"Copy base. We are northbound on perimeter road. Patrol five out." The Humvee moved off the grass to the main road, exiting where the bus had entered, and turned north. Another Humvee was ahead of them on the road, passing them going the other direction.

"Okay listen up!" the Comtech raised his voice to be heard. "Intel says the deadfuck activity to the northwest has been a bit heavier than usual. Aerial recon also reports the deadfucks seem to be massing together about a mile west of the perimeter." Matt didn't like the sound of that one bit. "If they don't disperse within the next several hours, HQ is going to send out several hunter killer squads."

"Hopefully that will be us." said the soldier next to Jenkins. The nametag on his uniform read Johnson.

"Hopefully not." Matt said without hesitation. The soldier's eyes were icicles.

"What's the matter civilian? Afraid of a few deadfucks?" Jenkins was sneering at him.

"Lay off Jenkins." Ron said. "Matt's had a rough night."

"Am I supposed to feel sorry for him?" Jenkins turned to Matt, a toothy grin on his face. "Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?"

Matt fought the urge to smash him right in the teeth. He took a deep breath and forced himself to relax. It had been a long, rough night. He could feel fatigue settling in the back of his brain. Soon it would be in his bones. He cursed himself the fool for letting Ron talk him into this patrol. After it was over, he was getting some sleep.

"No." he finally said in response to Jenkins question.

Jenkins held his stare a little longer, before settling back with a smile. "Light 'em if ya got 'em." he said, pulling a pack of cigarettes from a pocket.

They drove perhaps another mile before Ron turned to him, a half-cocked smile on his face.

"You know that bus could keep you and your friends living quite comfortable."

"Forget it." Matt said. "I already told you we are out of here as soon as Zack is better."

"I know. But that could take a little while."

"How do you know? You don't even know what his injuries were."

"They must be pretty serious if you brought him here. You said earlier he was shot. If it was a simple flesh wound, you could have taken care of it yourself. My guess is he's shot up pretty bad." He gave Matt a smug grin, waiting for him to respond.

"There's a bullet in his side. And it nicked his lung."

"Like I said, it could take a while before he was better."

"I still don't want to go down into the city."

"Well then where the hell are you going to go?" Jenkins asked, his eyes hard. You don't want to go into the city. You don't want to stay here. Where the hell you going to go?" his voice was mocking and arrogant.

"A friend of mine has a place up in the mountains. We were headed there until Zack was shot."

"If you're going up into the mountains you're going to need things." Ron piped in. "Things you can only get down there in the city."

Matt knew he was right. They planned on staying at the cabin until things were back to normal. Matt knew that wouldn't be for a long time. There might be enough to get them by for a while, but not for the duration Matt had in mind. And food was the least of their worries. They could hunt and fish to eat. He was thinking more along the lines of blankets, bandages, medicine, and clothes. Especially winter clothing. If they were going to hunt and fish they would need as much extra tackle and bullets as they could carry.

"I know you know what I'm talking about." Ron said triumphantly. He had him. And he knew it.

"You're right." Matt said reluctantly. "But how can I get what I'll need for myself if I'm too busy supplying the hospital?"

"When you go out, it's with specific items in mind. They know what they need. Besides, it's standard practice to reserve one quarter of your cargo space for your own take."

"Standard practice huh?" Matt repeated sourly.

"Hell yes. We all gotta get paid." Ron said with a chuckle.

"If I go, it has to wait until tomorrow morning." Ron opened his mouth to protest, but Matt cut him off. "I need some sleep, and I'm not going anywhere until I find out about Zack. The doctor said I could find out tomorrow morning. I'm meeting Susan at the parking lot entrance at first light."

"But after that you're in?"

"A couple of more things. I want my companions and our gear put someplace safe. And I don't mean in that refugee camp. You told me a while ago that there were soldiers at Fort Douglas. Take us there. And I want proper medical treatment given to Zack. I know you have doctors and a hospital on the base. Those are my conditions." He waited for either of them to argue so he could tell them both to shove it straight up their Asses! But they only nodded to one another.

"I think I can arrange to have them moved to Fort Douglas." Jenkins said.

"Today? As soon as we get back?"

"I'll take care of it." Jenkins's said.

"What about medical treatment for Zack?" It was a long shot. He wasn't supposed to meet Susan until the morning.

"I don't see any problem their either." Matt was amazed at how easily they had met his demands.

"Why are you guys being so helpful? One run down into the city can't be that helpful."

Ron and Sgt. Jenkins gave each other an amused glance.

"If only you knew." Ron said, chuckling as if to a private joke.

"Well why don't you fill me in?" Matt asked.

"HEADS UP!" the Comtech called. "WE GOT DEADFUCKS!" The Humvee skidded to a halt.

"Talk to me!" Jenkins called to the front seat. They were all peering out the windshield.

"Four deadfucks, Sarge." the Comtech said. "Two hundred feet ahead." Jenkins patted the top gunner on the thigh.

"Light 'em up Private!" he barked.

Seconds later, the heavy machinegun topside began chattering. Although far from quiet, it was not nearly as loud as Matt had expected. It continued for perhaps five seconds before it fell silent, leaving only the ringing in Matt's ears.

"Deadfucks eliminated Sarge!" the Comtech said.

"Carry on!" Jenkins called. The Humvee began rolling again.

"What did I tell you?" Ron said. "Safe as could be."

"What are we going to be raiding tomorrow?" Matt got right back to the point.

"Your boy here is all business." Jenkins laughed. Matt didn't like him.

"I just like to know what the hell I'm getting my ass into."

"We are going to be hitting a couple places. An Instacare unit and a grocery store." Ron said.

"The usual." Jenkins said.

"But like I said," Ron continued, "You always save some cargo space for yourself. And you would be surprised what is worth value around here. Hard liquor, beer, candies, chewing gum, toilet paper, toothpaste, soap. Those are among some of the most valuable."

"Don't forget CDs and cassettes, clothes, books and magazines." Jenkins added. "Fuel and ammo are always valuable. You name it, somebody wants it."

"Plus we also have to equip you for your trip into the mountains. So what do you think?" Ron flashed him a crooked smile.

"I'm in." Matt said.

"Good man." Ron smiled. "You won't regret it."

The patrol continued on up the road another two miles. They stopped at two checkpoints along the way. The checkpoints were nothing more than two squads of men in Humvees, just like them. They radioed in to base at the checkpoints, as well as did their own bit of trading. Ron swapped two packs of cigarettes and a pint of whiskey for several bottles of prescription medication.

The patrol continued on another half mile to the next checkpoint before turning east, headed towards the mountain. Looking out the back window, Matt could see the midmorning sky was clear, and provided an excellent view of the valley. A few fires still raged across the city: one out in Kearns, another in North Salt Lake and one far to the west, near Magna. From here they looked like nothing more than match flames, but Matt knew their flames must tower over one hundred feet tall as they spewed thick black smoke into the clear sky.

The muffled but audible Crack! Crack! Crack! Of several weapons firing also came to their ears.

"Listen up!" the Comtech called at the top of his lungs. Everyone paid heed. Even the top gunner crouched down to hear. "We're coming up on the Northeastern perimeters main division. They are at the edge of the campus. West and North of them are the old neighborhoods. Now they are crawling with zombies." he was looking at Matt, as if everybody else in the already knew what he was saying. "Like I said earlier, aerial recon reported the deadfucks massing together. Well they've been coming out of the neighborhoods in waves several dozen at a time. They are having a problem keeping the perimeter secure. Control has ordered all units in the vicinity to assist."

"Hotdamn!" exclaimed Johnson. "It seems we're going to see some action after all!"

The Humvee accelerated quickly, weaving through a large grove of trees, emerging into another broad expanse of grassy knolls. Matt could hear what sounded like a large firefight. Ahead, spread out over 200 feet, was the Northern Perimeter encampment comprised of An M1A1 Abrams tank, a dozen Humvees, three personnel trucks and almost two hundred soldiers. The Humvees were spread out in a ragged line nearly two hundred feet in length, the top gunners firing to the northwest. The Tank sat squat in the center of the Humvees, turret facing northwest. The trucks were parked thirty feet behind the line of Humvees facing south, ready for a quick getaway if necessary. Soldiers were spread between the row of Humvees, others atop the tank. All were firing to the northwest. As their Humvee came pulling into the rear of the encampment, a soldier in full black and gray combat gear flagged them to a stop.

"Patrol five. Reporting as ordered!" The driver barked to the soldier.

"Take a position at the western end of the line!" the soldier was screaming to be heard over the gunfire. "Deploy your men, and start shooting deadfucks!"

"Yes sir!" the Driver barked, gunning the jeep into motion.

"You heard the man!" Jenkins yelled. "Once we park I want you all to take position to either side of the Humvee and shoot any deadfuck you lay your eyes on!"

The Humvee braked to a stop at the end of the line, and Jenkins threw open the back door and stepped out.

"Move your asses!"

Matt piled out behind him, un-slinging his rifle and thumbing off the safety. He stepped to the side of the Humvee and gazed across the battlefield. Ahead of the line of jeeps were a series of trenches, spread twenty-five feet apart. Each held half a dozen soldiers, rifles trained out ahead of them to the advancing wave of zombies. Forty feet beyond the trenches, the rolling lawn ended in a street that marked the beginning of a subdivision of neighborhoods, which spread to the north and west, down the hill, into the city. Zombies were pouring from these neighborhoods by the dozens. Matt blinked in surprise at the number of them; there must be at least five hundred spread out across a two hundred foot line, the nearest only thirty feet away. Hundreds more lay dead between the trenches and the street.

"What the hell are you waiting for?" Jenkins was screaming beside him. He was barely audible over the gunfire. "Open fire!"

Matt raised his gun to his shoulder and took aim. The zombie was a woman, or had been. Now she was nothing more than a pile of walking pus. Her head sagged to the side, eyes blank, her skin a slight shade of green. Her left arm ended in a jagged stump, three inches below the shoulder, with several inches of yellow bone poking through. Her clothes were tattered rags, stained with blood and grime. Matt's hands were shaking with adrenaline, and his first shot went through the zombies throat. It stumbled back half a step, before continuing ahead. His second hit her between the eyes. He targeted another. And another. He emptied two full clips, scoring a kill with almost everyone. But the zombies kept coming. Ron was beside him, his own rifle blasting away. The kick of the gun and the smell of the powder put Matt in some kind of trance. Zombies fell dead like ducks in a shooting gallery.

Finally, after what seemed forever, it was over. He lowered his gun, surveying the carnage. Over two thousand zombies lay dead, piled in heaps ahead of them. There hadn't been a single human casualty. Matt looked around. Soldiers were smiling at one another, clapping each other on the back and laughing at their victory. Matt could hear nothing but a high-pitched ringing in his ears. Ron was beside him, saying something, a wide grin on his face. Matt shouldered his rifle, turning away from the carnage. His head spun, and he put a hand against the Humvee to keep his balance. He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths. When he opened them, Ron was beside him holding out a black canteen.

"Water."

The ringing in his ears had subsided some, and he could barely hear Ron. He took the canteen and gulped several mouthfuls of water. He splashed a bit on his face, hoping the cold water would help clear his head. He held the canteen towards Ron.

"Keep it." Ron said.

Matt sat there for several long minutes, taking deep breaths and sipping water, until the ringing faded to a dull whine. He would probably hear that until tomorrow.

"How are you holding up?" Ron asked from beside him.

"Good." Matt said, feeling anything but. "All that gunfire. It sort of put me in a daze."

Ron chuckled. "It'll do that."

"I've never seen so many of those things at once. They just kept coming." Matt was bewildered.

"It was never like that before." Ron said. "After the initial outbreak, we only saw strays every now and again. But for about the last week the deadfucks have been hitting in larger groups, but never more than a dozen or two. There must be a couple thousand dead zombies out there!"

At the opposite end of the Humvees, another shot rang out.

Then another.

Shouts.

Another shot.

"What the hell is going on now?" Ron muttered to no one in particular. As they headed around the front of the Humvee, several shots rang out at once, and as they came into view of the commotion, they realized at the same time that many of the shots were being fired at the soldiers. And they were coming from the neighborhood to the north. As they watched, ten soldiers came running out into the open. They wore black and gray Military body armor, Kevlar helmet, and sprayed the barrels of their M-16's back and forth as they drew nearer.

"Take cover!" Jenkins barked, ducking behind the nearest Humvee. Matt took cover as well, poking his head above the hood to see. The enemy soldiers charged on, emptying their clips into the ranks of the perimeter defenders. Several perimeter defenders fell, most only wounded thanks to their body armor, but a few unlucky ones lay with fatal wounds to the head. But the advancing enemy soldiers were far outnumbered by the perimeter defenders, and for every bullet they fired, ten were fired back at them. They staggered and fought for their feet as bullets tore into them, but they kept charging.

Matt was shocked. There was no way body armor could stop all of those bullets. Those men had to be wounded. One of the advancing soldiers stopped, and held his rifle at an odd angle. A small puff of smoke erupted from under the barrel as he fired his grenade launcher.

"Oh shit!" Ron exclaimed.

"FIRE IN THE HOLE!" Jenkins screamed, ducking low and covering his face. Ron pulled Matt to the ground beside him, and Matt curled into a ball, protecting his face.

A tremendous explosion rattled Matt's bones, causing his guts to feel like Jell-O. The noise was deafening! Matt raised his head to see a twisted metal ball of flame where the jeep on the far end used to be. Defenders lay broken and dead about the wreckage, some in pieces. The charging soldiers changed clips on the run, all the while bullets peppered into them.

"It can't be." Jenkins said, reaching for the binocular on his belt. He lifted them to his eyes. "SHIT!" he screamed.

"What is it?" Ron asked.

"Their deadfucks!" Jenkins exclaimed, still looking through the binocs.

"What!" Matt couldn't believe it.

"Deadfucks!' Jenkins was almost screaming. He held the binocs out. "Look for yourself!" Ron snatched them, holding them up to his eyes.

"Well I'll be goddamned." he said softly.

Jenkins looked to the rest of his squad. "Hold your positions!" he called. "Keep a sharp eye on our own area!"