The heavy metal container rolled fast, slamming into zombies and knocking several of them down and out of the way. As soon as their momentum stopped, about five yards into the horde, Baker and Bretz popped up, throwing open their lids.
They took aim and opened fire in three-round bursts, sweeping the front line of zombies quickly at point blank range, spraying blood and rotted skull fragments everywhere. They pinned themselves at the back of the dumpster, using the lids as cover since the metal had landed on top of zombies, preventing them from being able to reach up and grab the soldiers.
They switched to single fire, taking deliberate aim and clearing out monsters one by one. Murphy nodded as the bulk of the zombies that had been headed towards them turned their attention towards Bretz and Baker, giving the firing line a little bit of breathing room. Several of the men stared, mouths agape, amazed at the sight.
“What are you waiting on them for?” the Sergeant barked. “Start shooting!”
Everybody took up arms again, firing into the mass, taking special care to aim clear of the two men in the dumpster. The added cushion allowed the soldiers to get a handle on the situation.
The battle was swift but brutal. With the bulk of the horde distracted, the firing line was able to inch forward, switching to single fire and clearing out the creatures with precision. Within several minutes, all the creatures in the main horde lay motionless on the ground, leaving only a nominal force in front of the anchor stores at the far ends of either building.
Murphy immediately began pointing at groups of soldiers. “You men, main building,” he bellowed. “Rest of you, clear out the stragglers and then set up a fire line on the road.”
A chorus of “Yes sir!” erupted before the majority of the soldiers ran off, leaving only Bretz’ team with the Sergeant.
Murphy stalked towards the dumpster and crossed his arms. “That was a hell of a maneuver there, Corporal,” he said dryly.
“Appreciate it, Sergeant,” Bretz replied as he clambered out of the bin, reaching in to help Baker out.
“That wasn’t a compliment,” Murphy snapped, and then took a deep breath. “Okay, it was,” he admitted, and then pointed a finger at him accusingly. “But I’m not exactly thrilled with you at the moment.”
Bretz shook his head. “Sorry Sarge, didn’t really have time to get the okay.”
“That was some quick thinking, I’ll give you that,” Murphy replied. “Saved us from getting overrun.”
The Corporal shrugged. “I’m just glad it worked.”
“Me too,” the Sergeant admitted, and then he raised his chin. “But from now on, until I personally place you inside one of those big rigs, you are not to leave my side. Is that clear?”
Bretz nodded. “Yes, sir,” he said firmly.
“Good,” Murphy replied, satisfied. “Now, let’s go see about getting you a ride.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
With the last remnants of the zombie mass laying dead in front of the store, Murphy had a few men pry open the doors before carefully walking inside. The air was stagnant, the building having been sealed shut for nearly a month.
Bretz turned to head for the back, but Murphy put a hand on his arm.
“Not leaving my side remember?” he asked, and the Corporal nodded, halting.
The Sergeant let out a deafening whistle, and the team remained silent, listening for movement or moans. When nothing happened, Murphy motioned for the team to follow him and a trio of soldiers leading them through the store.
They made their way to the back, the other soldiers doing a quick sweep of the back storeroom, finding nothing.
“It’s clear, sir,” one of them reported.
Murphy nodded. “Good, hang tight for a minute,” he said, and then turned to Bretz. “We’ve gotten you this far. What do you need from us?”
The Corporal motioned for Baker and Mason to investigate the back office, hoping that they would find some keys. “Hold that thought, Sergeant,” he said, and then pointed at Kent, motioning for him to check out the back.
Kent jogged over to the door and peered out. “Got four trucks out back here, Corporal,” he said.
“And what do you know, we have keys!” Mason declared as he and Baker emerged from the office.
Bretz raised an eyebrow. “Four sets?”
“Four sets,” Mason replied with a grin, holding up the rings and jingling them.
The Corporal pointed to the door. “Get out there and get the trucks started up,” he instructed, “make sure there’s gas, at least a quarter tank.”
Mason tossed two sets to Baker, and they headed outside with Kent and Short to get things up and going.
“For starters, we still need two more trucks,” Bretz said, turning back to the Sergeant.
Murphy pointed to one of his three soldiers. “You, take a few men from outside, go to the other store across the lot, and make sure the route is clear,” he said. “If you can locate the keys, even better.”
“Before you go…” Hess piped up.
The soldier stopped, and everyone turned to Hess, surprised at the interruption.
“Yes, Private?” Murphy asked.
Hess looked to Bretz. “Corporal, we had talked about the necessity of acquiring more provisions,” he said.
“I think we’ll be okay, Private,” Bretz replied.
Hess took a deep breath. “If it’s all the same sir,” he said politely, “wouldn’t you rather change that think to a know?”
Bretz thought for a moment, and then finally nodded. “He’s right,” he admitted, turning to Murphy. “We could use some more food and water.”
“We’ll take care of it,” the Sergeant replied, and motioned to the departing soldier. “Before you go, make sure each truck has a package of bottled water, as well as a large assortment of goods. Focus on trail mix, jerky and other long lasting proteins.”
Hess grinned. “If they have any, perhaps some chocolate tasty cakes.”
Both Bretz and Murphy cracked a smile.
“Well, you heard the man,” the Sergeant said, “chocolate tasty cakes.”
The soldier nodded and headed out
