Zombie Theorem (Book 2): The Siege Read Online Free Page A

started up and showed a map of central California. The Lieutenant used a laser pointer to highlight areas on the map. “These areas here are mainly where we have been able to contact survivors, whether Military, Police, or regular civilians. This was just a small slice of California. We are hoping to push south to L.A. and San Diego over the next couple of days. After we have covered those areas, we will push on to northern California. We were also able to contact two other airfields, one in southern Nevada, and one in Colorado. We shared with them this technique, and hopefully we can get an idea of how and where to help. Colonel Phillips, would you like to take over the podium and add anything?”
    The Colonel yawned, stood, and made his way over to the podium. He made a sign to someone in the back of the room. The slide changed to show an overview of San Francisco. It was almost unrecognizable; the Golden Gate Bridge was the only structure looking undamaged. The only building still recognizable was the damn Trans America Tower. The rest of the city was in ashes and looked like what you’d expect during an apocalypse. “This was San Francisco, about three hours ago. As you can see, most of the city is still on fire and shows heavy damage to numerous neighborhoods. Not many radio signals or much of anything is coming out of the North Bay. I know we had to evacuate Moffett Field. My old squadron, the 129 th Rescue Wing, was able to take all working aircraft and left over personnel and supplies out to Travis Air Force Base. The next slide is of Oakland and the Bay. By using the X-47B advanced cameras, we have been able to see homemade signs on school buildings and several public buildings asking for help. We are working on bringing helicopters and rescue personnel out to the area to attempt to help them. The only reason I am showing you this is so you are apprised of the ongoing situation. You have some of our communications gear and codes so you can contact us if you run into any survivors or come into contact with the Ridder Group. General, sir, would you like to say something?”
    The General slowly got to his feet and made his way off the stage and stood near us. He waved the staff and guards out of the area and motioned the Colonel to come and join him. “I just got off the radio with the Secretary of Defense. She is ordering us to stand down our rescue operations and consolidate our supplies.” After shocking us with this information, he took a seat near me and Kuppers, crossed his legs, and looked back and forth to us.
    “General, if you don’t mind me saying, that is fucking ridiculous! She expects you to stop helping people? Seems to me like that is exactly something a member of the Culling Initiative would order. Did she also tell you to work with the Ridder Group? You can’t be telling me you are going to obey those orders?” I barked out.
    The General looked right into me for a second and removed a cigar from inside his jacket. He bit the end off and lit it slowly with a wooden match from his jacket pocket. “Well, son, without proper codes the Secretary of Defense cannot countermand a Presidential order. I was ordered to protect as many civilians as I could and to cooperate with other military commands. I found it interesting that someone so high would say what she said. I think we can put her right into the Culling member’s column. I am trusting you with this information since you are the ones who discovered these little treasonous asses. I just want you to know, as long as I have command of these operations, I will do my best to continue rescue operations and consolidate as many military and police forces I can find. But I believe I may be making myself a pretty big target. I will continue to fight to bring other officers into my graces and hopefully they will continue the good work if I am no longer able to.”
    “Thank you for your information and bringing us into your trust, sir. If there is