Derek Slaton [Slaton - Dead America: The First Week Box Set Books 1-7 (Dead America Box Sets Book 2)

DEAD AMERICA

THE FIRST WEEK BOX SET

BOOKS 1-7

BY: DEREK SLATON

2018-2019

CAROLINA FRONT BOOK ONE

DEAD AMERICA: THE FIRST WEEK BOOK ONE

CHAPTER ONE

Day Zero +1, 4:00am EST

Yo, Kyle, you gotta get up, man, Captain Terrell Graham demanded as he entered Captain Frank Kyles room in the Fort Bragg bunk house. His muscular, dark-skinned frame blotting out the hallway light like a solar eclipse.

Frank slitted an eye enough to look at his watch and then groaned, flopping back into his bed. Dude, how in the hell are you still functioning? We literally just landed four hours ago.

His bald friend shrugged. Better question is how the hell have you still not learned youre allowed to sleep on planes? he teased.

The horizontal dark-haired man threw an arm over his eyes. Not everyone can be narcoleptic like you. I swear you could fall asleep during a death march.

Come on Kyle, Terrell smacked his friends feet, hard. Sarge is waiting for us.

Frank groaned and dragged himself up, sitting on the edge of the bed and screwing his fists into his eyes. I swear to god this had better be some end of the world shit.

Theres that robust optimism we know and love, the taller man declared with a grin and clapped his friend on the back as they left the room.

Master Sergeant Charles Long was short and stout, but solid. He was known around the upper circles as fierce, strutting around with his crew cut and square shoulders. As the two Captains approached him that morning, however, he was not wearing his usual hard gaze.

Hey Sarge, Terrell greeted, brow furrowing at the docile expression on his superiors face. You alright, man? You look like youve seen a ghost.

Graham, Kyle, I know its early as hell, but you got a call, Long replied.

The bald man rolled his eyes. The perils of being popular.

So who did we impress this time? Frank crossed his arms.

General Adams, the Sergeant said.

The Captains eyes nearly bugged out of their heads.

General Adams ? Frank gushed. As in head of the Joint Chiefs General Adams?

Long nodded. Yeah, that General Adams. So you may want to tuck your shirt in there, Kyle.

The younger man hastily tucked in his shirt, and ran his hand through his bedhead to attempt to smooth it down.

Whats he want with us? Terrell demanded. Youre our C.O.

Long shook his head. Not anymore. I was just relieved of duty.

What?! the bald man scoffed. Why in the hell would he do that? Youre the finest warrior in this entire damn outfit!

The Sergeant put his hands up. Ill let the General explain.

Were gonna fight for you, Sarge, his subordinate promised.

Long smiled sadly. Terrell, its okay. He clapped the stunned man on the back. You guys better get in there. Time is a bit of a factor. Ill be out here when youre done.

Terrell nodded. Alright, Sarge.

The two Captains entered the com room, and took a seat in front of the monitor, where there was a young female soldier on the screen.

Captain Graham and Captain Kyle? she asked.

Frank nodded. Yes, maam.

Please hold for the General, she replied, and then the screen went blue, proudly displaying the defense logo.

What the hell is going on? Terrell threw his hands up. Why would they let Sarge go like that?

Frank shook his head. No clue. Although Im starting to think I jinxed us with my end of the world quip.

Wouldnt be the first time youve done that, his bald friend replied.

The dark haired man rolled his eyes. Man, how many times are you gonna make me apologize for that? How was I supposed to know that stripper was an assassin?

I tell you what, Terrell said and pointed to his shoulder, you can stop apologizing when my scar heals.

The screen flickered and the broad-shouldered General Adams stood behind a much leaner and older man with graying hair.

Captains, thank you for the rapid response, the General greeted, and the two younger soldiers stood and saluted him. Please be seated.

What can we do for you, General? Frank asked.

Gentlemen, let me introduce John Teeter. Adams put a hand on the seated mans shoulder. Hes a former analyst for us and hes been brought back into the fold to help us deal with the current crisis. Hes going to be relaying a lot of the information since its his plan you are going to be implementing.

The older man in front gave a little wave. Captains, its a pleasure to meet you both.

Likewise, sir, Terrell replied.

So Ill get right into it, John began. A few hours ago, we confirmed that there was a successful bioterrorism attack that took place in Austin, Texas this past Saturday. The virus that was released is airborne and is spreading rapidly throughout the country, infecting anyone with A-type blood. Shortly after exposure, the victim presents with flu-like symptoms, and within seventy-two hours will succumb to it.

Frank leaned forward. So were looking at a mass casualty event?

Thats an understatement, Captain, John replied. Once the victim passes on, they reanimate within a matter of minutes and attack anyone within reach.

There was a moment of stunned silence.

Sir, Terrell said slowly, and seemed to chew over his words before speaking. I dont know if we have a bad connection or not, but I swear you just told us that there is a zombie virus spreading throughout the nation.

Teeter nodded. While we dont have an official designation yet, zombie outbreak is an apt description of our current situation.

Please tell me they are at least the Romero shamblers, Frank piped up.

Adams leaned over to the keyboard. If this viral video is any indication, they are anything but. He hit a few keys and a video feed popped up in the corner of the screen. It showed a cafeteria with a couple dozen students eating lunch, minding their own business.

The doors burst open and a couple of zombies rushed inside, tackling screaming students to the ground and tearing at their flesh with their teeth and nails. A security guard opened fire to try to hit some of the attackers, but they wouldnt fall, and quickly overwhelmed him. A heavily armed SWAT officer darted into frame and took down a few of the creatures with well-aimed headshots.

This was uploaded yesterday to social media, Adams said. It was captured at the University of Texas campus which is ground zero for the attack. As you can tell, nothing good is going on. These things are fast, vicious and durable.

Those center mass hits from the security guard didnt even slow them down. Frank gaped.

Yeah, but rewind real quick, Terrell said, and the General did so. Little more, little more, the bald man instructed. There! That SWAT guy, watch his shots.

They paid close attention as the zombies hit in the head didnt get back up.

Frank pursed his lips. Looks like headshots are the way to go.

Headshots on a sprinting target, Terrell said, nothing like a challenge, huh?

Sir, if you dont mind me asking, the dark haired Captain said, how is this not national news yet? We landed just after midnight and there was nothing.

In what may be the only break weve gotten today, the video went viral but was misidentified as leaks from a new Hollywood blockbuster, Adams explained. Of course that story isnt going to last too much longer.

Terrell nodded. So how much time we go before this goes national?

We are anticipating isolated cases in major cities throughout the night, John piped up. Our assumption is that infected people boarded flights on Saturday, which did a damn good job of spreading it around. Here on the east coast, most of the flights would have landed later in the evening, which limited their ability to infect many people. Of course, with church and football on Sunday those numbers grew exponentially.

Its four-thirty now, so realistically we have, what? Frank asked. Four, maybe five hours before the major cities become a war zone?