03 Deluge of the Dead Read Online Free PDF

as possible by boat and bring them to refugee camps in our safe haven.  We can work on long term relocation plans later.  The priority has to be rescuing as many people as possible during this storm.  It might be the last big rain we get for many months, so this could be their only hope to escape from wherever they’re hiding.
    “What we really need from you, Mr. Mayor is to spread the word of the evacuation plan and our prediction that it will be possible for survivors to relocate during the rain.  You should use whatever remains of the emergency broadcast system, including weather alert radios, and get a comprehensive press release to GNN and any radio stations that are still on the air.  We should use loudspeakers from helicopters over residential areas near the coast too.  Anyone have any other ideas?”  Scott seemed to add this last question as an afterthought, but Carl’s mind had been digesting all of these ideas and came up with one of his own.  He raised his hand, nodding towards the speaker phone, and Scott raised an eyebrow as he nodded for Carl to proceed.
    “I have an idea,” Carl said hesitantly while leaning towards the speaker phone on Scott’s desk. 
    “Who’s speaking?” asked Special Agent Corrigan.
    “This is Carl Stiller.  I’m an engineer and I just led a convoy of survivors from the refinery that the commodore mentioned to this safe haven.  I also set up the sprinkler defense at the refinery and I’ve participated in several rescue and supply missions since Z-Day.  So I guess I have more experience fighting these zombies and moving around on streets infested with them than most people do.”
    “Those sound like good enough credentials for me,” replied Corrigan in a tone that seemed to challenge those around him to disagree.  “What’s your idea, Carl?”
    “Well, we got here by using a big front end loader, sort of a bulldozer, to clear a path for our convoy.  It should be possible to do the same thing on some of the freeways.  We can try to clear a lane on the Harbor Freeway all the way from San Pedro to downtown LA.  Of course it would be better and faster if we start at both ends and meet up in the middle.”  Carl paused and there was silence on the line as everyone digested his plan.  He pressed on to explain, “Once we have at least one lane cleared you can start sending buses full of people down to the port.  During the rain it might be possible for people near the freeway to get to onramps and overpasses where the buses could pick them up too.”  Scott was nodding approval as Carl finished outlining his idea.
    “Do you really think that is possible?” asked Mayor Del Fuego. 
    “It sounds workable,” interjected Special Agent Corrigan.  “But do we have time to do all of that during the storm?”
    “We should plan on starting first thing in the morning,” Carl suggested.
    “Before the rain even starts?” asked the mayor incredulously.  “The zombies would be all over you!”
    “It wouldn’t be the first time,” said Carl confidently.  “It’s just a matter of zombie-proofing the vehicles.  We have one front end loader and a wrecker ready to go and I can email or fax you some simple plans to duplicate on your own earthmovers.  The Marines here have an APC with a bulldozer blade that could help clear the road and provide firepower too.  We also have two zombie-proof fire trucks with water canon to provide defense until the storm arrives.”  Carl seemed to have figured this out on the fly.  Scott was impressed and, judging by the stunned silence on the phone, so were those listening in the EOC. 
    To fill the silence Carl explained, “I would start right now, but it would be safer to wait until dawn when we can use helicopters to scout the route and provide air cover.  If they spot anything that we can’t handle, or clear out of the way, we might need to make a few detours or take an alternate route.  I also want to let my heavy