So it continues, the horde are awakened and the gang go on the run. Enjoy!
20:00 hours Main Mall meeting point
Lister watched as the lights at the far end of the mall go out one by one. A dark wall slowly charged towards him and the others.
"Err guys, I think it might be time to do a spot of skedaddling." Said Lister jumping into the cart next to Sam.
Kryten nodded. "I agree we should make a retreat, but what about the Car and Mr Rimmer?"
"OK, we go get the Cat first then Rimmer. Kryten you get on the walkie talky to him and I'll scan the store database to see if we can figure out where Rimmer is. In the mean time that darkness is heading this way, so I suggest we go the other, agreed?"
Both Kryten and Sam nodded and the three set off in the opposite direction to the darkness.
Kryten tried to reach the Cat several times, but got no response. "It's no good sir, I just get static."
"SMEG." Said Lister who had also drawn a blank on finding Rimmer, there was just too many places he could be.
Sam who had been quietly watching the darkness behind grow nearer, voiced her burning concern.
"We need to find somewhere secure, somewhere to hide and soon." She said urgently.
Kryten called over from the other cart. "I agree we should wait until the next Hologram cycle change and see if it is safe again."
Lister nodded. "OK, but we still need to find the Cat and Rimmer, we can't simply leave them to who or whatever these things turn out to be guys."
Kryten scanned the path ahead and something far above caught his eye.
"Sir I believe I have found Mr Rimmer." Said Kryten pointing up and ahead.
"Where, I can't see him." Said Lister his eyes straining.
Sams hologramatic eyes, sharper than regular human eyes could see him. "You mean the guy with the short black hair and the deathly white complexion and an extremely worried look on his face." Asked Sam.
"Yeah sounds like Rimmer. OK head for the nearest lift we will go and get him." Said Lister.
Rimmer watched as far below the scene played out before him. Far behind two golf carts he could see the lights of the mall shutting down one by one and if he strained he could make out dozens and dozens of figures walking inside the darkened area. He watched as one of the karts seemed to slow then both sped up and headed for a set of lifts. He watched them enter and the doors close with the lights now almost upon them. Rimmer noted with some relief that the lights on his floor had remained fully on.
He watched as the lift began to ascend and as it came closer he realised with great relief that it contained Kryten, Lister and someone he did not know. He took his own cart round to the lift doors and waited for it to arrive.
Lister looked out of the glass lift as they slowly rose up the shaft. What he saw made no sense, below him the lights on the ground floor mall had been turned off a faint glow showed shadows. He could swear that he saw people walking or rather stumbling about.
"Is that them?" he asked pointing to the floor below.
Sam nodded. "Yes, the walking dead dead."
"Dead Dead?" questioned Lister.
"You know, Holograms are dead but these ones are dead inside too." Said Sam.
"Are we safe up here?" asked Lister.
Sam looked at Lister "For now, but that is not all of them, this place when fully operational had over 10,000 holograms."
"10,000." Stuttered Kryten, "Oh my."
"Look well be OK, we will find somewhere to hold up until morning and then load up and get out." Said Lister optimistically.
The lift stopped moving and the doors slid open to reveal Rimmer.
"Lister am I glad to see you, you would not believe the day I have had." Blurted out Rimmer.
Lister and Kryten drove there carts out of the lift and stepped out to join Rimmer on the balcony edge.
"Rimmer man, you smeghead why'd you run off like that?" said Lister looking Rimmer up and down, something was not quite right with Rimmer.
Rimmer made a move to hide his man hood with his hands which Lister spotted.
"And what the smeg have you done to that!" said Lister pointing at Rimmers groin.
Rimmer glanced down then back at Lister. "Nothing."
"Nothing, it looks like you are packing half a German sausage down you kecks." Said Lister averting his eyes.
Rimmers nostrils began to flare. "LOOK LISTER, if I want to make slight alterations to my appearance then that's my business not yours OK!"
Lister held up his hands. "OK, don't get tetchy about it man."
"Well, I think we have more important matters to worry about Lister, including what the smeg is going on with that lot down there and who this is." Finished Rimmer pointing at Sam.
"Err she's a Mall hologram Rimmer, I found her in the Music store. Sam this is Rimmer, Rimmer, Sam" Said Lister pointing to each in turn.
"What, I thought the scanners said this place was devoid of life." Said Rimmer.
"Technically it is, the hologram projection system does not always show up on scans sir." Said Kryten.
"So, what the heck is going on here then?" asked Rimmer
"Err I think I can answer that sir. It seems the holograms in Mall have contracted some sort of Zombie virus." Said Kryten.
Rimmers eyes opened wide. "Zombies aren't real, you goit. They are stories told to children and made up by Americans who have too many guns to play with, in the vain hope that one day the zombie horde will rise up and they will be called upon with big betty to wipe them out. I've seen it a dozen times in the movies." Stated Rimmer making a cocking motion with his hands as if holding a pump action shot gun.
Kryten shook his head. "I am afraid sir you are quite wrong. In fact before I left on the Nova 5 there had been another outbreak back on earth. Some say the hologram virus was linked to a radical group that protested against the idea of life after death for Holograms. It was suggested that they released the virus with the hope that living humans world rising up to destroy all holograms." Said Kryten.
"And did it work?" asked Rimmer.
"I am afraid I don't know, we left the system before the situation was resolved sir." Stated Kryten.
"Great, so we have a bunch of hologram zombies that are out to kill us." Said Rimmer.
"Not quite sir, they are out to kill Mr Lister and myself but you and Miss Sam are most likely to be targeted as new zombie recruits for the virus." Said Kryten looking worried.
"Great, my dairy has changed from dieing to walking around with my arms outstretched and a vocabulary of one syllable. Typical, I get to spend the rest of eternity like Lister here after a night out on the curry." Tutted Rimmer.
"Maybe not, if we can find somewhere to hold up and we can hide out till morning when the hologram program resets, then we can scarper." Said Lister looking down at the shadows below.
"Gets my vote, let's go find a hole to hide in." Rimmer said who was half climbing back into his cart.
"Hang on captain rocket pants, first we need to find the Cat, agreed?" said.
"What, Oh I'm sure he can take care of himself, he's great at exploring small spaces." Said Rimmer.
"No way, we go get him then we hide. GOT IT!" pressed Lister firmly.
2020 hours
The Cat was trying on his 110th outfit of the afternoon when he heard the low moan from behind him. He turned and saw the hologram lurch slowly across the shop floor towards him.
"Great, at last someone to help. HEY, buddy I need something in bright pink." stated the Cat.
"AARRRrroooOOO" replied the Zombie.
The Cat looked puzzled, this was not what he expected to occur on a shopping trip.
"I said something in pink, preferably with out frills and defiantly no shoulder pads." Repeated the Cat.
The zombie lurched forward, only held back slightly by the mass of discarded cloths that surrounded the Cat.
The Cat went back to examining himself in the mirror, when he heard another moan next to him. A second hologram Zombie had managed to work its way almost to his side. The Cat smiled.
"Hey more help, things are looking up." He beamed. He took off the jacket he was wearing and flung it across the outstretched zombies arms. "I don't like this one, get me something in blue statin." Grinned the Cat.
"AAARRRRooooEEAAAa" replied the Zombie making a grab for the Cats neck.
The Cat unaware of the zombies deadly intent avoided the crab by bending forward and picking up a scarf that had fallen on the floor in front of him. He turned to face the attacking Zombie, holding up the staff in its face.
"Hey, I need some advice is this OK with this top or do you think I need something in violet?" he asked the Zombie.
It swept the scarf aside, knocking it from the Cats hands.
"That's what I thought, so last season." It was then that the Cat noticed that his personal assistant seemed to be a little distant from his task.
"Look buddy, you look like you could do with some sleep. I need people sharp on the job, if I am going to refit my wardrobe, so how about you find me someone else to help?" said the Cat his teeth at full grin.
The Zombie grabbed the Cats sleeve and started to pull.
"Hey, what you doing man, I found this one first, it's mine!" yelled the Cat.
Meanwhile the other zombie had fallen on the pile of clothes and was now crawling towards his legs.
The Cat looked down at the stricken assistant. "Hey, are you guys OK, you don't look so good?" he asked.
"Arrrooooaaa" replied both Zombies.
The crawling zombie crabbed the Cats leg and made to bite him.
"Heeeyyy, what's the big idea!!" shouted the Cat, pulling away from his two attackers.
Both lurched and crawled after him. Something inside the Cat finally told him that these two individuals were not here to help him choose the next fashion line in space suit trim but rather were more intent on what colour his insides would be for lunch.
The Cat leap backwards out of the pairs reach. He whistled for the basket, which appeared heaving with the Cats purchases and the two headed for the stores exit.
"Sir!" called the basket.
The Cat, ignored him and continued towards the exit.
"Sir, we have to pay for these goods before I can leave the store." Pleaded the basket who was clearly struggling to maintain hover height under the weight.
The Cat stopped and turned on the little basket. "Listen budd, you can stay here and face those two or you can bring my fantastic selection with you and come see the Mall. Either way I'm out of here!" said the Cat turned back and resuming his course towards the exit.
The basket seemed to sway, then with renewed height it blurted out. "Wait for me!" and hovered after him.
As the two passed over through the exit alarms sounded and lights flashed.
"Awwooooo what is this?" screeched the Cat.
"Security!" said the basket. "I knew this would happen. They will take me away; lock me up in storage never to see the light of Mall again. Never will I feel the soft touch of a tank top with fluffy elbows. Never will I know the joy of being free to roam the store." Wailed the basket.
"Listen bud, we go bigger problems." Said the Cat as the two zombies from inside the store lurched towards the exit. He jumped into his cart and hit the power. The basket managed to slot itself next to him and the two sped off down the walkway leaving the sirens and lights of the store flashing behind them.
Lister and the others heard the sirens before they saw the Cat.
"Hey, there he is!" pointed Rimmer who was now sitting next to Kryten in his cart.
"Yeah and look who he's got on his tail." Shouted over Lister.
All of them could not help notice the mass of bodies slowly lurching along the walkway far behind the Cat.
"Smeg, he's gone into that store, what's he doing!" said Lister.
Rimmer strained to see. "Looks like he's gone in to get some new shoes by the look of the store name. Kicking Good Shoes, I believe."
"Quick, lets get to him before that lot get any closer." Urged Lister, pressing his small carts peddles further into the already well pressed position.
The two carts whizzed across the smooth floor covering the ground quickly between them and the store the Cat had disappeared into.
They jumped off the carts and headed inside, Lister taking a glance down the walkway to the approaching horde. "We don't have long guys, we need to get in and get out."
Inside the shoe store, Lister called out. "CAT! CAT! Where are you?"
The Cat, walked out in ridiculously high Cuban heels.
"Awwwoooo now these were meant for walking!" screeched and twirled the Cat.
Rimmer tutted then spoke sternly to the Cat. "Come on you stupid moggy, we need to go! Haven't you seen the Zombie horde out there?"
The Cat stopped and looked at them. "Zombie what?"
Rimmer made an impression of the Zombies, his arms outstretched and head on one side while making a lurching movement and EERrrrrr noise.
"Oh those fellas, yeah I ran into a couple earlier, didn't say munch and useless fashion advice." Said the Cat.
Waiting by the door Sam popped her head out of the door and looked towards the mass of bodies heading their way. They had covered the ground faster than she had hoped and were now dangerously close. She slammed the doors closed and turned to the others.
"Errrr guys, it's to late we are stuck in here!" she said looking worried.
The Cat smiled. "That's fine by me, I've still got another 20 rows of shoes to try."
Lister ran back to the door, he looked them up and down. "These doors are never going to hold, Kryten mate give me a hand with this unit."
He and Kryten dragged the large shoe rack across the door way just as the horde outside reached the doors and started banging on them.
"Guys we need something else." Stated Lister looking around.
Rimmer who had retreated to a safe distance was looking very pale. "There isn't anything else it's all bolted down!"
"SMEG." Said Lister watching the number of Zombie bodies grow outside the glass doors.
Kryten eyed the situation up. "Sir by my calculations that door will hold for roughly 3 minutes and 20 seconds. I suggest Mr Rimmer starts practicing his moaning."
Lister clenched his fists. "No smegging way, we are getting out, ALL of us."
Sam meanwhile had been scanning their location and spotted what she was looking for.
"Hey, I know how we can get out here!" she said pointing up to one of the air vents.
"OH NO, not the air vents, we always end up going round in circles in those things." Said Rimmer to the group.
"Look man, it's the vents or a new look delivered to yours personally by that lot out there, I know what gets my vote." Said Lister heading over to Sam.
Sam climbed up the shoe rack shelving with remarkable ease, and soon reached the vent. Giving it a tug it popped open and swung down on one side. She pulled her self up into the small space and disappeared.
Lister looked on. "Hey, I think she's done that before." He said to the others.
Her head soon popped back out of the vent. "Yep, we should be able to get right along this wing, come on up." She called.
Lister looked at the Cat. "Up you go."
"Hey, I haven't finished with my shopping yet, can't Goal Post head go next?" said the Cat glaring at Rimmer.
The Banging got louder at the door and the stack infront of it started to slowly budge.
"Look we don't have time, just go." Said Lister.
The Cat, lightly footed sprang up the shelf and disappeared after Sam.
Lister looked at Kryten. "Right you next Kryten."
Kryten held up his hands in Protest. "I can't sir, space core regulations state I must lay down my life before that of a Human. You or Mr Rimmer must go next.
"Fine, Rimmer start climbing man." Said Lister pointing to the hole.
Rimmer gingerly climbed the shelf, several times loosing his footing, but finally made it into the vent.
"Right Kryten, just you can me." Said Lister glancing at the door with a worried look on his face.
"Indeed sir, please start climbing I will hold them off." Said Kryten moving to brace himself against the frame of the barrier.
"OK, but as soon as I'm clear, you get your mechanical arse up there fast." Said Lister starting to climb the lower runs of the shelving.
Kryten looked over from his position at the door. "Don't worry sir, these mechanical buns are ready to shift."
Lister pulled himself up into the shaft and was greeted by Rimmers behind. "Hey come on Rimmer, what's the hold up." He asked.
"Nothing, it's just dark." Came back a nervous sounding Rimmer.
"Just go will you." Said Lister giving Rimmer a nudge from behind.
"OK, OK." Said Rimmer moving off slowly down the shaft.
Lister looked out of the hatch down at Kryten. "Come on Kryten, let's go!" he called.
Krytens frame was being buffeted about by the jolts of surge from behind the closed doors. He was worried that if he let go, a wave of Hologram hardlight zombies would crush him.
"It's OK sir, you go, I'll hold them off." Said Kryten looking up at Listers head that was poking out of the hole.
"You what, no way man, what you going to do, beat them to death with the wet end of your groinal attachment? Get up here NOW!"
Kryten was worried, he liked being alive and had no desire to meet the makers in silicon heaven just yet. He gave an almighty shove and made for the shelving. The doors quickly broke open and a wave of bodies missed him by inches. He began the climb up the shelf only to find his left leg griped by a female zombie with a name tag that read. 'I'm Cara your personal masseur.' Kryten kicked out with his leg and apologised to Cara has her hardlight image flickered and she let go.
"Sorry mam, no time for a massage right now!" he stated to the fallen zombie.
He continued to climb and soon found himself out of reach from the mass of flailing arms below. He was just beginning to think he had made it when the pressure from the horde below began to topple the shelf. He reached up to the waiting arms of Lister.
"crap Kryten hold on to me arms!" called Lister.
Kryten clasped Listers hands tightly.
"Arrrhhhhhh." Cried out Lister as the fall weight of Kryten hit his arms.
"Rimmer, I need you help, RIMMER I CAN'T HOLD HIM!" called Lister.
A short way down the vent Rimmer heard Listers call for aid. His urge for self preservation nagged at him to continue on, to survive. 'Leave them, they are weak.' It stated in his mind. Rimmer fault the nausea feeling 'No' thought Rimmer and returned to Listers side. He gripped an arm of Krytens while Lister move his now free hand to support Krytens other arm. Even so the two of them still could not lift him up and into the Vent.
Kryten looked up at them, his face calm. "It's no good sirs, let me go. You go, I have had a good service life span."
Lister gritted his teeth. "No way man, no smegging way!" but still they only managed to pull him up another inch or two.
Kryten began to release his finger grip.
"No you smegging don't man." Said Lister gripping Krytens arms tighter.
Then Rimmer remembered his purchase from the Holo store. He let go with one hand and grimaced at the pain that hot up his arm. Now with his free hand he reached round to his pocket and pulled the small software slug out of his pocket. He snapped the end of and pressed his thumb firmly onto the transmitting key.A warm glow washed over him and then faded. He dropped the slug and returned his grip on Kryten and pulled. To his and Listers surprised he slowly lifted the dangling Kryten up and into the hole.
"WOW Rimmer, how did you do that?" asked Lister collapsing back out of the way.
"Holo Strength software, brought it at the holo store." Said Rimmer simply.
"Well thank god for software upgrades." Said Lister picking himself up and looking at the horde of zombies below them. "Right let's go."
The three if them caught the other two up at a junction.
Sam turned to greet them. "Which way do you want to go? I think that way takes up over the Super foods section and this way over the Military hardware section."
The Cat sighed. "What a dilemma. We either eat and die or fight and die."
Rimmer spoke. "I vote for the hardware, at least we might stand more of a chance."
Lister nodded. "I agree. Kryten?"
"Sir, we have no idea of knowing if a) there is any live ammo for sale or b) if it will work on Hologram zombies. It would therefore be logical to go to the food and last out still morning."
All three turned to Sam, awaiting her own comment.
To be continued….
And there it ends for now. I have decided I might write two endings. A kick arse ending for those gun porn lovers and a RD get out of jail version for more of a classic dwarf feel.