03 Deluge of the Dead Read Online Free PDF Page A

offer a few safe places for some of your people.”
    “I’m listening,” replied the mayor noncommittally. 
    “There’s a secure oil refinery, a large compound in El Segundo that could become a refugee camp.  It’s fully fenced and has a sprinkler system around the perimeter that is pumping seawater to keep the zombies away.”
    “Why wasn’t I told of this sooner?” demanded the mayor.
    “Because I just learned about it today,” Scott retorted.  “But it’s there and available as a refugee safe haven for whoever can reach it.  There’s even a set of train tracks leading into it, in case you can get people there that way.  If not, we can use trains for resupply later.”
    “How many survivors could take refuge there?” asked a voice that Scott recognized as belonging to the LA Chief of Police.  Scott looked to Carl with a questioning expression. 
    “Thousands, sir,” Carl replied. “Tens of thousands.  The compound is more than half a square mile.  There’s not much in the way of shelter or housing, but it’s secure from zombies and there’s room to set up a large tent city. There’s an unlimited supply of fuel there and a large power plant next to the refinery.  We can also pump continuous seawater for sprinkler defenses.”
    “That sounds promising,” agreed Special Agent Corrigan.
    “I suppose it’s better than nothing,” the mayor allowed.  “But it’s not enough by a long shot.  There’s no way for most of the survivors to get there and only your word the zombies won’t rip them to pieces if they try.  We need a much better plan than just telling everyone to go to a damned refinery!”
    “I agree, Mr. Mayor,” Scott said. “We will also open the gates and bridges to our safe haven here at Terminal Island and the Port of Long Beach to any survivors who can make it here.  And we can set up evacuation points up and down the coast to pick up survivors and shuttle them here to Terminal Island by boat.”
    “You’re willing to do that?” asked the mayor suspiciously.  “Just a few days ago you were telling us that you can’t take care of many survivors there.”
    “Actually, Mr. Mayor, I said I didn’t see how we could get many survivors here safely, unless you could get some trains full of people down here,” Scott clarified.  “This storm, and the way we expect the zombies to react to it, changes everything.    If survivors can make it to the coast, we can save them.”  Scott made that claim with conviction.  Carl looked up at Scott and saw a growing confidence in his face. 
    “What are you proposing, Commodore?” asked the mayor.  He sounded like a man at the end of his rope and ready to grasp at straws.
    “There are at least a dozen fishing piers between Santa Monica and Newport Beach,” Scott explained. “We can send boats and ships to rescue anyone who can make it onto those piers, as well as armed men to secure the piers during the evacuation.  We can do pickups at local marinas too.  I wouldn’t dream of suggesting something like this on a sunny day, but it should be possible during the rain.  We have thousands of boats in the Flotilla now, not to mention cruise ships with dozens of lifeboats.  Hell, we can even patrol the whole coast and rescue anyone who swims out into the ocean, or paddles out on a raft or surfboard.”
    “That’s quite an ambitious plan,” said the mayor. “But it won’t help the people who can’t reach the coast.”
    “There’s only so much we can do, Mr. Mayor,” Scott said with renewed exasperation.  “Something is better than nothing at a time like this.  I’m offering to rescue the people who can reach the coast.  You’ll need to come up with your own plan to save the rest of them.”  That clear statement of reality had the desired effect.  The mayor remained silent as everyone digested the ramifications.
    “So now you know my plan,” Scott said.  “Our goal will be to evacuate as many survivors