There's an army base nearby

"Yeah, we know," he replies. "In the next day or two, we'll pack our bags and ride south. Let Camp Michael handle them."

You drop your bottle and it smashes on the floor.

"Camp Michael?" Betty asks.

"That's what we're calling it. Used to be Mikeville before the military guys moved in. I'm sure they've got it stocked with food, ammo and guns," he replies.

You and Betty both look at eachother.

"We've got to tell Captain Pacco!" you both say.

"Let me finish my drink first," Betty says.

Outside, you find Captain Pacco by his command Humvee. He has a flashlight and several maps laid across the hood.

You call out to him, "Captain, we have some news!"

"Hmmm? What is it?" he asks, not looking up from his maps.

"There's a new army camp up in the hills," you reply.

"Ah, good. Good. That's good. Where is it," he says excitedly.

"Camp Michael," Betty says and points a finger to the old town on the map.

Captain Pacco looks up, his face scrunches up in confusion and he stares at you and then at Betty.

"What?" Betty asks.

"Why are you two holding hands?" he asks.

"Huh?" you say.

You both look at eachother and blush. You hadn't even realized you were doing it.

"Never mind," Captain Pacco says. "Come on, we need to tell the others."

You follow him back to the main group. Captain Pacco tells everyone what you told him and they're all excited about the news too. Finally, things are looking up!

"Everybody, set up camp. First thing in the morning, we're going to make one last push," Captain Pacco tells his men.

You and a group of soldiers set up tents, and prepare for the next day. Everyone's excited to get to safety before the horde arrives. As the sun rises, you make your way over to Captain Pacco. He is giving last orders to his men before they head out.

"Alright men, we're heading out soon. We should be at the camp sometime tomorrow. Just do your jobs and don't get careless. I've already radioed their commander and he's expecting us," Captain Pacco says.

"Yes, sir," his men reply as one.

You stand beside him as he pats each one of them on the shoulder.

"Thank you, you've all worked hard to get us this far," he says.

"We'll make it. We'll make it," one says.

"We won't let you down, sir," another adds.

The Captain nods and turns to you.

"Thank you too, my friend," he says.

He gives you a nod and a small smile before walking off.

As you're walking back to Betty's Humvee, you're approached by Kylie.

"I'm sorry for bothering you," she says.

"Huh?" you say, lost in your thoughts.

"I'm sorry for bothering you," she says again.

"It's okay," you say, scratching the back of your neck.

"Is it true what everyone's saying? Is Camp Michael really a safe place?" she asks.

You pause for a moment. You never expected Kylie to talk to you again.

"I don't know, to be honest," you reply. "But we're not gonna know unless we go there."

"I guess that's true," Kylie says. "So are you and Lieutenant Betty...?"

You can't help glaring at her in response.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have...," she says, fearfully.

"It's fine," you reply.

"Okay," she says, looking at the ground. "Well I suppose I'll leave you alone, now."

"Alright," you reply.

You watch as she walks off. You didn't expect this and you don't know how to feel. You're a little happy that she's talking to you, but you're also a little annoyed. You don't want to have to deal with these feelings right now.

"Well, that looked uncomfortable," Betty says, slapping you on the shoulder.

"No shit," you reply sarcastically.

"Tell you what! When we get to Camp Michael I'll fuck you every which way, until you forget all about her. Sound good?" Betty says.

You can't help but laugh.

"Yeah, sounds great," you say.

"Alright then. Let's get going," she says.

Betty tugs on your arm and you follow her to her Humvee. You climb into the passenger seat and buckle up.

"Alright, we're off to Camp Michael!" she says, pumping her fist in the air.

Heavy metal music blares from the Humvee's radio as she stomps the gas. The next few hours pass by mostly uneventful. The two of you talk about this and that, some of it related to the mission, and some of it not. You talk about the weather, music, the food in the ration packs, and her family. You find out she was a lonely child.

Then the tank commander radios, "We're approaching a wrecked convoy. Looks mostly civilian."

"Well, this is just perfect," Captain Pacco radios back. "Stay where you are and provide overwatch. Betty and Drako, go check it out."

"Copy that, Captain" Betty repies. You both grab your rifles and step out of the Humvee.

You look at the wreckage and it's pretty clear what happened. A bunch of civilians were fleeing to Camp Michael and were obviously attacked by zombies. There's a bus full of shamblers. But they're trapped inside. Next is a pickup truck and then an SUV, both covered and blood and empty. Then you notice movement in the middle of the road, up ahead.

"I see a survivor," you call up. "A teenage girl, I think."

"I see her too," Betty says. "She's not a zombie."

You look at the girl. She looks scared, but unharmed. You run and get her.

"Stay calm," you say. "What's your name?"

"Miki," she says. "What's yours?"

"Drako," you reply.

Miki is shorter than Betty, with long black hair, and slanted eyes. She's obviously of Japanese descent. You guess that she's 19 or 20. You notice a couple of shamblers, slowly making their way towards you.

"Shit," you and Betty both say, quickly raising your guns and aiming.

You fire, and both hit their heads, killing them instantly.

"Alright, let's pick up the pace," Betty says.

"Are there any other survivors?" you ask Miki.

"I don't know. When my Master got bit, I just ran and hid," she says. "Maybe on the bus?"

You look back at the bus. There are no other survivors, then.

"Alright. Let's get you somewhere safe," you say.

"Thank you," Miki says.

You run and take the girl by the wrist. You lead her back to the Humvee and throw the her in the back. She's still scared, but now she's safe.

Betty picks up the radio and says, "This is Lieutenant Betty. Spray that bus with machinegun fire and push everything out of the way."

The Tiger tank makes short work of the zombie bus and smashes everything else out of the way for the convoy to continue on its way. You and the convoy continue on your way.

"What are you going to do with me?" Miki asks, meekly.

"What do you mean?" you ask.

"I'm just wondering what you're going to do with me. You saved me from the dead zombie horde. But I have no master anymore. Am I to serve you now?" Miki asks.