Revealed: Parables From The Apocalypse - Dystopian Fiction (10 page)

Water Hazard

Alex grabbed the door to the copilot’s side, but Chaz stopped him before he could swing it open.  "Nope, you're gonna have to take the pilot’s side, son.  There's no way I can fly this thing with one good arm."

"No way, Colonel.  Last time I tried the simulator, I crashed the damn thing every time."

"Here's to hoping you learned something from your past mistakes.  I'll step you through what I can, but you’re gonna have to be the pilot today.  It's not that far."

"It's not the distance I'm worried about, Colonel.  It's the ending.  I've never landed anything like this."

"You've only got to put it down once.  As long as we can walk away after touchdown, I won't harbor any hard feelings."

"Jesus, Colonel, this is serious shit.  I could kill us all in this thing."

"But you won't; I won't let you.  You get to be the hero today.  The copilot and pilot controls are mirror images, so I can pitch in if you get into trouble."

Chaz and Alex both strapped themselves in, and took a good look at the controls.  Alex's right hand shook as he reached for the control stick.  Chaz noticed, but didn't comment.

"Alright, Alex, I'm sure you remember some of this, but here's your quick refresher.  That stick between your legs is altitude control, and controls our direction.  The throttle is that grip over on your left.  You're going to need that for takeoff, but once we get high enough, the copter’s automated governor will control that.  At your feet, you've got your pedals that control the tail rotor."

"I do, I do remember most of this stuff.  It's just been a while.  The simulator exercises were tougher than normal flying, so maybe this won't be so bad."

"Today won't be that tough.  We're just flying in a straight line for a short distance.  Just remember, we want to hover, then go straight forward till we get up to about 40 knots of speed, then we'll go for height. We only need to get high enough to land on the roof of the depository.  We'll bypass all that fighting on the ground.  The roof should be fine for landing on."

"Should be?"

"We'll radio ahead to make sure they're listening.  Alright, let's go.  Get us off the ground before any more of those freaks show up."

Alex applied some throttle, and adjusted the altitude controls to get the copter off the ground.  He angled the copter’s tail section down the runway, gaining speed before gaining altitude.  He had plenty of room; this runway was designed for planes more than helicopters. 

"Give it a bit more throttle, Alex.  We need to get up over those buildings and trees at the golf course."

Alex applied more throttle, and gradually they gained altitude.  As he neared the end of the runway, they were cruising at a hundred feet, close enough to see what was on the ground.  There was a group of zombies and humans running around the grounded helicopters.  The ground crew were waving their arms and signaling for them to land. 

Then, their inboard radio came to life.

"Copter niner-alpha-zebra, this is Godman Airfield control tower.   What is your status? Over."

Alex looked to Chaz.   "What do we say?  That group on the ground is signaling us, and I'm pretty sure they have weapons."

"Nothing; we'll be out of their airspace in seconds.  They won't have a chance to do anything."

"Wait, don't we have weapons?  This is a damn attack helicopter.  Let's fire at them before they can fire at us."

"Right now, you need to concentrate on just flying this chopper.  Don't worry about firing anything.  Just keep us moving."

"Copter niner-alpha-zebra, this is the control tower.  You're being ordered to return to your hangar.  Please comply immediately!"

"Keep moving, Alex, you're doing just fine.  This will be over faster than they realize."

Weapon flares lit up the runway below them just as the copter passed the hangars.  Several shots rang off the exterior of the copter. 

Chaz glanced back. "Christa, are you OK?"

"Yes, I'm fine.  Nothing hit me.  Can they hurt us with those guns?"

Chaz answered, "No, not with those weapons.  This is an attack copter.  It's built to handle a lot tougher fire than that.  Don't worry, we'll be safe and sound in no time."

Alex piped up, "You mean like that one?"

Alex then banked the copter hard to the left, knocking his passengers hard up against the side doors.

"Shit, boy, what the hell was that for?  Fly this thing straight."

A ballistic missile flew right past on their right side, twenty feet from where Chaz was sitting. Chaz pressed his face against the side glass, looking behind them, checking to make sure the missile wasn't heat-seeking, and making a return pass. 

"Where the hell did that come from?  Is the fort firing on us?"

"No, sir, look a little further down, just in front of that big water hazard."

There was a tank sitting right in front of the water hazard, with all its guns pointing in their direction. And it was on the move.  Alex was breathing hard now, and shifting in his seat. 

"Shit, that was a lucky guess on my part, sir.  I just saw the gun flare in the distance, and moved to one side.  I barely saw it coming, I just guessed and moved.  We're getting closer, and I don't know if I can do that again."

Before Chaz could reply, they both saw another gun flare, and Alex jerked to the left.  This time he wasn't as lucky.  The missile clipped their landing gear.  It wasn't enough to take the copter down, but even an experienced pilot would have had a hard time regaining control from the impact.  Alex and Chaz both tried pulling the controls back on center, but they were in a lopsided spin and losing altitude fast.  They didn't have much altitude to lose, and the copter was heading straight for the tank.  The tank driver saw what was coming and hit the throttle, but the old tank was too slow.  The rear section of the copter came down hard on the tank, stopping its spin, but not enough to stop its forward momentum.  The copter hit the ground, bounced, then rolled and twisted into the water hazard.  The rotors stopped them from rolling upside down into the water, just before they snapped off.

Water, plants, muck, and a few golf balls went flying from the water hazard as the helicopter became a permanent fixture.  Water started to fill in the passenger compartment of the helicopter, and was quickly up to the seat level.  Still dazed from all the whirling about and the sudden impact with the ground, Alex was the first one to gain his composure.

Looking in the back seat, Alex called out, "Chaz, Christa, are you guys alright?"

Christa began thrashing about like a fish out of water, pulling frantically on her safety harness.  "I can't open it.  Damn it, how do I open this thing?  I don't want to drown.  Alex. Alex, I can't get this open!"

"Christa, don't worry, we’re just in a water hazard.  It's not that deep.  We've already hit the bottom.  Don't undo that harness yet, it's holding you in place.  We're lying at a crazy angle here, and you're going to crash into the side wall when you let that harness go.  Just calm down.  You're fine for the moment."

"What about him?   What's wrong with Chaz; he's not moving.  Why isn't he moving?"

Christa was right: Chaz wasn't moving.  Alex, gave Chaz a nudge, but he didn't respond.  He grabbed his good arm, and gave him a good shake.  A low moan came from Chaz's lips. 

"Hmmm, what do you want?  I'm fine, I'm fine."  Chaz's eyes opened, then rolled back, and his head slumped over again.

Christa started to panic again. "The water is getting higher, Alex, I think we're sinking.  It's up over my seat now.  We're too heavy for the bottom of this water trap. Can we please get out of here?"

"Chaz isn't responding.  Give me a second, I've got to figure out what to do with him.  We can't just leave him here."

"I need to get out of here," Christa said, raising her voice.

"Yes, OK, but we need to go out the right-side doors; the other door is underwater.  Hold on to something before you undo that harness."

"And Chaz, how are we going to get him out?"

"I'll have to climb over him to get through his door.  You wait for me to get out first.  I can't see anything moving in the dark, but that tank is close by, and there are bound to be plenty of zombie freaks around."

"I think we hit the tank on our way down; maybe it's broken.  Maybe we killed them all."

"That's a nice thought, but way too easy.  Just wait till I get out.  I'll check things out before you come out."

Christa looked around for something to hold on to, while Alex climbed over a very groggy but still breathing Chaz.  He pushed the door open and tried to climb over Chaz, but it slammed shut with a loud thud because of the angle the copter was at.

"Damn, if that noise doesn't draw attention, I don't know what will."

Alex looked around, and found a narrow metal case, then jammed the door open with it.  He climbed over Chaz, and lowered himself into the water hazard.  The water was hip-high on him.  In the dark, it was hard to see, and a light drizzle began to fall.  Alex thought he saw some movement over by the tank, but he wasn't sure.  At the very least, the tank wasn't moving yet.  He could however still hear the low rumble of the tank's engine idling.  Alex moved back to the rear door.  The soggy ground beneath him tried sucking the boots off his feet.  He moved slowly and surely, holding on to the side of the copter.

Alex pulled open Christa's door and grabbed a hold of her jacket.  "OK, kiddo, release that harness now, I've got a hold of you.  The water's a little deep and the ground is mucky, but you should be OK."

Christa grabbed a hold of Alex's arm with one hand and released the harness with the other.  They both pulled towards each other as Christa swung her feet around to the open door.  Alex grabbed her under the arms with both hands, and lowered her into the water."

"Ahhh, this is cold.  They don't have leeches or anything in here, do they?"

"I'm not sure, but we need to keep moving.  I hear voices coming from around that tank.  Head over to the shore, but over here away from that tank.  I'm just going to grab Chaz."

Alex slowly closed her door, and Christa started making her way to dry land.  Alex grabbed a hold of Chaz while he released his harness.  Chaz was just at the right height to be thrown over Alex's shoulder. 
Thanks for minor miracles
, thought Alex. 
At least I don't have to throw out my back lifting the old bastard from the ground.
  With Chaz over his shoulder, Alex started making his way towards Christa, already on shore.  Going was slow slogging through the water with Chaz's weight, and the muck trying desperately to hold him in place.  Christa was hiding from the tank behind some trees.  Alex caught up with her, and set Chaz down, leaning him up against the tree.

"I think I can see the depository, Alex.  Just through those woods.  We're closer than I thought."

"Those helicopters do cover a lot of ground pretty quick.  Too bad I wasn't psychic enough to dodge that last missile.  We'd be safe and sound on the roof of the depository by now."

"Or the depository soldiers would have shot us down into a pack of crazed zombie freaks.  Probably just as well we got shot down here.  I suppose it would be better if the grumpy old bastard could walk on his own."

"Kid, you have a very strange sense of optimism.  But I can't say I totally disagree.  Things can always be much worse."

Just then, the low rumble of the tanks idling changed pitch, and the rusty old treads could be heard grinding against one another.  The tank was on the move.

The 18
th
Hole

"Christa, we need to keep out of sight if we're gonna get there in one piece.  Chaz will slow us down, but if we use those trees for cover we may have a chance."

"That tank can't knock down trees, can it?"

"I'm not sure, maybe not the bigger ones, but these smaller ones for sure.  They should slow them down, but the problem will be crossing the fairways.  They're so wide and open.  If they get a bead on us, then we're done."

"Maybe they'll just stay away from me, like the zombies on the bridge."

"They might; there's only one way to find out. Let's get going."

Alex threw Chaz over his shoulder.  Chaz mumbled something about being able to do things for himself, but then passed out again.

Christa gave Alex a concerned look. "Is he going to be alright?"

"I think he was weak from blood loss, and the copter crash sent his body into shock.  He's shutting down while his body tries to repair itself.  Once we're inside the fort, they should be able to fix him."

The sounds from the tank were getting closer as it skirted the edge of the water hazard. 

"See that hill over there?" Alex pointed it out. "It's just past the trees.  The tank can get over that pretty easy, but we'll get some temporary cover to scout ahead."

They headed through the trees towards the hill, relying on the dark to conceal them.  Christa moved faster than Alex, who was slowed down by his extra load.  They moved slowly at first, through the tree roots and scrub brush.  Soon though, they were in the fairway rough and heading for the hill.  Christa picked up the pace but kept looking behind her as Alex did his best to keep up.  Christa stopped and looked back a few times to let Alex catch up.

"Don't wait for me, just keep moving.  I'll get there.  I don't want you out in this open for any longer than necessary."

Christa picked up the pace again, and this time it was Alex looking over his shoulder.  The rumble of the tank grew louder.  There was nothing to slow it down here, and if it saw them before they reached the hill, things would get ugly.  Alex was breathing harder as the gap between him and Christa widened.  He could just make out her small profile in the light rain running up the hill.  Chaz mumbled more about how he could walk himself. Alex could feel the burn in his legs, but kept on pushing.  It wasn't that much further.  The steady rumble from the tank’s engine suddenly got much louder.  Did they see him?  Alex looked back once again, and thought he saw the dark body of the tank changing direction.  The sweat in his eyes, the rain, and the dark all made it difficult to be sure.  Alex's right foot slid out from under him on the wet grass when he was halfway up the hill.  He fell backwards, already top-heavy from carrying Chaz.  They both tumbled, losing ground, and ended up at the bottom of the hill, still out in the open.  The tank was closing in, and much easier to see.  It was heading towards him.  If he stood up now, the tank would see him for sure.  Christa was over the hill, but if they spotted him, that would give away Christa's position as well.  Alex crawled towards Chaz, who was still breathing, but no longer mumbling incoherently.  He wasn't mumbling at all. 

Alex sweated the situation out in his head
. If they've spotted me, and I lie here, we're as good as dead.  If they haven't spotted me, but keep driving at me, we're as good as dead.   Either way, lying here is going to get both of us killed.  Standing up will give us away, so we're going to have to do this the hard way.
  Alex flipped Chaz onto his back, then crawled along the flat ground to the right, getting out of the tank’s path.  He crawled up the hill, then reached for Chaz, and pulled him up beside him.  He repeated that a few times.  Move to the right, then up, dragging Chaz behind him.  The tank slowed to a crawl. 
They've lost sight of me
, he thought.  Moving this way was actually easier than running full tilt with Chaz's dead weight draped over him.  Easier, but a hell of a lot slower.  Now the tank came to a dead stop.  He could see the outline of it, but only because it was so big.  Alex crouched even lower, trying to remain inconspicuous.  The tank was either scanning the area, or had run out of gas. 
Wouldn't that be sweet
, Alex thought.  Way too easy though.  Then, the tank hit its headlights where Alex and Chaz had been lying just a few seconds ago.  The tank slowly rotated to its left, illuminating the length of the hill. 

"Damn!  We need to move faster there, Colonel!  Any chance you could help me out here?"

Alex looked to Chaz, but Chaz never made a sound.

"Here's hoping you've only got the wind knocked out of you, sir.  Don't worry, I'll get us out of here."

Alex started crawling, dragging and throwing Chaz's dead weight over the ground as far as he could. 
If we can just make it a little further, we'll be out of their lights.
  The lights were scanning now in their direction.  Chaz frantically crawled a bit higher, dragging and throwing his commander as far as he could.  Then the lights scanned within inches of Chaz.  Alex stopped moving, and held his breath.  Were they high enough up the slope?  Chaz started to move and mumble again. 

"Now you want to move!  Damn it, Colonel, don't move," Alex whispered under his breath as he draped one arm over the colonel and held him in place.  The tank’s light scanned past their position.  Alex held his breath for a moment longer, then looked at Chaz. 

"Sir, if you can move, now would be a good time.  You don't have to talk, but we need to make it to the other side of this hill.  If you can crawl a bit, that would help." 

Chaz started to get to his knees, but Alex pulled him down.  "No, sir, don't stand, you'll give away our position.  Just crawl, it's not far." 

The light from the tank now slid well under their position and back the other way.  The tank began moving away from them.   Alex climbed, and waited for Chaz to catch up.  He could have pulled him faster, but preferred to let the stubborn old bastard make his own ground.  At least they seemed to have avoided the tank.  Alex could still hear the rumble, but at least the ground wasn't shaking and the smell of diesel had dissipated.  The made it to the top, then slid down the wet grass, landing in the sand trap.

"Christa! Christa! Where are you?" Alex spoke at half volume.

Her voice came from the opposite side of the sand trap.  "I'm here.  Over here."

Alex moved in a half-crouch to her position.  Chaz tried to get up, but instead opted for crawling across the sand.  Alex kept an eye on him as they moved to Christa's position.

Christa could see them moving towards her. "He's moving; Chaz is moving again."

"Yeah, not too quickly though.  We've still got ground to cover, and I can hear that tank moving down the fairway.  Sounds like they're between us and the fort now.  I'm not sure if they're looking for us, or have other plans.  If they do, us hijacking that helicopter wasn't part of them.  Whatever their intentions are, I intend to stay way off their radar.  Let's keep moving."

Chaz tried to stand, but struggled.  Alex crouched down next to him.  "How you feeling, Colonel?  I can help you stand if you're OK with that."

"That might be a good idea.  How the hell did we get here?  Where's the damn chopper?  Last thing I remember was you playing dodgeball with some missiles."

"We crashed; see that glow coming over the hill in the distance?  That's the copter on fire.  I lost the dodgeball game, and ended up landing on that tank."

"Tank, oh yeah.  I do remember a tank."  Chaz looked around. "That's what I hear.  It's up in front of us."

"Yep, in front of us.  Actually it's between us and right where we need to be.  Somehow we have to get past it."

"Without the helicopter?  You remember why we needed that thing, right?  The grounds are swarming with those freaks.  Shit!"

"I realize that, Colonel, but it's dark now, and the rain should cover our approach."

"Are you kidding me?  Did you forget where we're going?  It's fucking Fort Knox.  This is not some Saturday-night convenience-store holdup. We're gonna need a better plan."

"I may have something better, sir.  The tank could help."

"Oh, so now you want to hijack a tank?  The helicopter wasn't enough.  I've never driven a tank before, have you?"

"No, sir, I haven't, but ..."

"Great, then what's this plan?"

"Well, it seems that the tank is no longer interested in us, and they have other plans.  I think they're trying to get into the depository as well.  They're headed in that direction, and why else would a bunch of zombie freaks and their freak leaders want a tank?  It's obvious from what we both saw driving by the fort that the zombies want in.  They're swarming the place. I'm thinking, the tank will make for a good diversion."

"OK, a diversion.  Sure, having a tank banging on your door might be a bit distracting.  What we don't know is how they plan to use the tank."

"We just need to get close.  Close enough for the depository soldiers to see us, and realize we're on their side.  That's all I want.  I'm thinking the loading doors around the back.  I know they're heavily guarded, which means it shouldn't take much to be spotted.  What I really want them to see is you.  You’re Colonel Chaz Sheperd ... war hero.  Someone inside will have to recognize you."

"Is that the only reason you didn't leave me to die back there?"

Alex managed a smile, and shook his head. "Yeah, pretty much.  There's no keeping secrets from you."

"Alright, it's not a bad plan, considering the circumstances.  But I need to go in alone."

"Colonel, you can barely move.  How are we going to get you there?  You want us to stay here?"

"I'll move.  I've still got breath in me.  I'll get there.  They should know me, you're right.  Even if no one recognizes me, they can check their security database.  But you and the girl are wild cards.  Especially her.  I don't know how they're going to react to you two, especially if they see her do anything strange.  If they think for even a second she’s with these freaks, their snipers will take you both out before you get five feet inside their fence."

"But we have to get in there somehow.  We can't just stay out here."

"Well, you could actually.  The freaks stay away from the girl, so you should be safe."

"The freaks might, but I'm not sure about the other ones.  The ones that look human.  I don't know what they'll do if they find us."

"Look, I do want you both inside, especially the kid."

Christa looked up.  "I'm not just a kid.  I saved your butt once already."

"Yeah, sure, Princess.  Look, there's something different about her, and the human freaks.  For the moment, she's on our side."  Chaz caught a glare from Christa but carried on.  "We have to learn to deal with these others, and she's our best chance to do that."

"I'm not some lab rat.  You're not strapping me to some table and cutting me up."

Chaz didn't answer.  Alex looked at Christa.  "That'll never happen.  I promise you.  You're not one of them.  You're more human than most people I know.  Don't worry, I won't let anything bad happen."

Christa uncrossed her arms and looked to Alex.  "You're just saying that.  You can't make those promises.  You don't even know who's in there, and what they'll do once they get a hold of me."

Chaz closed his eyes and shook his head.  "You want to stay out here?  You want to take your chances with these things?  We're done making promises here.  We're going to do what we have to to get into the fort."  Alex and Christa were both silent. 

Chaz continued.  "Here's what we have to do.  First thing is, we need to get closer to that tank."