Chapter 22 : Africa – Afrique

Mat took his position to the west of the swarm and took a steadying breath. This was not something new either for him or his team. His trusted riffle was clean; his desert eagles were ready, his sword oiled and his new batons more than strong enough to take care of any close menace. Looking in his scope, we silently whistled. From the back, there was more than about fifty Z’; more like three time this amount. Pride could not play any part when dealing with Z’s so he called backup and informed his team to switch to a defensive formation. No sense in risking anyone’s safety.

Mat looked around to get to a vantage point where he could start evening the odds while the 12th platoon was on its way to help them. In the last year, every recon mission was a failure. Where there was only 2 or 3 Z’s, one could be certain that there would be at least 24. When over thousands were expected, only 6 or 10 showed up. But the worst part of it is that these “mistakes” were chaotic! For a month, everything would be perfect, than nothing made sense anymore. Now, the higher ups did not take any chances: there was always at least 1 unit in backup.

Mat analyzed the situation. Their current position was good, but not the best. He checked his map and found a slight rise with a shear drop at the north of it. It would do for a fall back position. Calling the order, Mat started to shoot at the swarm, effectively getting their attention. The majority of the Z’s turned toward him and started to walk, crawl and limp in his direction. Mat shot a few more time to make certain that they would continue in his direction and started to retreat to the rendezvous point.

Walking at a brisk paste, Mat noticed a Pride of Lions shadowing the monsters. Obviously, they recognized the danger but since the Z’s never attacked animals, it was more as a safety measure, or so he thought. But he had more things to think of than a dozen lions. The fact that behind the first swarm, half a mile away, at least the double of what was in front was converging toward him. Mathiew Andrews, he thought, you have the damnest luck to get in the worst problems!!!! And or situation. Now, get moving before they get to you!

Mat sat in a tree all the while earring the Z’S getting closer and closer. Finally, they were ready and motivated. His orders were quite simple: kill Z, avoid danger, and retreat if needed. He would get out of there on his own term. And then, there was no more time for talk, only for action.

Back at “camp”, the other Hunters looked at each other and sighed. There was nothing to do. They had their own menace to face even though the odds were better than earlier. But Z was coming faster now and it was hungry for flesh.

Ok lads, lock and load, called Thompson, we have company and it would be nice of us to give a hand to our captain who obviously think of himself as a hero. So start shooting when in range and don’t forget to pick our targets. We don’t have an unlimited supply of ammo and we have to avoid close combat at all cost!
Lee turned toward Thompson has he walked toward them and showed him the screen of the area. More than 700 Z’s were on their way. Thompson looked at the tall black woman almost in the eyes and raised an eyebrow in question. She simply sighed and refreshed the screen for the tall Scottish. Nothing changed. There was a lot of THEM and not enough of us. ETA before reinforcement was 25 minutes. Until them, they had to hold the fort. Parkson helped Brown to put everything back in the Humvee all the while earring the Z’S getting closer and closer. Finally, they were ready and moved out.

After what seemed like an eternity, they got to the place where their back would be protected and where the terrain would make certain that the Z’s could only get to them not to many at the time. Having about five minutes to spare, Thompson and Brown installed sand bag to create a funnel to further help them. And then, it was shooting time.

Brown got back in position at the top of the Humvee’s shooting turret, Thompson took the left side and Parkson the right. Smith went inside the Humvee to offer support and ammo whenever needed and Lee protected the center of their formation.

Halfblooded decaying masses of putrid flesh came in view. The smell was overpowering. And Brown gagged, almost barfing her last meal on the head of his comrades. Instead, the little blond hair girl concentrated on killing the one nearest them and making certain that any Z not going for the “funnel” was killed. She called ammo as fast as he killed. 1 hit, one kill was her motto.

Asking for their ammo status, Parkson winced when she heard the bad news: there was enough ammo to kill around 55 Z’s more. After that it was close combat. And no one wanted that but…what had to be done had to be done. The humans would be kept in the Humvee and the others would do their best.

Their only hope was for their reinforcement to come and fast…