Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse!

I was about to head back the second time to help with hauling the small bodies but Kaley tapped me. I looked back and saw her looking at me, telling me that she needed a moment with Cynthia to perhaps talk and give counsel. Cynthia was still pretty shaken from what we witnessed in the City Library so we decided to give her a little break.

I just nodded at Kaley, signifying I understood her intentions.

Marvin and Ashley switched for them and we went back and placed each one in a cart we found. It still took several trips to clear the library of their bodies completely and bad as it may sound, it was time to check the place of items we could take home.

Glancing at the shelves of different books, I pulled out a few that I don't have a copy of yet. Most of them were storybooks, novels, coloring books, and the like but I checked their archives for newspapers they have in storage. It wasn't 100% accurate but it was still part of the history so I made sure we would be taking them home. I would try to keep them in good condition but making a digital copy was the best solution.

Like the City Hall, some of the rooms here were also repurposed for lodging, and judging by the baby formula and other food items for a specific age of a kid, they made use of the peace and quiet here so that the toddlers could get their sleep at least.

We then found snacks and a few bags filled with medical equipment on one side and several clothes that were too little for us present. My group would simply follow each command I gave out without question in this building not because I was holding their necks but not only them, I just wanted to get done with this place. Everyone was working quietly and only my voice was the only thing anyone could hear inside.

We were done in a few minutes but it felt like an eternity inside.

The moment we got out, Marco approached me.

"We're done with most of the bodies and the other guys could probably just chuck them in. I wanted to stick around but I still have work to do inside our place." Marco said as he adjusted his cap.

"Hmm, you could go but don't forget to bring the soldiers that came with you and your group. Why are you guys in a bit of a hurry anyway?" I replied.

"Well, more dirty work. Some plumbing business that needs taking care of. We're also getting rid of all the water lilies floating in the fishing areas and the canal system. They just appeared en masse and we need to take care of it." Marco explained.

"Okay, then. Sorry for leaving the boring stuff to you guys at home." I joked as I faintly smiled.

"Hmm, I'd take that shit any day of the week compared to what you guys are facing. Anyway, daylight's burning and we gotta go, see you guys later in the meeting. Shit, we need to clean this truck and the skid steers when we get home as well." Marco and his group said their goodbyes.

They drove back after loading the skid steers and my group still had a few more buildings to go through before we head home. It was supposed to be an operation that would span a few days but we were cutting it a little close because plans would sometimes change at varying circumstances.

The next building was the DOJ's office.

It was a long building but it only had a single floor. Once we broke inside, we discovered that this place was repurposed into a storage area and cooking area where most of their food items were stored for everyone's use. Shelves and shelves of food were packed inside though it only spanned half the area. They had sacks of rice, dried pasta, tubs of beans, assorted canned goods, random spices, and gallons of mineral water. They had frozen and fresh food items but they were all unusable at this time.

Aside from the food items, we also took the propane tanks along with the cooking utensils I found useful. There were a few cast iron skillets in good condition so I made sure to pack them nicely.

-

*bzzt*

"Kid, you're still over there?"

*bzzt*

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*bzzt*

"Yep, two more buildings to check. We might go home with another supplement of guns, ammo, and military vehicles. Well, the military vehicles are already set we just need to get inside the Police Station and the City Jail to check if they've left more hanging around."

*bzzt*

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*bzzt*

"Oh, I bought another V8."

*bzzt*

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*bzzt*

"..."

*bzzt*

-

*bzzt*

"Kid? Yoohoo~ You there, kid? Kid?"

*bzzt*

-

*bzzt*

"You said you'd buy a body for a Camaro, right? Why the fuck do you have another V8?!"

*bzzt*

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*bzzt*

"C'mon! It's a fucking V8! You know they're fucking rare here, right?!"

*bzzt*

-

*bzzt*

"..."

*bzzt*

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*bzzt*

"Wait! It came with a lift kit and a suspension from a stock Subaru too! That's a bonus, right?!"

*bzzt*

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*bzzt*

"Sure… I'll come with you tomorrow..."

*bzzt*

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*bzzt*

"Sweet, Mauricio also asked for a meeting so it's good you're done with that place already."

*bzzt*

-

*bzzt*

"Okay, let us finish the task here first and we'll talk more later."

*bzzt*

-

*bzzt*

"Sure, kid."

*bzzt*

-

We ended the call and now I was slightly questioning the fact I brought the Charger back home. I was thinking of options I could've exchanged it with but in the end, we would still find some use for the engines Oscar bought from the Intercity.

We then continued our jobs.

The City Jail was just filled with the undead trapped inside the cells and from the looks of it, they all starved to death but a few ate their cellmates to survive. However, it wasn't enough because they still turned in the end as the ones they feasted upon returned the favor and feasted on them. They were all literally sharing themselves because the chunk they ate from the others would just pass through their ruptured stomachs and would then be cycled over and over.

Some of them couldn't even move properly because their limbs almost had their flesh and muscles completely clawed or chewed off. A few cells just had a horrible looking muck in the middle of it where their insides are piled on top of one another. It was simply a fucked up potluck where everyone had a share of what everyone brought to the table.

We couldn't believe how the people from this place tried to keep the criminals alive and from the looks of things, they were even given three squared meals a day, just like the rest of the residents they were protecting.

"If it was me, this place could be repurposed into something much better… They're humans too but I would've at least made them work hard for it, not this luxurious lifestyle this place couldn't afford..." I sighed inwardly.

We just watched out for their hands as we stabbed each of their heads. We just threw them over the windows after we were done with them. We weren't able to get much from this place aside from the loaded piece the guard inside used to kill himself.

When my group went to the Police Station, we were met with a little surprise.

A lone soldier survived inside one of the cells.

The Police Station still had a few cells inside but its main purpose was just to detain an offender for a day or two until bail was posted or a raging drunkard finally got it out of its system. Most of the soldiers stored their equipment inside this Police Station but a lot of them were roaming around, seemingly there to protect their belongings.

The inside was a little cramped so we lured them outside before we started putting them down.

Little did we know that one of them managed to lock himself inside, grab some supplies, and ration his food and water for an unknown number of days or weeks. The only thing he didn't prepare was the keys to the cell. I managed to open it up but he was having a hard time even responding to us.

He was looking extremely weak and dehydrated so we took care of him after making sure he wasn't infected. I first opened a bottle of water and I slowly poured it in his mouth. I was giving him small amounts to slowly replenish his fluids levels. I think he might need IV fluids to completely rehydrate but the bottled water was the best thing I could do for now.

I looked at his fatigues and I read 'Ibarra' on the chest patch.

Now, not only we would know the exact details of what happened in this place, but we would possibly have another soldier join our ranks when he recovers.