Zombie Theorem (Book 4): Aces Mortis Read online

  A young woman of no more than twenty-three stood and moved towards the helm. “I have never done this before but I will do my best. I have studied the maps and depths of the harbor and straight, I am sure I can do this.”

  Just then the Dragonhawk swooped over the island and settled onto the deck. Chun and the other Seals climbed out and went to work securing the bird to the deck. Hashkeh clicked on his radio. “Lt, can you and your new friends release the moorings please? Over.”

  “I am sure we can figure that out. Over.”

  Hashkeh watched as Chun and his Seal contingent disappeared into the hangar below. Hashkeh knew that Chun and his men would figure it all out and remember to lift the gantry ways.

  The bridge became busy as Langham ordered status of the reactor and numerous other reports that concerned the operations of the big carrier. Hashkeh kept watch on the deck and docks. He could see movement and it did not seem to be a good thing. He turned to Weeks and motioned for his scoped MK 11 sniper rifle. He handed it over and Hashkeh scanned the movement. He examined the way the horde moved and knew they were going to be in trouble soon. He clicked on his radio.

  “All Teams, we have a sizeable horde moving in our direction from the south. ETA ten minutes. Over.”

  Chun answered almost immediately. “Roger all. We have movement on the docks already. The gantries have been raised, so good luck to them unless they can climb I am not too worried. But it would be nice if we could get steaming.”

  Hashkeh turned to Langham. “Commander, ma’am. Chun reports back we are clear to steam.”

  Langham nodded to him and started relaying the orders to get them moving.

  Godsey put a look of determination on her face and braced her legs. She spoke in her most controlled voice she could. “Helmsman, slow speed and take us out,” They couldn’t feel the big ship move, but slowly they could see the ship start to move. Langham directed the carrier out into the center of the straight and then got it steaming slowly. She moved her attention to the screens in front of her. One showed the depth under them and the other showed her a clear picture of the bow of the mighty ship. She called out course directions and kept their speed at barely a headway. Langham stood back and let her Navigator and helmsman do their jobs.

  It took an agonizing hour to clear the bridge and navigate down the shipyard to the east of the straight. Hashkeh was amazed at the site of what looked like a missile cruiser crumpled into a docked ship and the destruction of other ships in the city. He would take this scene to his death, he was sure of it. It was as if a massive hand of a troubled turbulent toddler had thrown his toys around, destroying everything it touched. He looked up to the sky and prayed to his Gods for guidance and safety for his family and team.

  The Reagan plowed through the sea, west to deeper water and away from San Diego and Coronado. When they felt clear and free, Langham called for a northerly direction and one quarter speed. Chun and the rest of his team appeared on the bridge, looking to meet with Langham, as the rest of the teams on board went from compartment to compartment, deck to deck, and everywhere in between, securing the ship from any infected.

  Langham motioned for the team to follow her as she disappeared through a hatch and into a meeting room. Chun and his team took their seats and waited for the meeting to begin. Langham made her way behind a podium and then thought better of it and made her way over to the team and sat on the top stair of the riser leading to the podium.

  “Let me first say, you have all acted exemplary and I for one thank you for all your sacrifice and professionalism. If it wasn’t for you all, we would still be stuck in that commissary waiting to die. Instead, we are on the finest ship the Navy has to offer,” she smiled warmly. “Now to why I asked for you all to this meeting,” she placed the folder she held on her knees. “I have some unsettling and conflicting radio messages. I want you guys to hear them first and let me know what you think,” she handed out the printed messages to each member and sat back, crossing her knees and sighing as she watched the men read through the reports.

  Chun was the first to speak. “We have one message from the Secretary of Defense ordering all forces to work hand in hand with a commercial contract mercenary company named Ridder and to stand down from helping any citizen in need. That is asinine, unethical, and goes against our oath to the country. The other message is from General Richards, who has folded numerous national guard and different branch services under his command by order of the President of the United States. He wants us to do anything and everything we can to help every citizen we come across,” Chun scratched at his whiskered chin in thought.

  “I think this is an easy decision,” Hashkeh piped up from the back of the room where he had his legs propped up on the seat back in front of him.

  Butch looked back to him, giving him a not too subtle ‘shut your trap’ look. “I think what our Navajo friend means, Sir, is that as always this decision falls to the adults in the room,” Butch added to the two officers Langham and Chun.

  Langham looked from Butch to Hashkeh and then to Chun. “What do you think, Lieutenant Chun?” she asked an eyebrow arched high.

  “I think my men need a shower and a hot meal,” he answered. Throwing the messages onto the floor. “This decision is up to the highest-ranking officer on the ship, ma’am.”

  Langham pursed her lips and tried to smooth her greasy hair. ‘God, I need a shower’ she thought to herself. “Lieutenant, I want you to speak your mind on this situation and please be frank.”

  Chun chuckled a little to himself. “My name isn’t Frank. But if you want my honest opinion, I say fuck the secretary and suggest we throw our lot in with the General. He has a Presidential order and until that is countermanded by the rightful President, we follow his commands,” Chun got to his feet and at the same time his team stood with him. “Now ma’am if you don’t mind, my men are going to catch a shower, some chow, and ten hours of uninterrupted sleep. We have been going balls to the wall for a little over a week,” he snapped to attention and presented a crisp salute and holding it there. His team followed suit.

  Langham smiled broadly. “I agree with your assessment, Lieutenant. You stink like shit and worse, look like shit, dismissed men,” She stood and saluted the men, holding it while she met each man’s bright eyes. She then dropped her salute and watched as the men dropped theirs and filed out of the room. She knew she had the right men on her ship and thanked God they were honest.

  Langham followed them out of the room and onto the bridge. “Lieutenant Loughrey, you have the con. Ignore all orders from the Secretary of Defense or the Military contractor Ridder. If General Richards calls up or messages, come get me. I need a shower and a couple of minutes of rest. Keep all sensors on and do not answer any calls from anyone else. I want us to be a big black hole for the next twenty-four hours so the crew can get some rest and chow,” she left the room as Loughrey acknowledged her orders. She entered the Captain’s private cabin and before she could have another thought, peeled out of her uniform and headed for the shower. She stood under the hot water, letting it wash away the grime she felt emotionally and physically. She washed her hair and cleaned every crevice she could over and over again until she started feeling human again. She turned off the shower and dried her body off. She started at her image in the mirror at the new wrinkles from the pressure of command etch their way onto her face. She combed her long, brown hair, wrapped herself in a towel, and dragged herself into her small living room. On the couch laid a clean uniform and undergarments. Seemed Loughrey was taking her position very seriously. It was then she smelled food. She turned to find a plate of steaming meat and vegetables alongside a cup of hot tea. Right there and then she decided that somehow, she needed to promote that woman.

  She ate quickly and drained her tea. With her stomach filled, her body clean, only one thing called for attention. The bed was mere steps away. She fell into it, still wrapped in her towel and was out before her head hit the pillow.

&n
bsp; Chun and his men used the locker room like showers, to scrub the slime, filth, and grime from their bodies. The shower was quiet as each man reflected on the last week and a half. They had pushed themselves beyond anything they had ever done before and came out on top. They had done something no one could ever take away from them. Not once did they reflect on their families and friends back home in Virginia. Now was the time they reflected, but knew that it would have to wait until they rested and allowed others on the ship to do so first. It was always that way for these men, always thinking of others before themselves. They dressed in clean uniforms they found and entered a room that could hold the whole team as one. They climbed into their racks, forgetting about their stomach rumblings and passed out.

  Chapter 5

  Chun was awakened by a knock. He came to immediately and reached for a weapon which did not exist. “Not going to make that mistake again,” he whispered to himself. He climbed from his rack and looked about the compartment. It was empty, his men must have let him sleep. Chun opened the hatch to find Commander Langham dressed in a clean uniform and looking fully refreshed. In her hand, she held a large mug of what he assumed was coffee, by the smell that wafted off of it. She saw his longing look at the cup, and thrust it at him.

  “A peace offering for waking you, Lieutenant,” she offered him a nice smile that reached her eyes.

  Chun took the mug and sipped at it. The caffeine rushed through his system, chasing the last remnants of sleep from his mind. He gave Langham a smile back. “How long have I been out?”

  “The ten hours you demanded yesterday,” she stepped into the compartment as Chun stepped back. He sat on his bunk and placed his mug of life saving java on the floor as he reached for his boots and pulled them on. He laced them as he listened to Langham.

  “General Richards was very happy to hear from us. He has a mission for you and your team,” she handed over a folder she had been holding under her arm. “If you choose to accept it that is.”

  “What is this, mission impossible? Will the folder explode once I am done reading it?” he joked, taking the folder and opening it. He placed the folder open on his lap and retrieved his coffee, sipping on it as he read.

  Langham looked about the compartment for a chair to sit on and settled for leaning against a bunk. It was then she noticed that all the bunks had been made up to exact Navy standards. ‘Holy shit these guys certainly are professionals,’ she thought to herself.

  Chun finished reading and closed the folder. He drained his cup and stood up. He placed the folder under his arm and cocked his head. “I tell you what, Commander. Follow me to the mess and let me get some food into my system and discuss this with my men. Is that fair?”

  Before she could answer, he stepped past her and walked down the passageway and towards the mess hall. Langham jogged to catch up to the Seal. He entered the mess hall and took in a deep breath, smelling the cooked food. His mouth started to salivate and his stomach growled loudly. He hadn’t realized just how hungry he was until he smelled the food. His men sat at the rear of the room and waved him over as he walked in. They had filled a tray for him and sat around drinking coffee. Chun smiled and gave a little wave to Pauline as she sat next to Butch, pressing her body against his side. A big arm wrapped around her.

  Chun marched quickly across the room and sat in front of his proffered tray of food. He was halfway through it before he realized he was eating eggs, potatoes, bacon and toast. Another cup of coffee waited in front of him. He raised his head and looked around the table at his men and Langham, who had taken a seat at the end of the table next to Dio. “Sorry men, I guess I was hungrier than I realized. Commander Langham has a mission given to her from General Richards for us. I told her we would decide as a team before taking it on. Seems he wants us to head inland and then turn north, helping out military units that are either under siege by hordes or being threatened by that Ridder group.”

  He threw the file on the table for the men to look over. “Me? I’m going to finish eating, go back for seconds then give you my two cents,” he dug back into his food with a vengeance and ignored the discussion going around the table. After Chun had devoured two more cups of coffee and another serving and a half of food, he burped and sat back, patting his belly. “That should help with bringing me back to being regular.”

  The men around the table laughed at Chun’s display. Then they all got down to business. Butch spoke for the team. “Lt, you know we always defer these things to you. But there is a contingent in our acceptance,” he looked around the table as each man nodded their agreement. “We want Richards to send some Chinooks in to collect Tina and her people, and bring them here to safety.”

  Chun smiled brightly. “My feelings too,” he turned to Langham. “You heard our demands. Take them back to the boss and let us know his answer. You’ll know where to find us.”

  Langham shook her head in frustration and tried to figure out how she was going to tell her new boss that their contingent of Seals had demands before they would follow orders. I wonder if this is how a Captain would feel finding out his men were about to mutiny. Then it hit her, she was the Captain and her men were mutinying. She marched out of the mess and headed straight for the bridge.

  Chun took his time draining his cup of coffee. “Why don’t we go spend some down time on the deck, enjoying the sun,” He stood from the table and headed out of the mess hall with the team including Pauline, in step behind him. They followed as he maneuvered down passageways, past closed compartments, and up two sets of ladders until they came face to face with a closed, secured hatch. Chun undogged the hatch and swung it wide, letting in an extremely bright ray of sun in. They walked out onto the flattop, stretching and taking in deep breaths of fresh air.

  They found an area on the port side of the island and stripped down to their bare chests, rolling up their pants and peeling off their boots and socks. They found comfortable areas to spread out and enjoy the heat of the sun and the smell of the sea. They couldn’t believe they were not being chased by flesh eating creatures or shooting rapists and enslavers. They could let their guard down and finally relax for the first time since they jumped from the C-130 over the Nevada desert. Hashkeh stood in front of the group and went through what looked like Yoga. Pauline stood and removed the uniform blouse that was donated to her from one of the female sailors she had met. Once down to a black sports bra, she moved in next to Hashkeh and copied his movements. Butch enjoyed the show his new woman was putting on for him. As she went through the positions Hashkeh instructed her on, beads of sweat swelled on her bosom, breaking free and dripping down her silky, white skin. Butch wished he had a cold beer right about now. At this point, Hootie shattered his happiness by remarking on Pauline.

  “Goddamn Master Chief, when you are done with that fine piece of ass, can I have a shot at her?” He choked on the last word as Lupo rolled over and delivered an elbow strike into his stomach, driving the air from Hootie’s chest, leaving him gasping.

  “Thank you, Lupo,” commented Butch as he kept his eyes on Pauline.

  “Anytime, Master Chief,” responded Lupo.

  Chun got up from his sun worshiping position and stood over the gasping Hootie. “You know boy, at some point that mouth is gonna get you into a world of shit, and guess what day it is today?”

  Hootie was able to draw in a full lungful of life saving oxygen. He stared at the sky for a moment before answering. “I think it’s Tuesday, Lt.”

  “Wrong answer, Hootie. Today is the day you learn a lesson. Collect all our weapons from our compartment, and get to cleaning and loading magazines. When you are done with that, you can volunteer in the galley.”

  Hootie dropped his smile and a frown of huge proportions took over his visage. “Come on, Lt. I was just kidding,” he shielded his eyes and stared up wide eyed at Chun.

  “Hey Hashkeh, feel like escorting our little boy down to our compartment?” enquired Chun.

  “I would be happy to, Lt.
Would you like me to add some physicality to his orders?” Hashkeh asked, shrugging into his blouse.

  Hootie looked between Chun and Hashkeh, fear growing on his face. Chun finally broke the tension. “If he resists, feel free to do what you think is best,” he turned to Hootie. “If this doesn’t quiet your mouth, I am going to order the Master Chief to throw you overboard,” he looked to Pauline and then pointed at her. “And she will take your place on the team. Do you understand me, Squid?”

  Hootie dropped his head in defeat, knowing he had taken it a bit too far. “Aye, aye, Lt,” he stood up and approached Butch. “Master Chief, I apologize for my actions,” Butch nodded slowly to Hootie. Hootie then turned on his heel and approached Pauline. “Ma’am, I apologize for my behavior and lack of professionalism. I hope you can see in your heart how serious I am.”

  Pauline looked him up and down. “You must be one tough and serious warrior to be running with these guys. But let me make one thing straight. I am not the kind of woman who takes well to being objectified. If you open your mouth one more time or look in my direction with nary a professional thought in your head, I will rip your balls off and make a new pair of earrings out of them. Then I will throw you to Master Chief to finish you off,” she had bent over at the waist and made direct eye contact with Hootie. “Do you understand me?”

  Hootie dropped his head in defeat. “Yes, Ma’am,” he spun on his heel and followed Hashkeh as he escorted him back inside.

  “Is he always like that?” asked Pauline. Trying to hide a small smile over her words to Hootie.

  “Hootie is one of the best warriors I have ever had the honor to fight beside. He has dedication and is a dangerous man. But that mouth and twelve-year-old demeanor, can really jar on you,” Butch spoke, eyes closed as he laid back and soaked in the sun.