Rika Minami's apartment was as near to perfect for the group's needs as they could hope for. High walls all around. It sat on a hillside so one corner was significantly lower, giving a perfectly clear view of the crossroads from the balcony at the front of the apartment. True to Shizuka's story, there was a convenience store just a few dozen yards down the road. A strong gate for the driveway led up to the garage where there was even a military-model Humvee.

"HUMVEE!" Kohta gushed in excitement.

"Told you. It looks like a tank, right?" Shizuka giggled.

Eddy grinned. "About time we could relax for a change."

Unfortunately, there were a few zombies roaming around. The ones with weapons moved to take them out only for Konrad to stop them and make a sign that one zombie was different from the others.

"Look at that!" Takuzo gasped.

Sure enough, everyone saw what Takuzo and Konrad saw; a zombie with crimson skin with fingers worn away from decay and now replaced by large sharp bone claws.

"What kind of zombie is that?!" Double-D gawked.

The crimson-headed zombie snarled and lunged, shoving past its comrades. However, Konrad got in front of it and ripped off its arms, knocked it down, and then crushed its head under his boot for good measure. Eddy, Ed, Matthew, and Kohta took out the regular zombies now that the coast was clear.

However, Konrad's suit lost power again, and his HUD once more displayed that his suit was assimilating a new T-Virus strain. Shido saw this as an opportunity to kill him. However, Rei was watching him like a hawk.

Fortunately, Konrad didn't have to wait as long this time before his suit returned to normal and with improved range on his Predator Vision as the upgrade.

"Are you alright, Konrad?" Saeko asked her boyfriend.

Konrad nodded. "Yeah...though I really hope this doesn't become a trend."

"The walls look high enough that I don't think they can get over. We should be able to have a nice safe rest." Naomi noted as she looked at the perimeter fence.

"We can use the bus to brace the gate," Double-D added noting the steep angle of the driveway.

The group split into smaller groups to spread out and gather resources. Matthew, Eddy, and Konrad went with nine others to raid the convenience store. Kohta took a group of guys next door to find clothes as it was agreed that, since Shizuka's friend was female, they'd be very unlikely to find any male clothes there. Takashi took Rei and Saeko to search the house and ensure no zombies were present. The rest aided Shizuka in positioning the bus to rest against the gate.

The duplex ended up having a rather large bathroom and three bedrooms so at least there'd be plenty of space to spread out and relax. The girls commandeered the two top-floor bedrooms and left the boys to the master bedroom on the second floor. The teachers and the others would secure blankets and futons and make their sleeping arrangements in the living room.

"What's Shido doing right now?" Matthew asked Kohta as the girls got first crack at the baths.

"Not much at the moment. I'll be sure to keep my eyes on him."

Matthew nodded. "Good job, bucko. If he tries to do anything, put one between his eyes."

"With PLEASURE." Kohta grinned viciously.

Morita had decided to take a nap on the couch, which was big enough to seat three people. Double-D was reading a book he found. Eddy and Takashi were holding a conversation without any worry and some of the other boys were just minding their own business. Ed soon came in with some rifle ammunition.

"Hey Kohta do you know which guns could have these?"

Kohta's eyes began to widen as a smile slowly crept up to his face.

"Ed, where did you find these?"

"By the stereo?"

Kohta, Ed, Takashi, and Eddy tried to pull the safe open to no avail. Matthew rolled his eyes as he made his way over and skillfully opened it up.

"How did you do that, Bro?" Eddy asked.

Matthew smirked. "Magic fingers...and I've been to this house before."

Kohta began laughing maniacally as he saw the assortment of weapons that were inside.

"I JUST KNEW IT!"

"Whoa...just who is Shizuka-Sensei's friend? Sarah Fuckin' Palin?!" Takashi asked.

There was a Springfield M1A1 Super Match rifle, a modified Armalite AR-10 rifle, an Ithaca M37 shotgun, a Barnett Wildcat C5 crossbow, a SCAR-L rifle, a G36C rifle, a SPAS-12 shotgun, and a couple of Beretta 92 pistols.

"We cannot let Shido or whoever might be loyal to him at this point get their mitts on them," Matthew said.

Kohta nodded. "Definitely."

"I just checked downstairs, guys. There's a sound-dampened indoor gun range in the basement." Imamura said as he came in.

"Perfect," Konrad said. "Alright, ladies! Get your butts down there!"

Meanwhile, the girls were taking their baths, enjoying having clean fresh water. In the tub were Rei and Shizuka as the latter was trying to get away from the former trying to grope her breasts. Saya, Yuuki, Naomi, and Saeko were sitting on stools while washing their selves. Kyoko, Toshimi, Misuzu, Kawamoto, and Taniuchi, a girl from Shido's Group, were occupying the shower.

"Miyamoto, please don't touch there~!"

"Just what size are these?! There's no way they're real!"

"Are those two for real?" Saya thought, her eyebrow twitching before looking at the window in front of her while washing her hair.

"So...do you like Eddy?"

Saya's eyes widened as she whirled around to look at Saeko, who was the one to ask the question.

"Why in any right mind would you say that?!"

Yuuki giggled. "C'mon Saya face it. You like Eddy."

"No, I don't! I can't stand him!"

"Are you sure? Because you were the first to greet him when he came back." Naomi pointed out.

Before Saya could respond, she shrieked as she felt something cold on her back. She quickly turned around to see a giggling Saeko was the culprit.

"I bet he'd enjoy that voice of yours for one night."

In revenge, Saya took a basin full of cold water and poured it over Saeko's back, causing her to silently gasp before letting out a shuddering moan. The swordswoman then sneered the brainiac, who scowled back as a splash fight quickly ensued.

Kyoko could only sigh as she was trying to calm herself down. However, she then noticed Toshimi and Misuzu looking at her curiously.

"Kyoko-Sensei, can we ask you a question?"

"Sure, what is it."

"How do you get a boy's attention?"

Kyoko was caught off guard by such a question and took a moment to think of what to say. After a moment, she gave her answer.

"All you got to do is be like his best friend." The teacher said as she remembered her and Matthew's nights out drinking.

"That's it?"

"Pretty much. You could also ask Matthew-Kun about how to get a boy's attention as well."

"Thank you Kyoko-Sensei."

Kyoko gave a small smile. "It's no problem."

Konrad spent the time the girls were in the shower teaching those who wanted to learn how to shoot. The boys who volunteered wouldn't be winning any sharpshooting competitions but at least he felt comfortable passing a few weapons around to the more responsible ones.

Double-D and Takuzo were given the Beretta 92s and Kohta volunteered to take the AR-10 while Morita got the SPAS-12. Takashi was almost passed over for the Ithaca M37 when he flippantly said that if all else failed, he'd just swing it like a club.

After the girls finished and got dressed, Konrad helped give the ones who wanted to shoot lessons as well. Rei was given the M1A1 Springfield Super Match since it had a bayonet attachment that would go great with her spear techniques while Kyoko was handed the Wildcat C5 with some rags and a bottle of gasoline, she provided her own lighter. Finally, Toshimi and Misuzu opted to take the SCAR-L and G36C respectively.

Everyone with a gun got two full magazines, spare magazines, and ammo boxes that were kept in Konrad and Kohta's bag or stashed in the bus.

"Konrad."

Konrad jumped when he heard the familiar voice of Dr. Hayden on his HUD Comm.

"Are you at Miss Minami's house?"

"Yup, we arrived."

"Good. Follow my instructions carefully...and bring Ed with you."

Konrad nodded and patted Ed on the back, getting the lovable oaf's attention. Silently gesturing for him to follow, Konrad led Ed to where Hayden laid out the location before finding a hidden access panel which he revealed before punching in the numbers.

"Is there a secret weapon like the Sword of Grayskull?" Ed asked excitedly.

"I dunno, maybe." Konrad shrugged.

A hidden door opened up, leading to a dark room. Suddenly, a pre-recorded message spoke up.

"TAGGART DNA DETECTED."

The lights in the hidden room flipped on, revealing a large rack full of weapons, some kind of experimental high-tech backpack apparatus, and most important of all...a bulky sleek suit of dark green armor that appeared both futuristic but also ancient.

"Whoa...and I thought my suit was cool." Konrad noted.

"Grandpa...?" Ed asked as he approached the armor and placed a hand on it.

Noticing a recorder with a sheet of paper that said "Play Me" on it, Konrad picked it up before handing it to Ed, figuring it would be best if he was the one who listened to it.

"My name is Flynn Taggart and if you're listening to this, I'm dead. To whoever finds my gear, that means that only the worst has come to pass and Umbrella's actions now threaten the entire world. I had Hayden set things up so that only a Taggart can use what I'm leaving behind and I apologize for putting this burden upon you. I can only hope you will use this to protect the people you care about. And to my son and grandchildren...know that I'm proud of you."

Ed teared up, remembering when his grandpa passed away a few years ago. Konrad gave his pen pal a comforting pat on the back before the lovable oaf's expression steeled, an uncharacteristically serious look in his eyes.

"I'll make you proud, Grandpa."

Ed took each part of the armor and put it on meticulously and carefully. Soon, the last part was the helmet, donning it over his head as Konrad whistled at just how imposing his friend looked.

Donning the backpack, Ed realized it could somehow fit every single weapon on the rack inside it with plenty more room to share. The weapons in question were a Remington 870 shotgun, a modified double-barrel shotgun with a grappling hook attachment, a Desert Eagle 50 AE, an M134 minigun, an honest-to-god Plasma Cannon, an AK-47 with red dot sight, and a gas-powered chainsaw.

"Don't let Shido get his hands on any of this shit."

"Nope!" Ed promised.

"Hey, pipsqueak."

"Yeah, Bro?" Eddy asked as Matthew came over.

"I managed to get in touch with a good friend of mine. He's setting up shop nearby and when he's ready, he wants us both to come over to where he is."

"Really? What if we run into any of those super zombies? In case you didn't recall, only Konrad can handle those things."

"With the weapons Floyd and Jack are giving us, we'll be on an even playing field with him."

Eddy gave his brother a skeptical look before sighing and turning to Takashi and Rei.

"Hey, Bro wants me to come with him to get some stuff. Keep your eyes on Shido."

Rei nodded. "I promise. And I'm pretty sure Konrad and Kohta already got their eyes on him as well."

"Alright, Bro...let's go!"

The McGee brothers snuck through the streets, using the weapons they still had on hand to take out any shambling zombies in their path. Eventually, they managed to find a friendly-looking African-American man and a guy in some weird armor.

"Floyd, Two-Hat Jack?"

"Matt! How's it been?!" Floyd greeted as he pulled the older McGee into a hug. "This your little bro?"

"Yup, this is the Pipsqueak himself."

"Bro says you've got weapons that can take care of the super zombies?"

"Oh yeah! See, I used to work for Umbrella but when they started getting into some shifty shit, I had to bolt. Luckily, your friend's parents covered me and I met up with Jack to get ready for the shitstorm."

Two-Hat Jack nodded. "Floyd and I got to work making a whole lot of weapons for Matt...and I guess we have a few his little bro would like as well."

"Floyd and Jack have been my pals at Mondo-a-Go-Go for as long as I've worked there," Matthew smirked. "Let's just say that there were reasons why it opened so late."

"Yup! Jack and Matt are monster hunters and I was their provider! Guess we're both providing for you guys now!"

"Some of these weapons may be unconventional, but they are unbelievable," Jack smirked. "And don't worry...they're all free!"

Eddy got a good look at some of the weapons and his eyes sparkled as he and Matthew looked at each other before smirking.

"We'll take your entire stock."

Ed has donned the Prateor Suit once worn by his grandfather as well as equipped himself with his weapons. As for Eddy and Matthew, they're getting their hands on the weapons from Sunset Overdrive!

Double-D will also be getting in on the crossover weapon action and with his genius brain, you might be a little surprised at what he gets. Here's a hint...it's FANTASTIC.