Free Ragnarok Rising: The Awakening (Book One of The Ragnarok Rising Saga) by D.A. Roberts Page B

giving him a sour look.
    Grabbing her M-16, she gave me a nod.
    “Are you sure you want to do this, Wylie?” asked Southard. “No one would blame you for not getting involved. We can just drive away. We don’t have enough people to mount a rescue.”
    Yes , I’m sure. People are alive in there. I won’t just leave them to die.”
    Southard shook his head, but checked his weapons over and got ready.
    “So, what’s the plan?” asked Spec-4.
    “Well,” I said, “if we’re going to do this, then we might as well do it right.”
    “What have you got in mind?” asked Southard.
    After a moment’s hesitation, I exhaled slowly.
    “Here’s what I’m thinking. I only count sixty or so.”
    “Yeah, only sixty fucking zombies,” said Southard. “No sweat.”
    “As long as we don’t let them get too close to us, we might just pull this off and get out of it alive. Spec-4…uh...sorry…Wilder, you take the turret with your M-16. Chuck, you pop out on your side and use the hood as a rest for yours. Make your shots count, folks. There’re civilians in there.”
    “You do remember that we took on less than that back at the road block and lost three people, right?” said Spec-4.
    “I remember,” I replied, “but last time they weren’t distracted. They won’t know we’re here until we’re already shooting. If they get too close, we’ll button down inside the Humvee.”
    “What about me?” asked EMT.
    “You cover that side, and protect Southard. I’ll cover this side and do the same for Wilder. Got it?”
    “Why don’t I take that side and you cover Southard?” said EMT.
    “Because I’m driving and it makes more sense to keep me on this side of the vehicle.”
    “I can drive,” said EMT.
    “Have you ever driven a Humvee?” asked Spec-4.
    “Well, er, uh, does playing Call of Duty count?” he asked.
    “No,” said Spec-4, contemptuously.
    “Well then, no ,” said EMT, looking down.
    “Well, I have,” I s aid. “So have both Wilder and Southard. But they have the rifles and their own assignments.”
    “Fine, I’ll cover this freakin’ side,” said EMT, pouting.
    “Ok, then. On three,” I said. “One. Two. THREE!”
    We all jumped out of the vehicle and Spec-4 popped out of the turret hatch. I let the Mossberg hang by its strap around my neck and pulled my Glocks. Spec-4 fired first, and a zombie head exploded just as it reached a running woman. Southard and I followed suit.
    “Make your shots count,” I yelled at the group. “Conserve your ammo!”
    I took a few steps away from the side of the Humvee and brought up both pistols. This time, I wasn’t nearly as scared. I controlled my breathing better and took my shots with more care. When my slides locked back, I’d taken out 10 zombies for 30 rounds expended. I could live with that. I quickly started swapping mags.
    “Wylie, look out!” yelled Spec-4.
    I spun as fast as I could and barely evaded the grasp of a female zombie wearing a Springfield Police Uniform. She was torn to shreds. What was left of her face was held on to her skull with only loose strands of flesh. The muscle of her neck had been eaten away, revealing the vertebrae behind it. Ragged bites were taken out of both of her arms and she was even missing a couple of fingers.
    I didn’t have time to reload my Glocks . Before I could release the pistols to grab my Mossberg, Spec-4 dropped her with a snap-shot with her M-16. The shot traversed the head from left ear to right ear, blasting brains and gore across the pavement. She dropped like a stone, twitching a few times before all movement ceased. I stood there a moment with my chest heaving to catch my breath.
    A quick glance told me that both Southard and Spec-4 were OK, but I didn’t see EMT anywhere. I flashed Spec-4 a quick smile, and rapidly scanned around me for threats. Then I reloaded both Glocks. That’s the trouble with shooting two pistols at the same time. Reloading’s a bitch. I made a mental note to