David Bernstein - Machines of the Dead

Jack couldn’t breathe.

Both undead were heading Zaun’s way, their pace quickening slightly. The female zombie kicked something metal with its foot and the item clanged loudly as it skidded along the ground.

Jack cringed, hoping the sound hadn’t traveled into the street. Zaun was backing up, leading the undead farther into the alley. There were only two, and Jack had no doubt that his friend could take care of them with ease. Hell, the guy had taken out most of the zombies in the building, what were two more.

Then another member of the undead, stumbling like a drunk, came from the street. Others quickly followed it. Within seconds, the undead completely blocked the entranceway. They were like sharks; when one smelled blood so did all the others.

“Get back here,” Jack yelled, realizing there was no point in keeping quiet. Zaun retreated and was by Jack’s side in moments. The undead were slow, but they were coming.

“Forget that thing,” Jack told him, referring to the sword, and handed Zaun the shotgun. Jack took aim with the rifle and began firing into the approaching horde.

As the two unloaded their weapons, turning heads into dust, the undead went down, the lead bodies tripping up the others, slowing the mass even more. But like an unrelenting force they kept coming. The numbers were just too great.

“Get up that rope,” Zaun yelled over the sound of gunfire. “Get out of here.”

Jack ignored him, and kept on shooting.

They kept firing into the crowd of undead, keeping them at bay until the guns only clicked, and there were no more clips left.

“You should’ve gone up,” Zaun said, holding his sword, the shotgun tossed to the ground.

“Screw that,” Jack said, wondering where the hell the guards were. They should have been here by now. Maybe they saw the gate was open, or saw the horde coming, and decided it was too dangerous to risk a rescue.

With the hungry, undead horde closing in, Zaun turned to Jack. “Well if this is it, it was a pleasure knowing you, Jack.”

With his back against the wall, death all but imminent, Jack’s mind raced with thoughts. There was still so much left that he needed to do. So much undone. A short time ago, he didn’t wish to go on without Jess. But that’s how most people felt when a loved one passed. And the best way to honor her was to live. Now, facing down the mass of undead, he wanted to live more than ever. He needed to see his mission through; get Zaun to safety. He needed to see his sister again, help her this time, get her out of that abusive relationship. And he needed to see the Manhattan Armageddon put to a stop. He wanted to be there when every last bot, those mindless little fuckers, perished.

With the undead closing in, Jack shut his eyes and prayed. He wasn’t sure he believed in a higher power. He knew the universe was too complex to “just be, ” but he had never taken the time to explore his beliefs. So he prayed; prayed for a way out of the impending doom.

The sound of squeaking metal filled Jack’s ears over the shuffle and hum-like sounds the undead were giving off. Opening his eyes, he saw the double doors parting. Then the guards, dressed in their black fatigues, carrying machine guns, came up the stairs. They formed a wall and began firing into the crowd. Memories of that horrible Brooklyn Bridge massacre filled Jack’s mind, but only for a second. He saw Kevin among the machine gun toting soldiers. He hadn’t thought of them as such, but that’s what they were, soldiers. Soldiers performing their duties as guards.

The line of guards was aiming high, aiming for the zombies’ heads, disintegrating them. If the scene wasn’t so horrendous, Jack thought it would be beautiful. Turning his head to the stairwell, movement catching his eye, he saw Chambers at the top of the stairs. He was yelling and motioning for Jack to come to him.

Zaun was enthralled by the carnage, a grin on his face. Jack knew his friend was a little different than most, a hyperactive, emotional guy, but seeing his expression was almost scary. Jack nudged him, then pointed to Chambers.

Soon Jack and Zaun were underground, just below the street, listening to the awesome sounds of gunfire. Jack thought single burst would have made more sense, aiming at the heads, but guessed they were doing a quick not-worried-about-ammo rescue mission. The machine gun fire began to lessen as the guards came down the stairs, Chambers the last to arrive as the doors swung shut.

Silence swallowed the group as everyone composed themselves.

Finally, Zaun spoke up, “Damn, you guys came just in time.”

“Yeah, thanks. To each and every one of you,” Jack told the room.

“I hate to ask, because we aren’t going back up there, but is that it, Jack?” Chambers asked. “A plus one?”

He nodded. “Whole building was gone. Everyone dead.”

Chambers seemed to be thinking something over, then said, “All right, everyone. Good work up there. Head back down, take an hour, then back to your posts.”

The guards left, leaving Chambers, Jack, and Zaun to take the elevator. “Where are we heading?” Zaun asked.

“To the containment room,” Chambers answered. “We need to make sure you’re not carrying any of them little critters around inside you.”

When the elevator came to a stop, Guard Devon Witherspoon was waiting to take their weapons.

“It’s protocol,” Chambers said. “You aren’t military and Doctor Reynolds doesn’t want just anyone running around with weapons.”

Jack nodded, and gave up the guns.

“The sword too,” Chambers said.

“Hell no. This stays with me.”

“That’s fine,” Chambers said, crossing his arms over his massive chest. “But then you don’t stay with us. Doc’s house; doc’s rules.”

“Hand it over, Zaun,” Jack told his friend, and he did, reluctantly giving the sword to Chambers.

“They’ll be in the arsenal, safe and sound.”

They followed Chambers to the containment room, Zaun entering first, Jack hesitating.

“Jack?” Chambers asked.

“I’m okay,” he said, then walked in. The door closed behind them, making Jack jump.

“What’s up?” Zaun asked. “This going to hurt?”

“No. They just zap the room with an EMP. You won’t feel a thing.”

“So what’s…” Zaun paused. “Oh, this is the room where Jess.. where she died?”

“No, she was already dead by the time she was here. This is where I last saw her body, before I fried the little bastards inside of her.”

“Sorry man,” Zaun said, putting a hand on Jack’s shoulder.

“Thanks.”

A small hole opened in the ceiling and a silver sphere, attached by a metal arm, lowered into the room.

“Is it disco time?” Zaun asked.

The lights dimmed, and the sphere began to glow red. A bass-like blast echoed around the room. Before Jack knew it, the lights came back on and the silver sphere retracted back into the ceiling. The door to the room opened, and Chambers told them that they were all set.

“Jack,” the man said, “ Dr. Reynolds would like to have a word with you in his room.”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. What about Zaun?”

“Mr. Van Pelt will be escorted to his room, and a guard will be posted outside his door, for now.”

“What am I, a criminal?” Zaun asked.

“Relax,” Jack told him. “They don’t know you. Once they do a thorough background check, like they did with me, you’ll be fine.”

“No background checks, Jack,” Chambers said. “We’re self-contained now. No internet, but don’t worry, I’m sure Dr. Reynolds will give your friend the run of the place in no time.”

“Okay, buddy,” Zaun said to Jack. “Don’t want to upset our hosts. I’ll behave. You go see this doctor and I’ll catch you in a bit. I need a shower and a nap.” Turning to Chambers, he asked, “You guys have showers, right?”