Zombie Dawn Exodus by Michael G. Thomas Page B

emptied a dozen rounds from head to toe into
the last zombie. The rest of the group chased behind, desperate to
reach the higher decks.
    Another blast came from much closer, followed by the
entire ceiling collapsing just twenty feet away.
    “Move it!” shouted Fernanda as she pushed the
Marines on past her.
    As they went past another door a chink of light
appeared, presumably from one of the upper decks.
    One of the Marines booted it open, letting in fresh
air and bright light. They staggered into the open as more blasts
shook the vessel.
     
    * * *
     
    Captain Black and his surviving three Marines worked
their way aft, on their way to Fernanda. Dr Garcia was close
behind, flanked by her two guards. Her personal communication
system beeped, informing her that the rest of her staff had
evacuated the forecastle. About twenty feet behind them a massive
horde gave chase, held back only by their slow movement.
    “Black here, what is your status?” he called on his
radio.
    “We’re topside and heading to you,” Fernanda
replied.
    “Evac is on the way, meet at the landing pad forward
of the first funnel,” said Captain Black.
    More creatures appeared in front of them, blocking
their route to the top deck. Black lifted his carbine and emptied
an entire magazine into the beasts. More zombies clambered over the
bodies, making their way towards them. A series of blasts shook the
corridor as the Marines attempted to hold back the horde.
    Part of the false wall to the side of Garcia ripped
apart and two zombies fell out, one knocking her to the floor.
    “Fuck!” she shouted as she hit the ground.
    “Doctor!” shouted one of the guards and he rushed
forwards to help, followed by the second guard.
    More fire poured from the Marines who did their best
to stem the tide. Dr Garcia lifted her Heckler & Koch MP7 from
her thigh holster and shredded the first zombie with a long burst
of automatic fire. One of her guards slammed his armoured fist into
the second whilst another zombie climbed out and bit down into his
shoulder. Luckily the reinforced armour protected him from the
strong bite long enough for his comrade to empty several rounds
into the creature’s face.
    Sergeant Black helped her up and they kept moving
forwards, firing at the following undead. He kicked open the door
leading to the upper deck and led the survivors out into the open.
He ran down the staircase leading to the port side landing pad. It
took almost a full minute for them all to reach it. As they stepped
down onto the ship’s main deck they spotted Fernanda’s group
heading right towards them. A dark crowd of the undead was behind
them. The pad was only fifty feet away.
    Off to his right Captain Black spotted the LCAC
drifting away from the ship, it looked loaded down with crates,
supplies and people. From its loading bay tracer arced, they were
presumably fighting off their own problems.
    “Captain Mathius, where is that evac?” he called
into his radio.
    With a deafening roar two Bell UH-1Y Venom Super
Huey’s swept past the ship, heavy weapons’ fire coming from their
door mounted machineguns.
    “Holy shit, that’s good timing,” said one of the
Doctor’s guards.
    “Come on!” shouted Black, as he moved to the landing
pad.
    From the lower deck doors more zombies staggered
out, all of them heading for the noise of the first helicopter as
it descended to the pad. With the pads so low on the vessel they
were only just big enough for one aircraft at a time. As Captain
Black arrived at the edge of the pad he spotted the rescued
civilians packing into the helicopter, Fernanda had beaten them to
it. Lifting his weapon he fired another dozen rounds at the
zombies. Turning back he helped Dr Garcia and the rest of his
people whilst one of the Marines provided covering fire.
    Sergeant Fernanda rushed over, tapping him on the
shoulder. Before she could speak, the first Huey lifted off, making
space for the second aircraft.
    “You made it!” she