Z14 (Zombie Rules) Read Free Page A

I wanted at this point was to get the tanker and be gone.
                  “Zach, what are your plans?” I looked at him questioningly. “Your plans Zach, what are your plans for the future?”
                  “Well Captain, I’m all for rebuilding a productive society. I would like to hope we can avoid the mistakes of past generations. There is no need for pettiness, racial strife, or domination of one group over another. The people who have survived this apocalypse have far more important things to worry about.”
                  The Captain clapped his hands once in mock glee. “Spoken like a true idealist.” He stood and stretched. “It’ll never happen, Zach. People are people, after all. They covet. They harbor grudges and ill will, sometimes for several years. Their petty egos and jealousies will never allow them to be satisfied with the social utopia you envision. I’m thinking you are an avid reader Zach, have you forgotten all of the history books you’ve read?” The Captain laughed without mirth. “Ah Mr. Gunderson, your naiveté is somewhat refreshing, but oh so misguided.”
                  I thought about what the Captain was saying. I thought of Leon. I thought of Jason and his boys. Men who had behaved exactly what the Captain had said. They coveted what I had, and had even tried to kill me for it. “You have a valid argument, but I’m not looking for conquest. I only want a peaceful life.”
                  “What do you think Andie?” He asked the boy.
                  “I think he’s an idiot.” The boy standing beside the truck opined. The Captain looked at me as if I had been challenged. I shrugged my shoulders dismissively. However, there was something in the boy’s voice. I looked at him and was met with a defiant glare.
                  He gestured toward the tanker. “That was very clever Zach. We had no idea the lug nuts were missing until we tried to drive off with it. Is there any reason why I should give it back to you?” The Captain asked. He was smiling pleasantly, but there was a cold look in his eyes.
                  “Before I answer you Captain, please allow me to ask a couple of questions.” He waved a hand. “How’s your fuel supply?”
                  The Captain shrugged noncommittally. “It could be better.”
                  “Do you have any tankers like this one?” I asked.
                  “We have one.” He paused a moment. “We also have a storage tank back at the compound. Why do you ask?”
                  “Bring that tanker to me and I’ll get it filled up with gasoline.”
                  The Captain’s eyes now piqued with curiosity. “Did you hear him, Andie? Zach here seems to know where a supply of fuel is.”
                  “Bullshit.” Andie said.
                  “So call my bluff then. What do you have to lose?” I challenged.
                  The Captain laughed. “Oh, I like you Zach. I’ve not been amused in quite a while now. But you must tell me, where is this cache of gasoline? Do you have it at your own compound?”
                  I shook my head. “Nope, it’s in a fuel reservoir in downtown Nashville, on the east bank of the river, near the old Titan’s football stadium to be specific.” The Captain stared at me in amazement a moment, and then laughed uproariously.
    “Zach, it’s impossible. There are thousands of zombies in the downtown area. I’ve seen it myself. I sent in a team a few months ago and they were surrounded within minutes. They didn’t make it Zach. They were annihilated.”
                  I held my hands out, careful not to raise them. “I have a plan. It might even go better if you want to help out.”
                  He looked at me, unbelieving at first, and then