Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse!

As soon as I said that, Major Harper just looked at me for a few seconds, glanced at Oscar, then looked back at me for a few more seconds before he straight-up cackled while palming his face with his huge hand. To my surprise, as this was happening, Oscar was giving me an approving look but all I did was spit out shit on the top of my head.

Then I heard something I believe I heard only a few times in my life from this stranger I just met:

"You're horribly self-aware, huh?"

"..."

"Cat got your tongue now?"

I shook my head, "Nah, I was just taken aback by that phrase. Only a few perceptive people have said that to me."

"Mm-Hmm~ Is that right? I guess losing an eye made me more perceptive, huh?"

"Hah… I thought losing one or in your case, partially losing one of your senses heightens the other ones, not enhancing the same thing."

"What if it's just my mind's eye that was heightened, hmm?"

"Huh. Haven't thought of that. What did you call me here for, anyway?"

"We're done shootin' shit? Alright… I don't know how much Mitch has told you, but we're aiming to turn this place, among others, into our little safe haven while we're trying to reclaim our soil. I think one of the first steps is to introduce me to one of your allies that's on that other airport due Northeast but the colonel insisted that I go through you first."

I waved him off, "Among others, where else have you guys docked at?"

"Whichever one's closer and hospitable, really. The rule's one in each country to spread us around—we even planned to head straight for your president's main island but there're just too many foreign diplomats over there from other countries we wanted something that's already ours. Did you know that we were planning to buy this place again?"

"I do. Oscar mentioned that to me before."

Major Harper momentarily glanced at Oscar, "Telling government secrets to your nephew, huh?"

Oscar scoffed in derision while picking his ears, "Shaddap, rookie. You fucks kept telling government secrets to a retired fuck like me too. Besides, all this shit wouldn't be possible without us working together. The kid's one of the main reasons we're talking here."

Major Harper shook his head, chuckling, "Fair, fair…"

I cut in, "But yeah, aside from introducing you to Jessica, your main goal after establishing yourself in this base and the Freeport Zone is to connect with the local residents because they're fucking cautious of you. We should've been hearing from them but there was nary a peep or an attempt to establish a connection."

Major Harper sighed, "It's probably because of the other fucks who followed after us. Not only did they dock somewhere else, but they were also telling them horror stories and whatnot, and a portion of my people here are trying just that to convince them otherwise. What we need right now is someone local so they'd believe us more."

"That sounds about right…"

"Also, our next main goal after clearing the Main Harbor is to liberate the Subic Bay International Airport so that we could have more of our troops deliver our people here to safety. Not everyone could just get here by boat, you see… All the more reason that I think you should give me the chance to have a talk with that Jessica(?) fellow. I've also heard great things from her."

I rolled my eyes, "Not to shit on her but our actions are on a lower scale compared to yours—"

"I was just—"

"Let me finish. Jessica would appreciate the brutal honesty more than flattery—and the same thing could be said for me. Tell us straight-up what you need done and we'll tell you what we also need from you and after that, we'll work on the best solution."

He then glanced at the women standing behind me, "You know how to handle yourself around women, huh? You're awfully familiar with how your ally of yours thinks too."

I just dismissed him, "Sure. But that's a story for another day. However, the way I think things are going, you'd need more people to run this place, the Main Harbor, and the Airport all at once and it could be done either with a supplement from either of our troops or more from your side.

I heard a carrier will arrive here soon but if Jessica gives you access to her airport, you'd have more people to work with in the coming days."

He then cut in, "Mitch."

"Hmm?"

"Mitch will have more people to work with in the coming days, not me."

"What do you mean? Ah— You mean?"

"Yeah. He said he wanted to come back and fight but his family here wouldn't let him and that includes me. I'll be better off bringing more of my people here temporarily and fighting those undead fucks rather than sitting my ass here all day, and honestly, Mitch is the best man for the job.

Once everything partly settles or when the carrier comes in, I'll give him all the reigns and his well-deserved promotion."

Oscar cut in, "That reminds me, do we finally have an ETA for the carrier to arrive?"

Major Harper nodded as he turned to the female soldier wearing headphones, "Rodriguez! Hey!"

The Rodriguez dudette then took off her headphones, partly shocked due to the increase of people, "Sir?"

"The carrier. The one where the colonel's daughter is?"

"Right… Just a sec… If I— No… This one… Ah… M-Maybe~ No…"

"We just need an estimate Rodriguez—"

"I got it here! Around 6-8—"

Oscar cut in, "DAYS?! WHAT?!"

Rodriguez shook her head, "N-No, colonel, it's—"

I cut in too, "No way, weeks?!"

"No—"

Major Harper cut in as well, "MONTHS?! I THOUGHT THEY WERE CLOSE?!"

Kaley then had enough, "LET HER FINISH TALKING! GOSH!"

Rodriguez turned to Kaley thankfully before she looked at us, "Hours. They'll be here in 6-8 hours."