Machines of the Dead by David Bernstein Read Free Book Online Page A

case , then maybe it would be wisest for you to leave on a permanent basis.”
    Jack felt like he had been struck. The doctor’s tone had darkened, almost threateningly.
    “Just the one building. That’s all. Believe me; I don’t want to have to wander the streets looking for a place to survive in.”
    The doc’s face brightened. “Okay then. See Guard Commander Chambers. He’ll set you up with whatever you’ll need and figure out the best way to get you into the building.”
    Jack downed the last of the Cognac, placed the glass down, and went to get up.
    “And Jack,” the doc said, catching his gaze. “Good luck to you. I hope you find your friend.”
    Jack left the room without bringing up the escape tunnel, or if he could come up with a mass solution to the epidemic, how the man planned to communicate with the outside world. He would save that for when he was back in the safety of the bunker.

Chapter 8
     
    The next day, Kyle Chambers, the Guard Commander and a former army ranger, prepared Jack for his mission, showing him the ins and outs of rope climbing. Later in the day , he went over the weapon he would be taking with him: an M4 carbine machine gun. Being an avid hunter and having fired a number of different weapons, Jack became quickly accustomed to the gun. Chambers also went over the finer points of killing a zombie: destroy the brain, or destroy the bots , both of which Jack already knew.
    “This is a grappling gun,” Chambers said, going over the final piece of Jack’s equipment. “It uses compressed air and is virtually silent, like firing a BB gun. You’ve got a cylinder attached, holding 100 feet of rope at 9 m illimeter thickness. It looks thin, but it’s plenty strong, capable of holding up to three times your weight, so don’t worry about it snapping or anything.”
    “Good thing I’m not afraid of heights.”
    “Yes, it is.”
    The man went on, showing him how to aim the device. Jack practiced firing the weapon in the stairwell, trying to get the hook between the flights of stairs to attach onto the upper flight. By the tenth try, he felt comfortable.
    Next, Jack was shown how to wear the climbing harness and the proper way to climb a wall. There were a lot of complex parts and things to do, but all in all , he got it.
    Three days later, Jack was led to the double doors leading to the surface. Chambers had escorted him, giving him one more piece of advice. “The undead are attracted to noise, so be as quiet as possible. They’re slow as shit , most of them anyway , and are pretty easy to handle, but in packs they’re dangerous. Don’t try taking on a bunch; just run. They have no fear and will attack like they have nothing to lose.” The man paused, looked Jack in the eyes, then added, “It’s good what you’re doing, Jack. Dangerous, but I admire it. I’d go with you if Reynolds would let me.”
    “Thank you, Kyle. I’ll be fine.”
    “Good luck, Jack. And when you’re ready to come back, we’ll see you on the camera and send someone up.” Chambers pointed up to where a pipe was jutting out from the building. Inside, Jack saw a red lens gleaming in the light. The steel doors closed and Jack was alone in the alley.
    On his person, Jack had the M4 machine gun, a knife, a flashlight, the grappling gun, three bottles of water and a few MRE’s—meals ready to eat , which were self-contained individual field rations for use during combat or in areas where food could not be attained.
    Looking up, Jack saw the window he was told about , a window that led to the supply closet on the sixth floor. It was about sixty feet up, and the only window on that side of the building below one hundred feet. Its design was according to NYC building codes at the time, making the alley perfect for one of the bunker’s entrances. 
    Jack readied the grappling hook gun, aimed at the window, and fired. The device had virtually no kick and was a little louder than the twang from a crossbow. The