Last Rites

Last Rites by BagABones

Audio file # 4412 (Last Words)

Subject : John Tarrant (ZRT # 301)

Call Sign : Smokey

Transcription : Ellen Mills

All teams in the field carry recorders for after action reports, witness testimony and, in some cases, the Last Words Rite.

   This Last Words audio tape will be placed on the Memorial Wall after transcription and will be given to any family members that have survived the undead plague. Subject has given the following two clues that will have to be answered before family can receive tape. 

1.  What was the name of my son’s favorite stuffed animal? (Answer: Classified)

2.   What were my last words to my wife? (Answer: Classified)

 Should John Tarrant survive, this tape will be returned to him in accordance with Zed Rescue Team bylaws. Tape begins now :

Sit-rep transmission one: Day one 

This is Civilian Captain John Tarrant with the ZRT, 2^nd volunteers.

  During our airlift into zone four-oh-one on a search and rescue mission we experienced engine failure and crash landed into an apartment block. The pilot and co-pilot were killed on impact and we’ve attracted quite a bit of attention from Zeds in the area. My three man team and I will continue on with our mission and leave markers for Evac teams as to our location. The building that the survivors are holed up in is only two blocks away towards our North; looks like we’ll have to run and gun to get there. Out.

Sit-rep transmission two: Day one

   There are seven survivors total; two men, three women and two children. Injuries are light; a broken leg on one of the adult males and one of the women has received a concussion. They are survivors of a convoy that were trying to get to the Montana Liberated Zone. They’ve holed up in an abandoned two-story office building and managed to seal the place pretty well, in fact they have enough supplies to last for at least another week if needed. We’ll start treating the wounded and securing the building even more with the materials available at hand. I’ve been to the rooftop to mark our position for another chopper. While I was there I noticed that we’re attracting a quite a crowd. Out.

 Sit-rep transmission three: Day two

    Rescue Chopper Fourteen dropped a radio onto the rooftop this morning. Due to power-lines they’ll be unable to pick us up here. We’ll have to escape, somehow, and link up with them in a safer location. The dead have us surrounded now and are trying to force their way in. The sounds are horrible. I’ve relocated all survivors onto the roof and positioned my men through-out the building. I’ll ---- BREACH! BREACH! WEST WALL THIRD WINDOW! **** Transmission breaks off here****

Sit-rep transmission four: Day three

   We’ve managed to force them out and retake the first floor. It wasn’t easy and two of my men are wounded. No bites, thank God; a broken wrist, a dislocated shoulder and an eye injury. It’ll slow us down though and once we leave this building we can’t come back. We’re low on ammo now and with the men’s injuries our effectiveness is limited. Outside the dead are worked into frenzy. I’ve located a sub-basement and will head down shortly to check it out. We’ve got to catch a break soon. Out.

Sit-rep transmission five: Day four

   We’re in rough shape right now. The barricades are starting to give and we don’t have much time so I’ll make this quick. I have managed to find a way out. In the basement of this building is a short tunnel that leads to a severe weather shelter. In the back of that shelter is a door that connects to a parking garage. There are no cars parked at the top level which will make for an excellent landing pad. The dead are concentrated around our building and have not infiltrated the garage yet. I’ve already radioed Central and a chopper is due to arrive within fifteen minutes. We’re leaving, now. Out

 Sit-rep transmission six: Day four

They’ve broken through and are following us down the tunnel. I have ordered two of my men to scout ahead while Jackson and I bring the survivors. Jackson and the healthy survivor are carrying the injured man while I follow as the lag man. We’re moving too slowly and I’m running low on ammo. The tunnel has amplified the noise of the gunfire and I’m half deaf now, but I can still hear the bastards coming. I’ve got to slow them down.

Sit-rep transmission seven: Last Rite

     I’m invoking the act of Last Rite. I know that my wife and son are more than likely dead. They were with my Mother-In-Law in St. Louis when it got overrun, but I have to hope. They were the only family I had left. To my wife Molly and my son Jake: I have to make this quick, so forgive me for being short. I just wanted to say, I never loved anyone or anything as much as you two. Do you remember that night in the country? We were staying with my brother and it was two days before Christmas. It had started to snow while we were wandering around his farm. The flakes were so big and the only sound was of them hitting the trees; and we just walked, never saying a word between the three of us. That night will be the last thought in my mind when the end comes. I love you both. John Tarrant, husband and father. Out.

   After action report:

 Captain Tarrant gave his recorder to Corporal Jackson to be returned to Central before he sent his team and the survivors out of the tunnel under the orders that they get on the chopper and stay there. Using Jackson’s remaining ammo Captain Tarrant then played a rear guard action that slowed the oncoming dead and bought the rest time to board the chopper. The rescue team waited as long as possible for Captain Tarrant. He never emerged onto the rooftop.

All seven of the survivors and the three man team survived.

Dead infestation in the area has made any attempts to search for Captain Tarrant unfeasible. Missing. Presumed dead.

  Post script:

The List Rite tape of John Tarrant was claimed by family three days later.