Zombie Theorem: The End Game (2 page)

“You know; I think I could eat. Thanks Doc.”

“You’re very welcome. I’ll see you in the morning.” He stepped around the bed and stopped at the door. “No letting him dance, ladies.” He chuckled at his poor joke and left.

Julie and Apache laughed at the Doctor, and came over to my bedside. Julie took my hand and rubbed my fingers. They both smiled down at me. “Look I know Angel is gone, but can you guys tell me what exactly happened? I am having problems remembering everything.”

Julie’s eyes teared up and she had to dab at her eyes with the cuffs of her sweater. “Angel heard that the other soldiers had arrived and she assumed all fighting was over. She broke from Mrs. Kellens’ hold and ran upstairs and out the front door. She really wanted to see you. She jumped into your arms, after yelling out your name. There ended up being a sniper in the trees waiting to identify you. When she screamed your name and jumped into your arms, he fired. All three rounds passed through her body, still had enough energy to pass through your armor and came to rest in your body. You somehow had the strength to keep holding her. I, uhm, caught you when your legs buckled and your father helped me take you to the ground, while Cupcake and Apache took out the sniper. Apache then took Angel from you and rushed her inside and worked on her. You died in my arms, Brian arrived ripped you from my arms and performed CPR on you till he got your heart beating again. He carried you like you were nothing more than a child into the house. We made an improvised hospital bed for you on the dining room table.” Julie at this point broke into small hitching sobs and couldn’t continue.

Apache led her to a nearby chair and continued the story where Julie left off. “I wasn’t able to bring Angel back after working on her, the damage was just too much to fix. I tore your armor off and got to work, with all of the hospital equipment we’d taken from the emergency room. I inserted an IV of saline, injected a set of antibiotics and swabbed your chest and stomach with iodine. Then, with the help of Sharla, dug around in-side you to remove the rounds. I got them all and was able to bring your bleeding under control. But you then went into cardiac arrest. I performed CPR till our AED or Automated External Defibrillator charged, then shocked your heart back to life. I thought we had you stabilized but six hours later your heart decided to stop working again. So I ended up shocking you another two times. Since then, you have stabilized.”

Julie picked up the story from there. “One of the officers that led our rescue force called the General and explained to him what had happened. He authorized a flight of Chinooks and two Apache helicopters to fly in from Sacramento and rescue you. He then had to hide you in a protected, out of the way base. Once he heard that Hills was clear of infection and the commander of the base was a friend, he ordered the team to come here. Doctor Harmidi worked on you for a while and decided that a medically induced coma was best to stabilize you.”

“What did you do with Angel’s body?” I asked, not really wanting to know the answer.

“Your father buried her on the farm. He didn’t tell us where. He wrapped her in some lace and canvas he’d had in the basement, tied her and some shovels on his ATV and left. When he came back four hours later, he was covered in dirt and had a solemn look on his face. He said she would not be alone where he’d laid her to rest.”

I cried fresh tears. “I know where he buried her. Dad had started a family cemetery near a stream in the forested part of his property. It’s where he buried Mom. He must’ve buried Angel next to her, so Mom would protect her.”

Apache started crying next, and the two hugged for support. “Where is the rest of the team?”

“We are all here on base. Kuppers is acting as base commander right now. The guy who had the position before, had a change of heart when he was given different orders from the Secretary of Defense. So we helped him into a new position, one of prisoner. Kuppers should actually be here soon to talk to you.” As Apache said these words, a knock came at the door.

It opened and in strolled the entire team, including my Dad, Delta, and Colonel Phillips. They surrounded the bed and looked down at me. Brian placed his hand on my shoulder and smiled. “Good to see you on this side of the ethereal curtain, Boss.” He spoke in his deep gravelly voice.

I raised my hand and patted his. “It’s nice to be on this side. Great to see you Brian.”

Kuppers came forward and shouldered Brian out of the way. “I have something for you, more like some things.” He turned and took the first item that Vic had been carrying. He unfolded a shirt and laid it over my body. I looked down at a military blouse. Brian had explained to me a while back, that in the military they called it a blouse, I, of course laughed saying that only women wore blouses. He’d punched me lightly, at that point, but it still hurt.

I looked at Kuppers, a little confused. “Cool blouse, I guess since my other clothes were bled on, this is nice. Thanks.”

Kuppers put on a sneer. “Funny, ass. That is part of your new uniform. I told you a while ago, you were drafted into the military, or did you forget that? Never mind, you have a one track mind and will probably promptly forget this discussion, too.” He turned to Vic and took something else from him. He fiddled with the blouse for a bit, and then smiled down at it. “Welcome to active duty with the U.S. Army, Major Welko.” He straightened up and saluted. The room became a chorus of catcalls and congratulations, then it became serious as each person stood ramrod straight and saluted.

“Oh crap!” I thundered, then sighed in acceptance and tried my best to salute with an arm full of cords, cables, and IV lines. “Is Major a good rank to hold?”

Doc laughed the hardest and snorted a little. “For an Officer puke, I guess. Just means instead of getting coffee for the Colonel you will tell someone like me to get it.” He then, promptly blew a bubble with his gum.

“Great, so Doc, go get me a cup of coffee.” I laughed then had to stop due to the pain emanating from my belly.

“So, when do I start work Colonel Kuppers?

He smirked and turned to Vic, ignoring my question for now. He turned again and pinned two things to the blouse. I looked down at one of them and recognized the Purple Heart, given to service men who have been injured during battle. The other, I had no idea, so I said as much.

“That is a new medal that I came up with. It’s the Medal of Heroes for valor while fighting douche bag Ridder forces and puke-bag zombies.” Kuppers said with a giant grin.

“Awesome. I hope everyone got one then.”

“They did. I expect to see you ready for duty, tomorrow morning. I will see you in the Command Center by 0800 hours. I am sure that Mr. Leeder can roll you there. You have a desk that you will be manning, I’ll fill you in on your duties at the morning briefing. Now if you will excuse me I have a ton of paperwork to deal with.” He saluted again and left with Colonel Phillips in tow.

The rest of the group stuck around bullshitting with me about the last couple of days and the trip to this base. It sounded like everyone had been given new ranks and put to work on the base. Someone knocked on the door then it opened and in came doctor Harmidi was taken aback at all my visitors. “Dan, good news. You can be discharged right away. If all of these nice people can wait in the hallway, we can get you unhooked from all these machines, remove your IV, and get you dressed.”

“That is the best news Doc. I would like Julie and my Sasquatch friend here to stay and help, if you don’t mind.”

He gave me a smile and agreed, then shooed the rest out the door. Two nurses came in and got to work unhooking me from the machines and removing my IV. Once done, the Doctor and nurses left me in capable hands. Julie and Brian worked together to get me out of the hospital gown and into my new uniform. I almost felt alive again. Brian lifted me up like a child and slid me into my new wheel chair. Julie leaned down and kissed me lightly, she knew I was putting up a brave face for everyone. I was still hurting deep inside, and feeling Angel’s loss more than I was willing to show. That little girl had always known when I needed her. If she’d been here she, would’ve climbed up onto my lap kissed my face and smiled at me. The thought of that, raised my heart-beat a little and I grinned slightly. I guess she didn’t completely leave me yet, after all. They wheeled me into the hallway and the team followed as I was taken outside. The sun kissed my face and I put my hand up for Brian to stop. He did and stood with his arms crossed waiting patiently. I enjoyed that brief moment of sun, and peace.

I was given a brief tour of the base, including the flight line. The place was packed with all sorts of aircraft, an army in their own right, of mechanics and specialists climbing over the fabulous sleek machines. Some noticed me and would stop what they were doing snap into attention and salute me. I just waved at them, not really into all the saluting and stuff. “I’m getting a little tired, and hungry.” I said.

Julie kneeled down in front of me. “Would you like to go to the chow line or to our new home and have someone bring you food?”

I chewed on my bottom lip for a while before answering. “Why don’t we all go eat as a family, then you can take me home, to rest.”

Brian tilted back my chair pivoted it into a new direction and pushed us into a jog. Everyone gave chase, laughing and hooting. It was the first time that I’d seen everyone so happy all at once. When we entered the cafeteria, we were met with open arms. The kitchen workers cleared us a space, so that we could eat together. Brian skipped the line-up and planted me and my chair in the head spot at the table. A cook came out of the back and placed a tray in front of me.

“Doctor Harmidi called in your special diet to us already. We have beef broth, and some soft potatoes for you. I was told no to the coffee, but your pet Sasquatch there threatened my life, if I didn’t bring you some.” He produced a carafe of coffee and a nice big ceramic mug. He poured the steaming beverage into it and slid the mug in front of me.

“Thank you, and I wouldn’t be too afraid of the hairy one. He’s really just a big teddy bear, rub his tummy if he tries to attack.” I stage whispered, so Brian would hear every word. The cook blanched and forced a laugh retreating back into the kitchen. I waited for our team to take their places and we ate. My Dad sat to my left, Julie to my right, and Brian right next to her. I sipped at my coffee and deemed it drinkable. I tried the beef broth and found it nice and salty. I dumped my potatoes in it, stirred, and ate them like I was a starved refugee. It was the best meal I had ever had.

Apache and Doc traded barbs and when they weren’t, Hase and Apache would hold hands and whisper to one another. It was nice to see that they’d found happiness with one another. I didn’t speak much, I ate and sipped my coffee, and enjoyed my team. No, not a team anymore, more like a family. I watched my Dad through the corner of my eye as he continuously stole looks at me. I stopped drinking, placed my mug down and placed my warm hand on his. He took it and smiled at me, tears threatening to break free. I don’t remember much of the conversation before I felt my eye-lids become heavy, and I fell asleep.

I awoke to Julie rubbing my head. I was lying on a nice comfortable bed in a bedroom that I didn’t believe belonged on an Army base. I was expecting a metal cot in a room full of people. Instead Julie and I had this one all to ourselves. “How did you sleep, sweetie?” I croaked out.

“Anytime I get to sleep next to you is a day in paradise, my love.”

When she said paradise, I had a twinge of lost run through me. I remembered the boat and island, and felt sad for a second. I must’ve shown it on my face as Julie asked. “What was that all about, hun? Tell me.”

I tried to brush it away as nothing, but this girl could read me better than a wide open book. I told her about my dream in the boat, how I was denied paradise. I told her about the dream with Kuppers, and how I had authorized something that had upset Kuppers. I told her how I missed Angel but could somehow still feel her pull. Julie listened to it all, then she wrapped her arms around me, being careful not to disturb my injuries. “You were not denied paradise hun. Sounds to me, that whatever you are needed for here, is more important. Paradise will be waiting for you, and I will be there with you, after we pass of old age. I will be your rock and your confidant.”

She rolled off the bed and came around with my chair. I waved her off and slowly worked myself to a sitting position on the bed, the pain so far was manageable, I just felt stiff. I tried to stand, but my legs felt sore, yet numb, as if wrapped in three feet of gauze. Julie offered me her hands and I took them. Using her strength, I forced myself to stand. When I felt stronger and more assured of myself, I let go and took a small step. The legs listened and I didn’t fall on my face, so I took another tentative one. I would master this walking thing, no way was I going to spend more time in that chair than I had to. She stood by my side offering to help if I needed it. I made it to the bathroom and took my first pee standing up that I’d had in eons, or so it felt. She used a wash cloth to help me wash myself then while she got dressed, I took it upon myself to put my own clothes on

I was pretty close to being dressed when Julie stepped into the room dressed in a dark green skirt and white blouse, Army-issued uniform, I guessed. I had managed to get my boxers on and blue trousers with a yellow line down the outside of the leg. I had somehow wormed into an undershirt and got the white blouse shirt on, but had problems buttoning it. Julie came over and took care of them for me, and helped me with socks and shiny shoes. I felt a little funny in these clothes. I was happy in my Khakis and polo shirt, although I was fond of the BDUs or battle dress uniform that soldiers across the world wore.