was heading towards Pécau, the soldier closest to him. No one knew what to do as the situation was so unusual. When the man was close enough to Pécau, the young soldier only had time to see his lifeless look and his mutilated face before he threw himself on him. He fell backwards as the mutilated man seemed to be trying to bite him. ‘Get that bastard out of here! Take the bastard out!’ he shouted as he held him at arm’s length. He pushed him away enough to kick him out. Immediately, team members came to his aid and lifted him up.
—That son of a bitch tried to fucking eat me!’ Pécau shouted, like a madman.
The slumped figure was beginning to rise awkwardly.
—Don’t move son of a bitch! barked one of the soldiers.
The madman got up despite the injunction and resumed his march towards the soldiers. Suddenly a detonation was heard. It was Runberg who had just fired his handgun, a PAMAS. After a slight stop caused by the recoil, the madman walked instead of falling down. He had just been shot in the chest. A second detonation then sounded, this time the man dropped dead after being shot in the head. Runberg sheathing his PAMAS.

All approached to examine the corpse. It was a French battle dress he was wearing. The face was that of a madman, but a large part of his body was burned. How could he even stand? Runberg examined him more closely and found pieces of raw meat in his mouth. He then approached the place where the poor guy was originally crouched and discovered what was left of another French soldier. The legs of the latter had been partly torn off, probably in the VBL explosion. His throat and face had been devoured and the teeth marks were unmistakably human.
—Fucking hell! What the hell happened here?’ the lieutenant whispered.
He then began to examine the area. Tracks on the trails of National ‘Road’ 19 showed the passage of a convoy of about 20 vehicles. The shape and width of the tracks left no doubt that they were VABs and VBLs. Certainly the men from Tessalit. Runberg then approached the VBL and noticed that its left flank had been perforated by an anti-tank rocket. The vehicles had finished burning, so the attack was several hours old.
—Look what I found! called out Marazano showing what he had picked up a little further down the track: a used AT-4 rocket launcher.
—It was our guys who did this,’ Runberg then said as a simple statement of fact.
—Looks like it, Lieutenant.

After a few moments of wavering, Runberg ordered to get back to the VABs and get back on track.
—Aren’t we going to bury them, my lieutenant? asked Private Delfosse.
—No!’ Runberg replied dryly. Pécau, disinfect your hands. Delfosse, I don’t know about you, but what just happened here looks a lot like your bullshit zombie story.
—Are you kidding, Lieutenant? Asked Delfosse without Runberg answering.
—Shit!’ exclaimed Pécau, looking at his hands.