retractable bars and steel shutters hidden so cleverly in
and steel shutters hidden so cleverly in windowsills and door frames
windowsills and door frames but of all our achievements at windsor
but of all our achievements at windsor nothing can rival the siphoning of crude
nothing can rival the siphoning of crude oil and natural gas from the deposit
oil and natural gas from the deposit several kilometers beneath the castle's
several kilometers beneath the castle's foundation
foundation it had been discovered in the 1990s but
it had been discovered in the 1990s but never exploited for a variety of
never exploited for a variety of political and environmental reasons you
political and environmental reasons you can believe we exploited it though
can believe we exploited it though our contingent of royal engineers rigged
our contingent of royal engineers rigged a scaffolding up and over our wall and
a scaffolding up and over our wall and extended it to the drilling site
extended it to the drilling site it was quite an achievement and you can
it was quite an achievement and you can see how it became the precursor to our
see how it became the precursor to our fortified motorways
fortified motorways on a personal level i was just grateful
on a personal level i was just grateful for the warm rooms hot food and in a
for the warm rooms hot food and in a pinch the molotovs and flaming ditch
pinch the molotovs and flaming ditch it's not the most efficient way to stop
it's not the most efficient way to stop a zed-head i know but as long as you've
a zed-head i know but as long as you've got them stuck and can keep them in the
got them stuck and can keep them in the fire
fire and besides what else could we do when
and besides what else could we do when the bullets ran out and we were left
the bullets ran out and we were left with nothing else but an odd lot of
with nothing else but an odd lot of medieval hand weapons
medieval hand weapons there were quite a bit of those about in
there were quite a bit of those about in museums personal collections
museums personal collections and not a decorative dud among them
and not a decorative dud among them these were real tough and tested
these were real tough and tested they became part of british life again
they became part of british life again ordinary citizens traipsing about with a
ordinary citizens traipsing about with a mace or halberd or double-bladed battle
mace or halberd or double-bladed battle axe
axe i myself became rather adept with this
i myself became rather adept with this claymore although you wouldn't think of
claymore although you wouldn't think of it to look at me he gestures slightly
it to look at me he gestures slightly embarrassed to the weapon almost as long
embarrassed to the weapon almost as long as himself
as himself it's not really ideal takes a lot of
it's not really ideal takes a lot of skill but eventually you learn what you
skill but eventually you learn what you can do what you never thought you were
can do what you never thought you were capable of what others around you are
capable of what others around you are capable of
capable of david hesitates before speaking
david hesitates before speaking he is clearly uncomfortable i hold out
he is clearly uncomfortable i hold out my hand
my hand thank you so much for taking the time
thank you so much for taking the time there's more
there's more if you're not comfortable no please it's
if you're not comfortable no please it's quite all right takes a breath
quite all right takes a breath she
she she wouldn't leave you see
she wouldn't leave you see she insisted over the objections of
she insisted over the objections of parliament
parliament to remain at windsor as she put it for
to remain at windsor as she put it for the duration
the duration i thought maybe it was misguided
i thought maybe it was misguided nobility
nobility or maybe fear-based paralysis
or maybe fear-based paralysis i tried to make her see reason begged
i tried to make her see reason begged her almost on my knees
her almost on my knees hadn't she done enough with the balmoral
hadn't she done enough with the balmoral decree
decree turning all her estates into protected
turning all her estates into protected zones for any who could reach and defend
zones for any who could reach and defend them
them why not join her family in ireland or
why not join her family in ireland or the isle of man
the isle of man or at least if she was insisting on
or at least if she was insisting on remaining in britain supreme command hq
remaining in britain supreme command hq north above the antonine
north above the antonine what did she say
what did she say the highest of distinctions is service
the highest of distinctions is service to others
to others he clears his throat
he clears his throat his upper lip quivers for a second
his upper lip quivers for a second her father had said that
her father had said that it was the reason he had refused to run
it was the reason he had refused to run to canada during the second world war
to canada during the second world war the reason her mother had spent the
the reason her mother had spent the blitz visiting civilians huddled in the
blitz visiting civilians huddled in the tube stations beneath london
tube stations beneath london the same reason to this day we remain a
the same reason to this day we remain a united kingdom
united kingdom their task their mandate
their task their mandate is to personify all that is great in our
is to personify all that is great in our national spirit
national spirit they must forever be an example to the
they must forever be an example to the rest of us the strongest and bravest and
rest of us the strongest and bravest and absolute best of us
absolute best of us in a sense it is they who are ruled by
in a sense it is they who are ruled by us instead of the other way around
us instead of the other way around and they must sacrifice everything
and they must sacrifice everything everything to shoulder the weight of
everything to shoulder the weight of this godlike burden
this godlike burden otherwise what's the flipping point just
otherwise what's the flipping point just scrap the whole damn tradition
scrap the whole damn tradition roll out the bloody guillotine and be
roll out the bloody guillotine and be done with it all together
done with it all together they were viewed very much like castles
they were viewed very much like castles i suppose
i suppose as crumbling obsolete relics with no
as crumbling obsolete relics with no real modern function other than as
real modern function other than as tourist attractions
tourist attractions but when the skies darkened and the
but when the skies darkened and the nation called
nation called both reawoke to the meaning of their
both reawoke to the meaning of their existence
existence one shielded our bodies
one shielded our bodies the other our souls
the other our souls ulethi atoll
ulethi atoll federated states of micronesia
federated states of micronesia during world war ii
during world war ii this vast coral atoll
this vast coral atoll served as the main forward base for the
served as the main forward base for the united states pacific fleet
united states pacific fleet during world war z
during world war z it sheltered not only american naval
it sheltered not only american naval vessels but hundreds of civilian ships
vessels but hundreds of civilian ships as well
as well one of those ships was the uns
one of those ships was the uns ural the first broadcast hub of radio
ural the first broadcast hub of radio free earth
free earth now a museum to the achievements of the
now a museum to the achievements of the project she is the focus of the british
project she is the focus of the british documentary words at war
documentary words at war one of the subjects interviewed for this
one of the subjects interviewed for this documentary
documentary is bharati pulsagar
ignorance was the enemy lies and superstition
lies and superstition misinformation disinformation
misinformation disinformation sometimes no information at all
sometimes no information at all ignorance killed billions of people
ignorance killed billions of people ignorance caused the zombie war
ignorance caused the zombie war imagine if we had known then what we
imagine if we had known then what we know now
know now imagine if the undead virus
imagine if the undead virus had been as understood as say
had been as understood as say tuberculosis ones
tuberculosis ones imagine if the world's citizens or at
imagine if the world's citizens or at least those charged with protecting
least those charged with protecting those citizens had known exactly what
those citizens had known exactly what they were facing
they were facing ignorance was the real enemy and cold
ignorance was the real enemy and cold hard facts were the weapons
hard facts were the weapons when i first joined radio free earth it
when i first joined radio free earth it was still called the international
was still called the international program for health and safety
program for health and safety information
information the title radio free earth came from the
the title radio free earth came from the individuals and communities who
individuals and communities who monitored our broadcasts
monitored our broadcasts it was the first real international
it was the first real international venture barely a few months after the
venture barely a few months after the south african plan and years before the
south african plan and years before the conference at honolulu
conference at honolulu just like the rest of the world based
just like the rest of the world based their survival strategies on reticu
their survival strategies on reticu our genesis was routed in radio ubuna
our genesis was routed in radio ubuna note one
note one ubuna
ubuna a word of zulu origin for unity
a word of zulu origin for unity and note
what was radio ubuna south africa's broadcasts to its
south africa's broadcasts to its isolated citizens
isolated citizens because they didn't have the resources
because they didn't have the resources for material aid the only assistance the
for material aid the only assistance the government could render was information
government could render was information they were the first at least to my
they were the first at least to my knowledge to begin these regular
knowledge to begin these regular multilingual broadcasts
multilingual broadcasts not only did they offer practical
not only did they offer practical survival skills they went so far as to
survival skills they went so far as to collect and address each and every
collect and address each and every falsehood circulating among their
falsehood circulating among their citizens
citizens what we did was take the template of
what we did was take the template of radio ubuntu and adapted for the global
radio ubuntu and adapted for the global community
community i came aboard literally at the very
i came aboard literally at the very beginning
beginning as the ural's reactors were just being
as the ural's reactors were just being put back online
put back online the euro was a former vessel of the
the euro was a former vessel of the soviet than the russian federal navy
soviet than the russian federal navy back then the ssv 33 had been many
back then the ssv 33 had been many things
things a command and control ship a missile
a command and control ship a missile tracking platform an electronic
tracking platform an electronic surveillance vessel
surveillance vessel unfortunately she was also a white
unfortunately she was also a white elephant because her systems they tell
elephant because her systems they tell me were too complicated even for her own
me were too complicated even for her own crew
crew she had spent the majority of her career
she had spent the majority of her career tied to appear
tied to appear at the vladivostok naval base providing
at the vladivostok naval base providing additional electrical power for the
additional electrical power for the facility
facility i am not an engineer so i don't know how
i am not an engineer so i don't know how they manage to replace or spend fuel
they manage to replace or spend fuel rods
rods or convert her massive communication
or convert her massive communication facilities to interface with the global
facilities to interface with the global satellite network
satellite network i specialize in languages specifically
i specialize in languages specifically those of the indian subcontinent
those of the indian subcontinent myself
myself and mr verma just the two of us to cover
and mr verma just the two of us to cover a billion people
a billion people well at that point it was still a
well at that point it was still a billion
billion mr verma had found me in the refugee
mr verma had found me in the refugee camp in sri lanka
camp in sri lanka he was a translator i was an interpreter
he was a translator i was an interpreter we had worked together several years
we had worked together several years before at our country's embassy in
before at our country's embassy in london
london we thought it had been hard work then
we thought it had been hard work then we had no idea
we had no idea it was a maddening grind 18 sometimes 20
it was a maddening grind 18 sometimes 20 hours a day
hours a day i don't know when we slept
i don't know when we slept there was so much raw data
there was so much raw data so many dispatches arriving every minute
so many dispatches arriving every minute much of it had to do with basic survival
much of it had to do with basic survival how to purify water create an indoor
how to purify water create an indoor greenhouse
greenhouse culture and process mold spore for
culture and process mold spore for penicillin
penicillin this mind-numbing copy would often be
this mind-numbing copy would often be punctuated with facts and terms that i
punctuated with facts and terms that i had never heard of before i'd never
had never heard of before i'd never heard the term quizling or feral
heard the term quizling or feral i didn't know what a lobo was or the
i didn't know what a lobo was or the false miracle cure of phalanx
false miracle cure of phalanx all i knew was that suddenly there was a
all i knew was that suddenly there was a uniform man shoving a collection of
uniform man shoving a collection of words before my eyes
words before my eyes and telling me
and telling me we need this in marathi and ready to
we need this in marathi and ready to record in 15 minutes
record in 15 minutes what kind of misinformation were you
what kind of misinformation were you combating
combating where do you want me to begin
where do you want me to begin medical scientific military spiritual
medical scientific military spiritual psychological
psychological the psychological aspect i found the
the psychological aspect i found the most maddening
most maddening people wanted so badly to
people wanted so badly to anthropomorphize the walking blight
anthropomorphize the walking blight in war in a conventional war that is we
in war in a conventional war that is we spend so much time trying to dehumanize
spend so much time trying to dehumanize the enemy to create an emotional
the enemy to create an emotional distance
distance we would make up stories or derogatory
we would make up stories or derogatory titles
titles when i think about what my father used
when i think about what my father used to call muslims
to call muslims and now in this war it seemed that
and now in this war it seemed that everyone was trying desperately to find
everyone was trying desperately to find some shred of a connection to their
some shred of a connection to their enemy to put a human face on something
enemy to put a human face on something that was so unmistakably inhuman
that was so unmistakably inhuman can you give me some examples
can you give me some examples there were so many misconceptions
there were so many misconceptions zombies were somehow intelligent they
zombies were somehow intelligent they could feel and adapt
could feel and adapt use tools and even some human weapons
use tools and even some human weapons they carried memories of their former
they carried memories of their former existence
existence or they could be communicated with and
or they could be communicated with and trained like some kind of pet
trained like some kind of pet it was heartbreaking having to debunk
it was heartbreaking having to debunk one misguided myth after another
one misguided myth after another the civilian survival guide helped but
the civilian survival guide helped but was still severely limited oh really oh
was still severely limited oh really oh yes
yes you could see it was clearly written by
you could see it was clearly written by an american the references to suvs and
an american the references to suvs and personal firearms
personal firearms there was no taking into account the
there was no taking into account the cultural differences the various
cultural differences the various indigenous solutions people believed
indigenous solutions people believed would save them from the undead
would save them from the undead such as
such as i'd rather not give too many details not
i'd rather not give too many details not without tacitly condemning the entire
without tacitly condemning the entire people group from which this solution
people group from which this solution originated
originated as an indian i had to deal with many
as an indian i had to deal with many aspects of my own culture that had
aspects of my own culture that had turned self-destructive
turned self-destructive there was varanasi one of the oldest
there was varanasi one of the oldest cities on earth near the place where
cities on earth near the place where buddha supposedly preached his first
buddha supposedly preached his first sermon and where thousands of hindu
sermon and where thousands of hindu pilgrims came each year to die
pilgrims came each year to die in normal pre-war conditions the road
in normal pre-war conditions the road would be littered with corpses
would be littered with corpses now these corpses were rising to attack
now these corpses were rising to attack varanasi was one of the hottest white
varanasi was one of the hottest white zones a nexus of living death
zones a nexus of living death this nexus covered almost the entire
this nexus covered almost the entire length of the ganges
length of the ganges its healing powers had been
its healing powers had been scientifically assessed decades before
scientifically assessed decades before the war something to do with the high
the war something to do with the high oxygenation rate of the waters
oxygenation rate of the waters note 2
note 2 although opinion is divided on the
although opinion is divided on the subject many pre-war scientific studies
subject many pre-war scientific studies have proven that the high oxygenation
have proven that the high oxygenation retention of the ganges
retention of the ganges has been the source of its long revered
has been the source of its long revered miracle cures
miracle cures and note
and note tragic
tragic millions flock to its shores serving
millions flock to its shores serving only to feed the flames
only to feed the flames even after the government's withdrawal
even after the government's withdrawal to the himalayas when over 90 percent of
to the himalayas when over 90 percent of the country was officially overrun the
the country was officially overrun the pilgrimages continued
pilgrimages continued every country had a similar story
every country had a similar story every one of our international crew had
every one of our international crew had at least one moment when they were
at least one moment when they were forced to confront an example of
forced to confront an example of suicidal ignorance
suicidal ignorance an american told us about how the
an american told us about how the religious sect known as god's lambs
religious sect known as god's lambs believed that the rapture had finally
believed that the rapture had finally come and the quicker they were infected
come and the quicker they were infected the quicker they would go to heaven
the quicker they would go to heaven another woman i won't say what country
another woman i won't say what country she belonged to tried her best to dispel
she belonged to tried her best to dispel the notion that sexual intercourse with
the notion that sexual intercourse with a virgin could cleanse the curse
a virgin could cleanse the curse i don't know how many women or little
i don't know how many women or little girls were raped as a result of this
girls were raped as a result of this cleansing
cleansing everyone was furious with his own people
everyone was furious with his own people everyone was ashamed
everyone was ashamed our one belgian crew member compared it
our one belgian crew member compared it to the darkening skies he used to call
to the darkening skies he used to call it the evil of our collective soul
it the evil of our collective soul i guess i have no right to complain my
i guess i have no right to complain my life was never in danger my belly was
life was never in danger my belly was always full
always full i might not have slept often but at
i might not have slept often but at least i could sleep without fear
least i could sleep without fear most importantly
most importantly i never had had to work in the urals ir
i never had had to work in the urals ir department
department ir
ir information reception
information reception the data we were broadcasting did not
the data we were broadcasting did not originate aboard the ural
originate aboard the ural it came from all around the world from
it came from all around the world from experts and think tanks in various
experts and think tanks in various government safe zones
government safe zones they would transmit their findings to
they would transmit their findings to our ir operators who in turn would pass
our ir operators who in turn would pass it along to us
it along to us much of this data was transmitted to us
much of this data was transmitted to us over conventional open civilian bands
over conventional open civilian bands and many of these bands were crammed
and many of these bands were crammed with ordinary people's cries for help
with ordinary people's cries for help there were millions of wretched souls
there were millions of wretched souls scattered throughout our planet all
scattered throughout our planet all screaming into their private radio sets
screaming into their private radio sets as their children starved or their
as their children starved or their temporary fortress burned
temporary fortress burned or the living dead overran their
or the living dead overran their defenses
defenses even if you didn't understand the
even if you didn't understand the language as many of the operators didn't
language as many of the operators didn't there was no mistaking the human voice
there was no mistaking the human voice of anguish
of anguish they weren't allowed to answer back
they weren't allowed to answer back either there wasn't time all
either there wasn't time all transmissions had to be devoted to
transmissions had to be devoted to official business i don't want to know
official business i don't want to know what that was like for the ir operators
what that was like for the ir operators when the last broadcast came from buenos
when the last broadcast came from buenos aires when that famous latin singer
aires when that famous latin singer played that spanish lullaby
played that spanish lullaby he was too much for one of our operators
he was too much for one of our operators he wasn't from buenos aires he wasn't
he wasn't from buenos aires he wasn't even from south america he was just an
even from south america he was just an 18 year old russian sailor who blew his
18 year old russian sailor who blew his brains out all over his instruments
brains out all over his instruments he was the first
he was the first and since the end of the war
and since the end of the war the rest of the ir operators have
the rest of the ir operators have followed suit
followed suit not one of them is alive today
not one of them is alive today the last was my belgian friend
the last was my belgian friend you carry those voices with you he told
you carry those voices with you he told me one morning
me one morning we were standing on the deck
we were standing on the deck looking into that brown haze waiting for
looking into that brown haze waiting for a sunrise we knew we'd never see
a sunrise we knew we'd never see those cries will be with me the rest of
those cries will be with me the rest of my life
my life never resting never fading
never resting never fading never ceasing their call to join them
the demilitarized zone south korea hyung chol choi
hyung chol choi deputy director of the korean central
deputy director of the korean central intelligence agency
intelligence agency gestures to the dry hilly unremarkable
gestures to the dry hilly unremarkable landscape to our north
landscape to our north one might mistake it for southern
one might mistake it for southern california if not for the deserted pill
california if not for the deserted pill boxes fading banners
boxes fading banners and rusting barbed wire fence that runs
and rusting barbed wire fence that runs to either horizon
what happened no one knows
no one knows no country was better prepared to repel
no country was better prepared to repel the infestation than north korea
the infestation than north korea rivers to the north oceans to the east
rivers to the north oceans to the east and west
and west and to the south he gestures to the
and to the south he gestures to the demilitarized zone the most heavily
demilitarized zone the most heavily fortified border on earth
fortified border on earth you can see how mountainous the terrain
you can see how mountainous the terrain is how easily defensible
is how easily defensible but what you can't see is that those
but what you can't see is that those mountains are honeycombed with a titanic
mountains are honeycombed with a titanic military industrial infrastructure
military industrial infrastructure the north korean government learned some
the north korean government learned some very hard lessons from your bombing
very hard lessons from your bombing campaign of the 1950s
campaign of the 1950s and had been laboring ever since to
and had been laboring ever since to create a subterranean system that would
create a subterranean system that would allow their people to wage another war
allow their people to wage another war from a secure location
from a secure location their population was heavily militarized
their population was heavily militarized marshaled to a degree of readiness that
marshaled to a degree of readiness that made israel look like iceland
made israel look like iceland over a million men and women were
over a million men and women were actively under arms with a further five
actively under arms with a further five in reserve
in reserve that is over a quarter of the entire
that is over a quarter of the entire population
population not to mention the fact that almost
not to mention the fact that almost everyone in the country had
everyone in the country had at some point in their lives undergone
at some point in their lives undergone basic military training
basic military training more important than this training though
more important than this training though and most important for this kind of
and most important for this kind of warfare was an almost superhuman degree
warfare was an almost superhuman degree of national discipline
of national discipline north koreans were indoctrinated from
north koreans were indoctrinated from birth to believe that their lives were
birth to believe that their lives were meaningless that they existed only to
meaningless that they existed only to serve the state the revolution and the
serve the state the revolution and the great leader
great leader this is almost the polar opposite of
this is almost the polar opposite of what we experienced in the south
what we experienced in the south we were an open society we had to be
we were an open society we had to be international trade was our lifeblood
international trade was our lifeblood we were individualists maybe not as much
we were individualists maybe not as much as you americans but we had more than
as you americans but we had more than our share of protests and public
our share of protests and public disturbances
disturbances we were such a free and fractured
we were such a free and fractured society that we barely managed to
society that we barely managed to implement the
implement the chang doctrine during the great panic
note one the chang doctrine south korea's version
the chang doctrine south korea's version of the reticular plan
of the reticular plan and
and note that kind of internal crisis would
note that kind of internal crisis would have been inconceivable in the north
have been inconceivable in the north they were a people who even when their
they were a people who even when their government caused a near genocidal
government caused a near genocidal famine
famine would rather resort to eating children
would rather resort to eating children than raise even a whisper of defiance
than raise even a whisper of defiance note two
note two there have been reports of alleged
there have been reports of alleged cannibalism during the famine of 1992
cannibalism during the famine of 1992 and that some of the victims were
and that some of the victims were children
children and note
and note this was the kind of subservience adolf
this was the kind of subservience adolf hitler could have only dreamed of
hitler could have only dreamed of if you had given each citizen a gun a
if you had given each citizen a gun a rock or even their bare hands pointed
rock or even their bare hands pointed them at approaching zombies and said
them at approaching zombies and said fight they would have done so down to
fight they would have done so down to the oldest woman and smallest tot
the oldest woman and smallest tot this was a country bred for war planned
this was a country bred for war planned prepared and poised for it since july 27
prepared and poised for it since july 27 1953
1953 if you were going to invent a country to
if you were going to invent a country to not only survive but triumph over the
not only survive but triumph over the apocalypse we faced it would have been
apocalypse we faced it would have been the democratic people's republic of
the democratic people's republic of korea
korea so what happened
so what happened about a month before our troubles
about a month before our troubles started before the first outbreaks were
started before the first outbreaks were reported in busan
reported in busan the north suddenly and inexplicably
the north suddenly and inexplicably suffered all diplomatic relations
suffered all diplomatic relations we weren't told why the rail line the
we weren't told why the rail line the only overland link needs to see
only overland link needs to see long-lost relatives in the north
long-lost relatives in the north had their dreams abruptly shattered by a
had their dreams abruptly shattered by a rubber stamp
rubber stamp no explanation of any kind was given all
no explanation of any kind was given all we got was their standard matter of
we got was their standard matter of state security brush off
state security brush off unlike many others i wasn't convinced
unlike many others i wasn't convinced that this was a prelude to war
that this was a prelude to war whenever the north had threatened
whenever the north had threatened violence they always rang the same bells
violence they always rang the same bells no satellite data ours or the americans
no satellite data ours or the americans showed any hostile intent
showed any hostile intent there were no troop movements no
there were no troop movements no aircraft fueling no ship or submarine
aircraft fueling no ship or submarine deployment if anything our forces along
deployment if anything our forces along the demilitarized zone began noticing
the demilitarized zone began noticing their opposite numbers disappearing
their opposite numbers disappearing we knew them all the border troops we'd
we knew them all the border troops we'd photographed each one over the years
photographed each one over the years given them nicknames like snake eyes or
given them nicknames like snake eyes or bulldog
bulldog even compiled dossiers on their supposed
even compiled dossiers on their supposed ages backgrounds and personal lives
ages backgrounds and personal lives now they were gone
now they were gone vanished behind shielded trenches and
vanished behind shielded trenches and dugouts
dugouts our seismic indicators were similarly
our seismic indicators were similarly silent if the north had begun tunneling
silent if the north had begun tunneling operations or even massed vehicles on
operations or even massed vehicles on the other side of z
the other side of z we would have heard it like the national
we would have heard it like the national opera company
opera company pon moon drum is the only area along the
pon moon drum is the only area along the dmz where opposing sides can meet for
dmz where opposing sides can meet for face-to-face negotiations
face-to-face negotiations we share joint custody of the conference
we share joint custody of the conference rooms and our troops posture for each
rooms and our troops posture for each other over several meters of open
other over several meters of open courtyard
courtyard the guards were changed on a rotating
the guards were changed on a rotating basis
basis one night as the north korean detachment
one night as the north korean detachment marched into their barracks no
marched into their barracks no replacement unit marched out
replacement unit marched out the doors were shut the lights were
the doors were shut the lights were extinguished and we never saw them again
extinguished and we never saw them again we also saw a complete halt to human
we also saw a complete halt to human intelligence infiltration spies from the
intelligence infiltration spies from the north were almost as regular and
north were almost as regular and predictable as the seasons
predictable as the seasons most of the time they were easy to spot
most of the time they were easy to spot wearing out-of-date clothes or asking
wearing out-of-date clothes or asking the price of goods that they should have
the price of goods that they should have already known
already known we used to pick them up all the time but
we used to pick them up all the time but since the outbreaks began their numbers
since the outbreaks began their numbers had dwindled to zero
had dwindled to zero what about your spies in the north
what about your spies in the north vanished all of them right about the
vanished all of them right about the same time all our electronic
same time all our electronic surveillance assets went dark
surveillance assets went dark i don't mean there was no disturbing
i don't mean there was no disturbing radio traffic i mean there was no
radio traffic i mean there was no traffic at all
traffic at all one by one all the civilian and military
one by one all the civilian and military channels began shutting down
channels began shutting down satellite images showed fewer farmers in
satellite images showed fewer farmers in their fields
their fields less foot traffic in city streets even
less foot traffic in city streets even fewer volunteer laborers on many public
fewer volunteer laborers on many public works projects
works projects which is something that has never
which is something that has never happened before
happened before before we knew it there wasn't a living
before we knew it there wasn't a living soul left from the yalu to the dmz
soul left from the yalu to the dmz from a purely intelligence standpoint
from a purely intelligence standpoint it appeared as if the entire country
it appeared as if the entire country every man woman and child in north korea
every man woman and child in north korea had simply vanished
had simply vanished this mystery only stoked our growing
this mystery only stoked our growing anxiety given what we had to deal with
anxiety given what we had to deal with at home
at home by now there were outbreaks in seoul
by now there were outbreaks in seoul paw hong
paw hong tad john
tad john there was the evacuation of makpo
there was the evacuation of makpo the isolation of
the isolation of kongnung and of course our version of
kongnung and of course our version of yonkers
yonkers at inchon
at inchon and all of it compounded by the need to
and all of it compounded by the need to keep at least half our active divisions
keep at least half our active divisions along our northern border
along our northern border too many in the ministry of national
too many in the ministry of national defense
defense were convinced that pyongyang was just
were convinced that pyongyang was just aching for war
aching for war waiting eagerly for our darkest moment
waiting eagerly for our darkest moment to come thundering across the 38th
to come thundering across the 38th parallel
parallel we in the intelligence community
we in the intelligence community couldn't disagree more we kept telling
couldn't disagree more we kept telling them that if they were waiting for our
them that if they were waiting for our darkest hour
darkest hour then that hour had most certainly
then that hour had most certainly arrived
arrived taehan mingook was on the brink of
taehan mingook was on the brink of national collapse
national collapse plans were being secretly drafted for a
plans were being secretly drafted for a japanese style resettlement
japanese style resettlement covert teams were already scouting
covert teams were already scouting locations in kamchatka
locations in kamchatka if the chang doctrine hadn't worked if
if the chang doctrine hadn't worked if just a few more units had broken if a
just a few more units had broken if a few more safe zones had collapsed
few more safe zones had collapsed maybe we owe our survival to the north
maybe we owe our survival to the north or at least to the fear of it
or at least to the fear of it my generation never really saw the north
my generation never really saw the north as a threat
as a threat i'm speaking of the civilians you
i'm speaking of the civilians you understand those of my age who saw them
understand those of my age who saw them as a backward starving failed nation
as a backward starving failed nation my generation had grown up their entire
my generation had grown up their entire lives in peace and prosperity the only
lives in peace and prosperity the only thing they feared was a german style
thing they feared was a german style reunification that would bring millions
reunification that would bring millions of homeless ex-communists looking for a
of homeless ex-communists looking for a handout that wasn't the case with those
handout that wasn't the case with those who came before us our parents and
who came before us our parents and grandparents those who lived with the
grandparents those who lived with the very real specter of invasion hanging
very real specter of invasion hanging over them the knowledge that at any
over them the knowledge that at any moment the alarms might sound the lights
moment the alarms might sound the lights might dim
might dim and the bankers school teachers and taxi
and the bankers school teachers and taxi drivers
drivers might be called to pick up arms and
might be called to pick up arms and fight to defend their homeland their
fight to defend their homeland their hearts and minds were ever vigilant and
hearts and minds were ever vigilant and in the end it was them not us who
in the end it was them not us who rallied the national spirit
rallied the national spirit i'm still pushing for an expedition to
i'm still pushing for an expedition to the north
the north i'm still blocked at every turn
i'm still blocked at every turn there's too much work to do they tell me
there's too much work to do they tell me the country is still in shambles we also
the country is still in shambles we also have our international commitments most
have our international commitments most importantly the repatriation of our
importantly the repatriation of our refugees to kyushu
refugees to kyushu snorts
snorts those japs are gonna owe us big time
those japs are gonna owe us big time i'm not asking for a recon in force
i'm not asking for a recon in force just give me one helicopter one fishing
just give me one helicopter one fishing boat
boat just open the gates at panmunjom and let
just open the gates at panmunjom and let me walk through on foot what if you
me walk through on foot what if you trigger some booby trap they counter
trigger some booby trap they counter what if it's nuclear what if you open
what if it's nuclear what if you open the door to some underground city and 23
the door to some underground city and 23 million zombies come spewing out
million zombies come spewing out their arguments aren't without merit
their arguments aren't without merit we know the dmz is heavily mined
we know the dmz is heavily mined last month a cargo plane nearing their
last month a cargo plane nearing their airspace was fired on by a
airspace was fired on by a surface-to-air missile
surface-to-air missile the launcher was an automated model the
the launcher was an automated model the type they designed as a revenge weapon
type they designed as a revenge weapon in case the population had already been
in case the population had already been obliterated
obliterated conventional wisdom is that they must
conventional wisdom is that they must have evacuated to their subterranean
have evacuated to their subterranean complexes if that is true then our
complexes if that is true then our estimates of the size and depth of those
estimates of the size and depth of those complexes were grossly inaccurate
complexes were grossly inaccurate maybe the entire population is
maybe the entire population is underground tooling away on endless war
underground tooling away on endless war projects
projects while their great leader continues to
while their great leader continues to anesthetize himself with western liquor
anesthetize himself with western liquor and american pornography
and american pornography do they even know the war is over
do they even know the war is over have their leaders lied to them again
have their leaders lied to them again and told them that the world as they
and told them that the world as they know it has ceased to be maybe the rise
know it has ceased to be maybe the rise of the dead was a good thing in their
of the dead was a good thing in their eyes an excuse to tighten the yoke even
eyes an excuse to tighten the yoke even further in a society built on blind
further in a society built on blind subjugation
subjugation the great leader always wanted to be a
the great leader always wanted to be a living god and now as master not only of
living god and now as master not only of the food his people eat the air they
the food his people eat the air they breathe
breathe but the very light of their artificial
but the very light of their artificial suns
suns maybe his twisted fantasy has finally
maybe his twisted fantasy has finally become a reality
become a reality maybe that was the original plan but
maybe that was the original plan but something went disastrously wrong
something went disastrously wrong look what happened to the mole city
look what happened to the mole city underneath paris
underneath paris what if that occurred in the north on a
what if that occurred in the north on a national level
national level maybe those caverns are teeming with 23
maybe those caverns are teeming with 23 million zombies emaciated automatons
million zombies emaciated automatons howling in the darkness and just waiting
howling in the darkness and just waiting to be unleashed
the old photo of kondo tatsumi shows a skinny acne-faced teenager with
shows a skinny acne-faced teenager with dull red eyes
dull red eyes and bleached blonde highlights streaking
and bleached blonde highlights streaking his uncamped hair
his uncamped hair the man i am speaking to has no hair at
the man i am speaking to has no hair at all clean shaven tanned and toned his
all clean shaven tanned and toned his clear sharp gaze never leaves mine
clear sharp gaze never leaves mine although his manner is cordial and his
although his manner is cordial and his mood light
mood light this warrior monk retains the composure
this warrior monk retains the composure of a predatory animal addressed
of a predatory animal addressed i was an otaku
i was an otaku i know that term has come to mean a
i know that term has come to mean a great many things to a great many people
great many things to a great many people but for me it simply meant outsider
but for me it simply meant outsider i know americans especially young ones
i know americans especially young ones must feel trapped by societal pressure
must feel trapped by societal pressure all humans do
all humans do however if i understand your culture
however if i understand your culture correctly
correctly individualism is something to be
individualism is something to be encouraged
encouraged you revere the rebel
you revere the rebel the rogue those who stand proudly apart
the rogue those who stand proudly apart from the masses
from the masses for you individuality is a badge of
for you individuality is a badge of honor
honor for us it is a ribbon of shame
for us it is a ribbon of shame we lived particularly before the war in
we lived particularly before the war in a complex and seemingly infinite
a complex and seemingly infinite labyrinth of external judgments
labyrinth of external judgments your appearance your speech everything
your appearance your speech everything from the career you held to the way you
from the career you held to the way you sneezed had to be planned and
sneezed had to be planned and orchestrated to follow rigid confucian
orchestrated to follow rigid confucian doctrine
doctrine some either have the strength or lack
some either have the strength or lack thereof to accept this doctrine
thereof to accept this doctrine others like myself
others like myself chose exile in a better world
chose exile in a better world that world was cyberspace
that world was cyberspace and it was tailor-made for japanese
and it was tailor-made for japanese otaku
i can't speak for your educational system or indeed for that of any other
system or indeed for that of any other country but ours was based almost
country but ours was based almost entirely on fact retention
entirely on fact retention from the day we first set foot in a
from the day we first set foot in a classroom pre-war japanese children were
classroom pre-war japanese children were injected with volumes upon volumes of
injected with volumes upon volumes of facts and figures that had no practical
facts and figures that had no practical application in our lives
application in our lives these facts had no moral component no
these facts had no moral component no social context no human connection to
social context no human connection to the outside world
the outside world they had no reason for existence
they had no reason for existence other than that their mastery allows
other than that their mastery allows ascension
ascension pre-war japanese children were not
pre-war japanese children were not taught to think
taught to think we were taught to memorize
you can understand how this education would easily lend itself to an existence
would easily lend itself to an existence in cyberspace
in cyberspace in a world of information without
in a world of information without context where status was determined on
context where status was determined on its acquisition and possession
its acquisition and possession those of my generation could rule like
those of my generation could rule like gods
gods i was a sensei
i was a sensei master over all i surveyed
master over all i surveyed be it discovering the blood type of the
be it discovering the blood type of the prime minister's cabinet
prime minister's cabinet or the tax receipts of matsumoto
or the tax receipts of matsumoto and
and or the location and condition of all
or the location and condition of all shin gunto swords of the pacific war
note one hitoshi matsumoto
hitoshi matsumoto and masatoshi hamada were japan's most
and masatoshi hamada were japan's most successful pre-war improvisational
successful pre-war improvisational comedians
comedians and note
and note i didn't have to worry about my
i didn't have to worry about my appearance or my social etiquette my
appearance or my social etiquette my grades or my prospects for the future
grades or my prospects for the future no one could judge me no one could hurt
no one could judge me no one could hurt me
me in this world i was powerful and more
in this world i was powerful and more importantly i was safe
importantly i was safe when the crisis reached japan my clique
when the crisis reached japan my clique as with all the others
as with all the others forgot our previous obsessions and
forgot our previous obsessions and devoted our energies entirely to the
devoted our energies entirely to the living dead
living dead we studied their physiology behavior
we studied their physiology behavior weaknesses and the global response to
weaknesses and the global response to their attack upon humanity
their attack upon humanity the last subject was my clique specialty
the last subject was my clique specialty the possibility of containment within
the possibility of containment within the japanese home islands
the japanese home islands i collected population statistics
i collected population statistics transport networks police doctrine
transport networks police doctrine i memorized everything from the size of
i memorized everything from the size of the japanese merchant fleet to how many
the japanese merchant fleet to how many rounds the army's type 89 assault rifle
rounds the army's type 89 assault rifle held
held no fact was too small or obscure we were
no fact was too small or obscure we were on a mission we barely slept
on a mission we barely slept when school was eventually cancelled it
when school was eventually cancelled it gave us the ability to be wired in
gave us the ability to be wired in almost 24 hours a day
almost 24 hours a day i was the first to hack into dr
i was the first to hack into dr komatsu's
komatsu's personal hard drive
personal hard drive and read the raw data a full week before
and read the raw data a full week before he presented his findings to the diet
he presented his findings to the diet this was a coup
this was a coup it further elevated my status among
it further elevated my status among those who already worshipped me
those who already worshipped me dr komatsu first recommended the
dr komatsu first recommended the evacuation
evacuation he did
he did like us he'd been compiling the same
like us he'd been compiling the same facts but whereas we'd been memorizing
facts but whereas we'd been memorizing them he'd been analyzing them
them he'd been analyzing them japan was an overcrowded nation
japan was an overcrowded nation 128 million people
128 million people jammed into less than 370 000 square
jammed into less than 370 000 square kilometers
kilometers of either mountainous or over urbanized
of either mountainous or over urbanized islands
islands japan's low crime rate gave it one of
japan's low crime rate gave it one of the relatively smallest and most likely
the relatively smallest and most likely armed police forces in the
armed police forces in the industrialized world
industrialized world japan was pretty much also a
japan was pretty much also a demilitarized state
demilitarized state because of american protection our
because of american protection our self-defense forces had not seen actual
self-defense forces had not seen actual combat since 1945.
combat since 1945. even those token troops who were
even those token troops who were deployed to the gulf
deployed to the gulf almost never saw any serious action
almost never saw any serious action and spent most of their occupation duty
and spent most of their occupation duty within the protected walls of their
within the protected walls of their isolated compound
isolated compound we had access to all these bits of
we had access to all these bits of information but not the wherewithal to
information but not the wherewithal to see where they were pointing
see where they were pointing so it took us all by complete surprise
so it took us all by complete surprise when dr komatsu
when dr komatsu publicly declared that the situation was
publicly declared that the situation was hopeless and that japan had to be
hopeless and that japan had to be immediately evacuated
immediately evacuated that must have been terrifying
that must have been terrifying not at all
not at all it set off an explosion of frenzied
it set off an explosion of frenzied activity a race to discover where our
activity a race to discover where our population might resettle
population might resettle would it be the south
would it be the south the coral atolls of the central and
the coral atolls of the central and south pacific
south pacific or would we head north
or would we head north colonizing the curiels
colonizing the curiels sakhalin or maybe somewhere in siberia
sakhalin or maybe somewhere in siberia whoever could uncover the answer would
whoever could uncover the answer would be the greatest otaku in cyber history
be the greatest otaku in cyber history and there was no concern for your
and there was no concern for your personal safety
personal safety of course not
of course not japan was doomed but i didn't live in
japan was doomed but i didn't live in japan i lived in a world of free
japan i lived in a world of free floating information
the siafu that's what we were calling the infected
that's what we were calling the infected now
now weren't something to be feared they were
weren't something to be feared they were something to be studied
something to be studied note two
note two siafu is the nickname for the african
siafu is the nickname for the african driver ant
driver ant the term was first used by dr komatso
the term was first used by dr komatso yukiyo in his address to the diet
yukiyo in his address to the diet and note
you have no idea the kind of disconnect i was suffering
i was suffering my culture my upbringing and now my
my culture my upbringing and now my otaku lifestyle all combined to
otaku lifestyle all combined to completely insulate me
completely insulate me japan might be evacuated
japan might be evacuated japan might be destroyed
japan might be destroyed and i would watch it all happen from the
and i would watch it all happen from the safety of my digital mountain top
safety of my digital mountain top what about your parents
what about your parents what about them
what about them we lived in the same apartment
we lived in the same apartment but i never really conversed with them
but i never really conversed with them i'm sure they thought i was studying
i'm sure they thought i was studying even when school closed i told them i
even when school closed i told them i still had to prepare for exams
still had to prepare for exams they never questioned it
they never questioned it my father and i rarely spoke
my father and i rarely spoke in the mornings my mother would leave a
in the mornings my mother would leave a breakfast tray at my door at night she
breakfast tray at my door at night she would leave dinner
would leave dinner the first time she didn't leave a tray i
the first time she didn't leave a tray i thought nothing of it
thought nothing of it i woke up that morning as i always did
i woke up that morning as i always did gratified myself as i always did
gratified myself as i always did logged on as i always did
logged on as i always did it was midday before i started to feel
it was midday before i started to feel hungry
hungry i hated those feelings hunger or fatigue
i hated those feelings hunger or fatigue or the worst sexual desire
or the worst sexual desire those were physical distractions they
those were physical distractions they annoyed me
annoyed me i reluctantly turned away from my
i reluctantly turned away from my computer and opened my bedroom door
computer and opened my bedroom door no food
no food i called for my mother
i called for my mother no answer
no answer i went into the kitchen area grabbed
i went into the kitchen area grabbed some raw ramen and ran back to my desk
some raw ramen and ran back to my desk i did it again that night and again the
i did it again that night and again the next morning
next morning you never questioned where your parents
you never questioned where your parents were
were the only reason i cared was because of
the only reason i cared was because of the precious minutes i was wasting
the precious minutes i was wasting having to feed myself
having to feed myself in my world too many exciting things
in my world too many exciting things were happening
were happening what about the other otaku didn't they
what about the other otaku didn't they discuss their fears
discuss their fears we shared facts not feelings even when
we shared facts not feelings even when they started to disappear
they started to disappear i'd noticed that someone had stopped
i'd noticed that someone had stopped returning email or else hadn't posted
returning email or else hadn't posted for a while i'd see that they hadn't
for a while i'd see that they hadn't logged on in a day
logged on in a day or that their servers were no longer
or that their servers were no longer active
active and that didn't scare you
and that didn't scare you it annoyed me
it annoyed me not only was i losing a source of
not only was i losing a source of information i was losing potential
information i was losing potential praise for my own
praise for my own to post some new factoid about japanese
to post some new factoid about japanese evacuation ports and to have 50 instead
evacuation ports and to have 50 instead of 60 responses was upsetting
of 60 responses was upsetting then to have those 50 drop to 45
then to have those 50 drop to 45 then to 30.
then to 30. how long did this go on for
how long did this go on for about three days
about three days the last post from another otaku in
the last post from another otaku in sendai
sendai stated that the dead were now flowing
stated that the dead were now flowing out of
out of tohoku university hospital in the same
tohoku university hospital in the same cho as his apartment
and that didn't worry you why should it i was too busy trying to learn all i
i was too busy trying to learn all i could about the evacuation process
could about the evacuation process how it was going to be executed what
how it was going to be executed what government organizations were involved
government organizations were involved would the camps be in kamchatka
would the camps be in kamchatka or sakhalin or both
or sakhalin or both and what was this i was reading about
and what was this i was reading about the rash of suicides that was sweeping
the rash of suicides that was sweeping the country
the country note 3
note 3 it has been established that japan
it has been established that japan suffered the largest percentage of
suffered the largest percentage of suicides during the great panic
suicides during the great panic and note
and note so many questions so much data to mine i
so many questions so much data to mine i cursed myself for having to go to sleep
cursed myself for having to go to sleep that night
that night when i woke up the screen was blank i
when i woke up the screen was blank i tried to sign on
tried to sign on nothing
nothing i tried rebooting
i tried rebooting nothing
nothing i noticed that i was on backup battery
i noticed that i was on backup battery not a problem i had enough reserve power
not a problem i had enough reserve power for 10 hours at full use
for 10 hours at full use i also noticed that my signal strength
i also noticed that my signal strength was zero
was zero i couldn't believe it
i couldn't believe it kokura like all japan
kokura like all japan had a state-of-the-art wireless network
had a state-of-the-art wireless network that was supposed to be fail-safe
that was supposed to be fail-safe one server might go down
one server might go down maybe even a few but the whole net
maybe even a few but the whole net i realized it must be my computer it had
i realized it must be my computer it had to be
to be i got out my laptop and tried to sign on
i got out my laptop and tried to sign on no signal i cursed and got up to tell my
no signal i cursed and got up to tell my parents that i had to use their desktop
parents that i had to use their desktop they still weren't home
they still weren't home frustrated i tried to pick up the phone
frustrated i tried to pick up the phone to call my mother's cell
to call my mother's cell it was cordless dependent on wall power
it was cordless dependent on wall power i tried my cell
i tried my cell i got no reception
i got no reception do you know what happened to them
do you know what happened to them no
no even to this day i have no idea
even to this day i have no idea i know they didn't abandon me i'm sure
i know they didn't abandon me i'm sure of it
of it maybe my father was caught out at work
maybe my father was caught out at work my mother trapped while trying to go
my mother trapped while trying to go grocery shopping
grocery shopping they could have been lost together going
they could have been lost together going to or coming back from the relocation
to or coming back from the relocation office anything could have happened
office anything could have happened there was no note nothing
there was no note nothing i've been trying to find out ever since
i've been trying to find out ever since i went back into my parents room just to
i went back into my parents room just to make sure they weren't there
make sure they weren't there i tried the phones again
i tried the phones again it wasn't bad yet
it wasn't bad yet i was still in control
i was still in control i tried to go back online
i tried to go back online isn't that funny all i could think about
isn't that funny all i could think about was trying to escape again getting back
was trying to escape again getting back to my world being safe
to my world being safe nothing
nothing i started to panic
i started to panic now i started to say trying to command
now i started to say trying to command my computer by force of will
my computer by force of will now now now now now
now now now now now i started beating the monitor
i started beating the monitor my knuckles split the side of my own
my knuckles split the side of my own blood terrified me
blood terrified me i'd never played sports as a child never
i'd never played sports as a child never been injured
been injured it was all too much
it was all too much i picked up the monitor and threw it
i picked up the monitor and threw it against the wall
against the wall i was crying like a baby shouting
i was crying like a baby shouting hyperventilating
hyperventilating i started to wretch and vomited all over
i started to wretch and vomited all over the floor
the floor i got up and staggered to the front door
i got up and staggered to the front door i don't know what i was looking for
i don't know what i was looking for just that i had to get out i opened the
just that i had to get out i opened the door and stared into darkness
door and stared into darkness did you try knocking at the neighbor's
did you try knocking at the neighbor's door
door no
no isn't that odd
isn't that odd even at the height of my breakdown my
even at the height of my breakdown my social anxiety was so great that
social anxiety was so great that actually risking personal contact was
actually risking personal contact was still taboo
still taboo i took a few steps slipped and fell into
i took a few steps slipped and fell into something soft
something soft it was cold and slimy all over my hands
it was cold and slimy all over my hands my clothes
my clothes it stank
it stank the whole hallway stank
the whole hallway stank i suddenly became aware of a low steady
i suddenly became aware of a low steady scraping noise like something was
scraping noise like something was dragging itself across the hallway
dragging itself across the hallway toward me
toward me i called out hello
i called out hello i heard a soft gurgling groan
i heard a soft gurgling groan my eyes were just beginning to adjust to
my eyes were just beginning to adjust to the darkness i began to make out a shape
the darkness i began to make out a shape large humanoid crawling on its belly
large humanoid crawling on its belly i sat there paralyzed wanting to run but
i sat there paralyzed wanting to run but at the same time wanting to
at the same time wanting to to know for sure
to know for sure my doorway was casting a narrow
my doorway was casting a narrow rectangle of dim grey light against the
rectangle of dim grey light against the far wall
far wall as the thing moved into that light i
as the thing moved into that light i finally saw its face perfectly intact
finally saw its face perfectly intact perfectly human except for the right eye
perfectly human except for the right eye that hung by the stem
that hung by the stem the left eye was locked on mine and its
the left eye was locked on mine and its gurgling moan became a choked rasp
gurgling moan became a choked rasp i jumped to my feet sprang back inside
i jumped to my feet sprang back inside my apartment and slammed the door behind
my apartment and slammed the door behind me
me my mind was finally clear maybe for the
my mind was finally clear maybe for the first time in years and i suddenly
first time in years and i suddenly realized that i could smell smoke and
realized that i could smell smoke and hear faint screams
hear faint screams i went over to the window and threw the
i went over to the window and threw the curtains open
curtains open kokura was engulfed in hell
kokura was engulfed in hell the fires the wreckage
the fires the wreckage the siafu were everywhere
the siafu were everywhere i watched them crash through doors
i watched them crash through doors invade apartments devour people cowering
invade apartments devour people cowering in corners or on balconies
in corners or on balconies i watched people leap to their deaths or
i watched people leap to their deaths or break their legs and spines
break their legs and spines they lay on the pavement unable to move
they lay on the pavement unable to move wailing in agony as the dead closed in
wailing in agony as the dead closed in around them
around them one man in the apartment directly across
one man in the apartment directly across from me tried to fight them off with a
from me tried to fight them off with a golf club it bent harmlessly around a
golf club it bent harmlessly around a zombie's head before five others pulled
zombie's head before five others pulled him to the floor
him to the floor then
then a pounding at the door
a pounding at the door my door
my door this
this shakes his fist
shakes his fist bomb bomb bomb from the bottom near the
bomb bomb bomb from the bottom near the floor
floor i heard the thing groaning outside i
i heard the thing groaning outside i heard other noises too from the other
heard other noises too from the other apartments
apartments these were my neighbors the people i'd
these were my neighbors the people i'd always tried to avoid whose faces and
always tried to avoid whose faces and names i could barely remember
names i could barely remember they were screaming pleading struggling
they were screaming pleading struggling and sobbing
and sobbing i heard one voice either a young woman
i heard one voice either a young woman or a child on the floor above me calling
or a child on the floor above me calling someone by name begging them to stop
someone by name begging them to stop but the voice was swallowed in a chorus
but the voice was swallowed in a chorus of moans
of moans the banging at my door became louder
the banging at my door became louder more siafu had shown up
more siafu had shown up i tried to move the living room
i tried to move the living room furniture against the door it was a
furniture against the door it was a waste of effort
waste of effort our apartment was by your standards
our apartment was by your standards pretty bare
pretty bare the door began to crack i could see its
the door began to crack i could see its hinges straining i figured i had maybe a
hinges straining i figured i had maybe a few minutes to escape
few minutes to escape escape but if the door was jammed
escape but if the door was jammed out the window onto the balcony of the
out the window onto the balcony of the apartment below
apartment below i thought i could tie bed sheets into a
i thought i could tie bed sheets into a rope smiles sheepishly
rope smiles sheepishly i'd heard about it from an otaku who
i'd heard about it from an otaku who studied american prison breaks
studied american prison breaks it would be the first time i ever
it would be the first time i ever applied any of my archived knowledge
applied any of my archived knowledge fortunately the linen held
fortunately the linen held i climbed out of my apartment and
i climbed out of my apartment and started to lower myself down to the
started to lower myself down to the apartment below
apartment below immediately my muscles started cramping
immediately my muscles started cramping i'd never paid much attention to them
i'd never paid much attention to them and now they were reaping their revenge
and now they were reaping their revenge i struggled to control my motions and to
i struggled to control my motions and to not think about the fact that i was 19
not think about the fact that i was 19 floors up
floors up the wind was terrible hot and dry from
the wind was terrible hot and dry from all the fires
all the fires a gust picked me up and slammed me
a gust picked me up and slammed me against the side of the building i
against the side of the building i bounced off the concrete and almost lost
bounced off the concrete and almost lost my grip i could feel the bottom of my
my grip i could feel the bottom of my feet bumping against the balconies
feet bumping against the balconies railing and it took all the courage i
railing and it took all the courage i had to relax enough to climb down just
had to relax enough to climb down just those few extra feet
those few extra feet i landed on my ass panting and coughing
i landed on my ass panting and coughing from the smoke i could hear sounds from
from the smoke i could hear sounds from my apartment above
my apartment above the dead that had broken through the
the dead that had broken through the front door
front door i looked up at my balcony and saw a head
i looked up at my balcony and saw a head the one-eyed siafu was squeezing himself
the one-eyed siafu was squeezing himself through the opening between the rail and
through the opening between the rail and the balcony floor
the balcony floor it hung there for a moment half out half
it hung there for a moment half out half in then gave another lurch toward me and
in then gave another lurch toward me and slid over the side
slid over the side i'll never forget that it was still
i'll never forget that it was still reaching for me as it fell
reaching for me as it fell this nightmare flash of it suspended in
this nightmare flash of it suspended in midair arms out hanging eyeball now
midair arms out hanging eyeball now flying upward against its forehead
flying upward against its forehead i could hear the other see afu groaning
i could hear the other see afu groaning on the balcony above
on the balcony above and turn to see if there were any in
and turn to see if there were any in this apartment with me
this apartment with me fortunately i saw that the front door
fortunately i saw that the front door had been barricaded like mine however
had been barricaded like mine however unlike mine there weren't any sounds of
unlike mine there weren't any sounds of attackers outside
attackers outside i was also comforted by the layer of ash
i was also comforted by the layer of ash on the carpet it was deep and unbroken
on the carpet it was deep and unbroken telling me that no one or nothing had
telling me that no one or nothing had walked across this floor for a couple
walked across this floor for a couple days
days for a moment i thought i might be alone
for a moment i thought i might be alone and then i noticed the smell
and then i noticed the smell i slid the bathroom door open and was
i slid the bathroom door open and was blown back by this invisible putrid
blown back by this invisible putrid cloud
cloud the woman was in her tub
the woman was in her tub she had slit her wrists long vertical
she had slit her wrists long vertical slices along the arteries to make sure
slices along the arteries to make sure the job was done right
the job was done right her name was reiko
her name was reiko she was the only neighbor i'd made any
she was the only neighbor i'd made any effort to know
effort to know she was a high-priced hostess at a club
she was a high-priced hostess at a club for foreign businessmen
for foreign businessmen i'd always fantasized about what she'd
i'd always fantasized about what she'd look like naked
look like naked now i knew
now i knew strangely enough what bothered me most
strangely enough what bothered me most was that i didn't know any prayers for
was that i didn't know any prayers for the dead
the dead i'd forgotten what my grandparents had
i'd forgotten what my grandparents had tried to teach me as a little kid
tried to teach me as a little kid rejected it as obsolete data
rejected it as obsolete data it was a shame
it was a shame how out of touch i was with my heritage
how out of touch i was with my heritage all i could do was stand there like an
all i could do was stand there like an idiot and whisper an awkward apology for
idiot and whisper an awkward apology for taking some of her sheets
taking some of her sheets her sheets for more rope i knew i
her sheets for more rope i knew i couldn't stay there for very long
couldn't stay there for very long besides the health hazard of a dead body
besides the health hazard of a dead body there was no telling when the siafu on
there was no telling when the siafu on that floor would sense my presence and
that floor would sense my presence and attack the barricade i had to get out of
attack the barricade i had to get out of this building get out of the city and
this building get out of the city and hopefully try to find a way to get out
hopefully try to find a way to get out of japan
of japan i didn't have a fully thought out plan
i didn't have a fully thought out plan yet i just knew i had to keep going one
yet i just knew i had to keep going one floor at a time until i reached the
floor at a time until i reached the street i figured stopping at a few of
street i figured stopping at a few of the apartments would give me a chance to
the apartments would give me a chance to gather supplies and as dangerous as my
gather supplies and as dangerous as my sheet rope method was it couldn't be any
sheet rope method was it couldn't be any worse than the siafu that would almost
worse than the siafu that would almost certainly be lurking in the building's
certainly be lurking in the building's hallways and stairwells
wouldn't it be more dangerous once you reach the streets
reach the streets no safer
no safer catches my expression
catches my expression no honestly
no honestly that was one of the things i'd learned
that was one of the things i'd learned online the living dead were slow and
online the living dead were slow and easy to outrun or even out walk
easy to outrun or even out walk indoors i might run the risk of being
indoors i might run the risk of being trapped in some narrow choke point but
trapped in some narrow choke point but out in the open i had infinite options
out in the open i had infinite options better still i'd learned from online
better still i'd learned from online survivor reports that the chaos of a
survivor reports that the chaos of a full-blown outbreak could actually work
full-blown outbreak could actually work to one's advantage
to one's advantage with so many other frightened
with so many other frightened disorganized humans to distract the
disorganized humans to distract the siafu why would they even notice me
siafu why would they even notice me as long as i watched my step kept up a
as long as i watched my step kept up a brisk pace and didn't have the
brisk pace and didn't have the misfortune to be hit by a fleeing
misfortune to be hit by a fleeing motorist or straight bullet
motorist or straight bullet i figured i had a pretty good chance of
i figured i had a pretty good chance of navigating my way through the chaos on
navigating my way through the chaos on the streets below
the streets below the real problem was getting there
the real problem was getting there it took me three days to make it all the
it took me three days to make it all the way down to the ground floor
way down to the ground floor this was partially due to my disgraceful
this was partially due to my disgraceful physical stamina
physical stamina a trained athlete would have found my
a trained athlete would have found my makeshift rope antics a challenge so you
makeshift rope antics a challenge so you can imagine what they were for me
can imagine what they were for me in retrospect it's a miracle i didn't
in retrospect it's a miracle i didn't plunge to my death
plunge to my death or succumb to infection with all the
or succumb to infection with all the scrapes and scratches i endured
scrapes and scratches i endured my body was held together with
my body was held together with adrenaline and pain medication
adrenaline and pain medication i was exhausted nervous horribly sleep
i was exhausted nervous horribly sleep deprived
deprived i couldn't rest in the conventional
i couldn't rest in the conventional sense
sense once it got dark i would move everything
once it got dark i would move everything i could against the door then sit in a
i could against the door then sit in a corner crying nursing my wounds and
corner crying nursing my wounds and cursing my frailty until the sky began
cursing my frailty until the sky began to lighten
to lighten i did manage to close my eyes one night
i did manage to close my eyes one night even drift off to sleep for a few
even drift off to sleep for a few minutes but then the banging of a sea
minutes but then the banging of a sea offu against the front door sent me
offu against the front door sent me scurrying out the window
scurrying out the window i spent the remainder of that night
i spent the remainder of that night huddled on the balcony of the next
huddled on the balcony of the next apartment its sliding glass door was
apartment its sliding glass door was locked and i just didn't have the
locked and i just didn't have the strength to kick it in
strength to kick it in my second delay was mental not physical
my second delay was mental not physical specifically my otaku's
specifically my otaku's obsessive-compulsive drive
obsessive-compulsive drive to find just the right survival gear no
to find just the right survival gear no matter how long it took
matter how long it took my online searches had taught me all
my online searches had taught me all about the right weapons clothing food
about the right weapons clothing food and medicine
and medicine the problem was finding them in an
the problem was finding them in an apartment complex of urban salarymen
apartment complex of urban salarymen laughs
laughs i made quite a sight shimmying down that
i made quite a sight shimmying down that sheet rope in a businessman's raincoat
sheet rope in a businessman's raincoat and racos bright pink vintage hello
and racos bright pink vintage hello kitty school bag
kitty school bag it had taken a long time but by the
it had taken a long time but by the third day i had almost everything i
third day i had almost everything i needed
needed everything except a reliable weapon
everything except a reliable weapon there wasn't anything
there wasn't anything smiles
smiles this was not america where there used to
this was not america where there used to be more firearms than people
be more firearms than people true fact
true fact and otaku and kobe hacked this
and otaku and kobe hacked this information directly from your national
information directly from your national rifle association
rifle association i meant a hand tool a hammer a crowbar
i meant a hand tool a hammer a crowbar what salaryman does his own home
what salaryman does his own home maintenance
maintenance i thought of a golf club there were many
i thought of a golf club there were many of those but i saw what the man across
of those but i saw what the man across the way had tried to do
the way had tried to do i did find an aluminum baseball bat but
i did find an aluminum baseball bat but it had seen so much action that it was
it had seen so much action that it was too bent out of shape to be effective
too bent out of shape to be effective i looked everywhere believe me but there
i looked everywhere believe me but there was nothing hard or strong or sharp
was nothing hard or strong or sharp enough i could use to defend myself
enough i could use to defend myself i also reasoned that once i made it to
i also reasoned that once i made it to the street i might have better luck a
the street i might have better luck a truncheon from a dead policeman or even
truncheon from a dead policeman or even a soldier's firearm
a soldier's firearm those were the thoughts that almost got
those were the thoughts that almost got me killed
me killed i was four floors from the ground almost
i was four floors from the ground almost literally at the end of my rope
literally at the end of my rope each section i made extended for several
each section i made extended for several floors just enough length to allow me to
floors just enough length to allow me to gather more sheets
gather more sheets this time i knew would be the last
this time i knew would be the last by now i had my entire escape plan
by now i had my entire escape plan worked out
worked out land on the fourth floor balcony break
land on the fourth floor balcony break into the apartment for a new set of
into the apartment for a new set of sheets
sheets i'd given up looking for a weapon by
i'd given up looking for a weapon by then
then slide down to the sidewalk steal the
slide down to the sidewalk steal the most convenient motorcycle even though i
most convenient motorcycle even though i had no idea how to ride one
had no idea how to ride one streaking off like some old-timey
streaking off like some old-timey bosozoku
bosozoku and maybe even grab a girl or two along
and maybe even grab a girl or two along the way
note 4 bosozoku
bosozoku japanese youth-oriented motorcycle gangs
japanese youth-oriented motorcycle gangs that reached their popular peak in the
that reached their popular peak in the 1980s and 1990s
1980s and 1990s and note
and note laughs
laughs my mind was barely functional by that
my mind was barely functional by that point if even the first part of the plan
point if even the first part of the plan had worked and i did manage to make it
had worked and i did manage to make it to the ground in that state
to the ground in that state well
well what matters is that i didn't
what matters is that i didn't i landed on the fourth floor balcony
i landed on the fourth floor balcony reached for the sliding door and looked
reached for the sliding door and looked up right into the face of the siafu
up right into the face of the siafu it was a young man mid-20s wearing a
it was a young man mid-20s wearing a torn suit
torn suit his nose had been bitten off and he
his nose had been bitten off and he dragged his bloody face across the glass
dragged his bloody face across the glass i jumped back grabbed onto my rope and
i jumped back grabbed onto my rope and tried to climb back up
tried to climb back up my arms wouldn't respond no pain no
my arms wouldn't respond no pain no burning
burning i mean they had just reached their lemon
i mean they had just reached their lemon the siafu began howling and beating his
the siafu began howling and beating his fists against the glass
fists against the glass in desperation i tried to swing myself
in desperation i tried to swing myself from side to side hoping to maybe repel
from side to side hoping to maybe repel against the side of the building and
against the side of the building and land on the balcony next to me
land on the balcony next to me the glass shattered and the siafu
the glass shattered and the siafu charged for my legs i pushed off from
charged for my legs i pushed off from the building letting go of the rope and
the building letting go of the rope and launching myself with all my might
launching myself with all my might and i missed
the only reason we are speaking now is that my diagonal fall carried me onto
that my diagonal fall carried me onto the balcony below my target
the balcony below my target i landed on my feet stumbled forward and
i landed on my feet stumbled forward and almost went toppling off the other side
almost went toppling off the other side i stumbled into the apartment and
i stumbled into the apartment and immediately looked around for any siafu
immediately looked around for any siafu the living room was empty the only piece
the living room was empty the only piece of furniture a small traditional table
of furniture a small traditional table propped up against the door
propped up against the door the occupant must have committed suicide
the occupant must have committed suicide like the others
like the others i didn't smell anything foul so i
i didn't smell anything foul so i guessed he must have thrown himself out
guessed he must have thrown himself out of the window
of the window i reasoned that i was alone and just
i reasoned that i was alone and just this small measure of relief was enough
this small measure of relief was enough to cause my legs to give out from under
to cause my legs to give out from under me
me i slumped against the living room wall
i slumped against the living room wall almost delirious with fatigue
almost delirious with fatigue i found myself looking at a collection
i found myself looking at a collection of photographs decorating the opposite
of photographs decorating the opposite ball
ball the apartment's owner had been an old
the apartment's owner had been an old man and the photographs told of a very
man and the photographs told of a very rich life
rich life he'd had a large family many friends and
he'd had a large family many friends and had traveled to what seemed every
had traveled to what seemed every exciting and exotic locale around the
exciting and exotic locale around the world
world i'd never even imagined leaving my
i'd never even imagined leaving my bedroom let alone even leading that kind
bedroom let alone even leading that kind of life
of life i promised myself that if i ever made it
i promised myself that if i ever made it out of this nightmare i wouldn't just
out of this nightmare i wouldn't just survive
survive i would live
i would live my eyes fell on the only other item in
my eyes fell on the only other item in the room
the room a kamedana
a kamedana or traditional shinto shrine
or traditional shinto shrine something was on the floor beneath it i
something was on the floor beneath it i guess the suicide note
guess the suicide note the wind must have blown it off when i
the wind must have blown it off when i entered
entered i didn't feel right just leaving it
i didn't feel right just leaving it there i hobbled across the room and
there i hobbled across the room and stooped to pick it up
stooped to pick it up many kamedana
many kamedana have a small mirror in the center
have a small mirror in the center my eye caught a reflection in that
my eye caught a reflection in that mirror of something shambling out of the
mirror of something shambling out of the bedroom
bedroom the adrenaline kicked in just as i
the adrenaline kicked in just as i wheeled around the old man was still
wheeled around the old man was still there the bandage on his face telling me
there the bandage on his face telling me that he must have reanimated not too
that he must have reanimated not too long ago
long ago he came at me i ducked my legs were
he came at me i ducked my legs were still shaky and he managed to catch me
still shaky and he managed to catch me by the hair
by the hair i twisted trying to free myself
i twisted trying to free myself he pulled my face toward his
he pulled my face toward his he was surprisingly fit for his age
he was surprisingly fit for his age muscle equal to if not superior to mine
muscle equal to if not superior to mine his bones were brittle though and i
his bones were brittle though and i heard them crack as i grabbed the arm
heard them crack as i grabbed the arm that caught me i kicked him in the chest
that caught me i kicked him in the chest he flew back his broken arm was still
he flew back his broken arm was still clutching a tuft of my hair
clutching a tuft of my hair he knocked against the wall photographs
he knocked against the wall photographs falling and showering him with glass
falling and showering him with glass he snarled and came at me again
he snarled and came at me again i backed up tensed then grabbed him by
i backed up tensed then grabbed him by his one good arm i jammed it into his
his one good arm i jammed it into his back clamped my other hand around the
back clamped my other hand around the back of his neck and with a roaring
back of his neck and with a roaring sound i didn't even know i could make i
sound i didn't even know i could make i shoved him ran him right onto the
shoved him ran him right onto the balcony and over the side
balcony and over the side he landed face up on the pavement his
he landed face up on the pavement his head still hissing up at me from his
head still hissing up at me from his otherwise broken body
otherwise broken body suddenly there was a pounding on the
suddenly there was a pounding on the front door more siafu that had hurt our
front door more siafu that had hurt our scuffle
scuffle i was operating on full instinct now
i was operating on full instinct now i raced into the old man's bedroom and
i raced into the old man's bedroom and began ripping the sheets off his bed
began ripping the sheets off his bed i figured it wouldn't take too many just
i figured it wouldn't take too many just three more stories and then
three more stories and then then i stopped frozen as motionless as a
then i stopped frozen as motionless as a photograph
photograph that's what had caught my attention
that's what had caught my attention one last photograph that was on the bare
one last photograph that was on the bare wall in his bedroom it was black and
wall in his bedroom it was black and white grainy and showed a traditional
white grainy and showed a traditional family
family there was a mother father a little boy
there was a mother father a little boy and what i guessed had to be the old man
and what i guessed had to be the old man as a teenager in uniform
as a teenager in uniform something was in his hand something that
something was in his hand something that almost stopped my heart
almost stopped my heart i bowed to the man in the photograph and
i bowed to the man in the photograph and said an almost tearful
said an almost tearful arigato
arigato font was in his hand
i found it at the bottom of a chest in his bedroom underneath a collection of
his bedroom underneath a collection of bound papers and the ragged remains of
bound papers and the ragged remains of the uniform from the photo
the uniform from the photo the scabbard was green
the scabbard was green chipped army issue aluminum and an
chipped army issue aluminum and an improvised leather grip had replaced the
improvised leather grip had replaced the original sharkskin
original sharkskin but the steel
but the steel bright like silver and folded not
bright like silver and folded not machine stamped
machine stamped a shallow
a shallow tory curvature with a long straight
tory curvature with a long straight point
point flat wide ridge lines decorated with the
flat wide ridge lines decorated with the kikusui the imperial chrysanthemum and
kikusui the imperial chrysanthemum and an authentic not acid-stained river
an authentic not acid-stained river bordering the tempered edge
bordering the tempered edge exquisite workmanship and clearly forged
exquisite workmanship and clearly forged for battle
for battle i motioned to the sword at his side
i motioned to the sword at his side tatsumi smiles
kyoto japan sensei tomonaga ijiro knows exactly who
sensei tomonaga ijiro knows exactly who i am seconds before i enter the room
i am seconds before i enter the room apparently i walk smell and even breathe
apparently i walk smell and even breathe like an american
like an american the founder of japan's tatanokai or
the founder of japan's tatanokai or shield society
shield society greets me with both a bow and handshake
greets me with both a bow and handshake then invites me to sit before him like a
then invites me to sit before him like a student
student kondo tatsumi
kondo tatsumi tomonaga's second in command
tomonaga's second in command serves as tea then sits beside the old
serves as tea then sits beside the old master
master tomonaga begins our interview with an
tomonaga begins our interview with an apology for any discomfort i might feel
apology for any discomfort i might feel about his appearance
about his appearance the sensei's lifeless eyes have not
the sensei's lifeless eyes have not functioned since his adolescence
i am hibakusha i lost my sight at 11 02 a.m
i lost my sight at 11 02 a.m august 9th 1945
august 9th 1945 by your calendar
by your calendar i was standing
i was standing on mount compera
on mount compera manning the air raid warning station
manning the air raid warning station with several other boys from my class
with several other boys from my class it was overcast that day so i heard
it was overcast that day so i heard rather than saw the b-29 passing close
rather than saw the b-29 passing close overhead
overhead it was only a single b sun
it was only a single b sun a reconnaissance flight
a reconnaissance flight and not even worth reporting
and not even worth reporting i almost laughed when my classmates
i almost laughed when my classmates jumped into our slit trench
jumped into our slit trench i kept my eyes fixed above the uracamy
i kept my eyes fixed above the uracamy valley
valley hoping to maybe catch a glimpse of the
hoping to maybe catch a glimpse of the american bomber
american bomber instead all i saw was the flash
instead all i saw was the flash the last thing i would ever see
in japan hibakusha survivors of the bomb
hibakusha survivors of the bomb occupied a unique rung in our nation's
occupied a unique rung in our nation's social ladder
social ladder we were treated with sympathy and sorrow
we were treated with sympathy and sorrow victims and heroes and symbols for every
victims and heroes and symbols for every political agenda
political agenda and yet as human beings we were little
and yet as human beings we were little more than social outcasts
more than social outcasts no family would allow their child to
no family would allow their child to marry us
marry us hibakusha were unclean
hibakusha were unclean blood in japan's otherwise pristine
blood in japan's otherwise pristine genetic onsen
genetic onsen note one
note one onsen
onsen a natural hot spring often used as a
a natural hot spring often used as a communal bath
communal bath and note
and note i felt this shame on a deeply personal
i felt this shame on a deeply personal level
level not only was i hibakusha but my
not only was i hibakusha but my blindness also made me a burden
blindness also made me a burden out the sanatorium's windows i could
out the sanatorium's windows i could hear the sounds of our nation struggling
hear the sounds of our nation struggling to rebuild itself
to rebuild itself and what was my contribution to this
and what was my contribution to this effort
effort nothing
nothing so many times i tried inquiring about
so many times i tried inquiring about some manner of employment some work no
some manner of employment some work no matter how small or demeaning
matter how small or demeaning no one would have me
no one would have me i was still hibakusha and i learned so
i was still hibakusha and i learned so many polite ways to be rejected
many polite ways to be rejected my brother begged me to come and stay
my brother begged me to come and stay with him insisting that he and his wife
with him insisting that he and his wife would take care of me and even find some
would take care of me and even find some useful task around the house
useful task around the house for me that was even worse than the
for me that was even worse than the sanatorium
sanatorium he had just gotten back from the army
he had just gotten back from the army and they were trying to have another
and they were trying to have another baby
baby to impose on them at such a time was
to impose on them at such a time was unthinkable
unthinkable of course i considered ending my own
of course i considered ending my own life
life i even attempted it on many occasions
i even attempted it on many occasions something prevented me staying my hand
something prevented me staying my hand each time i groped for the pills or
each time i groped for the pills or broken glass
broken glass i reasoned it was weakness what else
i reasoned it was weakness what else could it be
could it be a hibakusha a parasite and now a
a hibakusha a parasite and now a dishonorable coward
dishonorable coward there was no end to my shame in those
there was no end to my shame in those days as the emperor had said in his
days as the emperor had said in his surrender speech to our people
surrender speech to our people i was truly enduring the unendurable
i was truly enduring the unendurable i left the sanatorium without informing
i left the sanatorium without informing my brother
my brother i didn't know where i was heading only
i didn't know where i was heading only that i had to get as far from my life my
that i had to get as far from my life my memories myself as possible
memories myself as possible i traveled begged mostly
i traveled begged mostly i had no more honor to lose
i had no more honor to lose until i settled in sapporo
until i settled in sapporo on the island of hokkaido
on the island of hokkaido this cold northern wilderness has always
this cold northern wilderness has always been japan's least populated prefecture
been japan's least populated prefecture and with the loss of sakhalin and the
and with the loss of sakhalin and the curios it became as the western saying
curios it became as the western saying goes the end of the line
goes the end of the line in sapporo
in sapporo i met an ai new gardener
i met an ai new gardener ota hideki
ota hideki the inu are japan's oldest indigenous
the inu are japan's oldest indigenous group and even lower on our social
group and even lower on our social ladder than the koreans
ladder than the koreans maybe that is why he took pity on me
maybe that is why he took pity on me another pariah cast out by the tribe of
another pariah cast out by the tribe of yamato
yamato maybe it was because he had no one to
maybe it was because he had no one to pass his skills along to
pass his skills along to his own son had never returned from
his own son had never returned from manchuria
manchuria otasan worked at the akakaze
otasan worked at the akakaze a former luxury hotel that now served as
a former luxury hotel that now served as a repatriation center for japanese
a repatriation center for japanese settlers from china
settlers from china at first the administration complained
at first the administration complained that they had no more funds to hire
that they had no more funds to hire another gardener
another gardener otasan paid me out of his own pocket he
otasan paid me out of his own pocket he was my teacher and only friend
was my teacher and only friend and when he died i considered following
and when he died i considered following him
him but coward that i was i could not bring
but coward that i was i could not bring myself to do it
myself to do it instead i simply continued to exist
instead i simply continued to exist working silently in the earth
working silently in the earth as the akakaze went from a repatriation
as the akakaze went from a repatriation center to a luxury hotel
center to a luxury hotel and japan went from conquered rubble to
and japan went from conquered rubble to economic superpower
economic superpower i was still working at the akakaze when
i was still working at the akakaze when i heard of the first domestic outbreak
i heard of the first domestic outbreak i was trimming the western style hedges
i was trimming the western style hedges near the restaurant
near the restaurant when i overheard several of the gas
when i overheard several of the gas discussing the nagumo murders
discussing the nagumo murders according to their conversation a man
according to their conversation a man had slain his wife then set upon the
had slain his wife then set upon the corpse like some kind of wild dog
corpse like some kind of wild dog this was the first time i had heard the
this was the first time i had heard the term african rabies
term african rabies i tried to ignore it and get on with my
i tried to ignore it and get on with my work
work but the next day there were more
but the next day there were more conversations more hushed voices across
conversations more hushed voices across the lawn and beside the pool
the lawn and beside the pool nagumo was old news compared to the much
nagumo was old news compared to the much more serious outbreak
more serious outbreak at sumitomo hospital in osaka
at sumitomo hospital in osaka and the next day
and the next day there was nagoya
there was nagoya then sendai
then sendai then kyoto
then kyoto i tried to push their conversations from
i tried to push their conversations from my mind i had come to hokkaido to escape
my mind i had come to hokkaido to escape from the world to live out my days in
from the world to live out my days in shame and dignity
shame and dignity the voice that finally convinced me of
the voice that finally convinced me of danger came from the hotel's manager
danger came from the hotel's manager a stiff no-nonsense salaryman with a
a stiff no-nonsense salaryman with a very formal manner of speech
very formal manner of speech after the outbreak in hirosaki
after the outbreak in hirosaki he held a staff meeting to try to debunk
he held a staff meeting to try to debunk once and for all
once and for all these wild rumors about dead bodies
these wild rumors about dead bodies coming back to life
coming back to life i had only his voice to rely on and you
i had only his voice to rely on and you can tell everything about a person by
can tell everything about a person by what happens when he opens his mouth
what happens when he opens his mouth mr sugawara
mr sugawara was pronouncing his words far too
was pronouncing his words far too carefully particularly his hard sharp
carefully particularly his hard sharp consonants
consonants he was overcompensating for a previously
he was overcompensating for a previously conquered speech impediment a condition
conquered speech impediment a condition that only threatened to rise in the
that only threatened to rise in the presence of great anxiety
presence of great anxiety i had listened to this verbal defense
i had listened to this verbal defense mechanism before from the seemingly
mechanism before from the seemingly unflappable
unflappable sugawara sun
sugawara sun first during the 95 quake and again in
first during the 95 quake and again in 98 when north korea had sent a
98 when north korea had sent a long-range nuclear-capable test missile
long-range nuclear-capable test missile streaking over our homeland
streaking over our homeland sugawara-san's articulation had been
sugawara-san's articulation had been almost imperceptible then
almost imperceptible then now it shrieked louder than the air-raid
now it shrieked louder than the air-raid sirens of my youth
sirens of my youth and so for the second time in my life i
and so for the second time in my life i fled
fled i considered warning my brother but so
i considered warning my brother but so much time had passed i had no idea how
much time had passed i had no idea how to reach him or even if he was still
to reach him or even if he was still alive
alive that was the last and probably the
that was the last and probably the greatest of all my dishonorable acts
greatest of all my dishonorable acts the heaviest weight i will carry to my
the heaviest weight i will carry to my grave
why did you run were you afraid for your life
life of course not
of course not if anything i welcomed it to die to
if anything i welcomed it to die to finally be put out of my lifelong misery
finally be put out of my lifelong misery was almost too good to be true
was almost too good to be true what i feared was once again becoming a
what i feared was once again becoming a burden to those around me
burden to those around me to slow someone down
to slow someone down to take up valuable space to put other
to take up valuable space to put other lives in danger if they tried to save an
lives in danger if they tried to save an old blind man who wasn't worth saving
old blind man who wasn't worth saving and what if those rumors about the dead
and what if those rumors about the dead returning to life were true
returning to life were true what if i were to find myself infected
what if i were to find myself infected and awake from death to threaten the
and awake from death to threaten the lives of my fellow countrymen
lives of my fellow countrymen no that was not going to be the fate of
no that was not going to be the fate of this disgrace tibakusha
this disgrace tibakusha if i was to meet my death it should be
if i was to meet my death it should be in the same manner as i had lived my
in the same manner as i had lived my life
life forgotten isolated and alone
i left at night and began hitchhiking south down hokkaido's
south down hokkaido's do
do expressway
expressway all i had with me was a water bottle a
all i had with me was a water bottle a change of clothes
change of clothes and my ikupazui
and my ikupazui a long flat shovel similar to a shaolin
a long flat shovel similar to a shaolin spade but which also served for many
spade but which also served for many years as my walking stick
years as my walking stick note 2.
note 2. iku pasuy
iku pasuy the technical term for a small ai new
the technical term for a small ai new prayer stick
prayer stick when later questioned about this
when later questioned about this discrepancy
discrepancy mr tomonaga
mr tomonaga answered that the name was given to him
answered that the name was given to him by his teacher
by his teacher mr ota
mr ota whether ota intended to bestow some
whether ota intended to bestow some spiritual connection to this gardening
spiritual connection to this gardening implement
implement or was simply so out of touch with his
or was simply so out of touch with his own culture
own culture as many i knew of his generation were we
as many i knew of his generation were we will never know
will never know and note
there was still a sizable amount of road traffic in those days
traffic in those days our oil from indonesia and the gulf was
our oil from indonesia and the gulf was still flowing
still flowing and many truck drivers and private
and many truck drivers and private motorists were kind enough to give me a
motorists were kind enough to give me a ride
ride with each and every one our conversation
with each and every one our conversation turned to the crisis
turned to the crisis did you hear that the self-defense force
did you hear that the self-defense force has been mobilized
has been mobilized the government's going to have to
the government's going to have to declare a state of emergency
declare a state of emergency did you hear there was an outbreak last
did you hear there was an outbreak last night right here in sapporo
night right here in sapporo no one was sure what the next day would
no one was sure what the next day would bring how far the calamity would spread
bring how far the calamity would spread or who would be its next victim and yet
or who would be its next victim and yet no matter whom i spoke to or how
no matter whom i spoke to or how terrified they sounded each conversation
terrified they sounded each conversation would inevitably end with
would inevitably end with but i'm sure the authorities will tell
but i'm sure the authorities will tell us what to do
us what to do one truck driver said
one truck driver said any day now you'll see
any day now you'll see if you just wait patiently and don't
if you just wait patiently and don't make a public fuss
make a public fuss that was the last human voice i heard
that was the last human voice i heard the day before i left civilization
the day before i left civilization and checked into the hidaka mountains
and checked into the hidaka mountains i was very familiar with this national
i was very familiar with this national park
park otasan had taken me here every year to
otasan had taken me here every year to collect
collect sans high the wild vegetables that
sans high the wild vegetables that attract botanists hikers and gourmet
attract botanists hikers and gourmet chefs from all over the home islands
chefs from all over the home islands as a man who often rises in the middle
as a man who often rises in the middle of the night knows the exact location of
of the night knows the exact location of every item in his darkened bedroom
every item in his darkened bedroom i knew every river and every rock
i knew every river and every rock every tree and patch of moss
every tree and patch of moss i even knew every onsen that bubbled to
i even knew every onsen that bubbled to the surface
the surface and therefore never wanted for a
and therefore never wanted for a naturally hot and cleansing mineral bath
naturally hot and cleansing mineral bath every day i told myself
every day i told myself this is the perfect place to die
this is the perfect place to die soon i will have an accident a fall of
soon i will have an accident a fall of some kind or perhaps i will become ill
some kind or perhaps i will become ill contract some sickness or eat a poisoned
contract some sickness or eat a poisoned root
root or maybe i will finally do the honorable
or maybe i will finally do the honorable thing
thing and just stop eating altogether
and just stop eating altogether and yet every day i foraged and bathed
and yet every day i foraged and bathed dressed warmly and minded my steps as
dressed warmly and minded my steps as much as i longed for death i continued
much as i longed for death i continued to take whatever measures necessary to
to take whatever measures necessary to prevent it
prevent it i had no way of knowing what was
i had no way of knowing what was happening to the rest of my country
happening to the rest of my country i could hear distant sounds helicopters
i could hear distant sounds helicopters fighter planes the steady high altitude
fighter planes the steady high altitude wine of civilian jetliners
wine of civilian jetliners perhaps i was wrong i thought perhaps
perhaps i was wrong i thought perhaps the crisis was over
the crisis was over for all i knew the authorities had been
for all i knew the authorities had been victorious and the danger was rapidly
victorious and the danger was rapidly fading into memory
fading into memory perhaps my alarmist departure had done
perhaps my alarmist departure had done nothing more than create a welcome job
nothing more than create a welcome job opening
opening back at the akakaze
back at the akakaze and perhaps one morning i would be
and perhaps one morning i would be roused by the barking voices of angry
roused by the barking voices of angry park rangers or the giggles and whispers
park rangers or the giggles and whispers of school children on a nature hike
of school children on a nature hike something did arouse me from my sleep
something did arouse me from my sleep one morning but not a collection of
one morning but not a collection of giggling students
giggling students and no it wasn't one of them either
and no it wasn't one of them either it was a bear
it was a bear one of the many large brown higuma
one of the many large brown higuma roaming the hokkaido wilderness
roaming the hokkaido wilderness the higuma had originally migrated from
the higuma had originally migrated from the kamchatka peninsula and bore the
the kamchatka peninsula and bore the same ferocity and raw power of their
same ferocity and raw power of their siberian cousins
siberian cousins this one was enormous i could tell by
this one was enormous i could tell by the pitch and resonance of his breathing
the pitch and resonance of his breathing i judged him to be no more than four or
i judged him to be no more than four or five meters from me
five meters from me i rose slowly and without fear
i rose slowly and without fear next to me lay my ikupasui
next to me lay my ikupasui it was the closest thing i had to a
it was the closest thing i had to a weapon and i suppose if i had thought to
weapon and i suppose if i had thought to use it as such it might have made a
use it as such it might have made a formidable defense
formidable defense you didn't use it
you didn't use it nor did i want it
nor did i want it this animal was much more than just a
this animal was much more than just a random hungry predator
random hungry predator this was fate i believed this encounter
this was fate i believed this encounter could only be the will
could only be the will of the kamehameha
of the kamehameha who is cometh
who is cometh what is kamehameha
what is kamehameha the kame are the spirits that inhabit
the kame are the spirits that inhabit each and every facet of our existence
each and every facet of our existence we pray to them honor them hope to
we pray to them honor them hope to please them and curry their favor
please them and curry their favor they are the same spirits that drive
they are the same spirits that drive japanese corporations to bless the site
japanese corporations to bless the site of a soon to be constructed factory
of a soon to be constructed factory and the japanese of my generation to
and the japanese of my generation to worship the emperor as a god
worship the emperor as a god the kame are the foundation of shinto
the kame are the foundation of shinto literally
literally the way of the gods and worship of
the way of the gods and worship of nature is one of its oldest and most
nature is one of its oldest and most sacred principles
sacred principles that is why i believe their will was at
that is why i believe their will was at work that day
work that day by exiling myself into the wilderness i
by exiling myself into the wilderness i had polluted nature's purity
had polluted nature's purity after dishonoring myself my family my
after dishonoring myself my family my country i had at last taken that final
country i had at last taken that final step and dishonored the gods
step and dishonored the gods now they had sent an assassin to do what
now they had sent an assassin to do what i had been unable to for so long
i had been unable to for so long to erase my stink
to erase my stink i thanked the gods for their mercy
i thanked the gods for their mercy i wept as i prepared myself for the blow
it never came the bear stopped panting then released a
the bear stopped panting then released a high almost
high almost like whimper
like whimper what is wrong with you i actually said
what is wrong with you i actually said to a 300 kilogram carnivore
to a 300 kilogram carnivore go on and finish me
go on and finish me the bear continued to whine like a
the bear continued to whine like a frightened dog then tore away from me
frightened dog then tore away from me with the speed of hunted prey
with the speed of hunted prey it was then that i heard the moan
it was then that i heard the moan i spun tried to focus my ears from the
i spun tried to focus my ears from the height of his mouth i could tell he was
height of his mouth i could tell he was taller than me
taller than me i heard one foot dragging across the
i heard one foot dragging across the soft moist earth and air bubbling from a
soft moist earth and air bubbling from a gaping wound in its chest
gaping wound in its chest i could hear it reaching out to me
i could hear it reaching out to me groaning and swiping at empty air
groaning and swiping at empty air i managed to dodge its clumsy attempt
i managed to dodge its clumsy attempt and snatched up my ecupasui
and snatched up my ecupasui i centered my attack on the source of
i centered my attack on the source of the creature's moan
the creature's moan i struck quickly and the crack vibrated
i struck quickly and the crack vibrated up through my arms the creature fell
up through my arms the creature fell back upon the earth as i released a
back upon the earth as i released a triumphant shout of ten thousand years
triumphant shout of ten thousand years it is difficult for me to describe my
it is difficult for me to describe my feelings at this moment
feelings at this moment fury had exploded within my heart a
fury had exploded within my heart a strength and courage that drove away my
strength and courage that drove away my shame as the sun dries the night from
shame as the sun dries the night from heaven
heaven i suddenly knew the gods had favored me
i suddenly knew the gods had favored me the bear hadn't been sent to kill me it
the bear hadn't been sent to kill me it had been sent to warn me
had been sent to warn me i didn't understand the reason right
i didn't understand the reason right then
then but i knew i had to survive until the
but i knew i had to survive until the day when that reason was finally
day when that reason was finally revealed
revealed and that is what i did for the next few
and that is what i did for the next few months i survived
months i survived i mentally divided the hidaka range into
i mentally divided the hidaka range into a series of several hundred cheat time
a series of several hundred cheat time node three
node three cheat tie
cheat tie zone
zone and note
and note each cheat tie contains some object of
each cheat tie contains some object of physical security
physical security a tree or tall flat rock
a tree or tall flat rock someplace i could sleep in peace without
someplace i could sleep in peace without the danger of immediate attack
the danger of immediate attack i slept always during the day
i slept always during the day and only traveled foraged or hunted at
and only traveled foraged or hunted at night
night i did not know if the beasts depended on
i did not know if the beasts depended on their sight as much as human beings but
their sight as much as human beings but i wasn't going to give them even the
i wasn't going to give them even the most infinitesimal advantage
note 4 to this day it is unknown how much the
to this day it is unknown how much the living dead depend on sight
living dead depend on sight and note
and note losing my vision had also prepared me
losing my vision had also prepared me for the act of ever vigilant mobility
for the act of ever vigilant mobility those with sight have a tendency to take
those with sight have a tendency to take walking for granted how else could they
walking for granted how else could they trip over something they've clearly seen
trip over something they've clearly seen the fault lies not in the eyes but in
the fault lies not in the eyes but in the mind
the mind a lazy thought process spoiled by a
a lazy thought process spoiled by a lifetime of optic nerve dependency
lifetime of optic nerve dependency not so for those like me
not so for those like me i already had to be on guard for
i already had to be on guard for potential danger to be focused alert
potential danger to be focused alert and watching my step so to speak
and watching my step so to speak simply adding one more threat was no
simply adding one more threat was no bother at all every time i walked it was
bother at all every time i walked it was for no longer than several hundred paces
for no longer than several hundred paces i would halt listen to and smell the
i would halt listen to and smell the wind perhaps even press my ear to the
wind perhaps even press my ear to the ground
ground this method never failed me i was never
this method never failed me i was never surprised
surprised never caught off guard
was there ever a problem with long-range detection not being able to see an
detection not being able to see an attacker several miles away
attacker several miles away my nocturnal activity would have
my nocturnal activity would have prevented the use of healthy eyesight
prevented the use of healthy eyesight and any beast several kilometers away
and any beast several kilometers away was no more a threat to me than i was to
was no more a threat to me than i was to it
it there was no need to be on my guard
there was no need to be on my guard until they entered what you might call
until they entered what you might call my circle of sensory security the
my circle of sensory security the maximum range of my ears nose fingertips
maximum range of my ears nose fingertips and feet
and feet on the best of days when the conditions
on the best of days when the conditions were right and taiya ji
were right and taiya ji was in a helpful mood
was in a helpful mood circle extended as far as half a
circle extended as far as half a kilometer
kilometer node five hayat g
node five hayat g god of the wind
god of the wind end note
end note on the worst of days that range might
on the worst of days that range might drop to no more than 30
drop to no more than 30 possibly 15 paces
possibly 15 paces these incidents were infrequent at best
these incidents were infrequent at best occurring if i had done something to
occurring if i had done something to truly anger
truly anger the comma
the comma although i can't possibly imagine what
although i can't possibly imagine what that would be
that would be the beasts were a great help as well
the beasts were a great help as well always being courteous enough to warn me
always being courteous enough to warn me before attacking
before attacking that howling alarm that ignites the
that howling alarm that ignites the moment they detect prey would not only
moment they detect prey would not only alert me to the presence of an attacking
alert me to the presence of an attacking creature
creature but even to the direction range and
but even to the direction range and exact position of the attack
exact position of the attack i would hear that moan wafting across
i would hear that moan wafting across the hills and fields and know that in
the hills and fields and know that in perhaps half an hour or so
perhaps half an hour or so one of the living dead would be paying
one of the living dead would be paying me a visit
me a visit in instances such as these i would halt
in instances such as these i would halt then patiently prepare myself for the
then patiently prepare myself for the attack
attack i would unclasp my pack stretch my limbs
i would unclasp my pack stretch my limbs sometimes just find a place to sit
sometimes just find a place to sit quietly and meditate
quietly and meditate i always knew when they were getting
i always knew when they were getting close enough to strike
close enough to strike i always took the time to bow and thank
i always took the time to bow and thank them for being so courteous to warn me i
them for being so courteous to warn me i almost felt sorry for the poor mindless
almost felt sorry for the poor mindless filth
filth to come all this way slowly and
to come all this way slowly and methodically only to end their journey
methodically only to end their journey with a split skull or severed neck
did you always kill your enemy on the first strike
first strike always
always he gestures with an imaginary ikupazui
he gestures with an imaginary ikupazui thrust forward never swing
thrust forward never swing at first i would aim for the base of the
at first i would aim for the base of the neck later as my skills grew with time
neck later as my skills grew with time and experience i learned to strike here
and experience i learned to strike here he places his hand horizontally against
he places his hand horizontally against the indentation between the forehead and
the indentation between the forehead and nose
nose it was a little harder than simple
it was a little harder than simple decapitation
decapitation all that thick tough bone but it did
all that thick tough bone but it did serve to destroy the brain as opposed to
serve to destroy the brain as opposed to decapitation where the living head would
decapitation where the living head would always require a secondary blow
always require a secondary blow what about multiple attackers was that
what about multiple attackers was that more of a problem
more of a problem yes in the beginning
yes in the beginning as their numbers swelled i began to find
as their numbers swelled i began to find myself increasingly surrounded
myself increasingly surrounded those early battles were
those early battles were untidy
untidy i must admit i allowed my emotions to
i must admit i allowed my emotions to rule my hand
rule my hand i was the typhoon not the lightning bolt
i was the typhoon not the lightning bolt during one melee at tokachi dhaka
during one melee at tokachi dhaka i dispatched 41 in as many minutes
i dispatched 41 in as many minutes i was washing bodily fluids from my
i was washing bodily fluids from my clothes for a fortnight
clothes for a fortnight later as i began to exercise more
later as i began to exercise more tactical creativity i allowed the gods
tactical creativity i allowed the gods to join me on the battlefield
to join me on the battlefield i would lead groups of beasts to the
i would lead groups of beasts to the base of a tall rock
base of a tall rock where i would crush their skulls from
where i would crush their skulls from above
above i might even find a rock that allowed
i might even find a rock that allowed them to climb up after me not all at
them to climb up after me not all at once you understand one by one so i
once you understand one by one so i could knock them back into the jagged
could knock them back into the jagged outcroppings below
outcroppings below i was sure to thank the spirit of each
i was sure to thank the spirit of each rock or cliff or waterfall that carried
rock or cliff or waterfall that carried them over thousand meter drops
them over thousand meter drops this last incident was not something i
this last incident was not something i cared to make a habit of it was a long
cared to make a habit of it was a long and arduous climb to retrieve the body
and arduous climb to retrieve the body he went after the corpse
he went after the corpse to bury it
to bury it i couldn't just leave it there
i couldn't just leave it there desecrating the stream
desecrating the stream it would not have been
it would not have been proper
proper did you retrieve all the bodies every
did you retrieve all the bodies every last one
last one that time
that time after tokachi dake
after tokachi dake i dug for three days
i dug for three days the heads i always separated
the heads i always separated most of the time i just burned them
most of the time i just burned them but at tokachi dhaka
but at tokachi dhaka i threw them into the volcanic crater
i threw them into the volcanic crater where oyamatsumi's rage could purge
where oyamatsumi's rage could purge their stench
their stench note 6
note 6 oyamatsumi
oyamatsumi ruler of mountains and volcanoes
ruler of mountains and volcanoes end note
end note i did not completely understand why i
i did not completely understand why i committed these acts
committed these acts it just felt correct to separate the
it just felt correct to separate the source of the evil
source of the evil the answer came to me on the eve of my
the answer came to me on the eve of my second winter in exile
second winter in exile this would be my last night in the
this would be my last night in the branches of a tall tree
branches of a tall tree once the snow fell i would return to the
once the snow fell i would return to the cave where i had spent the previous
cave where i had spent the previous winter
winter i had just settled in comfortably
i had just settled in comfortably waiting for dawn's warmth to lull me to
waiting for dawn's warmth to lull me to sleep when i heard the sound of
sleep when i heard the sound of footsteps too quick and energetic to be
footsteps too quick and energetic to be a beast
a beast hayat ji had decided to be favorable
hayat ji had decided to be favorable that night
that night he brought the smell of what could only
he brought the smell of what could only be a human being
be a human being i had come to realize that the living
i had come to realize that the living dead were surprisingly bereft of odor
dead were surprisingly bereft of odor yes there was the subtle hint of
yes there was the subtle hint of decomposition
decomposition stronger perhaps if the body had been
stronger perhaps if the body had been turned for some time
turned for some time or if chewed flesh had pushed through
or if chewed flesh had pushed through its bowels
its bowels and collected in a rotting heap in its
and collected in a rotting heap in its undergarments
undergarments other than this though the living dead
other than this though the living dead possessed what i referred to as a
possessed what i referred to as a scentless stink
scentless stink they produced no sweat no urine or
they produced no sweat no urine or conventional feces
conventional feces they did not even carry the bacteria
they did not even carry the bacteria within their stomach or teeth that in
within their stomach or teeth that in living humans
living humans would have fouled their breath
would have fouled their breath none of this was true of the two-legged
none of this was true of the two-legged animal rapidly approaching my position
animal rapidly approaching my position his breath his body his clothes
his breath his body his clothes all had clearly not been washed for some
all had clearly not been washed for some time
time it was still dark so he did not notice
it was still dark so he did not notice me
me i could tell that his path would take
i could tell that his path would take him directly underneath the limbs of my
him directly underneath the limbs of my tree
tree i crouched slowly quietly i wasn't sure
i crouched slowly quietly i wasn't sure if he was hostile insane
if he was hostile insane or even recently bitten
or even recently bitten i was taking no chances at this point
i was taking no chances at this point kondo chimes in
kondo chimes in kondo
kondo it was on me before i knew it my sword
it was on me before i knew it my sword went flying my feet collapsed from under
went flying my feet collapsed from under me
me tomonaga
tomonaga i landed between his shoulder blades not
i landed between his shoulder blades not hard enough to do any permanent damage
hard enough to do any permanent damage but enough to knock the wind out of his
but enough to knock the wind out of his slight malnourished frame
slight malnourished frame kondo
kondo he had me on my stomach my face in the
he had me on my stomach my face in the dirt the blade of his shovel thing
dirt the blade of his shovel thing pressed tightly against the back of my
pressed tightly against the back of my neck
neck tomonaga i told him to lie still that i
tomonaga i told him to lie still that i would kill him if he moved kondo
would kill him if he moved kondo i tried to speak gasping between coughs
i tried to speak gasping between coughs that i was friendly
that i was friendly that i didn't even know he was there
that i didn't even know he was there that all i wanted to do was pass along
that all i wanted to do was pass along and be on my way to naga
and be on my way to naga i asked him where he was going
i asked him where he was going kondo
kondo i told him neymuro
i told him neymuro the main hokkaido port of evacuation
the main hokkaido port of evacuation where there might still be one last
where there might still be one last transport or fishing boat dorm
transport or fishing boat dorm something that might still be left to
something that might still be left to get me to kamchatka
get me to kamchatka tomonaga i did not understand i ordered
tomonaga i did not understand i ordered him to explain kondo i described
him to explain kondo i described everything about the plague
everything about the plague the evacuation
the evacuation i cried when i told him that japan had
i cried when i told him that japan had been completely abandoned that japan
been completely abandoned that japan was naive
was naive to monaga
to monaga and suddenly i knew
and suddenly i knew i knew why the gods had taken my sight
i knew why the gods had taken my sight why they sent me to hokkaido
why they sent me to hokkaido to learn how to care for the land and
to learn how to care for the land and why they had sent the bear to warn me
why they had sent the bear to warn me kondo
kondo he began to laugh as he let me up and
he began to laugh as he let me up and helped to brush the dirt from my
helped to brush the dirt from my clothing
clothing tomonaga
tomonaga i told him that japan had not been
i told him that japan had not been abandoned not by those whom the gods had
abandoned not by those whom the gods had chosen to be its gardeners
chosen to be its gardeners kondo
kondo at first i didn't understand tomonaga
at first i didn't understand tomonaga so i explained that
so i explained that like any garden japan could not be
like any garden japan could not be allowed to wither and die
allowed to wither and die we would care for her we would preserve
we would care for her we would preserve her we would annihilate the walking
her we would annihilate the walking blight that infested and defiled her
blight that infested and defiled her and we would restore her beauty and
and we would restore her beauty and purity for the day when her children
purity for the day when her children would return to her
would return to her condo
condo i thought he was insane and told him so
i thought he was insane and told him so right to his face
right to his face the two of us against millions of siafu
the two of us against millions of siafu tomonaga
tomonaga i handed his sword back to him its
i handed his sword back to him its weight and balance felt familiar to the
weight and balance felt familiar to the touch
touch i told him that we might be facing 50
i told him that we might be facing 50 million monsters
million monsters but those monsters
but those monsters would be facing the gods
sien fuegos cuba
ser jose garcia alvarez suggests i meet him at his office
suggests i meet him at his office the view is breathtaking he promises you
the view is breathtaking he promises you will not be disappointed
will not be disappointed on the 69th floor of the maupika savings
on the 69th floor of the maupika savings and loans building
and loans building the second tallest building in cuba
the second tallest building in cuba after havana's jose marti towers senor
after havana's jose marti towers senor alvarez's corner office overlooks both
alvarez's corner office overlooks both the glittering metropolis and bustling
the glittering metropolis and bustling harbor below
harbor below it is the magic hour for energy
it is the magic hour for energy independent buildings like the malpica
independent buildings like the malpica that time of the day when it's
that time of the day when it's photovoltaic windows capture the setting
photovoltaic windows capture the setting sun with their almost imperceptible
sun with their almost imperceptible magenta hue
magenta hue senor alvarez was right
senor alvarez was right i am not disappointed
cuba won the zombie war maybe that's not the most humble of
maybe that's not the most humble of statements
statements given what happened to so many other
given what happened to so many other countries
countries but just look at where we were 20 years
but just look at where we were 20 years ago as opposed to where we are now
ago as opposed to where we are now before the war we lived in a state of
before the war we lived in a state of quasi-isolation
quasi-isolation worse than during the height of the cold
worse than during the height of the cold war
war at least in my father's day you could
at least in my father's day you could count on what amounted to economic
count on what amounted to economic welfare from the soviet union
welfare from the soviet union and their comic-con puppets
and their comic-con puppets since the fall of the communist block
since the fall of the communist block though our existence was one of constant
though our existence was one of constant deprivation
deprivation rationed food rationed fuel
rationed food rationed fuel the closest comparison i can make is
the closest comparison i can make is that of great britain during the blitz
that of great britain during the blitz and like that other besieged island we
and like that other besieged island we too lived under the dark cloud of an
too lived under the dark cloud of an ever-present enemy
ever-present enemy the u.s blockade while not as
the u.s blockade while not as constricting as during the cold war
constricting as during the cold war nonetheless sought to suffocate our
nonetheless sought to suffocate our economic lifeblood by punishing any
economic lifeblood by punishing any nation that attempted free and open
nation that attempted free and open trade
trade as successful as the u.s strategy was
as successful as the u.s strategy was its most resounding triumph was allowing
its most resounding triumph was allowing fidel to use our northern oppressor as
fidel to use our northern oppressor as an excuse to remain in power
an excuse to remain in power you see how hard your life is he would
you see how hard your life is he would say
say the blockade has done this to you the
the blockade has done this to you the yankees have done this to you
yankees have done this to you and without me they would be storming
and without me they would be storming our beaches even now
our beaches even now he was brilliant machiavelli's most
he was brilliant machiavelli's most favored son
favored son he knew we would never remove him while
he knew we would never remove him while the enemy was at the gates
the enemy was at the gates and so we endured the hardships and the
and so we endured the hardships and the oppression the long lines and the hushed
oppression the long lines and the hushed voices
voices this was the cuba i grew up in the only
this was the cuba i grew up in the only cuba i could ever imagine
cuba i could ever imagine that is until the dead began to rise
that is until the dead began to rise cases were small and immediately
cases were small and immediately contained mostly chinese refugees and a
contained mostly chinese refugees and a few european businessmen
few european businessmen travel from the united states was still
travel from the united states was still largely prohibited so we were spared the
largely prohibited so we were spared the initial blow of first wave mass
initial blow of first wave mass migration
migration the repressive nature of our fortress
the repressive nature of our fortress society allowed the government to take
society allowed the government to take steps to ensure that the infection was
steps to ensure that the infection was never allowed to spread
never allowed to spread all internal travel was suspended and
all internal travel was suspended and both the regular army and territorial
both the regular army and territorial militias were mobilized
militias were mobilized because cuba had such a high percentage
because cuba had such a high percentage of doctors per capita our leader knew
of doctors per capita our leader knew the true nature of the infection weeks
the true nature of the infection weeks after the first outbreak was reported
after the first outbreak was reported by the time of the great panic when the
by the time of the great panic when the world finally woke up to the nightmare
world finally woke up to the nightmare breaking down their doors cuba had
breaking down their doors cuba had already prepared itself for war
already prepared itself for war the simple fact of geography spared us
the simple fact of geography spared us the danger of large-scale overland
the danger of large-scale overland swarms
swarms our invaders came from the sea
our invaders came from the sea specifically from an armada of boat
specifically from an armada of boat people
people not only did they bring the contagion as
not only did they bring the contagion as we have seen throughout the world there
we have seen throughout the world there were also those who believed in ruling
were also those who believed in ruling their new homes as modern day
their new homes as modern day conquistadors
look at what happened in iceland a pre-war paradise so safe and secure they
pre-war paradise so safe and secure they never found the need to maintain a
never found the need to maintain a standing army
standing army what could they do when the american
what could they do when the american military withdrew
military withdrew how could they stop the torrent of
how could they stop the torrent of refugees from europe and western russia
refugees from europe and western russia is it no mystery how that once idyllic
is it no mystery how that once idyllic arctic haven became a cauldron of frozen
arctic haven became a cauldron of frozen blood
blood and why to this day it is still the most
and why to this day it is still the most heavily infested white zone on the
heavily infested white zone on the planet
planet that could have been us easily had not
that could have been us easily had not been for the examples set by our
been for the examples set by our brothers in the smaller windward and
brothers in the smaller windward and leeward islands
leeward islands those men and women from anguilla to
those men and women from anguilla to trinidad
trinidad can proudly take their place as some of
can proudly take their place as some of the greatest heroes of the war
the greatest heroes of the war they first eradicated multiple outbreaks
they first eradicated multiple outbreaks along their archipelago then with barely
along their archipelago then with barely a moment to catch their collective
a moment to catch their collective breaths repelled not only seaborne
breaths repelled not only seaborne zombies but an endless flood of human
zombies but an endless flood of human invaders too
invaders too they spilled their blood so that we did
they spilled their blood so that we did not have to
not have to they forced our would-be la te fundista
they forced our would-be la te fundista to reconsider their plans for conquest
to reconsider their plans for conquest and realize that if a few civilians
and realize that if a few civilians armed with nothing but small arms and
armed with nothing but small arms and machetes
machetes could defend their homelands so
could defend their homelands so tenaciously
tenaciously what would they find on the shores of a
what would they find on the shores of a country armed with everything from main
country armed with everything from main battle tanks to radar-guided anti-ship
battle tanks to radar-guided anti-ship missiles
missiles naturally the inhabitants of the lesser
naturally the inhabitants of the lesser antilles were not fighting for the best
antilles were not fighting for the best interests of the cuban people
interests of the cuban people but their sacrifices
but their sacrifices did allow us the luxury of setting our
did allow us the luxury of setting our own terms
own terms any seeking sanctuary would find
any seeking sanctuary would find themselves greeted with the saying so
themselves greeted with the saying so common among norte americano parents
common among norte americano parents while under my roof you will obey my
while under my roof you will obey my rules
rules not all of the refugees were yankees
not all of the refugees were yankees we had our share from mainland latin
we had our share from mainland latin america from africa and western europe
america from africa and western europe spain especially
spain especially many spaniards and canadians had visited
many spaniards and canadians had visited cuba either on business or holiday
cuba either on business or holiday i had gotten to know a few of them
i had gotten to know a few of them before the war
before the war nice people polite so different from the
nice people polite so different from the east germans of my youth who used to
east germans of my youth who used to toss handfuls of candy in the air and
toss handfuls of candy in the air and laugh while we children scrambled for it
laugh while we children scrambled for it like rats
like rats the majority of our boat people however
the majority of our boat people however originated from the united states
originated from the united states every day more would arrive by large
every day more would arrive by large ship or private craft even on homemade
ship or private craft even on homemade rafts that brought an ironic smile to
rafts that brought an ironic smile to our faces
our faces so many of them a total of five million
so many of them a total of five million equal to almost half of our indigenous
equal to almost half of our indigenous population
population and along with all the other
and along with all the other nationalities they were placed under the
nationalities they were placed under the jurisdiction of the government's
jurisdiction of the government's quarantine resettlement program
quarantine resettlement program i would not go so far as to call the
i would not go so far as to call the resettlement centers prison camps
resettlement centers prison camps they could not compare to the lives
they could not compare to the lives suffered by our political dissidents
suffered by our political dissidents the writers and teachers
the writers and teachers i had a friend who was accused of being
i had a friend who was accused of being a homosexual
a homosexual his stories from prison cannot compare
his stories from prison cannot compare to even the harshest resettlement center
to even the harshest resettlement center it was not easy living however
it was not easy living however these people no matter what their
these people no matter what their pre-war occupation or status were
pre-war occupation or status were initially put to work as field hands
initially put to work as field hands 12 to 14 hours a day growing vegetables
12 to 14 hours a day growing vegetables in what had once been our state-run
in what had once been our state-run sugar plantations
sugar plantations at least the climate was on their side
at least the climate was on their side the temperature was dropping the skies
the temperature was dropping the skies were darkening
were darkening mother nature was kind to them
mother nature was kind to them the guards however were not
the guards however were not be glad you're alive they'd shout after
be glad you're alive they'd shout after each slap or kick
each slap or kick keep complaining it will throw you to
keep complaining it will throw you to the zombies
every camp had a rumor about the dreaded zombie pits the hole in which they'd
zombie pits the hole in which they'd throw the troublemakers
throw the troublemakers the dgi
the dgi the general intelligence directorate
the general intelligence directorate had even planted prisoners in the
had even planted prisoners in the general population to spread stories
general population to spread stories about how they personally witnessed men
about how they personally witnessed men being lowered headfirst into the boiling
being lowered headfirst into the boiling lake of ghouls
lake of ghouls this was all just to keep everyone in
this was all just to keep everyone in line you see none of it was actually
line you see none of it was actually true
true though
though there were stories about the miami
there were stories about the miami whites
whites the majority of american cubanos
the majority of american cubanos were welcomed home with open arms
were welcomed home with open arms i myself had several relatives living in
i myself had several relatives living in daytona who just barely escaped with
daytona who just barely escaped with their lives
their lives the tears of so many reunions in those
the tears of so many reunions in those early frantic days could have filled the
early frantic days could have filled the caribbean sea but that first wave of
caribbean sea but that first wave of post-revolution immigrants
post-revolution immigrants the affluent elite who had flourished
the affluent elite who had flourished under the old regime and who spent the
under the old regime and who spent the rest of their lives trying to topple
rest of their lives trying to topple everything we'd worked so hard to build
everything we'd worked so hard to build as far as those aristos were concerned
as far as those aristos were concerned i am not saying there is any proof that
i am not saying there is any proof that they were thrown to the ghouls by their
they were thrown to the ghouls by their fat reactionary bacardi blanca drinking
fat reactionary bacardi blanca drinking asses
asses but if they were they can suck batista's
but if they were they can suck batista's balls in hell
balls in hell a thin satisfied smile crosses his lips
a thin satisfied smile crosses his lips of course we couldn't have actually
of course we couldn't have actually attempted this kind of punishment with
attempted this kind of punishment with your people
your people rumors and threats were one thing but
rumors and threats were one thing but physical action
physical action push a people any people too far
push a people any people too far and you risk the possibility of revolt
and you risk the possibility of revolt five million yankees all rising in open
five million yankees all rising in open revolution unthinkable it already took
revolution unthinkable it already took too many troops to maintain the camps
too many troops to maintain the camps and that was the initial success of the
and that was the initial success of the yankee invasion of cuba
yankee invasion of cuba we simply didn't have the manpower to
we simply didn't have the manpower to guard 5 million detainees and almost 4
guard 5 million detainees and almost 4 000 kilometers of coastline
000 kilometers of coastline we couldn't fight a war on two fronts
we couldn't fight a war on two fronts and so the decision was made to dissolve
and so the decision was made to dissolve the centers and allow ten percent of the
the centers and allow ten percent of the yankee detainees to work outside the
yankee detainees to work outside the wire on a specialized parole program
wire on a specialized parole program these detainees would do the jobs
these detainees would do the jobs cubanos no longer wanted
cubanos no longer wanted day laborers dishwashers and street
day laborers dishwashers and street cleaners
cleaners and while their wages would be next to
and while their wages would be next to nothing their labor hours would go to a
nothing their labor hours would go to a point system
point system that allowed them to buy the freedom of
that allowed them to buy the freedom of other detainees
other detainees it was an ingenious idea
it was an ingenious idea some florida cubano came up with it and
some florida cubano came up with it and the camps were drained in six months
the camps were drained in six months at first the government tried to keep
at first the government tried to keep track of all of them but that soon
track of all of them but that soon proved impossible
proved impossible within a year they had almost fully
within a year they had almost fully integrated the norte cubanos
integrated the norte cubanos insinuating themselves into every facet
insinuating themselves into every facet of our
of our society officially the camps had been
society officially the camps had been created to contain the spread of
created to contain the spread of infection but that wasn't the kind
infection but that wasn't the kind spread by the dead
spread by the dead you couldn't see this infection at first
you couldn't see this infection at first not when we were still under siege
not when we were still under siege it was still behind closed doors still
it was still behind closed doors still spoken in whispers
spoken in whispers over the next several years what
over the next several years what occurred was not so much a revolution as
occurred was not so much a revolution as an evolution an economic reform here a
an evolution an economic reform here a legalized privately owned newspaper
legalized privately owned newspaper there
there people began to think more boldly talk
people began to think more boldly talk more boldly
more boldly slowly quietly the seeds began to take
slowly quietly the seeds began to take root
root i'm sure fidel would have loved to bring
i'm sure fidel would have loved to bring his iron fist crashing down on our
his iron fist crashing down on our fledgling freedoms
fledgling freedoms perhaps he might have if world events
perhaps he might have if world events had not shifted in our favor
had not shifted in our favor it was when the world governments
it was when the world governments decided to go on the attack that
decided to go on the attack that everything changed forever
everything changed forever suddenly we became the arsenal of
suddenly we became the arsenal of victory we were the bread basket the
victory we were the bread basket the manufacturing center the training ground
manufacturing center the training ground and the springboard
and the springboard we became the air hub for both north and
we became the air hub for both north and south america the great dry dock for ten
south america the great dry dock for ten thousand ships
thousand ships note one
note one the exact number of allied and neutral
the exact number of allied and neutral ships that anchored in cuban ports
ships that anchored in cuban ports during the war is still unknown
during the war is still unknown and note
and note we had money lots of it
we had money lots of it money that created an overnight middle
money that created an overnight middle class and a thriving capitalist economy
class and a thriving capitalist economy that needed the refined skills and
that needed the refined skills and practical experience of the north
practical experience of the north dakotas
dakotas we shared a bond i don't think can ever
we shared a bond i don't think can ever be broken we help them reclaim their
be broken we help them reclaim their nation and they helped us reclaim ours
nation and they helped us reclaim ours they showed us the meaning of democracy
they showed us the meaning of democracy freedom not just in vague abstract terms
freedom not just in vague abstract terms but on a very real individually human
but on a very real individually human level
level freedom isn't just something you have
freedom isn't just something you have for the sake of having
for the sake of having you have to want something else first
you have to want something else first and then want the freedom to fight for
and then want the freedom to fight for it
it that was the lesson we learned from the
that was the lesson we learned from the norte
norte cubanos they all had such grand dreams
cubanos they all had such grand dreams and they'd lay down their lives for the
and they'd lay down their lives for the freedom to make those dreams come true
freedom to make those dreams come true why else would el jefe
why else would el jefe be so damned afraid of them
be so damned afraid of them i'm not surprised that fidel knew the
i'm not surprised that fidel knew the tides of freedom were coming to sweep
tides of freedom were coming to sweep him out of power
him out of power i am surprised at how well he rode the
i am surprised at how well he rode the wave he laughs gesturing to a photo on
wave he laughs gesturing to a photo on the wall of an aged
the wall of an aged castro speaking in the parque central
castro speaking in the parque central can you believe the cohores of that son
can you believe the cohores of that son of a [ __ ]
of a [ __ ] to not only embrace the country's new
to not only embrace the country's new democracy but to actually take credit
democracy but to actually take credit for it
for it genius
genius to personally preside over the first
to personally preside over the first free elections of cuba where his last
free elections of cuba where his last official act was to vote himself out of
official act was to vote himself out of power
power that is why his legacy is a statue
that is why his legacy is a statue and not a blood stain against a wall
and not a blood stain against a wall of course our new latin superpower is
of course our new latin superpower is anything but idyllic
anything but idyllic we have hundreds of political parties
we have hundreds of political parties and more special interest groups than
and more special interest groups than sands on our beaches
sands on our beaches we have strikes we have riots we have
we have strikes we have riots we have protests it seems almost every day
protests it seems almost every day you can see why che
you can see why che ducked out right after the revolution
ducked out right after the revolution it's a lot easier to blow up trains than
it's a lot easier to blow up trains than to make them run on time
to make them run on time what is it that mr churchill used to say
what is it that mr churchill used to say democracy is the worst form of
democracy is the worst form of government
government except for all the others
except for all the others he laughs
patriots memorial the forbidden city beijing china
beijing china i suspect admiral shujar tsai
i suspect admiral shujar tsai has chosen this particular spot on the
has chosen this particular spot on the off chance that a photographer would be
off chance that a photographer would be present
present although no one since the war has ever
although no one since the war has ever remotely questioned
remotely questioned either his or his crew's patriotism
either his or his crew's patriotism he is taking no chances for the eyes of
he is taking no chances for the eyes of foreign readers
foreign readers initially defensive he consents to this
initially defensive he consents to this interview only on the condition that i
interview only on the condition that i listen objectively to his side of the
listen objectively to his side of the story
story a demand he clings to
a demand he clings to even after i explain that there is no
even after i explain that there is no other
other note for the sake of clarity
note for the sake of clarity western naval designations have replaced
western naval designations have replaced the authentic chinese
we were not traitors i say this before i'll say anything else
i say this before i'll say anything else we loved our country
we loved our country we loved our people and while we may not
we loved our people and while we may not have loved those who ruled both
have loved those who ruled both we were unwaveringly loyal to our
we were unwaveringly loyal to our leadership
leadership we never would have imagined doing what
we never would have imagined doing what we did had not the situation become so
we did had not the situation become so desperate
desperate by the time captain chun first voiced
by the time captain chun first voiced his proposal we were already on the
his proposal we were already on the brink
brink they were in every city every village
they were in every city every village in the nine and a half million square
in the nine and a half million square kilometers that made up our country
kilometers that made up our country you couldn't find one centimeter of
you couldn't find one centimeter of peace
peace the army arrogant bastards that they
the army arrogant bastards that they were kept insisting that they had the
were kept insisting that they had the problem under control
problem under control that every day was the turning point and
that every day was the turning point and before the next snow fell upon the earth
before the next snow fell upon the earth they would have the entire country
they would have the entire country pacified
pacified typical army thinking
typical army thinking over-aggressive over-confident
over-aggressive over-confident all you need is a group of men or women
all you need is a group of men or women give them matching clothes a few hours
give them matching clothes a few hours training something that passes for a
training something that passes for a weapon and you have an army
weapon and you have an army not the best army but still an army
not the best army but still an army nonetheless
nonetheless that can't happen with the navy any navy
that can't happen with the navy any navy any ship no matter how crude requires
any ship no matter how crude requires considerable energy and materials to
considerable energy and materials to create
create the army can replace its cannon fodder
the army can replace its cannon fodder in hours for us it might take years
in hours for us it might take years this tends to make us more pragmatic
this tends to make us more pragmatic than our compatriots in green
than our compatriots in green we tend to look at a situation with a
we tend to look at a situation with a bit more
bit more i don't want to say caution but perhaps
i don't want to say caution but perhaps more strategic conservatism
more strategic conservatism withdraw consolidate husband your
withdraw consolidate husband your resources that was the same philosophy
resources that was the same philosophy as the reddicker plan but of course the
as the reddicker plan but of course the army wouldn't listen
army wouldn't listen they rejected rediker without the
they rejected rediker without the slightest consideration or internal
slightest consideration or internal debate
debate how could the army ever lose with their
how could the army ever lose with their vast stockpiles of conventional
vast stockpiles of conventional armaments
armaments with their bottomless well of manpower
with their bottomless well of manpower bottomless well
bottomless well unforgivable
unforgivable do you know why we had such a population
do you know why we had such a population explosion during the 1950s
explosion during the 1950s because mao believed it was the only way
because mao believed it was the only way to win a nuclear war
to win a nuclear war this is truth not propaganda
this is truth not propaganda it was common knowledge that when the
it was common knowledge that when the atomic dust eventually settled only a
atomic dust eventually settled only a few thousand american or soviet
few thousand american or soviet survivors would be overwhelmed by tens
survivors would be overwhelmed by tens of millions of chinese
of millions of chinese numbers that was the philosophy of my
numbers that was the philosophy of my grandparents generation
grandparents generation and it was the strategy the army was
and it was the strategy the army was quick to adopt once our experienced
quick to adopt once our experienced professional troops were devoured in the
professional troops were devoured in the outbreak's early stages
outbreak's early stages those generals sick twisted old
those generals sick twisted old criminals sitting safely in their bunker
criminals sitting safely in their bunker and ordering wave after wave of
and ordering wave after wave of conscripted teenagers into battle
conscripted teenagers into battle did they even think that every dead
did they even think that every dead soldier was now a live zombie
soldier was now a live zombie did they ever realize that instead of
did they ever realize that instead of drowning them in our bottomless well
drowning them in our bottomless well we were the ones drowning choking to
we were the ones drowning choking to death as the most populous nation on
death as the most populous nation on earth found itself for the first time in
earth found itself for the first time in history in danger of becoming fatally
history in danger of becoming fatally outnumbered
outnumbered that was what pushed captain chun over
that was what pushed captain chun over the edge
the edge he knew what would happen if the war
he knew what would happen if the war continued along its course
continued along its course and what our chances for survival would
and what our chances for survival would be
be if he thought that there was any hope he
if he thought that there was any hope he would have grabbed a rifle and hurled
would have grabbed a rifle and hurled himself at the living dead
himself at the living dead he was convinced that soon there would
he was convinced that soon there would be no more chinese people and perhaps
be no more chinese people and perhaps eventually no more people anywhere
eventually no more people anywhere that was why he made his intentions
that was why he made his intentions known to his senior officers declaring
known to his senior officers declaring that we might be the only chance of
that we might be the only chance of preserving something of our civilization
preserving something of our civilization did you agree with his proposal
did you agree with his proposal i didn't even believe it at first escape
i didn't even believe it at first escape in our boat our nuclear submarine
in our boat our nuclear submarine this wasn't just desertion slinking out
this wasn't just desertion slinking out in the middle of a war to save our own
in the middle of a war to save our own pathetic skins
pathetic skins this was stealing one of the
this was stealing one of the motherland's most valuable national
motherland's most valuable national assets
assets the admiral jung-hu
the admiral jung-hu was only one of three ballistic missile
was only one of three ballistic missile subs and the newest of what the west
subs and the newest of what the west referred to as the type 94.
referred to as the type 94. she was the child of four parents
she was the child of four parents russian assistance black market
russian assistance black market technology
technology the fruits of anti-american espionage
the fruits of anti-american espionage and let us not forget the culmination of
and let us not forget the culmination of nearly 5 000 years of continuous chinese
nearly 5 000 years of continuous chinese history
history she was the most expensive the most
she was the most expensive the most advanced the most powerful machine our
advanced the most powerful machine our nation had ever constructed
nation had ever constructed to simply steal her like a lifeboat from
to simply steal her like a lifeboat from the sinking ship of china was
the sinking ship of china was inconceivable
inconceivable it was only captain chung's force of
it was only captain chung's force of personality his deep fanatical
personality his deep fanatical patriotism
patriotism that convinced me of our only
that convinced me of our only alternative
alternative how long did it take to prepare
how long did it take to prepare three months
three months it was hell
it was hell qingdao our home port was in a constant
qingdao our home port was in a constant state of siege
state of siege more and more army units were called in
more and more army units were called in to maintain order and each was just a
to maintain order and each was just a little less trained a little less
little less trained a little less equipped a little younger or older than
equipped a little younger or older than the one that came before it
the one that came before it some of the surface ship captains had to
some of the surface ship captains had to donate expendable guru to shore up base
donate expendable guru to shore up base defenses our perimeter was under attack
defenses our perimeter was under attack almost every day
almost every day and through all of this we had to
and through all of this we had to prepare and provision the boat for sea
prepare and provision the boat for sea it was supposed to be a routinely
it was supposed to be a routinely scheduled patrol
scheduled patrol we had to smuggle on board both
we had to smuggle on board both emergency supplies and family members
emergency supplies and family members family members oh yes that was the
family members oh yes that was the cornerstone of the plan captain chun
cornerstone of the plan captain chun knew the crew wouldn't leave port unless
knew the crew wouldn't leave port unless their families could come with them how
their families could come with them how was that possible
was that possible to find them or to smuggle them aboard
to find them or to smuggle them aboard both
both finding them was difficult most of us
finding them was difficult most of us had families scattered throughout the
had families scattered throughout the country
country we did our best to communicate with them
we did our best to communicate with them get a phone line working or send word
get a phone line working or send word with an army unit headed in that
with an army unit headed in that direction
direction the message was always the same we'd be
the message was always the same we'd be heading back out on patrol soon and
heading back out on patrol soon and their presence was required at the
their presence was required at the ceremony
ceremony sometimes we'd try to make it more
sometimes we'd try to make it more urgent as if someone was dying and
urgent as if someone was dying and needed to see them
needed to see them that was the best we could do
that was the best we could do no one was allowed to go out and
no one was allowed to go out and physically get them too risky
physically get them too risky we didn't have multiple crews like you
we didn't have multiple crews like you do on your missile boats
do on your missile boats every rating would be missed at sea
every rating would be missed at sea i pitied my shipmates the agony of their
i pitied my shipmates the agony of their waiting
waiting i was lucky that my wife and children
i was lucky that my wife and children children i thought
children i thought that we were only allowed one child
that we were only allowed one child that law was modified years before the
that law was modified years before the war
war a practical solution to the problem of
a practical solution to the problem of an imbalanced nation of only child sons
an imbalanced nation of only child sons i had twin daughters
i had twin daughters i was lucky my wife and children were
i was lucky my wife and children were already on base when the trouble started
already on base when the trouble started what about the captain did he have
what about the captain did he have family
family his wife had left him in the early
his wife had left him in the early eighties
eighties it was a devastating scandal especially
it was a devastating scandal especially in those days it still astounds me how
in those days it still astounds me how he managed to both salvage his career
he managed to both salvage his career and raise his son
and raise his son he had a son
he had a son did he come with you
did he come with you shu evades the question
shu evades the question the worst part for many others was the
the worst part for many others was the waiting knowing that even if they
waiting knowing that even if they managed to make it to ching dao
managed to make it to ching dao there was a very good chance that we
there was a very good chance that we might have already sailed
might have already sailed imagine the guilt
imagine the guilt you ask your family to come to you
you ask your family to come to you perhaps leave the relative safety of
perhaps leave the relative safety of their pre-existing hideout and derive
their pre-existing hideout and derive only to be abandoned at the dock
only to be abandoned at the dock did many of them show up more than one
did many of them show up more than one would have guessed
would have guessed we smuggled them aboard at night wearing
we smuggled them aboard at night wearing uniforms
uniforms some children and the elderly were
some children and the elderly were carried in supply crates
carried in supply crates did the families know what was happening
did the families know what was happening what you were intending to do i don't
what you were intending to do i don't believe so every member of our crew had
believe so every member of our crew had strict orders to keep silent
strict orders to keep silent had the mss even had a whiff of what we
had the mss even had a whiff of what we were up to
were up to the living dead would have been the
the living dead would have been the least of our fears
least of our fears our secrecy also forced us to depart
our secrecy also forced us to depart according to our routine patrol schedule
according to our routine patrol schedule captain chun wanted so badly to wait for
captain chun wanted so badly to wait for stranglers family members who might be
stranglers family members who might be perhaps only a few days a few hours away
perhaps only a few days a few hours away he knew it might have jeopardized
he knew it might have jeopardized everything however and reluctantly gave
everything however and reluctantly gave the order to cast off
the order to cast off he tried to hide his feelings and i
he tried to hide his feelings and i think in front of most he might have
think in front of most he might have gotten away with it
gotten away with it i could see it in his eyes though
i could see it in his eyes though reflecting the receding fires of qingbao
reflecting the receding fires of qingbao where were you headed
where were you headed first to our assigned patrol sector just
first to our assigned patrol sector just so everything would initially seem
so everything would initially seem normal
normal after that no one knew
after that no one knew a new home at least for the time being
a new home at least for the time being was out of the question
was out of the question by this point the blight had spread to
by this point the blight had spread to every corner of the planet
every corner of the planet no neutral country no matter how remote
no neutral country no matter how remote could guarantee our safety
could guarantee our safety what about coming over to our side
what about coming over to our side america or another western country he
america or another western country he flashes a cold hard stair
flashes a cold hard stair would you
would you the jung carried 16 jl-2 ballistic
the jung carried 16 jl-2 ballistic missiles
missiles all but one carried four multiple
all but one carried four multiple reentry warheads with a 90 kiloton yield
reentry warheads with a 90 kiloton yield that made her equivalent to one of the
that made her equivalent to one of the strongest nations in the world
strongest nations in the world enough power to murder entire cities
enough power to murder entire cities with just the turn of a key
with just the turn of a key would you turn that power over to
would you turn that power over to another country the one country up until
another country the one country up until that point that had used nuclear weapons
that point that had used nuclear weapons in anger
in anger again and for the last time we were not
again and for the last time we were not traitors no matter how criminally insane
traitors no matter how criminally insane our leadership might have been we were
our leadership might have been we were still chinese sailors
still chinese sailors so you were alone
so you were alone all alone
all alone no home no friends no safe harbor no
no home no friends no safe harbor no matter how harsh the storm
matter how harsh the storm the admiral zhang
the admiral zhang was our entire universe heaven earth sun
was our entire universe heaven earth sun and moon
and moon that must have been very difficult
that must have been very difficult the first few months passed as though it
the first few months passed as though it was merely a regular patrol
was merely a regular patrol missile subs are designed to hide and
missile subs are designed to hide and that's what we did deep and silent
that's what we did deep and silent we weren't sure if our own attack subs
we weren't sure if our own attack subs were out looking for us
were out looking for us in all probability our government had
in all probability our government had other worries
other worries still regular battle drills were
still regular battle drills were conducted and the civilians trained in
conducted and the civilians trained in the art of noise discipline
the art of noise discipline the chief of the boat even rigged
the chief of the boat even rigged special sound proofing for the mess hall
special sound proofing for the mess hall so it could be both a school room and
so it could be both a school room and play area for the children
play area for the children the children especially the younger ones
the children especially the younger ones had no idea what was happening
had no idea what was happening many of them had even traveled with
many of them had even traveled with their families across infested areas
their families across infested areas some barely escaping with their lives
some barely escaping with their lives all they knew was that the monsters were
all they knew was that the monsters were gone
gone banished to their occasional nightmares
banished to their occasional nightmares they were safe now and that's all that
they were safe now and that's all that mattered i guess that is how we all felt
mattered i guess that is how we all felt those first few months
those first few months we were alive we were together we were
we were alive we were together we were safe
safe given what was happening to the rest of
given what was happening to the rest of the planet what more could we want
the planet what more could we want did you have some way of monitoring the
did you have some way of monitoring the crisis not immediately
crisis not immediately our goal was stealth avoiding both
our goal was stealth avoiding both commercial shipping lanes and submarine
commercial shipping lanes and submarine patrol sectors
patrol sectors ours and yours
ours and yours we speculated though how fast was it
we speculated though how fast was it spreading which countries were the most
spreading which countries were the most affected was anyone using the nuclear
affected was anyone using the nuclear option
option if so
if so that would be the end for all of us
that would be the end for all of us in a radiated planet the walking dead
in a radiated planet the walking dead might be the only creatures left alive
might be the only creatures left alive we weren't sure what high doses of
we weren't sure what high doses of radiation would do to a zombie's brain
radiation would do to a zombie's brain would it eventually kill them riddling
would it eventually kill them riddling their gray matter with multiple
their gray matter with multiple expanding tumors
expanding tumors that would be the case for a regular
that would be the case for a regular human brain but since the living dead
human brain but since the living dead contradicted every other law of nature
contradicted every other law of nature why should this reaction be any
why should this reaction be any different
different some knights in the wardroom speaking in
some knights in the wardroom speaking in low voices over our off-duty team we
low voices over our off-duty team we conjured images of zombies as fast as
conjured images of zombies as fast as cheetahs as agile as apes
cheetahs as agile as apes zombies with mutated brains that grew
zombies with mutated brains that grew and throbbed and burst from the confines
and throbbed and burst from the confines of their skulls
of their skulls lieutenant commander song
lieutenant commander song our reactor officer
our reactor officer had brought aboard his watercolors and
had brought aboard his watercolors and had painted the scene of a city in ruins
had painted the scene of a city in ruins he tried to say that it wasn't any city
he tried to say that it wasn't any city in particular but we all recognized the
in particular but we all recognized the twisted remains
twisted remains of the poo dong skyline
of the poo dong skyline song had grown up in shanghai
song had grown up in shanghai the broken horizon glowed a dull magenta
the broken horizon glowed a dull magenta against the pitch black sky of nuclear
against the pitch black sky of nuclear winter
winter a rain of ash peppered the islands of
a rain of ash peppered the islands of debris that rose from lakes of melted
debris that rose from lakes of melted glass
glass snaking through the center of this
snaking through the center of this apocalyptic backdrop was a river
apocalyptic backdrop was a river a greenish brown snake that rose up into
a greenish brown snake that rose up into a head of a thousand interconnected
a head of a thousand interconnected bodies
bodies cracked skin
cracked skin exposed brain
exposed brain flesh dripping from bony arms that
flesh dripping from bony arms that reached out from open mouth to faces
reached out from open mouth to faces with red glowing eyes
with red glowing eyes i don't know when commander sung began
i don't know when commander sung began his project only that he secretly
his project only that he secretly unveiled it to a few of us after our
unveiled it to a few of us after our third month at sea
third month at sea he never intended to show it to captain
he never intended to show it to captain chun
chun he knew better but someone must have
he knew better but someone must have talked and the old man soon put a stop
talked and the old man soon put a stop to it
to it song was ordered to paint over his work
song was ordered to paint over his work with something cheerful
with something cheerful a summer sunset over lake dien
a summer sunset over lake dien he then followed up with several more
he then followed up with several more positive murals on any space of exposed
positive murals on any space of exposed bulkhead
bulkhead captain chun also ordered a halt to all
captain chun also ordered a halt to all off-duty speculation
off-duty speculation detrimental to the morale of the crew
detrimental to the morale of the crew i think it pushed him though
i think it pushed him though to re-establish some semblance of
to re-establish some semblance of contact with the outside world
contact with the outside world semblance as an active communication or
semblance as an active communication or passive surveillance
passive surveillance the latter
the latter he knew sung's painting and our
he knew sung's painting and our apocalyptic discussions were the result
apocalyptic discussions were the result of our long-term isolation
of our long-term isolation the only way to quell any further
the only way to quell any further dangerous thought was to replace
dangerous thought was to replace speculation with hard facts
speculation with hard facts we'd been in total blackout for almost a
we'd been in total blackout for almost a hundred days and nights we needed to
hundred days and nights we needed to know what was happening even if it was
know what was happening even if it was as dark and hopeless as songs
as dark and hopeless as songs painting up until this point our sonar
painting up until this point our sonar officer and his team were the only ones
officer and his team were the only ones with any knowledge of the world beyond
with any knowledge of the world beyond our hull
our hull these men listen to the sea
these men listen to the sea the currents
the currents the biologics such as fish and whales
the biologics such as fish and whales and the distant thrashing of nearby
and the distant thrashing of nearby propellers
propellers i said before that our course had taken
i said before that our course had taken us to the most remote recesses of the
us to the most remote recesses of the world's oceans we had intentionally
world's oceans we had intentionally chosen areas where no ship would
chosen areas where no ship would normally be detected
normally be detected over the previous months however
over the previous months however leo's team had been collecting an
leo's team had been collecting an increasing number of random contacts
increasing number of random contacts thousands of ships were now crowding the
thousands of ships were now crowding the surface many of them with signatures
surface many of them with signatures that did not match our computer archive
that did not match our computer archive the captain ordered the boat to
the captain ordered the boat to periscope depth
periscope depth the esm mast went up and was flooded
the esm mast went up and was flooded with hundreds of radar signatures the
with hundreds of radar signatures the radio mast suffered a similar deluge
radio mast suffered a similar deluge finally the scopes both the search and
finally the scopes both the search and main attack periscopes broke the surface
main attack periscopes broke the surface it's not like you see in the movies a
it's not like you see in the movies a man flipping down the handles and
man flipping down the handles and staring through a telescopic eyepiece
staring through a telescopic eyepiece these scopes don't penetrate the inner
these scopes don't penetrate the inner hall
hall each one is a video camera with its
each one is a video camera with its signal relayed to monitors throughout
signal relayed to monitors throughout the boat
the boat we couldn't believe what we were seeing
we couldn't believe what we were seeing it was as if humanity was putting
it was as if humanity was putting everything they had to see
everything they had to see we spotted tankers freighters cruise
we spotted tankers freighters cruise ships we saw tugboats towing barges we
ships we saw tugboats towing barges we saw hydrofoils garbage scows bottom
saw hydrofoils garbage scows bottom dredgers
dredgers and all of this within the first hour
and all of this within the first hour over the next few weeks we observed
over the next few weeks we observed dozens of military vessels too
dozens of military vessels too any of which could have probably
any of which could have probably detected us but none of which seemed to
detected us but none of which seemed to care you know the uss saratoga
care you know the uss saratoga we saw her being towed across the south
we saw her being towed across the south atlantic her flight deck now at 10th
atlantic her flight deck now at 10th city
city we saw a ship that had to be hms victory
we saw a ship that had to be hms victory plying the waves under a forest of
plying the waves under a forest of improvised sails
improvised sails we saw the aurora the actual world war
we saw the aurora the actual world war one era heavy cruiser whose mutiny had
one era heavy cruiser whose mutiny had sparked the bolshevik revolution
sparked the bolshevik revolution i don't know how they got her out of
i don't know how they got her out of saint petersburg or how they found
saint petersburg or how they found enough coal to keep her boilers lit
enough coal to keep her boilers lit there were so many beat up hulks that
there were so many beat up hulks that should have been retired years ago
should have been retired years ago skiffs fairies and lighters that had
skiffs fairies and lighters that had spent their careers on quiet lakes or
spent their careers on quiet lakes or inland rivers
inland rivers coastal crafts said should have never
coastal crafts said should have never left the harbor for which they'd been
left the harbor for which they'd been designed
designed we saw a floating dry dock the size of
we saw a floating dry dock the size of an overturned skyscraper her deck now
an overturned skyscraper her deck now stuffed with construction scaffolding
stuffed with construction scaffolding that served as makeshift apartments
that served as makeshift apartments she was drifting aimlessly no tug or
she was drifting aimlessly no tug or support vessel in sight
support vessel in sight i don't know how those people survived
i don't know how those people survived or even if they survived
or even if they survived there were a lot of drifting ships their
there were a lot of drifting ships their fuel bunkers dry no way to generate
fuel bunkers dry no way to generate power
power we saw many small private boats yachts
we saw many small private boats yachts and cabin cruisers that had lashed
and cabin cruisers that had lashed themselves together to form giant
themselves together to form giant directionless rafts
directionless rafts we saw many purpose-built rafts as well
we saw many purpose-built rafts as well made from logs or tires
made from logs or tires we even came across a nautical
we even came across a nautical shantytown constructed atop hundreds of
shantytown constructed atop hundreds of garbage bags filled with styrofoam
garbage bags filled with styrofoam packing peanuts it reminded us all of
packing peanuts it reminded us all of the ping pong navy the refugees who
the ping pong navy the refugees who during the cultural revolution had tried
during the cultural revolution had tried to float to hong kong on sacks filled
to float to hong kong on sacks filled with ping pong balls
with ping pong balls we pitied these people
we pitied these people pitied what could only be their hopeless
pitied what could only be their hopeless fate
fate to be adrift in the middle of the ocean
to be adrift in the middle of the ocean and pray to hunger thirst sun stroke or
and pray to hunger thirst sun stroke or the sea herself
the sea herself commander song called it humanity's
commander song called it humanity's great regression
great regression we came from the sea he would say
we came from the sea he would say and now we're running back
and now we're running back running was an accurate term
running was an accurate term these people clearly hadn't put any
these people clearly hadn't put any thought into what they would do once
thought into what they would do once they reached the safety of the waves
they reached the safety of the waves they just figured it was better than
they just figured it was better than being torn apart back on land
being torn apart back on land in their panic they probably didn't
in their panic they probably didn't realize they were just prolonging the
realize they were just prolonging the inevitable
did you ever try to help them give them food or water maybe tow them
food or water maybe tow them to wear
to wear even if we had some idea where the safe
even if we had some idea where the safe ports might have been the captain
ports might have been the captain wouldn't dare take the risk of detection
wouldn't dare take the risk of detection we didn't know who had a radio who might
we didn't know who had a radio who might be listening to that signal
be listening to that signal we still didn't know if we were a hunted
we still didn't know if we were a hunted boat
boat and there was another danger the
and there was another danger the immediate threat of the undead
immediate threat of the undead we saw a lot of infested ships some
we saw a lot of infested ships some where the crews were still fighting for
where the crews were still fighting for their lives some where the dead were the
their lives some where the dead were the only crew left
only crew left one time off dakar senegal
one time off dakar senegal we came across a 45 000 ton luxury liner
we came across a 45 000 ton luxury liner called the nordic empress
called the nordic empress our search scopes optics were powerful
our search scopes optics were powerful enough to see
enough to see every bloody handprint smeared on the
every bloody handprint smeared on the ballroom's windows
ballroom's windows every fly that settled on the deck's
every fly that settled on the deck's bones and flesh
bones and flesh zombies were falling into the ocean one
zombies were falling into the ocean one every couple of minutes
every couple of minutes they would see something in the distance
they would see something in the distance a low-flying aircraft i think or even
a low-flying aircraft i think or even the feather of our scope and try to
the feather of our scope and try to reach for it
reach for it it gave me an idea
it gave me an idea if we surfaced a few hundred meters away
if we surfaced a few hundred meters away and did everything we could to lure them
and did everything we could to lure them over the side we might be able to clear
over the side we might be able to clear the ship without firing a shot
the ship without firing a shot who knows what the refugees might have
who knows what the refugees might have brought aboard with them
brought aboard with them the nordic empress might turn out to be
the nordic empress might turn out to be a floating replenishment depot
a floating replenishment depot i presented my proposal to the master at
i presented my proposal to the master at arms and together we approached the
arms and together we approached the captain what did he say
captain what did he say absolutely not
absolutely not there was no way of knowing how many
there was no way of knowing how many zombies were on board the deadliner
zombies were on board the deadliner even worse he motioned to the video
even worse he motioned to the video screen and pointed to some of the
screen and pointed to some of the zombies falling overboard look he said
zombies falling overboard look he said not all of them are sinking
not all of them are sinking he was right
he was right some had reanimated wearing life jackets
some had reanimated wearing life jackets while others were beginning to blow up
while others were beginning to blow up with decomposition gases
with decomposition gases that was the first time i had ever seen
that was the first time i had ever seen a floating ghoul
a floating ghoul i should have realized then that they
i should have realized then that they would become a common occurrence
would become a common occurrence even if 10 of the refugee ships were
even if 10 of the refugee ships were infested that was still 10 of several
infested that was still 10 of several hundred thousand vessels
hundred thousand vessels there were millions of zombies falling
there were millions of zombies falling randomly into the sea or else pouring in
randomly into the sea or else pouring in by the hundreds when one of those old
by the hundreds when one of those old hulks capsized in rough weather
hulks capsized in rough weather after a storm they would blanket the
after a storm they would blanket the surface to the horizon
surface to the horizon rising waves of bombing heads and
rising waves of bombing heads and flailing arms
flailing arms once we raised the search scope and were
once we raised the search scope and were confronted with this distorted greenish
confronted with this distorted greenish gray haze
gray haze at first we thought it was an optical
at first we thought it was an optical malfunction as if we'd hit some floating
malfunction as if we'd hit some floating debris
debris but then the attack scope confirmed
but then the attack scope confirmed that we'd speared one of them right
that we'd speared one of them right under the rib cage
under the rib cage and it was still struggling probably
and it was still struggling probably even after we lowered the scope if ever
even after we lowered the scope if ever something brought the threat home
something brought the threat home [Music]
[Music] but you were under water how could they
but you were under water how could they if we surfaced and one was caught on
if we surfaced and one was caught on deck or on the bridge
deck or on the bridge the first time i cracked the hatch a
the first time i cracked the hatch a fetted waterlogged clawed darted in and
fetted waterlogged clawed darted in and tabbed me by the sleeve i lost my
tabbed me by the sleeve i lost my footing fell onto the lookout below me
footing fell onto the lookout below me and landed on the deck with the severed
and landed on the deck with the severed arm still clamped to my uniform
arm still clamped to my uniform above me silhouetted in the bright disk
above me silhouetted in the bright disk of the open hatch i could see the arm's
of the open hatch i could see the arm's owner i reached for my sidearm fired
owner i reached for my sidearm fired straight up without thinking
straight up without thinking we were showered in bone and bits of
we were showered in bone and bits of brain
brain we were lucky
we were lucky if any of us had had any kind of open
if any of us had had any kind of open wound
wound i deserved the reprimand i got although
i deserved the reprimand i got although i deserved worse
i deserved worse from that point on we always did a
from that point on we always did a thorough scope sweep after surfacing
thorough scope sweep after surfacing i would say that
i would say that at least one in every three instances a
at least one in every three instances a few of them were crawling about on the
few of them were crawling about on the home
home those were the observation days when all
those were the observation days when all we did was look and listen to the world
we did was look and listen to the world around us
around us besides the scopes we could monitor both
besides the scopes we could monitor both civilian radio traffic and even some
civilian radio traffic and even some satellite television broadcasts
satellite television broadcasts it wasn't a pretty picture
it wasn't a pretty picture cities were dying whole countries
cities were dying whole countries we listened to the last report from
we listened to the last report from buenos aires the evacuation of the
buenos aires the evacuation of the japanese home islands too
japanese home islands too we heard sketchy information about
we heard sketchy information about mutinies in the russian military we
mutinies in the russian military we heard after reports of the limited
heard after reports of the limited nuclear exchange between iran and
nuclear exchange between iran and pakistan
pakistan and we marveled morbidly at how we had
and we marveled morbidly at how we had been so sure that either you or the
been so sure that either you or the russians would be the ones to turn the
russians would be the ones to turn the key
key there were no reports from china no
there were no reports from china no illegal or even official government
illegal or even official government broadcast
broadcast we were still detecting naval
we were still detecting naval transmissions but all the codes had been
transmissions but all the codes had been shifted since our departure
shifted since our departure while this presented something of a
while this presented something of a personal threat
personal threat we didn't know if our fleet had orders
we didn't know if our fleet had orders to hunt down and sink us
to hunt down and sink us at least it proved our whole nation
at least it proved our whole nation hadn't disappeared into the stomachs of
hadn't disappeared into the stomachs of the undead
the undead at this point in our exile any news was
at this point in our exile any news was welcome
welcome food was becoming an issue not
food was becoming an issue not immediately but soon enough to begin
immediately but soon enough to begin considering options
considering options medicine was a bigger problem
medicine was a bigger problem both our western style drugs and various
both our western style drugs and various traditional herb remedies were beginning
traditional herb remedies were beginning to run low because of the civilians
to run low because of the civilians many of them had special medical needs
many of them had special medical needs mrs pay
mrs pay the mother of one of our torpedo men was
the mother of one of our torpedo men was suffering from chronic bronchial
suffering from chronic bronchial problems an allergic reaction to
problems an allergic reaction to something on the boat the paint or
something on the boat the paint or perhaps machine oil something you
perhaps machine oil something you couldn't simply remove from the
couldn't simply remove from the environment
environment she was consuming our decongestants at
she was consuming our decongestants at an alarming rate
an alarming rate lieutenant jyn
lieutenant jyn the boat's weapons officer suggested
the boat's weapons officer suggested matter of factly that the old woman be
matter of factly that the old woman be euthanized
euthanized the captain responded by confining him
the captain responded by confining him to quarters for a week on half rations
to quarters for a week on half rations with all but the most life-threatening
with all but the most life-threatening sickness to go untreated by the boat's
sickness to go untreated by the boat's pharmacist jen was a cold-hearted
pharmacist jen was a cold-hearted bastard but at least his suggestion
bastard but at least his suggestion brought our options into the light
brought our options into the light we had to prolong our supply of
we had to prolong our supply of consumables if not find a way of
consumables if not find a way of recycling them all together
recycling them all together raiding derelicts was still strictly
raiding derelicts was still strictly forbidden even when we spotted what
forbidden even when we spotted what looked like a deserted vessel at least a
looked like a deserted vessel at least a few zombies could be heard banging below
few zombies could be heard banging below decks
decks fishing was a possibility but we had
fishing was a possibility but we had neither the material to rig any kind of
neither the material to rig any kind of net
net nor were we willing to spend hours on
nor were we willing to spend hours on the surface dropping hooks and lines
the surface dropping hooks and lines over the side
over the side the solution came from the civilians not
the solution came from the civilians not the crew
the crew some of them had been farmers or
some of them had been farmers or herbalists before the crisis and a few
herbalists before the crisis and a few had brought little bags of seeds
had brought little bags of seeds if we could provide them with the
if we could provide them with the necessary equipment they might be able
necessary equipment they might be able to start raising enough food to stretch
to start raising enough food to stretch our existing provisions for years
our existing provisions for years it was an audacious plan but not
it was an audacious plan but not completely without merit the missile
completely without merit the missile room was certainly large enough for a
room was certainly large enough for a garden
garden pots and troughs could be hammered out
pots and troughs could be hammered out of existing materials and the
of existing materials and the ultraviolet lamps we used for the crew's
ultraviolet lamps we used for the crew's vitamin d treatment could serve as
vitamin d treatment could serve as artificial sunlight
artificial sunlight the only problem was soil none of us
the only problem was soil none of us knew anything about
knew anything about hydroponics aeroponics or any other
hydroponics aeroponics or any other alternate agricultural method
alternate agricultural method we needed earth and there was only one
we needed earth and there was only one way to get it
way to get it the captain had to consider this
the captain had to consider this carefully
carefully trying to deploy a shore party was as
trying to deploy a shore party was as dangerous as if not more than attempting
dangerous as if not more than attempting to board an infested ship
to board an infested ship before the war more than half of all
before the war more than half of all human civilization lived at or near the
human civilization lived at or near the world's coastlines
world's coastlines the infestation only increased this
the infestation only increased this number as refugees sought to flee by
number as refugees sought to flee by water
water we began our search off the mid-atlantic
we began our search off the mid-atlantic coast of south america from georgetown
coast of south america from georgetown guyana
guyana then down the coast of suriname and
then down the coast of suriname and french guyana
french guyana we found several stretches of
we found several stretches of uninhabited jungle and at least by
uninhabited jungle and at least by periscope observation the coast appeared
periscope observation the coast appeared to be clear
to be clear we surfaced and made a second visual
we surfaced and made a second visual sweep from the bridge
sweep from the bridge again nothing
again nothing i requested permission to take a landing
i requested permission to take a landing party ashore
party ashore the captain was not yet convinced
the captain was not yet convinced he ordered the foghorn blown loud and
he ordered the foghorn blown loud and long
long and then they came
and then they came just a few at first tattered wide-eyed
just a few at first tattered wide-eyed stumbling out of the jungle they didn't
stumbling out of the jungle they didn't seem to notice the shoreline the waves
seem to notice the shoreline the waves knocking them over pushing them back up
knocking them over pushing them back up on the beach or pulling them out to sea
on the beach or pulling them out to sea one was dashed against a rock his chest
one was dashed against a rock his chest crashed broken ribs stabbing through the
crashed broken ribs stabbing through the flesh
flesh black foam shot from his mouth as he
black foam shot from his mouth as he howled at us still trying to walk to
howled at us still trying to walk to crawl in our direction
crawl in our direction more came a dozen at a time
more came a dozen at a time within minutes we had over a hundred
within minutes we had over a hundred plunging into the surf
plunging into the surf this was the case everywhere we surfaced
this was the case everywhere we surfaced all those refugees who'd been too
all those refugees who'd been too unlucky to make it to the open ocean
unlucky to make it to the open ocean now formed a lethal barrier along every
now formed a lethal barrier along every stretch of coastline we visited
stretch of coastline we visited did you ever try to land a shore party
did you ever try to land a shore party shakespeare said too dangerous even
shakespeare said too dangerous even worse than the infested ships
worse than the infested ships we decided that our only choice was to
we decided that our only choice was to find soil on an offshore island
find soil on an offshore island but you must have known what was
but you must have known what was happening on the world's islands
happening on the world's islands you would be surprised
you would be surprised after leaving our pacific patrol station
after leaving our pacific patrol station we restricted our movements to either
we restricted our movements to either the atlantic or the indian ocean
the atlantic or the indian ocean we'd heard transmissions or made visual
we'd heard transmissions or made visual observations of many of those specks of
observations of many of those specks of land
land we learned about the overcrowding the
we learned about the overcrowding the violence
violence we saw the gun flashes from the windward
we saw the gun flashes from the windward islands
islands that night on the surface we could smell
that night on the surface we could smell the smoke as it drifted east from the
the smoke as it drifted east from the caribbean we could also hear islands
caribbean we could also hear islands that weren't so lucky
that weren't so lucky the cape verdes off the coast of senegal
the cape verdes off the coast of senegal we didn't even see them before we heard
we didn't even see them before we heard the whales
the whales too many refugees too little discipline
too many refugees too little discipline it only takes one infected soul
it only takes one infected soul how many islands remained quarantined
how many islands remained quarantined after the war how many frozen northern
after the war how many frozen northern rocks are still deeply and dangerously
rocks are still deeply and dangerously in the white
in the white returning to the pacific was our most
returning to the pacific was our most likely option but that would also bring
likely option but that would also bring us right back up to our country's front
us right back up to our country's front door
door again we still did not know if the
again we still did not know if the chinese navy was hunting us or even if
chinese navy was hunting us or even if there was still a chinese navy
there was still a chinese navy all we knew
all we knew was that we needed stores and that we
was that we needed stores and that we craved direct contact with other human
craved direct contact with other human beings
beings it took some time to convince the
it took some time to convince the captain
captain the last thing he wanted was a
the last thing he wanted was a confrontation with our navy
confrontation with our navy he was still loyal to the government yes
he was still loyal to the government yes and then there was
and then there was a personal matter personal why
a personal matter personal why he skirts the question
he skirts the question have you ever been to manihi
have you ever been to manihi i shake my head
i shake my head you couldn't ask for a more ideal image
you couldn't ask for a more ideal image of a pre-war tropical paradise
of a pre-war tropical paradise flat palm-covered islands or motus
flat palm-covered islands or motus form a ring around a shallow crystal
form a ring around a shallow crystal clear lagoon
clear lagoon it used to be one of the few places on
it used to be one of the few places on earth where they cultured authentic
earth where they cultured authentic black pearls
black pearls i had bought a pair for my wife when we
i had bought a pair for my wife when we visited
visited tuamotu's for our honeymoon
tuamotu's for our honeymoon so my first hand knowledge made this at
so my first hand knowledge made this at all the most likely destination
all the most likely destination manihi had changed utterly since i was a
manihi had changed utterly since i was a newly married ensign
newly married ensign the pearls were gone the oysters were
the pearls were gone the oysters were eaten and the lagoon was crowded with
eaten and the lagoon was crowded with hundreds of small private boats
hundreds of small private boats the motors themselves were paved with
the motors themselves were paved with either tents or ramshackle huts
either tents or ramshackle huts dozens of improvised canoes either
dozens of improvised canoes either sailed or rode back and forth between
sailed or rode back and forth between the outer reef and the dozen or so large
the outer reef and the dozen or so large ships that were anchored in deeper water
ships that were anchored in deeper water the whole scene was typical of what i
the whole scene was typical of what i guess post-war historians are now
guess post-war historians are now calling
calling the pacific continent
the pacific continent the refugee island culture that
the refugee island culture that stretched from palau to french polynesia
stretched from palau to french polynesia it was a new society a new nation
it was a new society a new nation refugees from all over the world uniting
refugees from all over the world uniting under the common flag of survival
under the common flag of survival how did you integrate yourself into that
how did you integrate yourself into that society
society through trade
through trade trade was the central pillar of the
trade was the central pillar of the pacific continent if your boat had a
pacific continent if your boat had a large distillery you sold fresh water
large distillery you sold fresh water if it had a machine shop you became a
if it had a machine shop you became a mechanic
mechanic the madrid spirit a liquefied natural
the madrid spirit a liquefied natural gas carrier sold its cargo off for
gas carrier sold its cargo off for cooking fuel
cooking fuel that was what gave mr sung
that was what gave mr sung his idea for our market niche
his idea for our market niche he was commander song's father a hedge
he was commander song's father a hedge fund broker from shenzhen
fund broker from shenzhen he came up with the idea of running
he came up with the idea of running floating power lines into the lagoon and
floating power lines into the lagoon and leasing the electricity from our reactor
leasing the electricity from our reactor he smiles
he smiles we became millionaires or at least the
we became millionaires or at least the barter equivalent
barter equivalent food medicine any spare part we needed
food medicine any spare part we needed or the raw materials to manufacture them
or the raw materials to manufacture them we got our greenhouse along with a
we got our greenhouse along with a miniature waste recovery plant to turn
miniature waste recovery plant to turn our own night soil into valuable
our own night soil into valuable fertilizer
fertilizer we bought equipment for a gymnasium a
we bought equipment for a gymnasium a full wet bar and home entertainment
full wet bar and home entertainment systems for both the enlisted mess and
systems for both the enlisted mess and wardrobe
wardrobe the children were lavished with toys and
the children were lavished with toys and candy
candy whatever was left and most importantly
whatever was left and most importantly continuing education from several of the
continuing education from several of the barges that had been converted into
barges that had been converted into international schools
international schools we were welcomed into any home onto any
we were welcomed into any home onto any boat our enlisted men and even some of
boat our enlisted men and even some of the officers were given free credit on
the officers were given free credit on any one of the five comfort boats
any one of the five comfort boats anchored in the lagoon
anchored in the lagoon and why not we lit up their nights we
and why not we lit up their nights we powered their machinery
powered their machinery we brought back long forgotten luxuries
we brought back long forgotten luxuries like air conditioners and refrigerators
like air conditioners and refrigerators we brought computers back online and
we brought computers back online and gave most of them the first hot shower
gave most of them the first hot shower they'd had in months
they'd had in months we were so successful that the island
we were so successful that the island council even allowed us a reprieve
council even allowed us a reprieve although we politely refused from taking
although we politely refused from taking part in the island's perimeter security
part in the island's perimeter security against seaborne zombies
against seaborne zombies they were always a danger
they were always a danger every night they would wander up onto
every night they would wander up onto the motus or try to drag themselves up
the motus or try to drag themselves up the anchor line of a low-lying boat
the anchor line of a low-lying boat part of the citizenship news for staying
part of the citizenship news for staying at manihi
at manihi was to help patrol the beaches and boats
was to help patrol the beaches and boats for zombies
for zombies you mentioned anchor lines aren't
you mentioned anchor lines aren't zombies poor climbers
zombies poor climbers not when water counteracts gravity
not when water counteracts gravity most of them only have to follow an
most of them only have to follow an anchor chain up to the surface if that
anchor chain up to the surface if that chain leads to a boat whose deck is only
chain leads to a boat whose deck is only centimeters above the water line
centimeters above the water line there were at least as many lagoon as
there were at least as many lagoon as beach attacks
beach attacks nights were always worse
nights were always worse that was another reason we were so
that was another reason we were so welcome we could take back the darkness
welcome we could take back the darkness both above and below the surface
both above and below the surface it is a chilling sight to point a
it is a chilling sight to point a flashlight at the water and see the
flashlight at the water and see the bluish green outline of a zombie
bluish green outline of a zombie crawling up an anchor line
wouldn't the light tend to attract even more of them
more of them yes definitely
yes definitely night attacks almost doubled once
night attacks almost doubled once mariners began leaving their lights on
mariners began leaving their lights on the civilians never complained though
the civilians never complained though and neither did the island's council i
and neither did the island's council i think that most people would rather face
think that most people would rather face the light of a real enemy than the
the light of a real enemy than the darkness of their imagined fears
darkness of their imagined fears how long did you stay in manihi
how long did you stay in manihi several months
several months i don't know if you would call them the
i don't know if you would call them the best months of our lives but at the time
best months of our lives but at the time it certainly felt that way
it certainly felt that way we began to let our guard down to stop
we began to let our guard down to stop thinking of ourselves as fugitives
thinking of ourselves as fugitives there were even some chinese families
there were even some chinese families not diaspora or taiwanese but real
not diaspora or taiwanese but real citizens of the people's republic
citizens of the people's republic they told us that the situation had
they told us that the situation had gotten so bad that the government was
gotten so bad that the government was barely keeping the country together
barely keeping the country together they couldn't see how when over half the
they couldn't see how when over half the population was infected and the army's
population was infected and the army's reserves were continuing to evaporate
reserves were continuing to evaporate they had the time or assets to devote
they had the time or assets to devote any energy to find one lost sub
any energy to find one lost sub for a little while it looked as if we
for a little while it looked as if we could make this small island community
could make this small island community our home reside here until the end of
our home reside here until the end of the crisis
the crisis or perhaps the end of the world
or perhaps the end of the world he looks up at the monument above us
he looks up at the monument above us built on the very spot where supposedly
built on the very spot where supposedly the last zombie in beijing had been
the last zombie in beijing had been destroyed
destroyed song and i had chore patrol duty the
song and i had chore patrol duty the night it happened
night it happened we'd stopped by a campfire to listen to
we'd stopped by a campfire to listen to the islanders radio
the islanders radio there was some broadcast about a
there was some broadcast about a mysterious natural disaster in china
mysterious natural disaster in china no one knew what it was yet and there
no one knew what it was yet and there were more than enough rumors to keep us
were more than enough rumors to keep us guessing
guessing i was looking at the radio my back to
i was looking at the radio my back to the lagoon when the sea in front of me
the lagoon when the sea in front of me suddenly began to glow
suddenly began to glow i turned just in time to see the madrid
i turned just in time to see the madrid spirit explode
spirit explode i don't know how much natural gas she
i don't know how much natural gas she still carried but the fireball
still carried but the fireball skyrocketed high into the night
skyrocketed high into the night expanding and incinerating all life on
expanding and incinerating all life on the two closest motus
the two closest motus my first thought was accident a corroded
my first thought was accident a corroded valve a careless deckhand commander sung
valve a careless deckhand commander sung had been looking right at it though and
had been looking right at it though and he'd seen the streak of the missile
he'd seen the streak of the missile a half second later the admiral jung's
a half second later the admiral jung's foghorn sounded
foghorn sounded as we raced back to the boat my wall of
as we raced back to the boat my wall of calm my sense of security came crashing
calm my sense of security came crashing down around me
down around me i knew that missile had come from one of
i knew that missile had come from one of our subs
our subs the only reason it had hit the madrid
the only reason it had hit the madrid was because she sat much higher in water
was because she sat much higher in water presenting a larger radar outline
presenting a larger radar outline how many had been aboard
how many had been aboard how many were on those motus
how many were on those motus i suddenly realized that every second we
i suddenly realized that every second we stayed put the civilian islanders in
stayed put the civilian islanders in danger of another attack
danger of another attack captain chun must have been thinking the
captain chun must have been thinking the same thing
same thing as we reached the deck the orders to
as we reached the deck the orders to cast off were sounded from the bridge
cast off were sounded from the bridge power lines were cut heads counted
power lines were cut heads counted hatches dogged we set course for open
hatches dogged we set course for open water and dived at battle stations
water and dived at battle stations at 90 meters we deployed our towed array
at 90 meters we deployed our towed array sonar and immediately detected whole
sonar and immediately detected whole popping noises of another sub changing
popping noises of another sub changing depth
depth not the flexible
not the flexible pop grown
pop grown pop of steel
pop of steel but the quick pop-pop pop of brittle
but the quick pop-pop pop of brittle titanium
titanium only two countries in the world used
only two countries in the world used titanium hulls in their attack boats the
titanium hulls in their attack boats the russian federation and us
russian federation and us the blade count confirmed it was ours a
the blade count confirmed it was ours a new type 9500 killer
new type 9500 killer two were in service by the time we left
two were in service by the time we left port we couldn't tell which one
port we couldn't tell which one was that important
was that important again he does not answer
again he does not answer at first the captain wouldn't fight
at first the captain wouldn't fight he chose to bottom the boat sat her down
he chose to bottom the boat sat her down on a sandy plateau at the bare limit of
on a sandy plateau at the bare limit of our crush depth
our crush depth the type 95 began banging away with its
the type 95 began banging away with its active sonar array
active sonar array the sound pulses echoed through the
the sound pulses echoed through the water but couldn't get a fix on us
water but couldn't get a fix on us because of the ocean floor
because of the ocean floor the 95 switched to a passive search
the 95 switched to a passive search listening with its powerful hydrophone
listening with its powerful hydrophone array for any noise we made
array for any noise we made we reduced the reactor to a marginal
we reduced the reactor to a marginal output shut down all unnecessary
output shut down all unnecessary machinery and ceased all crew movement
machinery and ceased all crew movement within the boat
within the boat because passive sonar doesn't send out
because passive sonar doesn't send out any signals there was no way of knowing
any signals there was no way of knowing where the 95 was or even if it was still
where the 95 was or even if it was still around
around we tried to listen for her propeller but
we tried to listen for her propeller but she'd gone as silent as us
she'd gone as silent as us we waited for half an hour not moving
we waited for half an hour not moving barely breathing
i was standing by the sonar shack my eyes on the overhead when lieutenant
my eyes on the overhead when lieutenant leo
leo tapped me on the shoulder
tapped me on the shoulder he had something on our whole mounted
he had something on our whole mounted array not the other sub something closer
array not the other sub something closer all around us
all around us i plugged in a pair of headphones and
i plugged in a pair of headphones and heard a scraping noise like scratching
heard a scraping noise like scratching rats
rats i silently motioned for the captain to
i silently motioned for the captain to listen
listen we couldn't make it out it wasn't bottom
we couldn't make it out it wasn't bottom flow the current was too mild for that
flow the current was too mild for that if it was sea life crabs or some other
if it was sea life crabs or some other biologic contact there would have to be
biologic contact there would have to be thousands of them
thousands of them i began to suspect something
i began to suspect something i requested a scope observation knowing
i requested a scope observation knowing the transient noise might alert our
the transient noise might alert our hunter the captain agreed
hunter the captain agreed we gritted our teeth as the tube slid
we gritted our teeth as the tube slid upward
upward then
then the image
the image zombies hundreds of them were swarming
zombies hundreds of them were swarming over the hull
over the hull more were arriving each second stumbling
more were arriving each second stumbling across the barren sand climbing over
across the barren sand climbing over each other to claw scrape actually bite
each other to claw scrape actually bite the jung steel
could they have gotten in opened a hatch or
or no
no all hatches are sealed from the inside
all hatches are sealed from the inside and torpedo tubes are protected by
and torpedo tubes are protected by external bow caps
external bow caps what concerned us however was the
what concerned us however was the reactor
reactor it was cooled by circulating seawater
it was cooled by circulating seawater the intakes although not large enough
the intakes although not large enough for a man to fit through can easily be
for a man to fit through can easily be blocked by one
blocked by one sure enough one of our warning lights
sure enough one of our warning lights began to silently flash over the number
began to silently flash over the number four intake
four intake one of them had ripped the guard off and
one of them had ripped the guard off and was now thoroughly lodged in the conduit
was now thoroughly lodged in the conduit the reactor's core temperature began to
the reactor's core temperature began to rise
rise to shut it down would leave us powerless
to shut it down would leave us powerless captain chun decided that we had to move
captain chun decided that we had to move we lifted off the bottom trying to be as
we lifted off the bottom trying to be as slow and quiet as possible it wasn't
slow and quiet as possible it wasn't enough we began to detect the sound of
enough we began to detect the sound of the 95's propeller
the 95's propeller she'd heard us and was moving into
she'd heard us and was moving into attack
attack we heard her torpedo tubes being flooded
we heard her torpedo tubes being flooded and the click of her outer doors opening
and the click of her outer doors opening captain john ordered our own sonar to go
captain john ordered our own sonar to go active pinging our exact location but
active pinging our exact location but giving us a perfect firing solution on
giving us a perfect firing solution on the 95.
the 95. we fired at the same time
we fired at the same time our torpedoes passed each other as both
our torpedoes passed each other as both subs tried to get away
subs tried to get away the 95 was a little bit faster a little
the 95 was a little bit faster a little more maneuverable
more maneuverable but the one thing they didn't have was
but the one thing they didn't have was our captain he knew exactly how to avoid
our captain he knew exactly how to avoid the oncoming fish and we ducked them
the oncoming fish and we ducked them easily right about the time our own
easily right about the time our own found their targets
found their targets we heard the 95's hull screech like a
we heard the 95's hull screech like a dying whale
dying whale bulkheads collapsing as compartments
bulkheads collapsing as compartments imploded one after the other
imploded one after the other they tell you it happens too fast for
they tell you it happens too fast for the crew to know
the crew to know either the shock of the pressure change
either the shock of the pressure change renders them unconscious
renders them unconscious or the explosion can actually cause the
or the explosion can actually cause the air to ignite the crew dies quickly
air to ignite the crew dies quickly painlessly at least that's what we hoped
painlessly at least that's what we hoped one thing that wasn't painless was to
one thing that wasn't painless was to watch the light behind my captain's eyes
watch the light behind my captain's eyes die with the sounds of the doomed sub
die with the sounds of the doomed sub he anticipates my next question
he anticipates my next question clenching his fist and exhaling hard
clenching his fist and exhaling hard through his nose
through his nose captain chun raised his son alone
captain chun raised his son alone raised him to be a good sailor to love
raised him to be a good sailor to love and serve the state to never question
and serve the state to never question orders and to be the finest officer the
orders and to be the finest officer the chinese navy had ever seen
chinese navy had ever seen the happiest day of his life was when
the happiest day of his life was when commander chun jur xiao
commander chun jur xiao received his first command
received his first command a brand new type 9500 killer
a brand new type 9500 killer the kind that attacked you
the kind that attacked you nods
nods that was why captain chun would have
that was why captain chun would have done anything to avoid our fleet
done anything to avoid our fleet that was why it was so important to know
that was why it was so important to know which sub had attacked us
which sub had attacked us to know is always better no matter what
to know is always better no matter what the answer might be
the answer might be he had already betrayed his oath
he had already betrayed his oath betrayed his homeland and now to believe
betrayed his homeland and now to believe that that betrayal might have led him to
that that betrayal might have led him to murder his own son
the next morning when captain chun did not appear for first watch i went to his
not appear for first watch i went to his cabin to check on him
cabin to check on him the lights were dim i called his name
the lights were dim i called his name to my relief he answered
to my relief he answered but when he stepped into the light
but when he stepped into the light his hair had lost its color as white as
his hair had lost its color as white as pre-war snow
pre-war snow his skin was sallow his eyes sunken
his skin was sallow his eyes sunken he was truly an old man now
he was truly an old man now broken withered
broken withered the monsters that rose from the dead
the monsters that rose from the dead they are nothing compared to the ones we
they are nothing compared to the ones we carry in our hearts
carry in our hearts from that day on we ceased all contact
from that day on we ceased all contact with the outside world
with the outside world we headed for the arctic ice the
we headed for the arctic ice the farthest darkest most desolate void we
farthest darkest most desolate void we could find
could find we tried to continue with our day-to-day
we tried to continue with our day-to-day life maintaining the boat growing food
life maintaining the boat growing food schooling raising and comforting our
schooling raising and comforting our children as best we could
children as best we could with the captain's spirit gone so went
with the captain's spirit gone so went the spirit of the admiral jung's crew
the spirit of the admiral jung's crew i was the only one who ever saw him
i was the only one who ever saw him during those days i delivered his meals
during those days i delivered his meals collected his laundry briefed him daily
collected his laundry briefed him daily on the condition of the boat then
on the condition of the boat then relayed his orders to the rest of the
relayed his orders to the rest of the crew it was routine day in day out
crew it was routine day in day out our monotony was only broken one day
our monotony was only broken one day when sonar detected the approaching
when sonar detected the approaching signature of another 95 class attack sub
signature of another 95 class attack sub we went to battle stations and for the
we went to battle stations and for the first time we saw captain chung leave
first time we saw captain chung leave his cabin
his cabin he took his place in the attack center
he took his place in the attack center ordered a firing solution plotted and
ordered a firing solution plotted and tubes one and two loaded
tubes one and two loaded sonar reported that the enemy sub had
sonar reported that the enemy sub had not responded in kind
not responded in kind captain chun saw this as our advantage
captain chun saw this as our advantage there was no questioning in his mind
there was no questioning in his mind this time
this time this enemy would die before it fired
this enemy would die before it fired just before he gave the order we
just before he gave the order we detected a signal on the gertrude
detected a signal on the gertrude the american term for an underwater
the american term for an underwater telephone
telephone it was commander chun the captain's son
it was commander chun the captain's son proclaiming peaceful intentions and
proclaiming peaceful intentions and requesting that we stand down from gq
requesting that we stand down from gq he told us about the three gorgeous dam
he told us about the three gorgeous dam the source of all the natural disaster
the source of all the natural disaster rumors we'd heard about in manihi
rumors we'd heard about in manihi he explained that our battle with the
he explained that our battle with the other 95 had been part of a civil war
other 95 had been part of a civil war that the dam's destruction had sparked
that the dam's destruction had sparked the sub that attacked us had been part
the sub that attacked us had been part of the loyalist forces
of the loyalist forces commander chun had sided with the rebels
commander chun had sided with the rebels his mission was to find us and escort us
his mission was to find us and escort us home
home i thought the cheer was going to carry
i thought the cheer was going to carry us right to the surface
us right to the surface as we broke through the ice and the two
as we broke through the ice and the two crews ran to each other under the arctic
crews ran to each other under the arctic twilight i thought finally we can go
twilight i thought finally we can go home we can reclaim our country and
home we can reclaim our country and drive out the living dead
drive out the living dead finally it's over
finally it's over but it wasn't
but it wasn't there was still one last duty to perform
there was still one last duty to perform the politburo
the politburo those hated old men who had caused so
those hated old men who had caused so much misery already
much misery already were still holed up in their leadership
were still holed up in their leadership bunker in shillin
bunker in shillin still controlling at least half of our
still controlling at least half of our country's dwindling ground forces they
country's dwindling ground forces they would never surrender everyone knew this
would never surrender everyone knew this they would keep their mad hold on power
they would keep their mad hold on power squandering what was left of our
squandering what was left of our military if the civil war dragged on any
military if the civil war dragged on any longer the only beings left in china
longer the only beings left in china would be the living dead
would be the living dead and you decided to end the fighting
and you decided to end the fighting we were the only ones who could
we were the only ones who could our land-based silos were overrun
our land-based silos were overrun our air force was grounded our two other
our air force was grounded our two other missile boats had been caught still tied
missile boats had been caught still tied to the piers waiting for orders
to the piers waiting for orders like good sailors as the dead swarmed
like good sailors as the dead swarmed through their hatches
through their hatches commander chun informed us that we were
commander chun informed us that we were the only nuclear asset left in the
the only nuclear asset left in the rebellion's arsenal
rebellion's arsenal every second we delayed wasted 100 more
every second we delayed wasted 100 more lives 100 more bullets that could be
lives 100 more bullets that could be thrown against the undead
so you fired on your homeland in order to save it
to save it one last burden to shoulder
one last burden to shoulder the captain must have noticed me shaking
the captain must have noticed me shaking the moment before we launched
the moment before we launched my order he declared my responsibility
my order he declared my responsibility the missile carried a single massive
the missile carried a single massive multi-megaton warhead it was a prototype
multi-megaton warhead it was a prototype warhead designed to penetrate the
warhead designed to penetrate the hardened surface of your norad facility
hardened surface of your norad facility in cheyenne mountain colorado
in cheyenne mountain colorado ironically the politburo's bunker had
ironically the politburo's bunker had been designed to emulate cheyenne
been designed to emulate cheyenne mountain in almost every detail
mountain in almost every detail as we prepared to get underway commander
as we prepared to get underway commander chun informed us
chun informed us that shilin
that shilin had taken a direct hit
had taken a direct hit as we slid beneath the surface we heard
as we slid beneath the surface we heard that the loyalist forces had surrendered
that the loyalist forces had surrendered and reunified with the rebels to fight
and reunified with the rebels to fight the real enemy
the real enemy did you know they had begun instituting
did you know they had begun instituting their own version of the south african
their own version of the south african plan
plan we heard the day we emerged from under
we heard the day we emerged from under the ice pack that morning i came on
the ice pack that morning i came on watch and found captain chun already in
watch and found captain chun already in the attack center
the attack center he was in his command chair a cup of tea
he was in his command chair a cup of tea next to his hand
next to his hand he looked so tired silently watching the
he looked so tired silently watching the crew around him smiling as a father
crew around him smiling as a father smiles at the happiness of his children
smiles at the happiness of his children i noticed his tea had grown cold and
i noticed his tea had grown cold and dazed if he would like another cup
dazed if he would like another cup he looked up at me still smiling and
he looked up at me still smiling and shook his head slowly
shook his head slowly very good sir i said and prepared to
very good sir i said and prepared to resume my station
resume my station he reached out and took my hand looked
he reached out and took my hand looked up into but did not recognize my face
up into but did not recognize my face his whisper was so soft i could barely
his whisper was so soft i could barely hear it
hear it what
what nice boy gershow
nice boy gershow such a good boy
such a good boy he was still holding my hand when he
he was still holding my hand when he closed his eyes forever
clearwater memorial is the newest hospital to be constructed in australia
hospital to be constructed in australia and the largest one built since the end
and the largest one built since the end of the war terry knox's room is on the
of the war terry knox's room is on the 17th floor
17th floor the presidential suite
the presidential suite his luxurious surroundings and expensive
his luxurious surroundings and expensive almost unobtainable medication
almost unobtainable medication are the least his government can do for
are the least his government can do for the first and to date only australian
the first and to date only australian commander of the international space
commander of the international space station
station in his words
in his words not bad for the son of an andamuka opal
not bad for the son of an andamuka opal minor
minor his withered body seems to liven during
his withered body seems to liven during our conversation
our conversation his face regains some of its color
i wish some of the stories they'd tell about us were true
about us were true makes us sound all the more heroic
makes us sound all the more heroic smiles
smiles truth is we weren't stranded
truth is we weren't stranded not in terms of being
not in terms of being suddenly or unexpectedly trapped up
suddenly or unexpectedly trapped up there
there nobody had a better view of what was
nobody had a better view of what was happening than us
happening than us no one was surprised when the
no one was surprised when the replacement crew from baikonur failed to
replacement crew from baikonur failed to launch or when houston ordered us to
launch or when houston ordered us to pile into the x-38 for evacuation
pile into the x-38 for evacuation note 1
note 1 the station's re-entry lifeboat
the station's re-entry lifeboat end note
end note i wish i could say that we violated
i wish i could say that we violated orders or physically fought with one
orders or physically fought with one another over who should stay
another over who should stay what really happened was much more
what really happened was much more mundane and reasonable
mundane and reasonable i ordered the scientific team and any
i ordered the scientific team and any other non-essential personnel back to
other non-essential personnel back to earth
earth then gave the rest of the crew the
then gave the rest of the crew the choice to remain behind
choice to remain behind with the x-38 re-entry lifeboat gone we
with the x-38 re-entry lifeboat gone we would be technically stranded
would be technically stranded but when you think of what was at stake
but when you think of what was at stake then
then i can't imagine any of us wanting to
i can't imagine any of us wanting to leave
leave the iss is one of the greatest marvels
the iss is one of the greatest marvels of human engineering
of human engineering we're talking about an orbital platform
we're talking about an orbital platform so large it could be seen from earth
so large it could be seen from earth with the naked eye
with the naked eye it had taken 16 countries over 10 years
it had taken 16 countries over 10 years a couple hundred spacewalks and more
a couple hundred spacewalks and more money than anyone without job security
money than anyone without job security would admit to finally completing
would admit to finally completing what would it take to build another one
what would it take to build another one if another one could ever be built
if another one could ever be built even more important than the station was
even more important than the station was the incalculable and equally
the incalculable and equally irreplaceable value of our planet's
irreplaceable value of our planet's satellite network
satellite network back then
back then there were over three thousand in orbit
there were over three thousand in orbit and humanity depended on them for
and humanity depended on them for everything from communications to
everything from communications to navigation from surveillance to
navigation from surveillance to something even as mundane yet vital
something even as mundane yet vital as regular and reliable weather
as regular and reliable weather prediction
prediction this network was as important to the
this network was as important to the modern world as rhodes had been in
modern world as rhodes had been in ancient times or rail lines during the
ancient times or rail lines during the industrial age
industrial age what would happen to humanity if these
what would happen to humanity if these all-important links just started
all-important links just started dropping out of the sky
dropping out of the sky our plan was never to save them all
our plan was never to save them all that was unrealistic and unnecessary
that was unrealistic and unnecessary all we had to do was concentrate on the
all we had to do was concentrate on the systems most vital to the war effort
systems most vital to the war effort just a few dozen birds that had to
just a few dozen birds that had to remain aloft
remain aloft that alone was worth the risk of staying
that alone was worth the risk of staying were you ever promised a rescue
were you ever promised a rescue no
no and we didn't expect it
and we didn't expect it the issue wasn't how we were going to
the issue wasn't how we were going to get back to earth it was how we could
get back to earth it was how we could manage to stay alive up there
manage to stay alive up there even with all our tanked o2 and
even with all our tanked o2 and emergency perchlorate candles
emergency perchlorate candles even with our water recycling system
even with our water recycling system operating at peak capacity
operating at peak capacity we only had enough food for roughly 27
we only had enough food for roughly 27 months
months and that was including the test animals
and that was including the test animals in the lab modules
notes 2.
2. the iss ceased using electrolysis to
the iss ceased using electrolysis to generate oxygen as a way of conserving
generate oxygen as a way of conserving water
water three
three pre-war specs put the iss water
pre-war specs put the iss water recycling capability at 95 percent
recycling capability at 95 percent and notes
and notes none of them were being used to test any
none of them were being used to test any kind of vaccines so their flesh was
kind of vaccines so their flesh was still edible
still edible i can still hear their little shrieks
i can still hear their little shrieks still see the spots of blood floating in
still see the spots of blood floating in microgravity
microgravity even up there you couldn't escape the
even up there you couldn't escape the blood
blood i tried to be scientific about it
i tried to be scientific about it calculating the nutritional value of
calculating the nutritional value of every floating red globule i sucked out
every floating red globule i sucked out of the air
of the air i kept insisting
i kept insisting that it was all for the good of the
that it was all for the good of the mission and not my own ravenous hunger
tell me more about the mission if you were trapped on the station how
if you were trapped on the station how did you manage to keep the satellites in
did you manage to keep the satellites in orbit
orbit we used the jules verne 3 atv
we used the jules verne 3 atv the last supply pod launched before
the last supply pod launched before french guyana was overrun
french guyana was overrun note 4 atv automated transfer vehicle
note 4 atv automated transfer vehicle end note
end note it was originally designed as a one-way
it was originally designed as a one-way vehicle to be filled with trash after
vehicle to be filled with trash after depositing its cargo then sent back to
depositing its cargo then sent back to earth to burn up in the atmosphere
earth to burn up in the atmosphere note 5
note 5 a secondary task of the disposable atv
a secondary task of the disposable atv was to use its booster to maintain the
was to use its booster to maintain the station's orbit
station's orbit end note
end note we modified it with manual flight
we modified it with manual flight controls and a pilot's couch
controls and a pilot's couch i wish we could have fixed it with a
i wish we could have fixed it with a proper viewport
proper viewport navigating by video wasn't fun
navigating by video wasn't fun neither was having to do my extra
neither was having to do my extra vehicular activities my space walks in a
vehicular activities my space walks in a re-entry suit because there wasn't room
re-entry suit because there wasn't room for a proper eva kit
for a proper eva kit most of my excursions were to the astro
most of my excursions were to the astro which was basically just a petrol
which was basically just a petrol station in space
station in space note 6
note 6 astro autonomous space transfer and
astro autonomous space transfer and robotic orbiter ended note
robotic orbiter ended note satellites the military surveillance
satellites the military surveillance type
type sometimes have to change orbit in order
sometimes have to change orbit in order to acquire new targets
to acquire new targets they do that by firing their maneuvering
they do that by firing their maneuvering thrusters and using up their small
thrusters and using up their small amount of hydrazine fuel
amount of hydrazine fuel before the war the american military
before the war the american military realized it was more cost effective to
realized it was more cost effective to have a refueling station already in
have a refueling station already in orbit
orbit rather than sending up a lot of manned
rather than sending up a lot of manned missions
missions that's where astro came in
that's where astro came in we modified it to refuel some of the
we modified it to refuel some of the other satellites as well the civilian
other satellites as well the civilian models that need just the occasional top
models that need just the occasional top off to boost back up from a decaying
off to boost back up from a decaying orbit
orbit it was a marvelous machine a real time
it was a marvelous machine a real time saver we had a lot of technology like
saver we had a lot of technology like that
that there was the canadarm
there was the canadarm the 50-foot robotic inchworm that
the 50-foot robotic inchworm that performed necessary maintenance tasks
performed necessary maintenance tasks along the station's outer skin
along the station's outer skin there was boba the vr operated robonaut
there was boba the vr operated robonaut we fitted with a thruster pack so he
we fitted with a thruster pack so he could work both around the station and
could work both around the station and away from it on a satellite
away from it on a satellite we also had a little squadron of psas
we also had a little squadron of psas these free floating robots about the
these free floating robots about the shape and size of a grapefruit
shape and size of a grapefruit note 7
note 7 psa personal satellite assistance
psa personal satellite assistance and note
and note all of this wondrous technology was
all of this wondrous technology was designed to make our jobs easier i wish
designed to make our jobs easier i wish they hadn't worked so well
they hadn't worked so well we had maybe an hour a day maybe even
we had maybe an hour a day maybe even two where there was nothing to do
two where there was nothing to do you could sleep you could exercise you
you could sleep you could exercise you could re-read the same books you could
could re-read the same books you could listen to radio free earth or to the
listen to radio free earth or to the music we'd brought with us
music we'd brought with us over and over and over again
over and over and over again i don't know how many times i listened
i don't know how many times i listened to that red gum song
to that red gum song god help me i was only 19.
god help me i was only 19. it was my father's favorite
it was my father's favorite reminded him of his time in vietnam
reminded him of his time in vietnam i prayed that all that army training was
i prayed that all that army training was helping to keep him and my mom alive now
helping to keep him and my mom alive now i hadn't heard anything from him or
i hadn't heard anything from him or anyone else in oz since the government
anyone else in oz since the government had relocated to tasmania
had relocated to tasmania i wanted to believe they were all right
i wanted to believe they were all right but watching what was happening on earth
but watching what was happening on earth as most of us did during our off-duty
as most of us did during our off-duty hours made it almost impossible to have
hours made it almost impossible to have hope
hope they say that during the cold war
they say that during the cold war american spy birds could read the copy
american spy birds could read the copy of pravda in a soviet citizen's hands
of pravda in a soviet citizen's hands i'm not sure if that's entirely true
i'm not sure if that's entirely true i don't know the tech specs of that
i don't know the tech specs of that generation of hardware but i can tell
generation of hardware but i can tell you that these modern ones whose signals
you that these modern ones whose signals we pirated from their relay birds these
we pirated from their relay birds these could show muscles tear and bones snap
could show muscles tear and bones snap you could read the lips of victims
you could read the lips of victims crying out for mercy
crying out for mercy or the color of their eyes when they
or the color of their eyes when they bulged with their last breath
bulged with their last breath you could see at what point red blood
you could see at what point red blood began to turn brown
began to turn brown and how it looked on gray london cement
and how it looked on gray london cement as opposed to white cape cod sand
as opposed to white cape cod sand we had no control over what the spy
we had no control over what the spy birds chose to observe
birds chose to observe their targets were determined by the us
their targets were determined by the us military
military we saw a lot of battles
we saw a lot of battles chong chang yonkers
chong chang yonkers we watched a company of indian troops
we watched a company of indian troops try to rescue civilians trapped in
try to rescue civilians trapped in ambedkar stadium in delhi
ambedkar stadium in delhi then become trapped themselves and
then become trapped themselves and retreat to gandhi park
retreat to gandhi park i've watched their commander form his
i've watched their commander form his men into a square the kind the limeys
men into a square the kind the limeys used in colonial days
used in colonial days it worked at least for a little while
it worked at least for a little while that was the only frustrating part about
that was the only frustrating part about satellite surveillance you could only
satellite surveillance you could only watch not listen
watch not listen we didn't know that the indians were
we didn't know that the indians were running out of ammunition only that the
running out of ammunition only that the zed heads were starting to close in
zed heads were starting to close in we saw hilo hover overhead and watched
we saw hilo hover overhead and watched as the commander argued with his
as the commander argued with his subordinates
subordinates we didn't know it was general raj singh
we didn't know it was general raj singh we didn't even know who he was
we didn't even know who he was don't listen to what the critics say
don't listen to what the critics say about that man about how he buggered off
about that man about how he buggered off when things got too hot we saw it all
when things got too hot we saw it all he did try to put up a fight
he did try to put up a fight and one of his blokes did smash him in
and one of his blokes did smash him in the face with a rifle butt
the face with a rifle butt he was out cold when they hauled him
he was out cold when they hauled him into that waiting chopper
into that waiting chopper it was a horrible feeling seeing it all
it was a horrible feeling seeing it all so close and yet unable to do anything
so close and yet unable to do anything we had our own observation gear both the
we had our own observation gear both the civilian research birds and the
civilian research birds and the equipment right there on the station
equipment right there on the station the images they gave us weren't half as
the images they gave us weren't half as powerful as the military versions but
powerful as the military versions but they were still frighteningly clear
they were still frighteningly clear they gave us our first look at the mega
they gave us our first look at the mega swarms over central asia and the
swarms over central asia and the american great plains
american great plains those were truly massive miles across
those were truly massive miles across like the american buffalo must have once
like the american buffalo must have once been
been we watched the evacuation of japan and
we watched the evacuation of japan and couldn't help but marvel at the scale
couldn't help but marvel at the scale hundreds of ships thousands of small
hundreds of ships thousands of small boats
boats we lost count of how many helicopters
we lost count of how many helicopters buzzed back and forth from the rooftops
buzzed back and forth from the rooftops to the armada or how many jetliners made
to the armada or how many jetliners made their final run north to kamchatka
their final run north to kamchatka we were the first ones to discover
we were the first ones to discover zombie holes the pits that the undead
zombie holes the pits that the undead dig when they're going after burrowing
dig when they're going after burrowing animals
animals at first we thought they were just
at first we thought they were just isolated incidents until we noticed that
isolated incidents until we noticed that they were spreading all over the world
they were spreading all over the world sometimes more than one would appear in
sometimes more than one would appear in close proximity to the next
close proximity to the next there was a field in southern england i
there was a field in southern england i guess there must have been a high
guess there must have been a high concentration of rabbits there was just
concentration of rabbits there was just riddled with holes all different depths
riddled with holes all different depths and sizes
and sizes many of them had large dark stains
many of them had large dark stains around them
around them although we couldn't zoom in close
although we couldn't zoom in close enough we were pretty sure it was blood
enough we were pretty sure it was blood for me that was the most terrifying
for me that was the most terrifying example of our enemies drive
example of our enemies drive they displayed no conscious thought just
they displayed no conscious thought just sheer biological instinct
sheer biological instinct i once watched a zed head go after
i once watched a zed head go after something probably a golden mole in the
something probably a golden mole in the namib desert
namib desert the mole had burrowed deep in the slope
the mole had burrowed deep in the slope of a dune
of a dune as the ghoul tried to go after it the
as the ghoul tried to go after it the sand kept pouring down and filling the
sand kept pouring down and filling the hole
hole the ghoul didn't stop didn't react in
the ghoul didn't stop didn't react in any way it just kept going
any way it just kept going i watched it for five days the fuzzy
i watched it for five days the fuzzy image of this g digging and digging and
image of this g digging and digging and digging
digging then suddenly one morning just stopping
then suddenly one morning just stopping getting up and shuffling away as if
getting up and shuffling away as if nothing had happened
nothing had happened it must have lost the scent
it must have lost the scent good on the mole
good on the mole for all our enhanced optics nothing had
for all our enhanced optics nothing had quite the same impact as the naked eye
quite the same impact as the naked eye to just look through the viewport down
to just look through the viewport down on our fragile little biosphere
on our fragile little biosphere to see the massive ecological
to see the massive ecological devastation makes one understand how the
devastation makes one understand how the modern environmental movement began with
modern environmental movement began with the american space program
the american space program there were so many fires
there were so many fires and i don't just mean the buildings or
and i don't just mean the buildings or the forests or even the oil rigs blazing
the forests or even the oil rigs blazing out of control
out of control bleeding saudis actually went ahead and
bleeding saudis actually went ahead and did it i mean the campfires as well what
did it i mean the campfires as well what had to be at least a billion of them
had to be at least a billion of them tiny orange specks covering the earth
tiny orange specks covering the earth where electric lights had once been
where electric lights had once been note 8
note 8 to this day no one knows why the saudi
to this day no one knows why the saudi royal family ordered the ignition of
royal family ordered the ignition of their kingdom's oil fields
their kingdom's oil fields ended note
every day every night it seemed like the whole planet was burning we couldn't
whole planet was burning we couldn't even begin to calculate the ash count
even begin to calculate the ash count but we guesstimated it was equivalent to
but we guesstimated it was equivalent to a low-grade nuclear exchange between the
a low-grade nuclear exchange between the united states and former soviet union
united states and former soviet union and that's not including the actual
and that's not including the actual nuclear exchange between iran and
nuclear exchange between iran and pakistan
pakistan we watched and recorded those as well
we watched and recorded those as well the flashes and fires that gave me eye
the flashes and fires that gave me eye spots for days
spots for days nuclear autumn was already beginning to
nuclear autumn was already beginning to set in the gray brown shroud thickening
set in the gray brown shroud thickening each day
each day it was like looking down on an alien
it was like looking down on an alien planet or on earth during the last great
planet or on earth during the last great mass extinction
mass extinction eventually
eventually conventional optics became useless in
conventional optics became useless in the shroud leaving us with only thermal
the shroud leaving us with only thermal or radar sensors
or radar sensors earth's natural face vanished behind a
earth's natural face vanished behind a caricature of primary colors
caricature of primary colors it was through one of these systems
it was through one of these systems the aster sensor aboard the terra
the aster sensor aboard the terra satellite that we saw the three gorgeous
satellite that we saw the three gorgeous dam collapse
dam collapse roughly 10 trillion gallons of water
roughly 10 trillion gallons of water carrying debris silt rocks trees cars
carrying debris silt rocks trees cars houses
houses and house-sized pieces of the dam itself
and house-sized pieces of the dam itself it was alive a brown and white dragon
it was alive a brown and white dragon racing to the east china sea
racing to the east china sea when i think of the people in its path
when i think of the people in its path trapped in barricaded buildings unable
trapped in barricaded buildings unable to escape the tidal wave because of the
to escape the tidal wave because of the zed heads right outside their doors
zed heads right outside their doors no one knows how many people died that
no one knows how many people died that night even today they're still finding
night even today they're still finding bodies
one of his skeletal hands balls into a fist the other presses the self-medicate
fist the other presses the self-medicate button
when i think about how the chinese leadership tried to explain it all away
leadership tried to explain it all away have you ever read a transcript of the
have you ever read a transcript of the chinese president's speech
chinese president's speech we actually watched the broadcast from a
we actually watched the broadcast from a pirated signal off their sino-sat-2
pirated signal off their sino-sat-2 he called it an unforeseen tragedy
he called it an unforeseen tragedy really unforeseen
really unforeseen was it unforeseen that the dam had been
was it unforeseen that the dam had been built on an active fault line
built on an active fault line was it unforeseen that the increased
was it unforeseen that the increased weight of a giant reservoir had induced
weight of a giant reservoir had induced earthquakes in the past and that cracks
earthquakes in the past and that cracks had already been detected in the
had already been detected in the foundation months before the dam was
foundation months before the dam was completed
note 9 the reservoir of the sutu's kochi dam
the reservoir of the sutu's kochi dam was confirmed to cause numerous seismic
was confirmed to cause numerous seismic disturbances since its completion in
disturbances since its completion in 1995.
1995. and note
he called it an unavoidable accident bastard
bastard they had enough troops to wage open
they had enough troops to wage open warfare in almost every major city but
warfare in almost every major city but they couldn't spare a couple of traffic
they couldn't spare a couple of traffic cops to protect against a catastrophe
cops to protect against a catastrophe waiting to happen no one could imagine
waiting to happen no one could imagine the repercussions of abandoning both the
the repercussions of abandoning both the seismic warning stations and the
seismic warning stations and the emergency spillway controls
emergency spillway controls and then to try to change their story
and then to try to change their story halfway through
halfway through to say that they'd actually done
to say that they'd actually done everything they could to protect the dam
everything they could to protect the dam that at the time of the disaster valiant
that at the time of the disaster valiant troops of the pla had given their lives
troops of the pla had given their lives to defend it
to defend it well i'd been personally observing three
well i'd been personally observing three gorges for over a year
gorges for over a year leading up to the disaster and the only
leading up to the disaster and the only pla soldiers i ever saw had given their
pla soldiers i ever saw had given their lives a long long time ago
lives a long long time ago did they really expect their own people
did they really expect their own people to buy such a blatant lie
to buy such a blatant lie did they really expect anything less
did they really expect anything less than all-out rebellion
two weeks after the start of the revolution we received our first and
revolution we received our first and only signal from the chinese space
only signal from the chinese space station
station young leeway
young leeway it was the only other manned facility in
it was the only other manned facility in orbit but couldn't compare to such an
orbit but couldn't compare to such an exquisite masterpiece as ours
exquisite masterpiece as ours it was more of a slap dash job
it was more of a slap dash job shenzhou modules and long march fuel
shenzhou modules and long march fuel tanks cobbled together like a giant
tanks cobbled together like a giant version of the old american skylab
version of the old american skylab we'd been trying to contact them for
we'd been trying to contact them for months
months we weren't even sure if there was a crew
we weren't even sure if there was a crew all we got was a recorded message in
all we got was a recorded message in perfect hong kong english to keep our
perfect hong kong english to keep our distance lest we invite the response of
distance lest we invite the response of deadly force
deadly force what an insane waste we could have
what an insane waste we could have worked together traded supplies
worked together traded supplies technical expertise
technical expertise who knows what we could have
who knows what we could have accomplished if we had only chucked the
accomplished if we had only chucked the politics and come together as human
politics and come together as human bloody beings
bloody beings we'd convinced ourselves that the
we'd convinced ourselves that the station had never been inhabited at all
station had never been inhabited at all that their deadly force warning was just
that their deadly force warning was just a ruse
a ruse we couldn't have been more surprised
we couldn't have been more surprised when the signal came over our ham radio
note 10 the international space station is
the international space station is equipped with a civilian ham radio
equipped with a civilian ham radio originally to allow the crew to talk to
originally to allow the crew to talk to school children
school children and note
and note it was a live human voice tired
it was a live human voice tired frightened and cutting out after only a
frightened and cutting out after only a few seconds
few seconds it was all i needed to board the vern
it was all i needed to board the vern and head over to the young
and head over to the young as soon as it came over the horizon i
as soon as it came over the horizon i could tell that its orbit had shifted
could tell that its orbit had shifted radically
radically as i closed the distance i could see why
as i closed the distance i could see why their escape pod had blown its hatch and
their escape pod had blown its hatch and because it was still docked to the
because it was still docked to the primary airlock the entire station had
primary airlock the entire station had depressurized in seconds
depressurized in seconds as a precaution i requested docking
as a precaution i requested docking clearance i got nothing
clearance i got nothing as i came aboard i could see that even
as i came aboard i could see that even though the station was clearly large
though the station was clearly large enough for a crew of seven or eight
enough for a crew of seven or eight it only had the bunk space and personal
it only had the bunk space and personal kits for two
kits for two i found the yang packed with emergency
i found the yang packed with emergency supplies enough food water and dough to
supplies enough food water and dough to candles for at least five years
candles for at least five years what i couldn't figure out at first was
what i couldn't figure out at first was why
why there was no scientific equipment aboard
there was no scientific equipment aboard no intelligence gathering assets
no intelligence gathering assets it was almost like the chinese
it was almost like the chinese government had sent these two men into
government had sent these two men into space for no other purpose than to exist
space for no other purpose than to exist fifteen minutes into my float about
fifteen minutes into my float about i found the first of several scuttling
i found the first of several scuttling charges
charges this space station was little more than
this space station was little more than a giant orbital denial vehicle
a giant orbital denial vehicle if those charges were to detonate the
if those charges were to detonate the debris from a 400 metric ton space
debris from a 400 metric ton space station would not only be enough to
station would not only be enough to damage or destroy any other orbiting
damage or destroy any other orbiting platform but any future space launch
platform but any future space launch would be grounded for years
would be grounded for years it was a scorched space policy
it was a scorched space policy if we can't have it neither can anyone
if we can't have it neither can anyone else
else all the station systems were still
all the station systems were still operational there had been no fire no
operational there had been no fire no structural damage no reason i could see
structural damage no reason i could see to cause the accident of the escape pods
to cause the accident of the escape pods hatch
hatch i found the body of a lone
i found the body of a lone ticonaut with his hands still clinging
ticonaut with his hands still clinging to the hatch release he was wearing one
to the hatch release he was wearing one of their pressurized escape suits but
of their pressurized escape suits but the faceplate had been shattered by a
the faceplate had been shattered by a bullet
bullet i'm guessing the shooter was blown out
i'm guessing the shooter was blown out into space
into space i'd like to believe that the chinese
i'd like to believe that the chinese revolution wasn't just restricted to
revolution wasn't just restricted to earth
earth that the man who'd blown the hatch was
that the man who'd blown the hatch was also the one who had attempted to signal
also the one who had attempted to signal us
us his mate must have stuck by the old
his mate must have stuck by the old guard
guard maybe mr loyalist had been ordered to
maybe mr loyalist had been ordered to set off the scuttling charges
jai that was the name on his personal
that was the name on his personal effects
effects jai
jai had tried to blast his mate into space
had tried to blast his mate into space and it caught around in the process
and it caught around in the process makes for a good tale i think
makes for a good tale i think that's how i'm going to remember it
that's how i'm going to remember it is that how you were able to extend your
is that how you were able to extend your endurance by using the supplies aboard
endurance by using the supplies aboard the yang
the yang he gives me a thumbs up
he gives me a thumbs up we cannibalized every inch of it for
we cannibalized every inch of it for spares and materials
spares and materials we would have liked to have merged the
we would have liked to have merged the two platforms together but we didn't
two platforms together but we didn't have the tools or manpower for such an
have the tools or manpower for such an undertaking
undertaking we might have been able to use the
we might have been able to use the escape pod to return to earth
escape pod to return to earth it had a heat shield and room for three
it had a heat shield and room for three it was very tempting but the station's
it was very tempting but the station's orbit was decaying rapidly and we had to
orbit was decaying rapidly and we had to make a choice then and there
make a choice then and there escape to earth or resupply the iss
escape to earth or resupply the iss you know which choice we made
before we finally abandoned her we laid our friend jai to rest we strapped his
our friend jai to rest we strapped his body into its bunk brought his personal
body into its bunk brought his personal kit back to the iss
kit back to the iss and said a few words in his honor as the
and said a few words in his honor as the young burned up in the earth's
young burned up in the earth's atmosphere
atmosphere for all we knew
for all we knew he might have been the loyalist
he might have been the loyalist not the rebel but either way his actions
not the rebel but either way his actions allowed us to stay alive
allowed us to stay alive three more years we remained in orbit
three more years we remained in orbit three more years that wouldn't have been
three more years that wouldn't have been possible without the chinese consumables
possible without the chinese consumables i still think it's one of the ward's
i still think it's one of the ward's great ironies that our replacement crew
great ironies that our replacement crew ended up arriving in a privately owned
ended up arriving in a privately owned civilian vehicle
civilian vehicle spacecraft 3 the ship originally
spacecraft 3 the ship originally designed for pre-war orbital tourism
designed for pre-war orbital tourism the pilot with his cowboy hat and big
the pilot with his cowboy hat and big confident yankee grin
confident yankee grin he tries his best texas accent
he tries his best texas accent any one order take out
any one order take out he laughs then winces and self medicates
he laughs then winces and self medicates again
sometimes i'm asked if we regretted our decision to stay aboard
decision to stay aboard i can't speak for my mates
i can't speak for my mates on their death beds they both said
on their death beds they both said they'd do it all over again
they'd do it all over again how can i disagree
how can i disagree i don't regret the physical therapy that
i don't regret the physical therapy that followed getting to know my bones again
followed getting to know my bones again and remembering why the good lord gave
and remembering why the good lord gave us legs in the first place
us legs in the first place i don't regret being exposed to so much
i don't regret being exposed to so much cosmic radiation
cosmic radiation all those unprotected evas
all those unprotected evas all that time with inadequate shielding
all that time with inadequate shielding in the iss
in the iss i don't regret this
i don't regret this emotions to the hospital room and
emotions to the hospital room and machinery attached to his body
machinery attached to his body we made our choice
we made our choice and i'd like to think we've made a
and i'd like to think we've made a difference in the end
difference in the end not bad for the son of ananda mukha opal
not bad for the son of ananda mukha opal miner
terry knox died three days after this interview
chile the official capital has returned to santiago
to santiago this one-time refugee base now remains
this one-time refugee base now remains the economic and cultural center of the
the economic and cultural center of the country
country ernesto olguin calls the beach house on
ernesto olguin calls the beach house on the island's peninsula de la cui home
the island's peninsula de la cui home although his duties as a merchant ship's
although his duties as a merchant ship's master keep him at sea for most of the
master keep him at sea for most of the year
the history books call it the honolulu conference but really it should have
conference but really it should have been called the saratoga conference
been called the saratoga conference because that's all any of us had a
because that's all any of us had a chance to see
chance to see we spent 14 days in those cramped
we spent 14 days in those cramped compartments and dank stuffy passageways
compartments and dank stuffy passageways uss saratoga
uss saratoga from aircraft carrier to decommissioned
from aircraft carrier to decommissioned hulk
hulk to evacuee transport barge to floating
to evacuee transport barge to floating united nations hq
united nations hq it also shouldn't have been called a
it also shouldn't have been called a conference if anything it was more like
conference if anything it was more like an ambush
an ambush we were supposed to be exchanging war
we were supposed to be exchanging war fighting tactics and technology
fighting tactics and technology everyone was anxious to see the british
everyone was anxious to see the british method of fortified motorways which was
method of fortified motorways which was almost as exciting as that live
almost as exciting as that live demonstration of
note one um the eel and the sword the world's
the eel and the sword the world's premier anti-zombie martial art
premier anti-zombie martial art and note
and note we were also supposed to be attempting
we were also supposed to be attempting to reintroduce some measure of
to reintroduce some measure of international trade that was my task
international trade that was my task specifically
specifically to integrate the remnants of our navy
to integrate the remnants of our navy into the new international convoy
into the new international convoy structure
structure i wasn't really sure what to expect from
i wasn't really sure what to expect from my time aboard super sarah
my time aboard super sarah i don't think anyone could have expected
i don't think anyone could have expected what actually happened
what actually happened on the first day of the conference we'd
on the first day of the conference we'd assembled for the introductions
assembled for the introductions i was hot and tired and wishing to god
i was hot and tired and wishing to god we could just get on without all the
we could just get on without all the tiresome speeches
tiresome speeches and then the american ambassador rose
and then the american ambassador rose and the whole world came to a screeching
and the whole world came to a screeching halt
halt it was time to go on the attack he said
it was time to go on the attack he said to all get out from behind our
to all get out from behind our established defenses and begin retaking
established defenses and begin retaking infested territory
infested territory at first i thought he simply meant
at first i thought he simply meant isolated operations securing more
isolated operations securing more inhabitable islands or perhaps even
inhabitable islands or perhaps even reopening the suez panama canal zones
reopening the suez panama canal zones my supposition didn't last very long
my supposition didn't last very long he made it very clear that this was not
he made it very clear that this was not going to be a series of minor tactical
going to be a series of minor tactical incursions
incursions the united states intended to go
the united states intended to go permanently on the offensive marching
permanently on the offensive marching forward every day until as he put it
forward every day until as he put it every trace was sponged and purged
every trace was sponged and purged and if need be
and if need be blasted from the surface of the earth
blasted from the surface of the earth maybe he thought ripping off churchill
maybe he thought ripping off churchill would give it some kind of emotional
would give it some kind of emotional punch it didn't
punch it didn't instead the room spontaneously combusted
instead the room spontaneously combusted into argument
into argument one side asked why in hell we should
one side asked why in hell we should risk even more lives
risk even more lives suffer even one more unnecessary
suffer even one more unnecessary casualty when all we had to do was
casualty when all we had to do was remain safe and sedentary while our
remain safe and sedentary while our enemies simply rotted away
enemies simply rotted away wasn't it happening already weren't the
wasn't it happening already weren't the earliest cases starting to show signs of
earliest cases starting to show signs of advanced decomposition
advanced decomposition time was on our side not theirs why not
time was on our side not theirs why not let nature do all the work for us
let nature do all the work for us the other side counted that not all the
the other side counted that not all the living dead were rotting away
living dead were rotting away what about the later cases the ones
what about the later cases the ones still strong and healthy
still strong and healthy couldn't just one restart the plague all
couldn't just one restart the plague all over again
over again and what about those who prowled
and what about those who prowled countries above the snow line
countries above the snow line how long would we have to wait for them
how long would we have to wait for them decades centuries would refugees from
decades centuries would refugees from these countries ever have a chance of
these countries ever have a chance of returning home
returning home and that's when it got ugly
and that's when it got ugly many of the colder countries were what
many of the colder countries were what you used to call first world
you used to call first world one of the delegates from a pre-war
one of the delegates from a pre-war developing country suggested rather
developing country suggested rather hotly that maybe this was their
hotly that maybe this was their punishment for raping and pillaging the
punishment for raping and pillaging the victim nations of the south
victim nations of the south maybe he said by keeping the white
maybe he said by keeping the white hegemony distracted with their own
hegemony distracted with their own problems the undead invasion might allow
problems the undead invasion might allow the rest of the world to develop without
the rest of the world to develop without imperialist intervention
imperialist intervention maybe the living dead had brought more
maybe the living dead had brought more than just devastation to the world maybe
than just devastation to the world maybe in the end they had brought justice for
in the end they had brought justice for the future
the future now my people have little love for the
now my people have little love for the northern gringos and my family suffered
northern gringos and my family suffered enough under peanut chet to make that
enough under peanut chet to make that animosity personal
animosity personal but there comes a point where private
but there comes a point where private emotions must give way to objective
emotions must give way to objective facts
facts how could there be a white hegemony when
how could there be a white hegemony when the most dynamic pre-war economies were
the most dynamic pre-war economies were china and india
china and india and the largest wartime economy was
and the largest wartime economy was unquestionably cuba
unquestionably cuba how could you call the colder countries
how could you call the colder countries a northern issue when so many people
a northern issue when so many people were just barely surviving in the
were just barely surviving in the himalayas or the andes of my own chile
himalayas or the andes of my own chile no this man and those who agreed with
no this man and those who agreed with him weren't talking about justice for
him weren't talking about justice for the future they just wanted revenge for
the future they just wanted revenge for the past
the past size
size after all we'd been through we still
after all we'd been through we still couldn't take our heads from out of our
couldn't take our heads from out of our asses or our hands from around each
asses or our hands from around each other's throats
other's throats i was standing next to the russian
i was standing next to the russian delegate trying to prevent her from
delegate trying to prevent her from climbing over her seat when i heard
climbing over her seat when i heard another american voice
another american voice it was their president
it was their president the man didn't shout didn't try to
the man didn't shout didn't try to restore order he just kept going in that
restore order he just kept going in that calm firm tone that i don't think any
calm firm tone that i don't think any world leader has since been able to
world leader has since been able to duplicate
duplicate he even thanked his fellow delegates for
he even thanked his fellow delegates for their valued opinions and admitted that
their valued opinions and admitted that from a purely military perspective there
from a purely military perspective there was no reason to push our luck
was no reason to push our luck we'd fought the living dead to a
we'd fought the living dead to a stalemate and eventually future
stalemate and eventually future generations might be able to re-inhabit
generations might be able to re-inhabit the planet with little or no physical
the planet with little or no physical danger
danger yes our defensive strategies had saved
yes our defensive strategies had saved the human race but what about the human
the human race but what about the human spirit
spirit the living dead had taken more from us
the living dead had taken more from us than land and loved ones
than land and loved ones they'd robbed us of our confidence as
they'd robbed us of our confidence as the planet's dominant life form
the planet's dominant life form we were a shaken broken species driven
we were a shaken broken species driven to the edge of extinction and grateful
to the edge of extinction and grateful only for tomorrow
only for tomorrow with perhaps a little less suffering
with perhaps a little less suffering than today
than today was this the legacy we would leave to
was this the legacy we would leave to our children a level of anxiety and
our children a level of anxiety and self-doubt not seen since our simian
self-doubt not seen since our simian ancestors cowered in the tallest trees
ancestors cowered in the tallest trees what kind of world would they rebuild
what kind of world would they rebuild would they rebuild at all
would they rebuild at all could they continue to progress
could they continue to progress knowing that they had been powerless to
knowing that they had been powerless to reclaim their future
reclaim their future and what if that future saw another rise
and what if that future saw another rise of the living dead would our descendants
of the living dead would our descendants rise to meet them in battle or simply
rise to meet them in battle or simply crumple in meek surrender and accept
crumple in meek surrender and accept what they believed to be their
what they believed to be their inevitable extinction
inevitable extinction for this reason alone we had to reclaim
for this reason alone we had to reclaim our planet we had to prove to ourselves
our planet we had to prove to ourselves that we could do it and leave that proof
that we could do it and leave that proof as this war's greatest monument
as this war's greatest monument the long hard road back to humanity or
the long hard road back to humanity or the regressive ennui of
the regressive ennui of earth's once proud primates
earth's once proud primates that was the choice
that was the choice and it had to be made now
and it had to be made now so typically norte americano
so typically norte americano reaching for the stars with their asses
reaching for the stars with their asses still stuck in the mud
still stuck in the mud i guess if this was a gringo movie you'd
i guess if this was a gringo movie you'd see some idiot get up and start clapping
see some idiot get up and start clapping slowly then the others would join in and
slowly then the others would join in and then we'd see a tear roll down someone's
then we'd see a tear roll down someone's cheek or some other contrived [ __ ]
cheek or some other contrived [ __ ] like that
like that everyone was silent no one moved
everyone was silent no one moved the president announced that we would
the president announced that we would recess for the afternoon to consider his
recess for the afternoon to consider his proposal
proposal then reconvene at dusk for a general
then reconvene at dusk for a general vote
vote as navel out of shame i wasn't allowed
as navel out of shame i wasn't allowed to participate in that vote
to participate in that vote while the ambassador decided the fate of
while the ambassador decided the fate of our beloved chile i had nothing to do
our beloved chile i had nothing to do but enjoy the pacific sunset
but enjoy the pacific sunset i sat on the flight deck wedged in
i sat on the flight deck wedged in between the windmills and solar cells
between the windmills and solar cells killing time with my opposite numbers
killing time with my opposite numbers from france and south africa
from france and south africa we tried not to talk shop
we tried not to talk shop searching for any common subject as far
searching for any common subject as far from the wars we could get
from the wars we could get we thought we were safe with wine
we thought we were safe with wine as luck might have it each of us had
as luck might have it each of us had either lived near worked on or had
either lived near worked on or had family connected with a vineyard
family connected with a vineyard a conchagua
a conchagua stalin boss and bordeaux
stalin boss and bordeaux those were our bonding points and as
those were our bonding points and as with everything else they led right back
with everything else they led right back to the war
to the war a conchagua
a conchagua had been destroyed burned to the ground
had been destroyed burned to the ground during our country's disastrous
during our country's disastrous experiments with napalm
experiments with napalm stalin boss was now growing subsistence
stalin boss was now growing subsistence crops
crops grapes were considered a luxury when the
grapes were considered a luxury when the population was close to starvation
population was close to starvation bordeaux was overrun the dead crushing
bordeaux was overrun the dead crushing its soil underfoot like almost all of
its soil underfoot like almost all of continental friends
continental friends commander emile renar was morbidly
commander emile renar was morbidly optimistic
optimistic who knows he said what the nutrients of
who knows he said what the nutrients of their corpses would do for the soil
their corpses would do for the soil maybe it would even improve on the
maybe it would even improve on the overall taste once bordeaux was retaken
overall taste once bordeaux was retaken if it was retaken
if it was retaken as the sun began to dip renard took
as the sun began to dip renard took something from his kit bag a bottle of
something from his kit bag a bottle of chateau latur
chateau latur 1964.
1964. we couldn't believe our eyes
we couldn't believe our eyes the 64 was an extremely rare pre-war
the 64 was an extremely rare pre-war vintage
vintage by sheer chance the vineyard had had a
by sheer chance the vineyard had had a bumper crop that season and had chosen
bumper crop that season and had chosen to harvest its grapes in late august as
to harvest its grapes in late august as opposed to the traditional early
opposed to the traditional early september
september that september was marked by early
that september was marked by early devastating rains which inundated the
devastating rains which inundated the other vineyards and elevated chateau la
other vineyards and elevated chateau la tour to almost holy grail status
tour to almost holy grail status the bottle in renard's hand might be the
the bottle in renard's hand might be the last of its kind the perfect symbol of a
last of its kind the perfect symbol of a world we might never see again
world we might never see again it was the only personal item he'd
it was the only personal item he'd managed to save during the evacuation
managed to save during the evacuation he carried it with him everywhere and
he carried it with him everywhere and was planning to save it for
was planning to save it for ever possibly
ever possibly seeing as it looked like none of any
seeing as it looked like none of any vintage would ever be made again
vintage would ever be made again but now after the yankee president's
but now after the yankee president's speech
speech he involuntarily licks his lips tasting
he involuntarily licks his lips tasting the memory
it hadn't traveled that well and the plastic mugs didn't help
plastic mugs didn't help we didn't care we savored every
we didn't care we savored every sip you were pretty confident about the
sip you were pretty confident about the vote
vote not that it would be unanimous
not that it would be unanimous and i was damn right
and i was damn right 17 no votes and 31 abstain
17 no votes and 31 abstain at least the no voters were willing to
at least the no voters were willing to suffer the long-term consequences of
suffer the long-term consequences of their decision and they did
their decision and they did when you think that the new un only
when you think that the new un only consisted of 72 delegates the showing of
consisted of 72 delegates the showing of support was pretty poor
support was pretty poor not that it mattered for me or my other
not that it mattered for me or my other two amateur sommeliers
two amateur sommeliers for us our countries our children
for us our countries our children the choice had been made
the choice had been made attack
total war aboard the mauro altieri
aboard the mauro altieri three thousand feet above
three thousand feet above valayarve finland
valayarve finland i stand next to general d'ambrosia in
i stand next to general d'ambrosia in the cic the combat information center of
the cic the combat information center of europe's answer to the massive us
europe's answer to the massive us d29 command and control dirigible
d29 command and control dirigible the crew worked silently at their
the crew worked silently at their glowing monitors
glowing monitors occasionally one of them speaks into a
occasionally one of them speaks into a headset a quick whispered
headset a quick whispered acknowledgement in french german spanish
acknowledgement in french german spanish or italian
or italian the general leans over the video chart
the general leans over the video chart table
table watching the entire operation from the
watching the entire operation from the closest thing to a god's eye view
attack when i first heard that word my gut
when i first heard that word my gut reaction was oh [ __ ]
reaction was oh [ __ ] does that surprise you
does that surprise you before i can answer sure it does you
before i can answer sure it does you probably expected the brass to be just
probably expected the brass to be just champing at the bit all that blood and
champing at the bit all that blood and guts
guts hold him by the nose while we kick him
hold him by the nose while we kick him in the ass crap
in the ass crap shakes his head
shakes his head i don't know who created the stereotype
i don't know who created the stereotype of the hard charging dim-witted high
of the hard charging dim-witted high school football coach of a general
school football coach of a general officer
officer maybe it was hollywood or the civilian
maybe it was hollywood or the civilian press
press or maybe we did it to ourselves by
or maybe we did it to ourselves by allowing those insipid egocentric clowns
allowing those insipid egocentric clowns the macarthurs and palsies
the macarthurs and palsies and courtesy lemays to define our image
and courtesy lemays to define our image to the rest of the country
to the rest of the country point is that's the image of those in
point is that's the image of those in uniform and it couldn't be further from
uniform and it couldn't be further from the truth
the truth i was scared to death of taking our
i was scared to death of taking our armed forces on the offensive
armed forces on the offensive more so because it wouldn't be my ass
more so because it wouldn't be my ass hanging out in the fire
hanging out in the fire i'd only be sending others out to die
i'd only be sending others out to die and here's what i'd be sending them up
and here's what i'd be sending them up against
he turns to another screen on the far wall
wall nodding to an operator and the image
nodding to an operator and the image dissolves into a wartime map of the
dissolves into a wartime map of the continental united states
continental united states 200 million zombies
200 million zombies note one
note one it has been confirmed at least 25
it has been confirmed at least 25 million of this number
million of this number include reanimated refugees from latin
include reanimated refugees from latin america who were killed attempting to
america who were killed attempting to reach the canadian north
reach the canadian north and note
and note who can even visualize that type of
who can even visualize that type of number let alone combat it
number let alone combat it at least this time around we knew what
at least this time around we knew what we were combating but when you added up
we were combating but when you added up all the experience all the data we'd
all the experience all the data we'd compiled on their origin their
compiled on their origin their physiology their strengths their
physiology their strengths their weaknesses
weaknesses their motives and their mentality it
their motives and their mentality it still presented us with a very gloomy
still presented us with a very gloomy prospect for victory
prospect for victory the book of war
the book of war the one we've been writing since one ape
the one we've been writing since one ape slapped another was completely useless
slapped another was completely useless in this situation we had to write a new
in this situation we had to write a new one from scratch
one from scratch all armies be they mechanized or
all armies be they mechanized or mountain gorilla have to abide by three
mountain gorilla have to abide by three basic restrictions
basic restrictions they have to be bred fed and lead
they have to be bred fed and lead bread
bread you need warm bodies or else you don't
you need warm bodies or else you don't have an army
have an army fed
fed once you've got that army they've got to
once you've got that army they've got to be supplied
be supplied and lead
and lead no matter how decentralized that
no matter how decentralized that fighting force is there has to be
fighting force is there has to be someone among them with the authority to
someone among them with the authority to say follow me
say follow me brad fed and led and none of these
brad fed and led and none of these restrictions applied to the living dead
restrictions applied to the living dead did you ever read all quiet on the
did you ever read all quiet on the western front
western front remark paints a vivid picture of germany
remark paints a vivid picture of germany becoming empty
becoming empty meaning that toward the end of the war
meaning that toward the end of the war they were simply running out of soldiers
they were simply running out of soldiers you can fudge the numbers send the old
you can fudge the numbers send the old men and little boys but eventually
men and little boys but eventually you're going to hit the ceiling unless
you're going to hit the ceiling unless every time you killed an enemy he came
every time you killed an enemy he came back to life on your side
back to life on your side that's how zack operated swelling his
that's how zack operated swelling his ranks by thinning hours
ranks by thinning hours and it only worked one way
and it only worked one way in fact a human he becomes a zombie kill
in fact a human he becomes a zombie kill a zombie he becomes a corpse we can only
a zombie he becomes a corpse we can only get weaker while they might actually get
get weaker while they might actually get stronger
stronger all human armies need supplies
all human armies need supplies this army didn't
this army didn't no food no ammo no fuel not even water
no food no ammo no fuel not even water to drink or air to breathe there were no
to drink or air to breathe there were no logistics lines to sever
logistics lines to sever no depots to destroy
no depots to destroy you couldn't just surround and starve
you couldn't just surround and starve them out
them out or let them wither on the vine
or let them wither on the vine lock a hundred of them in a room and
lock a hundred of them in a room and three years later they'll come out just
three years later they'll come out just as deadly
as deadly it's ironic that the only way to kill a
it's ironic that the only way to kill a zombie is to destroy its brain because
zombie is to destroy its brain because as a group they have no collective brain
as a group they have no collective brain to speak of
to speak of there was no leadership no chain of
there was no leadership no chain of command no communication or cooperation
command no communication or cooperation on any level
on any level there was no president to assassinate no
there was no president to assassinate no hq bunker to surgically strike
hq bunker to surgically strike each zombie is its own self-contained
each zombie is its own self-contained automated unit and this last advantage
automated unit and this last advantage is what truly encapsulates the entire
is what truly encapsulates the entire conflict
conflict you've heard the expression total war
you've heard the expression total war it's pretty common throughout human
it's pretty common throughout human history every generation or so some gas
history every generation or so some gas bag likes to spout about how his people
bag likes to spout about how his people have declared total war against an enemy
have declared total war against an enemy meaning that every man woman and child
meaning that every man woman and child within his nation
within his nation was committing every second of their
was committing every second of their lives to victory
lives to victory that is [ __ ] on two basic levels
that is [ __ ] on two basic levels first of all no country or group is ever
first of all no country or group is ever 100 percent committed to war
100 percent committed to war it's just not physically possible
it's just not physically possible you can have a high percentage
you can have a high percentage so many people working so hard for so
so many people working so hard for so long
long but all of the people all of the time
but all of the people all of the time what about the malingers or the
what about the malingers or the conscientious objectors what about the
conscientious objectors what about the sick the injured the very old the very
sick the injured the very old the very young
young what about when you're sleeping eating
what about when you're sleeping eating taking a shower or taking a dump
taking a shower or taking a dump is that a dump for victory
is that a dump for victory that's the first reason total war is
that's the first reason total war is impossible for humans
impossible for humans the second is that all nations have
the second is that all nations have their limits
their limits there might be individuals within that
there might be individuals within that group who are willing to sacrifice their
group who are willing to sacrifice their lives it might even be a relatively high
lives it might even be a relatively high number for the population
number for the population but that population as a whole will
but that population as a whole will eventually reach its maximum emotional
eventually reach its maximum emotional and physiological breaking point
and physiological breaking point the japanese reached theirs with a
the japanese reached theirs with a couple of american atomic bombs
couple of american atomic bombs the vietnamese might have reached theirs
the vietnamese might have reached theirs if we dropped a couple more but thank
if we dropped a couple more but thank all holy christ our will broke before it
all holy christ our will broke before it came to that
note two it has been alleged that several members
it has been alleged that several members of the american military establishment
of the american military establishment openly supported the use of
openly supported the use of thermonuclear weapons during the vietnam
thermonuclear weapons during the vietnam conflict
conflict and note
and note that is the nature of human warfare two
that is the nature of human warfare two sides trying to push the other past its
sides trying to push the other past its limit of endurance
limit of endurance and no matter how much we like to talk
and no matter how much we like to talk about total war
about total war that limit is always there
that limit is always there unless you're the living dead
unless you're the living dead for the first time in history we faced
for the first time in history we faced an enemy that was actively waging total
an enemy that was actively waging total war they had no limits of endurance they
war they had no limits of endurance they would never negotiate never surrender
would never negotiate never surrender they would fight until the very end
they would fight until the very end because unlike us
because unlike us every single one of them every second of
every single one of them every second of every day
every day was devoted to consuming all life on
was devoted to consuming all life on earth
earth that's the kind of enemy that was
that's the kind of enemy that was waiting for us beyond the rockies
waiting for us beyond the rockies that's the kind of war we had to fight
denver colorado usa we have just finished dinner at the
we have just finished dinner at the waneos
waneos allison todd's wife is upstairs helping
allison todd's wife is upstairs helping their son addison with his homework
their son addison with his homework todd and dyer downstairs in the kitchen
todd and dyer downstairs in the kitchen doing the dishes
it was kind of like stepping back in time
time the new army i mean
the new army i mean it couldn't have been any more different
it couldn't have been any more different from the one i'd fought and almost died
from the one i'd fought and almost died with at yonkers
with at yonkers we weren't mechanized anymore no tanks
we weren't mechanized anymore no tanks no arty
no arty no tread jobs at all not even the
no tread jobs at all not even the bradleys
bradleys note one tread jobs
note one tread jobs wartime slang for vehicles that traveled
wartime slang for vehicles that traveled on treads
on treads and note
and note those were still in reserve being
those were still in reserve being modified for when we'd have to take back
modified for when we'd have to take back the cities
the cities now the only wheeled vehicles we had the
now the only wheeled vehicles we had the humvees and the few mtrip7 asvs
humvees and the few mtrip7 asvs were used to carry ammo and stuff
were used to carry ammo and stuff note two m trip 7
note two m trip 7 the cadillac gauge m1117
the cadillac gauge m1117 armored security vehicle
armored security vehicle and note
and note we hoofed it all the way marching in
we hoofed it all the way marching in column like you see in civil war
column like you see in civil war paintings
paintings there was a lot of references to the
there was a lot of references to the blue versus the gray
blue versus the gray mainly because of zack's skin color
mainly because of zack's skin color and the shade of our new bdus
and the shade of our new bdus they didn't bother with camo schemes
they didn't bother with camo schemes anymore
anymore in any case what was the point and i
in any case what was the point and i guess navy blue was the cheapest dye
guess navy blue was the cheapest dye they had back then
they had back then the bdu itself looked more like a swat
the bdu itself looked more like a swat team's coverall it was light and
team's coverall it was light and comfortable and interwoven with kevlar
comfortable and interwoven with kevlar i think it was kevlar
i think it was kevlar bite proof threads
bite proof threads note 3
note 3 the chemical composition of the army's
the chemical composition of the army's battle dress uniform bdu
battle dress uniform bdu is still classified
is still classified and note
and note it had the option of gloves and a hood
it had the option of gloves and a hood that would cover your whole face
that would cover your whole face later in urban hand-to-hand that option
later in urban hand-to-hand that option saved a lot of lives
saved a lot of lives everything had kind of a retro feel
everything had kind of a retro feel about it
about it our lobos looked like something out of
our lobos looked like something out of i don't know
i don't know lord of the rings
lord of the rings standard orders were to use it only when
standard orders were to use it only when necessary but trust me we made it
necessary but trust me we made it necessary a lot
necessary a lot it just felt good you know swinging that
it just felt good you know swinging that solid hunk of steel
solid hunk of steel it made it personal empowering you could
it made it personal empowering you could feel the skull split a real rush like
feel the skull split a real rush like you were taking back your life you know
you were taking back your life you know not that i minded pulling the trigger
our primary weapon was the sir standard infantry rifle
standard infantry rifle the wood furniture made it look like a
the wood furniture made it look like a world war ii gun
world war ii gun i guess composite materials were too
i guess composite materials were too hard to mass produce
hard to mass produce i'm not sure where the sur supposedly
i'm not sure where the sur supposedly came from
came from i've heard it was a mod cop of the ak
i've heard it was a mod cop of the ak i've also heard that it was a stripped
i've also heard that it was a stripped down version of the xm8 which the army
down version of the xm8 which the army was already planning as its next-gen
was already planning as its next-gen assault weapon
assault weapon i've even heard that it was invented
i've even heard that it was invented tested and first produced during the
tested and first produced during the siege of the hero city
siege of the hero city and the plans were transmitted to
and the plans were transmitted to honolulu
honolulu honestly i don't know and i so don't
honestly i don't know and i so don't care
care it might have kicked hard
it might have kicked hard and it only fired on semi
and it only fired on semi but it was super accurate and it never
but it was super accurate and it never ever jammed you could drag it through
ever jammed you could drag it through the mud leave it in the sand you could
the mud leave it in the sand you could drop it in salt water and let it sit
drop it in salt water and let it sit there for days no matter what you did to
there for days no matter what you did to this baby it just wouldn't let you down
this baby it just wouldn't let you down the only bells and whistles it had was a
the only bells and whistles it had was a conversion kit of extra parts furniture
conversion kit of extra parts furniture and additional barrels of different
and additional barrels of different lengths
lengths you could go long-range sniper mid-range
you could go long-range sniper mid-range rifle
rifle or close combat carbine all in the same
or close combat carbine all in the same hour and without reaching farther than
hour and without reaching farther than your rock
your rock it also had a spike this little flip out
it also had a spike this little flip out job about eight inches long that you
job about eight inches long that you could use in a pinch if your lobo wasn't
could use in a pinch if your lobo wasn't handy
handy we used to joke careful you'll poke
we used to joke careful you'll poke somebody's eye out
somebody's eye out which of course we did plenty
which of course we did plenty the sir made a pretty good close combat
the sir made a pretty good close combat weapon even without the spike and when
weapon even without the spike and when you add all the other things that made
you add all the other things that made it so awesome you can see why we always
it so awesome you can see why we always referred to it respectfully as sir
referred to it respectfully as sir our staple ammo was the nato 5.56
our staple ammo was the nato 5.56 cherry pie
cherry pie pie stands for pyrotechnically initiated
pie stands for pyrotechnically initiated explosive
explosive outstanding design it would shatter on
outstanding design it would shatter on entry into zach's skull and fragments
entry into zach's skull and fragments would fry its brain
would fry its brain no risk of spreading infected gray
no risk of spreading infected gray matter and no need for wasteful bonfires
matter and no need for wasteful bonfires on bs duty you didn't even have to decap
on bs duty you didn't even have to decap before you buried them just dig the
before you buried them just dig the trench and roll the whole body in
trench and roll the whole body in note 4
note 4 bs battlefield sanitization
bs battlefield sanitization endnote
endnote yeah it was a new army as much the
yeah it was a new army as much the people was anything else
people was anything else recruitment had changed and being a
recruitment had changed and being a grunt meant something very different now
grunt meant something very different now you still had the old requirements
you still had the old requirements physical stamina mental competence the
physical stamina mental competence the motivation and discipline to master
motivation and discipline to master difficult challenges in extreme
difficult challenges in extreme conditions but all that was mouse farts
conditions but all that was mouse farts if you couldn't hack long-term z-shock
if you couldn't hack long-term z-shock i saw a lot of good friends just lose it
i saw a lot of good friends just lose it under the strain
under the strain some of them collapsed some turned their
some of them collapsed some turned their weapons on themselves some on their
weapons on themselves some on their buddies
buddies it didn't have anything to do with being
it didn't have anything to do with being brave or anything like that
brave or anything like that i once read this british sas survival
i once read this british sas survival guide that talked all about the warrior
guide that talked all about the warrior personality how your family's supposed
personality how your family's supposed to be emotionally and financially stable
to be emotionally and financially stable and how you're not even supposed to be
and how you're not even supposed to be attracted to girls when you're real
attracted to girls when you're real young
young grunts
grunts survival guides
survival guides jerks his hand in a masturbatory
jerks his hand in a masturbatory movement
movement but the new faces
but the new faces they could have been from anywhere
they could have been from anywhere your neighbor your aunt
your neighbor your aunt that geeky substitute teacher
that geeky substitute teacher or that fat lazy slob at the dmv
or that fat lazy slob at the dmv from former insurance salesman to a guy
from former insurance salesman to a guy who i'm damn sure was michael stipe
who i'm damn sure was michael stipe although i never got him to admit it
although i never got him to admit it i guess it all made sense
i guess it all made sense anyone who couldn't roll
anyone who couldn't roll wouldn't have made it this far in the
wouldn't have made it this far in the first place
first place everyone was already a veteran in some
everyone was already a veteran in some sense
sense my battle buddy sister montoya 52 years
my battle buddy sister montoya 52 years old
old she'd been a nun still was i guess
she'd been a nun still was i guess five three and a buck even
five three and a buck even she'd protected her whole sunday school
she'd protected her whole sunday school class for nine days with nothing but a
class for nine days with nothing but a six foot iron candlestick
six foot iron candlestick i don't know how she managed to hump
i don't know how she managed to hump that ruck but she did without
that ruck but she did without complaining from our assembly area in
complaining from our assembly area in needles all the way to our contact site
needles all the way to our contact site just outside of hope new mexico
just outside of hope new mexico hope i'm not kidding the town was
hope i'm not kidding the town was actually named hope
actually named hope they say the brass chose it because of
they say the brass chose it because of the terrain clear and open with the
the terrain clear and open with the desert in front and the mountains in
desert in front and the mountains in back
back perfect they said for an opening
perfect they said for an opening engagement
engagement and that the name had nothing to do with
and that the name had nothing to do with it
it right
right the brass really wanted this test stop
the brass really wanted this test stop to go smoothly it'd be the first major
to go smoothly it'd be the first major ground engagement we'd fought since
ground engagement we'd fought since yonkers
yonkers it was that moment you know like
it was that moment you know like when a lot of different things all come
when a lot of different things all come together
together watershed
watershed yeah i think
yeah i think all the new people the new stuff the new
all the new people the new stuff the new training the new plan
training the new plan everything was supposed to sort of mix
everything was supposed to sort of mix together for this one first big kickoff
together for this one first big kickoff we'd encountered a couple dozen g's and
we'd encountered a couple dozen g's and root
root sniffer dogs would find them and
sniffer dogs would find them and handlers with silenced weapons would
handlers with silenced weapons would drop them
drop them we didn't want to attract too many till
we didn't want to attract too many till we were set we wanted this to be on our
we were set we wanted this to be on our terms
terms we started planning our garden
we started planning our garden shelter stakes with orange day glow tape
shelter stakes with orange day glow tape in rows every 10 meters
in rows every 10 meters they were our range markers showing us
they were our range markers showing us exactly where to zero our sights for
exactly where to zero our sights for some of us there was also some light
some of us there was also some light duty like clearing the brush or
duty like clearing the brush or arranging the ammo crates
arranging the ammo crates for the rest of us there was nothing to
for the rest of us there was nothing to do except wait
do except wait just grab some chow recharge our camel
just grab some chow recharge our camel packs or even snag some bag time if it
packs or even snag some bag time if it was possible to sleep
was possible to sleep we'd learned a lot since yonkers the
we'd learned a lot since yonkers the brass wanted us rested
brass wanted us rested the problem was
the problem was it gave us all too much time to think
it gave us all too much time to think did you see the movie the one elliott
did you see the movie the one elliott made about us
made about us that scene with the campfire and the
that scene with the campfire and the grunts all jawing in this witty dialogue
grunts all jawing in this witty dialogue the stories and the dreams for the
the stories and the dreams for the future and even that guy with the
future and even that guy with the harmonica
harmonica dude it was so not like that
dude it was so not like that first of all it was the middle of the
first of all it was the middle of the day no campfires no harmonica under the
day no campfires no harmonica under the stars and also everyone was really quiet
stars and also everyone was really quiet you knew what everyone was thinking
you knew what everyone was thinking though
though what the hell are we doing here
what the hell are we doing here this was zach's house now and as far as
this was zach's house now and as far as we were concerned he could have it
we were concerned he could have it we'd all had plenty of pep talks about
we'd all had plenty of pep talks about the future of the human spirit
the future of the human spirit we'd seen the president's speech god
we'd seen the president's speech god knows how many times but the prez wasn't
knows how many times but the prez wasn't out here on zack's front lawn
out here on zack's front lawn we had a good thing going behind the
we had a good thing going behind the rockies
rockies what the hell were we doing out here
around thirteen hundred hours the radios started squawking it was the k handlers
started squawking it was the k handlers whose dogs had made contact
whose dogs had made contact we locked and loaded and took our place
we locked and loaded and took our place on the firing line
on the firing line that was the centerpiece of our whole
that was the centerpiece of our whole new battle doctrine
new battle doctrine back into the past like everything else
back into the past like everything else we masked in a straight line two ranks
we masked in a straight line two ranks one active one reserve
one active one reserve the reserve was so when anyone in the
the reserve was so when anyone in the front rank needed a weapon recharge
front rank needed a weapon recharge their fire wouldn't be missed on the
their fire wouldn't be missed on the line
line theoretically with everyone either
theoretically with everyone either firing or reloading we could keep zach
firing or reloading we could keep zach falling as long as the ammo held out
falling as long as the ammo held out we could hear the barking the k's were
we could hear the barking the k's were bringing them in
bringing them in we started seeing g's on the horizon
we started seeing g's on the horizon hundreds
hundreds i started shaking even though it wasn't
i started shaking even though it wasn't the first time i'd had to face zach
the first time i'd had to face zach since yonkers
since yonkers i'd been in the clean and sweep
i'd been in the clean and sweep operations in l.a
operations in l.a i'd done my time in the rockies when the
i'd done my time in the rockies when the summer thawed the passes
summer thawed the passes each time i got major shakes
each time i got major shakes the dogs were recalled racing behind our
the dogs were recalled racing behind our lines
lines we switched over to our primary
we switched over to our primary enticement mechanism
enticement mechanism every army had one by now
every army had one by now the brits would use bagpipes
the brits would use bagpipes the chinese used bugles the safrikans
the chinese used bugles the safrikans used to smack their rifles with their
used to smack their rifles with their assagais and belt out the zulu war
assagais and belt out the zulu war chants
chants note 5 the guy
note 5 the guy an all-steel multi-purpose implement
an all-steel multi-purpose implement named after the traditional zulu short
named after the traditional zulu short spear
spear and note
and note for us it was hardcore iron maiden
for us it was hardcore iron maiden now personally
now personally i've never been a metal fan
i've never been a metal fan straight classic rocks my thing
straight classic rocks my thing and tendrix's driving south is about as
and tendrix's driving south is about as heavy as i get
heavy as i get but i had to admit standing there in
but i had to admit standing there in that desert wind with the trooper
that desert wind with the trooper thumping in my chest i got it
thumping in my chest i got it the pem wasn't really for zach's benefit
the pem wasn't really for zach's benefit he was to psych us up
he was to psych us up take away some of zack's mojo you know
take away some of zack's mojo you know take the piss out as the brits say
take the piss out as the brits say right about the time dickinson was
right about the time dickinson was belting as you plunged into a certain
belting as you plunged into a certain death i was pumped
death i was pumped sir charged and ready eyes fixed on this
sir charged and ready eyes fixed on this growing closing horde
growing closing horde i was like come on zack let's [ __ ] do
i was like come on zack let's [ __ ] do this
this just before they reached the front range
just before they reached the front range marker the music began to fade the squad
marker the music began to fade the squad leaders shouted front rank ready and the
leaders shouted front rank ready and the first line knelt
first line knelt then came the order to take aim and then
then came the order to take aim and then as we all held our breath as the music
as we all held our breath as the music clicked off we heard
clicked off we heard fire
fire the front rank just rippled cracking
the front rank just rippled cracking like a saw on full auto and dropping
like a saw on full auto and dropping every g that crossed the first markers
every g that crossed the first markers we had strict orders only the ones
we had strict orders only the ones crossing the line
crossing the line wait for the others
wait for the others we'd trained this way for months
we'd trained this way for months by now it was pure instinct
by now it was pure instinct sister montoya raised her weapon above
sister montoya raised her weapon above her head the signal for an empty mag
her head the signal for an empty mag we switched positions i flipped off my
we switched positions i flipped off my safety and sighted my first target
safety and sighted my first target she was a noob
she was a noob couldn't have been dead for more than a
couldn't have been dead for more than a year or so
year or so note 6
note 6 noob
noob short for newbies
short for newbies zombies that have reanimated after the
zombies that have reanimated after the great panic
great panic end note
end note her dirty blonde hair hung in patches
her dirty blonde hair hung in patches from her tight leathery skin
from her tight leathery skin her swollen belly puffed through a faded
her swollen belly puffed through a faded black t-shirt that read
black t-shirt that read g is for
g is for gangsta i centered my sight between her
gangsta i centered my sight between her shrunken milky blue eyes
shrunken milky blue eyes you know it's not really the eyes that
you know it's not really the eyes that make them look all cloudy it's actually
make them look all cloudy it's actually tiny dust scratches on the surface
tiny dust scratches on the surface thousands of them because zach doesn't
thousands of them because zach doesn't make any tears
make any tears those scratched up baby blues were
those scratched up baby blues were looking right at me when i pulled the
looking right at me when i pulled the trigger
trigger the round knocked her on her back steam
the round knocked her on her back steam coming from the hole in her forehead
coming from the hole in her forehead i took a breath cited my next target
i took a breath cited my next target and that was that i was locked in
and that was that i was locked in doctrine calls for one shot every full
doctrine calls for one shot every full second
second slow steady
slow steady mechanical-like
mechanical-like he begins snapping his fingers
he begins snapping his fingers on the range we practiced with
on the range we practiced with metronomes all the time the instructors
metronomes all the time the instructors saying
saying they ain't in no hurry why are you
they ain't in no hurry why are you it was a way of keeping calm pacing
it was a way of keeping calm pacing yourself
yourself we had to be as slow and robotic as them
we had to be as slow and robotic as them out g the g they used to say
out g the g they used to say his fingers snap in perfect rhythm
his fingers snap in perfect rhythm shooting switching reloading grabbing
shooting switching reloading grabbing sips from your camel pack grabbing clips
sips from your camel pack grabbing clips from the sandlers
from the sandlers sandlers yeah the recharge teams
sandlers yeah the recharge teams this special reserve unit that did
this special reserve unit that did nothing but make sure we never ran dry
nothing but make sure we never ran dry you only had a certain number of clips
you only had a certain number of clips on you and it would take a lot more time
on you and it would take a lot more time to reload each individual clip
to reload each individual clip the sanders ran up and down the line
the sanders ran up and down the line collecting empty clips recharging them
collecting empty clips recharging them from created ammo and then passing them
from created ammo and then passing them out to anyone who signaled
out to anyone who signaled the story is that when the army started
the story is that when the army started training with rts one of the guys
training with rts one of the guys started doing an adam sandler impression
started doing an adam sandler impression you know waterboy
you know waterboy ammo boy
ammo boy the officers weren't too jazzed with the
the officers weren't too jazzed with the tag but the recharge teams loved it
tag but the recharge teams loved it sandlers were lifesavers drilled like a
sandlers were lifesavers drilled like a [ __ ] ballet
[ __ ] ballet i don't think anyone that day or night
i don't think anyone that day or night ever found themselves one round short
ever found themselves one round short that night
that night they just kept coming full on chain
they just kept coming full on chain swarm
swarm that's a large scale attack more than
that's a large scale attack more than that
that one g sees you comes after you and moans
one g sees you comes after you and moans a click away another g hears that moan
a click away another g hears that moan comes after it and moans himself
comes after it and moans himself then another one another click away
then another one another click away then another
then another dude if the area is thick enough if the
dude if the area is thick enough if the chain's unbroken who knows how far you
chain's unbroken who knows how far you can pull them in from and we're just
can pull them in from and we're just talking one after the other here
talking one after the other here try ten every click
try ten every click a hundred
a hundred a thousand
a thousand they started piling up forming this
they started piling up forming this artificial palisade at the first range
artificial palisade at the first range marker
marker this ridge of corpses they got higher
this ridge of corpses they got higher and higher each minute
and higher each minute we were actually building an undead
we were actually building an undead fortification creating a situation where
fortification creating a situation where all we had to do was pop every head that
all we had to do was pop every head that popped over the top
popped over the top the brass had planned for this they had
the brass had planned for this they had a periscope tower thingy that led
a periscope tower thingy that led officers see right over the wall
officers see right over the wall note 7
note 7 m43 combat observation aid
m43 combat observation aid and note
and note they also had real-time downlinks from
they also had real-time downlinks from satellites and recon drones
satellites and recon drones although we the grunts had no idea what
although we the grunts had no idea what they were seeing
they were seeing land warrior was gone for now so all we
land warrior was gone for now so all we had to do was concentrate on what was in
had to do was concentrate on what was in front of our faces
front of our faces we started getting contacts from all
we started getting contacts from all sides either coming around the wall or
sides either coming around the wall or else being drawn in from our flanks and
else being drawn in from our flanks and even rear
even rear again the brass was waiting for this and
again the brass was waiting for this and ordered us to form an rs
ordered us to form an rs a reinforced square or a raj singh i
a reinforced square or a raj singh i guess after the guy who reinvented it
guess after the guy who reinvented it we formed a tight square still two ranks
we formed a tight square still two ranks with our vehicles and what not in the
with our vehicles and what not in the center
center that was a dangerous gamble cutting us
that was a dangerous gamble cutting us off like that
off like that i mean yeah it didn't work that first
i mean yeah it didn't work that first time in india only cause the ammo ran
time in india only cause the ammo ran out
out but there was no guarantee it wouldn't
but there was no guarantee it wouldn't happen again to us
happen again to us what if the brass had goofed hadn't
what if the brass had goofed hadn't packed enough rounds or underestimated
packed enough rounds or underestimated how strong zack would be that day
how strong zack would be that day it could have been yonkers all over
it could have been yonkers all over again
again worse because no one would be getting
worse because no one would be getting out of there alive
out of there alive but you did have enough ammunition
but you did have enough ammunition more than enough the vehicles were
more than enough the vehicles were packed to their roofs
packed to their roofs we had water we had replacements
we had water we had replacements if you needed a fiver you just raised
if you needed a fiver you just raised your weapon and one of the sanders would
your weapon and one of the sanders would jump in and take our place on the firing
jump in and take our place on the firing line
line you'd grab a bite of eye rations soak
you'd grab a bite of eye rations soak your face stretch drain the weasel
your face stretch drain the weasel no one would ever volunteer for a fiver
no one would ever volunteer for a fiver but they had these ko teams combat
but they had these ko teams combat shrinks who were observing everyone's
shrinks who were observing everyone's performance
notes eight
eight irations
irations short for intelligent rations they were
short for intelligent rations they were designed for maximum nutritional
designed for maximum nutritional efficiency
efficiency nine
nine ko
ko short for knockout
short for knockout and notes
they'd been with us since our early days on the range knew us each by name and
on the range knew us each by name and face and knew don't ask me how when the
face and knew don't ask me how when the stress of battle was starting to degrade
stress of battle was starting to degrade our performance
our performance we didn't know i certainly didn't
we didn't know i certainly didn't there were a couple times i'd miss a
there were a couple times i'd miss a shot or maybe take a half second instead
shot or maybe take a half second instead of a full
of a full then suddenly i'd get this tap on my
then suddenly i'd get this tap on my shoulder and i knew i was out of it for
shoulder and i knew i was out of it for five
five it really worked
it really worked before i knew it i was back on the line
before i knew it i was back on the line bladder empty stomach quiet a few less
bladder empty stomach quiet a few less kinks and muscle cramps
kinks and muscle cramps it made a world of difference and anyone
it made a world of difference and anyone who thinks we could have lasted without
who thinks we could have lasted without it should try hitting a moving bullseye
it should try hitting a moving bullseye every second for 15 hours
every second for 15 hours what about at night
what about at night we used searchlights from the vehicles
we used searchlights from the vehicles powerful red coated beams so it didn't
powerful red coated beams so it didn't mess with your night vision
mess with your night vision the only creepy thing about night
the only creepy thing about night fighting other than the redness from the
fighting other than the redness from the lights is the glow around makes when it
lights is the glow around makes when it enters the head
enters the head that's why we called them cherry pies
that's why we called them cherry pies because if the bullet's chem comp wasn't
because if the bullet's chem comp wasn't mixed right it would burn so bright it
mixed right it would burn so bright it made their eyes glow red
made their eyes glow red that was a cure for constipation
that was a cure for constipation especially later on
especially later on on nights when you pulled guard duty and
on nights when you pulled guard duty and one would come at you out of the dark
one would come at you out of the dark those glowing red eyes frozen in time
those glowing red eyes frozen in time the second before it falls
the second before it falls shivers
shivers how did you know the battle was over
how did you know the battle was over when we stopped shooting
when we stopped shooting laughs
laughs no that's actually a good question
no that's actually a good question around i don't know 0-400
around i don't know 0-400 it started to taper off heads weren't
it started to taper off heads weren't poking out as much the moan was dying
poking out as much the moan was dying down the officers didn't tell us that
down the officers didn't tell us that the attack was almost over but you could
the attack was almost over but you could see them looking through their scopes
see them looking through their scopes talking on their radios
talking on their radios you could see the relief in their faces
you could see the relief in their faces i think the last shot was fired just
i think the last shot was fired just before dawn
before dawn after that
after that we just waited for first light
we just waited for first light it was kind of eerie
it was kind of eerie the sun rising over this mountainous
the sun rising over this mountainous ring of corpses
ring of corpses we were totally walled in
we were totally walled in all sides were piled at least 20 feet
all sides were piled at least 20 feet high and over a hundred feet deep
high and over a hundred feet deep i'm not sure how many we killed that day
i'm not sure how many we killed that day stats always vary depending on who you
stats always vary depending on who you get it from the dozer blade humvees
get it from the dozer blade humvees had to push a path through the corpse
had to push a path through the corpse ring just to let us get out
ring just to let us get out there were still living g's
there were still living g's some slow ones who were late to the
some slow ones who were late to the party or who had tried to climb up and
party or who had tried to climb up and over their dead friends
over their dead friends and had slid back down into the mound
and had slid back down into the mound when we started burying the bodies they
when we started burying the bodies they came tumbling out
came tumbling out that was the only time senor lobo saw
that was the only time senor lobo saw any action
at least we didn't have to stick around for bs duty
for bs duty they had another unit waiting in reserve
they had another unit waiting in reserve to clean up
to clean up i guess the brass figured we'd done
i guess the brass figured we'd done enough for one day
enough for one day we marched 10 miles to the east set up a
we marched 10 miles to the east set up a bivouac with watchtowers and
bivouac with watchtowers and concertainer walls
concertainer walls note 10
note 10 concertainer
concertainer a prefabricated hollow barrier
a prefabricated hollow barrier constructed of kevlar and filled with
constructed of kevlar and filled with earth and or debris
earth and or debris and note
and note i was so damn beat
i was so damn beat i don't remember the chem shower
i don't remember the chem shower turning in my gear to be disinfected
turning in my gear to be disinfected turning in my weapon for inspection
turning in my weapon for inspection not one jam not the whole unit
not one jam not the whole unit i don't even remember slipping in my bag
they let us sleep as late as we wanted the next day
the next day that was pretty sweet
that was pretty sweet eventually the voices woke me up
eventually the voices woke me up everyone jawing laughing telling stories
everyone jawing laughing telling stories it was a different vibe
it was a different vibe 180 from two days ago
180 from two days ago i couldn't really put a finger on what i
i couldn't really put a finger on what i was feeling maybe it was what the
was feeling maybe it was what the president said about reclaiming our
president said about reclaiming our future
future i just knew i felt good better than i
i just knew i felt good better than i had the entire war
had the entire war i knew it was gonna be a real long ass
i knew it was gonna be a real long ass road
road i knew our campaign across america was
i knew our campaign across america was just beginning but hey
just beginning but hey as the prez said later that first night
as the prez said later that first night it was finally the beginning of the end
ainsworth nebraska usa darnell hackworth is a shy soft-spoken
darnell hackworth is a shy soft-spoken man
man he and his wife run a retirement farm
he and his wife run a retirement farm for the four-legged veterans of the
for the four-legged veterans of the army's canine corps
army's canine corps ten years ago farms like these could be
ten years ago farms like these could be found in almost every state in the union
found in almost every state in the union now this is the only one left
they never get enough credit i think there is that story dax
there is that story dax nice little children's book
nice little children's book but it's pretty simplistic
but it's pretty simplistic and it's only about one dalmatian that
and it's only about one dalmatian that helped an orphan kid find his way to
helped an orphan kid find his way to safety
safety dax wasn't even in the military and
dax wasn't even in the military and helping lost children was a tiny
helping lost children was a tiny fraction of dog's overall contribution
fraction of dog's overall contribution to the fight
to the fight the first thing they used dogs for was
the first thing they used dogs for was triage
triage letting them sniff for who was infected
letting them sniff for who was infected most countries were just copying the
most countries were just copying the israeli method of sending people past
israeli method of sending people past dogs in cages
dogs in cages you always had to keep them in cages
you always had to keep them in cages otherwise they might attack the person
otherwise they might attack the person or each other or even their handler
or each other or even their handler there was a lot of that early in the war
there was a lot of that early in the war dogs just going ballistic
dogs just going ballistic it didn't matter if they were police or
it didn't matter if they were police or military
military it's that instinct that involuntary
it's that instinct that involuntary almost genetic
almost genetic terror
terror fight or flight
fight or flight and those dogs were bred to fight
and those dogs were bred to fight a lot of handlers lost hands arms
a lot of handlers lost hands arms a lot of throats got torn out
a lot of throats got torn out can't blame the dogs for it in fact that
can't blame the dogs for it in fact that instinct was what the israelis were
instinct was what the israelis were counting on and it probably saved
counting on and it probably saved millions of lives
it was a great program but again just a fraction of what dogs were truly capable
fraction of what dogs were truly capable of
of whereas the israelis and after them
whereas the israelis and after them a lot of other countries only tried to
a lot of other countries only tried to exploit that terror instinct we thought
exploit that terror instinct we thought we could integrate it into their regular
we could integrate it into their regular training and why not we learned to do it
training and why not we learned to do it for ourselves and are we really that
for ourselves and are we really that much more evolved
much more evolved it all came down to training you had to
it all came down to training you had to start young even the most disciplined
start young even the most disciplined pre-war veterans were hard-wired
pre-war veterans were hard-wired berserkers
berserkers the pups born after the crisis came out
the pups born after the crisis came out of the womb literally smelling the dead
of the womb literally smelling the dead it was in the air not enough for us to
it was in the air not enough for us to detect but just a few molecules
detect but just a few molecules and introduction on a subconscious level
and introduction on a subconscious level that's not to say it made all of them
that's not to say it made all of them automatic warriors
automatic warriors the initial induction was the first and
the initial induction was the first and most important phase
most important phase you took a group of pups a random group
you took a group of pups a random group or even a whole letter put them in a
or even a whole letter put them in a room divided by a wire mesh
room divided by a wire mesh there on one side zach's on the other
there on one side zach's on the other you didn't have to wait long for a
you didn't have to wait long for a reaction
reaction the first group we called bees
the first group we called bees they'd start whimpering or howling
they'd start whimpering or howling they'd lost it
they'd lost it they were nothing like the a's
they were nothing like the a's those pups would lock eyes with zach
those pups would lock eyes with zach that was the key
that was the key they'd stand their ground bare their
they'd stand their ground bare their teeth and let out this low growl that
teeth and let out this low growl that said
said back the [ __ ] off
back the [ __ ] off they could control themselves and that
they could control themselves and that was the foundation of our program
was the foundation of our program now just because they could control
now just because they could control themselves didn't mean that we could
themselves didn't mean that we could control them
control them basic training was pretty much like the
basic training was pretty much like the standard pre-war program
standard pre-war program could they handle pt
could they handle pt note one
note one pt physical training endnote
pt physical training endnote could they follow orders did they have
could they follow orders did they have the intelligence and the discipline to
the intelligence and the discipline to make soldiers
make soldiers it was hard going and we had a sixty
it was hard going and we had a sixty percent washout rate
percent washout rate it wasn't uncommon for a recruit to be
it wasn't uncommon for a recruit to be badly injured perhaps even killed
badly injured perhaps even killed a lot of people nowadays call that
a lot of people nowadays call that inhumane
inhumane though they don't seem to have the same
though they don't seem to have the same sympathy for the handlers
sympathy for the handlers yeah we had to do it too right alongside
yeah we had to do it too right alongside the dogs right from day one of basic
the dogs right from day one of basic through ten more weeks of ait
through ten more weeks of ait note 2
note 2 ait advanced individual training endnote
ait advanced individual training endnote it was hard training especially the live
it was hard training especially the live enemy
enemy exercises you know we were the first
exercises you know we were the first ones to use zach in our field training
ones to use zach in our field training before the infantry before the special
before the infantry before the special forces even before the zoomies at willow
forces even before the zoomies at willow creek
creek it was the only way to really know if
it was the only way to really know if you could hack it
you could hack it both as an individual and as a team
both as an individual and as a team how else could you have sent them on so
how else could you have sent them on so many different missions
many different missions there were lures
there were lures the kind that the battle of hope made
the kind that the battle of hope made famous
famous pretty simple stuff your partner hunts
pretty simple stuff your partner hunts for zach then leads him into our firing
for zach then leads him into our firing line
line k's on early missions used to be fast
k's on early missions used to be fast run in bark then jam it for the kill
run in bark then jam it for the kill zone
zone later they got more comfortable
later they got more comfortable they learned to stay just a few feet
they learned to stay just a few feet ahead backing away slowly making sure
ahead backing away slowly making sure they herded the maximum amount of
they herded the maximum amount of targets in that way they actually called
targets in that way they actually called the shots
the shots there were also decoys
there were also decoys let's say you were setting up a firing
let's say you were setting up a firing line but you didn't want zach to show up
line but you didn't want zach to show up too early
too early your partner would circle around the
your partner would circle around the infested zone and only start barking on
infested zone and only start barking on the far side
the far side that worked with a lot of engagements
that worked with a lot of engagements and it opened the door for the lemming
and it opened the door for the lemming tactic
tactic during the denver push
during the denver push there was a tall building where a couple
there was a tall building where a couple hundred refugees had accidentally been
hundred refugees had accidentally been locked in with the infection and we're
locked in with the infection and we're now completely reanimated
now completely reanimated before our guys could storm the entrance
before our guys could storm the entrance one of the k's had his own idea to run
one of the k's had his own idea to run up to the roof of a building across the
up to the roof of a building across the street and start barking to draw zach up
street and start barking to draw zach up onto the higher floors
onto the higher floors it worked like a dream
it worked like a dream the g's made it up to the roof saw their
the g's made it up to the roof saw their prey made for him and went spilling over
prey made for him and went spilling over the side
the side after denver lemming went right into the
after denver lemming went right into the playbook
playbook even the infantry started using it when
even the infantry started using it when case weren't available
case weren't available it wasn't uncommon to see a grunt
it wasn't uncommon to see a grunt standing on the roof of a building
standing on the roof of a building calling out to an infested building
calling out to an infested building close by
close by but the primary and most common mission
but the primary and most common mission of any k team was scouting
of any k team was scouting both sc and dell rp
both sc and dell rp sc is sweep and clear
sc is sweep and clear just attached to a regular unit like
just attached to a regular unit like conventional warfare
conventional warfare that's where training really paid off
that's where training really paid off not only could they sniff zack out miles
not only could they sniff zack out miles before us but the sounds they made
before us but the sounds they made always told you exactly what to expect
always told you exactly what to expect you could tell everything you needed to
you could tell everything you needed to know by the pitch of the growl and the
know by the pitch of the growl and the frequency of the bark
frequency of the bark sometimes when silence was required body
sometimes when silence was required body language worked just as well
language worked just as well the arch of the k's back the raising of
the arch of the k's back the raising of dander was all you needed to see
dander was all you needed to see after a few missions any competent
after a few missions any competent handler and we had no other kind could
handler and we had no other kind could read his partner's every signal
read his partner's every signal scouts finding a ghoul half submerged in
scouts finding a ghoul half submerged in mud or legless among tall grass saved a
mud or legless among tall grass saved a lot of lives
lot of lives i can't tell you how many times a grunt
i can't tell you how many times a grunt would thank us personally for spotting a
would thank us personally for spotting a concealed g that might have taken his
concealed g that might have taken his foot off
was long-range patrol when your partner would scout far beyond
when your partner would scout far beyond your lines sometimes even traveling for
your lines sometimes even traveling for days to recon an infested area
days to recon an infested area they wore a special harness with a video
they wore a special harness with a video uplink and gps tracker
uplink and gps tracker that gave you real-time intel on the
that gave you real-time intel on the exact number and position of your
exact number and position of your targets
targets you could overlay zach's position on a
you could overlay zach's position on a pre-existing map coordinating what your
pre-existing map coordinating what your partner saw with his position on the gps
partner saw with his position on the gps i guess from a technical side it was
i guess from a technical side it was pretty amazing
pretty amazing real-time hard intel like we used to
real-time hard intel like we used to have before the war
have before the war the brass loved it
the brass loved it i didn't i was always too concerned with
i didn't i was always too concerned with my partner i can't tell you how
my partner i can't tell you how stressful that was to be standing in
stressful that was to be standing in some computer-filled air-conditioned
some computer-filled air-conditioned room
room safe comfortable and totally helpless
safe comfortable and totally helpless later harness models had radio uplinks
later harness models had radio uplinks so a handler could relay orders
so a handler could relay orders or at least abort the mission
or at least abort the mission i never worked with them
i never worked with them teams had to be trained on those from
teams had to be trained on those from the beginning
the beginning you couldn't go back and retrain a
you couldn't go back and retrain a seasoned cake you couldn't teach an old
seasoned cake you couldn't teach an old dog new tricks
dog new tricks sorry bad joke
sorry bad joke i heard a lot of those from the intel
i heard a lot of those from the intel pukes
pukes standing behind them as they watch the
standing behind them as they watch the damn monitor mentally stroking it to the
damn monitor mentally stroking it to the wonders of their new data orientation
wonders of their new data orientation asset
asset they thought they were so witty
they thought they were so witty real fun for us to have doa as an
real fun for us to have doa as an acronym he shakes his head
acronym he shakes his head i just had to stand there thumb up my
i just had to stand there thumb up my ass watching my partner's pov as she
ass watching my partner's pov as she crept through some forest or marsh or
crept through some forest or marsh or town
town towns and cities that was the hardest
towns and cities that was the hardest that was my team's specialty
that was my team's specialty hound town
hound town you ever heard of that
you ever heard of that the k-9 urban warfare school that's it a
the k-9 urban warfare school that's it a real town mitchell oregon
real town mitchell oregon sealed off abandoned and still filled
sealed off abandoned and still filled with active gs
with active gs hound town
hound town it actually should have been called
it actually should have been called terrytown because most of the breeds at
terrytown because most of the breeds at mitchell were small terriers
mitchell were small terriers little cairns and norwich's and jrs
little cairns and norwich's and jrs good for rubble and narrow choke points
good for rubble and narrow choke points personally the hound in hound town
personally the hound in hound town suited me just fine
suited me just fine i worked with a duckle
i worked with a duckle they were by far the ultimate urban war
they were by far the ultimate urban war fighters
fighters tough smart and especially the minis
tough smart and especially the minis completely at home in confined spaces
completely at home in confined spaces in fact that's what they were originally
in fact that's what they were originally bred for badger dog that's what
bred for badger dog that's what dachshund means in german that's why
dachshund means in german that's why they had that hot dog look so they could
they had that hot dog look so they could hunt in low narrow badger burrows
hunt in low narrow badger burrows you see how that kind of breeding
you see how that kind of breeding already made them suited to the ducks
already made them suited to the ducks and crawl spaces of an urban
and crawl spaces of an urban battleground
battleground the ability to go through a pipe an air
the ability to go through a pipe an air shaft in between walls whatever without
shaft in between walls whatever without losing their cool was a major survival
losing their cool was a major survival asset
asset we are interrupted as if on cue a dog
we are interrupted as if on cue a dog limps over to darnell's side
limps over to darnell's side she is old her muzzle is white the fur
she is old her muzzle is white the fur on her ears and tail is worn to leather
on her ears and tail is worn to leather to the dog hey little miss
to the dog hey little miss darnell gingerly lifts her to his lap
darnell gingerly lifts her to his lap she is small no more than eight or nine
she is small no more than eight or nine pounds
pounds although she bears some resemblance to a
although she bears some resemblance to a smooth-haired miniature dachshund her
smooth-haired miniature dachshund her back is shorter than the standard breed
back is shorter than the standard breed to the dog
to the dog you doing okay maze you feel all right
you doing okay maze you feel all right to me
to me her full name's maisy but we never used
her full name's maisy but we never used it maze was pretty fitting don't you
it maze was pretty fitting don't you think
think with one hand he massages her back legs
with one hand he massages her back legs while with the other he rubs under her
while with the other he rubs under her neck
neck she looks up at him with milky eyes she
she looks up at him with milky eyes she licks his palm
licks his palm pure bloods were a total washout
pure bloods were a total washout too neurotic
too neurotic too many health problems everything
too many health problems everything you'd expect from breeding an animal for
you'd expect from breeding an animal for just its aesthetic qualities
just its aesthetic qualities the new generation he gestures to the
the new generation he gestures to the mud on his lap was always a mix whatever
mud on his lap was always a mix whatever would increase both physical
would increase both physical constitution and mental stability
constitution and mental stability the dog has gone to sleep darnell lowers
the dog has gone to sleep darnell lowers his voice
his voice they were tough
they were tough took a lot of training
took a lot of training not just individually but for working in
not just individually but for working in groups on lrp missions
groups on lrp missions long range especially over wild terrain
long range especially over wild terrain was always risky
was always risky not just from zach but also from feral
not just from zach but also from feral k's
k's remember how bad they were
remember how bad they were all those pets and strays that
all those pets and strays that degenerated into killer packs
degenerated into killer packs they were always a concern
they were always a concern usually in transition through low
usually in transition through low infestation zones
infestation zones always looking for something to eat
always looking for something to eat a lot of lrp missions were aborted in
a lot of lrp missions were aborted in the beginning before we deployed escort
the beginning before we deployed escort dogs he refers to the sleeping dog
dogs he refers to the sleeping dog she had two escorts pongo who was a pit
she had two escorts pongo who was a pit rot mix and purdy
rot mix and purdy i don't really know what purdy was
i don't really know what purdy was part shepherd part stegosaurus
part shepherd part stegosaurus i wouldn't have let her anywhere near
i wouldn't have let her anywhere near them if i hadn't gone through basic with
them if i hadn't gone through basic with their handlers
their handlers they turned out to be first-rate escorts
they turned out to be first-rate escorts 14 times they chased off feral packs
14 times they chased off feral packs twice they really got into it
twice they really got into it i watched purdy go after this 200 pound
i watched purdy go after this 200 pound mastiff grab its skull in her jaws
mastiff grab its skull in her jaws you could actually hear the crack over
you could actually hear the crack over the harnesses surveillance mic
the harnesses surveillance mic the toughest part for me was making sure
the toughest part for me was making sure mays stuck to the mission
mays stuck to the mission she always wanted to fight
she always wanted to fight smiles down at the sleeping ducks hunt
smiles down at the sleeping ducks hunt they were good escorts always made sure
they were good escorts always made sure she got to her target objective
she got to her target objective waited for and always got her home
waited for and always got her home safely
safely you know they even took down a few g's
you know they even took down a few g's in transit
in transit but isn't z flash toxic oh yeah
but isn't z flash toxic oh yeah no no no they never bit
no no no they never bit that would have been fatal
that would have been fatal you'd see a lot of dead gays in the
you'd see a lot of dead gays in the beginning of the war just lying there no
beginning of the war just lying there no wounds and you knew they'd bitten
wounds and you knew they'd bitten infected flash
infected flash that's one of the reasons training was
that's one of the reasons training was so important they had to know how to
so important they had to know how to defend
defend themselves zack's got a lot of physical
themselves zack's got a lot of physical advantages but balance isn't one of them
advantages but balance isn't one of them the bigger k's could always hit between
the bigger k's could always hit between the shoulder blades or the small of the
the shoulder blades or the small of the back just knock them on their faces
back just knock them on their faces the minis had the option of tripping
the minis had the option of tripping getting underfoot or launching
getting underfoot or launching themselves at the knee pit
themselves at the knee pit maze always preferred that dropped them
maze always preferred that dropped them right on their backs
right on their backs the dog stares
the dog stares to maze oh sorry little miss
to maze oh sorry little miss strokes the back of her neck
strokes the back of her neck to me
to me by the time zach got back up
by the time zach got back up you'd bought yourself five maybe 10 15
you'd bought yourself five maybe 10 15 seconds
seconds we had our share of casualties some k's
we had our share of casualties some k's would have a fall break a bone
would have a fall break a bone if they were close to friendly forces
if they were close to friendly forces their handler could pick them up pretty
their handler could pick them up pretty easily get them to safety
easily get them to safety most of the time they even returned
most of the time they even returned active duty
active duty what about the other times
what about the other times if they were too far a lure or an lrp
if they were too far a lure or an lrp too far for rescue and too close to zach
too far for rescue and too close to zach we petitioned for mercy charges
we petitioned for mercy charges little explosive packs strapped to the
little explosive packs strapped to the harness so we could detonate them if it
harness so we could detonate them if it looked like there wasn't any chance of
looked like there wasn't any chance of rescue
rescue we never got them
we never got them a waste of valuable resources
a waste of valuable resources [ __ ]
[ __ ] putting a wounded soldier out of his
putting a wounded soldier out of his misery was a waste but turning them into
misery was a waste but turning them into fragments
fragments now that they'd consider
now that they'd consider excuse me fragments
excuse me fragments that was the unofficial name for the
that was the unofficial name for the program that almost
program that almost almost got the green light
almost got the green light some staff [ __ ] read that the
some staff [ __ ] read that the russians had used mine dogs during world
russians had used mine dogs during world war ii strapped explosives to their
war ii strapped explosives to their backs and trained them to run under nazi
backs and trained them to run under nazi tanks
tanks the only reason ivan ended his program
the only reason ivan ended his program was the same reason we never began ours
was the same reason we never began ours the situation was no longer desperate
the situation was no longer desperate enough
enough how [ __ ] desperate do you have to be
how [ __ ] desperate do you have to be they'll never say it but i think what
they'll never say it but i think what stopped them was the threat of another
stopped them was the threat of another eckhart incident
eckhart incident that really woke him up you know about
that really woke him up you know about that right
that right sergeant eckhart god bless her she was a
sergeant eckhart god bless her she was a senior handler
senior handler operated up with agn
operated up with agn note 3 agn army group north end note
note 3 agn army group north end note i never met her
i never met her her partner was pulling a lure mission
her partner was pulling a lure mission outside little rock fell in a ditch
outside little rock fell in a ditch broke his leg
broke his leg the swarm was only a few steps away
the swarm was only a few steps away eckhart grabbed a rifle trying to go out
eckhart grabbed a rifle trying to go out after him
after him some officer got in her face started
some officer got in her face started spouting rags and half-assed
spouting rags and half-assed justifications
justifications she emptied half a clip in his mouth
she emptied half a clip in his mouth mps tackled her ass held her on the
mps tackled her ass held her on the ground
ground she could hear everything as the dead
she could hear everything as the dead surrounded her partner
surrounded her partner what happened
what happened they hung her
they hung her public execution real high profile
public execution real high profile i understand
i understand no i really do
no i really do discipline was everything rule of law
discipline was everything rule of law that's all we had
that's all we had but you better [ __ ] believe there
but you better [ __ ] believe there were some changes
were some changes handlers were allowed to go after their
handlers were allowed to go after their partners even if it meant risking their
partners even if it meant risking their own lives
own lives we weren't considered assets anymore we
we weren't considered assets anymore we were half assets
were half assets for the first time the army saw us as
for the first time the army saw us as teams
teams that a dog wasn't just a piece of
that a dog wasn't just a piece of machinery you could replace when broken
machinery you could replace when broken they started looking at statistics of
they started looking at statistics of handlers who oft themselves after losing
handlers who oft themselves after losing a partner
a partner you know we had the highest rate of
you know we had the highest rate of suicide among any branch of the service
suicide among any branch of the service more than special forces more than
more than special forces more than graves registration
graves registration even more than those sick [ __ ] at china
even more than those sick [ __ ] at china lake
lake note 4
note 4 china lake weapons research facility
china lake weapons research facility and note
and note at hound town i met handlers from 13
at hound town i met handlers from 13 other countries
other countries they all said the same thing it didn't
they all said the same thing it didn't matter where you were from what your
matter where you were from what your culture or background
culture or background the feelings were still the same
the feelings were still the same who could suffer that kind of loss and
who could suffer that kind of loss and come out in one piece anyone who could
come out in one piece anyone who could wouldn't have made a handler in the
wouldn't have made a handler in the first place
first place that's what made us our own breed that
that's what made us our own breed that ability to bond so strongly with
ability to bond so strongly with something that's not even our own
something that's not even our own species
species the very thing that made so many of my
the very thing that made so many of my friends take the bullets way out
friends take the bullets way out was what made us one of the most
was what made us one of the most successful outfits in the whole [ __ ]
successful outfits in the whole [ __ ] us military
us military the army saw it in me that day on a
the army saw it in me that day on a stretch of deserted roads somewhere in
stretch of deserted roads somewhere in the colorado rockies
the colorado rockies i'd been on foot since escaping my
i'd been on foot since escaping my apartment in atlanta
apartment in atlanta three months of running hiding
three months of running hiding scavenging
scavenging i had rickets fever i was down to 96
i had rickets fever i was down to 96 pounds
pounds i found these two guys under a tree
i found these two guys under a tree they were making a fire
they were making a fire behind them was this little mud his paws
behind them was this little mud his paws and snout were bound with shoelaces
and snout were bound with shoelaces dried blood was caked on his face
dried blood was caked on his face he was just lying there glassy eyed
he was just lying there glassy eyed whimpering softly what happened
whimpering softly what happened you know i honestly don't remember
you know i honestly don't remember i must have hit one of them with my bat
i must have hit one of them with my bat they found it cracked over his shoulder
they found it cracked over his shoulder they found me on the other guy just
they found me on the other guy just pounding his face in
pounding his face in 96 pounds half dead myself and i beat
96 pounds half dead myself and i beat this guy to within an inch of his life
this guy to within an inch of his life the guardsmen had to pull me off cuff me
the guardsmen had to pull me off cuff me to a car hulk smack me a couple times to
to a car hulk smack me a couple times to get me to refocus
get me to refocus that i remember
that i remember one of the guys i attacked was holding
one of the guys i attacked was holding his arm the other one was just lying
his arm the other one was just lying there bleeding
there bleeding calm the [ __ ] down the lt said trying to
calm the [ __ ] down the lt said trying to question me what's wrong with you
question me what's wrong with you why'd you do that to your friends
why'd you do that to your friends he's not our friend the one with the
he's not our friend the one with the broken arm yelled he's [ __ ] crazy
broken arm yelled he's [ __ ] crazy and all i kept saying was don't hurt the
and all i kept saying was don't hurt the dog don't hurt the dog
dog don't hurt the dog i remember the guardsmen just laughed
i remember the guardsmen just laughed jesus christ one of them said looking
jesus christ one of them said looking down at the two guys
down at the two guys the lt nodded then looked at me
the lt nodded then looked at me body he said i think we got a job for
body he said i think we got a job for you
you and that's how i got recruited
and that's how i got recruited sometimes you find your path sometimes
sometimes you find your path sometimes it finds you
it finds you darnell pets maize she cracks one eyelid
darnell pets maize she cracks one eyelid her leathery tail wags
her leathery tail wags what happened to the dog
what happened to the dog i wish i could give you a disney ending
i wish i could give you a disney ending like he became my partner or ended up
like he became my partner or ended up saving a whole orphanage from a fire or
saving a whole orphanage from a fire or something
something they'd hit him with a rock to knock him
they'd hit him with a rock to knock him out
out fluid built up in his ear canals
fluid built up in his ear canals he lost all hearing in one and partial
he lost all hearing in one and partial hearing in the other
hearing in the other but his nose still worked and he did
but his nose still worked and he did make a pretty good ratter once i found
make a pretty good ratter once i found him a home
him a home he hunted enough vermin to keep that
he hunted enough vermin to keep that family fed all winter
family fed all winter that's kind of a disney ending i guess
that's kind of a disney ending i guess disney with mickey stew
disney with mickey stew laughs softly
laughs softly you want to know something crazy
you want to know something crazy i used to hate dogs really
i used to hate dogs really despised them
despised them dirty smelly slobbering germ bags that
dirty smelly slobbering germ bags that humped your leg and made the carpet
humped your leg and made the carpet smell like piss
smell like piss god i hated them i was that guy who'd
god i hated them i was that guy who'd come over to your house and refused to
come over to your house and refused to pet the dog i was the guy at work who
pet the dog i was the guy at work who always made fun of people with dog
always made fun of people with dog pictures on their desk
pictures on their desk you know that guy who'd always
you know that guy who'd always threatened to call animal control when
threatened to call animal control when your pooch barked at night
your pooch barked at night motions to himself
motions to himself i lived a block away from a pet store
i lived a block away from a pet store i used to drive by it every day on my
i used to drive by it every day on my way to work
way to work confounded by how these sentimental
confounded by how these sentimental socially incompetent losers could shell
socially incompetent losers could shell out so much money on oversized barking
out so much money on oversized barking hamsters
hamsters during the panic the dead started to
during the panic the dead started to collect around that pet shop
collect around that pet shop i don't know where the owner was he'd
i don't know where the owner was he'd pulled down the gates but left the
pulled down the gates but left the animals inside
animals inside i could hear them from my bedroom window
i could hear them from my bedroom window all day all night just puppies you know
all day all night just puppies you know a couple of weeks old
a couple of weeks old scared little babies screaming for their
scared little babies screaming for their mommies for anyone to please come and
mommies for anyone to please come and save them
save them i heard them die one by one as their
i heard them die one by one as their water bottles ran out
water bottles ran out the dead never got in
the dead never got in they were still masked outside the gates
they were still masked outside the gates when i escaped ran right past without
when i escaped ran right past without stopping to look
stopping to look what could i have done
what could i have done i was unarmed untrained i couldn't have
i was unarmed untrained i couldn't have taken care of them i could barely take
taken care of them i could barely take care of myself
care of myself what could i have done
what could i have done something
something may's size in her sleep
may's size in her sleep darnell pats her gently
darnell pats her gently i could have done something
siberia the holy russian empire the people who exist in this chatty town
the people who exist in this chatty town do so under the most primitive
do so under the most primitive conditions
conditions there is no electricity no running water
there is no electricity no running water the huts are grouped together behind a
the huts are grouped together behind a wall cut from the surrounding trees
wall cut from the surrounding trees the smallest hovel
the smallest hovel belongs to father sergey rushkoff
belongs to father sergey rushkoff it is a miracle to see how the old
it is a miracle to see how the old cleric is still able to function his
cleric is still able to function his walk reveals the numerous wartime and
walk reveals the numerous wartime and post-war injuries
post-war injuries the handshake reveals that all his
the handshake reveals that all his fingers have been broken
fingers have been broken his attempt at a smile
his attempt at a smile reveals that those teeth not black with
reveals that those teeth not black with decay
decay have been knocked out a long time ago
in order to understand how we became a religious state
religious state and how that state began with a man like
and how that state began with a man like me
me you have to understand the nature of our
you have to understand the nature of our war against the undead
war against the undead as with so many other conflicts our
as with so many other conflicts our greatest ally was general winter
greatest ally was general winter the biting cold lengthened and
the biting cold lengthened and strengthened by the planet's darkened
strengthened by the planet's darkened skies
skies gave us the time we needed to prepare
gave us the time we needed to prepare our homeland for liberation
our homeland for liberation unlike the united states we were
unlike the united states we were fighting a war on two fronts
fighting a war on two fronts we had the euro barrier in the west
we had the euro barrier in the west and the asian swarms from the southeast
and the asian swarms from the southeast siberia had been stabilized finally but
siberia had been stabilized finally but was by no means completely secure
was by no means completely secure we had so many refugees from india and
we had so many refugees from india and china so many frozen ghouls that thawed
china so many frozen ghouls that thawed and continued to thaw each spring
and continued to thaw each spring we needed those winter months to
we needed those winter months to reorganize our forces martial our
reorganize our forces martial our population inventory and distribute our
population inventory and distribute our vast stocks of military hardware
vast stocks of military hardware we didn't have the war production of
we didn't have the war production of other countries there was no department
other countries there was no department of strategic resources in russia
of strategic resources in russia no industry other than finding enough
no industry other than finding enough food to keep our people alive
food to keep our people alive what we did have was our legacy of a
what we did have was our legacy of a military industrial state
military industrial state i know you in the west have always
i know you in the west have always laughed at us for this folly
laughed at us for this folly paranoid ivan that's what you call this
paranoid ivan that's what you call this building tanks and guns while his people
building tanks and guns while his people cry out for cars and butter
cry out for cars and butter yes the soviet union was backward and
yes the soviet union was backward and inefficient and yes it did bankrupt our
inefficient and yes it did bankrupt our economy on mountains of military might
economy on mountains of military might but when the motherland needed them
but when the motherland needed them those mountains were what saved her
those mountains were what saved her children
he refers to the faded poster on the wall behind him it shows the ghostly
wall behind him it shows the ghostly image of an old soviet soldier reaching
image of an old soviet soldier reaching down from heaven to hand a crude
down from heaven to hand a crude submachine gun to a grateful young
submachine gun to a grateful young russian
russian the caption underneath reads
the caption underneath reads god spasiba
god spasiba thank you grandfather
i was a chaplain with the 32nd motor rifle division
rifle division we were a category d unit
we were a category d unit fourth class equipment the oldest in our
fourth class equipment the oldest in our arsenal
arsenal we looked like extras in an old great
we looked like extras in an old great patriotic war movie
patriotic war movie with our ppsh submachine guns
with our ppsh submachine guns and our bolt action mosine nagant rifles
and our bolt action mosine nagant rifles we didn't have your fancy new battle
we didn't have your fancy new battle dress uniform
dress uniform we wore the tunics of our grandfathers
we wore the tunics of our grandfathers rough moldy moth eaten wool that could
rough moldy moth eaten wool that could barely keep the cold out and did nothing
barely keep the cold out and did nothing to protect against bites
to protect against bites we had a very high casualty rate most of
we had a very high casualty rate most of it in urban combat and most of that due
it in urban combat and most of that due to faulty ammunition
to faulty ammunition those rounds were older than us
those rounds were older than us some of them had been sitting in crates
some of them had been sitting in crates open to the elements since before stalin
open to the elements since before stalin breathed his last
breathed his last you never knew
you never knew when a coug-off would happen when your
when a coug-off would happen when your weapon would click at the moment a ghoul
weapon would click at the moment a ghoul was upon you that happened a lot in the
was upon you that happened a lot in the 32nd motor rifle division
32nd motor rifle division we weren't as neat and organized as your
we weren't as neat and organized as your army
army we didn't have your tight light little
we didn't have your tight light little rod sing squares
rod sing squares or your frugal one shot one kill combat
or your frugal one shot one kill combat doctrine our battles were sloppy and
doctrine our battles were sloppy and brutal
brutal we plastered the enemy in dshk heavy
we plastered the enemy in dshk heavy machine gun fire
machine gun fire drowned them with flame throwers and
drowned them with flame throwers and katyusha rockets and crushed them under
katyusha rockets and crushed them under the treads of our prehistoric t-34 tanks
the treads of our prehistoric t-34 tanks it was inefficient and wasteful and
it was inefficient and wasteful and resulted in too many needless deaths
resulted in too many needless deaths ufa was the first major battle of our
ufa was the first major battle of our offensive it became the reason we
offensive it became the reason we stopped going into the cities and
stopped going into the cities and started walling them up during winter
started walling them up during winter we learned a lot of lessons those first
we learned a lot of lessons those first months
months charging headlong into the rubble after
charging headlong into the rubble after hours of merciless artillery fighting
hours of merciless artillery fighting block by block house by house room by
block by block house by house room by room there were always too many zombies
room there were always too many zombies too many misfires
too many misfires and always too many bitten boys
and always too many bitten boys we didn't have l pills like in your army
we didn't have l pills like in your army note 1
note 1 l
l lethal pill
lethal pill a term to describe any poison capsule
a term to describe any poison capsule and one of the options available to
and one of the options available to infected us military combatants during
infected us military combatants during world war z
world war z and note
and note the only way to deal with infection was
the only way to deal with infection was a bullet
a bullet but who was going to pull the trigger
but who was going to pull the trigger certainly not the other soldiers
certainly not the other soldiers to kill your comrade even in cases as
to kill your comrade even in cases as merciful as infection was too
merciful as infection was too reminiscent of the decimations
reminiscent of the decimations that was the irony of it all the
that was the irony of it all the decimations had given our armed forces
decimations had given our armed forces the strength and discipline to do
the strength and discipline to do anything we asked of them
anything we asked of them anything but that
anything but that to ask or even order one soldier to kill
to ask or even order one soldier to kill another was crossing a line that might
another was crossing a line that might have sparked another mutiny
for a while the responsibility rested with the leadership the officers and
with the leadership the officers and senior sergeants
senior sergeants we couldn't have made a more damaging
we couldn't have made a more damaging decision
decision to have to look into the faces of these
to have to look into the faces of these men these boys whom you were responsible
men these boys whom you were responsible for whom you fought with side by side
for whom you fought with side by side shared bread and blankets
shared bread and blankets saved his life or have him save yours
saved his life or have him save yours who can focus on the monumental burden
who can focus on the monumental burden of leadership after having to commit
of leadership after having to commit such an act
such an act we began to see a noticeable degradation
we began to see a noticeable degradation among our field commanders
among our field commanders dereliction of duty alcoholism suicide
dereliction of duty alcoholism suicide suicide became almost epidemic among the
suicide became almost epidemic among the officer corps
officer corps our division lost four experienced
our division lost four experienced leaders three junior lieutenants and a
leaders three junior lieutenants and a major all during the first week of our
major all during the first week of our first campaign
first campaign two of the lieutenants shot themselves
two of the lieutenants shot themselves one right after committing the deed and
one right after committing the deed and the other later that night
the other later that night the third platoon leader chose a more
the third platoon leader chose a more passive method what we began to call
passive method what we began to call suicide by combat
suicide by combat he volunteered for increasingly
he volunteered for increasingly dangerous missions acting more like a
dangerous missions acting more like a reckless enlisted man than a responsible
reckless enlisted man than a responsible leader
leader he died trying to take on a dozen ghouls
he died trying to take on a dozen ghouls with nothing but a bayonet
with nothing but a bayonet major kov pock just vanished
major kov pock just vanished no one knows exactly when
no one knows exactly when we knew he couldn't have been taken
we knew he couldn't have been taken the area was thoroughly swept and no one
the area was thoroughly swept and no one absolutely no one left the perimeter
absolutely no one left the perimeter without an escort
without an escort we all knew what probably happened
we all knew what probably happened colonel savitchev
colonel savitchev put out an official statement that the
put out an official statement that the major had been sent on a long-range
major had been sent on a long-range recon mission and it never returned
recon mission and it never returned he even went so far as to recommend him
he even went so far as to recommend him for a class order of the rhodina
for a class order of the rhodina you can't stop the rumors and nothing is
you can't stop the rumors and nothing is worse for a unit's morale
worse for a unit's morale than to know that one of their officers
than to know that one of their officers had deserted
had deserted i could not blame the man i still cannot
i could not blame the man i still cannot park was a good man a strong leader
park was a good man a strong leader before the crisis he had done three
before the crisis he had done three tours in chechnya
tours in chechnya and one in dagestan
and one in dagestan when the dead began to rise he not only
when the dead began to rise he not only prevented his company from revolting but
prevented his company from revolting but led them all on foot carrying both
led them all on foot carrying both supplies and wounded
supplies and wounded from kurta
from kurta in the solid mountains all the way to
in the solid mountains all the way to manasskent on the caspian sea
manasskent on the caspian sea 65 days 37 major engagements 37.
65 days 37 major engagements 37. he could have become an instructor he'd
he could have become an instructor he'd more than earned the right
more than earned the right and had even been asked by stovka
and had even been asked by stovka because of his extensive combat
because of his extensive combat experience
experience but no he volunteered for an immediate
but no he volunteered for an immediate return to action
return to action and now he was a deserter
and now he was a deserter they used to call this the second
they used to call this the second decimation
decimation the fact that almost one in every 10
the fact that almost one in every 10 officers killed themselves in those days
officers killed themselves in those days a decimation that almost brought our war
a decimation that almost brought our war effort to a crushing home
effort to a crushing home the logical alternative the only one was
the logical alternative the only one was to therefore let the boys commit the act
to therefore let the boys commit the act themselves
themselves i can still remember their faces
i can still remember their faces dirty and pimply their red rimmed eyes
dirty and pimply their red rimmed eyes wide as they closed their mouths around
wide as they closed their mouths around their rifles
their rifles what else could be done
what else could be done it wasn't long before they began to kill
it wasn't long before they began to kill themselves in groups
themselves in groups all those who'd been bitten in a battle
all those who'd been bitten in a battle gathering at the field hospital to
gathering at the field hospital to synchronize the moment when they would
synchronize the moment when they would all pull the trigger
all pull the trigger i guess it was comforting knowing that
i guess it was comforting knowing that they weren't dying alone
they weren't dying alone it was probably the only comfort they
it was probably the only comfort they could expect
could expect they certainly didn't get it from me
they certainly didn't get it from me i was a religious man in a country that
i was a religious man in a country that had long since lost its faith
had long since lost its faith decades of communism followed by
decades of communism followed by materialistic democracy had left this
materialistic democracy had left this generation of russians with little
generation of russians with little knowledge of or need for
knowledge of or need for the opium of the masses
the opium of the masses as a chaplain my duties were mainly to
as a chaplain my duties were mainly to collect letters from the condemned boys
collect letters from the condemned boys to their families and to distribute any
to their families and to distribute any vodka i managed to find it was a next to
vodka i managed to find it was a next to useless existence i knew and the way our
useless existence i knew and the way our country was headed i doubted anything
country was headed i doubted anything would occur to change that
would occur to change that it was right after the battle for
it was right after the battle for kostroma
kostroma just a few weeks before the official
just a few weeks before the official assault on moscow
assault on moscow i had come to the field hospital to give
i had come to the field hospital to give last rites to the infected
last rites to the infected they had been set apart
they had been set apart some badly mauled some still healthy and
some badly mauled some still healthy and lucid
lucid the first boy couldn't have been older
the first boy couldn't have been older than 17.
than 17. he wasn't bitten
he wasn't bitten that would have been merciful
that would have been merciful the zombie had had its forearms ripped
the zombie had had its forearms ripped off by the treads of an su-152
off by the treads of an su-152 self-propelled gun all that remained was
self-propelled gun all that remained was hanging flesh and broken humorous bones
hanging flesh and broken humorous bones jagged at the edges sharp like spears
jagged at the edges sharp like spears they stabbed right through the boy's
they stabbed right through the boy's tunic where whole hands would have just
tunic where whole hands would have just grabbed him
grabbed him he was lying on a cot bleeding from his
he was lying on a cot bleeding from his belly ashen-faced
belly ashen-faced rifle quivering in his hand
rifle quivering in his hand next to him was a row of five other
next to him was a row of five other infected soldiers
infected soldiers i went through the motions of telling
i went through the motions of telling them i would pray for their souls
them i would pray for their souls they either shrugged or nodded politely
they either shrugged or nodded politely i took their letters as i'd always done
i took their letters as i'd always done gave them a drink and even passed out a
gave them a drink and even passed out a couple cigarettes from their commanding
couple cigarettes from their commanding officer
officer even though i'd done this many times
even though i'd done this many times somehow i felt strangely different
somehow i felt strangely different something was stirring within me a tense
something was stirring within me a tense tingling sensation that began to work
tingling sensation that began to work its way up through my heart and lungs
its way up through my heart and lungs i began to feel my whole body tremble as
i began to feel my whole body tremble as the soldiers all placed the muzzles of
the soldiers all placed the muzzles of their weapons underneath their chins
their weapons underneath their chins on three the oldest of them said
on three the oldest of them said one two
one two that was as far as they got
that was as far as they got the seventeen-year-old flew backward and
the seventeen-year-old flew backward and hit the ground
hit the ground the others stared dumbfounded at the
the others stared dumbfounded at the bullet hole in his forehead then up to
bullet hole in his forehead then up to the smoking pistol in my hand
the smoking pistol in my hand in god's hand
in god's hand god was speaking to me i could feel his
god was speaking to me i could feel his words ringing in my head
words ringing in my head no more sinning he told me
no more sinning he told me no more souls resigned to hell
no more souls resigned to hell it was so clear so simple
it was so clear so simple officers killing soldiers had cost us
officers killing soldiers had cost us too many good officers and soldiers
too many good officers and soldiers killing themselves had cost the lord too
killing themselves had cost the lord too many good souls suicide was a sin and we
many good souls suicide was a sin and we his servants those who had chosen to be
his servants those who had chosen to be his shepherds upon the earth
his shepherds upon the earth were the only ones who should bear the
were the only ones who should bear the cross of releasing trapped souls from
cross of releasing trapped souls from infected bodies
infected bodies that is what i told division commander
that is what i told division commander after he discovered what i'd done
after he discovered what i'd done and that is the message that spread
and that is the message that spread first to every chaplain in the field
first to every chaplain in the field and then to every civilian priest
and then to every civilian priest throughout mother russia
throughout mother russia what later became known as the act of
what later became known as the act of final purification was only the first
final purification was only the first step of a religious fervor that would
step of a religious fervor that would surpass even the iranian revolution of
surpass even the iranian revolution of the 1980s
the 1980s god knew his children had been denied
god knew his children had been denied his love for too long
his love for too long they needed direction courage hope
they needed direction courage hope you could say that it is the reason we
you could say that it is the reason we emerge from that war as a nation of
emerge from that war as a nation of faith
faith and have continued to rebuild our state
and have continued to rebuild our state on the basis of that faith
is there any truth to the stories of that philosophy being perverted for
that philosophy being perverted for political reasons
political reasons pause
pause i don't understand
i don't understand the president declared himself head of
the president declared himself head of the church
the church can't a national leader feel god's love
can't a national leader feel god's love but what about organizing priests into
but what about organizing priests into death squads and assassinating people
death squads and assassinating people under the premise of
under the premise of purifying infected victims
purifying infected victims pause
pause i don't know what you're talking about
i don't know what you're talking about isn't that why you eventually fell out
isn't that why you eventually fell out with moscow
with moscow isn't that why you're here
there is a long pause we hear the sounds of footsteps
we hear the sounds of footsteps approaching
approaching someone knocks at the door
someone knocks at the door father sergey opens it to find a small
father sergey opens it to find a small ragged child
ragged child mud stains his pale frightened face
mud stains his pale frightened face he speaks in a frantic local dialect
he speaks in a frantic local dialect shouting and pointing up the road
shouting and pointing up the road the old priest nods solemnly pats the
the old priest nods solemnly pats the boy on the shoulder then turns to me
boy on the shoulder then turns to me thank you for coming
thank you for coming will you excuse me please
will you excuse me please as i rise to leave he opens a large
as i rise to leave he opens a large wooden chest at the foot of his bed
wooden chest at the foot of his bed removing both a bible and a world war ii
removing both a bible and a world war ii era pistol
aboard uss holokai off the coast of the hawaiian islands
deep glider 7 looks more like a twin fuselage aircraft than a mini sub
fuselage aircraft than a mini sub i lie on my stomach in the starboard
i lie on my stomach in the starboard hall looking out through a thick
hall looking out through a thick transparent nose cone
transparent nose cone my pilot master chief petty officer
my pilot master chief petty officer michael choi
michael choi waves at me from the port hall
choi is one of the old-timers possibly the most experienced diver in the us
the most experienced diver in the us navy's deep submergence combat corps
navy's deep submergence combat corps dscc
dscc his great temples and weathered crow's
his great temples and weathered crow's feet
feet clash violently with his almost
clash violently with his almost adolescent enthusiasm
adolescent enthusiasm as the mothership lowers us into the
as the mothership lowers us into the choppy pacific i detect a trace of
choppy pacific i detect a trace of surfer dude bleeding through choi's
surfer dude bleeding through choi's otherwise neutral accent
my war never ended if anything you could say it's still
if anything you could say it's still escalating
escalating every month we expand our operations and
every month we expand our operations and improve our material and human assets
improve our material and human assets they say there are still somewhere
they say there are still somewhere between 20 and 30 million of them still
between 20 and 30 million of them still washing up on beaches or getting snagged
washing up on beaches or getting snagged in fisherman's nets
in fisherman's nets you can't work an offshore oil rig or
you can't work an offshore oil rig or repair a transatlantic cable without
repair a transatlantic cable without running into a swarm
running into a swarm that's what this dive is about
that's what this dive is about trying to find them track them and
trying to find them track them and predict their movements so maybe we can
predict their movements so maybe we can have some advance warning
we hit the white caps with a jarring thud troy grins checks his instruments
thud troy grins checks his instruments and shifts the channels on his radio
and shifts the channels on his radio from me to the mothership
from me to the mothership the water before my observation dome
the water before my observation dome froths white for a second then gives way
froths white for a second then gives way to light blue as we submerge
you're not going to ask me about scuba gear or titanium shark suits are you
gear or titanium shark suits are you because that crap's got nothing to do
because that crap's got nothing to do with my war
with my war spear guns and bang sticks and zombie
spear guns and bang sticks and zombie river nets
river nets i can't help you with any of that if you
i can't help you with any of that if you want civilians talk to civilians
want civilians talk to civilians but the military did use those methods
but the military did use those methods only for brown water ops and almost
only for brown water ops and almost exclusively by army pukes
exclusively by army pukes personally i've never worn a mesh suit
personally i've never worn a mesh suit or a scuba rig
or a scuba rig well at least not in combat
well at least not in combat my war was strictly ads
my war was strictly ads atmospheric diving suit
atmospheric diving suit kind of like a space suit and a suit of
kind of like a space suit and a suit of armor all rolled into one
armor all rolled into one the technology actually goes back a
the technology actually goes back a couple hundred years when some guy
couple hundred years when some guy invented a barrel with a face plate and
invented a barrel with a face plate and armholes
armholes note one
note one john lethbridge circa 1715
john lethbridge circa 1715 end note
end note after you had stuff like the tritonia
after you had stuff like the tritonia and the noi felt kunka they looked like
and the noi felt kunka they looked like something out of an old 1950 sci-fi
something out of an old 1950 sci-fi movie robbie the robot and [ __ ]
movie robbie the robot and [ __ ] it all kind of fell by the wayside when
it all kind of fell by the wayside when do you really care about all this
do you really care about all this yes please
yes please well that sort of technology fell by the
well that sort of technology fell by the wayside when scuba was invented
wayside when scuba was invented it only made a comeback when divers had
it only made a comeback when divers had to go deep real deep to work on offshore
to go deep real deep to work on offshore oil rigs
oil rigs you see the deeper you go the greater
you see the deeper you go the greater the pressure the greater the pressure
the pressure the greater the pressure the more dangerous it is for scuba or
the more dangerous it is for scuba or similar mixed gas rigs
similar mixed gas rigs you've got to spend days sometimes weeks
you've got to spend days sometimes weeks in a decompression chamber and if for
in a decompression chamber and if for some reason you have to shoot up to the
some reason you have to shoot up to the surface you get the bends gas bubbles in
surface you get the bends gas bubbles in the blood in the brain
the blood in the brain and we're not even talking about
and we're not even talking about long-term health hazards like bone
long-term health hazards like bone necrosis soaking your body with [ __ ]
necrosis soaking your body with [ __ ] nature never intended to be there
nature never intended to be there he pauses to check his instruments
he pauses to check his instruments the safest way to dive to go deeper to
the safest way to dive to go deeper to stay down longer was to enclose your
stay down longer was to enclose your whole body in a bubble of surface
whole body in a bubble of surface pressure he gestures to the compartments
pressure he gestures to the compartments around us
around us just like we are now safe protected
just like we are now safe protected still on the surface as far as our
still on the surface as far as our bodies concerned
bodies concerned that's what an ads does its depth and
that's what an ads does its depth and duration only limited by armor and life
duration only limited by armor and life support so it's like a personal
support so it's like a personal submarine
submarine submersible
submersible a submarine can stay down for years
a submarine can stay down for years maintaining its own power making its own
maintaining its own power making its own air
air a submersible can only make short
a submersible can only make short duration dives
duration dives like world war ii subs or what we're in
like world war ii subs or what we're in now
now the water begins to darken deepening to
the water begins to darken deepening to a purplish ink
a purplish ink the very nature of an ads the fact that
the very nature of an ads the fact that it's really just a suit of armor makes
it's really just a suit of armor makes it ideal for blue and black water combat
it ideal for blue and black water combat i'm not knocking soft suits you know
i'm not knocking soft suits you know shark or other mesh rigs
shark or other mesh rigs they've got 10 times the maneuverability
they've got 10 times the maneuverability the speed the agility
the speed the agility but they're strictly shallow water at
but they're strictly shallow water at best and if for some reason a couple of
best and if for some reason a couple of those [ __ ] got a hold of you
those [ __ ] got a hold of you i've seen mesh divers with broken arms
i've seen mesh divers with broken arms broken ribs
broken ribs three with broken necks
three with broken necks drowning
drowning if your airline was punctured or the
if your airline was punctured or the regulators ripped out of your mouth
regulators ripped out of your mouth even in a hard helmet on a mesh lined
even in a hard helmet on a mesh lined dry suit
dry suit all they'd have to do is hold you down
all they'd have to do is hold you down let your air run out
let your air run out i've seen too many guys go out that way
i've seen too many guys go out that way or else trying to race for the surface
or else trying to race for the surface and let an embolism finish what zach
and let an embolism finish what zach started
started did that happen to a lot of mesh suit
did that happen to a lot of mesh suit divers
divers sometimes especially in the beginning
sometimes especially in the beginning but it never happened to us
but it never happened to us there was no risk of physical danger
there was no risk of physical danger both your body and your life support are
both your body and your life support are encased in a cast aluminum or high
encased in a cast aluminum or high strength composite shell
strength composite shell most models joints are steel or titanium
most models joints are steel or titanium no matter which way zach turned your
no matter which way zach turned your arms even if he managed to get a solid
arms even if he managed to get a solid grip which is hard considering how
grip which is hard considering how smooth and round everything is
smooth and round everything is it was physically impossible to break
it was physically impossible to break off a limb
off a limb if for some reason you need to jet up to
if for some reason you need to jet up to the surface just jettison your ballast
the surface just jettison your ballast or your thruster pack if you had one
or your thruster pack if you had one all suits are positively buoyant
all suits are positively buoyant they pop right up like a cork
they pop right up like a cork the only risk might be if zack were
the only risk might be if zack were clinging to you during the ascent
clinging to you during the ascent a couple of times i've had buddies
a couple of times i've had buddies surface with uninvited passengers
surface with uninvited passengers hanging on for dear life
hanging on for dear life or on death
or on death chuckles
chuckles balloon ascents almost never happened in
balloon ascents almost never happened in combat
combat most ads models have 48 hours emergency
most ads models have 48 hours emergency life support
life support no matter how many g's dog piled you no
no matter how many g's dog piled you no matter if a hunk of debris came
matter if a hunk of debris came crumbling down
crumbling down or your leg got snagged in an underwater
or your leg got snagged in an underwater cable you could sit tight snug and safe
cable you could sit tight snug and safe and just wait for the cavalry
and just wait for the cavalry no one ever dives alone and i think the
no one ever dives alone and i think the longest any ads diver has ever had to
longest any ads diver has ever had to cool his heels was six hours
cool his heels was six hours there were times more than i can count
there were times more than i can count on my fingers where one of us would get
on my fingers where one of us would get snagged reported then follow up by
snagged reported then follow up by saying that there was no immediate
saying that there was no immediate danger
danger and that the rest of the team should
and that the rest of the team should assist only after
assist only after accomplishing their mission
you say ads models was there more than one type
was there more than one type we had a bunch
we had a bunch civilian military old new
civilian military old new well relatively new
well relatively new we couldn't build any wartime models so
we couldn't build any wartime models so we had to work with what was already
we had to work with what was already available
available some of the older ones dated back to the
some of the older ones dated back to the 70s the gyms and sams
70s the gyms and sams i'm really glad i never had to operate
i'm really glad i never had to operate any of those they only had universal
any of those they only had universal joints and portholes instead of a face
joints and portholes instead of a face bowl
bowl at least on the early gyms
at least on the early gyms i knew one guy from the british special
i knew one guy from the british special boat service he had these mondo blood
boat service he had these mondo blood blisters all along his inner thighs from
blisters all along his inner thighs from where the jim's leg joints pinched his
where the jim's leg joints pinched his skin
skin kick-ass divers the sbs but i'd never
kick-ass divers the sbs but i'd never swapped jobs with them
swapped jobs with them we had three basic u.s navy models the
we had three basic u.s navy models the hard suit 1200 the 2000 and the mark 1
hard suit 1200 the 2000 and the mark 1 exo suit
exo suit that was my baby the exo
that was my baby the exo you want to talk about sci-fi this thing
you want to talk about sci-fi this thing looked like it was made to fight giant
looked like it was made to fight giant space termites
space termites it was much slimmer than either of the
it was much slimmer than either of the two hard suits and light enough that you
two hard suits and light enough that you could even swim
could even swim that was the major advantage over the
that was the major advantage over the hard suit actually over all other ads
hard suit actually over all other ads systems
systems to be able to operate above your enemy
to be able to operate above your enemy even without a power slider thruster
even without a power slider thruster packs
packs that more than made up for the fact that
that more than made up for the fact that you couldn't scratch your itches
you couldn't scratch your itches the hard suits were big enough to allow
the hard suits were big enough to allow your arms to be pulled into the central
your arms to be pulled into the central cavity to allow you to operate secondary
cavity to allow you to operate secondary equipment
equipment what kind of equipment
what kind of equipment lights video side scanning sonar
lights video side scanning sonar the hard suits were full service units
the hard suits were full service units exos were the bargain basement
exos were the bargain basement you didn't have to worry about a lot of
you didn't have to worry about a lot of readouts and machinery you didn't have
readouts and machinery you didn't have any of the distractions or the
any of the distractions or the multitasking of the hard suits
multitasking of the hard suits the exo was sleek and simple allowing
the exo was sleek and simple allowing you to focus on your weapon and the
you to focus on your weapon and the field in front of you
field in front of you what kind of weapons did you use
what kind of weapons did you use at first we had the m9 kind of a cheap
at first we had the m9 kind of a cheap modified knockoff of the russian aps
modified knockoff of the russian aps i say modify because no ads had anything
i say modify because no ads had anything close to resembling hands
close to resembling hands you either had four pronged claws or
you either had four pronged claws or simple industrial pincers
simple industrial pincers both worked as hand-to-hand weapons just
both worked as hand-to-hand weapons just grab a g-zed and squeeze but they made
grab a g-zed and squeeze but they made it impossible to fire a gun
it impossible to fire a gun the m9 was fixed to your forearm and
the m9 was fixed to your forearm and could be fired electrically
could be fired electrically it had a laser pointer for accuracy and
it had a laser pointer for accuracy and dare encased cartridges that fired these
dare encased cartridges that fired these four inch long steel rods
four inch long steel rods the major problem was that they were
the major problem was that they were basically designed for shallow water
basically designed for shallow water operations
operations at the depth we needed they imploded
at the depth we needed they imploded like eggshells
like eggshells about a year in we got a much more
about a year in we got a much more efficient model the m11 actually
efficient model the m11 actually invented by the same guy who invented
invented by the same guy who invented both the hard suit and dexo
both the hard suit and dexo i hope that crazy cannot got an ass load
i hope that crazy cannot got an ass load of medals for what he's done for us
of medals for what he's done for us the only problem with it
the only problem with it was that destrez thought production was
was that destrez thought production was too expensive they kept telling us that
too expensive they kept telling us that between our claws and pre-existing
between our claws and pre-existing construction tools we had more than
construction tools we had more than enough to handle zach
enough to handle zach what changed their minds
what changed their minds troll
troll we were in the north sea repairing that
we were in the north sea repairing that norwegian natural gas platform and
norwegian natural gas platform and suddenly there they were
suddenly there they were we'd expected some kind of attack
we'd expected some kind of attack the noise and light of the construction
the noise and light of the construction site always attracted at least a handful
site always attracted at least a handful of them
of them we didn't know a swarm was nearby
we didn't know a swarm was nearby one of our sentries sounded off we
one of our sentries sounded off we headed for his beacon and we were
headed for his beacon and we were suddenly inundated
suddenly inundated horrible thing to fight hand to hand
horrible thing to fight hand to hand underwater
underwater the bottom churns up your visibility is
the bottom churns up your visibility is shot like fighting inside a glass of
shot like fighting inside a glass of milk
milk zombies don't just die when you hit them
zombies don't just die when you hit them most of the time they disintegrate
most of the time they disintegrate fragments of muscle organ brain matter
fragments of muscle organ brain matter mixed up with the silt and swirling
mixed up with the silt and swirling around you
around you kids today
kids today [ __ ] hey i sound like my pops but
[ __ ] hey i sound like my pops but it's true the kids today the new ads
it's true the kids today the new ads divers and the mark threes and fours
divers and the mark threes and fours they have this zevdek zero visibility
they have this zevdek zero visibility detection kit with color imaging sonar
detection kit with color imaging sonar and low light optics
and low light optics the picture is relayed through a heads
the picture is relayed through a heads up display right on your face bowl like
up display right on your face bowl like a fighter plane
a fighter plane throw in a pair of stereo hydrophones
throw in a pair of stereo hydrophones and you've got a real sensory advantage
and you've got a real sensory advantage over zack
over zack that was not the case when i first went
that was not the case when i first went exo
exo we couldn't see we couldn't hear
we couldn't see we couldn't hear we couldn't even feel if a g was trying
we couldn't even feel if a g was trying to grab us from behind
to grab us from behind why was that
why was that because the one fundamental flaw of an
because the one fundamental flaw of an ads is complete tactile blackout
ads is complete tactile blackout the simple fact that the suit is hard
the simple fact that the suit is hard means you can't feel anything from the
means you can't feel anything from the outside world
outside world even if a g has his hands right on you
even if a g has his hands right on you unless zach is actively tugging trying
unless zach is actively tugging trying to pull you back or flip you around you
to pull you back or flip you around you may not know he's there until his face
may not know he's there until his face is right up against yours
is right up against yours that night at troll
that night at troll our helmet lights only made the problem
our helmet lights only made the problem worse by throwing up a glare that was
worse by throwing up a glare that was only broken by an undead hand or face
only broken by an undead hand or face that was the only time i was ever
that was the only time i was ever spooked
spooked not scared you understand just spooked
not scared you understand just spooked swinging in this liquid chalk
swinging in this liquid chalk and suddenly a rotting face is jammed
and suddenly a rotting face is jammed against my face bowl
against my face bowl the civilian oil workers they wouldn't
the civilian oil workers they wouldn't go back to work even under threat of
go back to work even under threat of reprisals until we their escorts were
reprisals until we their escorts were better armed
better armed they'd lost enough of their people
they'd lost enough of their people already ambushed out of the darkness
already ambushed out of the darkness can't imagine what that must have been
can't imagine what that must have been like you're in this dry suit working in
like you're in this dry suit working in near pitch black eyes stinging from the
near pitch black eyes stinging from the light of the welding torch body numb
light of the welding torch body numb from the cold
from the cold or else burning from the hot water
or else burning from the hot water pumped through the system
pumped through the system suddenly you feel these hands or teeth
suddenly you feel these hands or teeth you struggle call for help try to fight
you struggle call for help try to fight or swim as they pull you up
or swim as they pull you up maybe a few body parts will rise to the
maybe a few body parts will rise to the surface
surface maybe they'll just pull up a severed
maybe they'll just pull up a severed lifeline
lifeline that was how the dscc came into being as
that was how the dscc came into being as an official outfit our first mission was
an official outfit our first mission was to protect the rig divers keep the oil
to protect the rig divers keep the oil flowing
flowing later we expanded to beachhead
later we expanded to beachhead sanitation and harbor clearing
sanitation and harbor clearing what is beachhead sanitation
what is beachhead sanitation basically helping the jar heads get
basically helping the jar heads get ashore
ashore what we learned during bermuda our first
what we learned during bermuda our first amphibious landing was that the
amphibious landing was that the beachhead was coming under constant
beachhead was coming under constant attack by g's walking out of the surf
attack by g's walking out of the surf we had to establish a perimeter a
we had to establish a perimeter a semicircular net around the proposed
semicircular net around the proposed landing area that was deep enough for
landing area that was deep enough for ships to pass over but high enough to
ships to pass over but high enough to keep out zach
keep out zach that's where we came in
that's where we came in two weeks before the landings took place
two weeks before the landings took place a ship would anchor several miles
a ship would anchor several miles offshore and start banging away with
offshore and start banging away with their active sonar that was to draw zach
their active sonar that was to draw zach away from the beach
away from the beach wouldn't that sonar also lure in zombies
wouldn't that sonar also lure in zombies from deeper water
from deeper water the brass told us that was an acceptable
the brass told us that was an acceptable risk
risk i think they didn't have anything better
i think they didn't have anything better that's why it was an ads hop
that's why it was an ads hop too risky for mesh divers
too risky for mesh divers you knew that masses were gathering
you knew that masses were gathering under that pinging ship and that once
under that pinging ship and that once they went silent you'd be the brightest
they went silent you'd be the brightest target out there
target out there it actually turned out to be the closest
it actually turned out to be the closest thing we ever had to a cakewalk
thing we ever had to a cakewalk the attack frequency was the lowest by
the attack frequency was the lowest by far and when the nets were up they had
far and when the nets were up they had an almost perfect success rate
an almost perfect success rate all you needed was a skeleton force to
all you needed was a skeleton force to keep a constant vigil
keep a constant vigil maybe snipe the occasional g that tried
maybe snipe the occasional g that tried to climb the fence
to climb the fence they didn't really need us for this kind
they didn't really need us for this kind of op
of op after the first three landings they went
after the first three landings they went back to using mesh divers
back to using mesh divers and harbor clearing
and harbor clearing that was not a cape walk that was in the
that was not a cape walk that was in the final stages of the war when it wasn't
final stages of the war when it wasn't just about opening a beachhead
just about opening a beachhead but reopening harbors for deep water
but reopening harbors for deep water shipping that was a massive combined
shipping that was a massive combined operation mesh divers ads units even
operation mesh divers ads units even civilian volunteers with nothing but a
civilian volunteers with nothing but a scuba rig and a spear gun
scuba rig and a spear gun i helped clear charleston norfolk boston
i helped clear charleston norfolk boston freaking boston
freaking boston and the mother of all sub-surface
and the mother of all sub-surface nightmares the hero city
nightmares the hero city i know grunts like to [ __ ] about
i know grunts like to [ __ ] about fighting to clear a city
fighting to clear a city but imagine a city underwater a city of
but imagine a city underwater a city of sunken ships and cars and planes and
sunken ships and cars and planes and every kind of debris imaginable
every kind of debris imaginable during the evacuation when a lot of
during the evacuation when a lot of container ships were trying to make as
container ships were trying to make as much room as they could
much room as they could a lot of them dump their cargo overboard
a lot of them dump their cargo overboard couches toaster ovens mountains and
couches toaster ovens mountains and mountains of clothes
mountains of clothes plasma tvs always crunched when you
plasma tvs always crunched when you walked over them
walked over them i always imagined it was bone
i always imagined it was bone i also imagined i could see zach behind
i also imagined i could see zach behind each washer and dryer climbing over each
each washer and dryer climbing over each pile of smashed air conditioners
pile of smashed air conditioners sometimes it was just my imagination but
sometimes it was just my imagination but sometimes
sometimes the worst
the worst the worst was having to clear a sunken
the worst was having to clear a sunken ship
ship there were always a few that had gone
there were always a few that had gone down within the harbor boundaries
down within the harbor boundaries a couple like the frank cable big sub
a couple like the frank cable big sub tender turned refugee ship had gone down
tender turned refugee ship had gone down right at the mouth of the harbor
right at the mouth of the harbor before she could be raised we had to do
before she could be raised we had to do a compartment by compartment sweep
a compartment by compartment sweep that was the only time the exo ever felt
that was the only time the exo ever felt bulky
bulky unwieldy
unwieldy i didn't smack my head in every
i didn't smack my head in every passageway but it sure as hell felt like
passageway but it sure as hell felt like it
it a lot of the hatches were blocked by
a lot of the hatches were blocked by debris
debris we either had to cut our way through
we either had to cut our way through them or through the decks and bulkheads
them or through the decks and bulkheads sometimes the deck had been weakened by
sometimes the deck had been weakened by damage or corrosion
damage or corrosion i was cutting through a bulkhead above
i was cutting through a bulkhead above the cable's engine room when suddenly
the cable's engine room when suddenly the deck just collapsed under me
the deck just collapsed under me before i could swim before i could think
before i could swim before i could think there were hundreds of them in the
there were hundreds of them in the engine room
engine room i was engulfed drowning in legs and arms
i was engulfed drowning in legs and arms and hunks of meat
and hunks of meat if i ever had a recurring nightmare and
if i ever had a recurring nightmare and i'm not saying i do because i don't
i'm not saying i do because i don't but if i did
but if i did i'd be right back in there only this
i'd be right back in there only this time i'm completely naked
time i'm completely naked i mean i would be
i am surprised at how quickly we reach the bottom
the bottom it looks like a desert wasteland glowing
it looks like a desert wasteland glowing white against the permanent darkness
white against the permanent darkness i see the stumps of wire coral
i see the stumps of wire coral broken and trampled by the living dead
i look up to see the swarm roughly 60 of them walking out of the
roughly 60 of them walking out of the desert night
desert night and here we go
and here we go choy maneuvers us above them they reach
choy maneuvers us above them they reach up for our searchlights eyes wide and
up for our searchlights eyes wide and jaws slack i can see the dim red beam of
jaws slack i can see the dim red beam of the laser as it settles on the first
the laser as it settles on the first target
target a second later a small dart is fired
a second later a small dart is fired into its chest
into its chest and one he centers his beam on a second
and one he centers his beam on a second subject
subject and two he moves down the swarm
and two he moves down the swarm tagging each one with a non-lethal shot
tagging each one with a non-lethal shot kills me not to kill them
kills me not to kill them i mean i know the whole point is to
i mean i know the whole point is to study their movements set up an early
study their movements set up an early warning network
warning network i know that if we had the resources to
i know that if we had the resources to clear them all we would
clear them all we would still
still he darts a sixth target like all the
he darts a sixth target like all the others this one is oblivious to the
others this one is oblivious to the small hole in its sternum
small hole in its sternum how do they do it
how do they do it how are they still around nothing in the
how are they still around nothing in the world corrodes like salt water
world corrodes like salt water these g should have gone away before the
these g should have gone away before the ones on land
ones on land their clothes sure did anything organic
their clothes sure did anything organic like cloth or leather
the figures below us are practically naked
naked so why not the rest of them
so why not the rest of them is it the temperature at these depths is
is it the temperature at these depths is it the pressure and why do they have
it the pressure and why do they have such a resistance to pressure anyway
such a resistance to pressure anyway at this depth the human nervous system
at this depth the human nervous system should be completely jealous
should be completely jealous they shouldn't even be able to stand let
they shouldn't even be able to stand let alone walk and think or whatever their
alone walk and think or whatever their version of thinking is
version of thinking is how do they do it
how do they do it i'm sure someone real high up has all
i'm sure someone real high up has all the answers
the answers and i'm sure the only reason they don't
and i'm sure the only reason they don't tell me is
tell me is he is suddenly distracted by a flashing
he is suddenly distracted by a flashing light on his instrument panel
light on his instrument panel hey hey hey check this out
hey hey hey check this out i look down at my own panel the readouts
i look down at my own panel the readouts are incomprehensible
are incomprehensible we got a hot one pretty healthy rad
we got a hot one pretty healthy rad count
count must be from the indian ocean iranian or
must be from the indian ocean iranian or [ __ ] or maybe that chai com attack boat
[ __ ] or maybe that chai com attack boat that went down off manihi
that went down off manihi how about that
how about that he fires another dart
he fires another dart you're lucky this is one of the last
you're lucky this is one of the last manned recon dives next month it's all
manned recon dives next month it's all rov
rov 100 remotely operated vehicles
100 remotely operated vehicles there's been a lot of controversy over
there's been a lot of controversy over the use of rovs for combat never
the use of rovs for combat never happened
happened the sturgess got way too much star power
the sturgess got way too much star power note 2
note 2 the sturgeon general the old civilian
the sturgeon general the old civilian nickname for the present commander of
nickname for the present commander of the dscc
the dscc and note
and note she'd never let congress go droid on us
she'd never let congress go droid on us is there any validity to their argument
is there any validity to their argument what you mean if robots are more
what you mean if robots are more efficient fighters than ads divers hell
efficient fighters than ads divers hell no
no all that talk about limiting human
all that talk about limiting human casualties is [ __ ] we never lost a
casualties is [ __ ] we never lost a man in combat not one
man in combat not one that guy they keep talking about
that guy they keep talking about turn off
turn off he was killed after the war on land when
he was killed after the war on land when he got wasted and passed out on a tram
he got wasted and passed out on a tram line
line [ __ ] politicians
maybe rovs are more cost effective but one thing they're not is better
but one thing they're not is better i'm not just talking about artificial
i'm not just talking about artificial intelligence i'm talking about heart
intelligence i'm talking about heart instinct initiative
instinct initiative everything that makes us us
everything that makes us us that's why i'm still here
that's why i'm still here same with the sturge and almost all the
same with the sturge and almost all the other vets who took the plunge during
other vets who took the plunge during the war
the war most of us are still involved because we
most of us are still involved because we have to be
have to be because they still haven't yet come up
because they still haven't yet come up with a collection of chips and bits to
with a collection of chips and bits to replaces
replaces believe me once they do
believe me once they do i'll not only never look at an exo suit
i'll not only never look at an exo suit again
again i'll quit the navy and pull a full-on
i'll quit the navy and pull a full-on alpha november alpha
alpha november alpha what's that
what's that action in the north atlantic
action in the north atlantic this old black and white war flick
this old black and white war flick there's a guy in it you know the skipper
there's a guy in it you know the skipper from gilligan's island his old man
from gilligan's island his old man note 3
note 3 alan hale senior
alan hale senior ends note
ends note he had a line i'm putting an on my
he had a line i'm putting an on my shoulder and i'm starting inland
shoulder and i'm starting inland and the first time a guy says to me
and the first time a guy says to me what's that on your shoulder
what's that on your shoulder that's where i'm settling for the rest
that's where i'm settling for the rest of my life
quebec canada the small farmhouse has no wall no bars
the small farmhouse has no wall no bars on the windows
on the windows and no lock on the door
and no lock on the door when i ask the owner about his
when i ask the owner about his vulnerability he simply chuckles and
vulnerability he simply chuckles and resumes his lunch
resumes his lunch andre renar brother of the legendary war
andre renar brother of the legendary war hero emile renar
hero emile renar has requested that i keep his exact
has requested that i keep his exact location secret
location secret don't care if the dead find me he says
don't care if the dead find me he says without feeling but i care very little
without feeling but i care very little for the living
for the living the former french national immigrated to
the former french national immigrated to this place after the official end of
this place after the official end of hostilities in western europe
hostilities in western europe despite numerous invitations from the
despite numerous invitations from the french government he has not returned
everyone else is a liar everyone who claims that their campaign
everyone who claims that their campaign was the hardest of the entire war all
was the hardest of the entire war all those ignorant peacocks who beat their
those ignorant peacocks who beat their chess and brag about mountain warfare or
chess and brag about mountain warfare or jungle warfare or urban warfare
jungle warfare or urban warfare cities
cities oh how they love to brag about cities
oh how they love to brag about cities nothing more terrifying than fighting in
nothing more terrifying than fighting in a city oh really
a city oh really try underneath one
try underneath one do you know why the paris skyline was
do you know why the paris skyline was devoid of skyscrapers i mean the pre-war
devoid of skyscrapers i mean the pre-war proper paris skyline
proper paris skyline do you know why they stuck all those
do you know why they stuck all those glass and steel monstrosities
glass and steel monstrosities out in la de france
out in la de france so far from the city center
so far from the city center yes there's aesthetics
yes there's aesthetics a sense of continuity and civic pride
a sense of continuity and civic pride not like that architectural mongrel
not like that architectural mongrel called london
called london but the truth the logical practical
but the truth the logical practical reason for keeping paris free
reason for keeping paris free from american style monoliths
from american style monoliths is that the earth beneath their feet is
is that the earth beneath their feet is simply too tunneled to support it
simply too tunneled to support it there are roman tombs quarries that
there are roman tombs quarries that supplied limestone for much of the city
supplied limestone for much of the city even world war ii bunkers used by the
even world war ii bunkers used by the resistance and yes there was a
resistance and yes there was a resistance
resistance then there is the modern metro
then there is the modern metro the telephone lines the gas mains the
the telephone lines the gas mains the water pipes
water pipes and through it all you have the
and through it all you have the catacombs
catacombs roughly six million bodies were buried
roughly six million bodies were buried there taken from the pre-revolution
there taken from the pre-revolution cemeteries where corpses were just
cemeteries where corpses were just tossed in like rubbish
tossed in like rubbish the catacombs contained entire walls of
the catacombs contained entire walls of skulls and bones arranged in macabre
skulls and bones arranged in macabre patterns it was even functional in
patterns it was even functional in places where interlocking bones held
places where interlocking bones held back mounds of loose remains behind them
back mounds of loose remains behind them the skulls always seemed to be laughing
the skulls always seemed to be laughing at me
at me i don't think i can blame the civilians
i don't think i can blame the civilians who tried to survive in that
who tried to survive in that subterranean world they didn't have the
subterranean world they didn't have the civilian survival manual back then
civilian survival manual back then they didn't have radio free earth
they didn't have radio free earth it was the great panic
it was the great panic maybe a few souls who thought they knew
maybe a few souls who thought they knew those tunnels decided to make a go of it
those tunnels decided to make a go of it a few more followed them then a few more
a few more followed them then a few more the word spread it's safe underground
the word spread it's safe underground a quarter million in all that's what the
a quarter million in all that's what the bone counters have determined
bone counters have determined 250 000 refugees
250 000 refugees maybe if they had been organized thought
maybe if they had been organized thought to bring food and tools
to bring food and tools even had enough sense to seal the
even had enough sense to seal the entrances behind them and make damn sure
entrances behind them and make damn sure those coming in weren't infected
those coming in weren't infected how can anyone claim that their
how can anyone claim that their experience can compare to what we
experience can compare to what we endured
endured the darkness and the stink
the darkness and the stink we had almost no night vision goggles
we had almost no night vision goggles just one pair per platoon and that's if
just one pair per platoon and that's if you were lucky
you were lucky spare batteries were in short supply for
spare batteries were in short supply for our electric torches too
our electric torches too sometimes there was only one working
sometimes there was only one working unit for an entire squad just for the
unit for an entire squad just for the point man cutting the darkness with a
point man cutting the darkness with a red coated beam
red coated beam the air was toxic with sewage chemicals
the air was toxic with sewage chemicals rotting flesh
rotting flesh the gas masks were a joke most of the
the gas masks were a joke most of the filters had long expired
filters had long expired we wore anything we could find
we wore anything we could find old military models or firefighting
old military models or firefighting hoods that covered your entire head
hoods that covered your entire head made you sweat like a pig made you deaf
made you sweat like a pig made you deaf as well as blind
as well as blind you never knew where you were staring
you never knew where you were staring through that misty visor hearing the
through that misty visor hearing the muffled voices of your squad mates the
muffled voices of your squad mates the crackle of your radio man
crackle of your radio man we had to use hard wired sets you see
we had to use hard wired sets you see because airwave transmissions were too
because airwave transmissions were too unreliable
unreliable we used old telephone wire copper not
we used old telephone wire copper not fiber optic
fiber optic we would just rip it off the conduits
we would just rip it off the conduits and keep massive rolls with us to extend
and keep massive rolls with us to extend our range it was the only way to keep in
our range it was the only way to keep in contact and most of the time the only
contact and most of the time the only way to keep from becoming lost
way to keep from becoming lost it was so easy to become lost
it was so easy to become lost all the maps were pre-war and didn't
all the maps were pre-war and didn't take into account the modifications the
take into account the modifications the survivors had made
survivors had made all the interconnecting tunnels and
all the interconnecting tunnels and alcoves
alcoves the holes in the floor that would
the holes in the floor that would suddenly open up in front of you
suddenly open up in front of you you would lose your way at least once a
you would lose your way at least once a day sometimes more and then have to
day sometimes more and then have to trace your way back down the
trace your way back down the communications wire
communications wire check your location on the map and try
check your location on the map and try to figure out what had gone wrong
to figure out what had gone wrong sometimes it was only a few minutes
sometimes it was only a few minutes sometimes hours
sometimes hours or even days
or even days when another squad was being attacked
when another squad was being attacked you would hear their cries over the
you would hear their cries over the radio or echoing through the tunnels
radio or echoing through the tunnels the acoustics were evil they taunted you
the acoustics were evil they taunted you screams and moans came from every
screams and moans came from every direction
direction you never knew where they were coming
you never knew where they were coming from at least with the radio you could
from at least with the radio you could try maybe to get a fix on your comrades
try maybe to get a fix on your comrades position
position if they weren't panicked if they knew
if they weren't panicked if they knew where they were
where they were if you knew where you were
the running you dash through the passageways
you dash through the passageways bash your head on the ceiling crawl on
bash your head on the ceiling crawl on your hands and knees praying to the
your hands and knees praying to the virgin with all your might for them to
virgin with all your might for them to hold for just a little longer
hold for just a little longer you get to their position find it is the
you get to their position find it is the wrong one an empty chamber and the
wrong one an empty chamber and the screams for help are still a long way
screams for help are still a long way off
off and when you arrive maybe to find
and when you arrive maybe to find nothing but bones and blood
nothing but bones and blood maybe you are lucky to find the zombies
maybe you are lucky to find the zombies still there a chance for vengeance if it
still there a chance for vengeance if it has taken a long time to reach them that
has taken a long time to reach them that vengeance must now include your
vengeance must now include your reanimated friends
reanimated friends close
close combat close like so
combat close like so he leans across the table pressing his
he leans across the table pressing his face inches away from mine
face inches away from mine no standard equipment
no standard equipment whatever one believed would suit him
whatever one believed would suit him there were no firearms you understand
there were no firearms you understand the air the gas it was too flammable
the air the gas it was too flammable the fire from a gun
the fire from a gun he makes the sound of an explosion
he makes the sound of an explosion we had the beretta greccio the italian
we had the beretta greccio the italian air carbine
air carbine it was a wartime model of a child's
it was a wartime model of a child's carbon dioxide pellet gun
carbon dioxide pellet gun you got maybe five shots six or seven if
you got maybe five shots six or seven if it was pressed right up to their heads
it was pressed right up to their heads good weapon but always not enough of
good weapon but always not enough of them and you had to be careful if you
them and you had to be careful if you missed if the ball struck the stone
missed if the ball struck the stone if the stone was dry if you got a spark
if the stone was dry if you got a spark entire tunnels would catch explosions
entire tunnels would catch explosions that buried men alive or fireballs that
that buried men alive or fireballs that melted their masks right to their faces
melted their masks right to their faces hand to hand is always better
hand to hand is always better here
here he rises from the table to show me
he rises from the table to show me something on his mantelpiece
something on his mantelpiece the weapon's handle is encased in a
the weapon's handle is encased in a semi-circular steel ball
semi-circular steel ball protruding from this ball
protruding from this ball are two eight-inch steel spikes at right
are two eight-inch steel spikes at right angles from each other
you see why no room to swing a blade
no room to swing a blade quick through the eye or over the top of
quick through the eye or over the top of the head
the head he demonstrates with a quick punch and
he demonstrates with a quick punch and stab combination
my own design the modern version of my great grandfather's at verdun name
great grandfather's at verdun name you know verdun
you know verdun on the passaipa
on the passaipa they shall not pass
he resumes his lunge no room no warning suddenly they are
no room no warning suddenly they are upon you perhaps right in front of your
upon you perhaps right in front of your eyes or grabbing from a side passage you
eyes or grabbing from a side passage you didn't know was there
didn't know was there everyone was armored in some way
everyone was armored in some way chain mail or heavy leather
chain mail or heavy leather almost always it was too heavy
almost always it was too heavy too suffocating
too suffocating wet leather jackets and trousers heavy
wet leather jackets and trousers heavy metal chain-link shirts
metal chain-link shirts you try to fight
you try to fight you are already exhausted
you are already exhausted men would tear off their masks gasping
men would tear off their masks gasping for air inhaling the stink
for air inhaling the stink many died before you could get them to
many died before you could get them to the surface
i used greaves protection here gestures to his forearms
protection here gestures to his forearms and gloves
and gloves chain covered leather easy to remove
chain covered leather easy to remove when not in combat they were my own
when not in combat they were my own design
design we didn't have the american battle
we didn't have the american battle uniforms but we did have your marsh
uniforms but we did have your marsh covers
covers the long high waterproof boots with the
the long high waterproof boots with the bite-proof fibers sewn into the lining
bite-proof fibers sewn into the lining we needed those
the water was high that summer the rains were coming hard and the sand was a
were coming hard and the sand was a raging torrent it was always wet
raging torrent it was always wet there was rot between your fingers your
there was rot between your fingers your toes in your crotch
toes in your crotch the water was up to your ankles almost
the water was up to your ankles almost all the time sometimes up to your knees
all the time sometimes up to your knees or waist
or waist you would be on point walking or
you would be on point walking or crawling sometimes we had to crawl in
crawling sometimes we had to crawl in the stinking fluid up to our elbows
the stinking fluid up to our elbows and suddenly the ground would just fall
and suddenly the ground would just fall away
away you would splash head first into one of
you would splash head first into one of those unmapped holes you only had a few
those unmapped holes you only had a few seconds to write yourself before your
seconds to write yourself before your gas mask flooded
gas mask flooded you kicked and thrashed your comrades
you kicked and thrashed your comrades would grab you and haul fast
would grab you and haul fast drowning was the least of your worries
drowning was the least of your worries men would be splashing struggling to
men would be splashing struggling to stay afloat with all that heavy gear and
stay afloat with all that heavy gear and suddenly their eyes would bulge and
suddenly their eyes would bulge and you'd hear their muffled cries
you'd hear their muffled cries you might feel the moment they attacked
you might feel the moment they attacked the snap or tear
the snap or tear and suddenly you fall over with the poor
and suddenly you fall over with the poor bastard on top of you
bastard on top of you if he wasn't wearing the marsh covers
if he wasn't wearing the marsh covers the foot is gone the whole leg
the foot is gone the whole leg if he had been crawling and went in face
if he had been crawling and went in face first
first sometimes that face would be gone
sometimes that face would be gone those were times when we called a full
those were times when we called a full retreat to a defensive position and
retreat to a defensive position and waited for the cousteaus
waited for the cousteaus the scuba divers trained to work and
the scuba divers trained to work and fight specifically in those flooded
fight specifically in those flooded tunnels
tunnels with only a searchlight and a shark suit
with only a searchlight and a shark suit if they were lucky to get one and at
if they were lucky to get one and at most two hours of air
most two hours of air they were supposed to wear a safety line
they were supposed to wear a safety line but most of them refused to do so
but most of them refused to do so the lines tend to get tangled and slow
the lines tend to get tangled and slow up the diver's progress
up the diver's progress those men and women had a 1 in 20 chance
those men and women had a 1 in 20 chance of survival the lowest ratio of any
of survival the lowest ratio of any branch of any army i don't care what
branch of any army i don't care what anyone says
anyone says note one the highest fatality ratio of
note one the highest fatality ratio of all allied forces is still hotly debated
all allied forces is still hotly debated and note
and note is it any wonder they received an
is it any wonder they received an automatic legion of honor
automatic legion of honor and what was it all for
and what was it all for fifteen thousand dead or missing
fifteen thousand dead or missing not just the cousteaus all of us the
not just the cousteaus all of us the entire core
entire core fifteen thousand souls in just three
fifteen thousand souls in just three months
months 15 000
15 000 at a time when the war was winding down
at a time when the war was winding down all over the world
all over the world go go fight fight
go go fight fight it didn't have to be that way
it didn't have to be that way how long did it take the english to
how long did it take the english to clear all of london
clear all of london five years
five years three years after the war was officially
three years after the war was officially over
over they went slow and safe one section at a
they went slow and safe one section at a time low speed low intensity low
time low speed low intensity low casualty rate
casualty rate slow and safe like most major cities
slow and safe like most major cities why us
why us that english general what he said about
that english general what he said about enough dead heroes for the end of time
enough dead heroes for the end of time heroes that's what we were that's what
heroes that's what we were that's what our leaders wanted that's what our
our leaders wanted that's what our people felt they needed
people felt they needed after all that has happened not just in
after all that has happened not just in this war but in so many wars before
this war but in so many wars before algeria indochina the nazis
algeria indochina the nazis you understand what i am saying
you understand what i am saying you see the sorrow and pity
you see the sorrow and pity we understood what the american
we understood what the american president said about reclaiming our
president said about reclaiming our confidence we understood it more than
confidence we understood it more than most
most we needed heroes
we needed heroes new names and places to restore our
new names and places to restore our pride
the ossuary port mahone quarry
port mahone quarry the hospital that was our shining moment
the hospital that was our shining moment the hospital
the hospital the nazis had built it to house mental
the nazis had built it to house mental patients so the legend goes letting them
patients so the legend goes letting them starve to death behind the concrete
starve to death behind the concrete walls
walls during our war it had been an infirmary
during our war it had been an infirmary for the recently bitten
for the recently bitten later as moore began to reanimate and
later as moore began to reanimate and the survivor's humanity faded like their
the survivor's humanity faded like their electric lamps they began throwing the
electric lamps they began throwing the infected and who knows who else into
infected and who knows who else into that undead vault
that undead vault an advanced team broke through without
an advanced team broke through without realizing what was on the other side
realizing what was on the other side they could have withdrawn blown the
they could have withdrawn blown the tunnel sealed them in again
tunnel sealed them in again one squad against 300 zombies
one squad against 300 zombies one squad led by my baby brother
one squad led by my baby brother his voice was the last thing we heard
his voice was the last thing we heard before their radio went silent
before their radio went silent his last words
his last words on
denver colorado the weather is perfect for the
the weather is perfect for the neighborhood picnic in victory park
neighborhood picnic in victory park the fact that not one sighting has been
the fact that not one sighting has been recorded this spring gives everyone even
recorded this spring gives everyone even more reason to celebrate
more reason to celebrate todd waneo
todd waneo stands in the outfield waiting for a
stands in the outfield waiting for a high fly ball that he claims will never
high fly ball that he claims will never come
come perhaps he's right as no one seems to
perhaps he's right as no one seems to mind me standing next to him
they called it the road to new york and it was a long long road
and it was a long long road we had three main army groups
we had three main army groups north center and south
north center and south the grand strategy was to advance as one
the grand strategy was to advance as one across the great plains across the
across the great plains across the midwest
midwest then break off at the appalachians
then break off at the appalachians the wings sweeping north and south
the wings sweeping north and south shoot for maine and florida then grind
shoot for maine and florida then grind across the coast and link up with a g
across the coast and link up with a g center as they slogged it over the
center as they slogged it over the mountains
mountains it took three years
it took three years why so slow
why so slow dude take a peg
dude take a peg foot transport terrain
foot transport terrain weather enemies battle doctrine
weather enemies battle doctrine doctrine was to advance as two solid
doctrine was to advance as two solid lines one behind the other stretching
lines one behind the other stretching from canada to aslan
from canada to aslan no
no mexico it wasn't aslan
mexico it wasn't aslan yet you know when a plane goes down how
yet you know when a plane goes down how all these firemen or whoever would check
all these firemen or whoever would check a field for pieces of wreckage
a field for pieces of wreckage they'd all go in a line real slow making
they'd all go in a line real slow making sure not one inch of ground was missed
sure not one inch of ground was missed that was us we didn't skip one damn inch
that was us we didn't skip one damn inch between the rockies and the atlantic
between the rockies and the atlantic whenever you spotted zach either in a
whenever you spotted zach either in a group or just on his own
group or just on his own a far unit would halt
a far unit would halt far
far force appropriate response
force appropriate response you couldn't stop like the whole army
you couldn't stop like the whole army group for one or two zombies
group for one or two zombies a lot of the older g's the ones infected
a lot of the older g's the ones infected early in the war they were starting to
early in the war they were starting to get pretty grody all deflated
get pretty grody all deflated parts of their skulls starting to shell
parts of their skulls starting to shell some bone poking through the flesh
some bone poking through the flesh some of them couldn't even stand anymore
some of them couldn't even stand anymore and those are the ones you really had to
and those are the ones you really had to watch for
watch for they'd be crawling on their bellies
they'd be crawling on their bellies toward you or just thrashing face down
toward you or just thrashing face down in the mud
in the mud you'd halt a section a platoon
you'd halt a section a platoon maybe even a company depending on how
maybe even a company depending on how many you encountered just enough to take
many you encountered just enough to take them down and sanitize the battlefield
them down and sanitize the battlefield the hole your far unit left in the
the hole your far unit left in the battle line was replaced by an equal
battle line was replaced by an equal force from the secondary line a click
force from the secondary line a click and a half behind you
and a half behind you that way the front was never broken
that way the front was never broken we leapfrogged this way all the way
we leapfrogged this way all the way across the country
across the country it worked no doubt but man
it worked no doubt but man it took its time
it took its time knight also put the brakes on
knight also put the brakes on once the sun dipped no matter how
once the sun dipped no matter how confident you felt or how safe the area
confident you felt or how safe the area seemed the show was over till dawn the
seemed the show was over till dawn the next morning
next morning and there was fog
and there was fog i didn't know fog could be so thick that
i didn't know fog could be so thick that far inland
far inland i always wanted to ask a climatologist
i always wanted to ask a climatologist or someone about that
or someone about that the whole front might get slammed
the whole front might get slammed sometimes for days
sometimes for days just sitting there in zero visibility
just sitting there in zero visibility occasionally one of your caves would
occasionally one of your caves would start barking or a man down the line
start barking or a man down the line would shout contact
would shout contact you'd hear the moan and then the shapes
you'd hear the moan and then the shapes would appear
would appear hard enough just standing still and
hard enough just standing still and waiting for them
waiting for them i saw a movie once this bbc documentary
i saw a movie once this bbc documentary about how because the uk was so foggy
about how because the uk was so foggy the british army would never stop
the british army would never stop note 1
note 1 lions roar
lions roar produced by foreman films for the bbc
produced by foreman films for the bbc end note
end note there was a scene where the cameras
there was a scene where the cameras caught a real firefight just sparks from
caught a real firefight just sparks from their weapons and hazy silhouettes going
their weapons and hazy silhouettes going down
down they didn't need that extra creepy
they didn't need that extra creepy soundtrack
soundtrack note 2
note 2 instrumental cover of how soon is now
instrumental cover of how soon is now originally written by morrissey and
originally written by morrissey and johnny marr
johnny marr and recorded by the smiths
and recorded by the smiths end note
end note it freaked me out just to watch
it freaked me out just to watch it also slowed us down to have to keep
it also slowed us down to have to keep pace with the other countries the
pace with the other countries the mexicans and canucks
mexicans and canucks neither army had the manpower to
neither army had the manpower to liberate their entire country
liberate their entire country the deal was that they'd keep our
the deal was that they'd keep our borders clear while we get our house in
borders clear while we get our house in order
order once the us was secure we'd give them
once the us was secure we'd give them everything they need
everything they need that was the start of the un
that was the start of the un multinational force
multinational force but i was discharged long before those
but i was discharged long before those days
days for me it always felt like hurry up and
for me it always felt like hurry up and wait creeping along through rough
wait creeping along through rough terrain or built up areas
terrain or built up areas oh and you want to talk about speed
oh and you want to talk about speed bumps try urban
bumps try urban combat the strategy was always to
combat the strategy was always to surround the target area
surround the target area we'd set up semi-permanent defenses
we'd set up semi-permanent defenses recon with everything from satellites to
recon with everything from satellites to sniffer k's
sniffer k's do whatever we could to call zach out
do whatever we could to call zach out and go in only after we were sure no
and go in only after we were sure no more of them were coming
more of them were coming smart and safe and relatively easy
smart and safe and relatively easy yeah right
yeah right as far as surrounding the area
as far as surrounding the area someone want to tell me where that area
someone want to tell me where that area actually begins
actually begins cities weren't cities anymore you know
cities weren't cities anymore you know they just grew out into this suburban
they just grew out into this suburban sprawl
sprawl mrs ruiz one of our medics called it
mrs ruiz one of our medics called it infill
infill she was in real estate before the war
she was in real estate before the war and explained that the hottest
and explained that the hottest properties were always the land between
properties were always the land between two existing cities
two existing cities freaking infill we all learned to hate
freaking infill we all learned to hate that term
that term for us it meant clearing block after
for us it meant clearing block after block of burbland before we could even
block of burbland before we could even think of establishing a quarantine
think of establishing a quarantine perimeter
perimeter fast food joints shopping centers
fast food joints shopping centers endless miles of cheap cookie-cutter
endless miles of cheap cookie-cutter housing
housing even in winter it's not like everything
even in winter it's not like everything was safe and snuggly
was safe and snuggly i was in army group north
i was in army group north at first i thought we were golden you
at first i thought we were golden you know
know six months out of the year i wouldn't
six months out of the year i wouldn't have to see a live g
have to see a live g eight months actually given what wartime
eight months actually given what wartime weather was like
weather was like i thought hey once the temp drops we're
i thought hey once the temp drops we're a little more than garbage men
a little more than garbage men find them low bow them mark them for
find them low bow them mark them for burial once the ground begins to thaw no
burial once the ground begins to thaw no problem
problem but i should be low bowed for thinking
but i should be low bowed for thinking that zack was the only bad guy out there
that zack was the only bad guy out there we had quizlings just like the real
we had quizlings just like the real thing but winterized
thing but winterized we had these human reclamation units
we had these human reclamation units pretty much just glorified animal
pretty much just glorified animal control
control they'd do their best to dart any
they'd do their best to dart any quizlings we came across time down ship
quizlings we came across time down ship them to rehabilitation clinics back when
them to rehabilitation clinics back when we thought we could rehabilitate them
we thought we could rehabilitate them ferals were a much more dangerous threat
ferals were a much more dangerous threat a lot of them weren't kids anymore some
a lot of them weren't kids anymore some were teenagers some full-grown
were teenagers some full-grown they were fast smart
they were fast smart and if they chose fight instead of
and if they chose fight instead of flight they could really mess up your
flight they could really mess up your day
day of course hr would always try and dart
of course hr would always try and dart them and of course that didn't always
them and of course that didn't always work
work when a 200 pound feral bull is charging
when a 200 pound feral bull is charging balls out for your ass a couple cc's of
balls out for your ass a couple cc's of tranq ain't gonna drop him before he
tranq ain't gonna drop him before he hits home
hits home a lot of hr's got pretty badly smashed
a lot of hr's got pretty badly smashed up a few had to be tagged and bagged the
up a few had to be tagged and bagged the brass had to step in and assign a squad
brass had to step in and assign a squad of grunts for escort
of grunts for escort if a dart didn't stop a feral we sure as
if a dart didn't stop a feral we sure as hell did
hell did nothing screams as high as a feral with
nothing screams as high as a feral with a pie round burning in his gut
a pie round burning in his gut the hr pukes had a real problem with
the hr pukes had a real problem with that they were all volunteers all
that they were all volunteers all sticking to this code that human life
sticking to this code that human life any human's life was worth trying to
any human's life was worth trying to save
save i guess history sort of backed them up
i guess history sort of backed them up now you know seeing all those people
now you know seeing all those people that they managed to rehabilitate
that they managed to rehabilitate are the ones we just would have shot on
are the ones we just would have shot on site
site if they had had the resources they might
if they had had the resources they might have been able to do the same for
have been able to do the same for animals
animals man feral packs
man feral packs that freaked me out more than anything
that freaked me out more than anything else
else i'm not just talking dogs
i'm not just talking dogs dogs you knew how to deal with
dogs you knew how to deal with dogs always telegraphed their attacks
dogs always telegraphed their attacks i'm talking flies
i'm talking flies f lions cats
f lions cats like part mountain lion part ice age
like part mountain lion part ice age saber [ __ ]
saber [ __ ] note 3
note 3 pronounced flies mainly because their
pronounced flies mainly because their pouncing attacks gave the illusion of
pouncing attacks gave the illusion of flight
flight end
end note
note maybe they were mountain lions some sure
maybe they were mountain lions some sure looked like them or maybe just the spawn
looked like them or maybe just the spawn of house cats that had to be super
of house cats that had to be super badass just to make it
badass just to make it i've heard that they grew bigger up
i've heard that they grew bigger up north some law of nature or evolution
north some law of nature or evolution note 4
note 4 at present no scientific data exists to
at present no scientific data exists to substantiate the application of
substantiate the application of bergman's rule during the war
bergman's rule during the war end
end note i don't really get the whole
note i don't really get the whole ecology thing
ecology thing not past a few pre-war nature shows
not past a few pre-war nature shows i hear it's because rats were like the
i hear it's because rats were like the new cows
new cows fast and smart enough to get away from
fast and smart enough to get away from zach
zach living on corpses breeding by the
living on corpses breeding by the millions and trees and ruins
millions and trees and ruins they'd gotten pretty badass themselves
they'd gotten pretty badass themselves so anything tough enough to hunt them
so anything tough enough to hunt them has to be a whole lot better
has to be a whole lot better that's an f line for you about twice the
that's an f line for you about twice the size of a pre-war puffball
size of a pre-war puffball teeth claws and a real real jonesing for
teeth claws and a real real jonesing for warm blood
warm blood that must have been a hazard for the
that must have been a hazard for the sniffer dogs
sniffer dogs are you kidding they loved it
are you kidding they loved it even the little dock nuts
even the little dock nuts made them feel like dogs again
made them feel like dogs again i'm talking about us getting jumped from
i'm talking about us getting jumped from a tree limb or a roof
a tree limb or a roof they didn't charge you like f-hounds
they didn't charge you like f-hounds they just waited took their sweet time
they just waited took their sweet time until you were too close to raise a
until you were too close to raise a weapon
weapon outside of minneapolis my squad was
outside of minneapolis my squad was clearing a strip mall i was stepping
clearing a strip mall i was stepping through the window of a starbucks and
through the window of a starbucks and suddenly three of them leap at me from
suddenly three of them leap at me from behind the counter
behind the counter they knocked me over start tearing up my
they knocked me over start tearing up my arms my face
arms my face how do you think i got this
how do you think i got this he refers to the scar on his cheek
he refers to the scar on his cheek i guess the only real casualty that day
i guess the only real casualty that day was my shorts
was my shorts between the bite-proof bdus and body
between the bite-proof bdus and body armor we'd started wearing the vast the
armor we'd started wearing the vast the helmet
helmet i hadn't worn a hardcover in so long you
i hadn't worn a hardcover in so long you forget how uncomfortable it is when
forget how uncomfortable it is when you're used to going soft top
you're used to going soft top did ferals feral people that is know how
did ferals feral people that is know how to use firearms
to use firearms they didn't know how to do anything
they didn't know how to do anything human that's why they were ferals
human that's why they were ferals no the body armor was for protection
no the body armor was for protection against some of the regular people we
against some of the regular people we found
found i'm not talking organized rebels just
i'm not talking organized rebels just the odd lame-o
the odd lame-o last man on earth
last man on earth note five
note five lame-o l a capital m-o-e
lame-o l a capital m-o-e pronounced lame-o with a silent e
pronounced lame-o with a silent e end note
there was always one or two in every town some dude or chick who managed to
town some dude or chick who managed to survive
survive [Music]
[Music] i read somewhere that the united states
i read somewhere that the united states had the highest number of them in the
had the highest number of them in the world something about our
world something about our individualistic nature or something
individualistic nature or something they hadn't seen real people in so long
they hadn't seen real people in so long a lot of the initial shooting was just
a lot of the initial shooting was just accidental or reflex
accidental or reflex most of the time we managed to talk them
most of the time we managed to talk them down
down those we actually called our seas
those we actually called our seas robinson crusoe's
robinson crusoe's that was the polite term for the ones
that was the polite term for the ones who were cool
who were cool the ones we called lamos
the ones we called lamos those were the ones who were a little
those were the ones who were a little too used to being king
too used to being king king of what i don't know
king of what i don't know g's and quizlings and crazy f critters
g's and quizlings and crazy f critters but i guess in their mind they were
but i guess in their mind they were living the good life and here we were to
living the good life and here we were to take it all away
take it all away that's how i got nailed
that's how i got nailed we were closing on the sears tower in
we were closing on the sears tower in chicago
chicago chicago that was enough nightmares for
chicago that was enough nightmares for three lifetimes
three lifetimes it was the middle of winter wind
it was the middle of winter wind whipping off the lake so hard you could
whipping off the lake so hard you could barely stand
barely stand and suddenly i felt thor's hammer smash
and suddenly i felt thor's hammer smash me in the head
me in the head slug from a high-powered hunting rifle
slug from a high-powered hunting rifle i never complained about our hard covers
i never complained about our hard covers anymore after that
anymore after that the gang in the tower they had their
the gang in the tower they had their little kingdom and they weren't giving
little kingdom and they weren't giving it up for anyone
it up for anyone that was one of the few times we went
that was one of the few times we went full
full convent saws nades
convent saws nades that's when the bradleys started making
that's when the bradleys started making a comeback
a comeback after chicago the brass knew we were now
after chicago the brass knew we were now in a full multi-threat environment
in a full multi-threat environment it was back to hard covers and body
it was back to hard covers and body armor even in summer
armor even in summer thanks windy city
thanks windy city each squad was issued pamphlets with the
each squad was issued pamphlets with the threat pyramid
threat pyramid it was ranked according to probability
it was ranked according to probability not lethality
not lethality zack at the bottom then f critters
zack at the bottom then f critters ferals quizlings
ferals quizlings and finally lamos
and finally lamos i know a lot of guys from ag south like
i know a lot of guys from ag south like to [ __ ] about how they always had it
to [ __ ] about how they always had it tougher on their end cause for us
tougher on their end cause for us winter took care of zach's whole threat
winter took care of zach's whole threat level
level yeah sure
yeah sure and replaced it with another one
and replaced it with another one winter
winter what do they say the average
what do they say the average temperatures dropped 10 degrees 15 in
temperatures dropped 10 degrees 15 in some areas
some areas note 6
note 6 figures on wartime weather patterns have
figures on wartime weather patterns have yet to be officially determined end note
yet to be officially determined end note yeah we had it real easy up to our ass
yeah we had it real easy up to our ass in grey snow
in grey snow knowing that for every five zak sickles
knowing that for every five zak sickles you cracked there'd be at least as many
you cracked there'd be at least as many up and atom at first thaw
up and atom at first thaw at least the guys down south knew that
at least the guys down south knew that once they swept an area it stayed swept
once they swept an area it stayed swept they didn't have to worry about rear
they didn't have to worry about rear area attacks like us
area attacks like us we swept every area at least three times
we swept every area at least three times we used everything from ram rods and
we used everything from ram rods and sniffer case to high-tech ground radar
sniffer case to high-tech ground radar over and over again and all of this in
over and over again and all of this in the dead of winter we lost more guys to
the dead of winter we lost more guys to frostbite than do anything else
frostbite than do anything else and still every spring you knew you just
and still every spring you knew you just knew
knew it'd be like oh [ __ ] here we go again
it'd be like oh [ __ ] here we go again i mean even today with all the sweeps
i mean even today with all the sweeps and civilian volunteer groups springs
and civilian volunteer groups springs like winter used to be
like winter used to be nature letting us know the good life's
nature letting us know the good life's over for now
tell me about liberating the isolated zones
zones always a hard fight every single one
always a hard fight every single one remember these zones were still under
remember these zones were still under siege hundreds maybe even thousands
siege hundreds maybe even thousands the people holed up in the twin forts of
the people holed up in the twin forts of comerica park ford field
comerica park ford field they must have had a combined moat
they must have had a combined moat that's what we called them moats of at
that's what we called them moats of at least a million g's
least a million g's that was a three-day slugfest made hope
that was a three-day slugfest made hope look like a minor skirmish
look like a minor skirmish that was the only time i ever really
that was the only time i ever really thought we were going to be overrun
thought we were going to be overrun they piled up so i thought we'd be
they piled up so i thought we'd be buried literally in a landslide of
buried literally in a landslide of corpses
corpses battles like that they'd leave you so
battles like that they'd leave you so fried just wasted body and mind
fried just wasted body and mind you'd want to sleep nothing more
you'd want to sleep nothing more not eat or bathe or even [ __ ]
not eat or bathe or even [ __ ] you'd just want to find someplace warm
you'd just want to find someplace warm and dry close your eyes forget
and dry close your eyes forget everything
everything what were the reactions of the people
what were the reactions of the people who you liberated
who you liberated kind of a mix
kind of a mix the military zones that was pretty low
the military zones that was pretty low key
key a lot of formal ceremonies raising and
a lot of formal ceremonies raising and lowering of flags
lowering of flags i relieve you sir
i relieve you sir i stand relieved [ __ ] like that there
i stand relieved [ __ ] like that there was also a little bit of weenie wagging
was also a little bit of weenie wagging you know
you know we didn't need any rescuing at all
we didn't need any rescuing at all i understand
i understand every grunt wants to be the one riding
every grunt wants to be the one riding over the hill no one likes to be the one
over the hill no one likes to be the one in the fort sure you didn't need
in the fort sure you didn't need rescuing buddy
rescuing buddy sometimes it was true
sometimes it was true like the zoomies outside of omaha
like the zoomies outside of omaha they were a strategic hub for airdrops
they were a strategic hub for airdrops regular flights almost on the hour they
regular flights almost on the hour they were actually living better than us
were actually living better than us fresh chow hot showers soft beds
fresh chow hot showers soft beds it almost felt like we were being
it almost felt like we were being rescued
rescued on the other hand you had the jar heads
on the other hand you had the jar heads at rock island
at rock island they wouldn't let on how rough they had
they wouldn't let on how rough they had it and that was cool with us
it and that was cool with us for what they went through bragging
for what they went through bragging rights was the least we could give them
rights was the least we could give them never met any of them personally but
never met any of them personally but i've heard the stories
i've heard the stories what about the civilian zones
what about the civilian zones different story entirely
different story entirely we were so the [ __ ]
we were so the [ __ ] they'd be cheering and shouting it was
they'd be cheering and shouting it was like what you'd think war was supposed
like what you'd think war was supposed to be
to be those old black and whites of gis
those old black and whites of gis marching into paris or wherever
marching into paris or wherever we were rock stars
we were rock stars i got more
i got more well if there's a bunch of little dudes
well if there's a bunch of little dudes between here and the hero city that
between here and the hero city that happen to look like me
happen to look like me laughs
laughs but there were exceptions
but there were exceptions yeah i guess
yeah i guess maybe not all the time but there'd be
maybe not all the time but there'd be this one person this angry face in the
this one person this angry face in the crowd screaming [ __ ] at you
crowd screaming [ __ ] at you what the [ __ ] took you so long
what the [ __ ] took you so long my husband died two weeks ago
my husband died two weeks ago my mother died waiting for you we lost
my mother died waiting for you we lost half our people last summer where were
half our people last summer where were you when we needed you
you when we needed you people holding up photos faces
people holding up photos faces when we marched into janesville
when we marched into janesville wisconsin someone was holding up a sign
wisconsin someone was holding up a sign with a picture of a smiling little girl
with a picture of a smiling little girl the words above it read better late than
the words above it read better late than never
never he got beat down by his own people they
he got beat down by his own people they shouldn't have done that
shouldn't have done that that's the kind of [ __ ] we saw
that's the kind of [ __ ] we saw [ __ ] that keeps you awake when you
[ __ ] that keeps you awake when you haven't slept in five nights
haven't slept in five nights rarely like blue moon rarely we'd enter
rarely like blue moon rarely we'd enter a zone where we were totally not welcome
a zone where we were totally not welcome in valley city north dakota they were
in valley city north dakota they were like [ __ ] you army you ran out on us we
like [ __ ] you army you ran out on us we don't need you
don't need you was that a secessionist zone
was that a secessionist zone oh no
oh no at least these people let us in
at least these people let us in the rebs only welcomed you with gunshots
the rebs only welcomed you with gunshots i never got close to any of those zones
i never got close to any of those zones the brass had special units for rebs
the brass had special units for rebs i saw them on the road once heading
i saw them on the road once heading toward the black hills
toward the black hills that was the first time since crossing
that was the first time since crossing the rockies that i ever saw tanks
the rockies that i ever saw tanks bad feeling you knew how that was going
bad feeling you knew how that was going to end
there's been a lot of stories about questionable survival methods used by
questionable survival methods used by certain isolated zones
certain isolated zones yeah so
yeah so ask them about it
ask them about it did you see any
did you see any nope and i didn't want to
nope and i didn't want to people tried to tell me about it people
people tried to tell me about it people we liberated
we liberated they were so wound up inside they just
they were so wound up inside they just wanted to get it off their chest
wanted to get it off their chest you know what i used to say to them keep
you know what i used to say to them keep it on your chest your war is over
it on your chest your war is over i didn't need any more rocks on my rock
i didn't need any more rocks on my rock you know what about afterward did you
you know what about afterward did you talk to any of those people yeah
talk to any of those people yeah and i read a lot about the trials
and i read a lot about the trials how did they make you feel
how did they make you feel [ __ ] i don't know
[ __ ] i don't know who am i to judge those people i wasn't
who am i to judge those people i wasn't there i didn't have to deal with that
there i didn't have to deal with that this conversation we're having now this
this conversation we're having now this question of what if
question of what if i didn't have time for that back then
i didn't have time for that back then i still had a job to do
i still had a job to do i know historians like to talk about how
i know historians like to talk about how the us army had such a low casualty rate
the us army had such a low casualty rate during the advance
during the advance low as in compared to other countries
low as in compared to other countries china or maybe the russkies
china or maybe the russkies low as in only counting the casualties
low as in only counting the casualties caused by zack
caused by zack there were a million ways to get it on
there were a million ways to get it on that road and over two-thirds weren't on
that road and over two-thirds weren't on that pyramid
that pyramid sickness was a big one the kinds of
sickness was a big one the kinds of diseases that were supposed to be gone
diseases that were supposed to be gone like in the dark ages or something
like in the dark ages or something yeah we took our pills had our shots ate
yeah we took our pills had our shots ate well and had regular checkups
well and had regular checkups but there was just so much [ __ ]
but there was just so much [ __ ] everywhere in the dirt the water and the
everywhere in the dirt the water and the rain and the air we breathed every time
rain and the air we breathed every time we entered a city or liberated a zone at
we entered a city or liberated a zone at least one guy would be gone if not dead
least one guy would be gone if not dead then removed for quarantine
then removed for quarantine in detroit we lost a whole platoon to
in detroit we lost a whole platoon to spanish flu
spanish flu the brass really freaked on that one
the brass really freaked on that one quarantined the whole battalion for two
quarantined the whole battalion for two weeks
weeks then there were mines and booby traps
then there were mines and booby traps some civilian some laid during our
some civilian some laid during our bug-out west
bug-out west made a lot of sense back then just seed
made a lot of sense back then just seed mile after mile and wait for zach to
mile after mile and wait for zach to blow himself up
blow himself up only problem is mines don't work that
only problem is mines don't work that way
way they don't blow up a human body they
they don't blow up a human body they take off a leg or ankle or the family
take off a leg or ankle or the family jewels that's what they're designed for
jewels that's what they're designed for not to kill people but to wound them so
not to kill people but to wound them so the army will spend valuable resources
the army will spend valuable resources keeping them alive
keeping them alive and then send them home in a wheelchair
and then send them home in a wheelchair so mon paw civilian can be reminded
so mon paw civilian can be reminded every time they see him
every time they see him that maybe supporting this war isn't
that maybe supporting this war isn't such a good idea
such a good idea but zach has no home no mon paw civilian
but zach has no home no mon paw civilian all conventional minds do is create a
all conventional minds do is create a bunch of crippled ghouls that if
bunch of crippled ghouls that if anything just makes your job that much
anything just makes your job that much harder because you want them upright and
harder because you want them upright and easy to spot
easy to spot not crawling around the weeds waiting to
not crawling around the weeds waiting to be stepped on like land mines themselves
be stepped on like land mines themselves you couldn't know where most mines were
you couldn't know where most mines were a lot of the units that set them during
a lot of the units that set them during the retreat hadn't marked them correctly
the retreat hadn't marked them correctly or had lost their coordinates or simply
or had lost their coordinates or simply weren't alive anymore to tell you
weren't alive anymore to tell you and then you had all those stupid
and then you had all those stupid [ __ ] lame-o jobs the punji stakes and
[ __ ] lame-o jobs the punji stakes and trip wired shotgun shells
trip wired shotgun shells i lost a buddy of mine that way in a
i lost a buddy of mine that way in a walmart in rochester new york
walmart in rochester new york he was born in el salvador but grew up
he was born in el salvador but grew up in cali
in cali you ever heard of the boyle heights boys
you ever heard of the boyle heights boys they were these hardcore l.a bangers who
they were these hardcore l.a bangers who were deported back to el salvador
were deported back to el salvador because they were technically illegal
because they were technically illegal my buddy was plopped there right before
my buddy was plopped there right before the war
the war he fought his way back up through mexico
he fought his way back up through mexico all during the worst days of the panic
all during the worst days of the panic all on foot with nothing but a machete
all on foot with nothing but a machete he didn't have any family left no
he didn't have any family left no friends just his adopted home
friends just his adopted home he loved this country so much
he loved this country so much reminded me of my grandpa you know the
reminded me of my grandpa you know the whole immigrant thing
whole immigrant thing and then to catch a 12 gauge in the face
and then to catch a 12 gauge in the face probably set by a lame-o who'd stopped
probably set by a lame-o who'd stopped breathing years before
breathing years before [ __ ] minds and booby-traps
[ __ ] minds and booby-traps and then you just had accidents
and then you just had accidents so many buildings have been weakened
so many buildings have been weakened from the fighting
from the fighting throw in years of neglect and foot after
throw in years of neglect and foot after foot of snow
foot of snow whole roofs collapsed no warning whole
whole roofs collapsed no warning whole structures just tumbling down
structures just tumbling down i lost someone else like that
i lost someone else like that she had a contact a feral running at her
she had a contact a feral running at her across an abandoned auto garage she
across an abandoned auto garage she fired her weapon that's all it took
fired her weapon that's all it took i don't know how many pounds of snow and
i don't know how many pounds of snow and ice brought that roof down
ice brought that roof down she was
she was we were
we were close you know
close you know we never did anything about it
we never did anything about it i guess we thought that would make it
i guess we thought that would make it official
official i guess we thought it would make it
i guess we thought it would make it easier in case something happened to one
easier in case something happened to one of us
of us he looks over at the bleachers smiling
he looks over at the bleachers smiling at his wife
at his wife didn't work
didn't work he takes a moment a long breath
he takes a moment a long breath and then there were psych casualties
and then there were psych casualties more than anything else combined
more than anything else combined sometimes we'd march into barricaded
sometimes we'd march into barricaded zones and find nothing but rat nod
zones and find nothing but rat nod skeletons
skeletons i'm talking about the zones that weren't
i'm talking about the zones that weren't overrun the ones that fell to starvation
overrun the ones that fell to starvation or disease or just a feeling that
or disease or just a feeling that tomorrow wasn't worth seeing
tomorrow wasn't worth seeing we once broke into a church in kansas
we once broke into a church in kansas where it was clear the adults killed all
where it was clear the adults killed all the kids first
the kids first one guy in our platoon an amish guy used
one guy in our platoon an amish guy used to read all their suicide notes commit
to read all their suicide notes commit them to memory then give himself this
them to memory then give himself this little cut
little cut this tiny half-inch nick somewhere on
this tiny half-inch nick somewhere on his body so he would never forget
his body so he would never forget crazy bastard was sliced from his neck
crazy bastard was sliced from his neck to the bottom of his toes
to the bottom of his toes when the lt found out about it
when the lt found out about it section date is ass right out of there
most of the eight balls were later in the war
the war not from the stress though you
not from the stress though you understand but from the lack of it
understand but from the lack of it we all knew it would be over soon and i
we all knew it would be over soon and i think a lot of people who'd been holding
think a lot of people who'd been holding it together for so long must have had
it together for so long must have had that little voice that said hey buddy
that little voice that said hey buddy it's cool now you can let go
it's cool now you can let go i knew this one guy
i knew this one guy massive roitosaurus
massive roitosaurus he'd been a professional wrestler before
he'd been a professional wrestler before the war
the war we were walking up the freeway near
we were walking up the freeway near pulaski new york when the wind picked up
pulaski new york when the wind picked up the scent of a jackknifed big rig
the scent of a jackknifed big rig it had been loaded with bottles of
it had been loaded with bottles of perfume
perfume nothing fancy just cheap strip mall
nothing fancy just cheap strip mall scent
scent he froze and started balling like a kid
he froze and started balling like a kid couldn't stop
couldn't stop he was a monster with a two grand body
he was a monster with a two grand body count an ogre who'd once picked up a g
count an ogre who'd once picked up a g and used it as a club for hand-to-hand
and used it as a club for hand-to-hand combat
combat four of us had to carry him out on a
four of us had to carry him out on a stretcher
stretcher we figured the perfume must have
we figured the perfume must have reminded him of someone we never found
reminded him of someone we never found out who
out who another guy nothing special about him
another guy nothing special about him late 40s balding a bit of a punch
late 40s balding a bit of a punch as much as anyone could have back then
as much as anyone could have back then the kind of face you'd see in a pre-war
the kind of face you'd see in a pre-war heartburn commercial
heartburn commercial we were in hammond indiana scouting
we were in hammond indiana scouting defenses for the siege of chicago
defenses for the siege of chicago he spied a house at the end of a
he spied a house at the end of a deserted street completely intact except
deserted street completely intact except for boarded up windows and a crashed in
for boarded up windows and a crashed in front door
front door he got a look on his face a grin
he got a look on his face a grin we should have known way before he
we should have known way before he dropped out of formation before we heard
dropped out of formation before we heard the shot
the shot he was sitting in the living room in
he was sitting in the living room in this worn old easy chair
this worn old easy chair sir between his knees
sir between his knees that smile still on his face
that smile still on his face i looked up at the pictures on the
i looked up at the pictures on the mantelpiece
mantelpiece it was his home
it was his home those were extreme examples ones that
those were extreme examples ones that even i could have guessed
even i could have guessed a lot of the others you just never knew
a lot of the others you just never knew for me it wasn't just who was cracking
for me it wasn't just who was cracking up but who wasn't
up but who wasn't does that make sense
does that make sense one night in portland maine
one night in portland maine we were in deering oaks park policing
we were in deering oaks park policing piles of bleached bones that have been
piles of bleached bones that have been there since the panic
there since the panic two grunts picked up these skulls and
two grunts picked up these skulls and start doing a skit
start doing a skit the one from free to be
the one from free to be you and me the two babies
you and me the two babies i only recognized it because my big
i only recognized it because my big brother had the record
brother had the record it was a little before my time
it was a little before my time some of the older grunts the exers they
some of the older grunts the exers they loved it
loved it a little crowd started gathering
a little crowd started gathering everyone laughing and howling at these
everyone laughing and howling at these two skulls
two skulls hi hi i'm a baby
hi hi i'm a baby well what do you think i am a loaf of
well what do you think i am a loaf of bread
bread and when it was over everyone
and when it was over everyone spontaneously burst into song
spontaneously burst into song there's a land that i see
there's a land that i see playing femurs like goddamn banjos
playing femurs like goddamn banjos i looked across the crowd to one of our
i looked across the crowd to one of our company shrinks
company shrinks i could never pronounce his real name dr
i could never pronounce his real name dr chandra something
chandra something note 7
note 7 major ted chandra shaker
major ted chandra shaker end note
end note i made eye contact and gave him this
i made eye contact and gave him this look like hey doc they're all nut jobs
look like hey doc they're all nut jobs right
right he must have known what my eyes were
he must have known what my eyes were asking because he just smiled back and
asking because he just smiled back and shook his head
shook his head that really spooked me
that really spooked me i mean if the ones who were acting loopy
i mean if the ones who were acting loopy weren't
weren't then how did you know who'd really lost
then how did you know who'd really lost it
it our squad leader you'd probably
our squad leader you'd probably recognize her
recognize her she was in the battle of the five
she was in the battle of the five colleges
colleges remember the tall amazon chick with the
remember the tall amazon chick with the ditch blade
ditch blade the one who'd sung that song
the one who'd sung that song she didn't look like she used to in the
she didn't look like she used to in the movie
movie she'd burned off her curves and a crew
she'd burned off her curves and a crew cut replaced all that long thick shiny
cut replaced all that long thick shiny black hair
black hair she was a good squad leader sergeant
she was a good squad leader sergeant avalon
avalon one day we found a turtle in a field
one day we found a turtle in a field turtles were like unicorns back then you
turtles were like unicorns back then you hardly saw them anymore
hardly saw them anymore avalon got this look i don't know like a
avalon got this look i don't know like a kid she smiled
kid she smiled she never smiled
she never smiled i heard her whisper something to the
i heard her whisper something to the turtle i thought it was gibberish
i found out later that it was lakota for all my relations
all my relations i didn't even know she was part sioux
i didn't even know she was part sioux she never talked about it about anything
she never talked about it about anything about her
about her and suddenly like a ghost
and suddenly like a ghost there was dr chandra with that arm he
there was dr chandra with that arm he always put around their shoulders and
always put around their shoulders and that soft no big deal offer of come on
that soft no big deal offer of come on sarge let's grab a cup of coffee
sarge let's grab a cup of coffee that was the same day the president died
that was the same day the president died he must have also heard that little
he must have also heard that little voice hey buddy it's cool now you can
voice hey buddy it's cool now you can let go
let go i know a lot of people weren't so into
i know a lot of people weren't so into the vp
the vp like there was no way he could replace
like there was no way he could replace the big guy
the big guy that really felt for him mainly because
that really felt for him mainly because i was now in the same position
i was now in the same position with avalon gone i was squad leader
with avalon gone i was squad leader it didn't matter that the war was almost
it didn't matter that the war was almost over
over there were still so many battles along
there were still so many battles along the way so many good people to say
the way so many good people to say goodbye to
goodbye to by the time we reached yonkers i was the
by the time we reached yonkers i was the last of the old gang from hope
last of the old gang from hope i don't know how i felt passing all that
i don't know how i felt passing all that rusting wreckage the abandoned tanks the
rusting wreckage the abandoned tanks the crushed news vans the human remains
crushed news vans the human remains i don't think i felt much of anything
i don't think i felt much of anything too much to do when your squad leader
too much to do when your squad leader too many new faces to take care of
too many new faces to take care of i could feel dr chandra's eyes boring
i could feel dr chandra's eyes boring into me he never came over though never
into me he never came over though never let on that there was anything wrong
let on that there was anything wrong when we boarded the barges on the banks
when we boarded the barges on the banks of the hudson
of the hudson we managed to lock eyes
we managed to lock eyes he just smiled and shook his head
he just smiled and shook his head i'd made it
goodbyes burlington vermont
burlington vermont snow has begun falling
snow has begun falling reluctantly the wacko turns back for the
reluctantly the wacko turns back for the house
you ever heard of clement adley of course not why should you
of course not why should you nan was a loser a third-rate mediocrity
nan was a loser a third-rate mediocrity who only slipped into the history books
who only slipped into the history books because he unseated winston churchill
because he unseated winston churchill before world war ii officially ended
before world war ii officially ended the war in europe was over
the war in europe was over and to the british people there was this
and to the british people there was this feeling that they'd suffered enough
feeling that they'd suffered enough but churchill kept pushing to help the
but churchill kept pushing to help the united states against japan
united states against japan saying the fight wasn't finished until
saying the fight wasn't finished until he was finished everywhere
he was finished everywhere and look what happened to the old lion
and look what happened to the old lion that's what we didn't want to happen to
that's what we didn't want to happen to our administration
our administration that's exactly why we decided to declare
that's exactly why we decided to declare victory once the continental u.s had
victory once the continental u.s had been secured
been secured everyone knew the war wasn't really over
everyone knew the war wasn't really over we still had to help out our allies
we still had to help out our allies and clear whole parts of the world that
and clear whole parts of the world that were entirely ruled by the dead
were entirely ruled by the dead there was still so much work to do
there was still so much work to do but since our own house was in order we
but since our own house was in order we had to give people the option to go home
had to give people the option to go home that's when the u n multinational force
that's when the u n multinational force was created and we were pleasantly
was created and we were pleasantly surprised how many volunteers signed up
surprised how many volunteers signed up in the first week
in the first week we actually had to turn some of them
we actually had to turn some of them away put them on the reserve list or
away put them on the reserve list or assign them to train all the young bucks
assign them to train all the young bucks who missed the drive across america
who missed the drive across america i know i caught a lot of flack for going
i know i caught a lot of flack for going you win instead of making it an
you win instead of making it an all-american crusade
all-american crusade and to be totally honest
and to be totally honest i really couldn't give a damn
i really couldn't give a damn america is a fair country or people
america is a fair country or people expect a fair deal
expect a fair deal and when that deal ends with the last
and when that deal ends with the last boots on atlantic beaches
boots on atlantic beaches you shake their hands pay them off and
you shake their hands pay them off and let anyone who wants to reclaim their
let anyone who wants to reclaim their private lives do so
private lives do so maybe it's made the overseas campaigns a
maybe it's made the overseas campaigns a little slower
little slower our allies are on their feet again but
our allies are on their feet again but we still have a few white zones to clear
we still have a few white zones to clear mountain ranges snow line islands the
mountain ranges snow line islands the ocean floor
ocean floor and then there's iceland
and then there's iceland iceland is going to be tough
iceland is going to be tough i wish ivan would let us help out in
i wish ivan would let us help out in siberia but hey ivan ziven
siberia but hey ivan ziven and we still have attacks right here at
and we still have attacks right here at home as well
home as well every spring or every so often near a
every spring or every so often near a lake or beach
lake or beach the numbers are declining thank heavens
the numbers are declining thank heavens but it doesn't mean people should let
but it doesn't mean people should let down their guard
down their guard we're still at war
we're still at war and until every trace is sponged and
and until every trace is sponged and purged
purged and if need be blasted from the surface
and if need be blasted from the surface of the earth everybody still got to
of the earth everybody still got to pitch in and do their job
pitch in and do their job be nice if that was the lesson people
be nice if that was the lesson people took from all this misery
took from all this misery we're all in this together so pitch in
we're all in this together so pitch in and do your job
and do your job we stop by an old oak tree my companion
we stop by an old oak tree my companion looks it up and down
looks it up and down taps it lightly with his cane
taps it lightly with his cane then to the tree
then to the tree you're doing a good job
who's here okan island lake baikal the holy russian
okan island lake baikal the holy russian empire
empire a nurse interrupts our interview to make
a nurse interrupts our interview to make sure maria juganova
sure maria juganova takes her prenatal vitamins
takes her prenatal vitamins maria is four months pregnant this will
maria is four months pregnant this will be your eighth child
be your eighth child my only regret was that i couldn't
my only regret was that i couldn't remain in the army for the liberation of
remain in the army for the liberation of our former republics
our former republics we'd purged the motherland of the undead
we'd purged the motherland of the undead filth
filth and now it was time to carry the war
and now it was time to carry the war beyond our borders
beyond our borders i wish i could have been there the day
i wish i could have been there the day we formally reabsorbed belarus back into
we formally reabsorbed belarus back into the empire
the empire they say it will be the ukraine soon and
they say it will be the ukraine soon and after that who knows
after that who knows i wish i could still have been a
i wish i could still have been a participant but i had other duties
participant but i had other duties gently she pats her womb
gently she pats her womb i don't know how many clinics like this
i don't know how many clinics like this there are throughout the rodgina
there are throughout the rodgina not enough i'm sure
not enough i'm sure so few of us
so few of us young fertile women who didn't succumb
young fertile women who didn't succumb to drugs or aids or the stink of the
to drugs or aids or the stink of the living dead
living dead our leader says that the greatest weapon
our leader says that the greatest weapon a russian woman can wield now is her
a russian woman can wield now is her uterus
uterus if that means not knowing my children's
if that means not knowing my children's fathers or
fathers or her eyes momentarily hit the floor my
her eyes momentarily hit the floor my children so be it
children so be it i serve the motherland
i serve the motherland and i serve with all my heart
and i serve with all my heart she catches my eye
she catches my eye you're wondering how this existence can
you're wondering how this existence can be reconciled with our new
be reconciled with our new fundamentalist state
fundamentalist state well stop wondering it can't
well stop wondering it can't all that religious dogma that's for the
all that religious dogma that's for the masses give them their opium and keep
masses give them their opium and keep them pacified
them pacified i don't think anyone in the leadership
i don't think anyone in the leadership or even the church really believes what
or even the church really believes what they're preaching maybe one man
they're preaching maybe one man old father rich cough before they
old father rich cough before they chucked him out into the wilderness
chucked him out into the wilderness he had nothing left to offer unlike me
he had nothing left to offer unlike me i've got at least a few more children to
i've got at least a few more children to give the motherland
give the motherland that's why i'm treated so well allowed
that's why i'm treated so well allowed to speak so freely
to speak so freely maria glances at the one-way glass
maria glances at the one-way glass behind me
behind me what are they going to do to me
what are they going to do to me by the time i've exhausted my usefulness
by the time i've exhausted my usefulness i will have already outlived the average
i will have already outlived the average woman she presents the glass with an
woman she presents the glass with an extremely rude finger gesture
extremely rude finger gesture and besides they want you to hear this
and besides they want you to hear this that is why they've let you into our
that is why they've let you into our country to hear our stories to ask your
country to hear our stories to ask your questions
questions you're being used to you know
you're being used to you know your mission is to tell your world of
your mission is to tell your world of ours to make them see what will happen
ours to make them see what will happen if anyone ever tries to [ __ ] with us
if anyone ever tries to [ __ ] with us the war drove us back to our roots made
the war drove us back to our roots made us remember what it means to be russian
us remember what it means to be russian we are strong again we are feared again
we are strong again we are feared again and to russians
and to russians that only means one thing
that only means one thing we are finally safe again
we are finally safe again for the first time in almost a hundred
for the first time in almost a hundred years we can finally warm ourselves in
years we can finally warm ourselves in the protective fist of a caesar
the protective fist of a caesar and i'm sure you know the word for
and i'm sure you know the word for caesar in russian
bridgetown barbados west indies federation
west indies federation the bar is almost empty
the bar is almost empty most of the patrons have either left by
most of the patrons have either left by their own power or been carried out by
their own power or been carried out by the police
the police the last of the night staff cleaned the
the last of the night staff cleaned the broken chairs broken glass and pools of
broken chairs broken glass and pools of blood off the floor
blood off the floor in the corner the last of the south
in the corner the last of the south africans sings an emotional inebriated
africans sings an emotional inebriated version of johnny clegg's wartime
version of johnny clegg's wartime rendition
rendition of
of assimbonanga
assimbonanga t sean collins absent-mindedly hums a
t sean collins absent-mindedly hums a few bars then downs his shot of rum and
few bars then downs his shot of rum and heard these signals for another
heard these signals for another i'm addicted to murder
i'm addicted to murder and that's about the nicest way i can
and that's about the nicest way i can put it
put it you might say that's not technically
you might say that's not technically true
true that since they're already dead i'm not
that since they're already dead i'm not really killing
really killing oh [ __ ] it's murder and it's a rush like
oh [ __ ] it's murder and it's a rush like nothing else
nothing else sure i can diss those pre-war
sure i can diss those pre-war mercenaries all i want the nom vets and
mercenaries all i want the nom vets and tells angels
tells angels but at this point i'm no different from
but at this point i'm no different from them no different from those jungle
them no different from those jungle humpers who never came home
humpers who never came home even when they did
even when they did or those world war ii fighter jocks who
or those world war ii fighter jocks who traded in their mustangs for hogs
traded in their mustangs for hogs you're living on such a high so keyed up
you're living on such a high so keyed up all the time that anything else seems
all the time that anything else seems like death
like death i tried to fit in settled down make some
i tried to fit in settled down make some friends get a job and do my part to help
friends get a job and do my part to help put america back together but not only
put america back together but not only was i dead i couldn't think about
was i dead i couldn't think about anything else but killing
anything else but killing i'd start to study people's necks their
i'd start to study people's necks their heads i'd think hmm
heads i'd think hmm that dude's probably got a thick frontal
that dude's probably got a thick frontal lobe i gotta go in through the eye
lobe i gotta go in through the eye socket
socket or
or hard blow to the occipital to drop that
hard blow to the occipital to drop that chick pretty fast
chick pretty fast it was when the new prez the wacko
it was when the new prez the wacko jesus who the hell am i to call anybody
jesus who the hell am i to call anybody else that
else that when i heard him speak at a rally i must
when i heard him speak at a rally i must have thought of at least 50 ways to
have thought of at least 50 ways to bring him down
bring him down that's when i got out
that's when i got out as much for everyone else's sake as my
as much for everyone else's sake as my own
own i knew one day i'd hit my limit get
i knew one day i'd hit my limit get drunk get in a fight lose control
drunk get in a fight lose control i knew once i started i couldn't stop
i knew once i started i couldn't stop so i said goodbye and joined the in pc
so i said goodbye and joined the in pc same name as the south african special
same name as the south african special forces
forces in pisi zulu for hyena the one who
in pisi zulu for hyena the one who cleans up the dead
cleans up the dead we're a private outfit no rules no red
we're a private outfit no rules no red tape which is why i chose them over a
tape which is why i chose them over a regular gig with the u.n
regular gig with the u.n we set our own hours choose our own
we set our own hours choose our own weapons
weapons he motions to what looks like a
he motions to what looks like a sharpened steel paddle at his side
sharpened steel paddle at his side pow fenua
pow fenua got it from a maori brother who used to
got it from a maori brother who used to play for the all blacks before the war
play for the all blacks before the war bad [ __ ] to maori that battle
bad [ __ ] to maori that battle at one tree hill
at one tree hill 500 of them versus half of reanimated
500 of them versus half of reanimated auckland
auckland the paufeno was a tough weapon to use
the paufeno was a tough weapon to use even if this one's steel instead of wood
even if this one's steel instead of wood but that's the other perk of being a
but that's the other perk of being a soldier of fortune who can get a rush
soldier of fortune who can get a rush anymore from pulling a trigger
anymore from pulling a trigger it's got to be hard dangerous and the
it's got to be hard dangerous and the more g's you got to take on the better
more g's you got to take on the better of course sooner or later there's not
of course sooner or later there's not going to be any of them left and when
going to be any of them left and when that happens
that happens at that point the imfingo rings its cast
at that point the imfingo rings its cast off bell there's my ride
off bell there's my ride t sean signals to the waiter then flips
t sean signals to the waiter then flips a few silver rand on the table
a few silver rand on the table i still got hope
i still got hope sounds crazy but you never know
sounds crazy but you never know that's why i save most of my fees
that's why i save most of my fees instead of giving back to the host
instead of giving back to the host country or blowing it on who knows what
country or blowing it on who knows what it can happen
it can happen finally getting the monkey off your back
finally getting the monkey off your back a canadian brother
a canadian brother macky mcdonald right after clearing
macky mcdonald right after clearing baffin island he just decided he'd had
baffin island he just decided he'd had enough
enough i hear he's in greece now some monastery
i hear he's in greece now some monastery or something
or something it can happen
it can happen maybe there's still a life out there for
maybe there's still a life out there for me
me hey a man can dream right
hey a man can dream right of course if it doesn't work out that
of course if it doesn't work out that way if one day there's still a monkey
way if one day there's still a monkey but no more zach
but no more zach he rises to leave shouldering his weapon
he rises to leave shouldering his weapon then the last skull i crackle probably
then the last skull i crackle probably be my own
sand lakes provincial wilderness park manitoba canada
manitoba canada jessica hendricks loads the last of the
jessica hendricks loads the last of the day's catch into the sled
day's catch into the sled 15 bodies and the mound of dismembered
15 bodies and the mound of dismembered parts
i try not to be angry bitter at the unfairness of it all i wish i could make
unfairness of it all i wish i could make sense of it
sense of it i once met an ex-iranian pilot who was
i once met an ex-iranian pilot who was traveling through canada looking for a
traveling through canada looking for a place to settle down
place to settle down he said that americans are the only
he said that americans are the only people he's ever met who just can't
people he's ever met who just can't accept that bad things can happen to
accept that bad things can happen to good people
good people maybe he's right
maybe he's right last week i was listening to the radio
last week i was listening to the radio and just happened to hear
and just happened to hear name withheld for legal reasons
name withheld for legal reasons he was doing his usual thing fart jokes
he was doing his usual thing fart jokes and insults and adolescent sexuality
and insults and adolescent sexuality and i remember thinking this man
and i remember thinking this man survived and my parents didn't
survived and my parents didn't no i try not to be bitter
troy montana usa mrs miller and i stand on the back deck
mrs miller and i stand on the back deck above the children playing in the
above the children playing in the central courtyard
central courtyard you can blame the politicians the
you can blame the politicians the businessmen the generals the machine
businessmen the generals the machine but really if you're looking to blame
but really if you're looking to blame someone blame me
someone blame me i'm the american system i'm the machine
i'm the american system i'm the machine that's the price of living in a
that's the price of living in a democracy we all got to take the wrap
democracy we all got to take the wrap i can see why it took so long for china
i can see why it took so long for china to finally embrace it and why russia
to finally embrace it and why russia just said [ __ ] it and went back to
just said [ __ ] it and went back to whatever they call their system now
whatever they call their system now nice to be able to say hey don't look at
nice to be able to say hey don't look at me it's not my fault
me it's not my fault well it is
well it is it is my fault in the fault of everyone
it is my fault in the fault of everyone of my generation she looks down at the
of my generation she looks down at the children
children i wonder what future generations will
i wonder what future generations will say about us
say about us my grandparents suffered through the
my grandparents suffered through the depression world war ii
depression world war ii then came home to build the greatest
then came home to build the greatest middle class in human history
middle class in human history lord knows they weren't perfect but they
lord knows they weren't perfect but they sure came closest to the american dream
sure came closest to the american dream then my parents generation came along
then my parents generation came along and [ __ ] it all up the baby boomers
and [ __ ] it all up the baby boomers the me generation
the me generation and then you got us
and then you got us yeah we stopped the zombie menace but
yeah we stopped the zombie menace but we're the ones who let it become a
we're the ones who let it become a menace in the first place
menace in the first place at least we're cleaning up our own mess
at least we're cleaning up our own mess and maybe that's the best epitaph to
and maybe that's the best epitaph to hope for
hope for generation z they cleaned up their own
generation z they cleaned up their own mess
chong ching china kuang jing shu does his final house call
kuang jing shu does his final house call for the day a little boy with some kind
for the day a little boy with some kind of respiratory illness the mother fears
of respiratory illness the mother fears it's another case of tuberculosis
it's another case of tuberculosis the color returns to her face when the
the color returns to her face when the doctor assures her it's just a chest
doctor assures her it's just a chest cold
cold her tears and gratitude follow us down
her tears and gratitude follow us down the dusty street
the dusty street it's comforting to see children again
it's comforting to see children again i mean those who were born after the war
i mean those who were born after the war real children who know nothing but a
real children who know nothing but a world that includes the living dead
world that includes the living dead they know not to play near water not to
they know not to play near water not to go out alone or after dark in the spring
go out alone or after dark in the spring or summer
or summer they don't know to be afraid
they don't know to be afraid and that is the greatest gift
and that is the greatest gift the only gift we can leave to them
the only gift we can leave to them sometimes i think of that old woman at
sometimes i think of that old woman at nude chang
nude chang what she lived through
what she lived through the seemingly unending upheaval that
the seemingly unending upheaval that defined her generation
defined her generation now that's me an old man who's seen his
now that's me an old man who's seen his country torn to shreds many times over
country torn to shreds many times over and yet every time we've managed to pull
and yet every time we've managed to pull ourselves together to rebuild and renew
ourselves together to rebuild and renew our nation
our nation and so we will again
and so we will again china and the world
china and the world i don't really believe in an afterlife
i don't really believe in an afterlife the old revolutionary to the end but if
the old revolutionary to the end but if there is i can imagine my old comrade
there is i can imagine my old comrade goo laughing down at me when i say with
goo laughing down at me when i say with all honesty
all honesty that everything's going to be all right
wenatchee washington usa joe muhammad has just finished his
joe muhammad has just finished his latest masterpiece a 13-inch statuette
latest masterpiece a 13-inch statuette of a man in mid-shuffle wearing a torn
of a man in mid-shuffle wearing a torn baby bjorn
baby bjorn staring ahead with lifeless eyes
i'm not going to say the war was a good thing
thing i'm not that much of a sick [ __ ]
i'm not that much of a sick [ __ ] but you've got to admit that it did
but you've got to admit that it did bring people together
bring people together my parents never stopped talking about
my parents never stopped talking about how much they missed the sense of
how much they missed the sense of community back in pakistan
community back in pakistan they never talked to their american
they never talked to their american neighbors never invited them over
neighbors never invited them over barely knew their names unless it was to
barely knew their names unless it was to complain about loud music or a barking
complain about loud music or a barking dog
dog can't say that's the kind of world we
can't say that's the kind of world we live in now
live in now and it's not just the neighborhood or
and it's not just the neighborhood or even the country
even the country anywhere around the world anyone you
anywhere around the world anyone you talk to all of us have this powerful
talk to all of us have this powerful shared experience
shared experience i went on a cruise two years ago the pan
i went on a cruise two years ago the pan pacific line across the islands we had
pacific line across the islands we had people from everywhere and even though
people from everywhere and even though the details might have been different
the details might have been different the stories themselves were all pretty
the stories themselves were all pretty much the same
much the same i know i come off as a little too
i know i come off as a little too optimistic because i'm sure that as soon
optimistic because i'm sure that as soon as things really get back to normal once
as things really get back to normal once our kids or grandkids grow up in a
our kids or grandkids grow up in a peaceful and comfortable world they'll
peaceful and comfortable world they'll probably go right back to being as
probably go right back to being as selfish and narrow-minded and generally
selfish and narrow-minded and generally shitty to one another as we were
shitty to one another as we were but then again
but then again can what we all went through really just
can what we all went through really just go away
go away i once heard an african proverb
i once heard an african proverb one cannot cross a river without getting
one cannot cross a river without getting wet
wet i'd like to believe that
i'd like to believe that don't get me wrong it's not like i don't
don't get me wrong it's not like i don't miss some things about the old world
miss some things about the old world mainly just stuff
mainly just stuff things i used to have or things i used
things i used to have or things i used to think i could have one day
to think i could have one day last week we had a bachelor party for
last week we had a bachelor party for one of the young guys on the block
one of the young guys on the block we borrowed the only working dvd player
we borrowed the only working dvd player and a few pre-war skin flicks
and a few pre-war skin flicks there was one scene where lusty canyon
there was one scene where lusty canyon was getting reamed by three guys on the
was getting reamed by three guys on the hood of this pearl gray
hood of this pearl gray bmw z4 convertible
bmw z4 convertible and all i could think was
and all i could think was wow they sure don't make cars like that
wow they sure don't make cars like that anymore
taos new mexico usa the stakes are almost done arthur
the stakes are almost done arthur sinclair flips the sizzling slabs
sinclair flips the sizzling slabs relishing the smoke
of all the jobs i've done being a money cop was best
cop was best when the new president asked me to step
when the new president asked me to step back into my role as sec chairman i
back into my role as sec chairman i practically kissed her on the spot
practically kissed her on the spot i'm sure just like my days at destrez
i'm sure just like my days at destrez i only have the job because no one else
i only have the job because no one else wants it there's still so many
wants it there's still so many challenges ahead still so much of the
challenges ahead still so much of the country on the turnip standard
country on the turnip standard getting people away from barter and to
getting people away from barter and to trust the american dollar again
trust the american dollar again not easy
not easy the cuban peso is still king and so many
the cuban peso is still king and so many of our more affluent citizens still have
of our more affluent citizens still have their bank accounts in havana
their bank accounts in havana just trying to solve the surplus bill
just trying to solve the surplus bill dilemma is enough for any administration
dilemma is enough for any administration so much cash was scooped up after the
so much cash was scooped up after the war in abandoned vaults houses on dead
war in abandoned vaults houses on dead bodies
bodies how do you tell those looters apart from
how do you tell those looters apart from the people who've actually kept their
the people who've actually kept their hard-earned greenbacks hidden especially
hard-earned greenbacks hidden especially when records of ownership are about as
when records of ownership are about as rare as petroleum
rare as petroleum that's why being a money cop is the most
that's why being a money cop is the most important job i've ever had we have to
important job i've ever had we have to nail the bastards who are preventing
nail the bastards who are preventing confidence from returning to the
confidence from returning to the american economy
american economy not just the penny anti-looters but the
not just the penny anti-looters but the big fish as well the sleaze bags who are
big fish as well the sleaze bags who are trying to buy up homes before survivors
trying to buy up homes before survivors can reclaim them
can reclaim them or lobbying to deregulate food and other
or lobbying to deregulate food and other essential survival commodities
essential survival commodities and that bastard breckenridge scott
and that bastard breckenridge scott yes the phalanx king still hiding like a
yes the phalanx king still hiding like a rat in his antarctic fortress of
rat in his antarctic fortress of scumtitude
scumtitude he doesn't know it yet but we've been in
he doesn't know it yet but we've been in talks with ivan not to renew his lease
talks with ivan not to renew his lease a lot of people back home are waiting to
a lot of people back home are waiting to see him particularly the irs he grins
see him particularly the irs he grins and rubs his hands together
and rubs his hands together confidence it's the fuel that drives the
confidence it's the fuel that drives the capitalist machine
capitalist machine our economy can only run if people
our economy can only run if people believe in it like fdr said the only
believe in it like fdr said the only thing we have to fear is fear itself my
thing we have to fear is fear itself my father wrote that for him
father wrote that for him well he claimed he did
well he claimed he did it's already starting slowly but surely
it's already starting slowly but surely every day we get a few more registered
every day we get a few more registered accounts with american banks a few more
accounts with american banks a few more private businesses opening up a few more
private businesses opening up a few more points on the dow
points on the dow kinda like the weather
kinda like the weather every year the summer's a little longer
every year the summer's a little longer the sky's a little bluer
the sky's a little bluer it's getting better
it's getting better just wait and see
he reaches into a cooler of ice pulling out two brown bottles
out two brown bottles root beer
kyoto japan it is a historic day for the shield
it is a historic day for the shield society they have finally been accepted
society they have finally been accepted as an independent branch of the japanese
as an independent branch of the japanese self-defense forces their main duty will
self-defense forces their main duty will be to teach japanese civilians how to
be to teach japanese civilians how to protect themselves from the living dead
protect themselves from the living dead their ongoing mission will also involve
their ongoing mission will also involve learning both armed and unarmed
learning both armed and unarmed techniques from non-japanese
techniques from non-japanese organizations
organizations and helping to foster those techniques
and helping to foster those techniques around the world
around the world the society's anti-firearm as well as
the society's anti-firearm as well as pro-international message have already
pro-international message have already been hailed as an instant success
been hailed as an instant success drawing journalists and dignitaries from
drawing journalists and dignitaries from almost all u.n nations
almost all u.n nations tomonaga ijiro stands at the head of the
tomonaga ijiro stands at the head of the receiving line smiling and bowing as he
receiving line smiling and bowing as he greets his parade of gas
greets his parade of gas kundo tatsumi smiles as well looking at
kundo tatsumi smiles as well looking at his teacher from across the room
his teacher from across the room you know i don't really believe any of
you know i don't really believe any of this spiritual bs right
this spiritual bs right as far as i'm concerned tomonaga is just
as far as i'm concerned tomonaga is just a crazy old hibakusha
a crazy old hibakusha but he has started something wonderful
but he has started something wonderful something i think is vital for the
something i think is vital for the future of japan
future of japan his generation wanted to rule the world
his generation wanted to rule the world and mine was content to let the world
and mine was content to let the world and by the world i mean your country
and by the world i mean your country rule us
rule us both paths led to the near destruction
both paths led to the near destruction of our homeland
of our homeland there has to be a better way a middle
there has to be a better way a middle path where we take responsibility for
path where we take responsibility for our own protection
our own protection but not so much that it inspires anxiety
but not so much that it inspires anxiety and hatred among our fellow nations
and hatred among our fellow nations i can't tell you if this is the right
i can't tell you if this is the right path the future is too mountainous to
path the future is too mountainous to see too far ahead
see too far ahead but i will follow sensei tomonaga down
but i will follow sensei tomonaga down this path myself and the many others who
this path myself and the many others who join our ranks every day
join our ranks every day only the gods know what awaits us at its
only the gods know what awaits us at its end
arma ireland philip adler finishes his drink and
philip adler finishes his drink and rises to leave
rises to leave we lost a hell of a lot more than just
we lost a hell of a lot more than just people when we abandoned them to the
people when we abandoned them to the dead that's all i'm going to say
tel aviv israel we finish our lunch as jurgen aggressively snatches the bill
as jurgen aggressively snatches the bill from my hand
from my hand please my choice of food my treat
please my choice of food my treat i used to hate this stuff
i used to hate this stuff thought it looked like a buffet of vomit
thought it looked like a buffet of vomit my staff had to drag me here one
my staff had to drag me here one afternoon these young sabras with their
afternoon these young sabras with their exotic tastes just try it you old yucca
exotic tastes just try it you old yucca they'd say that's what they called me a
they'd say that's what they called me a yeka it means tight ass
yeka it means tight ass but the official definition is german
but the official definition is german jew
jew they were right on both counts
they were right on both counts i was in the kindertransport the last
i was in the kindertransport the last chance to get jewish children out of
chance to get jewish children out of germany
germany that was the last time i saw any of my
that was the last time i saw any of my family alive
family alive there's a little pond in a small town in
there's a little pond in a small town in poland where they used to dump the ashes
poland where they used to dump the ashes the pond is still gray even half a
the pond is still gray even half a century later
century later i've heard it said that the holocaust
i've heard it said that the holocaust has no survivors that even those who
has no survivors that even those who managed to remain technically alive were
managed to remain technically alive were so irreparably damaged that their spirit
so irreparably damaged that their spirit their soul the person that they were
their soul the person that they were supposed to be was gone forever
supposed to be was gone forever i'd like to think that's not true but if
i'd like to think that's not true but if it is
it is then no one on earth survived this war
then no one on earth survived this war aboard uss tracy bowden
aboard uss tracy bowden michael choi leans against the fan tales
michael choi leans against the fan tales railing staring at the horizon
railing staring at the horizon you want to know who lost world war z
you want to know who lost world war z whales
whales i guess they never really had much of a
i guess they never really had much of a chance not with several million hungry
chance not with several million hungry boat people and half the world's navies
boat people and half the world's navies converted to fishing fleets
converted to fishing fleets it doesn't take much
it doesn't take much just one helo dropped torp
just one helo dropped torp not so close as to do any physical
not so close as to do any physical damage but close enough to leave them
damage but close enough to leave them deaf and dazed
deaf and dazed they wouldn't notice the factory ships
they wouldn't notice the factory ships until it was too late you could hear it
until it was too late you could hear it for miles away the warhead detonations
for miles away the warhead detonations the shrieks
the shrieks nothing conducts sound energy like water
nothing conducts sound energy like water hell of a loss and you don't have to be
hell of a loss and you don't have to be some patchouli stinking crunch head to
some patchouli stinking crunch head to appreciate it
appreciate it my dad worked at scripps
my dad worked at scripps not the claremont girls school the
not the claremont girls school the oceanographic institute outside of san
oceanographic institute outside of san diego that's why i joined the navy in
diego that's why i joined the navy in the first place and how i first learned
the first place and how i first learned to love the ocean
to love the ocean you couldn't help but see california
you couldn't help but see california greys
greys majestic animals they were finally
majestic animals they were finally making a comeback after almost being
making a comeback after almost being hunted to extinction they'd stopped
hunted to extinction they'd stopped being afraid of us and sometimes you
being afraid of us and sometimes you could paddle out close enough to touch
could paddle out close enough to touch them
them they could have killed us in a heartbeat
they could have killed us in a heartbeat one smack of a 12-foot tail fluke
one smack of a 12-foot tail fluke one lunge of a 30-something ton body
one lunge of a 30-something ton body early whalers used to call them devil
early whalers used to call them devil fish because of the fierce fights they'd
fish because of the fierce fights they'd put up when cornered
put up when cornered they knew we didn't mean them any harm
they knew we didn't mean them any harm though
though they'd even let us pet them or maybe if
they'd even let us pet them or maybe if they were feeling protective of a calf
they were feeling protective of a calf just brush us gently away
just brush us gently away so much power so much potential for
so much power so much potential for destruction
destruction amazing creatures the california graze
amazing creatures the california graze and now they're all gone along with the
and now they're all gone along with the blues and fin bags and humpbacks and
blues and fin bags and humpbacks and wrights
wrights i've heard of random sightings of a few
i've heard of random sightings of a few belugas and narwhals that survived under
belugas and narwhals that survived under the arctic ice but there probably aren't
the arctic ice but there probably aren't enough for a sustainable gene pool
enough for a sustainable gene pool i know there are still a few intact pods
i know there are still a few intact pods of orcas
of orcas but with pollution levels the way they
but with pollution levels the way they are and less fish than an arizona
are and less fish than an arizona swimming pool i wouldn't be too
swimming pool i wouldn't be too optimistic about their odds
optimistic about their odds even if mama nature does give those
even if mama nature does give those killers some kind of reprieve adapt them
killers some kind of reprieve adapt them like she did with some of the dinosaurs
like she did with some of the dinosaurs the gentle giants are gone forever
the gentle giants are gone forever kind of like that movie oh god
kind of like that movie oh god where the almighty challenges man to try
where the almighty challenges man to try and make a macro from scratch
and make a macro from scratch you can't he says
you can't he says and unless some genetic archivist got in
and unless some genetic archivist got in there ahead of the torpedoes
there ahead of the torpedoes you also can't make a california gray
you also can't make a california gray the sun dips below the horizon michael
the sun dips below the horizon michael size
size so the next time someone tries to tell
so the next time someone tries to tell you about how the true losses of this
you about how the true losses of this war
war are our innocence or part of our
are our innocence or part of our humanity he spits into the water
humanity he spits into the water whatever bro
whatever bro tell it to the whales
denver colorado usa todd wayneio walks me to the train
todd wayneio walks me to the train savoring the 100
savoring the 100 tobacco cuban cigarettes i've bought him
tobacco cuban cigarettes i've bought him as a parting gift
as a parting gift yeah i lose it sometimes for a few
yeah i lose it sometimes for a few minutes maybe an hour
minutes maybe an hour dr chandra told me it was cool though
dr chandra told me it was cool though he counsels right here at the va
he counsels right here at the va he told me once that it's a totally
he told me once that it's a totally healthy thing
healthy thing like little earthquakes releasing
like little earthquakes releasing pressure off of a fault
pressure off of a fault he says anyone who's not having these
he says anyone who's not having these minor tremors you really gotta watch out
minor tremors you really gotta watch out for
for it doesn't take much to set me off
it doesn't take much to set me off sometimes i'll smell something or
sometimes i'll smell something or somebody's voice will sound really
somebody's voice will sound really familiar
familiar last month at dinner the radio was
last month at dinner the radio was playing this song i don't think it was
playing this song i don't think it was about my war i don't even think it was
about my war i don't even think it was american
american the accent and some of the terms were
the accent and some of the terms were all different but the chorus
all different but the chorus god helped me i was only 19.
god helped me i was only 19. the chimes announce my train's departure
the chimes announce my train's departure people begin boarding around us
people begin boarding around us funny thing is
funny thing is my most vivid memory kind of got turned
my most vivid memory kind of got turned into the national icon of the victory he
into the national icon of the victory he motions behind us to the giant mural
motions behind us to the giant mural that was us standing on the jersey
that was us standing on the jersey riverbank watching the dawn over new
riverbank watching the dawn over new york
york we just got the word it was va day
we just got the word it was va day there was no cheering no celebration
there was no cheering no celebration it just didn't seem real
it just didn't seem real peace what the hell did that mean
peace what the hell did that mean i'd been afraid for so long fighting and
i'd been afraid for so long fighting and killing and waiting to die but i guess i
killing and waiting to die but i guess i just accepted it as normal for the rest
just accepted it as normal for the rest of my life
of my life i thought it was a dream
i thought it was a dream sometimes it still feels like one
sometimes it still feels like one remembering that day that sunrise over
remembering that day that sunrise over the hero city
acknowledgements a special thank you to my wife michelle for all her love and
my wife michelle for all her love and support
support to add victor for starting it all to
to add victor for starting it all to steve ross luke dempsey and the entire
steve ross luke dempsey and the entire crown publishers team
crown publishers team to tm for watching my back
to tm for watching my back to brad graham at the washington post
to brad graham at the washington post doctors cohen
doctors cohen whiteman and hayward
whiteman and hayward professors greenberger and tongan
professors greenberger and tongan rabbi andy father fraser
rabbi andy father fraser sts-2ss bordeaux
sts-2ss bordeaux formerly us navy
formerly us navy b and e
b and e jim john julie jesse greg honupo and dad
jim john julie jesse greg honupo and dad for the human factor
for the human factor and a final thank you to the three men
and a final thank you to the three men whose inspiration made this book
whose inspiration made this book possible
possible studs turkle the late general sir john
studs turkle the late general sir john hackett
hackett and of course the genius and terror of
and of course the genius and terror of george a romero
george a romero i love you mom
end of world war z an oral history of the zombie war
the zombie war by max brooks
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