Journal:Jon D'oh/Nov06

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November 2006 Diary Archive

01 Nov 06

Zed Count: 16

This place is huge! I guess that's why they call it a mall, huh. I spent half the day just getting my bearings, and doing some light searching. Hit the treasure trove of useless crap, but I did finally find a replacement set of binoculars. If I knew I could have had a pair like these, I would have broken my old ones a long time ago. Definately better than the second-rate hand-me-downs that we're used to being issued.

I may stay here for a few more days, just to get as much intel on this place as possible. If things go as well as they have so far, I'll definately be back.

There are hundreds of survivors here, with room for at least a thousand more. If I had a choice of where I was going to make my stand, it would be here. Excellent access to supplies and plenty of potential escape routes. Too bad that the nearby facilities are so pitiful, or this would be an excellent candidate to relocate our base of operations to.

02 Nov 06

Zed Count: 16

Made my way back to camp during the wee morning hours. Probably not the ideal time to travel, given the circumstances, but I wanted to get back. Dropped a couple 'zeds of opportunity' during the trip . . . just couldn't resist the urge.

Conducted some mapping of the area around the mall, and it may be feasible as a new base of operations. The location of support buildings are not ideal, but they could be workable. I'm going to discuss it with Manning, and get his opinion. His security insight would be useful.

Thank God the fog lifted. I swear, you could almost choke on the stuff. More later, I'm whipped.

04 Nov 06

Zed Count: 17

Trekked back to the mall today. The ammo found searching in the mall makes up for the time spent travelling, it practically grows on trees here! This will be my second evaluation of the area to determine it's suitability as a permanent base camp. So far, it has a passing grade for ammo availability. Next, we'll evaluate the local availability of Hospitals, Necrotech buildings, Fire Stations, and Fuel dumps, more or less in that order. If all goes well, I'm going to move that we relocate to this area permanently.

Saw a group of six zeds outside one of the Fire Stations on the way here. The building had been very lightly secured, but there was no one inside. I double-checked to make sure, then moved on. I'm going to scare up something to eat, and do some weapons maintenance.

05 Nov 06

Zed Count: 17

Son of a bitch. Goddamn zed actually got IN to the mall without busting down the barricade. I have to see how that happened, although I have a sneaking suspicion. Had a break-in next door. Made it over and took care of the zeds there before they could kill anyone. Got the barricade back up a bit before I had to get out of there. No way I'm crashing there. This place certainly looks like it needs some help, and I think we're just the bastards to do it.

Got ahold of Suparim on the radio this morning. As far as I can tell, he's the last one from the team who's still alive. He's on his way here. Manning and I have both agreed to permanently relocate to this area as well. More later.

07 Nov 06

Zed Count: 19(!)

Happy fucking birthday to me.  ::sigh:: Manning got caught outside last night, and it's not looking too good for him. It's alright, I've got a fix for his dead ass. I'm going to have to fight the other zeds for him, though, and if they hold true to form, they won't give him up easy. I've only got one Lazarus syringe, or I'd be revving them up, too . . . fuckers. If this works, and he get's to feeling well again, I'm gonna kick him right in the nuts. Hell, might just do it before I stick him.

Right now, we're just looking for the right building to call home. Not too far from vital resources, but not too close that we're a constant entry point for zeds, and zed spies. Oh, by the way . . . Fucking zed spies get dropped on sight. I'm making a list, and I'm only going to check it once. Zed spies beware. Daddy green and his wrecking machine are officially done fucking around with you.

AlQilya is now officially in it for the species, folks.

Update: Got Manning revved and back into the fold. The look on his zed face was more than worth the broken toe I got by kicking him in the nuts before I stuck him. The ironic thing about it is in the morning he'll have no clue . . . but we'll both be walking funny. Fuck it. Welcome home, brother.

08 Nov 06

Zed Count: 18

After getting Manning back up to par, spent the rest of the day at the hospital, helping out with the wounded coming through. There was certinly some kind of activity going on around here recently. Wore myself ragged doing triage. Damn place looks like a MASH unit.

I hate to say it, and I know I'm going against everything I've ever taught or learned, but I think I'm carrying too much ammo.  ::gasp:: There, I said it. I keep waiting for somebody to thwap me upside the head for even thinking it. It just sounds all smothered in wrong sauce. I'm going to regret those words one day, sure as shit. I'll experiment with a lighter ammo load. I guess I know what I'll be doing tomorrow, at least.

09 Nov 06

Zed Count: 18

Went out on patrol today, in an effort to reduce my ammunition overstock. I don't care how many times I say it, that is never going to sound right to me.  ::shudder:: Was able to drop 3 zeds not far from the designated access point, and got back inside. My aim is a bit rusty, I was missing considerably more than usual today.

There's a pretty good barricade policy setup in this suburb. There's a fair amount of organization here as well. With a little help, it could be top notch. That's what we're here for.

10 Nov 06

Zed Count: 20(!)

Made my way back to the Mall today. Searched up some of the shops and turned up several cool items. A radio transmitter, a cell phone, and a stash of First-Aid Kits. All of which I suspect will come in handy sooner or later.

Now comes the fun job of deciding on a permanent base of operations, and recruiting. Made a new affiliation today with another small group called Ghetto Cow. Seems like an odd name, but look who's talking! I look forward to working with them. More Later.

I just got word over the shortwave that Caiger Mall has fallen. This is bad, potentially worse than the fall of Blackmore. Since the outbreak, Caiger Mall has been a stronghold for survivors. Until today no part of it had ever fallen under zed control. Over 1,100 survivors were dedicated to the defense of Caiger. There are no survivors reported. All hail the fallen Defenders of Caiger Mall.

11 Nov 06

Zed Count: 19

Went for a patrol out in the 'burb late this afternoon. Two more skin jobs down. I've heard rumors that an organized (!!!) group of zeds had once controlled this area, and has been threatening to return. Now, I'm no investigative journalist, but I wanna know who the motherfucker is with balls the size of volkswagons who is willing to conduct a Goddamn interview with a zed to GET this kind of information. I swear to God, every day is something new in this God-forsaken city. If there is such a thing as organized zeds, we're in for some serious down-home style trouble.

Talked with Manning and Suparim today. The new HQ digs are going to work out just fine, I think. Not too far from resources, and well located along several rooftop paths. This spot IS defendable.

We now need to address the recruiting issue . . .

12 Nov 06

Zed Count: 19

Spent the day doing routine maintenance. Weapons, ammo, barricades, and generator maintenance were all accomplished today. I think I'd rather be running for my life from zeds, I'm wore right the hell out from everything.

There's somebody in the mall who keeps destroying the generators. Saw a wanted poster with a reward for the dickhead responsible. With all of the lives at stake, and the people inside who depend on those generators, I can't imagine a death that would be too slow . . . well . . . wait, I take that back. I don't wish THAT one on anybody . . . well . . . just one, but that cocksucker deserves it.

I'm gonna play around with this cell-phone some more. There may be a way that we can use these to our advantage, as long as there's a tower up nearby.

13 Nov 06

Zed Count: 19

It's going to be a few days late, but hopefully not a dollar short. Got word that we're taking back Blackmore! Everyone who can get there is being asked to come and help. I've spent the morning mapping out a viable rooftop path to the Blackmore Building, 42 blocks from here. Not the shortest route, but it will be the safest, unless I grow a groovy set of wings in the next few hours. There's a mall nearby, which should serve as a decent staging area, provided we can hold it. This is a strictly voluntary mission for the AlQilya Jihad. I left a copy of the map to get to Blackmore in the duty folder. More later.

Update: Made it to Nichols Mall, and I'm out of gas. The map I prepared before I left was spot on! Kudos to me. I'm going to rest here, and head into Blackmore tomorrow. 5 blocks away, and I can easily hear the fighting. Alot of people here, and it looks like they are all here for the same thing. The zeds best bring their A-game if they're going to win this one. All Hail the Blackmore Bastards!

14 Nov 06

Zed Count: Oh My God

I made it. And hit the ground running I did . . . or rather shooting. 3 zeds back to hell and my mark has been made in the latest battle for Blackmore. There are hundreds - HUNDREDS - of zeds outside. More than I've ever seen at once before. Congratulations. That image alone secured my therapist's new Mercedes. I'll be sure that he puts the fucking zeds on his Christmas card list.

On the good side, this is also the most survivors I've ever seen in one place too. I'm here to tell you, I wouldn't feel too good about being a zed right about now. This rag-tag collection of slayers makes my sphincter wrinkle, and I don't fear anything!

Man, the stories we're going to have to tell about this one . . .

Update: I don't think anything could have prepared me for what I saw today. The zeds are busting through the barricades literally every few minutes, busting up as much as they can before we can drop them and chuck them out the window. It's like the irresistable force meeting the immovable object. Which one will give way first?

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17 Nov 06

Zed Count: Fucking millions

The last thing I remember was being dragged down by at least a dozen zeds. I hit the rooftop of the Blackmore Building, and there they were. The place was flooded with them. I dropped 3 at least before they got to me. It was stupid to think that I could hold them back alone. Everything is pretty much a fog after that. A million thanks to the one that brought me back. Right now, I'm back at the mall, getting ready to head back into it.

The most important things at Blackmore are maintaining the barricades while the strike teams work to reduce the zeds from the outside. When the zeds get in, reseal the barricade and snuff the ones inside, pitch the bodies, then heal the wounded. Repeat. Hah! I dare you to find that on a shampoo bottle. In all seriousness, the strike teams are wreaking havoc on the number of standing zeds. I don't know if you want to call that winning, but I will say that just staying alive against that kind of onslaught is definately progress. God have mercy on us all.

P.S. I've decided to leave my previous journal entry intact. I thought about removing it, becuase it just freaks me the fuck out looking at it, I have no recollection of writing it. But I think that it's important to have some record of my state of mind, if you can say such a thing regarding a zed, at the time.

18 Nov 06

Zed Count: Ridiculous

I remember the last time I thought things were bad. Surprise! They're getting worse. The number of zeds outside have grown by over 100 in the last 24 hours. I've been reduced to moving to a nearby building, as I'm no use to anybody in my current state. Can barely keep my eyes open enough to write this entry.

I spent the entire day reinforcing the 'cades, and tending to the injured. I started the day with a pack FULL of medical supplies. As of this writing, I have exactly zero left. I'd like to think that I'm doing some good, but the numbers keep getting worse and worse.

I'm not giving up. However this turns out, I will be among the last to leave Blackmore, be it walking, or feet first. This rag-tag group of survivors are some of the finest . . . and fiercest . . . people I have ever known. There's not a damn one of them here that wouldn't have made fine Marines in service to God, Country and Corps. A righteous Semper-Fi to one and all.

20 Nov 06

Zed Count: Not Improving

Picked up some medical supplies, and headed back to Blackmore today. I arrived to find the doors blown open and nearly a dozen zeds inside. I blasted my way to the door, and at least got it closed and locked long enough for everyone inside to rally against the break-in. The invasion was short-lived, but it's damage was done. We lost 3 outright, and 2 more dragged to the street before the doors were sealed. I did what I could to heal the remaining survivors.

Things are not looking good at Blackmore. The overal number of survivors is steadily diminishing, while the number of hostile zeds continues to increase. The lack of overall effective command definately shows. While I have never liked the sound of the word retreat, I may soon be in favor of an assault in another direction.

One of the other small unit leaders I met while here at Blackmore has been a true inspiration. Little russian number, her determination is as strong as her english is bad. I have to give her credit, she don't take no shit off nobody, especially the goddamn zeds. Despite the bad english, this woman can sling a medkit better than any corpsman I ever served with under fire. There's alot of Bastards that owe their continued existence to her.

21 Nov 06

Zed Count: Oceans

Slipped into Blackmore this morning wholely unprepared for what I found. The zeds were inside, lots of zeds. Too many. Survivors down all over. Blood everywhere. The doors were sealed, but to what end now? I emptied my pistols into the zeds while clearing out what survivors I could. I had ahold of one woman, pulling her along, she just wouldn't stand up. Screaming uncontrollably. A group of zeds latched onto her. She screamed to me, and I wouldn't let go. I could feel her shoulder dislocate, and I didn't let go. A zed chewed completely through one of her legs, and I didn't let go. I saw the light go out of her eyes, and even then, I didn't want to let go. Please, God, tell me . . . where was the mercy in that? The look in her eyes while we played that hellish tug of war is something that I'll never get out of my mind.

I feel so totally . . . useless. We've poured out our blood, sweat, and tears into this effort, and it's been like pissing into the ocean to turn back the wave. We drop a zed, two more take it's place. Every one of us that falls just becomes another gear in their cold, dead, feeding machine.

We're not leaving. Not yet. If the zeds are going to try and take Blackmore, then they are by God going to have to take all of it before I throw in the towel. Too many people have given their lives for us to just shrug our shoulders and walk away now. I . . . I think I have an idea. More later.

22 Nov 06

Zed Count: 14

The last thing I remember was a zed break-in at the mall where we were holed-up while I was sleeping. I never even had time to draw down on them. The pain. The . . . I dunno . . . anguish, I guess. I can't explain it. It's very much like having an itch that you can never quite scratch. Woke up in the middle of the road several blocks away, with the all-too-familiar pain in the back of my neck. This stuff can't be good for anybody. Just how much of it can a body handle? And then what?  ::shudder:: I don't want to think about it anymore.

Dropped a couple of zeds while making my way into a safehouse. Ran myself COMPLETELY out of ammunition, and had to finish off the last zed by breaking in my previously shiny fireaxe. I must say, there is some manner of satisfaction in splitting a zeds head open like a ripe melon. Not to mention that after what I've seen and experienced at Blackmore, the individual zed here and there isn't even remotely intimidating anymore. It's as routine as taking the garbage down to the curb on Tuesday nights, and with no more thought or emotion than such.

I'll be happy when this is over. I fucking hate garbage night.

23 Nov 06

Zed Count: 20

What am I thankful for this Thanksgiving? Living in a free country? . . . Nope. Unlimited access to information and the pursuit of mp3s? . . . Nope. Oh, wait, I know . . . Freedom from being eaten alive by zeds in the middle of the night while trying to sleep in a cold dark building, without power, without decent food or even fucking toilet paper . . . uh - nope. Nope. NOPE!

I am thankful to be alive, though, such as it is. For how much longer, I don't know. If I can keep from bleeding out here, I stand a good chance of at least making it through the night. Pretty sure I stove off the infection with my last medkit, but it's not enough to stop the bleeding, and sonofabitch if that fucker didn't get a gusher! Jon D'oh, Thanksgiving Turkey, at your service. And introducing the Goddamn zeds, here to properly apply the stuffing.

I could go for some of Mom's fresh homemade pumpkin pie right about now, but I guess I'll have to settle for the cherry pie I made from the head of the skin job that tagged me. It's some consolation, at least. More than I can say for Blackmore. The zeds got in, and kept coming. Last (un)official tally I could make was 150+ dead survivors to over 300 zeds. It wasn't even fair at the end. Fucking bloodbath.

Got word over the radio that my favorite ambassador of Glasnost is down as well. If it's the last thing I ever do on this earth, I'm going to get back there and revive her. I've got one Lazarus syringe left, and it's got her name on it. Besides, I owe her a bottle of scotch, and I can't possibly have that hanging on my conscience for the rest of my days. Hang on, little Czarina, I'm on my way . . .

27 Nov 06

Zed Count: 18

Forgive me diary, for I have sinned. It's been 4 days since my last entry. Made it back to Stanbury to find the Czarina. Just couldn't get close enough to her, she was in the middle of a pretty good sized herd, and hers wasn't the only mob shambling about. Was finally able to snatch her away the next day, and get the job done. She's recovering well, and already back up on her feet ready to sling medkits . . . or so she says.

The radio chatter is full of talk about heading back to Caiger to retake it from the zeddites. If there was ever any doubt about an organized zed resistance, I'm here to tell you that it's true. All true. All true, plus a bag of chips. There's definately some kind of evolution going on with the zeds. They're getting smarter all the time. Problem is, I'm a soldier and not a scientist. As long as they still drop with a bullet to the brainpan, it's good enough for me.

Also got word that the Army dropped several Special Forces teams into the bases, and got them secured and functioning. That lasted all of about 2 days. If they'd been Marines, we might still be holding the damn place. Well, that's why they call them A-R-M-Y: Aint Ready to be Marines Yet. The zeds blew threw Fort Creedy like there was nobody even there. I haven't heard much from Fort Perryn. The silence may be telling all of the tale that needs to be told, I fear.

28 Nov 06

Zed Count: 19

Spent the day searching the mall for supplies. We're going to Caiger. Got a general plan in place, I just need to finish a travel route there.

Manning came to the rescue just in time yesterday. The guy had to have still been half out of it, having only been revived just a few hours before. I'm in the triage room, tending to some of the seemingly endless supply of wounded coming through, when things got a little excited near the entrance. The zeds were in, and they were on the way. I was able to bring a shotgun to bear on the front zed, but it was obvious that I wasn't going to get them all. Instinctively, I ducked for cover as all hell opened up behind me. It was Manning, pistol in one hand, shotgun in the other. It was like watching the Angel of Death come to call. It was well less than minute, and the rest of the zeds were bloody hunks of rotting meat on the mall floor.

I think that's one mess I'm not going to hassle him to clean up . . . Good job, man.

29 Nov 06

Zed Count: 16

Sounds like with the resounding success we never had in Blackmore, some think they may find at Caiger Mall. A full 60 blocks from here, it's going to be at least a two day travel. I put together the best rooftop route that I could, hopefully, it'll be good enough. Personally, I'll be glad to be on my way. The zeds are not-so-slowly but surely pushing east towards here. It's already a bit too squirrely for me, and things haven't even really picked up in earnest, yet.

The Czarina says that she has scouts out and about along our travel path, and says that we should be prepared for a nice cold welcome by the zeddites when we finally reach the forward staging area. Great.

Well, I'd hate to think that my shotguns would rust out through lack of use. Caiger Mall, here we come!

30 Nov 06

Zed Count: 16

Spent the night in a firestation outside the zoo. Imagine a derelict zoo, where all of the hungry, feral, vicious animals have escaped into a semi-abandoned city, which just happens to also be inhabited by blood-thirsty, brain-hungry zombies. Now, imagine spending the night there. Yup, creepy as fuck. Welcome to my world. God bless, and pass the bullets.

Within 20 blocks of the staging area that we intend to use for our assault on Caiger Mall. Got in, killed the resident zed, ditched the body, and barricaded the joint up as much as I could before I ran out of gas. Manning was hot on my heels the whole way. I hope we get some living, breathing well-intentioned company soon. A nice rack and a hot little rump wouldn't suck either . . . Hell, who am I kidding . . . a few of the zeds have been looking pretty tempting lately. Ewwww . . . well . . . ewwww . . . scratch that. Where'd I stash that bottle of scotch.