Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse!

For a brief description, LRT Line 1 has 18 stations in total—Monumento to Baclaran—and it cuts through three cities which were Caloocan, Manila, and Pasay. The distance between each station is a kilometer give and take—but even if our aim was to take over this LRT Line fully, we should be more selective in which places to start.

It's not like we could easily build up 18 outposts just a kilometer from each other that easily, so aside from making sure we have total control of each end, three—no, two stations came to mind:

"Aside from Monumento and Baclaran, we should take care of D. Jose and EDSA. It's the biggest among the bunch since they connect to LRT Line 2 and MRT Line 3 respectively and they'd be the biggest pain to clear out because of the walkways and shit—"

Iskoh cut in, "How about Blumentritt Station? It also connects to the PNR Metro Commuter Line, right?"

I tilted my head sideways, "Yeah, but… That thing's down on the ground by the highway, it doesn't necessarily offer the same elevation as the other ones I've mentioned."

"Hmm. You're right."

I continued, "But despite that, we need a proper setup first and that's closing off all the entrances/exits to each station. It's just a couple of stairways on each end—maybe even an elevator and a fire exit depending on location—then again, it's a different story for the connecting stations."

Oscar cut in, "Aren't Artem and his group—we included earlier—doing that type of thing? You can tell them to focus more on the stations rather than the backroads. It's a straight shot too right before they reach the bridge."

Iskoh gave a nod, "It'd be a little easier on my part since EDSA Station and Baclaran Station are just right next to each other but my problem from that is the dead below. I need more soldiers on my side and the Marines will be a huge help. Aside from that, the shopping district right next to it is just a fucking maze and anything could pop out from that."

Oscar chuckled, "Then we'll lend you the Killdozer. Just sift through the trash right after but I doubt there'd be anything important in that dump. It's mostly sub-standard shit and fakes sold over there, right? The ones in the stalls, I mean."

"I mean, yeah— but I'd prefer the smaller bobcats you armored up. Easier to transport as well."

Morales cut in, "Still, we can close off each station as we want but those fucks underneath the railings and hanging from above is the problem. We can't use the same thing against them, we gotta clear the area fully."

Almost all of us sighed at the same time:

"That's true…"

"They're a problem…"

"Rather have roaches."

I had to say it, "I mean… It's not like they've tied themselves on there. They're just sticky enough to stick to the bottom. We already have the solution for them, right?"

Iskoh looked at me, "What?"

"Umm… Firetrucks? Just the pressure alone could make them fall down and it'd be so much easier than picking them off one by one. I haven't thought of it before but we've been using the same damn thing to wash the gunk off the roads, right? It worked on protesters before, it could fucking work on those Stitchers. We should just have a few teams or a perimeter ready before we start blasting.

We shouldn't do it all at the same time. Worst comes to worst, we'd use dirty water, it's not like we needed those Alkaline bullshit to arm them."

Iskoh cut in again, "What? I thought Alkaline water is great?"

"Eh. Dr. Nichols told me they're bullshit."

"Who?"

"Doesn't matter, Alkaline water has a different pH level than our stomachs and once it reaches there it loses whatever magic it has. Just drink clean water."

"Huh."

I waved them all off, "So about my idea?"

Morales chuckled, "Hosing them down?"

"Something wrong with it?"

"Nah, that shit's perfect. It's always the simple solutions, huh?"

"It'd take a few trips but that's the way to go, the easiest way, I think. Much better than using napalm—"

Oscar chuckled, "I would have disagreed with you any other day but yeah, we'll do that—"

Iskoh waved us off, "I think umm… I'll head the operation on my side while Sir Morales heads the operation on his side. It seemed like you already have plenty on your plate. My group solely benefits from this arrangement anyway— since fifteen or so of the existing stations in LRT Line 1 are in my city. There's zero in yours unless you count Caloocan with ya."

Morales shook his head, "If anything, we're all over the place. It's just…"

"Wanna say something else?"

"I mean, it's great we're clearing the streets of the dead but most of them are buildings from the old world… I'd hate to say it but I prefer the route they're *glances at me* taking right now because it's near the coast and other than that it's just hectares and hectares of farms where we could actually use to our benefit.

What use are office spaces aside from their hard drives and whatever else is in them? What use are those call center cubicles we replaced farms for?"

Royo chuckled, "Are we going deep now? I'm all for it before I have surgery… It's in a few days but I'm open to this talk."

I threw Morales a glance, "It's not much, sure—and I don't wanna go the deep end because it's up to us to make use of what we found, but electronics appliances and other stuff ripe for the taking are shit we can't grow ourselves. It's great to look at it that way but clearing the dead's still the main purpose of you guys holding up out there."

"Haa… That's true… I'm up for some harder stuff if you have some?" Morales said as he downed his glass.

I tried to warn him, "That's not—"

Oscar quickly shut me down, "The guy asks for the hard stuff, we give him the hard stuff! Coming right up!"

As soon as Oscar said that not only me, but Iskoh was already one step out the door but I had to carry Quinn out of that place because it wouldn't take long before those fucks destroy their fucking livers. However, Johnny still caught up with me as he offered Iskoh a place to stay instead of Oscar's but if he was really adamant about what he wanted, I thought I should just give him what he wanted.

"You sure about this?"

"I am."

"After Oscar's blood work comes in. AFTER. Can you wait at least that much?"

"Of course—"

"And we'll BOTH talk to your family—especially your wife."

"Already did but you'll just hear the same thing. If I fucking lied to you forget everything I said."

"You want the same thing as the old man, right? Or do you want something else?"
Experience tales at empire

He smirked, "Look at me, kid, what do you think I want the most?"

"Smooth skin? You look wrinkly as fuck, you wrinkly-ass bitch—"

"YOU—"

"I'm joking! I'M JOKING! I KNOW WHAT YOU WANT! LET'S WAIT FOR THE RIGHT TIME AND I'LL HAVE THE OLD MAN ADMINISTER IT!"