Highschool of the dead: The British Outbreak
Chapter 14: Hell hath no Fury
Patrol base Cornwell
Lounge/ briefing room.
Z-day +50
07:00
"Morning 1 section," said Jason as he walked into the lounge. The section stood up from their sofa and other sitting perches.
"Morning Sergeant," they said in unison.
"Alright, relax," said Jason. "Today we'll be doing a spot of deer stalking down on the Duke's estate. So that'll be fun. Over to Corporal Maester for the plan. Corporal."
"Thank you, Sergeant," said Maester. Maester produced a large map of the area and stuck it with blue tac to the front of the now useless TV. Maester commenced his briefing.
"Alright then. As the Sergeant said, we're going deer hunting on the duke's estate. We'll drive there in the Land Rover's and take the lorry as well. We'll go through the Eccleston gate and move on the Hall's attached compound. Once there we'll split off. Fireteam Alpha will go deer stalking, you'll be equipped with 2 marksman or sniper rifles, the other 2 will be spotters and security detail. Fireteam Bravo will be on vehicle protection detail. Standard survivor protocol is in play, and the only secondary objective we have is the on-site Armoury. The Duke was a member of the royal family and thus had his own private security, supposedly ex- special forces types packing G36's. If we have time we'll find and raid what's left in their armoury.
"The time is currently 07:04. I want everyone formed up, kitted, booted and suited for 08:00. Mount up at 5 past, hit the estate by half past if everything goes as planned then we bag a couple of buck and back here for mid-afternoon. Anything to add Sergeant?"
"Just one thing," said Jason. "For this op, we've got our medic Alex Vera joining us as well as a civvie volunteer from Chester. He used to be a professional deer stalker and games keeper for an estate up in Scotland so he known's his stuff. Listen to him Alpha, he'll be with you and tell which deer you can shoot. Good meeting everyone."
The section dispersed, heading off to get their kit or heading for breakfast (mostly the latter.) Jason headed back to his bunk room. When he entered the room, he was greeted by a beautiful sight.
Akio had been on the late night watch shift with 2 section. She'd come in about 4 in the morning when 3 section had relieved them. Currently, she was currently sprawled out on the double bed, wearing nothing but the bed quilt. Despite the soldier in his head screaming at him to get ready for the mission, Jason let the teenager overrule it.
He lay down next to her watching her as she sleep peacefully. After a moment, he leaned over and started kissing her lightly on her neck and cheek.
She murmured as she came to, "More."
She took control of his mouth and started kissing deeper. She repositioned herself so she was on top of him, pinning him down with her body and kisses.
"We haven't got long," said Jason. When they parted for air. "We roll in an hour."
"We'll make this quick then," Said Akio as she started undoing Jason's belt buckle.
"And if anyone hears us?" asked Jason as he pulled his UBAC off. Akio smirked and passed an evil giggle as she set about his boot laces.
"I could use a new sparring partner."
Mess tent
20 minutes later.
"So what's between the Sergeant and Corporal Long then?" asked Case.
"Obviously their shagging," said Aber through a mouthful of baked beans.
"Really?" said Case with some surprise
"Yeah," replied Aber slightly patronisingly. "She's a hottie. He's a hottie. They sleep in the same room and have you seen the way they look at each other? Their obviously fucking. That and you can hear them going at it. The corporal has quite the voice."
"Wow," said Case, he was genuinely surprised. "I didn't realise."
"It's a good thing you're cute," she said, smiling at her childhood friend. "And you've got it where it counts." Aber and Case chuckled but then looked up at a large middle aged with a large ginger beard who was standing over their table.
"Forgie me'," said the man in a heavy Scottish accent. "but I'm looking' fur Jason Rees."
"The Sergeant?" said Aber, "He'll be out soon. Are you the civilian specialist 1 section is taking deer stalking today?"
"Aye. That be me," said the man. "Tha' name's Kincaid."
"Lance Corporal Aber. Private Case," introduced Aber.
"A pleasure ta meet ye'," said Kincaid. "So where is ta' Sargeant?" Case answered.
"He's with Corporal Akio and they're..."
"We were getting ready for the op Private. Corporal Akio also mentioned that she is looking for a new sparring partner. Finish that sentence and I'll recommend you to her," said Jason as he walked up to the trio. He offered a hand to Kincaid. "Mr. Kincaid, it's good to see you again."
"You too laddie," replied Kincaid.
"You'll be working with 1 section today with Lance Corporal Dawn and Private's Dice and Moon and Vickers."
"Are ya nee joining us?" asked Kincaid.
"Partly. I'll be floating between fireteams alpha and bravo," said Jason, "Anyway, I need to get some kit see you in a bit."
...
08:30
"Alright mount up!" called Jason.
One section had just finished their final kit check and final briefings. The section fell out and headed for their designated vehicles. Fireteam Alpha went for Snatch 1 with Kincaid while with fireteam Bravo mounted up in Snatch 2. Jason and Alex elected to drive the box lorry. Each of the vehicles had been armoured with wire mesh across the glass window's and for added security, Snatch 1 would drive in front of the lorry and snatch 2 behind them, each with a gunner riding top cover in the open roof hatch.
Jason climbed aboard his lorry, chucking his patrol pack on the centre seat and placing his L85 next to it. Alex boarded and took up the passenger seat. Seeing as she was a civilian volunteer and not a soldier, she was not in uniform but instead wore a pair of dark green cargo trousers and a blue hiking shirt as well as a pair of boots and an Osprey vest. Jason also handed her a Sig226 in a holster for her to carry during the op, just in case. He then grabbed the mic for the radio the mechanic had installed.
"All call signs this is Juliet Romeo. Green light for Operation Bambi stew. Let's roll. Out," he said. He hung it back up on its clips. Alex groaned.
"Could you have called it something other than 'Bambi stew?'" she asked.
"No," replied Jason obviously with humour, "it's what I'm hoping will come out of all this. A nice venison stew."
The Snatches' started up and the convoy headed out. The convoy kept their speed up so that infected couldn't grab a hold of the vehicles and board them mid-transit. After a moment of awkward silence, Alex started rooting around in the glove box.
"Oh. My. God," she said as she pulled something from the glove box. Jason looked over, she was holding a white iPhone wire.
"So?" asked Jason. Alex immediately started digging through her pockets and pulled out an iPhone. Jason guessed the battery had died long ago. She plugged the wire into the port on the lorry's dashboard and attached her phone. After a moment, she made a triumphant noise.
"It's charging!" she announced happily.
"Meh, You can't call anyone but I guess you could use it as a music player. You got any tunes?"
"I've got some," said Alex happily as her phone came to the life for the first time in nearly 2 months. She happily tapped her phone's screen a few time and a moment later, music started to waft from lorry's speakers, giving a sense of normality to a pair of armed to the teeth teenagers dressed in body armour driving a lorry in the zombie apocalypse.
"So how are thing's really going with Akio?" asked Alex.
"What do you mean by 'really' going on with her?" asked Jason, slightly confused as to where she was going with this.
"Come on Jay," she said, "We all know you like her. But do you 'like' like her?" Jason sighed.
"Truthfully. I don't know," He said. He just stared out of the window as he drove. "I've... I've never had a girlfriend before." Alex was astounded.
"Really? But you're..."
"I was my year group's military history nerd shut-in. While everyone else was out partying and getting drunk, I spent my Friday nights and weekend's double timing up a mountain with an SA80 to a firing range. It's a vivid image that most girls don't dig."
"Most girls? So there were some girls that were interested?"
"There was one. But it wouldn't have worked."
"Why not?"
"I couldn't be with someone who stabbed my best friend in the back."
"How..."
"Her name was Helen. Total bombshell with a titanic chest to boot. A bit off, if you know what I mean, but me mate John saw right past that. They dated for about 4 months, never seen him happier, all he would go on about was their last date night. She then fell pregnant, tried to pin it on John, who wasn't the father. He ended it, she didn't take it well, told everyone he was the father and went on how about he was abandoning her and his child. It came out that she'd gotten pregnant during an orgy she'd been taking part in. But the damage to John's reputation had been done. She got an abortion, but was a few months later busted for soliciting."
"So why did you like her?"
"After much thought and due consideration, I think I liked her... for her tits."
There was a moment of bated silence before Alex started laughing. Jason joined in,
"I know, terrible isn't it?"
"Well to be fair..."
"Juliet Romeo, this is Snatch 1. We're approaching the Eccleston gate. Over."
Jason grabbed the radio and immediately went back into his 'soldier' mode.
"Alpha Charlie Alpha Charlie, this is Juliet Romeo. Alpha dismount, see if you can find a manual override for the gate or some way to open it, preferably without break it. Mr. Kincaid, remain in the vehicle. Bravo will dismount and provide cover. Alpha Bravo acknowledges over."
"This is Alpha. Understood. Over."
"Bravo. Understood. Over."
"Right. Let's get it done. Out."
The convoy came to a halt by the gate. 1 section disembarked and moved on the black iron gate, dispatching a few infected as they went. Jason was especially pleased that they used their blades first rather than their firearms, as the use of the latter would have blown the whole op prematurely. While they worked, Jason gave them a few pointers, this was, after all, a training mission as well as a supply run. He pointed out to Bravo team that if one of them took up position on top of the Land Rover, it would give them better long range warning of any infected. He was about to give Alpha a pointer when they got the gate open.
"Alright, back in the vehicles, let's go."
They drove through the gates, pausing so that they could be closed behind them. The convoy drove up the road towards the central estate itself. The central estate was large, consisting of grassland surrounded by a forest, with a large country house at the centre with attached outbuildings. As well as a native herd of deer, the estate also boasted a golf course, cricket ground and miniature railway.
"Contact. Zed's eye's up."
Everyone who could see from a window went eye's up. There were groups on infected dotting around the area; they appeared to have been idle until the convoy's engine noise got their attention. The vehicles each shuddered as they passed over a cattle grate that was flanked by a trench, then the radio crackled again.
"Juliet Romeo, this is Snatch 2. The infected that tried to follow us across the cattle grate are getting stuck in it. A few are crossing the trenches, though. Over."
"Understood Snatch 2. Keep an eye on them out," Replied Jason. The convoy came to the estate's outbuildings compound. It was a collection of stone, red brick and black and white buildings that pretty much summed up British building for the last few hundred years. The whole compound was surrounded by a low stone wall and a 2-metre deep trench, intended to stop deer's, and apparently it also did a half decent job at keeping out infected. There were only a few inside because the gate was open.
"All teams dismount and secure the area." Ordered Jason as the convoy cleared the open gate. The vehicle came to a stop and the soldiers disembarked, rifles raised and ready. Fireteam Bravo shut and secured the gates while Alpha and Jason set about clearing the immediate area of infected. Jason drew his bayonet and fixed it to his L85 as he walked up towards an infected.
"Wishing you had brought the Corporal or Johnny along sergeant?" called Dawn. Jason snorted a laugh.
"Nah," he called back, plunging his bayonet into the infected's temple. "I can do my own killing just fine thanks."
Within a few minutes, the infected were cleared and the area secured.
"Right then," said Jason as he pulled his knife from an infected and whipped its blood off the blade on its shirt. "Let's get those bucks. Alpha, go with Mr. Kincaid and bag us some venison. Mr. Kincaid will tell you which you can and cannot shoot. Give us a buzz when you've got them and I'll come over with the truck. Bravo set security. Alex, stay with Bravo. Any questions?"
There were none so Jason sent off the fireteams to do their thing. As they dispersed, he quietly slipped back into the lorry he'd driven in. Once inside he removed his phone from a pocket. It had run out of power ages ago and presently served as nothing more than a memory sake, but he held onto it with the hope he could find a way to charge it, there were things on it he wanted, no needed, before they faded from memory.
...
Fireteam Alpha
Alpha stalked across the open field. The 5 persons moved in a diamond formation with Kincaid in the middle, Dawn and Private Vickers were on the flanks with their marksman rifles, Moon was up front and bringing up the rear was Private Dice armed with their L85's. There was still the odd infected around them, but they seemed oddly docile as if extended time without stimuli had made them almost go to sleep. The team didn't want to disturb them so they manoeuvred slowly through the fields of the estate, and kept communication down to hand signals and almost whispers while they watched for any sign of the deer.
"Got'em," announced Dawn. "2 O'clock, about 200 meters."
The team looked over and sure enough, just emerging from the tree line, was a large herd of deer.
"Aw righty than''," said Kincaid as he dropped to a knee and put his binoculars to his face for a closer look. While he did that, Akio and Vickers dropped down prone and set up their L129's on their rail mounted bipods.
"Remember," reiterated Dawn as she looked over the herd through her scope. "Don't fire if you don't think you can hit the target. As soon as we shoot, they will know were here."
"Aye. An daene shoot until I tell ye which uns' ta shoot," Added Kincaid, still looking through his binoculars. "Ahh, tha's a good'un. See tha'un with the large antlers? That's a prize un'."
"Got it," murmured Vickers, adjusting his hold on his rifle.
"An... That'un. Tha one who's... oh."
Dawn immediately knew which stag Kincaid was talking about, as it proceeded to mount and start getting frisky with one of the nearby Hind, and given his facial expression was enjoying himself. The teenagers did their best to stifle their laughter.
"Well, at least, he'll die happy," said Dawn as her
"Give the dude a minute!" said Vickers. "No one deserves to die mid-shag. And imagine how'd you feel if Moon suddenly..." He trailed off as he caught sight of the death glare that Dawn shooting at him. Duly they waited for a moment and the stag de-mounted his mate with a satisfied look on his face.
"Ok, he's had his fun," said Dawn. "Now then, permission to fire?"
"Clear," said Kincaid.
"Fire... Fire... Fire," said Dawn. On the 3rd fire, she squeezed the trigger as did Vickers a moment after her. The report of their rifles echoed across the field, but 2 bucks dropped dead down range. As the report echoed, the remaining deer in the herd scattered, and every infected in the area seemingly started groaning again and heading for Alpha.
"Juliet Romeo this is Sierra One Alpha. Times 2 target's down, their cover is blown and infected closing on all sides. Request permission to engage over."
"Roger Sierra One Alpha. Cover blown, go loud. I'll bring the truck over for the bucks. Out."
"Go loud," Ordered Akio. "Let's secure those bucks!"
Immediately the team was on their feet and on the move, keeping their pace slow and taking aimed shots as they moved. The Infected that moved on them from all sides started dropping one by one, but when they got about half way to their quarry, they saw them.
"Oh shit," was all Dawn said when she saw them coming out of the tree line. There were hundreds... maybe thousands of infected, and they were heading straight for them.
"Tactical retreat!" ordered Dawn. She and Moon dropped to a knee and he started laying down cover fire while she got on the radio.
"Alpha Charlie! Alpha Charlie! This is Sierra One Alpha! Jack Rabbit! I say again Jack Rabbit! We are in full retreat back to RV point over."
Jack Rabbit was the codeword they'd agreed on for the mission that signalled the need for the op to be scrubbed and an immediate evacuation.
"Understood Sierra One Alpha. We're moving toward you now. Just keep heading back towards us. Juliet Romeo Out."
Dawn grabbed Moon on the shoulder and pulled him up.
"Don't bother shooting," she said. "There are too many of them for us to even dent with the ammo we've got."
"Good point," said Moon as he stood up. "Run?"
"Run," Dawn Agreed. The couple turned and ran after Vickers, Dice and Kincaid. The infected were defiantly on to them now if they weren't before, a few of them had even started lumbering faster after them. While they didn't break into an all out sprint, Alpha had to run faster than a jog to open up the gap, and they needed to open up the gap early. There was well over a kilometre between where they were and the RV, and the infected weren't being weighed down with body armour and kit bags and thus wouldn't tire as fast if they even tired at all.
"Look over there!" called Vickers, pointing into the distance. The team looked over as they ran. In the distance, they could make out to outlines of a group of people. They appeared to be also running from the infected horde but were also being weighed down with bags.
"Do we help them?" asked Vickers, slowing slightly.
Dawn considered it. It would be possible for them to get to the civilians, but to do so they'd have to run perpendicular to the herd, bringing them in closer and risking her team further. There was also no guarantee that they would be able to get them back to the vehicles for extraction.
"No," Dawn said. "ROE say that If they ask for our help directly we have to help them, otherwise we can ignore or leave them. Besides, we need to save our own necks first." Vickers looked at her disgusted.
"You saying we're just going to leave them?!"
"That's exactly what I'm saying Private!" she snapped. "Now keep running!"
They continued to run towards the RV until they saw the 2 Land Rovers and the box lorry round the corner of a forest and move towards them. On top cover in each Snatch was a member of Fireteam Bravo with their rifles ready to lay down covering fire. The vehicles careened to a stop and Alpha wasted no time re-embarking their snatches. As soon as they were on the vehicles reversed course and departed the estate with all haste.
One section, and particularly Fireteam Alpha, were silent the entire way back to Base, disappointed with their failure.
Please review/ favourite/ follow :)
Hi guys,
Amazing what you can do with 3 days and bugger all else to do.
As you can see, I have gone for the 3 shorter chapters option, partly so I can do each chapter proper justice and add a bit more character development. Next chapter will probably be out sometime next week... don't hold me to that though.
Enjoy your day and thanks for reading
Jango