John Holmes - Even Zombie Killers Get the Blues

The crew chief of the helo directed the pilot to set the tail end into the water, and we struggled up onto the lowered ramp, pulling Brit’s body with us. Doc pushed me out of the way, listened to her heart, then started to perform chest compressions. I pinched her nose and started forcing air into her lungs.

The helo rose in a smooth arc and headed north. Ahmed leaned out of the side door, firing steadily into the crowd of zombies until we were out of range. Mya was wrapping Redshirt in some blankets while holding up a new IV. The crew chief was hurriedly working on the wiring, where a short had sent sparks arching onto the floor. It smelled of blood, cordite and aviation fuel.

Brit suddenly coughed. A ton of water shot out of her mouth, then she vomited on me and started making choking sounds. Doc rolled her on her side and cleared her mouth out with his fingers, then started tying a bandage around her waist where her gunshot wound had opened up.

I sat on the deck of the helo and cradled her head in my lap as we thundered up river to Fort Orange. After a few minutes, she opened her eyes and said something I couldn’t hear over the roar of the twin turbines. I leaned closer.

“If you wanted to kiss me that bad, all you had to do was ask, you stupid ass.”

The End.

Or maybe not…

I would like to thank K for her editing and medical advice, and unwavering support. I’d also like to give thanks to every fan of EZKGTB who sharpshooted (sharpshot? Sharpshotted?) the chapters and waited patiently as each was published.

If you have enjoyed reading about Nick, Brit and the guys, please follow their further adventures on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/EZKGTB

Also check out Power Point Ranger comics at www.pptranger.netand www.facebook.com/powerpointranger

Last, drop by and check out the guys at U.S. Army Zombie Combat Command!

11BInfantryman

1SGFirst Sergeant, usually the highest ranking NCO in a line unit

1st CAV1st Cavalry Division

40 MM40 Millimeter Grenades, fired from a grenade launcher

5 TonUnarmored Cargo truck

9 LineRequest for MEDVAC

ACUArmy Combat Uniform, the grey camouflage fielded by the Army in 2005

AFNArmed Forces Network (military television & radio)

AITAdvanced Individual Training, where you learn your job skill after basic training

Allah Akbar (sp)"God Is Great", shouted by the enemy as they attacked Americans

AOArea of Operations

Apache / AH-64Helicopter Gunship

ARCOMArmy Commendation Medal

BAHBasic Allowance for Housing (non taxable money soldiers get for living off base)

BCUsually Battalion Commander, a Lieutenant Colonel

BCTBasic Combat Training

Blackhawk / UH-60Transport Helicopter

Bronze StarMedal

CASClose Air Support

Chinook / CH-47Transport Helicopter

CHUContainerized Housing Unit, basically a 10 x 20 trailer that housed up to 8 soldiers at a time.

Company3 to 4 (or more) platoons

COPCombat Out Post, a smaller version of a FOB

CordonEnclose an area

CQCharge of Quarters - A desk manned 24 hours

CSHCombat Support Hospital. The first place a casualty goes to be treated

CSMCommand Sergeant Major, the senior enlisted soldier in a large unit

DFACDining Facility

DOWDied Of Wounds

FAField Artillery

Fart SackSleeping Bag

FOBForward Operating Base

FobbitA soldier who does not engage in combat

GerberMulti tool (pliers, knife, etc.)

Green BeansA popular coffee shop on the FOBs

GruntInfantryman

HajiGI slang for Iraqis

hescoDirt filled barriers

Hummer, Humvee4 wheel drive Armored Truck

IDFIndirect Fire. Mortars or Artillery

IEDImprovised Explosive Device

KevlarHelmet

KIAKilled in Action

LandstuhlLandstuhl Army Medical Center in Germany. First stop for serious casualties.

LZHelicopter Landing Zone

M-14Semi-automatic 7.63 assault rifle, usually used as a sniper rifle

M-165.56 mm assault rifle

M-1A1, M-1A2Abrams Tank

M2, aka Ma Deuce12.7 mm machine gun, mounted in a turret

M-20340mm grenade launcher mounted under an M-4 or M-16

M247.62 mm sniper rifle

M240B7.62mm machine gun, either carried or mounted in a turret

M2495.56 mm machine gun, usually carried

M2A1Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle

M-45.56 mm assault rifle, a shorter version of the M-16

M-99mm pistol carried by many soldiers

MEDEVACMedical Evacuation (usually by helicopter)

MEPSMilitary Entrance Processing Station where you join the military

MGSMobile Guns System, a 105mm cannon mounted on a Stryker

MIMilitary Intelligence

MK-19, Mark-19Vehicle mounted automatic 40mm grenade launcher

MOSMilitary Occupation Specialty

MPMilitary Police

MRAPMine Resistant Armored Patrol vehicle

NCOICSergeant in Charge

NVGNight Vision Goggles

OICOfficer In Charge

OPObservation Post. Usually a 2 or 3 man position in front of the main defensive position

OPCON(ed)When one unit is placed under another unit not normally in their chain of command

PAPhysicians' Assistant

PAXPassenger Terminal at a military airbase

Pisserlatrine

PKMRussian made medium Machine Gun

PLPlatoon Leader (Usually a newly commissioned officer)

Platoon4 to 5 squads

POG (or Pogue)See Fobbit, usually anyone not in a combat MOS

PSDPersonal Security Detachment

PSGPlatoon Sergeant (Usually a Senior NCO)

PTPhysical Training

PTSDPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PXPost Exchange, the base shopping center

R & RRest & Relaxation, either two weeks home in the States or a three day pass in Qatar

Rear DetachmentParts of a unit that remain behind at home base for administrative services.

RPGRocket Propelled Grenade

SAW (M-249)Squad Automatic Weapon, a light machine gun firing the same ammunition as an M-16/M-4

SFCSergeant First Class, senior NCO in a Platoon

Shi'ite.One of the two main sects of Islam. Majority of the Iraqi population

SITREPSituation Report