Disclaimer: I do not own Highschool of the dead. All Highschool of the dead characters and references to those characters that appear in this story are property of whoever owns high school of the dead.

All that is mine in this story is my own characters...

This Disclaimer covers the entirety of this story.


Highschool of the dead: The British Outbreak

Chapter 1: And shit hit the fan...

Jason

Chester
North West England

Z-day
08:57

"Why the hell do I even bother?"

Jason looked over up from his book over at his friend Tom who had his face planted on his desk. He chuckled at his friend as he put his book down.

"Shot down again bud?" he asked.

"Shut up." mumbled Tom. Jason shook his head.

"Who was it this time? Mary?"

"Brooke."

"And the blonde bombshell makes it, what? 7?" Tom looked up and gave his best friend and gave him a death glare and the finger. Jason just shrugged and reopened his book. "I'll take that as a yes then."

"Arrrrgh! At least I've tried getting a girlfriend!" Tom replied sniped. "When was the last time you tried? huh?!" Jason chuckled.

"Dude, I'm a military nerd shut in." He replied "The chances of me getting a girlfriend are zero. Besides, I've got better things to spend my money on. "

"What is it this time? AK?" Groaned Tom.

"P90." Replied Jason.

Tom rolled his eyes, "How much?"

"Two hundred."

"Two hundred?! For a BB gun?!"

Jason shot his friend a glare and was about to launch into a full rant on the differences between airsoft and regular BB guns when the bell signalling the start of class chimed. Jason stowed the book and picked up the multicam patrol bag he used as his school bag. He waved goodbye and headed off for class.

He has got a point though. Thought Jason. He was nearly 18, member of the Lower 6th form in his school, a NCO in the local Air Training Corps unit, and he still couldn't get a girlfriend. It wasn't for lack of trying initially, he'd asked one or two girls out and been rejected both times, after that he'd just given up. He could understand why he'd been turned down though; aside from military history and technology, he was very much an average student, a 'Jack of all trades but master of none' as a colleague had put it.

Besides, who wanted to go out with a military nerd?

No, Jason thought, Might as well accept it. I'm not gonna get a girlfriend anytime soon. He banished such thoughts from his head and reset his head to statistics as he headed into his maths class.

...

A while later, Jason was distracted from his maths problem by the wailing of sirens. The school was situated on one of the main roads out of Chester heading for the motorways so the passing sirens of the emergency services were not uncommon. What was Strange however, was that this was the latest batch in 4 and was being accompanied by a police helicopter. Something was up, something beyond a normal car crash. His thoughts were interrupted by the welcome sound of the bell for the end of class.

He packed up his maths kit, vaguely acknowledging the maths teachers' announcement of the homework exercise before making best speed for his 'spot'. It was PSHE next, the single most boring subject he was forced to take, although sex ed had been very entertaining. He quietly made his way through the crowd of students and teachers, careful not to meet any of his teachers gaze or that of anyone who might tip them off.

He exited through a door and headed up a flight of disused stairs, exiting through a trap door into an attic. The Attic was a large room that stretched for a good 20 meters before coming to an abrupt stop. Light was sourced from a dull bulb hanging overhead and the light was let in through a single window that lead to a ledge large enough for 2 people to comfortably lie down on, and afforded a commanding view over the main entrance and car park. Inside, the spot was furnished with some IKEA bought furniture including a sofa, coffee table and some comfortable beanbag chairs. Drinks and snacks were kept cool in a mini-fridge in the corner.

The spot, or 'The club' to give its nickname, was a closely guarded secret. Its existence had been spawned from a group of 6th formers who'd founded the place a few generations ago as a place to play cards and gamble without the risk of teachers finding them. The Knowledge of its existence was handed down from 6th formers who were deemed as worthy to know of this hallowed places' existence.

Jason dropped his bag, retrieved a coke from the fridge and ducked out of the window and onto the ledge. He popped the can and toasted to his good fortune and drank deep from the refreshing drink. He retrieved his book from his bag before returning to his ledge to read in peace.

For a while he was undisturbed in enjoying the adventures of Biggles, until his attention was averted by the report of gunfire. He dropped his book and stood up from his previously sat position, inadvertently kicking over the half drunken coke can over the edge.

Gunfire. He thought, nine millimeter, military and armed police standard issue.

More reports followed, before a police car tore in through the front gate. Jason knew something was up, and it was probably not the time to be found in a secret room stashed with items that were considered contraband by the school faculty. He retreated inside and sealed the window. He collected his bag and killed the light, removed all evidence he had been there and retreated back through the trap door.

He got halfway down the stairs before the fire alarm sounded. Shit he thought. He jumped the last few stairs and headed for the door. He dashed through the door and moved naturally with the students now exiting adjacent classrooms and heading for the fire exits. They bimbled as a semi-orderly mass until the fire alarm stopped. There was a moment of stunned silence before the headmaster's voice came over to the intercom.

However well he tried to hide it, there was pain, panic and fear in his voice.

"Attention all students and faculty." He said, "There is an emergency situation taking place in the local area. All students and staff are to evacuate the school grounds Immediately. Follow the direction of teachers and the police on site..."

The mic dropped. There was feedback, then silence.

"What are you doing?! Get back!" There was a blood curdling scream, then silence.

Then it seemed as if the entire school screamed. Students were panicking and scrambling for the exits. Teachers made valiant attempts maintain some measure of order, but failed amongst the tidal wave of panicking students.

Jason, while he did not scream, was certainly stunned by the development and made for the nearest exit. He turned a corner and skidded to a halt. The exit he'd gone for was jammed with a mass of students trying to cram through the door.

No way I'm getting through that, better try the sports exit. He thought. He doubled back and sprinted through the corridors. For the most part they were now quiet and empty of life, but littered with abandoned papers and bags. Jason turned off the corridor and came to the sports exit, leading outside and onto a path that lead to the sports hall and overlooked the sports fields.

He kicked the door open to keep his momentum up; if staff caught him he'd take the punishment. He exploded out onto the path and kept running.

He saw a black spec of movement nearby and skidded to halt, turning to face the anomaly. There was a woman, standing over the top of a man who was on the ground, not moving. Jason considered running for help, but quickly vaulted the low fence and ran to help, but petered to a stopped when he got closer.

Their clothes were torn, and their bodies were lacerated and seeped black tainted blood. The man on the floor, who was a police officer judging by his clothes, was dead. His chest and stomach had been torn open and the woman had her hands deep into his organs, tearing them out and feasting on them. She did not even acknowledge Jason and continued her feasting.

Jason held back the urge to vomit. He stood there, staring at the woman feasting on the dead officers' carcass.

What the fuck is happening? He thought. He knew he had to stop this. He unclipped his bag, dropping it to the grassy ground with a muffled thud. She looked up, the man's partially eaten liver in her hands. Her face was covered in blood and fragments of flesh and her eyes were clouded over. There was no life in them.

Jason ran forward, breaking to a full sprint. She slowly began to rise and shuffle to meet him. When they closed, Jason broke his sprint and dug his right foot into the ground. He brought his left leg up and landed a spin kick to the woman's chest at full force. The woman stumbled and collapsed to the right. She was still alive and making snarling noises while she tried to get back to her feet.

Jason looked over at the officer. He was dead, his stomach and chest were a bloody mess that made Jason want to hurl. From his uniform, he was a traffic or maybe a patrol officer. But lying a short way from his body was a Glock 17 handgun. There was also a pistol holster strapped to his right thigh and a few spent shell casings on the grass.

He'd put up a fight.

Jason was about to go for the pistol when the woman lunged at him again. Jason stepped back and put his arms up in a fighting stance, crossing them across his chest to catch her as she fell onto him. He stumbled back onto the grass, fighting to keep her away from him. She was snarling and her blood stained teeth were biting for him. Jason, despite his disgust, kept his mouth closed, trying to make sure none of her saliva or the blood got into his body.

He pushed her back and kicked her off him. Given his change he rose to a knee and dived across the policeman's body for the Glock. He grabbed it and rolled to a knee. The woman was getting up again and ready to pounce again. Jason raised the handgun and fired into her chest 3 times.

She buffeted but kept coming.

He raised the pistol abit and fired again. The round tore through her neck and created a bloody splatter as it went out.

She lurched but still kept coming.

As she was about to dive on him, Jason fired again, this time into her head. The round went through her forehead, creating a small black hole slightly above and to the left of her right eye. There was a bloody mist behind her as she fell back.

This time, she was dead.

Jason, breathing heavily now, rolled back from his knee and sat on the grass. He'd just killed someone. He got a hold of himself and reasoned that it'd been self defence and she wasn't stopping. He got up and went over to the policeman's corpse.

The man was still alive. His face was showed no pain caused by his mortal injuries, but his eyes were glazed over in the same way as the woman's were. He couldn't move, the damage to his body meant that he could only snarl, bite his teeth and wave his arms at Jason in a futile attempt to grab him. Jason pitied the man. He levelled the Glock with the man's head.

"Sorry mate." He said. He pulled the trigger and put the officer out of his misery.

Silence descended once again. Jason looked around; the sound of gunfire would attract people, either police, or whatever they were. Before leaving he had a quick look through the officer's pockets, relieving him of 2 full magazines for the Glock and his holster. Jason replaced the nearly spent mag with a fresh one and placed them in his school blazer pocket. He then stowed the other items in his bag before heading back down the path.

Next stop, anywhere but here. He thought.


Alex

Countess of Chester hospital
Chester outskirts

Z-day
09:30

"So how did your date go last night Alex?" Alex turned round to her friend Joyce who asked the question. Alex smiled sweetly.

"Oh he loved me." She replied, "His girlfriend not so much."

Joyce chuckled "Someday you're gonna get in trouble for stuff like that." She said.

"Do we not have jobs to do ladies?" Asked the shrill voice of Dr. Glassman, "If not then I could certainly find you some." The young collage students jumped to and, both being clever people, remembered assigned tasks elsewhere. Alex continued down the hall toward her assigned ward. She was an 18 year old college nursing student with a placement in the local hospital, and thus she had stuff to do, such as look after and assist patients and the doctors.

Alex arrived in her assigned ward and started her rounds, moving to the first patient.

"Good morning Mr. Roberson." Said Alex, greeting the elderly gentleman in the first bed.

"Good morning Alex." He said kindly. "How are you this morning?"

"I'm very well thank you, and yourself?" The man laughed.

"Still kicking!" Alex smiled. Despite being in his early 80's and having recently had a hip replacement, Mr. Roberson was still as active as a man half his age and possessed a wicked sense of humour.

"Anything I can get for you then Mr. Roberson?"

"Well a finger of whiskey would be nice."

"Besides that..." He laughed.

"Well a glass of water would be a start."

"That I can get you." She poured a plastic cup of water and gave it to the man. He took a sip.

"Thank you." He said. "Now there are people in more need of your care than I. Off you go."

"I'll be back to check on you later Mr. Roberson." Said Alex as she continued on her rounds, "And I'd love another chess game if you have the time."

"Consider it a date." The man called, laughing as he did. Alex shook her head, the man knew how to make her laugh. She was about to continue her rounds and talk to the next patient when her pager buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and read the message.

Need help in A and E. Come now!

Alex spun and ran, calling for one of the nurses at the ward desk to cover for her. She ran through the hospital corridors heading for Accident and Emergency.

This is my chance. She thought as she rounded a corner, sidestepping a passing patient. This is my chance to get some medic experience.

Alex had picked this course so she could get some hands on experience with emergency medicine. Her aspiration was to join the Royal Navy as a nurse, much like her grandmother had been. At the moment she'd been doing minor jobs in her placement, but now she was getting a chance to help in A&E.

She skidded through the doors to A&E, and was greeted by a wave of chaos. Behind the soundproof walls that separated it from the rest of the hospital, was a scene akin to one in a movie. There were dozens of patients with injuries in the waiting area and more being bought in on Gurneys by paramedics. For a moment she froze, the scene just...

"Oi!" shouted a Doctor. Alex snapped out of her trance and looked up, "If you're not gonna help then get out!"

"What do you need?" Alex called back, moving closer to the doctor.

"We need to get these patients sorted into priority and get them treated as such." Replied the Doctor. "Can you do that?"

"Yes Doctor." She replied, "What happened to them?"

"Fuck knows." He replied as he directed the paramedics to a spare spot on the wall, "Police are saying civil unrest but others are saying they were attacked. Either way, not our problem. Now get on it."

Alex didn't acknowledge verbally but went straight to work assessing the mounting pile of casualties. She worked through the first few, mainly banged up with bruises and the odd laceration, nothing major. As she worked, some of the patients said how they were attacked, how people tried to bite them. As she moved through the line of patients, she came to a man on a Gurney. He wasn't moving. She felt for a pulse, but failed to find one.

"Doctor," she called out. "He's gone." The doctor rushed over and checked himself to be sure.

"Take him to the Morgue. Then get back here." He said. Alex nodded. Before taking the back of the man's Gurney and started wheeling him out of the room. As she was about to push through the doors, she was grabbed on the arm. She looked down to see a woman in her mid 20's with a bloody gash down the right side of her face.

"Don't do it." She said, "Get away from him." Alex smiled at her.

"He's not gonna hurt me." She said, she then brushed off the woman's grip and pushed the gurney through the door. She didn't hear the woman say;

"Yes. He will."

...

Alex exited the cargo lift and pushed the gurney into the morgue. The morgue was Alex's least favourite place in the hospital, it was a place that marked their failure to preserve life, and as such it was cold and lifeless. Alex looked around the basement room, looking for the attending doctor. The Morgue was a room in which every surface was polished steel to a high shine, with 2 examination tables in the centre.

"Doctor?" Alex called out, pushing the gurney further into the room. There was a moan from behind one of the tables. Alex stepped forward towards it, earring on the side of caution due to being slightly spooked by the situation. She rounded the corner of the table... and screamed at what she saw.

The doctor was on the floor dead, with a man crouched over him and feasting on his flesh. The man turned around. His eyes were partially glazed over and his mouth and teeth were dripping with blood with bits of the doctor's flesh still stuck between them. His skin was discoloured and body was cut open and black, rotten entrails hung out of them.

Alex unknowingly started back pacing. The man started stalking towards her. She kept her eyes forward on him. She slowly backed up, until there was a sickening thud from behind her. She spun round to find the body that had wheeled in on the gurney had fallen to the floor,

And was getting up.

Panicking at the situation, Alex turned and ran. She crashed through the doors to the stairwell and started climbing. She rushed up 2 flights of stairs before she came to the ground floor exit. She rushed through it and slammed it shut behind her. She then put her back against the door, taking a deep breath before sinking to the floor.

What was that? She thought. She put her heads in her hands. That man was... was..."

"Hey! You!" A voice called out. Alex hesitantly looked up. A man clad in black body armour wearing a gas mask ran up to her with sub machine gun in hand. He stopped just short of her and raised his gun on her. Alex put her hands up instinctively.

"Don't shoot!" she shouted.

"Are you bit?!" the man demanded, not lowering his weapon.

"What..."

"ARE YOU BIT?!"

"NO!" Alex screamed. She wasn't entirely sure what the man who she recognized as a police officer was talking about but she was relieved when he lowered his weapon.

"Alright listen to me." He said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "The outbreak has broken out in the hospital. All uninfected doctors and patients are to evacuate to Chester Market immediately. They're setting up an aid center there. Troops will be there to meet you. Do you understand?"

"Wh...What?" Stammered Alex, "What outbreak? What are you talking abou..."

"Look I've got no time to explain!" the officer almost shouted. He pushed her down the way he'd came up the hallway. "Get out of here! GO!" He started jogging down the hallway.

Alex was left speechless. What outbreak?! What is he talking about?! She thought. She had no idea what was going on, but all her senses were telling her to get out of here. And maybe she'd get some answers at the market.

And right now, anywhere sounded better than here.


Jason

Chester Outskirts
North West England

10:15

Jason unlocked the front door of his house, then burst in Glock raised.

Nothing.

He closed the door and swept through the house, checking for any signs on what people he'd ran into on his way here from school were calling; the infected. After clearing each room, he determined the house was exactly as he and his mother had left it that morning. He locked all the doors and windows, before retreating up to his room.

He had tried to call his mother on her mobile on the way here, to check that she was alright but to no avail. He'd also heard conflicting view on what was happening at all from numerous people on the way here, everything ranging from and including biological weapon and government conspiracies, to the Ebola and the wrath of God.

Jason hoped that the news channels would have a more concrete explanation as to why people were suddenly killing and eating each other. He went to his room and turned on the TV. He watched stunned as he switched through various news channels, watching footage of attacks and the news presenters coverage of the story.

"... The government has started to take into effect measures against the outbreaks that are occurring nationwide..."

"...It is feared that more than 12,000 people have now been affected in the greater Manchester and North West counties thus far. The Prime Minister is currently holding an emergency session of the cabinet to discuss the deployment of disaster aid..."

She was interrupted by a gunshot. In the background there were armed police firing into a crowd of advancing infected.

"F... From what i can see here the police are now using firearms to gun down those infected... No... wait!.. Get back... NOOO!"

The screen faded to static before it switched back to a studio with another news presenter on it, looking shocked and disturbed by what had happened.

"I... It looks like we're having a problem with our field equipment... We will continue to bring you coverage of the outbreak from inside the studio. Due to the ongoing nature of the outbreak the police have requested that everyone stay home or indoors..." she was handed a piece of paper by a person off screen.

"This just in. The government has just authorized the deployment of reserve police and military forces to assist with evacuation and containment. All off duty and reserve Police, Army, Navy, Air Force and Cadet Forces are ordered to report to their bases for duty. This latest development..."

Jason shut it off.

If what the news lady said was true, and they were calling up the cadets... they really were in the shit. He was a member of the local Air Training Corps squadron, 610 City Of Chester squadron, so if things were that bad... he quickly recovered his laptop from his bag and fired it up. He went on to the squadron Facebook page to find if there was any orders given by the CO to the cadets. Sure enough, there was;

Cadets. We have received orders from HQAC and the local council to assist in managing the outbreak. All cadets are required to report to sqn ASAP! Wear combats and boots and bring any webbing, chest rigs or other tactical equipment you possess as well as your 3822s. NOTE: We do not know how long we will be required so bring sufficient combats for a few days.

Good luck everyone.

Sqn Ldr Marsden.

Jason powered down his computer and sat at his desk for a moment just to take it in. They had said all cadets, but how many would actually come? There were 100 cadets on the books at squadron. But of those, how many lived far enough away that they couldn't easily get to cadets? How many had received the call to arms? How many would actually answer it?

How many were already dead?

Jason shook the thoughts from his head, before he got up and headed for his combat cupboard.

The 'combat cupboard' as his mum called it, was the section of his bedroom cupboard where he kept his airsoft and cadet gear. Given what he'd seen and done that day, he decided his airsoft gear was a better bet. He replaced the tie, white shirt and black trousers of his uniform with assault boots, multicam fatigue trousers and a matching UBAC. He replaced his normal every day watch with a more rugged G-shock, and his plain black school socks with hiking ones. Lastly he donned his dark Blue RAF beret, molding it so the cap badge was over his left eye and the excess pulled over to the right.

He then removed his chest rig from its hanger, removing the airsoft magazines from its pouches. He checked the tactical first aid kit was well supplied and secured before packing a combat jacket, some snacks and other essentials for long deployments into the rig's utility pouches. Satisfied that his rig was set, he moved onto his school bag. He emptied it of text books and stationary, backing a change of underwear, spare fatigues and survival essentials into the bag.

He returned to the cupboard and removed the velcro unit patches from his cadet gear and applied them to his UBAC. He then retrieved a pair of thigh plates, one with a large utility pouch for his left leg, the other a knife and pistol holster for his right. He stuffed a waterproof poncho into the left one and secured it around his thigh and to his belt. He then went over to his bedside table and removed a combat knife from the top draw.

It was a well made replica of the Austrian combat knife made by Glock for the Austrian army. It had been a present from his friends for his 18th. He'd kept it sharp but never thought he'd have occasion to use it, 'till now. He slotted it into the holder which normally held a plastic airsoft knife.

He picked up the Glock from where he'd laid it on his desk. He ejected the magazine and cleared the chamber before recovering the spare magazines from his school blazer pocket. He emptied out all his magazines, doing an ammo check. He had 43 rounds, not much. He reloaded his magazines and put the partly empty and one full into some pistol mag pouches on his rig. He then slid a full magazine into the Glock and holstered it.

With his bag packed and gear stowed, there was only one thing left to do; leave a note to mum. He grabbed a pen and note pad. He wrote:

Dear mum,

If you're reading this, I've answered the call to arms that was put out on the news earlier today. All cadet, police and military units have been ordered to assist in the evacuation and containment of whatever is happening.

I have heard that there is a refuge center being set up in Chester market, if you head there I will join you there when I can. (I assume that will be where we will be sent.)

In case I don't see you there. Stay safe. And good luck.

Love

Jason.

He put the note on the kitchen counter where it would be easily seen. He then collected his bag, took one last look around, and locked the door on his way out.


610 (City of Chester) Squadron HQ

Chester Outskirts
North West England

10:50

Jason turned the corner onto the street where squadron HQ was. Outside the building's perimeter was a pair of armed soldiers on sentry duty, and an Army lorry parked on the curve. Jason walked up and was stopped by one of the soldiers.

"Identify yourself." He ordered.

"Cadet Corporal Jason Rees." Said Jason, removing his 3822 cadet ID from his pocked and proffering it at the soldier. The second soldier took it, checking the ID photo against Jason and nodding.

"Right, arms out and legs shoulder width apart." Said the first soldier.

"Ok..." complied Jason wirily. The soldier started feeling along his body for something.

"Bite Check." Said the Second, answering Jason's unanswered question. He then saw the Glock on his thigh. "Where'd you get that?"

"Dead police officer." Replied Jason. "He didn't have need of it. I did."

"Fair enough." Said the second soldier. His colleague completed his search and handed back Jason's 3822.

"Alright you're clean." He said, "Head inside and you'll be kitted out and briefed." Jason thanked the soldier and headed inside. There was a sign in sheet on the unmanned front desk. He signed in and then went into the main parade hall.

The parade hall was a flurry of activity. Cadets dressed in various British camouflages were running to and fro, a palpable sense of urgency in the air. Jason spotted the squadron CO and marched up to him, saluting him.

"Sir." He greeted. The CO turned to him and returned the salute. Squadron Leader Marsden was a gentleman in his early 60's with balding white hair and glasses. He was almost the image of the classic English grandfather, if slightly younger.

"Good to see you Corporal Rees." Said Marsden.

"Likewise sir." Replied Jason. "What's the situation here?"

"We've got 30ish cadets including a handful of NCOs and we've been attached to a unit from 2nd Mercian and ordered to the centre of town. Grab a rifle and get ready."

"Sir." Jason saluted and was already moving by the time Marsden was bringing up a return salute. Normally he would have reprimanded the NCO for such an act, but today of all days he tended to let such things slide.

Jason moved into the mess where he found a pair of soldiers with a table handing out kit. Jason walked up to it and the sergeant manning it asked in a gruff voice,

"You qualified on the GP?"

"Yes Sergeant." Replied Jason. The Soldier pushed a rifle into his hand followed by a loaded bandoleer. Jason nodded and moved off to a side table to sort out the new kit. The rifle was an L98A2, the cadet general purpose version of the British army's SA80 rifle series. He set the bandoleer down before he checked and cleared the rifle. He then set about the bandoleer. It was loaded with 5 full 30 round magazines, as well as containing a cleaning kit for the rifle, a military water bottle and a bayonet in its pouch and scabbard. Jason set the mags in the pouches on his chest rig and stowed the cleaning kit and water bottle in an accessible pouch before then attaching the bayonet pouch to his rig.

He rigged up the rifle's strap and slung it across him in a high port before swinging it around to hang off his back. He handed the empty bandoleer back to the sergeant as he passed and nodded thanks as he walked back into the hall.

The hall was still dotted with cadets. Some were moving around on tasks. Others were checking their weapons or other pieces of kit. But Jason could sense a taste of fear in the air; he could see it in the faces of some of the cadets. How many had lost loved ones? He spotted one of the younger cadets, Cadet Oliver Nolan, barely 14 who was sitting down against one of the walls, thumbing with his weapon. He went over to join him.

"You good Nolan?" Asked Jason. Oliver looked up.

"Yes Corporal" he said, sitting up slightly straighter. Jason waved for him to relax; he sat down next to him.

"It's totally crazy right?" said James.

"Corporal?"

"Crazy. All of it. Were being called up to protect people from... whatever they are."

"They are just sick." Said Oliver, "They'll find a cure and it'll all go back to how it was." Jason was skeptical. The experience of the woman at school was still fresh in his mind. Whatever that woman was, she wasn't human. The look in her eyes, it wasn't one of a conscious killer. It was more, predatory, more instinctual, more feral.

"Maybe." Said Jason. He was about to think more on the issue when a loud, booming voice echoed around the hall.

"LISTEN UP!" it cried. Jason shot up to his feet. In the center of the room was Squadron Leader Marsden.

"We're heading out to Chester." He said, "When I call out your name, step forward. Jackson, Harper, Carpenter, Rhodes." The named cadets stepped forward.

"You are fireteam Alpha. Call sign Mike-Zero-Seven-Alpha. Understood?"

"Yes Sir!"

"Good." He tossed one of them a handheld radio and a small notepad. "Channel 3. Go board a Lorry." The cadets left. The CO continued his listing.

"Stephenson, Joyce, Dyer and Rees." Jason looked up. He caught the radio and notepad that was tossed to him. "Fire team Bravo. Channel 3. Call sign..."

"Mike-Zero-Seven-Bravo sir?" guessed Jason. Marsden nodded.

"Fall out." He said, "Fireteam Charlie; Patterson, Rhodes..."

Jason and the rest of Bravo moved out of the hall and headed through the mess towards the exit and the waiting army Lorries that would take them to Chester. He and his team boarded the first lorry and sat opposite each other on the benches in the back of the lorry. Once settled, Jason took a moment to assess his team;

Cadet Ethan Stevenson. Stevenson was normal height for a 15 year old. His otherwise pale face was pot marked with white headed spots that most teenagers struggled with at some point. Jason didn't know him well, only that he was a half decent first aider and an otherwise average cadet.

Nathan Joyce. Joyce was the youngest cadet on Bravo. Barely 13, he'd only joined the cadets 6 months ago, but in that time had been on practically every course that had run during that time. What he lacked in physical size, he more than made up for in commitment.

Naomi Dyer. She was the only female on the squad, and Jason didn't particularly like her as a cadet. Despite being only 14, she acted like she was a 20 year old university student on an eternal night out. She was also prone to temper meltdowns, especially when her makeup (which Jason couldn't help but notice was freshly applied) came into question or damage.

Jason stowed his concerns about his team aside and opened the notepad he'd been given. It contained his unit orders. After a quick read, he addressed his team.

"Right Bravo listen in. We're being deployed to the bridge gate on lower bridge street. Our orders are to assist the police unit manning the check point there with crowd control and evacuation efforts as they require. Everyone as they comes in they get a bite check. Anyone bit get sent to another treatment facility in Handbridge. If you see any infected, call it into me or the police officer. They will advise us from there. Any questions?"

Naomi put her hand up, still chewing gum as she spoke.

"Yeah... Like... how long are we going to be out?"

"As long as were needed Dyer." Replied Jason. Naomi glared at him.

"But, I've... like gotta date and stuff to do!"

"Tough Cadet!" replied Jason slightly harsher than he'd intended, "We've been called to help with a massive disease outbreak. I don't know or care how long we'll be out, and neither should you. Now swallow your gum, and get it together."

Naomi glared at him, before complying and going into a sulk.

"Anything else?" asked Jason. Nathan put his hand up.

"Yes Joyce?"

"Will we have to shoot anyone corporal?" he asked. Jason thought for a moment, feeling all eyes on him. It was a sensible question, one which he wasn't sure how to answer.

"Hopefully not cadet," Jason replied, "but potentially yes." Nathan sat there for a moment.

"Understood." He replied before going back to sitting quietly. Jason wondered if he'd said the right thing. Probably not, he'd just told a 13 year old that he may have to kill a person. Jason was about to reflect more on this when the lorry's engine coaxed into life and the convoy started rolling.

Jason quietly made himself a promise.

If I, or any of them get bit. He thought, "I'm not going to let them turn into one of them."


Dear reader;

I hope you've enjoyed the first taste of what is to come of my first Zombie story.

For those readers who have read and are reading my Girls und Panzer stories... fret not! I have not abandoned them! This for now gives me something to work on when I want to get away from it for a bit.

Once my current GuP is wrapped up I'll be working on this story for the long haul.

The basic premise of this story will be the following the outbreak in Britain and more specifically my home town of Chester. Some things have been changed about local organisations for obvious reasons but it will maintain as true as possible to real life.

I hope you enjoyed the story and please review and let me know what you think

Jangocommando27