David looked at Kersey, who appeared to still be half asleep.
The Captain startled when he realized everyone was looking at him and cleared his throat. “Because somebody way above our pay grade has decided that infrastructure like this has to be spared,” he explained. “They feel like this city is going to have to be usable once we take it over, and we won’t have the manpower or resources to repair the bridges.” He took a long gulp of his coffee.
“Great,” Baker said with a sigh, “so we’re expendable, huh?”
Bretz patted his shoulder. “Nah, bud, just you,” he said, “they’re actually rooting for the rest of us to come back.”
There was another light round of chuckles, and Kersey raised his mug to David to encourage him to continue.
“Okay,” his friend said, “once the gunships clear the way for you, the first target is the five-twenty bridge over Lake Washington. Two trucks will need to block this off to protect our soldiers who are advancing from the east. The other four trucks are to keep going towards the main target, which is the I-five bridge just north of downtown.”
They leaned over to have a look at the bridge, seeing a major interchange just south of it.
Bretz pointed to it, tapping his finger. “That interchange going from the five-twenty to the five looks problematic,” he said. “Can we call in the Apaches to help us out there?”
“Unfortunately not,” David replied, shaking his head. “They have a one-way ticket to the ships just offshore. In order to get more people on, they had to ditch a lot of non-essentials, like missiles and fuel.”
Mason scratched his head. “So how are we supposed to get across, if we can’t get to the bridge?” he asked.
David tapped an area on the map. “Just to the east of the target, there is a small surface street bridge,” he explained. “This should let you get across so you can block it from the north. Once you do that, you just have to sit back and wait on reinforcements to arrive in a few days.”
“And if they don’t?” Baker wondered.
“Hope the water below is deep enough for a high dive,” Mason replied.
Baker shook his head. “Comforting.”
“Any questions?” David asked. When there was no answer, he took a step back, happy to concede the floor. “All right, Captain?”
Kersey took a deep breath and approached the table, a little more perked up as he set down his second empty mug. “I know this mission is dangerous as hell,” he said, “but if we don’t put some sort of blockade to protect our teams coming in from the north and east, this whole thing could be over before it even begins.” He glanced at the younger soldiers. “I know you three don’t know Corporal Bretz, but I spent several tours overseas with him as my right hand man. Saved my ass more times than I can count. You follow his lead, and he’ll get you through to the other side. Understand?”
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,
