Operation Z , Szepanski, G.D. [best beach reads .TXT] 📗

The pressure wave caught them a few seconds afterward. It caused the rear windows of the Cadillac to explode inward. Big Jim lost control of the SUV and they crashed into the ditch on the side of the road. As the airbags exploded, Jim’s ears rang, and his head throbbed with pain anew. Consciousness stayed with Jim this time, but part of him wished for a brief break from all the pain.

Dust from the deployed airbags settled, and Jim knew OnStar wouldn’t be sending any assistance this time. Any help would be of the self-service variety. After taking a quick inventory of all his aches and pains, he discovered no serious injuries, just throbbing pain coming from all over his body.

“Mary, are you ok?”

No response to his question, but she may not be able to hear him yet. Airbags sound like shotguns firing and are deafening inside the confined space of a vehicle. He turned his head toward the passenger side and discovered the real reason Mary didn’t respond.

When the pressure wave drove the Escalade off the road, it crashed through a chain-link fence before coming to rest in the bottom of the ditch. A post from the fence broke loose and impaled Mary’s head through the truck’s seat. Another companion who traveled with Jim and another death. Everyone dies, Jim thought.

Big Jim pushed the driver’s door open and climbed out of the wrecked vehicle. They came to rest about 30 feet down in the gulley, so he climbed up the hill to the road. He confirmed his hypothesis of being in the light damage area from the blast. Buildings still stood, but the windows on the side facing DC had shattered and blown in. This action of attempting to purge the threat told Jim that someone in the government survived, and if Jim wanted to continue living, he needed to head west while avoiding any major cities.

After an hour of walking, Jim came across a bike shop. He liberated an e-bike to continue his trip. Luck blessed Big Jim because he found a bike in his size with a full charge on the battery. The battery lasted for three and a half hours and moved him another 60 miles. Jim thought his direction of travel had been west, but without a compass or GPS he actually traveled in a south-western direction.

With a dead battery on his bike and sunset coming, Jim looked for a place to spend the night. A deserted suburban home provided the needed oasis for the evening. The power was still on in the home when he arrived, so Jim plugged in the bike for a fresh charge. He found a Ford F150 pickup truck in the garage with three quarters of a tank of gas and a filled Jerry can with gas for the riding mower. He’d throw the bike in the bed when he left to provide backup transportation, but take the truck to move faster.

The pantry was well stacked while the refrigerator held little food beyond some condiments. It made Jim think the owners were out on vacation when things went bad. Part of him felt guilty about stealing their food and truck, but who knew if they would ever return to their home. They were just as likely part of the undead horde now. With the rise of the zombies and the fall of nuclear missiles on US soil, the world had become a different place. Survival of the fittest ruled the land, and Big Jim intended on surviving.

CHAPTER FOURThree Years Earler

BIG JIM RICHARDS laid naked next to Lily Nelson while sleep eluded him. He should be able to relax, but the doubts about his unknown future swirl through his mind. They both survived the mission, and this had been his last hurrah. Retirement would be his reward for the 15 years he served in this dangerous profession, and he faced the unfamiliar for the first time in his life. He had carefully orchestrated each moment of his life until this day.

Lily stormed into Jim’s life as the CIA Liaison for his final three missions. She was fit, funny, and beautiful. Her laser focus got Jim and his team through their missions with no difficulties or any lost lives. All objectives were met and now Big Jim was free to live his life as he wanted. Why couldn’t he shut down his brain and rest? The release granted from satisfying sex helped him to relax most nights, but not tonight.

The clock read 2:37 and sleep still stood out of reach, so Jim eased out of the bed. He tried to not disturb Lily, but she stirred as he rose.

“What time is it?” She asked, finishing her question with a long and audible yawn.

“Depends on your perspective. It’s either really early or very late. Go back to sleep.”

“Why aren’t you sleeping? Is everything ok?”

“I’m fine. Just can’t shut my brain down tonight so I can sleep. Go back to bed. One of us should get some rest.”

“Didn’t I tire you out enough earlier?”

Jim chuckled. “Yes, dear. You’re the best. Just too much on my mind.”

Her breathing changed, letting Jim know she had fallen back asleep. He slipped into his clothes and stepped out onto the balcony of their hotel room. With Uncle Sam paying the bill, they stayed in a five-star ocean front hotel. The room was on the 32nd floor, but he could hear the waves breaking on the shore because of the silence of the early morning. Who else was awake? Big Jim sat and listened to the waves and soaked in the fresh salty air. All the while, he let his mind drift back over the last 15 years of his life.

On his eighteenth birthday, Big Jim tried to enlist in the military. His plan had been to become a member of the special forces. Problem was, people his size don’t fill those rolls. The Army, Navy, Air Force, and