Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse!

"I believe we've made one before, right?" I chuckled.

"I can't remember… the only 'smash' that came to mind is a little~ more different~" Tatiana raised her eyebrow insinuating the game I modded for my old console.

"A-Anyway, what do we need?" Kaley asked.

"Okay, while I ground the beef, kindly bring me some salt, pepper, onions, onion powder, black garlic, garlic powder, pickles, chili paste, ketchup, mayo, mustard, brioche buns, cooking oil, relish, and a few slices of American cheese." I replied.

They followed Rin to the pantry while Tatiana helped me with slicing the beef parts to be placed in the meat grinder. After chucking them all in, I asked Tatiana to collect them in a container, Kaley to lightly caramelize some onions, Rin and Cynthia to chop up the pickles and the garlic into small pieces, while I washed the griddle we would be using.

"Umm, what's after chopping them?" Cynthia asked.

"Mix it with the chili paste and equal parts of mayo, ketchup, and mustard. Add a little bit of salt and pepper to taste and if you want, you could add some relish as well." I replied.

"The meat is done~ your majesty~" Tatiana chuckled.

"Heh, aside from adding salt and pepper, add a touch of onion and garlic powder then mix it all together. Make sure the spices are evenly mixed then turn them into balls. I'll preheat the griddle while you all do it. How're the onions?" I replied then I turned to Kaley.

"They're doing fine but I want them a little softer." Kaley replied.

"Turn the heat a little lower and let it cook while we're cooking the meat." I replied.

It took us a few minutes of preparation but when we finished, they just watched me for the rest of the time as I placed the balls Tatiana made into the hot griddle. As soon as they sizzled from the heat, I smashed them with my spatula, creating a malformed circle with random edges. While they were cooking, I preheated the brioche buns we had on wait then I flipped the patties to the other side. The smell of the butter and the meat cooking made our mouths water especially Tatiana.

The edges were already browning and it could be considered the best part. After that, I placed slices of American cheese over it so it could melt while the patty was cooking then I applied the spread Cynthia and Rin made to the buns first before placing the patties with the melted cheese on top of it. Before topping the upper bun off, I added a generous amount of the lightly caramelized onions Kaley made and I placed the finished product in front of them.

I smiled after flipping my apron and said, "Dig in."

Tatiana was about to cry when she saw it and she immediately lunged for one. However, Kaley was looking at me weirdly when she discovered I made three extras aside from the extra we already made for Tatiana.

"It's for the old man, Mauricio, and Cathy. Let me excuse myself for a bit." I said then I lifted the plate up to bring it to Oscar's house.

Oscar seemed to be awake because the lights were on so I knocked a few times.

"Eh? Who is it?" I heard Oscar's voice.

"It's the kid you yelled at earlier." I joked.

"Hah! The fuck are ya knocking for? Come in, you little shi- wait… what's that I smell… HAHAHAHA!!! You made some?! Gimme!" Oscar suddenly opened the door for me and I saw them casually talking in the living room.

"Good evening~ that smells good~" Cathy greeted me with a smile same with Mauricio.

"Good eve~ I made a little something. I won't be long, enjoy~" I replied as I laid it on the coffee table.

"Heh. Thanks, kid." Oscar chomped down on one before I left them.

When I got back from the house, they didn't see me enter the door but it was funny seeing their eating expressions. They were eating it with euphoric smiles and Tatiana was almost moaning from each bite. I swear I saw tears forming on the side of her eyes not from the chili paste but from the extreme happiness she was feeling.

"We're fucking his brains out after we're done." Tatiana suddenly declared as she reached for her other burger.

"Hmm~ if you don't hog him as much~" Cynthia chuckled.

"Don't look at me, look at Kaley and her big jugs!" Tatiana exclaimed.

"What?! We just- fine… I was about to ask for it again anyway..." Kaley replied as she took another bite.

"Umm- guys… he's right behind you three..." Rin trailed when she saw me right behind them.

"Oh, hi~" Cynthia immediately shrunk down when I was around them.

"Huh. Isn't the burger enough?! I get tired too, you know that, right?! Can we just do it tomorrow?!" I exclaimed, shaking my head.

I wanted to eat my burger in my room even if it would be in room temperature so I decided to wash the dishes first.

"Hmph! Then just lay down and- you're making it hard for us, aren't you?" Kaley was shaking her head, blushing faintly.

"What? What did I do now?" I was confused as I continued to wash the dishes.

"That. Please don't do that, let me… it's distracting..." Cynthia replaced me with washing the dishes.

"Okay? Oh, shit. The light bulb here needs to be replaced..." I said as I grabbed a replacement.

"Hngh..." I heard someone groan but I continued to replace the lightbulb after turning it off first.

"This is weird… I feel… different..." Tatiana muttered.

"Hmm? Oh, who moved this painting? Let me adjust it… perfect." I said as I adjusted it a little bit to the right.

"..." Rin was silent but she was also starting to look at me weirdly.

It didn't take long before Kaley suggested we watch a movie in my room. I wanted to make them engaged or perhaps sleepy so I made them play the trilogy so they could get my potato reference. I could do it with Kaley fine but it would be a little taxing with four of them right after doing it with Kaley earlier.

To stall for more time, I prepared the guns we would bring tomorrow.

Kaley and I would be using the same S&W M&P15-22 that we used for clearing the People's Park from Malabon. It already had the attachments on it but I gave it a simple clean and readied a can of .22 LRs. For the others that would come with us, aside from bringing their own guns, I would also provide the .22 LR Rifles they would be using.

Cynthia already has her CZ 457 so I would be bringing a few Ruger 10-22s or something similar. They would be always attached with a sling, a scope, and a suppressor while bringing out extra magazines for their use. In Cynthia's case, her CZ 457 could only hold 5 rounds but it was still okay because we would be camping on top of a roof, not in a run-n-gun situation.

When I was done and looked back, they were all sleeping soundly so I celebrated by eating my burger alone. I simply snuggled close to Kaley and I was hugging her from behind. It didn't take long before I fell asleep and time continued to pass right until the early morning.

I double-checked the equipment we would be using but I saw the pile of guns still waiting to be checked and cleaned. The only reason we were taking so much time was because of exchanging parts as we go so we could have guns in perfect condition.

'I guess I'll clean a few more before we go...' I thought to myself as I brought out my tools.

There were still a lot of guns left and the only way to make progress was to pick one up and start working on it one after the other. However, as I was cleaning the third one, Kaley woke up and she gave me a little 'service' with my 'gun' under the table. I didn't take long but I made sure to return the favor.

The rest of them slowly woke up afterward and they managed to help with a few more before we had breakfast and drove with the rest of our equipment to the DDR Camp.

"Ah, I could use my 10-22 again~" Lois celebrated.

"Don't like the MCX that much? I could take it back?" I chuckled.

"What? Fuck no. It just feels like I'm splurging on ammo each time I fire a .300 AAC Blackout. Besides, I really like this 10-22." Lois commented, smiling.

"You brought one for everyone eh?" Matthew added.

"Hmm? Well, yeah. Remember guys, we'd be first clearing a few floors down on the love hotel right as we land on the roof. If we could, it would be better to block the main entrance and the back door first before we start shooting down the ones below. We'd be having a few people attracting the dead towards the other side so we could try but if we couldn't, just a single floor would suffice. There should be enough furniture there to block an entrance so we'd be good." I replied then I started briefing them.

"Are we allowed to smack you in the head if you do another one of those stunts bro?" Jared raised his hand, worried.

"Oh, I almost forgot about that. Always wear your seatbel-" I was instantly cut off.

"NOOOOOOO FUCK THIS SHIT, I'M GOING HOME!" Jared exclaimed.