03 Deluge of the Dead Read Online Free PDF Page B

equipment operators get some rest.  They had a busy day clearing a path from the refinery to the port.”
    “Of course,” said the otherwise speechless mayor. 
    “Sounds like we have a lot of preparations to make tonight,” said Special Agent Corrigan.  “You can count on whatever support I can provide.”  His comment sounded as if it were directed as much towards convincing the mayor to commit to the plan as to reassure Carl and Scott.
    “Yes,” said Mayor Del Fuego.  “If you all think this plan will work, then I will certainly support it.  What exactly will you need from the city?”
    “Bulldozers, armored cars and buses,” said Scott without hesitation while Carl nodded in silent agreement.   “And we’ll need helicopters for air cover and to spread news of the relocation by loud speaker.  Helicopters can also lure zombies away from survivors and their escape routes.  We used that tactic down in Cabo San Lucas right after Z-Day. If this works the way we hope it will, you might want to consider opening other routes to the suburbs during the storm. Once you clear a path it should remain passable to zombie-proof vehicles even after the storm passes.”
    “Yes, that sounds good,” the mayor agreed readily. 
    “This is Fire Chief Rogers,” said another deep voice.  “I’ll ask for volunteers to man fire engines as escorts for the heavy equipment and we have Fire Department bulldozers that can be used to clear roads too.  We also have firefighting helicopters that can drop thousands of gallons of water for air support.”
    “Good idea,” Scott said. “I’m glad you grasp how valuable your firefighting apparatus have become, sir.” 
    “Chief Harris here,” the Police Chief broke in.  “We’ll provide armored cars full of SWAT officers and helicopters with snipers. I can also put armed officers in every bus we can mobilize. This sounds like our first and maybe our only chance to really help the survivors.  I’ll authorize a maximum effort.”  It almost sounded as if the police didn’t want to be upstaged by the fire department, but any motivation to do the right thing was welcome. 
    “I can contribute our FBI helicopter,” said Corrigan.  “We also have three armored SUVs, plus an armored Bearcat and a Hostage Rescue Team to man them. However, they’re located in West LA where the roads and freeways are jammed with abandoned vehicles, so I’m not sure how much good they will do unless we find a bulldozer too.”
    “Good point,” agreed Scott.  “Perhaps your helicopter can scout for a clear path of travel, or find some heavy equipment close by.  If not, we can pick up your team in helicopters to help wherever they are needed.  I’ll coordinate this with the Coast Guard too. They should have another four or five helicopters to contribute to the mission.”
    “I’ll fill in the Sheriff and County Fire Chief,” said the mayor as he began to grasp the scope of the plan.  “They have a lot of assets out at their headquarters on the hill above the junction of Interstate 10 the 710 freeway.  If they can clear a path on those highways west from there, it would add two more major evacuation routes.”
    “Now you’re cooking with gas, Mr. Mayor,” said Scott with a smile.  They spent another ten minutes discussing the details of their plans.  In the end it was decided that the evacuation by boats along the coast would be handled by Scott’s Flotilla and the Coast Guard.  It would be called Operation Dunkirk. The mission to clear the freeways and collect survivors in buses would be known as Operation Exodus. Carl would lead the team clearing a path inland.  Units from the city would work from the other direction.  Everyone realized that it would be impossible to reach or rescue most of the survivors, but they all hoped that their efforts would save thousands – every life counted.
    *****
    Clint got out of Carla’s bed shortly after he was sure she was asleep and