Better off Undead

Chapter 12: Through the Gates

Marshall, or perhaps more accurately, Devin, had not been terribly far off in their prediction. Before half an hour had passed they were pulling off the highway and onto a side road that circled under a bridge to take them southwest.

"That must be it," Jay said after a long moment of silence.

Around them, the trees gave way to a long, grassy field. In the distance, they could see a dark structure that was probably a large gate. "Seems like a strange place for a military base," Eli commented. As they pulled closer the base became clearer, and inside the gate they could see a complex of buildings. "And a strange design for one, too," he added.

"Yeah," Jay agreed. "Look at all those windows. It looks more like an office building than a military complex."

The caravan pulled off onto a side street, and followed a path to an entrance gate. They came to a stop, and Marshall and someone in an army uniform climbed out of the lead car. They stood conversing for some time and looking around as if searching for something. "We're locked out," Eli exclaimed in annoyance. "We came all this way, and they didn't even have a plan for getting in to the place."

"I've been on a few military bases," Stephen said from the back seat. "There will be another entrance, one easier to access. I'm sure Devin knows that."

As if on cue, the two outside turned around and headed back to their car. Marshall made a gesture to the remaining vehicles to follow after him, then climbed back up into the driver's seat. They followed along the gate, rounding a corner and heading further along the base. One of the buildings loomed up before them: a large, three story building with no markings and tall, dark windows on the upper two floors. Just before they reached it the gate opened up into a parking lot, with only a guard booth and two drop arms from vehicle barriers blocking their path.

"Well, this certainly is an easier way in," Eli said grimly.

"Yeah, if you don't count the zombies," Jay agreed.

Spread across the parking lot, a number of the creatures roamed about with no apparent direction. Eli calculated that it was at least two dozen, maybe more. "Great," he growled, "just great. Excellent plan you guys came up with."

"Hey, don't blame me," Jay responded defensively. "I didn't come up with it."

Ignoring him, Eli threw the car into park and climbed out. Up ahead, the drivers of the other vehicles were doing the same thing. The zombies did not seem to notice the new arrivals yet, but it was probably only a matter of time before the entire horde came bearing down on them. Eli stepped up to Marshall and the army man. "You're Devin, I'm assuming?" he asked the second man.

"That's right."

"Is there another way in?"

The black man shook his head and shrugged his broad shoulders. "I don't know. I was only here once, and that was only briefly. I didn't get too familiar with the base. But my guess would be that this here is gonna be our best bet. If we just get the arms up, we can drive the vehicles straight up to the building."

"And then hope the army of monsters doesn't decide to attack us while we force the door?" Eli commented bitterly, but Devin was shaking his head before the younger man even finished his sentence.

"That door, there," Devin said, pointing to a door about halfway along the building. "That's where we should go. We can get the SUVs all lined up to form a barricade around the door. Two of the SUVs can drive right up to the wall, and the third can close up the gap between them, making a nice little square."

Eli stood silent for a moment, staring off into the distance. "Good plan," he found himself forced to admit. "At least, for those of you already in the SUVs."