Slow Burn 2

The saga continues…

For decades the Mexican drug cartels looked at the United States of America as a business partner. The cartels supplied the drugs, and the millions of American addicts supplied them with an endless amount of money. But when the War on Drugs heats up and the money alone is not enough, the cartels decided to up the ante. With the help of a ruthless Russian mercenary, they unleashed a lethal bio-weapon, initially conceived during the Cold War to quickly bring the West to her knees. Skillfully deployed, the virus initially worked as designed. What started as a slow burn soon spread at an expediential rate, decimating the host population. Finally powerful enough conquer a stricken nation, the cartel stood ready to move in and enslave the surviving population. But unknown to their leaders, the virus had a small side effect. The infected victims refused to stay dead, and had an agenda all of their own.

For two veteran police officers and their small group of friends, the first day of the outbreak starts out like any other. Random fights and car accidents keep them busy, that is until they are confronted with a new and unexpected enemy. Each one of them is forced to confront the unthinkable. Zombies are real, and craving the living with an insatiable appetite.

Against the full specter of a society crumbling around them, and the dead stalking the living in the streets, it will take all of their skill, knowledge and courage to survive. They see terrifying news broadcasts and learn of hastily constructed refugee camps and an overmatched military stretched to the limit. Yet, amongst all of this, they still face enemies among the living as well. Armed gangs free to roam the streets. Powerful men who want to play politics with people’s lives, and wolves in sheep’s clothing. Together, the group faces an uncertain future as they struggle against relentless enemies, living and dead, in a devastated America.

Matvei, the Russian mercenary, had been poised to carve out his own empire from the ashes of humanity. Horribly underestimating the enemy he now faced, the once leader of an army struggles to survive against the very creatures he helped create.

For Mike and Stephen, the idea to use an abandoned prison as a modern day fortress was brilliant. Solid stone walls protected them and their growing group of survivors against the relentless advance of the undead howling for their blood, giving the people inside a sense of hope in these dark days. Utilizing the skills and knowledge of the people sheltered inside, they had turned the old prison into a working community. They had shelter, food, and weapons to combat the dead. What could go wrong?

In a nearby conclave was Father Kettle. He was a man used to his position of authority as a man of God to get anything he desired. Now, along with a congregation of ruthless murderers, he desires everything the survivors hold dear. Father Kettle’s personal assassin, Jonas, had infiltrated the prison to undermine their cause. Joining their conspiracy, burning with the need for revenge is former Councilman Lewis.

All the while, far to the north in the burning remnants of Chicago, the countless eyes of an undead host, filled with hunger and rage, looked to the south…