Free Awakening: Parables From The Apocalypse - Dystopian Fiction by Norman Christof Page A

more concerned with the other two.”
    “Exactly.  There’s something different about her.  We don’t know what, but if it’s Christa we’ve got a really big problem.”
    Rabban passed the final picture to Chaz.  It showed a gutted Captain Willie sprawled over the deck, with the girl and one of the zombies yelling at each other.
    “If this is what we think it is, if one of those zombies killed Willie, their controller, then we have the makings of a major disaster on our hands. Really major. It’s apocalyptic, warmongering, riots in the streets, government toppling shit.  We haven’t had a zombie attack in six years.  Not since the war ended. This entire country’s economic growth and development is based on a master-slave relationship with these doped-up zombies. The guy on the rescue team that was looking for this boat and his entire department that found this image for us are now in double confinement in that prison you just left.  This is serious stuff.  We cannot let this get out.  We need the people and the zombies that were on that boat, and we need them now.”
    Chaz shifted in his seat.  “Maybe you need more than just a couple of guys tracking this down.”
    Rabban ran his fingers through his hair.  “You heard what I just said, right? Nobody else can know about this.  If it were up to me, you’d be doing this solo without your sidekick Alex.  The regent agreed to you taking him because he has a history with the girl.  She thinks he could be helpful once you find her, but he’s a liability in my mind.”
     
    Chaz sighed as Rabban opened the door.  “There’s no time for indecision here, Colonel.  We’ll need a progress report in twenty-four hours, and every six hours after that.”  As Rabban stepped out of the car he said to the driver, “Move your ass, son.  That man’s on a mission and he needs to get home.”

Reunited
    Chaz waited all alone for his old friend in the conference room of the military wing at Fort Knox.  I’m not sure how to break this to him exactly.  I know he’s going to be unsure at first, but I owe it to him to help him out of this mess.  There’s no way I can just leave that kid all alone sweeping floors for the rest of his life.  He needs to get out and do some good.  He’s a fighter and a survivor who’s just run into a tough spot.  I’m sure that once he gets a chance to prove to himself what he’s capable of he’ll come back around.
     
    Chaz heard a knock, and the door to the conference room opened.  Matt held open the door as Alex followed him in.
    Alex smiled upon seeing him. “Hey, Chaz, where you been?  Haven’t seen you for a few days.”
    Chaz got up to pull out a chair and motioned to Alex to have a seat.  Matt nodded at Chaz and gave him a smile.  “Nice to see you up and about again.  Try not to overdo things too much.  Your right leg still looks a bit stiff.  You’re still doing the exercises I gave you, right?”
    Rubbing his leg, Chaz answered, “Yes, sir, Doc.  Every day just like you taught me.”
    Matt smiled and walked towards the door.  “It’s a good thing you’re doing here, Colonel.  Just hope it’s nothing too strenuous for either of you.”
     
    Matt left, and Alex took the seat next to Chaz. 
    “What’s he talking about, Colonel?”
    Rubbing his stubbly face, Chaz replied, “Well, Alex, there’s this little thing I need to do, and I was hoping you could help me out.  It could get a bit strenuous, but I figure it would be good for the both of us to get out and stretch our legs some.”
    “I don’t know, Colonel.  I’m pretty busy these days.  One of the guys on our staff got transferred out the other day, and we’re all picking up extra shifts.  I don’t think the general would let me go too far.  Do we have to leave the fort?  He’s been pretty adamant about keeping me here for as long as he can.”
    “You don’t need to worry too much about the general on this one.  I’ve kind