Z-Day Chronicles: Genesis

Chapter 7

Settling in at the Norfolk Naval Base took roughly three days. After a unanimous decision by officials, the draft was put in place. Dylan Harrison was selected in the draft, but was exempted, as per Jake's request.

Commander Miller assigned Jake to lead a squad composing of four other militia: Petty Officer Third Class Matthew Stewart, Corporal Jeremy Polanski of the National guard, Sergeant Brandon Peterson of the Marine Corps, and S.W.A.T. Sergeant Arnold Lancaster, whom Jake reunited with after parting ways during the mandatory evacuation.

The squad was running a mandatory patrol a hundred yards from the base when overhearing some shots being fired in the distance.

"Coming from the city?" Matthew asked.

"I doubt it," Jake answered. "Sound's way too close."

"I got a bad feeling," Arnold admitted.

"Me too. Hang tight for a moment."

The squad began hearing more shots fired, followed by distant screams of men, women, and children.

"That's coming from the base!" Jake shouted. "Move out!"

Jake was then contacted by commander Miller through his radio, confirming his suspicions.

"Riley!" Miller exclaimed. "The base has been overrun! We need you and your men to rally to the main gate now!"

"Already on the way!" Jake responded.

Jake and his squad arrived at the main gate to see a mosaic of dead sailors, civilians, and zombies scattered everywhere. Blood and gore covered the concrete they stepped over. Jake looked ahead and saw zombies heading straight for him. As he and his squad began firing rounds at many of the undead, Miller and his squad met up with Jake and assisted in battling the overbearing hoard. More zombies began piling around them, pushing them back.

"Dammit!" Miller shouted. "This base can't take much more, so we need to get these civilians out of here! My team is evacuating at the shipyard in Portsmouth. You and your men to go to the helipad and see to it that the choppers evac safely. Then you need to take the next chopper and get the hell out of here!"

Jake and his squad made their way to the helipads, firing at any decomposing zombie that crossed their path. As they neared the helipads, Jake saw zombies chasing Cassandra and Dylan.

"Contact!" Jake shouted as he pointed towards the zombies inching closer to Dylan and Cassandra.

The squad began to open fire and eliminated the group of zombies chasing the two.

"Cassandra! Dylan!" Jake exclaimed. "How come you're haven't evacuated yet?!"

"We were looking for you!" Cassandra screamed. "Those things are everywhere!"

"Follow me, and don't look back!"

Jake gave the order for the squad to surround Cassandra and Dylan, providing covering fire as everyone made their way to the last Black-hawk that was still grounded.

"Pilot!" Jake called out. "Still have room for two more?"

"You're in luck, sir!" The pilot answered.

"Get these two civilians out of here!" Jake ordered, referring to Cassandra and Dylan. "My team and I will provide covering fire while you lift off! There's another Black-hawk that's supposed to be waiting at the shipyard in Portsmouth! If we're not there within two hours, leave without us!"

"Yessir!" the pilot replied.

Jake turned his eyes to Cassandra. "I already know where you guys are heading to! If you leave Portsmouth before I get there, then I'll see you again in Fort Benning, Georgia!"