Colonel Karl Klein's page

"Quit playin around down there kids this is making me nervous!"

If everyone agrees with that, Judd relays that to the Colonel. “Oh, and these jokers want to only take one car,” he calls up. “We’ll take the Salami-mobile; any problem if I leave the Camaro parked here?”...

"Sure, give the keys to Mary Ann."

...“We’re headed down to the Marina at _____” he says. “Seen anything down in that direction? Know how to start a boat?”

"Like a car but without the wheels. You're headin' to Mosquito creek, eh? I hope there's something left down there."

He talks into a WT.

"Johnny, your girl is coming to the door."

While you unload everything quickly by the back door Klein calls down: “Thanks guys. Knock three times when it’s all stacked. You need anything? We’re trying to keep traffic in and out of the building to an absolute minimum.”

"That'd be great. Jack and I are going to clean up the bodies when Libby and Gregor are up, so you should be able to use the ladder. Then we're gonna seal up the real estate building except for the utility hut and we can use it for extra rooms. I don't think we want too many people coming in and out of the shop until we know how this disease is moving."

"Time for lunch, then."

<Everyone heads upstairs and rifles the dwindling food supply in the cabinets.>

"So where are you folks going to head?"

“A large caliber handgun? You’re pretty skinny kid, you sure you can handle it? Ok…. Wait a few, then, we’ve got one up in the lobby display.”

<Klein marches up the stairs opposite the elevator and comes back about five minutes later with an impressive long barreled revolver.>

“Dirty Harry’s gun, the .44 Magnum Double-Action Revolver. The S&W Model 29 was the world’s first .44 Magnum revolver. It was quickly discovered by Hollywood, leading to a rush of popularity for the big, powerful cartridge and heavy demand by gun collectors. Its action is derived from that of the more common Model 10 series, suitably scaled up for use with the powerful Magnum round. It features a solid frame with a swing-out cylinder and a double-action trigger mechanism. Older models were fitted with wooden grips, but more recent versions use synthetics instead. Though more powerful cartridges have since become available, the .44 Magnum remains the most popular of the big revolver rounds. Its great size and strong recoil limit its practicality as a service weapon, however. It was originally designed for use against large and dangerous animals—a role for which it is much better suited.”

When I played Counter-Strike, I often used the shotgun for that inevitable close quarter combat.

Wow. I played that game from beta 2.0 on and I still play CSS today.

-Kruelaid

"The bottom line? Revolvers are more reliable. Added to this is the fact that the Korth Combat is made to last, to survive extreme conditions, and to resist wear. If you happen to be the last man on Earth, Judd, you'd still be carrying this gun."

"No problem, I'll trade you a nice Black Camaro for it." She winks at Dave with a smile.

"I think I'm going to go pick up an Enzo when we finish arming the anti-cannibal militia. There's a Ferrari dealership about 10 blocks west."

"I'll stick with the Sig, but I'm liking these 2 H&K's. Do you happen to have some kind of gun belt that I can use to holster the Sig but also accomodate my tonfa? They are a bit smaller than normal Police Issue as they're for use in Competitions."

"Libby runs an internet shop that sells army surplus gear. We have a couple of boxes of black SAS BDUs, smock and pants. They're durable, waterproof, non flammable and breathable. Better than any raincoat as far as keeping monkeypox out would be my guess, and ripstop. You can grab an ammo harness, too and I'm sure you'll be able to rig the tonfa onto it. We've got lots of leg holsters for the Sig."

"Oh wow, now that is a gun! Don't 'spose you've got another one of those spare lying around?"

"Only one of these around here. They're pretty pricey. Well, they were pretty pricey."

"We also keep a big boy handgun around."

<Rifles through some cases under the bench.>

"Here we go. The Colt Anaconda, an American .44 Magnum Double-Action Revolver. Colt was a relative latecomer to the field of .44 Magnum revolvers. It wasn't until 1990, long after S&W and Ruger had popularized the caliber, that Colt introduced its own design. This - the Anaconda, which was essentially a scaled-up Python - named for the world’s largest snake, it is a truly massive weapon, with a beefed-up frame to withstand the firing pressures of the powerful round. It features the same careful hand finishing and attention to detail found on the Python. Its full-length ejector shroud gives it a slightly nose-heavy balance to counteract muzzle climb. As with the 1980s-era King Cobra, it uses wraparound rubber grips instead of wood. I’ve only got the longer 8-inch barrel. This improves performance, though it makes for an exceptionally large and heavy weapon. But it is manageable - far more so than a Desert Eagle, if you ask me.”

"You can probably guess why I like German weapons sergeant. It's just one of my prejudices. We don’t sell American firearms as a rule, but I do grab a few when I can. Have you ever seen the Alexander Arms Beowulf?"

<He pulls a case out from under the bench and opens it.>

"Here's an American .50 Caliber Assault Rifle. The Beowulf is one of the more remarkable AR-15 variants. It is rechambered to fire a highly modified custom cartridge. This is a straight-sided, unnecked .50 caliber round. Though the bore size is more than doubled, the total length of the cartridge remains the same. This allows it to feed into the AR-15 action with the bare minimum of modification. Indeed, the case rim remains the smaller .223 diameter so that it can interact with the standard AR-15 bolt, giving the cartridge a distinctly unusual appearance. Ordinary AR-15 magazines can still be used, though magazine capacity is cut in half, since the bigger .50 caliber Beowulf rounds must be fed in single-stacked. Though this weapon is an interesting development, and it certainly throws a large and heavy bullet, the relatively small size of the cartridge case relative to the projectile makes it somewhat underpowered. It is best suited for close-range use.

"As for the pistols, you can keep the sidearms you have or take one of these cadillacs, it's up to you."

<To Patrick.>

"That sword is wicked deadly, but you might want to carry one or two of these handguns as well."

"It's used by the Canadian Armed Forces, Airborne, and Hostage Rescue Teams across Canada, but in the last year we've sold most of ours to the oil companies. Their inspectors have been having trouble with hungry polar bears on the pipelines."

"Go ahead and shoot it. You'll have to load it yourself."

<He passes out protective eyewear and waves his hand at the ammo cabinet behind him. The range is only 75 feet.>

<Laid out out the bench table in front of the range are some revolvers, some automatics, 2 sniper rifles, 4 submachine guns, and 2 shotguns. Ever the gun salesman, Klein leaves out no details.>

“Please get yourselves some headgear. Right over there.”

“This morning I'm going to teach you as much as I can about these fine weapons as I can. Listen up, it might save your lives. First, the guns.”

“The Korth Combat, a German .357 Magnum/9mm Double-Action Revolver, The Combat is a service revolver from Korth, a German producer of high-quality handguns. The frame and barrel are cold forged from steel. The wooden grips are ergonomically contoured.”

“Aside from its obvious quality, the design and appearance of the Combat is entirely conventional and is modeled on the S&W pattern. The Korth revolver has an unusual trigger mechanism that uses a small wheel in place of the more conventional trigger cam. By adjusting this wheel, the trigger’s release point can be adjusted to suit the shooter’s preference. Trigger pressure can be similarly modified using an adjustment screw. This is an excellent quick draw weapon.”

“The Combat is sold with two interchangeable cylinders. The shooter can rapidly switch between them, allowing either .357 Magnum or 9mm Parabellum ammunition to be used, as desired.”

“Korth Pistol, a 9mm Double-Action Autoloader Pistol. The Pistol is a semiautomatic design featuring an innovative locking system that uses a barrel block located near the muzzle. This dampens recoil considerably, making the Korth surprisingly smooth and pleasant to shoot. The action cycles cleanly and precisely due to the careful precision of its manufacture.”

“The entire weapon is precision hand-machined by expert craftsmen from high-quality steel. The grips are made from ornately polished wood. The finish is exacting, displaying the finest quality and careful attention to every detail. Guys, we carry these Korths for rich collectors. It’s one of the best guns made in the world today, but few people can afford them. Today they’re on sale. Free.”

“The Heckler and Koch G3-SG1, a 7.62mm Semiautomatic Sniper Rifle. This weapon is little more than a G3 rifle modified for the sniping role. It’s outfitted with a bipod, a stock with a cheekpiece, and a target trigger. A standard scope is fitted as well. This is the standard sniper rifle of the German Army.”

“The L96A, a British 7.62mm Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle. This excellent rifle serves as the standard-issue sniping weapon in more than twenty different countries, including Great Britain. The design is quite innovative. The 96’s action and barrel are attached to an internal metal frame rather than to the composite stock. This arrangement simplifies maintenance and ensures that damage to the stock does not affect the weapon’s accuracy. This is good rifle for fast moving snipers.”

“For the Vancouver PD’s hostage rescue team we carry the Heckler and Koch MP5, arguably the most successful submachine gun ever made. It is built around a relatively simple concept, combining the standard H&K roller-locked action used in the G3 series of assault rifles with the 9mm Parabellum cartridge to produce a compact submachine gun. The result is a weapon of exceptional accuracy and reliability.”

“In keeping with the assault-rifle origins of its action, the MP5 fires from a closed bolt. This means that when the first shot is fired, the only part of the action that moves is the firing pin. On most other submachine guns, the entire bolt snaps closed when the trigger is pressed; this causes a noticeable shift in the weapon’s center of gravity, which can pull the muzzle off target. The MP5, on the other hand, is very stable and accurate, especially when fired in semiautomatic mode.”

“Construction of the MP5 is solid, using metal stampings and high impact composite furniture. Its carefully engineered shape, designed with ergonomic concerns in mind, gives it a sturdy, no-nonsense look that has added to its success. The short, exposed muzzle features a mounting point for a clip-on suppressor or muzzle brake.”

“H&K has recently developed this modified MP5 with the Knights Armaments Company Rail Interface System, allowing rapid and versatile accessory mounting. The MP5 RIS features accessory rails around the forward grip and on the top of the receiver. It is compatible with a variety of different devices, including aiming lights, laser pointers, reflex or optical sights, and specialized grips. These are fitted with scopes, so if you want a laser, just let me know.”

“This is the weapon of choice for hostage rescue teams around the world, folks, and there is probably nothing better for moving fast and accurately snuffing cannibals.”

“This one we supply to the Vancouver police, it’s usually carried by their point men. The Benelli M3 Series, an Italian 12-Gauge Dual-Action Shotgun. The Benelli M1 was a hugely popular design with police, who valued its dependability and extremely fast action. Its recoil-driven firing mechanism, however, was designed only with full-power shotgun loads in mind. When used with low-power specialty shells, such as riot shells, the weaker recoil force proved too weak to cycle the action, and the weapon would jam.”

“To address this problem, Benelli developed a dual-action derivative that combined both pump and recoil actions into a single weapon. The M3, as the new design came to be known, normally operates as a semiautomatic shotgun using the M1’s recoil-driven action. When low-powered rounds are needed, the shooter simply twists a selector knob at the end of the forward grip to lock the recoil mechanism and convert the weapon to pump-action mode.”

“So … what are we about this morning guys? Hitting the Grainger store? Stocking up on some more food? Heading to the hospital?”

"How about we check out what's new in the basement."

...

"Get the cars tomorrow, Libby and Gregor are watching them. And sure, you can stay. You can run for the hills. It's up to you."

<Smiles.>

"But you know, you guys aren't the first to come in here today; everyone else went back out with our guns, our ammo. There are people hiding, scared, no weapons, with no one to help. People. Children. Someone has to help, don't they?... You know, I'm not a religious man, but I know this is the end - and we're all being judged."

<Long Pause.>

"Get some sleep. You're going to need it."

"This folks is Eddie. Listen to everything he ever says about weapons and nothing he ever says about women. He's the best gun-smith that can be found in Canada, and well, an American."

"Yeah, they don't really look dead either, which is a relief. If this is a disease then if we can hold out long enough the environment should take care of them for us. Might be able to take them out with damage rather than pure head shots."

He looks at you like you're insane. You get the impression he's never seen a Romero movie.

"Uhuh. Those nades slowed them but they don't seem to get stunned. This is going to be one hell of a war."

He takes your rifle and begins speaking in a soft steady voice quite different from the voice that you heard issuing commands earlier. You feel calmed.

"You ever read those Gunslinger books by Stephen King? There's this mantra 'I do not aim with my hand; he who aims with his hand has forgotten the face of his father. I aim with my eye. I do not shoot with my hand; he who shoots with his hand has forgotten the face of his father. I shoot with my mind. I do not kill with my gun; he who kills with his gun has forgotten the face of his father. I kill with my heart.'"

While he talks he takes the gun apart without looking and sets the pieces on the crenelation in front of you. He's calm, not like the drill sargents you're accustomed to.

"King can't shoot. It sounds cool but it's all b~@+#!+&....."

For the next hour the Colonel shares his ideas about shooting. Every time you look at his hardened, cold eyes the voice seems mismatched.

Peering through his scope.

Quietly to anyone who is listening: "They react slow and move awkwardly, but they don't seem weak at all."

He talks quietly.

"Truth be told our test is crap, that's all we know how to do. And we have it on good authority that some people are carriers with no symptoms for... well more than a day and a half. Who knows how long it can hide, we don't even have a doctor here."

The zombies are about 100 feet north of the shop and spread almost all the way across the street. They are scanning the buildings, sniffing the air, and even look up at you but obviously can't make you out with street lights glaring in their faces. Two have run ahead to the cars and seem very interested in the warm engines.

"I served with the guy commanding the troops downtown and we're in radio contact. They left the bridge open too long, they should have blown it. And yes, guns you shall have."

Dave doesn’t head down the stairs yet. Hearing the shooting stop he walks out to stand beside the Colonel, squinting into the darkness. “You got any more guns up here mate?” he asks.

You're alone with the Colonel on the north west corner. He hands you the field glasses, electronic optical glasses, and the view is as bright as day.

"They're sniffing like dogs. They seem to want to eat us but just ignore each other - as if their own dead aren't there. To think that someone made this and released it on the world is... well... there aren't words."

Judd watches them, they seem to be searching, but tend to stay together in a large group. They don't seem to stray much more than 10-15 meters from the rest and are moving toward the gun shop.

As the shooting winds up, Klein jogs to the other side of the building again.

"Jack, you keep an eye on that fire escape."

He pulls out a Motorola radio and speaks.

"Everything is under control out here Mick. Hold tight down there."

He reloads his weapon and picks up the field glasses he left on the west side, scoping the zombies from the school ground.

"HEY DUNDEE! FIRE IN THE HOLE!"

"Of bloody Christ!"

Jack, who doesn't have line of fire on the climber's head fires a burst into it's body - one of its thighbones shatters - the leg swings obscenely supported by meat alone. It somehow continues hanging onto the ladder.

"Grenade guys. Up the ladders, up the ladders. Let's go, go, go!"

"Fire at will."

<Grumbles.>

"You're lucky I made that promise to your daddy, Jackie."

<Raises his voice again for the next:>

"Sam and Dundee. The alley lights are gonna hit them when they get to that fence. Sam start in the middle and work right. Dundee start with the rightmost and work left. And shoot them in the head or you'll just slow them down a little."

"You know what to do Jackie."

"On my command."

"I wish I had Bob up here."

<Looking through the glasses.>

"These guys look f#*#ed up. They're sniffing stuff. Scenting like dogs."

<He puts down the glasses and lift up his assault rifle.>

It's been a long day....

Take it easy. I'm done for the day, myself.

<Klein walks to Jackie's wall and sweeps the glasses toward the schoolground.>

"Roger that."

<He keeps scanning.>

"Eddie's house, too. Losing them behind the buildings."

<Klein turns to Sam and Dave.>

"If you can fire rifles there are two inside the utility hut. Take 'em up but don't fire unless I command."

Dave and Sam, inside the hut:

Sam, your Sig Sauer P299

"Posture."

<Klein shoulders the assault rifle and picks up a huge pair of binoculars off the top of the utility hut. Walks to the edge.>

Waiting for Sam's reply to Patrick.

"Sam you there? Big trouble! over"

"Go ahead and reply."

"... And one of the guys with us is U.S. Army ... or something."

"You mean King Arthur? The guy walking patrol around the van?"

<The same easy laugh - the sort that makes people feel comfortable even when they're in serious doodoo.>

"He has that look. Her too."

<Waves his gun at Sam.>

"A lovely blonde is never useless, kiddo."

<He draws a sidearm and tosses it to her handle first. It's a Sig Sauer P229 9mm.>

Is it possible that you could help us out? Please."

"You can use a gun?"

Sam and Dave

"Aussie's eh? Enjoyin' yer vacation are ya?"

<Chuckles.>

"Well you came to the right place for guns. In here we've got the last guns you can get in Vancouver except those you pick up off a dead man or steal from a house, which ain't many. Turns out gun control was a big f%++ing mistake."

<Chuckles again.>

"Rest of the stores are south of the inlet and they've been looted by now."

<He relaxes a bit and stops sighting down the barrel. He keeps it on Judd, and it's obvious he has a talent for keeping it aimed exactly at someone's head even when he's holding it low and having a casual conversation.>

"I run this place, don't own it though. I'm the buyer. Boss has head for the open sea so I'm in charge. Colonel Karl Klein, Canadian Airborne and JTF-2 retired."

<He lights a cigarette and you get your first look at his face. He looks to be between 50 and 60.>

"We're checking everyone for fever or low body temp, one or the other. Sneeze, cough, dead. Not much we can do till we figure out a way to separate out who is sick and who ain't, and to worsen things the army is sayin' some people just carry it for a while. Others go down fast and come up crazier than Ted Bundy."

<Looks from one to the other.>

"You guys could be sick, but I'm willing to take a few risks up until the time this thing really is everywhere."

"So who killed it? Who killed the zombie?"

Sam and Judd

"Okay, sit down and talk you two."

<He gestures at the thin guy.>

"Jackie, walk the edge."

Sam and Judd

"My name is Karl Klein. My friend here is Jackie, but you better call him Jack. He's gonna stick something in your ear and take your temperature, then he's gonna shine a light in your eyes. If you move an inch I'm gonna fire a round into your cerebral cortex. You better not cough or sneeze neither because just a little more pressure on this trigger is gettin' you the same. When he's done we can chit chat without you two dyin'"