Tammy took in the rest of the room. She saw two desks set up with radio equipment with a large power unit beside them. A communication building. Tammy determined.
She continued to look around. There were benches and a table set up near the back of the main room. She also saw a steep stair – almost a ladder – leading to the second story. She also saw a couple of doors and was relieved to see ‘w.c.’ written on one of them. She had to pee.
“Let me have a look at that, miss.” Tammy turned her head and saw that one of the soldiers had knelt beside her. He had opened a first aid kit. She sat in silence as the middle-aged man cleaned the wound on her arm and the blood that had run down to her hand. He next applied some disinfectant to the scrape and taped on a gauze bandage. The calm nature of the man had its effect on Tammy, who finally was able to control her breathing and her composure.
“Thanks.” She said to the man once he was done. He gave her a kind smile in return.
“Do you feel any other injuries?” He asked.
Tammy shook her head. “No ... I don’t think so.”
The man stood up and offered her his hand. “Let’s get you up on your feet then.”
She got up with the soldier’s assistance. Just then she heard the buzz of radio noises. She looked over and saw a female soldier working the radio.
“Whiskey X-ray Six, this is Whiskey Alpha Romeo how copy over.”
“Whiskey Alpha Romeo, this is Whiskey E-ray Six, copy five by five over.”
Tammy was surprised at the calmness of this radio communication. Both operators spoke as if it were the most normal business in the world.
“Whiskey X-ray Six, Kilo two-six has been compromised. Repeat. Kilo two-six has been compromised. Requesting support or ex-fill, over.”
“Copy Whiskey Alpha Romeo. Stand by, over.”
“Copy.”
The female soldier looked up from her radio set-up and nodded politely, then did a double take, her eyes opened wide. “Hey! You’re that tv reporter. ... Tanya?”
“Tammy. Tammy Jensen.” Tammy walked over and shook the soldier’s hand.
“Oh, Yes of course! Tammy.” She offered an embarrassed smile. “Sorry. My name is Abigail. Abigail Jackson. Or operator Jackson if you prefer. Or just Abi...” The girl showed none of her radio composure and was absolutely babbling.
“That over there is Lieutenant Stringer. Just Mike to us. He runs this outfit. And over there–” The radio squawked. Abi was all business and turned away as if the conversation never took place.
Mike Stringer finished the introductions for her. He shook her hand with a kind smile and pointed to the third soldier, still sitting at a chair with his head nearly between his knees.
“The guy you ran in here with is Private Dan Mckenzie. I had sent him out to go see what was going on. Dan isn’t in great shape, as you can see.” He said with a small wink at Tammy.
Dan raised his face to look up. His face was still bright red.
“Damnit Jim I’m a radio operator, not a marathon runner!” Tammy caught the old-school Star Trek reference and smiled despite herself.
“Heh. Well it wouldn’t hurt you to skip the mess hall and hit the gym instead, once in a while!”
“Oh haha, very funny Mike.” The stocky soldier replied. Tammy could see a glint of amusement in his face though. These guys were used to bantering back and forth.
“Well, for what its worth – I appreciate you pulling me along, Dan.” Tammy smiled at the soldier. Dan’s face got even redder. Tammy felt her own discomfort at that moment.
She turned to Mike. “Hey, can I use the washroom?”
“Sure!” And he pointed to the back.
Tammy stepped out of the washroom feeling greatly relieved. She was amazed at how the entire body ceases up when faced with life of death situations, and how forceful those other bodily functions return after the danger has passed.
Just then somebody called from upstairs. “Mike, we got a couple more civilians out there!”
Mike rushed back to the door and peeked through the shutters.
“It’s a lady. And a kid.” Mike stated. “They’re a long way out yet.” He opened the door. “Dan!” Mike called. With a grunt, the stocky soldier heaved himself out of his chair.
“Keep this door secure.” Mike ordered as scanned the surroundings.
He looked back inside. “Abi, you stay on the line with headquarters. Dan, step up to this door. Weapon ready.” And he stepped outside.
“HEY!” He yelled out. “OVER HERE!” He waved his arms to get their attention. Dan stepped just outside the door, holding a carbine at low and ready. Tammy moved to stand near the door as well so she could see what was happening. In the distance she saw that the two civilians were indeed a woman and a child – a boy.
They heard Mike call out and changed their direction. They looked exhausted and could go no faster than a jog. Despite their lack of speed, it looked like they were going to make it. There were no zombies to be seen.
“Shit!” Dan exclaimed as just then a zombie lumbered into the road from between some buildings to their right. The zombie was in between the civilians and their sanctuary. It was close enough for Tammy to see that it had been a man. It was dressed in boxer shorts and a wife beater shirt. It had damaged one arm near the elbow, and its lower arm hung at an unnatural angle.
“Dan!” Mike commanded before he stepped into the road. He shuffled a couple more steps to his left and started yelling and waving his arms violently. It worked. The zombie turned its face in his direction and with a clack of its teeth it came lumbering towards Mike.
Tammy heard Dan take in some quick breaths
