The Bunker (The Infected Series Book 2) (8 page)

Chapter Fourteen

Leaving the security room I headed for the third floor and Chris’ teaching session. Walking in I saw them hard at work stripping down two MP5’s with Chris stood over them like a mother hen. Pointing out any mistakes they made. I leaned against the book shelves just watching them go through all the faults and what to do if there was a stoppage. As David and Tom went through the process of stripping them down, Chris came over to stand beside me.

“How are they doing?” I asked.

“Not too bad. They’re both good at strip downs, but Tom struggles on stoppages. The test will be when we get them on the range and do some live firing exercises.” He replied.

“When do you want to do you want to get them on the range?”

“Hopefully tomorrow sometime, I want them to go through a few more drills with them.” He said looking at them work.

Looking over behind David and Tom, I saw Philip watching from behind a book.

“Do me a favour and get David to come over here for a chat will you.” I said.

“Why?”

“There’s something I want to ask him. Oh! And before I forget do we have any small calibre stuff in the armoury?” I said.

“I think there might be a hunting rifle, but I’ll have to have a look, again why?” He asked.

“Let me talk with David first and then I’ll let you know after that.” I said.

He shrugged his shoulders after not being able to get an answer out of me and went to get David. Watching Tom putting his rifle back together I noticed how precise he placed his parts and how he put them back together. There might be a job for him here where he could help without going outside, but I wanted to wait till after the range tomorrow. I might be wrong and he might be a great shot.

I noticed David’s large shadow beside me and turned to look at him.

“Chris said you wanted a word?” He said with that soft voice.

“Yeah, do me a favour and have a look behind Tom and try not to make it look like you’ve seen him.” I said.

Turning his head slowly and peered behind Tom.

“Oh god his mom’s going to kill me.” He said spotting where Philip was and what he was doing.

“Before you go running off to let her know. I have an idea that I wanted to ask you about. Now don’t hit me, it’s just an idea ok?”

“Ok go on.” He said looking at me.

Now that I was about to ask him about it I was a little worried.

“Look Philip wants to help in anyway and I there might be a way he can. I want to teach him how to strip, clean and assemble the rifles.” I said.

“There is now way my ten year old is going to fire any gun.” David said loudly.

I saw Philips head shot up over the book like it was on a spring.

“Marc are you mad?” Chris said.

“Look I didn’t say anything about shooting. I said we could teach him how to strip, clean and assemble the rifles. We would test them after they were reassembled. There is no way I am letting him shoot until his parents will let him.” I said.

“Ok I thought you were going to let him fire guns.” Chris said.

“Hold on a second I have a say in this as well you know.” David said.

“Yes mate you do and that’s why I was asking you about it. If you say no then that will be the end of it.” I said.

Looking across the room at his son and I could see the thoughts running through David’s mind. I just waited for him to come to an answer. Chris kept looking up at us standing there. Tom had even stopped working on the rifle in front of him. Philip couldn’t keep his head down for more than a few seconds at a time.

“Philip!” David called out.

To say that the kid shot out of his seat and over to us, is an understatement.

Huffing and puffing he said “Yeah dad!”

“I suppose you were listening to what Marc was saying?” David said to his son.

Philip actually looked at his feet and said “Yes dad, I heard what he was taking about.”

David looked down at his son and his face became very serious “Do you think you’d be able to do the job?” He asked.

Philip looked at me and said “Yes dad I can do it.”

Looking at Philip I said “I hope you can because if you can’t I’ll have you pulled off it before your feet can touch the ground.”

“I won’t let you or Chris down I promise.” He said standing up straight.

“Ok before you even get anywhere near the guns, you and your dad are going to talk with Jennie and if she says no, that’s it no other chances till you’re older. Ok?” I said.

“But dad says it’s ok!” Philip said.

“Yes but even your dad has to ask your mom for these things. The other thing before you even touch any of the weapons I want you to come to the range and see what they can do. You’re not firing any of them just watching.” I said.

He looked like he was going to pout about it, but breathed in a lung full of air and stood upright and nodded.

“Chris let’s take David and Tom up to the range and fire off a few shots.” I called over.

We all headed out to the lifts and headed for the range on the second floor. I led our little group into the indoor range and told David and Tom to take a lane each. Placing the rifles in front of themselves we waited for Chris. He appeared a few minutes late carrying a box of ammo, magazines and two extra MP5’s. I told Philip to stand at the door and don’t move. I stood behind Tom and Chris stood behind David. That way we could be able to stop things if anything went wrong and we’d be able to throw pointers if needed.

“Right first thing to do is to get used to inserting a mag and ejecting it again quickly. Take an empty mag and insert it into the rifle, then quickly eject it and replace it again. I want you to do this five times as quickly as you can. GO!” I ended up shouting.

To my surprise they both did very well, but I made them run through the drill another six times. Next I went through loading a mag and how I liked to leave them one round short, so that the spring isn’t under too much pressure. The last thing we wanted was for the gun or mag to jam because of a failed spring. We loaded two mags for David and Tom. Getting them to lean on the bench in front of them for support. Chris had them fire off five rounds at the targets which were set at twenty feet. Both fired with the selectors on single shot and David was the only one to hit the target in front of him and that was with only one out of the five shots he took. I knew why Tom was missing his shots. Every time he pulled the trigger he closed his eyes waiting for the bang.

I told him to open his eyes and just slowly pull the trigger. The next set of five rounds went pretty much the same way as the first except David had managed to get two shots on the target. Granted they weren’t on the actually target, but on the sheet. Still he was doing better than Tom. My thoughts about him back in the library were coming true and that was shame because he was a good guy, when he wasn’t fawning over Rosa.

“Chris let’s give them a break and we’ll fire the extra rifles. If they see what we are doing then they might have a better idea.” I called out after the last shot had been fired and the guns made safe.

I loaded two mags and handed one to Chris. We didn’t change the targets because there was no point. Taking turns we fired single shots down range. Each of us hitting in near enough the same place. After about eight rounds I switched to burst and fired of another nine rounds, in three quick bursts. Chris just went full auto and carved a hole in the centre of his target. Smiling I went full auto and fired off the last twelve rounds drawing a wavy line across the centre of my target.

“Funny fucker.” Chris called out.

“Hey I am always better with single shot because I don’t have the strength you have to hold it on target using full auto. Anyway I like distance when I shoot.” I said.

David and Chris came to stand beside Tom and me.

“Chris could you run through some more drills with David. Tom can you come and have chat with me.” I asked.

“Sure.” Tom said looking slightly relieved.

I walked out of the range and was halfway up the corridor when I remembered something. I told Tom to hang there while I went back.

Sticking my head in the door to the range I said “Philip, you as well come on.”

He looked slightly pissed off but he followed me out and up to where Tom was waiting. We headed to the security room and I unlocked the door and went inside.

“Sit down you two.” I said pointing at the chairs.

Looking at Tom first I said “Tom can I ask you a question?”

Tom raised an eyebrow and said “Of course.”

“Ok, don’t take this the wrong way, but are you only wanting to learn to shoot because of Rosa?” I asked.

He went slightly pink and said “I thought that if I could shoot and be like the rest of the men. She wouldn’t think I was a wimp.”

“Listen Tom, you managed to live this long so you are definitely no wimp. If she thinks that of you mate then you’re better off without her.” I said.

“It’s just I feel responsible for her.” He said looking me in the eyes.

I could tell the poor guy was in love with her and he would end up killing himself just to please the spoilt bitch. I needed to give him an out of some sort.

“Tom what did you do before the infection if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I worked as a banker for her dad.” He replied.

Now I had a way for him to save face, well in a roundabout way.

“Look you heard me talking to Philip earlier?”

“Yes, you were asking him if he wanted to help strip and clean the rifles and guns.”

“Good, well here is the problem I have. I can’t exactly leave him alone with the weapons and I need a responsible adult to keep an eye on him. Plus there is a whole section of manuals on all the weapons in the armoury and I need someone with a level head to inventory it. Well what I am trying to say is would you like the job of the head armorer, and Philip here can be your assistant.” I asked.

He pretended to mull it over, but I knew as soon as I said he could be in charge of something, I had him hooked.

“I think that would suit me just fine Marc. Thank you.” He said.

“Philip you going to be ok with this?” I asked.

“I knew, I wasn’t going to be in there on my own and would need an adult. So yeah I’m ok with it.” Philip replied smiling.

“There’s one other thing when Chris or me are not in the bunker the key comes with us. We will leave a few weapons out for emergency use only and on a night the key gets handed to either me or Chris. Is that ok?”

“Ok.” Philip said.

“Yes that’s fine.” Tom said.

“Great, well the library has all the manuals you’ll need, but if you want to, you could bring them all up to the armoury.” I said.

“I think they will be ok where they are at the minute. It’s a little more comfortable in the library than the armoury.” Rom said standing.

“You might be right there.” I replied.

“Thank you again Marc. Come on Philip let’s go and have a look through the manuals for the largest rifle.” Tom said walking out of the door with Philip trailing behind him.

Chapter Fifteen

Two birds, with one stone. I thought to myself and headed back to the range. I could hear the muffled shots from the other side of the door and waited for them to finish before stepping inside. I could see by the target in front of David that he was lowly getting better. I watched as he changed mags and fired down range. He was hitting the actual target now more times than he was missing. But his groupings were still very wide apart. Just out of pure luck I looked at his feet and noticed they were close together and he was very straight legged. I waved at Chris who looked over and then pointed at David’s feet. I swear to God he slapped his own fore head before shouting for David to stop. After five minutes of Chris telling David how to place his feet. David was scoring a lot better and his groupings had closed on up. With practice I could see him being a good shot.

Chris looked up as I walked inside.

“Alright Marc. Where’s Tom and Philip?” He shouted.

“Hang on till David finishes that mag before I tell you, I hate having to repeat myself” I said watching David shooting at the targets on the range.

He finished his mag quite quickly and before he could slam another mag into the rifle Chris shouted stop. Checking that the rifle was clear David placed the rifle on the bench in front of him and stepped back.

“David come over here a second will you.” I asked.

“What’s up Marc?” He asked walking over.

“Remember I was talking about Philip helping out by stripping and cleaning weapons?” I asked.

They both looked at me with puzzled expressions.

“Well to be honest Tom wasn’t doing too good on the range. Plus I really wanted an adult to be supervising him. Well I managed to convince Tom that his talents would be best suited to being the bunkers head armourer.” I said.

“That is why I said you were the man to be in charge.” Chris said.

“I have to agree with Chris on this Marc.” David said.

I just shook my head before saying “So that’s you two putting the seal of approval on what I just said.”

David looked at Chris and Chris looked at David before they both turned and said “Yup.”

You know I think they are spending way too much time with each other. I was about to walk out of the range when an evil thought jumped into my head. Turning back to look at them I said “So it’s ok to tell Jennie that you’re both ok with that?” smiling at the sudden look on their faces.

Walking out of the range I headed toward the lifts and I could hear Chris and David scrambling to pick up the rifle, magazines and ammo box. I walked just that little bit quicker when I heard their large feet running down the hallway behind me.

“Marc, hold on will you.” Chris shouted.

“Why? You said it was ok.” I said over my shoulder.

“Just slow down.” David puffed out.

Stopping outside of the armoury, I waited for them to catch up.

Chris fumbled with the key trying to get in the lock. Opening the door they nearly threw the rifles and ammo on to the benches. Trying really hard not to laugh at these two huge men, I was losing the battle quickly. By the time they had exited the armoury I was doubled over laughing at them both. Jake stuck his head out of the communications room and looked down the hall to us, before shaking his head and ducking back inside.

“You do know that, you can be a right twat.” Chris said breathing hard.

I managed to say between bursts of laughter “Well you deserve it.”

“Maybe but it’s still not a cool thing to do Marc.” David said holding on to the wall for support after his little run up the hallway.

“Well we all have to face the music sometime, it might as well be now.” I said heading for the lifts.

They both straightened and followed me. We opened the doors to the dining room and as soon as I saw Tom and Philip sat talking to Jennie, I knew that she already about their new jobs.

“Shit.” I said turning to leave.

“MARC! Get over here!” I heard from the other side of the room.

The Tweedle-Dum brothers just stood there grinning as I slowly made my way over to where Jennie was sat.

“You two as well.” She said at David and Chris.

Now it was my turn to grin.

I stood at the table and Chris stood next to me. David headed round the table and bent to give Jennie a kiss on the cheek. Before his lips even managed to touch her cheek Jennie said “You can go stand with your co-conspirators.”

David’s shoulders slumped and he headed back round the table and stood on my other side.

“Ok, here is my problem. I have just found out that my son has been asked to help out in the armoury, where there are guns and ammo. Know not only did I find out from Tom and Philip, I didn’t find out from the man in charge or his two loony friends.” Jennie said.

I looked up and said “I’m not loony.”

David and Chris sniggered behind me, but they both shut up when Jennie stood up with her hands on her hips. The look she gave me could have brought a man to tears without ever kicking him the balls.

“No I am sure you’re the organ grinder to these to grinning apes behind you.” She said.

“Look sweetheart we were….” David started to say.

“At the moment I want to hear from Marc. I’ll deal with you later.”

“I hadn’t had time to come and inform you Jennie. Also we will have an adult looking after him. I thought it was the best answer to a problem that was going to raise its head.” I said.

“What problem was that?”

“Philip do you want to tell your mom what you were doing this morning?”

“Erm…I was watching Dad learn how to strip and clean a MP5 in the library.” He said looking at the table.

“What has that got to do with anything?” Jennie asked.

“Chris, quickly go bring a clean MP5 up here as quick as you can.” I asked.

“Sure.” He said turning and running from the room.

“Why is he doing that?” Jennie asked.

“If we wait till he comes back. I’ll answer your question and you’ll have all the answers you’ll need.” I said.

We stood there waiting for Chris to return and in a short while I heard his heavy footsteps running down the hallway. Out of breath he ran through the doors and gave me the brand new MP5.

“Jennie try not to get upset by this and no I haven’t had time to sort this out, but it might show you why I picked Philip.” I said.

Stepping closer to the table I placed the rifle in front of Philip.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Jennie shouted leaning over to take the rifle off the table.

“Don’t worry it’s never had any ammo in it and there isn’t a mag in it either.”

Jennie stepped back looking at me like I was the devil trying to temp her son.

“Philip, can you do me a favour, strip and reassemble this rifle for me. Chris time him will you.” I asked.

We all watched as Philips hands flew over the weapon sliding back pieces and unlocking them. Placing the pieces in order on the table in front of him. He stripped the weapon placed it on the table and then proceeded to return it back to working order.

He slid the last piece into the weapon and I called “Time!”

Chris leaned over and showed the time to David. “You have got to be fucking kidding me.” David said.

Chris passed me the timer and I said “Looks like he beat you’re record by a minute and three seconds, Chris.”

Standing there Chris smiled at Philip and said “It does look like that.”

Jennie just looked puzzled and asked “What?”

“Look Jennie not one of us here helped Philip do that. The only reason he was able to do it was because he watch his father and Tom doing strip downs all this morning. He never asked for the job and he will never fire any of the weapons. I just think he has the chance to be great at the job we have given him and it will keep him from under everyone’s feet.” I said.

“Jennie, it’s true we never even asked him to join us this morning he just sat behind us and watched.” David said.

Jennie looked at each one of us in turn and then at her son before asking “Philip is this what you want to do?”

“It’s the next best thing mom.” He said looking up at her.

“The next best thing?” She asked.

“Well I think I could be a better shot than Chris or Marc, but they’re right I am too young to go round shooting guns.”

To be honest I thought that was a very adult answer and I think that it was what swayed his mother. I could see it in her eyes before she even opened her mouth.

“If this is what you want then ok. But the first time he gets hurt, I’ll have all your balls in a frying pan.” She said looking at us all.

Tell the truth I was fairly certain that she could do it as well.

Smiling I sat beside Philip and clapped him on the shoulder and he beamed a huge wattage of a smile at me.

Leaning over I whispered to him “See I told you she’d be ok with it.”

Jennie looked at me and said “Don’t think this means I am not pissed off at you for not asking me first.”

I did actually feel like a school boy stealing sweets, I done something and I had ended up with just a slap on the wrist. David went over to his wife and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek.

Grinning Chris said “I won’t even try to do that.”

“You do and we will have to have words.” Laughed David.