02 Flotilla of the Dead Read Online Free

thirst or starvation.  How can we repay your kindness?”
    “That’s what we came to discuss,” Scott said and saw Sergeant Lusk look at him suspiciously.  “We won’t ask anything from you now.  In fact, we plan to give you supplies and even some weapons to help you survive here.  We want to help you turn this old ship into a safe haven, a fortress of sorts that we can all use as a secure base for missions to collect things ashore that we will all need to survive.” Scott saw their questioning looks. 
    “It won’t just be us relying on those supplies,” Scott explained.  “We’re leading a flotilla of refugees on private yachts from down south, some as far as Cabo San Lucas.  Then there are all those boats tied up to the oil islands off Long Beach.  We’ll try to help them too.  There are a lot more boat people up north and out on Catalina from the reports we are getting.”
                “Boat people?” asked Conrad. 
                “Yes,” Captain Fisher interjected.  “That’s what we call the people who have survived by going to sea, or staying on boats in secure marinas and harbors, where zombies can’t get to them.  We’re working with the Coast Guard, and these Marines here, to help the people on all of those boats.  I know there are lots more people trying to survive ashore, but we can’t help them all.  So our focus now is on saving the people at sea, people like ourselves.  As far as I’m concerned, that includes your people on the Queen Mary.  She’s still a ship, after all.  Isn’t she?”
                “Yes, of course she is.  Thank you, sir,” Conrad said in a dazed tone of voice.
                “You can rest assured that we will help as many survivors ashore that we can,” Scott explained.  “But our primary goal is to set up safe havens and sources of provisions for our flotilla and other boat people.  So, what we came to ask you is if you would be interested in working with us by turning the Queen Mary into a stronghold for our provisioning expeditions in Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles.  The fact that you all survived here proves that the ship is zombie-proof when you close the doors.  Now that we are here we’ll try to secure the area from zombie infestation. In return all we would ask is for you to offer the Queen Mary as a safe haven for us and the boat people who will come looking for provisions.”
                “That’s quite a plan,” replied Conrad.  “I’m not sure I even understand all of it.  What exactly could you do to help us?  And what would you require of us in return?”  By now they were all standing in a large space filled with maritime relics and display cases depicting the proud history of the Queen Mary.   Light was provided by half a dozen old oil fueled lanterns which cast eerie shadows and glowing reflections off the museum display cases.
                “Well, for starters,” Scott explained.  “I think we can help you get electricity again.  And you mentioned problems with your water supply?  Well, I think we can solve that for you too.  Of course we’ll also help you find food and other supplies.  And we’ll provide you with some guns and ammo to defend yourselves.  But let’s set the details aside for a moment.” 
    Conrad nodded as Scott continued, “What we would ask of you in return is to offer the same type of assistance to other boat people, after you have the ability to do so.  Eventually I want to set up a secure floating dock on the outside of your breakwater, with gangways connecting it to your ship, higher than any zombie can reach.  Then I want you to let other boat people come to visit, relax, trade, and form recovery groups to get their own supplies from the mainland.  We’ll also want your people to help us secure Terminal Island from zombie infestation and create a larger safe haven.  The Queen Mary would remain the