New America
Chapter 3: Broken Jeep and a Crazy Plan
That night I had a horrible dream. It was the night the base was attacked by the undead. I was in my barrack and the siren went off. I jumped out of my bed and grabbed my M-16. I wore camouflage pants and a tank top. I also had my holster belt on. I ran out of the barrack as a jeep drove up.
"Get in," corporal Josh Nanders said.
I hoped in the back of the jeep and we sped off. Private Nick Ollen and Private First Class Jack Nixon were also in the jeep. They wore what I wore but they had different weapons. Nick had an M4A1 and Jack had a M60E4. The jeep did a sharp u-turn and we sped off to the gates. When we got closer to the gates I saw the zombies. Luckily, we were in a jeep that had a roof and doors. Jack decided to be an idiot and tried to door check a zombie. The moment the door opened, Jack fell out of the jeep and we drove off. We drove through the gate, onto the highway, and away from the base. Of in the distance we heard screams and machine gun fire.
I awoke with a start. Kelly was shaking me. She wore the same thing she did yesterday. I looked around and saw that everything was packed up and put in the back of the jeep. Mark was talking to Owen.
"Welcome back to the land of the living, Boar Head," Kelly said.
"Alright Bookworm," I replied.
Kelly smiled a small smile and walked over to the group. I rolled up the sleeping bag and put it in the back of the jeep. I then joined the group in the middle of their discussion.
"Maybe Frank or Charlie can take a look at the jeep when we get back to base," Owen said.
"What's wrong with the jeep?" I asked.
"Engine is having trouble starting," Mark growled.
"Oh," I replied.
"We've been debating about fixing it here or calling in a helicopter to get us out of here," Owen said.
"We should call a helicopter, because to fix the jeep we would have to send out a small group of two or at least one person, to find the parts we need," Kelly stated.
"I agree," I responded.
"I vote that we send my dumb brother out to find the parts," Mark said.
"I think that would be a bad idea," Owen said.
"Lets just all a helicopter, then just radio in to camp and ask for one," I stated.
"It's not that easy, President Skywalker has to approve the use of one of the helicopters. The problem is that he usually doesn't allow one to leave. He doesn't care about the jeeps though," Owen retorted.
"We have to do something," I replied.
We stood there in silence gathering our thoughts. I was pondering volunteering to get the parts, but I knew I couldn't fix the jeep. I didn't know if the others could either since they weren't a child of Hephaestus.
"What exactly is wrong with the jeep?" I asked.
"The oil needs to be changed, there's a leak in one of the anti-freeze lines, the drier side door handle is loose, and something is wrong with the engine. I'm pretty sure the last one matters the most." Owen replied.
"Alright, I'll go find the supplies," is said.
"What?!" Kelly exclaimed.
"Yes, the coward's gonna die," Mark cheered.
"I figured Kelly could fix the jeep, she is a child of Athena. I figured that she might have some knowledge on how to fix a car," I replied, ignoring Mark's creepy smile and cheerful look.
In my head I could see Mark doing the Irish jig and that brought a small smile to my somewhat dire, yet idiotic, decision.
"Oh," Kelly said a little taken back, "I have some knowledge, but I never worked on a car before."
"Frank taught me a bit, so I'll fix the jeep if you get the supplies," Owen stated.
"Alright, what exactly do I need to get?" I replied.
"You can't be serious, you could possibly get killed!" exclaimed Kelly.
"Good, more bloodshed," Mark said with that same creepy grin.
"Well, Frank taught me a little bit about repairing anything under the hood. We have a few things in a tool anything under the hood. We have a few things in a tool box in the trunk compartment," Owen stated.
I walked over to the trunk door of the jeep and opened it. Beside the backpacks and a couple rifles was a tool box. Inside of it were a hammer, a couple screwdrivers, a mini-crowbar, a wrench, a socket wrench, and a roll of duct tape.
"Got a few tools and a duct tape," I said.
"'Kay, the duct tape will fix the leak, but we need motor oil and some engine parts. I think there is an auto repair shop close by," Owen stated.
"You're Serious!" Kelly exclaimed, "You're going to risk your life and go back outside for a few parts and motor oil. Owen, just call in a helicopter."
"Yep," I replied, popping the P.
"Maybe he can get the items," Owen said.
"And die trying," mumbled Mark.
"At least give him a weapon," Kelly cried out.
"Oh yeah, I forgot my USP.45 is jammed. All I have is a knife," I stated.
"See, here take my Five-Seven," Kelly stated franticly.
Kelly reached to her holster and took a Five-Seven off of it. She handed me the handgun and I took my USP.45 out of its holster and replaced it with the Five-Seven. I then handed the handgun to her and she took it from my hand with a confused face on.
"Make sure that thing gets fixed if I don't get back," I said with a small smile.
She nodded and replied, "I will."
I walked to the door and Owen followed behind me. Many thoughts went through my head. Thoughts like, 'this is got to be one of my most stupid decisions I have ever made.' When I got to the door I heard Kelly shout wait.
"What?" I asked as I turned around
"Let me get in my sniper spot first before you go, that way I can cover you and take out and stray zombies," Kelly replied with a sad smile.
I noticed she had a small sparkle in her eyes like she had hope. I didn't know what she was hoping for so I smiled in reply. I turned around and Owen opened the door. I walked outside to see a zombie and an arrow flew past my head and instantly killed the zombie with a headshot. I looked back at Owen and he smiled at me and closed the door.
But right before he closed it he said to me, "Best of luck, and may the gods be ever in your favor."
And just like that I was all alone in some alley way in the zombie apocalypse. I let out a sigh and trudged forward.
"Better get moving soldier," I whispered to myself.