You only see what you want to believe
When you creep from the back, I got tricks up my sleeve
Twenty four seven, the devil, best friend
It makes no difference
It's all the same in the end
Sublime-Same in the end.
Saya, Kohta, and Alice sat on the balcony with scopes trained on the herd that had wandered through Takashi's neighborhood. Alice had been practicing with her rifle, taking shots at a can of soda Kohta had hung on the fence. She had missed most of her attempts but after a while she managed to get a few direct hits. Now she was sizing up the zeds in the street, practicing sweeping her aim with a moving target. The light armored vehicle that kept inching it's way through the thickest part of the herd was a bigger problem at the moment.
"Well Kohta, what do you think we should do about that armored car slowly making it's way toward us? Maybe I'm seeing things but it looks like that LAV is searching for...something. It keeps sweeping back and forth down the alleyways, and it's getting closer to the house." Saya observed. Alice nodded in agreement as she moved her rifle in the way Kohta had showed her. Near one of the gates to Takashi's house the smaller pink haired girl noticed an infected was about to walk into her crosshairs.
"Kohta? Can I take a shot now? I see one Zed near the gate. He's close enough right?" Alice pleaded, eager to prove herself. Kohta turned to Saya, who was frowning at Alice.
"Oh don't give me that look you stupid otaku. Fine, let her kill one of the zombies. You get to comfort her when she has nightmares about this..." Saya replied. Kohta rolled his eyes and crouched behind Alice.
"Alright. Before you shoot, tell me what are the 4 laws of gun safety?" asked Kohta. Alice smiled and turned her baseball cap backwards.
"One; the gun is always loaded until you check and clear the chamber. Two; Never point the gun at something you aren't willing to kill or destroy. Three; Always be aware of your target and whatever is behind it. Four; Keep your booger-hook of the go bang switch until your sights are on the target." Alice recited, pulling the cocking handle on her ruger back and leaning against the railing. She bit her lip and pulled her face back from the scope, lining up her shot. She took a deep breath and squeezed the trigger. The 22. kicked about as much as an air rifle and was almost as quiet, thanks to the suppressor. Her first shot missed, burying itself into the masonry around the gate.
"Almost got him. But remember what I said about bullets dropping past a certain distance? Try again, but compensate by raising your crosshairs up and to the left a little." Kohta instructed. Alice nodded and did her best to correct her aim. Another muted 'thunk' escaped Alice's rifle, but this time the bullet found it's mark. The infected man's jaw was now hanging from one hinge, and most of his teeth were spread throughout the street.
"Guess he won't be biting anyone. Nice shot munchkin." Saya said, sounding much more involved than before. Alice grinned and lined up another shot. The 22 round hit the zombie square in the forehead, blood and brain matter flew out the exit wound and Alice's hands flew up in triumph.
"Boom! Headshot!" Alice yelled, unable to control herself in the excitement. Kohta chuckled and patted her on the head.
"That was awesome kiddo. Your a natural." Saya coughed and pointed at the next street over. That armored car was getting closer.
"Munchkin, put your rifle on safe and head downstairs. See if the others are ready to go, we might have to leave in a hurry." Kohta commanded. Alice gave him her best salute and took off down the stairs. She found the rest of the group hunched over a small map of Tokunosu.
"This road leads straight to the elementary school. And there's even side streets we can use to detour around a herd. I think it's our best bet." said Takashi, using his finger to trace the proposed route.
"If we get bogged down here..." Kiriko pointed to a bridge spanning one of the many canals that ran through Tokunosu. "We're fucked, every bridge is deadlocked with cars. The one leading to the evacuation point is going to be a meat grinder."
"Doesn't matter. It's go that way or risk missing the evacuation completely." Takashi replied. He then noticed the youngest member of their group was tapping his shoulder. "Takashi, Kohta says we might need to get out of here in a hurry because that big truck is getting closer. Is everyone packed and ready to go?"
"Yes. Did you have fun learning to shoot? How many did you get?" Takashi asked. Alice beamed and started expounding on how cool her new rifle was until she noticed Shizuka glaring. Shizkua walked over to Takashi, heels clicking on the tile and flicked his ear. "Ahh! Christ that hurts..." Takashi moaned rubbing his ear.
"Don't encourage her." Shizuka said sternly. Rei and Saeko pointed and giggled from the kitchen table.
"That reminds me. What are we going to do about that armored car? It sure looks like a smooth ride..." Takashi asked, pulling one of his dad's cigarettes from the pack. He lit the tip and cracked a window.
"Your suggesting we take it? The world may have ended Takashi but i'm not about to try and carjack an armored truck. This isn't a video game." Kiriko replied firmly.
"We may not have a choice. We can't wait here forever, and it sounds like that truck is getting closer. Listen..." Takashi said, gesturing out the window. The steady growl of an engine and the occasional squelch of a zombie being run down.
Back out on the Balcony, Kohta had clamored up onto the roof to get a better vantage point on the car that kept making circles around the neighborhood. It was only a street away from Takashi's house now. He cursed under his breath when the LAV turned a corner and began rolling their way. Kohta pulled a small mirror from his flak jacket and took cover behind the house's chimney.
"Saya, that LAV is almost in front of the house. Call downstairs and tell everyone to get their packs on and check their weapons. I'm going to try and get their attention. Hopefully they won't mind giving us a lift." He said softly.
"And if they do mind?" Saya asked. Kohta flicked the safety on his rifle and used the mirror to peak around the corner.
"I blow their brains out and we take their ride." Kohta replied. Saya's lower lip trembled.
"Don't get yourself killed, or more importantly get me or one of the other's killed." She called back at him.
"Wouldn't dream of it dear..." he whispered to himself. Kohta heard the roar of the LAV's engine grow louder. He steeled his nerves and took a deep breath. 'Guess it's now or never. You can do this Kohta, a real firefight is something you've always dreamed about right?' He thought, trying to psych himself up. He stepped around the chimney and angled the mirror at the driver side window of the LAV. The car hit the breaks suddenly, about 20 feet from the house. Suddenly a hatch atop the LAV flew open and a beautiful purple haired woman emerged, holding a PSG1 sniper rifle in her arms. She wore the dark blue and black fatigues of the JSDF Special Assault Team, and her name tag read 'MINAMI'
"You on the roof! I'm going to give you one chance to tell me who you are and why you stole my guns. Otherwise I'm going to blow your god damn head off."
"Your guns? There's no fucking way...My names Kohta Hirano. Are you Miss Shizuka's friend Rika? The one who's in the SAT?"
"How the hell do you know Shizuka? I swear to god if you've harmed one hair on her head..." Rika replied.
"She's inside right now actually. Bring the car up next to the fence and hop over. And as a show of good faith..." he said, before ejecting the rifles magazine and slinging it around himself. He held his hands up and turned in a circle. "I swear I'm not up to anything miss. Just come inside and we can explain everything."
"Agreed. Just keep your hands where I can see them." Rika hollered back at Kohta. He nodded She backed the car up and pulled forward, jack-knifing the trailer in front of the houses gate. She killed the engine and hopped out. Rika scanned the front yard and hopped the fence. Approaching the front door she paused, and cupped her hands around her mouth.
"Shizuka? Are you really still alive Dr. Boobs?" Rika called out. A face appeared in the front window, a familiar shock of blonde hair. The door unlocked and creeped open slowly, before Shizuka bounded out the door and embraced Rika.
"Rika! I can't believe your here!"
"I'm glad your not a zombie too Shizuka." Rika said as she returned the hug. Shizuka practically skipped as she dragged Rika inside.
"I'm sorry we borrowed your guns and your Humvee. But the've helped us out a lot. How did you find us?" Shizuka asked before shutting the door behind them.
"My favorite rifle. It's illegal in japan even for a Special Forces solider like me, so I put tracking unit inside the stock incase it ever got stolen. It's not gps accurate, but pretty damn close. I was closing in on the signal when your sniper popped out and flagged me down." Rika explained. She sniffed the air and noticed Takashi was smoking a cigarette.
"Oh thank god. I was about have a nicotine fit, I smoked my last cuban on the trip here. Mind if I bum one of those kid?" Rika asked the brown haired boy. Takashi nodded and tossed her the pack.
"It's Takashi by the way. Welcome to my home. And thank you for having the forethought to keep illegal firearms, ammunition, and a Humvee where we could get to it. I'm sorry to say I had to leave your Ithaca M37 behind awhile back." Takashi apologized, rubbing the back of his head.
"Don't sweat it kid. I take it your the head honcho around here? Well then I guess I need to thank you for making sure Dr. Boobs got here safe and sound. Now where's the kid with my gun?" Rika asked as she took a drag from her cigarette.
"Right here. I'm sorry we took your stuff. Here's your AR-10..." Kohta replied sadly. He reluctantly handed the rifle over to Rika and sat down on the stairs looking dejected. Rika looked the rifle over.
"Christ kid, I feel like I just ran over your dog in the street. Cheer up will ya? Since you've all done such a fine job taking care of my friend, you can hold onto it for a little while longer." Rika said with a smirk. Kohta leapt to his feet and bowed before graciously accepting Rika's gift. Everyone else introduced themselves to Rika and detailed their plan for getting to the evacuation point on time.
"Well if there is no more pressing business grab your gear and head outside. If someone would open the gate I'll back the LAV inside." Rika said, putting her cigarette out and flicking the butt into the yard. Takashi picked up his backpack and shotgun from the living room and followed Rika outside. He opened the gate and guided Rika as she backed the rig into his yard. The rest of the group had gathered on the front lawn, making last minute checks on their weapons.
"What's in the trailer sarge? You got a camper attached to this thing?" Kohta asked, kicking the tires on the LAV. Rika laughed and pulled the latch on the trailers door. The group gasped and Kohta looked like he was going to faint. The walls of the trailer were lined with guns, armor, tactical gear, ammunition, clothing and enough MRE's to last the group for months. Kohta was practically drooling.
"What are you waiting for? Dig in boys and girls." Rika said, narrowly avoiding being run down by Kohta.
"Holy fucking ass crackers! The is a M1A2 Browning 50. Caliber heavy machine gun. They mount these things on tanks you guys!" He studderdhefting the massive weapon and bringing it out of the trailer. He turned around and practically dove back into the trailer. Rika seemed impressed by his knowledge and pointed a a box near Kohta's feet.
"There's all the equipment you need to mount it on top of the LAV. You seem like you know a lot about this stuff kid. There's tools in a bag-" She was cut off again by Kohta rushing to the LAV, nodding in the affirmative. The paunchy teen began assembling the components of the LAV's turret. The girls had dug into the trailers supply of clean clothes and armor, and Takashi was pulling ammo crates out looking for shotgun rounds.
"Looking for anything in particular?" Rika asked.
"12 Gauge shells, I'm running low." Takashi replied. Rika nodded and opened one of the many containers, producing two bandoliers of twelve gauge double aught buckshot.
"I also have something a little more suited for a herd of zeds than that Benelli...hold on a sec." Rika said, searching through the racks of M4 Carbines and M16's. "Here we go. This is an AA-12 shotgun. It's fully automatic, and comes with a nifty 32 shell capacity drum magazine. This thing is a beast kid, you could drop a whole herd by yourself with enough ammo." Rika handed the shotgun to Takashi, who nearly dropped it on his foot.
"Christ. This thing weighs twice as much as the Benelli does."
"Well if you'd rather stick the the Super 90 i'll understand. But go ahead and toss this guy into the LAV, it never hurts to have a spare handy." Rika ordered. Takashi grabbed the AA-12 and two 32 shell magazines and showed them to Kohta. Having finished the job of arming the LAV, he began explaining all the pros and cons of the two shotguns and how to operate the turret. They then started filling magazines with ammunition and stowing them inside the LAV. Saeko, Rei and Shizuka continued to dig through the boxes of clothes eager to replace the grimy, bloodstained school uniforms they had been wearing. Kiriko was looking for an armored vest small enough to fit Alice.
"Hmm...I guess we can't run around in our school uniforms forever. But these clothes aren't exactly fashion forward..." Rei complained while holding the dark fatigues against her frame. "Got anything a little sleeker?" Rika laughed and pulled two overstuffed duffel bags from the LAV.
"Those might be a little more up your alley, just try and keep the blood and gore off em." Rika agreed, shedding her vest and uniform. Clad in only her skivvies, she drew a few jealous looks from Rei, Saya, and Saeko. Partly because of the way Kohta and Takashi we're staring at Rika, and outright jealousy of her toned form. Saya frowned and gave both of the boys one of her trademark death glares.
"Put your tongues back in your mouths boys. And go around the other side of the car while we change please." Saya called out to them. Kohta gave her a mock salute and hopped inside the trailer.
"Why? It ain't nothing we haven't seen already! Takashi yelled back, joining Kohta in the LAV's trailer. The girls stripped down and started rifling through Rika's bag. Meanwhile Kohta and Takashi continued to dig through the trailers stores of survival gear.
"Here are some fatigues we could use. Our school uniforms are starting to fall apart." said Kohta. He and Kohta both changed into the camouflaged fatigues, and pulled a new pair of boots on. Kohta took a vest like his off the wall of the trailer and handed it to Takashi.
"Take this. It wont stop a bullet, but at least you can keep your ammo close and secure. Plus it makes you feel like a total badass." Kohta said with a grin. Takashi pulled the black vest on, leaving it unzipped. He rolled up his sleeves and noticed three stars and a line segment on the sleeve.
"Hey Kohta, what do these mean?" Takashi asked, pointing at his arm.
"Rank. Whoever those used to belong too was a captain. Fitting. Looks like I got first lieutenant." Kohta replied. The boys continued to catalog everything Rika had brought in the trailer. The MRE's and canned food could last them years if they rationed it right. They had more ammunition then they could count. Kohta picked up another massive gun.
"This is an M240L Machine Gun." Kohta told Takashi. Pointing at the wall he listed off names and calibers of the various arms they now had at their disposal. "Those are Howa Type 89's. We've got a couple AK-47's, a Barrett XM500 Anti-Material Rifle, and even a few rpg's." Along with several M4 carbines, Colt 1911 45. ACP's, they also found a small cache of grenades and plastic explosives. And more bladed weapons than you could shake a stick at. Kohta acted like a kid who had just been handed the keys to a candy store. "Try that on for size." Kohta said, handing Takashi a black tomahawk and sheath. "Everyone needs a side arm and a blade. Even Ms. Shizuka." Takashi nodded and gave the tomahawk a few light swings.
"Think the girls are finished? We really should get on the road." Takashi asked, holstering the axe on his hip.
"You all decent out there?" Kohta hollered.
"Yes. You can come out now boys!" Shizuka answered. Takashi and Kohta shouldered their weapons and walked out into the backyard. They both did a double take and tried their best not to stare. Shizuka had donned a tight black turtleneck sweater and a pair of tan cargo pants. Rei had settled on a nearly obscene pair of cutoff jeans, a black tied up t-shirt and a long sleeve camouflage shirt like the boys were wearing, and combat boots. Saya was dressed similarly, but with the addition of a leather duster. Saeko chose a short leather skirt and camouflaged fatigues on top, keeping her shin guards and stockings. Kiriko and Alice had opted to keep their old clothes, unable to find anything I their size or taste. Rika wore a white tank top, green jacket, and olive capris slung low enough on her hips to show her underwear. Takashi and Kohta slapped each other a high five and joined their female companions.
"You all look great. A little distracting but I think me and Kohta will manage." Takashi complimented the women.
"Speak for yourself. How can I be expected to hit anything when your all dressed like that..." Kohta added. Takashi passed out belts, holsters, and spare magazines while Kohta started final checks on their ammo and supplies. The boys shut the trailers gate and climbed atop the LAV. Rika would drive, while Shizuka rode shotgun with Alice in her lap. Rei, Saya, Saeko and Kiriko piled into the back and Rika fired the engine up.
"Before we go, I have one more present for you all. Saya can you grab that case beneath your seat?" Rika asked. Saya pulled the case out and popped it open. Inside were a bunch of black straps with wires and earpieces attached. "Those are LASH2 communicators. This way we can stay in touch even if we get separated. There should be more than enough." She stuck her hand out the window and handed two up to Kohta and Takashi. "Kohta, think you could give everyone a crash course in how to use these?"
"Yes Mam. Alright, everyone strap the mike around your throat and clip the push-to-talk on your vests. Put your earpieces in and viola. The throat microphone picks up sound even if your only whispering." Kohta explained. Everyone affixed their mics, and Kohta hopped off to open the gate. He pressed the button on his vest. "Check 1. Check 2. We are oscar mike." Closing the gate behind the LAV, he climbed up the ladder to his spot at the turret and banged his fist twice on the cars top. Rika put the LAV in gear and took off towards Shintoko 3rd Elementary.
Rika proved to be a much better driver than Shizkua,taking corners at high speeds like a drift racer. She slung the trailer around Takashi's block and onto the street leading to Shintoko 3rd Elementary. Kohta pointed the 50. cal ahead and squeezed the trigger, annihilating a cluster of zeds in front of the car.
"Holy shit! I love this gun! Takashi you gotta try this man!" Kohta yelled at Takashi. Takashi nodded and switched spots with Kohta. The turret erupted in a hail of bullets, shredding the zeds into pieces.
"Woohoo! That was so cool!" Takashi replied. Saya's voice crackled over the LASH in their ears.
"Knock off the gunplay you two. I'm trying to read to Alice in here." She admonished. Alice clicked her mic on.
"These things are so awesome. Like walkie-talkies but way cooler, I feel like an X-man or a secret agent." Alice chirped. "We should have code names!"
"Of course we can have code names sweetie. Unfortunately yours would still be 'munchkin'." Saya teased.
"What about me Saya?" asked Shizuka.
"Dr. Boobs, please can her codename be Dr. Boobs?" Rika pleaded.
"Seconded." Takashi and Kohta called out simultaneously from their spot on the roof.
"Dammit Rika! I hate that nickname..." Shizuka pouted.
"Sorry sawbones. Well what about you princess? What's your codename, 'Banshee'?" Rika suggested. Everyone nodded in approval.
"Traitors. Whatever, banshee it is." Saya growled. "What about you idiots on the roof?" she said after clicking on her mic.
"Captain Badass." Takashi replied.
"Deadeye." Kohta added.
"You guys can't be serious." Rei snorted.
"How bout' we shorten that to Captain? And Kohta, your codename is 'Otaku'. Moving on..." Saya chirped over the din of the engine.
"Den-Mother for Mrs. Miyamoto." the pink haired girl went around the rest of the car. "Angel for Rei, Demon for Saeko, and Longbow for Rika."
"I like em'. Good idea munchkin." Takashi replied. Bracing himself against the side of the LAV's turret, he lit a cigarette and tried his best to shield it from the wind.
"Hey Cap! Am I hallucinating or is that kid standing in the road ahead not a zombie?" Kohta asked, peering through a pair of binoculars. He passed them to Takashi so he could get a better look. The kid looked scared, tired, and dirty. But not bitten, at least not yet.
"Otaku to longbow. You seein' what we're seein' up ahead? That kids standing in the road two hundred meters ahead."
"Affirmative. Ill slow it down and pull over, try not to scare him off boys. We don't have time to chase one straggler around the neighborhood." Rika called back. She pulled the LAV over near the intersection where the boy was standing. He was no older than Alice, skinny even for someone his age, and covered in filth. Takashi hopped off the LAV, leaving his shotgun behind so as not to spook the child.
"Hey buddy. My names Takashi and these are my friends. What are you doing out here all by yourself? Where are your parents?" The kid didn't take his eyes off his bare feet. "Don't worry little man, I'm not here to hurt you. We're the good guys."
"G-good guys? I don't...you mean it?" The child studderd.
"I promise. What's your name kiddo?"
"R-r-yuske. You all need to go, right now. It's not safe here..." The boy choked out.
"What? You mean it's not safe from the monsters? You don't have to worry about the monsters, we'll take care of them. Tell you what, we've got a girl with us about your age that sure could use someone to play with. What do you say?" Takashi asked, gesturing to Alice. The girl had her face plastered against the LAV's window trying to get a better view.
"It's not the monsters i'm worried about. Just go! Forget about-" Ryuske was cut off, the bang of a gunshot erupted from an alley behind the boy, grazing Takashi's cheek. The force from the round knocked Takashi onto his ass.
"Cease fire! Cease fire! Where the fuck did that shot come from?" Kohta yelled, sweeping the street with the fifty cal. "Saya, use Rika's spotting scope and do some scouting for me." Kohta asked.
Stepping out into the light, a stout man in a cheap suit emerged from the alley flanked by several burly men armed with swords, shotguns and pistols. They were covered in tattoos, and held their weapons like trained killers. Their leaders sideburns and mustache ruffled, before he holstered the smoking revolver.
"Whoa. I'm so sorry about almost takin' your head off kid. Thought you were one of the biters, about to get my boy. My name is Shinobu Tsukasa and I've been stranded here for days. Thank you for finding my son Ryuske for me." the man apologized. Takashi's heard Kiriko's voice in his earpiece.
"I know this man. He was Oyabun of a lesser Yakuza clan before Z-day. Tadashi tried to collar him on a drug smuggling charge six months ago, but one of his lackeys took the fall. Don't trust a word he says Captain." Kiriko explained. Takashi tried to keep his expression neutral.
"Where you headed in that armored car? What are you guys JSDF? Think there's room for a few more?" The man rattled off, question after question.
"Yeah we're JSDF. Heading to an evacuation zone. How many more?" Kohta replied cooly. Waiting for the mans answer he heard Saya in his ear.
"Eight including that sleazeball near the intersection. I've got the scope trained on a hotel down the road. I can see the snipers from here. Two buildings over, 4th floor. This wasn't an accident. See that toyota near the bakery? With the bullet holes and fresh blood? Since when did zombies learn how to shoot? This is a setup."
"Oh not many." Tsubasalied. "Why don't you all step out of that car so we can have a chat. You look a little young to be in the Self Defense Force. But I guess beggars can't be choosers."
"You should really be more careful with that thing Mr. Tsukasa, getting grazed with a 45 hurts a lot more than I thought it would." Takashi interjected.
"I'm truly sorry about that bit of friendly fire. Shit happens right?" Tsubasa said, stepping forward offering a handshake. Takashi gave him a cold glare tightened the grip on his tomahawk.
"Yeah. Yeah, I get it. Shit...shit happens" Takashi growled. Staring daggers at the man, Takashi pulled his axe and swung at the mans head. Tsubasa's eyes widened as the blade stuck into his skull, a fountain of crimson spraying from the wound. Takashi grabbed the boy and dove behind an abandoned car, dodging the hail of gunfire from the dead man's posse.
"He got the boss! Fucking murder those little assholes!" One of the burlier Yakuza howled. Sniper shots rattled off the LAV as everyone inside took cover.
"Kohta i'm clear and I've got the kid! Light em' up like a fuckin' christmas tree!"
"Aye-Aye Captain!" Kohta said with a grin. RATATATATATATATATATATATATATA! The 50 cal. was a blur of smoke and spent cartridges, reducing the guards to messy red pile of body parts. Kohta then turned his sights on the snipers nest and fired. Takashi did his best to shield Ryuskes ears and vital organs as he ran for the passenger door of the LAV. Rei opened the door and pulled the boy inside.
"Otaku to LAV. All tangos down, all tangos down. Everyone alright in there?" Kohta asked, locking the turret in place and popping open the the LAV's top hatch.
"Aside from permanent hearing damage? Fine. Just peachy." Saya answered. Takashi opened the door and looked at the boy they had just 'saved', cowering in Rei's arms.
"I'm sorry I had to do that to your Father Ryuske. But I had to protect my family-"
"That bastard wasn't my father! My father's name was Arthur Jackson, he was a United States Marine!" Ryuske howled, clawing at the dogtags underneath his shirt. "We were on vacation...seeing some of Mom's family here. Then the monsters came and...everyone changed. Dad grabbed us and threw me and mom in the car. We broke down here, then those men offered to help us out of the jam we we're in. Dad didn't even have time to answer before he got shot. They said I would make 'good bait' and my mom would be a good 'toy'. The men shot her full of drugs, beat her up. Then they raped her to death in front of me. That was three days ago. Your the second car the've stopped today." Ryuske bawled. Everyone sat in silence, unable to belie the boys story. Alice jumped from her spot on Shizuka's lap and joined Rei in holding Ryuske.
"I lost my mommy and daddy too. But Takashi came and saved me. You don't have to be afraid anymore." Alice said softly. Ryuske dried his eyes and smiled.
"I'm not afraid. I'm happy!" He exclaimed.
Takashi looked at the dead mob boss for a moment, removed the axe from his skull and pulled the revolver and it's holster from his hip. It looked like something a cowboy would use in an old western movie. Takashi rubbed the spot where the bullet had grazed him and spit on the ground next to Tsubasa. He then patted the man down, finding a silver case of cigars and a set of car keys. He clicked the unlock button and heard a light honk from the alley where the men had been hiding.
"Welcome to the family kid." Takashi said, poking his head inside the LAV. Saya opted to join Kohta on the roof, while Ms. Shizuka relocated to the back with Alice, Ryuske, and the other women. "Stay here with the girls while me and Kohta check something out, alright?" Takashi asked. Ryuske nodded and Kohta pulled his luger and drum magazine from his vest.
"All that gunfire is bound to bring a herd shambling our way. Make it quick boys." said Saya, staring through the scope on her MP5 at a few zeds on the horizon.
"Roger. What are checking out Takashi?"
"That fuckin' mob bosses car. Who knows, maybe there's something useful inside. Or more Yakuza punks we can teach a lesson too. Maybe chain them to the LAV and drag em' through a herd." Takashi growled. Kohta patted his shoulder.
"Hey man, you did the right thing back there. If you had hesitated someone might have gotten hurt. Don't doubt yourself Takashi, ever. We elected you leader for a reason." Kohta replied, trying to lift his spirits.
"Your right. Sorry, hearing that kid's story got my blood boiling. Lets search the car and get the hell out of here." Takashi said. Rounding the corner they found a massive Rolls Royce Phantom. Unable to hear any signs of life, or non-life inside the boys opened the doors and began to tear the vehicle apart. Kohta rooted around the cab while Takashi checked the front seats. Finding nothing of use he located the trunk release and opened the back.
"Anything good?" Takashi asked, shutting the doors and walking around the back of the phantom.
"Got a few pairs of designer shades, a fully stocked bar and a couple of fur coats. This guy intended to ride out the Apocalypse living' like a King. What about you?" Kohta asked. When didn't receive an answer, Kotha jumped out of the car and saw Takashi staring at the trunks contents, mouth agape.
"Phew...you scared the fuck out of me man. What did you find?" Kohta asked, lowering his pistol and joining Takashi at the back of the car.
"Woah...is that what I think it is?" Kohta asked.
"Grab the bags and lets get back to the LAV. Maybe Saya can tell us." Takashi zipped up and pulled three large duffel bags out of the trunk, handing one to Kohta. The boys cautiously returned to the LAV, stowing the bags inside and handing one up to Saya.
"What this? A present for me?" She asked happily.
"I was hoping you could tell us what was inside those bags." Takashi explained, climbing into the LAV's passenger seat. "Let's roll Rika." He pulled two cigars from the case he lifted off Tsubasa and handed one to Rika. Rika gave the cigar and investigative whiff and bit the tip off, spitting the wad of tobacco out the window. Saya had opened the bags and her eyes bulged.
"It's drugs. And not just the recreational kind. There's enough anti-biotics and flu vaccines in here for two or three hospitals." Saya said, holding the bottles up to the light to get a better look at their contents.
" I also see painkillers, anti-depressants, pills of all shapes and sizes. I also see cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, heroin, hashish and marijuana." Kiriko said from the backseat. "Those gangsters were scavenging, trying to corner the market after this all died down. A businessman to the end..."
"I figured we might be able to trade them for things we need. Or in the event we get stuck or surrounded...they might come in handy."
"What do you mean Kohta?" Saeko asked.
"I mean if it's a choice between being eaten alive or starving to death, I'm gonna go face down in that bag and take as many of those bastards with me as I can. Full on Scarface. I figure if life's a video game now, why not enjoy it a little bit?" He replied. Saeko raised an eyebrow.
"An admirable death. I agree, they could be useful to us down the line. Especially the medicine." Saeko added. Takashi lit his cigar and blew a smoke ring out the window.
"Lets get going. Otherwise were going to be stuck out here in the dark. Fire it up Rika." Takashi commanded, pulling on of the pairs of glasses they had scavenged over his eyes. Rika took off, speeding down the highway toward Shintoko 3rd. She slammed on the breaks and swore. A massive herd had congregated ahead of the LAV, blocking the path.
"There must be thousands of them!" Rika yelled, doing her best to control the LAV.
"Do what we do best. Survive." Takashi said sternly. He pulled the AA-12 from its spot behind his seat and popped the drum magazine on. "Rei, Saya, Saeko your with me. Kohta and Rika are on overwatch sniping and using the big gun, Shizuka protect the munchkins. Were going to cut a path through. Let's kick some ass." Takashi ordered before jumping into the fray. He ran ahead and aimed the shotgun at the herd, held the trigger down and emptied the magazine. Swinging the gun in a wide arc he made enough room for the Rei and Saeko to fight without getting bogged down. Saya crouched next to Takashi, covering him while he reloaded. A woman in heels shambled near them before being struck between the eyes by a 9mm round. Saya bashed another with the butt of her Mp5.
"Banshee to Longbow, Otaku, we could use some long range support out here."
"All you had to do was ask sweetheart." Kohta answered. BANG BANG BANG! Three zeds hit the pavement, brains pulverized by Kohta's sniper rifle. Rika looked impressed.
"That's some nice shooting kid. Keep covering the away team while I thin out the other side of the herd."
"Yes mam!" Kohta howled. Ejecting his spent magazine. Alice was sitting with her rifle resting on one of the cars open windows, taking out stragglers who had walked up form behind the car. Her twenty two let out near silent pops as the infected fell. Ryuske stared wide-eyed.
"Who are these people?" He thought silently to himself. Rei and Saeko had made their way to the other side of the herd, slicing and stabbing the last few zeds blocking their way. Rei rammed her bayonet into a zeds face, and the one behind it, and pulled the trigger, blowing the second ones head clean off.
"How's that for a double kill Saeko?" She asked. Her raven haired rival smiled, drawing her pistol and stabbing her blade back behind her. The blade pierced the stomachs of two zeds, and Saekos Vertec cracked twice as she executed the infected. Saeko withdrew her sword and gave Rei and wicked grin.
"I'm going to kill every last one of these zombies. Try not to get in my way!" She yelled, leaping at another group. Between Takashi's near constant barrage of buckshot, Kohta and Rika's covering fire, and the girls combined attacks the herd was all but decimated. Ten or so zeds stood scattered around the road, body parts missing or so bullet ridden they could no longer walk. Saeko giddily decapitated the rest of them while everyone regrouped.
"Well this has been an eventful morning. Anyone else up for a smooth, uneventful ride to the Elementary school?" Takashi asked. Saeko had gotten 'it' out of her system for now, and joined the group looking flushed.
"I am."
"It's barley noon and we've been in two fights. I think we've more than filled our dance card." Rika said, lighting another cigar. Everyone piled inside the LAV. Ryuske rubbed his eyes and stood up in the seat next to Shizuka.
"Thank you all for saving me. I swear I'll make myself useful. Can you teach me to shoot like Alice?" Ryuske questioned. Shizuka frowned.
"What is it with you kids and trying to get yourselves killed?" She whined. Ryuske's lowered his head in shame.
"It's for their own good Ms. Shizuka. You wanna carry a gun you'll have to learn. Why don't you climb up here with me and Saya, ill let you shoot the fifty cal." Kohta offered. He smiled and leapt over the seat, climbing through the hatch. He positioned himself in front of the gun and grabbed the trigger.
"So you just aim and..." RATATATAT! Kohta was cut off by a burst of fire from the turret.
"Cool! Where's something I can shoot?" Ryuske shouted.
"No fair I wanna turn! Lemme go next!" Alice cried. Everyone in the car laughed. Takashi kicked his feet up on the dash and stared out the window.
'You gotta appreciate the little things.'