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  Zombie Zero

  The First Zombie

  Zombie Zero: The First Zombie

  Copyright © 2016 by J.K. Norry

  Cover Art: Sean Harrington

  Cover Design and Author Photo by: Dawn Marshall/Dear23

  Publishers note:

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval without permission in writing from the author.

  ISBN-13: 978-1-944916-93-0

  ISBN-10: 1-944916-93-8

  www.SuddenInsightPublishing.com

  Indie publishing for the Indie Author

  Zombie Zero

  The First Zombie

  J.K. Norry

  Trigger Warning Definition

  Google.com: Trigger Warning: noun: a statement at the start of a piece of writing, video, etc., alerting the reader or viewer to the fact that it contains potentially distressing material (often used to introduce a description of such content). Example: there probably should be a trigger warning for people dealing with grief.

  Wikipedia.org: Trigger warnings are warnings that the ensuing content contains strong writing or images which could unsettle those with mental health difficulties.

  UrbanDictionary.com: Top Definition: Trigger warning: A phrase posted at the beginning of various posts, articles, or blogs. Its purpose is to warn weak minded people who are easily offended that they might find what is being posted offensive in some way due to its content, causing them to overreact or otherwise start to act like a dipshit…(et cetera, et cetera…) by pottskiller; January 03, 2014

  Merriam-Webster Dictionary app: Trigger warning: No match found.

  Zombie Zero Trigger Warning

  This book was not written to lull you to sleep, or to provide sweet escape from the harsh realities of the world that we have made together. Nor was it written to preach, or teach, or wake anybody up. This book was written for the same reason my other books have been written: to entertain the reader while also giving you a little something to think about. Literature is one of the last bastions of free speech remaining to us, and it’s where I go when I want to hear sincere ideas expressed freely. I know that I can disagree, or change my own thinking, or put the book down if I choose. In a world where many things create the opposite of what they intended, particularly when one individual or group tries to control another, I offer the following trigger warning:

  You may not agree with the points of view expressed by the characters in this book; God knows I don’t. You may find some scenes disturbing, disgusting, and even downright repulsive; it is a book about flesh-eating zombies, after all. You might also find yourself quite entertained by the following content, and it may leave you with something to think about that you hadn’t thought about much before.

  Just remember…you’ve been warned.

  Acknowledgements

  I thought this would be a fun idea, but I didn’t want to ruin it for anyone by explaining too much too soon. When I started writing this story, folks from the world we live in started showing up. They were all heroes of mine, people that have deep thoughts and admirable work ethics. It only made sense that these folks that were working so hard in our world would be working just as hard in another world that was so much like it. I messaged a lot of people in our world to ask if I could mention them in my story about a reality much like our own.

  I told these people, the ones I could get ahold of, that I wanted them in my book. Most of the mentions are first names, that might not be paired up with their last names until the next book. I wanted to get permission before I put the books in motion, though; they are listed in order of appearance in the book, if you want to watch for them. Most are in the italicized first paragraph of a chapter, as are some character names, but not all of them. There will be more of nearly all of them in the next book.

  The people that responded were very kind in doing so, and very thoughtful in many cases. I gave most everyone an opportunity to choose from a few options in the conclusion, ‘Zombie Zero: The Last Zombie’. Some of the enthusiastic responses I got had me walking on sunshine for days at a time. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them:

  Thanks to Doctor Christopher Ryan, for pointing out that I didn’t have to ask, through his kind assistant Natasha, and giving his consent anyhow. I am a huge fan, and it wouldn’t have been the same to call the doctor by any other name. ‘Sex at Dawn’ is a brilliant, entertaining and evolutionarily informative read.

  Ari Shaffir is a hilarious comic, and has a great podcast that I’ve never missed an episode of. He thought that the message I sent him was a little long, but he said I could use him any way I wanted. Thanks, Ari: for the permission, the comedy shows, and for ‘The Skeptic Tank’!

  Thanks to DC comics for allowing me to mention Superman and Lex Luthor as freely as everyone else does. They clearly stated that anyone may do so on their website, and I appreciate it. What other hero has stood for so much for so long?

  Adam Dreece is a bit of a personal hero to me, and I was thrilled that he was thrilled about my book and his role in it. He is the author of ‘The Yellow Hoods’ series, ‘The Wizard Killer’, and is always working on something new and exciting. Thanks, Adam!

  Christina Hoff Sommers is a brilliant philosopher and author that I thought this world needed as much as ours does. Her insightful books on feminism pair up perfectly with her video blog, ‘The Factual Feminist’. She says things we all need to hear, that only a woman can say. Thanks, Christina, for being in both worlds, and for doing so much.

  Christina McMullen is a ridiculously talented publisher, artist and author in the indie publishing world, and an incredible writer. Reading ‘Kind of Like Life’ made me a huge instant fan. Now I’m reading twice as much as before, just to catch up to her dedicated pace. ‘Rise of the Discordant’ is a great place to get started, too; it’s a series that has a lot to offer any reader. I had to have her brains at work in something specific in my world, and she kindly let me. Thanks, Christina!

  Megan O’Russell is a writer and actress in both our world and this one, and both worlds are better for it. She was so busy, it was a little hard to get ahold of her; but we did, and I am very pleased to have her in this book. Her spellbinding series is ‘The Tethering’, and it is magical fun for everyone! Thanks, Megan!

  I met a fan that became a friend during all of this, and he fit right into the story. There was a beginning I couldn’t finish, as I had trouble imagining anyone actually turning off their wireless device for any extended period. Thanks, Rolawndo Swells, for slipping free of the electronic tether often and at will…and thanks for being in my book!

  Angela Chrysler takes everything she does very seriously. She put every part of her considerably multi-faceted being into creating a world for ‘Dolar and Shadow’ in the first book of ‘Tales of the Drui’, and followed it up with ‘Fire and Lies’ this summer. She’s working hard on the next one, like she does with all of her projects. We needed expert gardeners in this world, and inexhaustible people with a superhuman passion for the arts. That pretty much describes Angela. Thanks, Angela, for everything you do. You might want to finally get some rest; you’ll need it for the next book.

  Doug Benson was very gracious in fielding my inquiry, and very prompt in his response. He’s a busy guy, with his ‘Doug Loves Movies’ and ‘Getting Doug With High’ podcasts, and his comedy. Doug’s comedy was needed in this world, and he let it be. Good thing; that would have
been a tough chapter to cut. Thanks so much, Doug!

  Sarah Barthel (and Leroy!) and Josh Carter are in this world as well. What kind of world would it be without Phantogram? Not nearly as awesome, that’s for sure! Their music is beautiful and haunting and breathtaking, and I’m glad they let this other world have that magic too. Thanks, Josh and Sarah!

  Michael R. Stern and his wife Linda agreed to be in this book. His time travel book ‘Storm Portal’ shows his love and knowledge of history, and it’s just the exciting beginning to the ‘Quantum Touch’ time travel series! Linda is a writer as well, the author of ‘Bosses and Blackjacks’ as L.C. Bennett Stern. Thanks, Michael and Linda!

  Joe Compton decided to decline an invitation to traditional publishing and joined the indie author community instead. Lucky us. Check out his fast-paced crime thriller ‘Amongst the Killing’. He also agreed to be in my books. Lucky me! Thanks, Joe!

  Tom Corson Knowles is one of those people who would have made a difference in any world. He chose writing, and publishing, and helping other authors hone their craft and realize their dreams. I have never missed an episode of his show, either; ‘The Publishing Profits Podcast’ is an invaluable resource for authors and publishers alike. Thanks Tom, for being in my book, for all the help, and for everything you do.

  T. Harv Eker is as dedicated to other people’s wealth and happiness as he is his own. He wrote what I consider to be one of the best books ever on financial and spiritual self-awareness, ‘Secrets of the Millionaire Mind’. Without him in this world, many would still be financially adrift…thanks, Harv, for the unfailing compass and the generous go-ahead. And thanks to Sharon Roga, for fielding my odd request so graciously.

  Thanks to Dawn Marshall for pulling this all together, and making it her number one priority to make all my dreams come true. You wouldn’t be holding this book in your hands right now if it weren’t for her, and this world I’m writing about would not exist yet at all.

  Thanks to Mammoth, Dawn’s gigantic dog. He opened up my heart with his big happy grin and enthusiastic response each time I came home; he made it into my life in every way long ago, and in the ‘Zombie Zero’ short stories more recently. I took a lick in the face as a ‘yes’ in this case.

  My gratitude to Mother Earth…who, hopefully, has a sense of humor. I couldn’t find her e-mail anywhere.

  And once again, and as always…many thanks to God. No world would be the same without you, in whatever form you may take for whoever is doing the looking.

  That being said, I will also state that none of the views or opinions expressed by these characters are implied as belonging to them in any world but this fictional one. All characters in this book are fictional, even those that bear a strong resemblence to people I admire in our world.

  Now, on with the story…

  Foreword

  The seed for this story sprouted years ago, before I had completed my first manuscript. I was reading some wildly varying theories on the origins of humankind, and watched my mind stack up the ‘what-ifs’ in a back corner. At the time I thought that I would be a ‘New Age type’ author in a few years, but I doubted that I would ever write a story about flesh-eating zombies. How is that philosophical?

  Personal evolution is something every good philosopher should take seriously, and I give in to it every now and then. It’s great fun to admit that you were wrong about nearly everything on a regular basis, as you reach for the next level of what’s right for you. I couldn’t have been more wrong than I was about this. After writing my first fantasy trilogy, I knew I had to write about this next.

  This book will stand on its own, if you want it to. The next one will too. They do go together, however; and there’s even more of this story being told elsewhere. If you sign up for ‘The Secret Society of Deeper Meaning’, my secret newsletter, you’ll learn a lot more about this world. Before you go there, or read this, there’s something you should know about me:

  I haven’t hung up my philosopher’s hat, but I have realized that I can wear it just about anywhere. Every aspect of life has a deeper meaning, and different points of view are anchored in their own deeper meaning. Even the monster has a point of view; perhaps they have a purpose all their own, as meaningful to them as ours is to us. Perhaps there is a deeper meaning to the zombie. Let’s hope this hat is machine washable; things are about to get bloody.

  Prologue

  The general glanced at the clock on the wall. He smiled. The hands stood at noon, the same hour he had eaten lunch nearly every day for twenty years. The general pushed out his chair and reached under his desk. His fingers wrapped around the handle of the cooler, his belly grumbling in anticipation. Tina had made meatloaf last night, and the only thing he liked better than Tina’s warm meatloaf for dinner was Tina’s cold meatloaf for lunch. In the same moment that the cooler thunked on the desk, his phone chirped and began flashing red light. The general pressed the flashing button.

  “It’s noon,” he said calmly.

  “I know, General, I’m sorry,” the rushed clipped male voice came back to him through the device. “It’s Doctor Ryan. He says he needs to talk to you. He says it’s urgent.”

  “Well, go down there,” the general responded, still calm. “See what it is that’s so urgent, then come interrupt my lunch if you think I will agree.”

  “Sir.” The secretary hesitated. “He has put the lab on lockdown. He won’t let anyone in or out, and he says he will only talk to you.”

  The general sat up straighter. “Doctor Ryan? Are you sure?”

  “Sir.” The general’s secretary was a very serious young man. Of course he was sure. Heaving a sigh, the general stowed the cooler under his desk for later. He checked his sidearm, more out of habit than anything. Then he stood and made his way to the door.

  His secretary stood to attention behind his own small square of desk.

  “At ease,” the general nodded.

  The secretary’s stance barely relaxed at the words.

  “Shall I come with, sir?”

  The general waved his hand. “All the way down there? No need. I’ll call if I need any notes taken or calls made.”

  He didn’t mean to be insulting; the general simply wanted to be alone with his thoughts. His brisk hurried pace brought him quickly to a bank of elevators. Passing his hand over the lighted screen next to the small set of doors in the middle, the general stepped inside as the steel panels whooshed open. A pleasant nondescript female voice spoke as the doors shut.

  “General Roberts, access level five,” the disembodied voice announced. “Which floor, sir?”

  “The lab,” he snapped. “Floor F.”

  “Floor F,” she repeated. “Research. Going down.”

  The elevator stopped descending three floors down, and the general frowned when the doors opened.

  “Sir!” The young man stood on the other side of the open doors, saluting. The general checked his lapel.

  “Sergeant,” he snapped. “Are you cleared to ride this elevator?”

  “Sir, no sir!” The man was still saluting him. “I was waiting for that one.” He pointed with the hand not glued to his forehead.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Up, sir. I was going to-”

  “Not anymore.” The general cut him off. “Get in.”

  He was accustomed to taking orders. The sergeant moved as if the general’s words were his own thoughts. He stood there while the doors whooshed closed, obviously anxious but moving as little as possible. At least he wasn’t saluting anymore.

  “Sir,” the sergeant stammered. “Permission to speak freely.”

  The general immediately regretted following the impulse to invite him along. The walk would be even longer than the elevator ride, and now they were both going to seem interminable. He sighed inwardly.

  “What’s on your mind, Sergeant?”

  “I just wanted to say, sir.” The sergeant straightened. “I am honored to serve under you. I requested thi
s post. I consider you to be a fine example of our race, and I hope to learn as much as possible from your example.”

  “Our race?” The general furrowed his brow. “You mean humans?”

  “Sir, no sir.” The sergeant mirrored his confused look. “I mean African Americans.”

  The general shook his head. He hadn’t even noticed the color of the other man’s skin, not consciously. He didn’t want to explain to this young man that that was the point, at least for him. The general wanted to walk in silence.

  “That’s an ethnicity, not a race,” he responded curtly. “We’re headed to research, not a press conference. These people are scientists, not politicians or internet trolls. They know that we all came from Africa, and that we all share the same phenotype. Racism to them means humans believing themselves to be better than other actual races, like the way our ancestors felt about neanderthals. If you want to learn, talk less from your point of view and listen more to others. Especially here.”

  As if on cue, the doors parted and the general stepped out. He walked briskly, giving the other man no choice but to catch up or be left behind. The sergeant caught up as he paused at the first of many checkpoints. Bulletproof sheets of glass moved aside as he waved his hand over the screen. He motioned the sergeant through.

  “Unauthorized entry,” a disembodied neutral female voice said calmly. “Sergeant Benjamin Taylor not cleared for entry.”

  “Clearance code six-four-alpha-five,” the general announced. “He’s accompanying me on a training exercise.”

  The voice did not reply, but the next set of doors opened silently.

  “Central,” the general spoke up. “Where is Doctor Ryan?”