The three soldiers nodded and said, “Yes, sir,” in unison. A moment later, the buses outside honked their horns.
“Good,” Kersey said, straightening up. “And it would appear as though your rides are ready to go. Gear up, load out, and most importantly, be safe.” He smirked playfully at Baker. “Well, not you, because you’re expendable.”
The group laughed, and Baker gave the Captain a mocking thumbs up. “Thanks Cap,” he drawled, “always good to be reminded of where I stand.” He cracked a smile, unable to contain his amusement any longer, even if it was at his own expense.
Kersey nodded. “Go get ‘em, boys.”
CHAPTER THREE
Bretz and Baker sat in the front row of the bus, looking out into the darkness as they drove along back roads towards their difficult target.
“What time is it?” Baker asked.
The Corporal checked his watch. “Around six-thirty,” he replied.
“Good lord,” the Private groaned, “how long of a drive is this?”
Private Kline turned from the seat across the aisle from them. “We still have another hour or so,” he said, voice shaky.
Baker furrowed his brow at the kid that looked barely old enough to be out of high school. “Oh yeah?” he asked gently. “How do you know?”
“I… I talked with the driver earlier,” Kline replied, clasping his trembling hands in his lap. “He said they had to take back roads to avoid… troubles on the interstate.”
Baker cocked his head. “You all right there, soldier?” he asked.
“Y-yeah,” the kid replied, nodding jerkily. “I’ll be… okay.”
Bretz wasn’t convinced. “What’s your name, soldier?” he asked, hoping to engage the kid enough to calm him down. “I’m Corporal Bretz, this here is Baker.”
“Private Kline, sir,” the kid replied.
“It’s good to meet you, Kline,” Bretz replied, offering a smile. “So talk to us. Why are you shaking like that?”
The young man’s face flushed. “Just… just my nerves, sir,” he said, shaking his head. “This is the first time I’m going to… see one of those things.”
The older soldiers gaped at each other.
“How in the hell?” Baker breathed, leaning forward. “We’re almost a month into this thing and you’re in the fucking military. How have you not seen a zombie yet?”
Kline’s flush deepened to almost purple as he struggled to contain his shaking hands. “Because I’m… Im a supply specialist,” he stammered. “I was already stationed in Kansas when they started sending everybody to us, and since I was good at logistics and getting stuff to where it needed to be, they kept me isolated. Especially after… after most of my team fell ill.”
Bretz swallowed hard and reached out to give the kid’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Sorry for your loss,” he said solemnly. “Never easy to lose a comrade, especially when it just sneaks up on you out of nowhere.”
“Thank you, sir,” Kline replied, pursing his lips.
“I don’t get it, though,” Baker said. “If you’re as valuable as you say, how did you end up on this charter bus to hell?”
The kid looked around, as if to make sure that nobody was eavesdropping. He leaned in, lowering his voice. “We’re short on supplies,” he said quietly. “Like, dangerously short. We had to abandon so much material during the evacuation, that finding enough resources for this invasion was almost impossible to do. I’m here because we need to know what’s usable in this town. Guns, ammo, fuel, anything and everything.” He shook his head. “There isn’t time to fully secure the town and bring me in later. This stuff needs to get out to the front lines immediately.”
Baker leaned his head back against the seat. “That’s… disheartening,” he said.
“Why are you telling us?” Bretz asked quietly. “This sounds like something that could create a hell of a panic if it got out.”
Kline scratched the back of his neck nervously. “The driver may have let slip that we were waiting on some VIPs, which is why we were the last bus to leave,” he admitted. “I don’t know what your mission is, but felt like it might do you some good to know what if you see something you might need, you should probably pick it up.” He sat back into his seat, still trembling a bit.
Baker reached into his bag and pulled out a pack of gum, holding it out to the young soldier.
“I’m okay,” Kline replied, offering a weak smile. “Thank you, though.”
Baker took the kid’s hand and pressed the packet into his palm. “Take two sticks and keep chewing ‘em, long after the flavor is gone,” he insisted. “When shit gets real, just focus on the chewing. It’ll help calm you down. I get the sense you’re going to be behind the fire line, so you don’t have to worry about fighting these things off.”
Kline swallowed and nodded, fumbling with the package and taking out two sticks of gum. As he turned to face front again, the older two soldiers leaned together.
“Haven’t even fired the first shot in this battle yet, and they’re already sending out scavengers,” Baker said softly. “That’s not a good sign.”
Bretz shrugged. “Wouldn’t be the first time we’ve had to scavenge to survive,” he pointed out.
“Still,” his companion said. “I don’t know about you, but I’m adding some more food to the shopping list. We may by out there for a long ass time.”
The Corporal nodded silently before turning back to the window, staring out into the darkness. He blinked
