Having reset the traps and cleared the zombies blocking traps, I head back inside the walls. Since no one was hurt this attack, the only thing that’s happening is the distribution of more ammo while we wait for the clock to countdown.
While I wait, I consider my strategy. Most of the kills that counted towards me were caused by the traps I set. Only 13 were from me shooting with my rifle. My Analysis skill kicks in and calculates that at 300 yards I only make 1 in 10 shots. At 100 yards, where the traps start, I make 1 in 5 shots. At 50 yards I make two out every three shots. That means I waste a lot of ammo by even trying to pick off targets as they exit the forest. Instead, I should wait until they hit the traps and are slowed down. Sure, I’m still going to miss, but not nearly as much; especially since the zombies get bunched up as they go through the traps.
Howlers start to scream from the forest, indicating that the next wave of zombies is on their way. I grab my rifle and see that Suzie and Thomas are both already lining up shots. I remember my plan and refrain from shooting the zombies as they come out of the forest.
The stream of zombies is much more significant this time around, and I estimate that there are at least 500 zombies this time around.
Nancy shouts orders. “Everyone focus on taking out the Howlers as soon as possible to prevent any organization!” Shots ring out in response to her order, and several of the Howlers drop from the barrage of bullets.
I start to fire my rifle as the zombies reach the first traps. Shamblers and Howlers alike drop as they try to cross the traps. Nancy and her brothers take out the rest of the Howlers with their spectacular shooting.
As more and more of the rotting Zombie Shamblers fall into the traps, I think it just may be possible that they won’t reach the walls again. But my wishful thinking is ruined when I see five creatures sprint out of the forest. They’re moving so fast that it’s hard to tell what they are, but they’re quick. I Inspect them as fast as I can.
Zombie Scaler
Level 8
Health 100/100
TP 20/20
The Zombie Scaler is an uncommon zombie that is both intelligent and deadly. It uses its special abilities to reach any prey then uses its sharp claws to slash it to death.
Abilities: Bite, Slash, Spider Climb
Weakness: Fire, Attacks to the Head
I yell and point out the new monsters, but no one besides Suzie and Thomas can hear me over the sounds of the gunfire. The three of us take aim and fire at the quickly approaching creatures. We take one down, but the other four are already past the floor spikes. I think the razor wire is going to trip them up, but the Zombie Scalers are more intelligent than that.
Each fast-moving monster slows down only long enough to push and throw the zombies around them onto the razor wire. Then each grabs a Shambler, uses it as an undead meat shield, and runs forward. Alert to the new danger, everyone fires at the creatures. Bullets and nails tear through their zombie shields, and another one of the new monsters goes down from a well-aimed headshot from Nancy.
The last three are within ten feet of the walls when they suddenly drop the zombies they’re using as shields and leap. I can only watch in stunned amazement as the zombies jump over the remaining pressure plates onto the walls and start climbing. I look over the side of the wall and see that each creature has razor-sharp claws that let them scale the walls like they’re Spider-Man. Before you can say ‘Holy Spider Zombies,' the three creatures are climbing over the wall and attacking people. Screams of pain and cries of fear sound out over the lessening gunfire. One of the Zombie Scalers slashes at a survivor on the platform to my right, then leaps onto ours. My rifle hangs limply in my hands as I look upon the bone-thin monster. It walks naked with overly long legs and arms, each toe and finger tipped with wickedly sharp claws. Most disturbing though, it its rictus grin.
The creature moves faster than I can track, and I think for a moment that I’m done for. Instead, I hear a gurgling and a scream next to me and see that the zombie has attacked Thomas. The creature's claws have slashed through the man’s throat, and he’s trying to staunch the flow of blood with his hands. Suzie is screaming while trying to reload her gun.
The sight snaps me out of my shock, and I grip the rifle in my hands tightly and use the butt of the rifle to activate Bash. The blunt edge of the butt glows red as it smashes into the side of the Scaler. A red number 8 floats away from the zombie, but more importantly, the blow knocks the creature back, and he tumbles off the side of the platform. I drop the rifle, knowing it’s not useful in such close quarters, and grab one of the hammers from my inventory. My feet feel like they’re walking on air as I use the ability Flying Kick and feel my body leap from the platform. There’s a crunch as my boots connect with the still stunned Zombie Scaler, and a red 12 floats away from the zombie’s head. I tumble to the ground as my momentum carries me past the zombie. I come up swinging the hammer at the zombie and activate Bash as the weapon connects to its ribs. There’s a sickening crunching sound as the hammer breaks a bone and sends the creature flying backward. The creature recovers and sprints towards me, claws outstretched to kill. I take three slashes along my torso and see three red tens float away from me. However, the slashes are prevented from doing more damage by the Mad Max style armor I’m wearing.
The creature looks stunned that I’m not already dead after it’s flurry of attacks, and I enjoy the look of surprise on its deformed face as my hammer comes down on its head. I use Bash two more times for a total of 46 more damage, finally ending the undead life of the creature.
I’m ecstatic from my success, but the rest of the survivors weren’t as successful. The survivors were able to kill the other two Zombie Scalers, but not before they killed three survivors and injured another four. The remaining Shamblers are whittled down by the traps and the shooters still on the walls.
Another blue screen appears, summarizing my contributions and experience points
Contribution
Trap kills130
Personal kills16
Total XP earned3762
Time to next wave: 01:00:00
The analytical part of me appreciates the massive amount of experience points that I just got. However, that excitement is muted by the crying I hear. From the platform above me, I see Suzy cradling the head of her dead husband in her arms. Even though I know that she’s an NPC and isn’t real, I feel a tear run down my cheek. Quickly wiping it away, I leave the woman to her grief.
While nothing can be done for the dead survivors, the injured ones are taken to the medical center and treated by Nancy and her brothers. The three have first aid training, and Nancy has more advanced skills in healing. Together, the three can use what few medical supplies that are available to patch up everyone.
It’s not until Nancy is trying to take off my armor that I realize that she’s been talking to me.
“Hurry up and take this armor off so I can bandage you up!”
I shake my head and mechanically do as she says. I unzip my armored jacket, and peel off my blood-soaked shirt. Nancy quickly cleans the slash wounds and applies a bandage to me. I see a green 15 float away from me and when I check my character sheet see that I’m back up to 145/160 health. I guess Nancy’s healing skills aren’t just for show.