Forest Park: A Zombie Novel (17 page)

President Walker smiled and nodded his acceptance at what his friend had said. “Thank you, Alan.”

“Joseph, what we have here is a legal black hole.”

President Walker nodded again.

“Law and order has broken down causing bedlam on the streets. The police are over stretched, and our friends in the military have their hands full, both overseas and at home.”

Carnegie glanced over at Homeland Security Advisor Kurt Schwartz, hoping for a response. None came. Once Lieberman gets started, he’s hard to stop, Carnegie remembered.

“What I’m concerned with is this. When a cure for the condition that is afflicting the contaminated population is found, it will be too late. Many people have taken the law into their own hands, in misguided attempts at self-defence, instead of trying to isolate and contain the infected. I would like to point out that some National Guard and other military units have sent the wrong signal to the average person in the street by not opting to use restraint first, as ordered. I understand these incidents are at most isolated, but already too many people have died thanks to shoot first and ask questions later. Once a cure is found and this condition reversed, we will have blood on our hands if we do not do something to stop gun violence. We need effective gun control.”

“This is ridiculous!” Holtz said.

“What is ridiculous is the number of guns on our streets,” Lieberman answered.

“The guns on our streets, using this crisis to push your gun-control agenda is beyond inappropriate...” Holtz said.

Carnegie added, “It’s outrageous!”

Lieberman shook his head in disbelief, “Inappropriate and outrageous --- both of you wrote the book!” he said, and then turned to face President Walker. “Listen to me, Joseph. I understand there are some, true cases of self-defence involved. I don’t deny that. However, armed people, who are trained or not, are more than capable of defending themselves against one of the infected. As such, a trained soldier working in a unit is more than able to round up these people safely and deliver them to holding facilities.”

“I agree with you about gun control. Although I am unsure whether this is the time,” President Walker said.

“There is never a good or easy time, Joseph,” Lieberman said.

“Why is this even being considered?” Holtz interjected. “So there are guns on the streets, I for one think the people who are using them probably need them.”

“And I have to agree,” Carnegie added. “Our boys are doing all they can...”

“I’m not saying they’re not doing all they can,” Lieberman interrupted, “what I was saying was this, things can get done without using the most violent option first. “ Lieberman said in a raised voice.

“It’s obvious you don’t know what you’re talking about,” Carnegie said, sounding disgusted. “Liberal policies don’t work in times of crisis. Sometimes a man has to take action --- so I’m not too surprised you can’t get your head around what needs doing.”

Lieberman shook his head. “You’re a bigger idiot than I have given you credit for, General. I assure you, once this is over you’ll be finished, one way or another.”

“Is that a threat, Lieberman? What right do you have to threaten a national hero?” Carnegie said.

“I don’t make threats, General. You should know that by now.”

Ambrose smiled as he listened and thought,
buying medals has its drawbacks.

“That’s enough,” President Walker suddenly said.

“Mr. President, I would like to know what he meant by that,” said Carnegie.

“You know what he meant, General, but we’ll deal with that rumor at a more appropriate time. We’re here for solutions and not arguments. So bury your hatchets,” President Walker added, silencing Carnegie.

“The solution isn’t to detain people, Joseph. The situation outside has gone beyond getting bad by the day, it’s getting worse by the hour,” Holtz said.

“I know what the situation is, that’s why we’re here,” President Walker said. “The situation, no matter its severity, doesn’t call for open slaughter. I won’t abide by that, and I will tell you now that it’s not an option, not ever while I’m the President.”

“Nobody is speaking about open slaughter,” Carnegie said.

“I know perfectly well where this debate is heading, General. I may seem naive, but I’m far from it, nor will I be steamrolled by a man who’s used to no one’s authority but his own, General. In fact, I think it would be best if you waited outside, and if I need your opinion again, which I doubt, I’ll call for you. You’re dismissed, General.”

Carnegie looked over to Holtz, who shrugged his shoulders.

Carnegie slowly left his chair and exited the situation room, never to speak to the President again.

“But look at that, Joseph?” Holtz said pointing to the half-dozen monitors showing news reports from around America and the rest of the world. “What about that, Joseph? You say you don’t want slaughter, but virtues can only get you so far! We have to take action; we can’t rely on pipe dreams and wishful thinking.”

President Walker said nothing.

“You talk of slaughter,” Holtz continued, “and it’s happening right now. It’s a fact. Can’t you see the truth of it?”

“I think that’s enough,” Kurt Schwartz suddenly said.

“So you speak now!”

“This is getting us nowhere,” Lieberman added.

“For once I agree with you,” Holtz interposed, “we need direct action. We need to eradicate the problem, by any means possible --- let’s stop dancing around this all-important issue. We need to fight back...”

“Ah!” Lieberman said. “There it is! The right wing’s answer is to solve the world’s problems, with a gun or an ICBM.”

“It’s our only choice. We can’t reverse what has happened to these people; the time has passed. It’s not guns out there killing people now --- it’s Dead people killing people!”

“It’s not our only choice, Thomas,” President Walker said. “With more time, we can solve this.”

“Really, Joseph, we’re looking at the end. We have planes falling from the sky for God’s sake, and we have anarchy on the streets --- who’s going to do a damn thing about it?” Holtz said.

“I doubt it’s the end, Thomas,” Lieberman said. “I think Joseph is correct. We need more time.”

“You can doubt what you wish, Alan, but people are in trouble out there. The nation is in trouble out there,” he said pointing to the monitors, “and you’re struggling to see the big picture. What’s really happening?”

“And what’s really happening? Thomas, please tell us all,” Lieberman said with an air of confidence. “We’re under attack, and it won’t take too long for the sharks to begin to circle.”

“Oh, get a grip,” Lieberman said.

“Once we’re on our knees, the sharks will circle. Every nation that has considered the US a threat for the last thirty years, will take full advantage of the situation. Do you think Red China’s concerned about the human rights of their infected? They never gave a damn before now, so why would that change? If they can gain control of the situation before we do, we’ll pay a toll heavier than anyone of us could ever comprehend.”

“You forget, Thomas, this is still the United States of America,” Lieberman said.

“Yes it is, and I wish it to stay that way. Outside in the real world, families are being literally torn apart, our armed forces are losing the fight against brain dead automatons, and I don’t see things getting any better. I can only see the situation becoming worse. My point is this, if we can’t control our own cities, how can we expect to maintain control over the rest of the world?” Holtz said.

“Is that what you’re worried about, Thomas,” President Walker said, sounding disgusted. “Is this your main fear; the loss of a make believe empire?”

“I’d be a liar if I said it didn’t play a part, Joseph, but it’s more than that. Each delayed step is a step backward. If we don’t act soon we’ll cease being relevant.”

President Walker sighed and then said, “Harris, you’re our man who deals with all things unusual. What’s your opinion on what we’ve discussed so far?”

“I have nothing to add,” Harris said.

“Great...” Lieberman added.

Carnegie glanced at his watch. It had been nearly three hours.
He’s kept me waiting three hours, who the hell does he think he is?
Carnegie paced the corridor, refusing to make eye contact with anyone. Ignorant son-of-a-bitch, he needs men like me.

“Ask him,” someone said.

That fucking Jew has nothing on me, threats, idle fucking threats. His time is about done, their time is over, not mine!

“You ask. He looks pretty pissed,” someone else said.

“Sir!”

The clock’s ticking, boys --- it’s fucking ticking.

“General, sir!”

Carnegie ignored whomever it was speaking to him, while he paced the hall and vented his anger to the other half that resided inside of him. I’ve given my time; I’ve worked hard... I deserve better.

“General!”

“Fucking what! What do you want? Can’t you see I am busy here?” The White House intern recoiled.

“Well!”

“Is it true we’re moving to Camp David, are we really abandoning ---”

The Situation room doors suddenly flung open.

President Walker stormed out of the Situation room, ignoring Carnegie, followed by Lieberman and Schwartz, who exited after the President without muttering a word to Carnegie either. Fucking run, you rats, run.

“General,” called Holtz, who was standing with Harris and Ambrose and chatting with Air Force General William Anderson and Admiral Scott Gardner, who wished everyone the best of luck before they departed.

“I don’t know about you guys, but I need a drink,” Carnegie said.

“I second that motion,” said Holtz.

“I thought you would have gone with the President,” Carnegie said to Harris.

“To Camp David --- I don’t think so,” Harris answered.

“So it’s true. DC is being abandoned?” Carnegie asked Harris.

“Apparently so.”

“Are you going, Holtz?” Carnegie asked.

He shook his head, and then said upon consideration, “I’d prefer to go down with the ship.”

“Why aren’t you going, Harris?”

“I think I will be of more use here,” he answered as all four men wandered off toward the lounge for a drink, while the city choked on the smoke of unconstrained fires.

The four men entered the bar at a dull roar, and much to their surprise, they found it unattended and began to make themselves at home.

Harris gave Ambrose the nod to become the barman for a day, which Ambrose happily obliged --- just like everyone else; he needed a drink too.

“I wonder where Frank is.” Holtz said as they made themselves comfortable sitting at a small oak table.

“Frank?” asked Ambrose.

“He’s a retired sergeant --- a Marine. Nice guy too, he runs the bar during office hours,” Holtz answered.

“Maybe the traffic was murder today?” Carnegie said.

Holtz didn’t laugh out loud, but he smiled at Carnegie’s poor attempt at levity.

“What shall we drink to?” Holtz asked everyone.

“How about we drink to new beginnings, gentlemen?” Harris said.

“Okay. To new beginnings, it is. Oh, and to our President, long may he reign.”

All four raised their glasses and took a sip as they turned their attentions to the television and watched the President as he boarded Marine One, the President’s official helicopter. Following him, were his civilian aides and a small contingent of military officers --- one of the officers carried the nuclear football, a briefcase which contained the National Security Agencies Gold Codes, better known as the Play book --- atomic launch codes for the day --- which would allow the President to have access to the US nuclear arsenal wherever he was.

Following the President and his aides was Alan Lieberman and Kurt Schwartz.

The massive Augusta Westland EH101 lifted itself into the air and banked to the south, with its long rotor blades chopping through the smoky air with a whoop-whoop.

“Well, there they go,” Holtz said, “leaving us here to hold the bag.”

“At least that Jew Lieberman won’t be yapping in our ears all day,” Carnegie said.

“I didn’t know you were anti-Semitic, Tex?” Holtz said.

“I am when it suits me,” he answered and then laughed.

“I think a little more than that, General,” Harris added.

“Well, the way things are, gentlemen, it won’t matter either way, not even the Kikes can buy their way out of this,” Carnegie said while watching Marine One fly into the distance.

It was then it happened --- something had gone terribly wrong.

Before anyone could comprehend what was happening, Marine One began to spin out of control. An instant later a massive fireball climbed high into the sky, creating an orange and charcoal gray mushroom cloud.

“Holy shit!” Holtz said. “What now?”

FOREST PARK

“Well, maybe the power will come back on.”

“Yeah and maybe it won’t either. We have to consider that too.”

“We’ve got to consider a lot of things now.”

“Really, and who voted you Einstein for the day.”

“Nice one, Kathy,” Steve said.

“Well, pointing out the obvious isn’t going to get us anywhere. It certainly hasn’t so far.”

“Yeah, and neither is that crowd waiting out by the front door, nor the other one out there.” Steve
signaled that he meant the back yard.

“You’ll get a crowd, Steve... if you make too much damn noise.”

“I didn’t know the fence was going to collapse,” he answered Kathy with some surprise in his voice.

Kathy shook her head in frustration, and not for the first time.

“How could I have known?”

“You’re a carpenter, Steve, and obviously not a very good one.”

Steve smiled and said, “Yeah, point taken.”

“Sorry about that,” Kathy said, “that was a bit rough.”

SIX HOURS EARLIER.

“The power’s out.”

“What do we do now?”

“Well that’s the end of dinner…” Steve said looking at the two steaks sitting in the frying pan. The electric stovetop was dead.