The War of the Dead: Andy's Story in the Times of the Living Dead (The Survivor Chronicles)

By Brian Kittrell

Captain Andrew McKenzie is reassigned to a secret military post near Fort Hood, Texas, with instructions to oversee a Special Forces unit attached to a research and intelligence operation. He never thought that being placed at the North Star facility would put him in a position to choose between his military career and his own life.

On the other side of the world, a Special Forces team uncovers a secret and terrible virus in an underground lab, hidden deep within the jungle, that will propel the entire world into a misery of untold proportions.

The threat of attack is only the first in a multitude of terrors, and the only thing separating the survivors from the dead is time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brian Kittrell
• Release date: Nov 27, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301309375

Brian Kittrell

Brian Kittrell is a speculative fiction novelist and storyteller. Publications include the Mages of Bloodmyr series, consisting of The Circle of Sorcerers (2011, Late Nite) and The Consuls of the Vicariate (2012, Late Nite), The Immortals of Myrdwyer (2012, Late Nite), and The Mages of Bloodmyr Omnibus (2012, Late Nite); and the Survivor Chronicles second edition forthcoming in 2012.

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The War of the Dead

Book Two of the Survivor Chronicles

Second Edition

Andy's Story in the Times of the Living Dead

Brian Kittrell

The War of the Dead

Brian Kittrell

Copyright 2012 by Brian Kittrell

Smashwords Edition

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More Books by Brian Kittrell

Already released and coming soon!

The Mages of Bloodmyr Series

The Circle of Sorcerers

The Consuls of the Vicariate

The Immortals of Myrdwyer

The Mages of Bloodmyr Omnibus: A Collection of Epic Fantasy Novels

The Survivor Chronicles

The Dying Times

The War of the Dead

Prisoner and Survivor

A World Forsaken

The Survivor Chronicles Omnibus: A Collection of Zombie Apocalypse Novels

The Panacea Series

Cure

Stasis

Blight

The Panacea Omnibus: A Collection of Science Fiction Novels

Chapter 1

Late October

Andy awoke in his spacious room. Like always, he’d had the dreams: haunts from the war, the insurgents, and all the death on battlefields he hoped to never see again. He shook his head, climbed out of bed, and hopped in the shower. I wonder what they’ll have for me today. Missing paychecks? A mountain of paperwork? Once finished, he dried off then donned his uniform. The silver bar on his shoulder still gave him an awkward feeling even though he’d worn it for weeks. Other men’s blood stained the silver, but he was one of the few people in the world who knew it or could see it.

3:30 AM. He eyed the clock. It’s going to be a long one. I can already feel it. And this Georgia humidity? Even in October, it’s hotter than the desert. He squared away his bed, got his briefcase and cover, and headed out the door.

After grabbing a biscuit and coffee, Andy headed toward the finance building where a day full of overseeing the number crunchers and dealing with lost paychecks would commence. He found his assignment rather dull, especially as a former combat soldier, but it was his job, and he always did his job correctly, no matter how boring it was.

Good morning, sir, Sergeant Palmer said, greeting Andy when he came in the door.

Good morning, Sergeant. Anything going on today that I need to be aware of?

It’s the usual this morning, sir. All of Alpha company’s pay checks didn’t direct deposit, so we have to get clearance from Colonel Sparey to issue their checks to them instead, Palmer replied.

Colonel Sparey was a name that Andy knew all too well. Colonel Sparey was responsible for Andy’s current assignment in the finance closet, and he suspected that Sparey was at fault for Andy being held back from his long-overdue promotion. He was resentful for being passed over, but he always treated Sparey with the utmost respect deserved and commanded by a colonel. Andy never made any public demonstration of his true feelings about Sparey, but he often had to avert his face to hide his contempt. Well, hopefully we’ll hear something soon. Do you have the checks ready to go when we get the word? Might as well go ahead and get them printed. Permission is just a formality in a situation like this. As soon as he gives the word, hand-deliver them to Alpha company.

Sounds good, sir, Palmer replied. I’ll get them ready to go. I’ll probably send that new kid Brewster over there to deliver them.

Only if you think he can handle it, Sergeant. I don’t want to hear about him messing anything else up, or I’ll go to the base commander myself and get him a transfer to Alaska. And one other thing— Noticing brass enter the room, he stood at attention. Attention!

Andy and Sergeant Palmer froze and tensed up. Andy stared straight ahead until his uncle, General McKenzie, walked over to look him in the face.

Good morning, Lieutenant, General McKenzie said, offering his hand to Andy.

Good morning, sir, Andy replied, shaking hands then immediately snapping back to attention.

Could I speak to you in private, Lieutenant?

Certainly, sir, Andy replied. My office, sir?

Sure. Carry on, Sergeant.

Andy led the way to his office. Inside, he hurriedly closed the door behind them.

General McKenzie removed his cover and set it on the desk. It’s all right, Andy, we’re alone now. At ease, have a seat.

Andy sat at his desk, and the general took a seat across from him, placing his briefcase on the edge nearest him.

I know you must be wondering why I’m here.

Yes, sir—

Call me Jim, Andy. We’re in private now. No need for the formalities.

All right. What’s going on, then, Jim? Andy asked awkwardly. He had known Uncle Jim for his whole life, but Andy’s time in the Army made him hesitate when calling a general anything other than ‘general’ or ‘sir.’

I’m having you moved to another detail, General McKenzie said, pulling out a file. I need a good man to help me out with something.

"How could I help you, though? We’re totally different divisions. I’m in finance, and you’re CBRN," Andy said. CBRN—chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear. Funny stuff, all around.

Jim eyed the file before passing it to Andy. Andy read the first page of the file. This is an executive order from the President, for your eyes only, sir.

Yes, it is. I’ve been ordered to put together a unit to investigate a new warlord who has been causing quite a stir in Zaire. His name is... Jim paused, took the file from Andy, then returned it. The self-proclaimed General Mumbatu.

You want me to go to Africa? It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the bush.

No, of course not. I’ve got a Special Forces team put together to worry about that, Jim replied. I need someone to head up a special response team attached to a project division in Texas.

Andy nodded. Go on, sir—Jim.

I’ll be in Washington, and you’ll be moved to a post near Fort Hood, Texas, which is designated ‘North Star.’ There are some CIA guys who will be joining us on this, along with some CBRN experts—doctors and scientists. Our whole job is to receive and interpret information we receive from the Special Forces team and satellite imagery.

What do you need me to do?

Your job is to head up a small team of rapid response soldiers. You’ll have a helicopter, a squad, and special powers.

What for, though? You think they’ll need us in the middle of Texas?

The mission is of absolute importance. If we need a team of troops for a mission, we won’t have time to call in people, get them ready, and all that. We need a group ready to go at any moment.

What, do they think he has nukes or something?

No, not nukes. They think he may have chemical weapons or maybe even biological agents. The President wants us to determine how much range he has, what kind of missiles he has, and what exactly he is keeping in them.

This seems worse than what anyone originally thought, doesn’t it?

Yes, Andy. A year ago, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you who Mumbatu was—hell, I still have to look up the spelling. Now, he’s got some nasty stuff, and he’s getting it ready to drop on the lower forty-eight. Jim sighed. You’re effectively promoted to captain. I know that you’ve been passed over before, so just consider this your opportunity to move up. Your commander will be General Miller, and he’s already set up at North Star.

Captain? Thank you, sir.

I know that you’ve been held back here at Benning, Andy. It wasn’t fair for you, so we’re making it right.

Andy nodded. He had been passed over for promotion twice, making him a captain finally at twenty-nine. When do I report to my post, sir?

You leave here immediately and report to North Star no later than zero-eight-hundred, Monday morning. I have a private outside to take you to the airport and finalize your out-processing. Good luck. Jim stood and extended his hand.

Andy rose and shook his hand. I hope I don’t disappoint you, sir.

I’m sure you won’t, and good luck again, Andy.

General McKenzie exited the room, leaving Andy still in a state of disbelief. He had been promoted and reassigned, just like that. A captain tasked with a secret mission. Well, I guess I had better get to it. No time to waste. Andy returned to the larger office room where Palmer was still standing at attention.

Sir, the general just left, Sergeant Palmer said. Is there anything you need me to do?

I’m packing, Sergeant. I’ve been reassigned by General McKenzie.

Reassigned, sir? But, why?

I’ve been assigned to a mission, and I’ve been given a promotion. I have to leave immediately. Fort Hood, Texas.

Palmer nodded. Do you need any help, sir?

No, thank you. I’ll be heading out within the hour. Goodbye, Sergeant, Andy said, extending his hand to Palmer.

Goodbye, Palmer replied, meeting Andy’s hand with his own.

Andy headed out from the finance office. The file that he carried gave him mixed emotions: he felt a burning desire to read the material, but it seemed to carry with it a burden that he couldn’t quite point out. When he arrived on the street in front of his office, a car was parked there, just as the general had said.

Captain McKenzie? a man called out from inside.

Andy walked over to the car to lean on the vehicle’s door. Yes, I’m McKenzie.

I’m here to take you wherever you need to go, sir. I’m Private Copeland.

Well, all right, then, Andy replied, putting his belongings in the trunk and returning to the side of the car. He climbed into the passenger side seat and leaned his arm out the window.

Where to, sir?

I need to go to my quarters to pack, Andy said. Just drive, I’ll give you the directions along the way.

Copeland drove the car according to Andy’s directions, and Copeland stopped the car at the curb near Andy’s quarters.

Leave it running. I won’t be long, Andy said, getting out of the car.

Once inside, Andy packed his belongings and walked to the door. He took one last look around. That room had been home to him since he returned from the war in Iraq, and he had gotten used to it. Even though it was just some housing unit on Fort Benning, it had the feeling of home to him. He returned to the street.

Where to now, sir? Copeland asked eagerly.

To the brigade commander’s office now. I have to report to Colonel Sparey before I go. He likes to see everyone leaving his command, Andy replied, getting in the car. Copeland turned the car around and drove toward the front of the base.

Must be some kind of mission, Captain, Copeland said, obviously trying to start some small talk.

Top secret, Private.

Yes, sir! Copeland straightened himself up in his seat. He parked the vehicle in front of the brigade administrator’s office. We’re here, sir.

Good. Take five, Private, Andy said.

Andy got out of the car and walked up the steps to the front door of the building. He took a deep breath and stared at his boots. He always hated going to see Colonel Sparey. Glancing at Copeland hanging out by the car, Andy did his best to collect his thoughts, then opened the door and walked inside.

Andy climbed the stairwell on the far side of the hallway. Reaching the second floor, he proceeded down a narrow hallway to the receptionist.

Good morning, Glenda, Andy said while thumbing through a few magazines on the edge of her desk.

Morning, sir.

Glenda was a civilian receptionist who worked at Sparey’s office. In their few conversations, Andy had discovered that she was on contract with the military and had worked at several different bases and posts for the last twenty years.

Is Colonel Sparey in? Andy asked.

He sure is. I’ll let him know you’re coming back. She picked up a telephone as Andy nervously walked toward the colonel’s door.

Arriving at the entrance to hell, he knocked twice.

Come in!

Andy gulped, then opened the door and walked through. The room was decorated with all sorts of military memorabilia and collector’s items. Some of Sparey’s own medals and decorations hung around the room, obviously placed with great care.

Yes, Lieutenant? Colonel Sparey said over his glasses, giving Andy a contemptuous look. Sparey was examining and maintaining his collection of toy soldiers from his Battle of Gettysburg scale model. It took up a conspicuous amount of space in the far corner of his office.

I’ve been reassigned, sir, Andy said, trying to hide the relief in his voice.

Reassigned, you say? Well, this is the first I’ve heard of it. I suppose I should make a call and inform them that you are too valuable in your present duties to be reassigned.

No, sir, this comes straight from the top. All the way up.

From the top? Uncle Jimbo? Yes, yes. I saw General McKenzie speaking with the base commander earlier, but he didn’t stop by to see me before deciding to take away one of my best men.

Andy knew that Colonel Sparey was spiteful of Andy’s uncle being a distinguished general. He had made numerous comments over the years in Andy’s presence about his thoughts on Andy’s commendations and assignments; Sparey held the belief that Andy was complaining to his uncle to get preferential treatment and all of his recognition. Andy attributed the spite to jealousy and generally dismissed it; he knew that he was both qualified and deserving of every position he ever held, and he knew for a fact that his current mission had come because of his abilities, not his family ties.

Yes, sir. He came to deliver my orders and explain the mission he needs me for.

Well? Sparey asked.

Sir?

What’s the mission, Lieutenant?

Classified, sir.

Classified? You’ve got to be kidding me. Come on, what’s the mission?

"It’s classified, sir. I can’t reveal the details to anyone."

Fine. Let’s say I snatch up that transfer order and tear it to shreds, then. Still going to be tight-lipped?

Sir, I must inform you that I’m carrying a transfer order dually signed by General McKenzie and the President. I’m leaving now, sir. Andy turned toward the door.

Lieutenant McKenzie! Get back in here!

Andy kept walking, and he cracked a smile on his way out to the car. When he reached the passenger side door, he heard Sparey’s voice rattling out across the parking lot from his second story window.

McKenzie, get your ass back in here! I still outrank you, boy!

Andy turned, smiled, and waved at Colonel Sparey. He got into the car, and Sparey was still hollering obscenities at the top of his lungs.

He turned to Private Copeland. Take me by out-processing so I can get that over with.

The Colonel looks really mad, sir, Copeland said, starting the car and exiting the parking lot.

That he does, Private. That he does. You know, you’re very observant.

"What happened up there, if