Free Orpheus: Homecoming (The Orpheus Trilogy Book 2) by Dan DeWitt Page B

said. "Why aren't they dropping?"
    "Need headshots, or to just blow them apart," Tim said as he slammed on the brakes again and parked next to the last command center. "That shit was in the briefing. And every zombie movie ever." He opened the moon roof, grabbed his rifle, and added his own firepower to the effort.
    German said, "I'm getting some of this!" and joined Tim up top.
    Tino mentally kicked himself for acting like a rookie. He grabbed his rifle, but there wasn't any room. Instead, he rolled down his window and fired from there. Lena did the same, though she was more tentative.
    The bodies began to drop.
    Tim looked at his teammates in between shots. German fired quickly and accurately. He seemed to be able to put it pretty much anywhere he wanted it to go. Tino was firing from a slightly more awkward position, but still scored center mass hits, which allowed others to finish off zombies with headshots.
    Lena, on the other hand, was technically tasked as civilian emergency-combat support, but Orpheus expected everyone to be able to handle a weapon if necessary. Tim looked for her muzzle flashes. She fired much more slowly than the trained soldiers, but if he was tracking her accurately, she was doing pretty well.
    Satisfied, Tim turned his attention back to the oncoming horde, having completed his role as bait for hopefully the last time.
     
    O
     
    Once the vehicles had stopped, Orpheus scrambled up a ladder and stood atop a Rhino. He held up a hand, wanting the din to quiet down. When most of the soldiers didn't immediately comply, he yelled, "What the fuck are you celebrating? We're not even at the school yet!" That got their attention. When he was satisfied that they were listening, he continued in a lower, but no less commanding, voice. "What did I say about never letting up?" He pointed at the writhing mass of zombies who still advanced, despite their crippled bodies. "Look at them. They're not done. And more are heading for us right now, drawn by the shots. They will never stop unless you stop them. WE. ARE. NOT. SAFE. HERE. Understand?"
    A chorus of yessirs rang out.
    He continued to scan the faces and said, "Lieutenant?"
    On cue, Tim got out of his SUV and twirled his index finger in the air. "Three guys on top of each Rhino acting as lookouts. Everybody else out." Soldiers streamed out of the vehicles. "Let's finish them. Don't assume anything. Hey, Fish?"
    "Yo."
    "What's that saying you came up with?"
    "Saying?"
    "I thought you had something catchy for this, like 'Two in the crown keeps them down'?"
    Fish looked at Ethan. "You know what he's talking about?"
    Ethan shrugged. "No idea. But that's terrible."
    "I hate you clowns." He addressed the soldiers on the ground. "Just shoot all of them twice in the head. Even if they look done."
    The soldiers did as instructed, and the stillness that had descended on the area as the first fusillade had died down was once again interrupted by sporadic two-shot bursts. Orpheus, who had maintained his elevated position, couldn't help but be reminded of a bag of microwave popcorn that had just about finished popping.
    His eyes darted from man to man, looking for any signs of hesitation or other red flags. They'd handled themselves well, and Orpheus patted himself on the back for introducing them to the zombies from the safety of the vehicles. That had no doubt shocked most of them, but they were fortunate that they'd been able to engage so soon after. In his experience, once there was a clear target, nerves tended to settle down.
    The first true test came when a smaller pack of zombies burst from the woods. Orpheus thought he was the only one to notice (he considered it his job to notice everything), but the soldiers watching the perimeter handled the threat quickly and efficiently. The zombies never got within thirty yards of anyone.
    Orpheus didn't let himself relax, but he did unclench his teeth.
    He was never worried about his family or friends. They were as