Surviving The Zombie Apocalypse (Book 3): Salvation by Joshua Jared Scott

to move.”
    “Is she
going to stop by?” asked Xavier. “I haven’t seen her in weeks.”
    “Maybe.
Now, as I was saying…” Gikas clearly did not like being interrupted, especially
by someone who for all intents was well below his position and rank. “…she
caught sight using the thermal imagery cameras we installed in her plane. They
are primarily in rocky areas, some with ravines and possibly caves, all with
plenty of trees for cover. We are also still trying to determine where their
families and children are. For those reasons, we haven’t tried bombing them.”
    “I’ll
start scouting too,” promised Xavier, “once I get the gear put on my chopper.”
    That
earned him the tiniest of nods.
    “Based
on where they are at present, which is roughly where they were the last time
you were here, we believe they will seek to enter Yellowstone through this area
or possibly somewhere adjacent. I’m going to be hanging around indefinitely to confirm
you are ready for an attack, should they get around us and target you at some
point.”
    “We’ll
be ready,” I said, “be assured of that.”
    “Good.
The Yellowstone militia and regular soldiers stationed here will be coming by
over the next few days. Most will be carting in supplies for you to store:
food, ammunition, medical equipment. Others will be leading donkeys or mules.
Make sure you build a pen for the animals. They shouldn’t be here for another
three days, so it’s not a rush.”
    “That’s
not an issue either.” We had lots of experience caring for farm animals.
“Anything else we need?”
    “Not at
this time and not beyond what we’ve discussed already.”
    That
worked for me. Since I had ample manpower to exploit and should be able to work
in safety, it was my intention to have this facility both functional and
comfortable. My plan included the trench surrounding the entire hill with strengthened
gun emplacements. On the high ground we would mount all seven of the heavy
machine guns so they could fire over the trenches at any oncoming enemy. Four
would face west where any attack was likely to originate, the others set to
protect our flanks. Of course, all could quickly be moved should the need
arise. We also had mortars. You gotta love explosive shells that come right
down on the heads of the enemy. Additional trenches would be scattered about in
case we were hit by enemy artillery and had to run for cover. I didn’t expect
this since, to the best of our knowledge, they lacked such weapons. Still, it
was only prudent to prepare for the worst.
    As to
supplies, we would dig down and use metal panels to create small, well
protected rooms. The less important gear would be stacked up outside, beneath
tarps in case it should rain. There was also to be a medic’s station. No doctor
was going to be joining us, but we would have a place to treat any wounded
before sending them on to one of the little towns within the park.
     
    *
* *
     
    Most of
the work was completed inside of three days. I was not at all surprised, though
still impressed and extremely proud of those serving under me. They did good.
Captain Briggs had swung by and seemed pleased with the results as well. This
was a very solid position. We should be able to withstand an attack by the
raiders, barring a case of being significantly outnumbered, should it come to
that.
    With our
efforts winding down, I had begun ordering squads to go out and scout the area,
generally splitting each into two groups. This would continue until hostilities
commenced. You know, it was strange waiting for the raiders to act, and I found
myself hoping they did something soon. I didn’t care for the quiet before the
storm and wanted the entire matter done with. Granted, the time they were
giving us to prepare was beneficial, but what were they doing while likewise
permitted to work unmolested?
    “When
will it be our turn?” asked Mary.
    “We
aren’t going anywhere until all the squads have gone out at