Free Eastern Front: Zombie Crusade IV by J.W. Vohs Page A

reinforcements on the way and the bridge is ready to blow, Carter will lead Marcus, Bobby, and David on down the river. I’m gonna ask Lori to organize another bridge-blowing team and have them flown down ASAP. ”
    He looked at Carter before continuing, “ You guys can head on down the Mississippi while she takes care of all the destruction; we really need to know what’s going on along that river.”
    At this point David interrupted, “So you’re saying that we just switched from trying to save our asses to fighting for the entire country? You know I have a baby on the way, right?”
    In some ways Luke was closer with David than Jack was, and he answered the question first. “We’ve always been fighting for the country, David, the whole world, actually. Your baby will never survive if we don’t stop Barnes. Sooner or later he’s gonna get his shot at us. Do you want to fight that battle in Fort Wayne or along the Mississippi?”
    Da vid grew quiet, but his jaw twitched rhythmically before he released a long breath. “You’re right, but it’s a lot for me to digest so quickly. I guess if we lose in the south, Christy and everyone else will have the time to evacuate down the Maumee and try their luck on the Lake Erie islands.”
    Jack squeezed his little brother’s shoulder in reassurance, “Everything we’re doing down here is for our people back home. This war we’re fighting is gonna have at least two phases. We have to stop Barnes, and anyone else, from organizing the hunters into huge forces and overwhelming the groups of survivors in the country. Then we have to reclaim the land from the packs that are getting smarter and stronger every day. I doubt that we’ll see the end of the war in our lifetimes. As long as the infection remains alive in the world , we’ll never be completely safe from it. Bottom line is that we have to stop Barnes before we can do anything else.”
    David knew his brother was right. “Yeah , I get the picture. What do you need me to do?”
     
     
    “Well, out with it—what does Luke need to know?” Gracie’s voice was shaking as she looked from Christy to Vickie.
    Christy didn’t miss a beat. “Actually, you both should know.” The color drained from Vickie’s face, and she opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. Christy sounded reassuring, “I don’t want to put a damper on anyone’s potential happiness, but we really do need Father O’Brien to do some scouting farther north. I know you and Luke were planning on getting married as soon as possible, but it will probably take several weeks or more to locate some isolated islands we could use if we need to retreat from here. We shouldn’t rely completely on Middle Bass.”
    Gracie looked skeptical. “We won’t have several weeks to wait if Barnes makes it across the Ohio.”
    “I have faith that our guys will succeed—at least in slowing him down. It would be foolish of us to assume we won’t need a back-up plan, and some options for a northern hideaway could be the perfect solution.” She looked at Vickie. “The good doctor here pointed out that surviving a northern winter requires planning and preparing. We should start the process as soon as possible. Father O’Brien is an experienced navigator—I think he’s our best choice.”
    “That makes sense. I understand, and Luke will too.” Gracie started setting up a meal on the table in front of Christy. “Now you eat. I’ll contact Father O’Brien and let him know what we need.” She smiled at Vickie. “Ever since you guys saved me in Cleveland, you all have been my family. When Luke and I do get married, I want you and Christy to stand up with me. I think bridesmaids’ dresses are out of the question, so you got lucky there. Anyway, you’re both so beautiful I would have put you in strapless fuchsia monstrosities with big bows and polka dots to make sure you didn’t upstage me.”
    Christy laughed, “Well, at least the apocalypse was good