Z-Burbia 4: Cannibal Road Read Online Free PDF Page B

smack. Those smacks will get increasingly more and more unpleasant. You’ll probably last through the first three, but after that I wager you’ll cave.”
    “No need for threats, Gunnery Sergeant,” Kramer said. “I know how this all plays out. It is not my first interrogation by scared survivors and probably won’t be my last. My only request is that you consider a little quid pro quo. You ask me something and I ask you something.”
    “I don’t see how we benefit from that,” Stuart replied.
    “You benefit because then I know what you may not know that you will certainly need to know,” Kramer responded. “As I keep saying, I’m here to help. I can’t help if I don’t know what important information you lack.”
    Stuart watched the man for a long while. As he was busy studying Kramer, I took the time to study Elsbeth. She stood behind us all; her blades sheathed once again, her arms across her chest, and glared at Kramer. I tried to get her to look at me, but she refused. Her entire being radiated hate for the man and I had to wonder at how much self-control she had to use to keep from killing him.
    “Okay,” Stuart said finally. “I ask two questions and you can ask one. Don’t forget John here. Answer honestly and quickly and you’ll be just fine.”
    “Your confidence in your lie detection abilities worries me,” Kramer said. “I could tell the truth and get a smack anyway.”
    “I’ll know,” Elsbeth said. “Don’t you worry none about that.”
    “Yes,” Kramer sighed. “I suspect you will know if I’m lying. Very well, let us get started. Ask your questions, Gunnery Sergeant.”
    “What do you get out of helping us?” Stuart asked.
    “I stay alive,” Kramer answered. “Like I said, I have been all the way across the country. Except for the large settlements, you are the only group of survivors that has even come close to making it in this post-apocalyptic world. You’ve struggled a lot, and lost many, but you keep going. I would like to keep going with you.”
    “Why the Stronghold?” Stuart asked.
    “I believe I have already answered that,” Kramer said.
    “Then answer it again and elaborate.”
    Kramer’s smug smile faltered, but he recovered quickly.
    “The Stronghold is the only settlement that hasn’t asked me to leave,” Kramer said. “The others preferred that I take my company elsewhere. In this day and age, you do not argue with those that insist on your leaving.”
    “Remember that,” Critter said as he pointed the baton at Kramer, “when it comes time for me to ask you to leave.”
    Kramer nodded. “May I ask my question now?”
    “Why have you been asked to leave the other settlements?” Stuart asked, ignoring Kramer’s request.
    The man wisely let the slight go and replied, “I have a certain way about me that others find off putting. I also have a need to continue my research and scientific work. That work was not welcome.”
    “What work?” Stuart asked. Kramer didn’t reply. “Fine. Ask your question?”
    “How did you plan on getting all of your people from here to Kansas City alive?” Kramer asked.
    All heads looked in my direction.
    “What?” I asked. “You want me to tell him everything?”
    “The highlights,” Stuart said.
    “Okay,” I said. “We are using all of the diesel or multi-fuel vehicles, including the haul truck, to make a convoy. We have the supplies and weapons needed to get us where we need to go.”
    “The haul truck!” Kramer smiled. “That is an impressive piece of equipment. Stronger than a tank and two stories high, but doesn’t it take an excessive amount of fuel?”
    “We’ll be bringing extra fuel,” I replied. “We have stockpiled biodiesel and calculated the trip, including detours and other contingencies. We’ll slowly start to lose vehicles along the way as the fuel dwindles, but we’ll just add those passengers to the haul truck when needed. They can ride with the sick and injured in the bunk