Come Crawling Faster

Jayr POV - Earth, Georgia, Mert County, Lone Oak Farm - 2010

Once I've informed Rick and the rest of the group about the many variants of walkers, their general behavior, the danger they pose, and my guess about what is likely expecting us inside the Lone Oak Farm, the group starts to discuss the best way to deal with this new issue we are facing. 

Needless to say, I did not tell them that I was sure of the presence of many walkers within the farm as I was able to pick up their existence thanks to my superior senses as the stench of rotting corpses is something quite difficult to hide, but I spoke in such a way that the seed of doubt rooted itself in their mind and now it is clear that it had the effects I had hoped.

Shane is the one who breaks out this topic by saying, "I think it is way too reckless to simply rush into the farm without having a clear picture of the situation. Maybe we should send one of us to scout ahead and see if there actually are walkers hidden there and how many they are."

Without hesitation, Glenn quickly suggests, "I could sneak in if you want, among us all, I'm the only one with experience in sneaking around-." but before Glenn can continue, Rick interrupts him and states, "No, it's way too dangerous. Back in Atlanta, I could let you be a bit more reckless as you knew how to move around the city better than anyone, but this is different. I don't want you or anyone else to risk their life unless it is absolutely necessary."

At this point, Morgan takes a quick look at the farm and says, "Well, if there are walkers in there for sure they aren't in plain sight. This means that if they are present the places they can be hidden aren't too many. There are those barns, the farmhouse, behind some buildings, and the fields with tall overgrown weeds which could hide their bodies."

In response, Carol can't help but suggest with a hopeful tone in her voice, "Wait, couldn't it simply be that we are worrying ourselves over nothing? I mean, those things aren't smart enough to consciously hide in those barns or within the various fields. Couldn't it be more likely that they moved away from this place in search of more prey leaving this farm empty or with just a few of them remaining? After all, we all have seen that horde this morning, it is clear that like some animals those things migrate in search of other prey."

But Andrea quickly denies such a suggestion and says, "I don't want to gamble our lives on the idea that everything is going to be fine. The attack at our camp was already enough as a wake-up call. Don't you remember? We thought that the place was safe from the walkers, that we would be fine, but what happened? We were attacked! It is only thanks to some luck and preparation of some of the people of this group and the early warning from Dr. Jayr that most of us came out of that attack alive, the only loss we face was only Ed, but I'm pretty sure that if we were just a little bit unlucky we would have lost much more that terrifying night. And that wasn't the only close call we had lately. What about what about this morning walker horde?"

Following Andrea, Dale also joins by saying, "Indeed, Andrea is right. We can't be too careless when it comes to our safety and that of the people we care for. In these cases, I always think it is better to be safe than sorry." 

At this point, Glenn suggests, "Back to the most pressing issue, can't we just force the walkers out of their state of death-like dormancy and force them out by generating some real loud sounds... In fact, I could walk into the farm, cause a ruckus to wake them up, and use myself as bait to bring them here to a place where we can easily take care of them. You know kinda like, Dr. Jayr did this morning with that horde, only instead of him improvising that to keep our safe, this time we make a plan together to safely take out the walkers."

Hearing that, Shane nods and says as a plan starts to form in his head, "It could work. It isn't that bad of an idea, in fact, we could even use this steel gate and fence to our advantage to keep the walkers at a safe distance as we kill them." followed by Rick who adds, "You are right. This could make the whole process much more secure. But to do that we also have to make sure that the walkers do not amass themselves on a single point and push down the fence and the gate with their mass and to do that, we have to kill them as fast and efficiently as possible but we can't waste our ammunition on them."

Daryl snorts out loud and says his part, "We can simply take care of them by improvising some rudimentary spears and give them to everyone who is strong enough to wield them. I mean we have a whole forest behind us, finding some branches to make a few spears should be quite easy, they aren't even that difficult to make, we just have to find a branch that is long and robust enough, sharpen one end and it is done. I think we have all the tools needed to do that, right?" 

In response, Dale thinks about it for a few seconds and says, "Indeed, it shouldn't be too difficult to improvise a few spears." before he looks at Glenn, and asks, "But Glenn, are you sure you want to become a bait? It is way too dangerous and a single mistake or distraction is everything needed for an accident to happen. Isn't there another way?"

Before Glenn or anyone else can reply, I step up and say, "Indeed there is a better way to attract the walker where we want them to be, a way that ensures that no one has to recklessly risk their lives. Trust me, it is going to be perfect."

After saying that, I rush back to the Cargo Truck and put up an act as if I'm searching for something while I simply pull out from my Soulbound Territory the object we need and that I already used once before in this universe for a very similar purpose, the Ultimate Boombox.

Something that I personally created using the advanced technology of the Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Universe, thanks to which has an internal storage so huge that it can basically hold a limitless number of songs besides the fact that it can generate drills to connect to other pieces of technology like a mini-type Gunmen.

Every single component is made by a combination of Azantium, which is considered to be the hardest substance in the Arifureta Univers, and Orichalcum the hardest metal in my home universe, in addition to many other rare and very resistant materials which makes it almost indestructible.

It uses regular electricity as an energy source, but like the Gunmen it can convert Solar Energy into enough electricity to power a city, in addition to that it can also covert Magic Power, Cosmo, and Spiral Cosmo so that it can be easily recharged by simply staying within my Soulbound Territory.

And of course, its speakers are powerful to the point that I think I went a little bit too far as at max power it can generate sounds loud enough that can actually harm and kill a normal human and even damage and shatter steel, but luckily when I realized that, I also installed a safety mechanism and thanks to that to raise the volume so much one needs to actually say a password when requested, in addition to inputting a registered Spiral Cosmo signature, of course, the only ones have the ability to do so are my wives so it is quite safe.

Soon after pulling out the Ultimate Boombox, I return to the group with it in my hands which makes Morales exclaim, "A boombox? It's been years since I saw one of those." followed by his wife Miranda who adds, "Oh my, I remember how much fun we had with one of those back in the day..."

In response, I smile and put down the Ultimate Boombox before I say, "With this, there is no need to use someone as bait to attract the walkers. I built this beauty myself and trust me when I say that its speakers are powerful enough to become a weapon."

After reassuring them of that, everyone starts the preparation for this operation against the walkers that are possibily hidden in the farm.

I, Daryl, Glenn, and Shane headed into the nearby woods to find and pick up long and somewhat straight branches to turn into enough spears to arm everyone in the group barring the kids, who are still too young to take part in such operations at least that is what their parents thinks, after all, I was one year older than Carl when I started my journey around the world to prepare for the battle against the corrupted Saga, but I admit that different from Carl and the others who are simply whiny kids, I was a galaxy busting shounen character so I can't judge them in the same way.

Once we have found them, we immediately give the branches to Ruben, T-Dog, Andrea, and Amy who bring them back to Dale, Morgan, Rick, and Morales who use the tools at our disposal to straighten and sharpen them in order to turn them into rudimentary spears as we continue to find more branches.

Meanwhile, Lori, Carol, Miranda, Almast, and Sofya keep the kids entertained by making them continue with their studies before making them play some table games we looted before, like chess, checkers, monopoly, and so on. 

Like that time quickly passed and only when the sun started to slowly fall behind the horizon turning the sky in that delightful and beautiful orange hue that all our preparation for dealing with that walker's infestation were all complete.

At the moment, everyone has taken their place standing in front of the steel gate and fence with the rudimentary wooden spears in their hands and many more spare wooden spears lying on the ground nearby close enough that they can be easily retrieved when needed, but not in a location where they could become an obstacle during the operation. 

The only ones not taking part in the operation are obviously the kids, Lori because of her pregnancy and the fact that it is more likely that she get someone killed if she takes part in the operation, Miranda who simply isn't cut for such grizzly act, Carol who is quite important in keep the kids calm, and Sofya who is the oldest woman in the group and as such she is respected by all the other and is able to keep them in check. 

All of them are staying safely in the cargo bed of the Cargo Truck and of course, they also have some wooden spears with them in case it is needed, on top of that, they also have the job of warning us in case walkers start to emerge from the woods behind us or approach from either side of the road. 

Seeing that everyone is in position and ready, I pick up my Bo Staff and walk up to Ultimate Boombox on the ground, set the volume loud enough to be heard quite far, and then, without any hesitation, I put on one of the songs I saved into its database and comment, "Get ready. I'm going to put on a song that is sure to wake up even the dead."

Shortly after I said that, the song I chose finally starts with a very iconic and loud opening riff as the quick, energetic sounds of guitars, bass, and drums echo in the area.

At the same time, listening to the first few notes, Daryl can't help but exclaim, "Hell yeah! Metallica's Master of Puppets! That's such a good choice, Doc! I didn't know you had such fine taste!" followed by a nervous Amy who asks, "Isn't this a little too loud?"

Shane gets ready by holding his wooden spear tighter and says, "I think it is just fine, sure, I would have preferred Rollin of Limp Bizkit, but well this will work too... at least if there are any walkers hidden in the farm, with this song they will surely come out." 

Meanwhile, the long and energetic opening riff continues until suddenly Glenn smiles a little and shouts, "Well, there is no doubt that this song is truly able to wake up the dead like Doc said! Look over there!" before pointing at one of the far-away barns in the distance where some figures are slowly stumbling out of it.

Seeing that, Rick yells, "Walkers incoming!" I follow after him and shout, "Get ready, everyone! Remember! Go for the head!"

Countless walkers continue to emerge from the various barns and some even crawl out from the field full of overgrown weeds, and slowly but surely they all start approaching our group.

At the same time, the opening riff of the song ends, and the voice of the lead vocalist, James Hetfield, is heard as he starts singing, "♪End of passion play, crumbling away. I'm your source of self-destruction. Veins that pump with fear, sucking darkest clear. Leading on your deaths construction.♪" 

Soon the first walkers get blocked by the steel gates and without any hesitation, Andrea, Glenn, Dale, and Morgan thrust forward their wooden spears, skewing their heads as the song continues, "♪Taste me you will see. More is all you need. You're dedicated to. How I'm killing you!♪"

Of course, these few kills are nothing compared to the avalanche of walkers that is quickly approaching and spreading over the gates and nearby fences, and so, everyone quickly starts to also thrust their weapon at every walker in their sight as the song goes on, "♪Come crawling faster! Obey your Master! Your life burns faster! Obey your Master! Master!♪"

Just like that, the walkers continue to smash their bodies into the steel gates and fences which luckily are sturdy enough to withstand such assault as every single person in the group tries to kill as many walkers as possible while the strangely fitting song continues in the background, "♪Master of Puppets I'm pulling your strings. Twisting your mind and smashing your dreams. Blinded by me, you can't see a thing. Just call my name, 'cause I'll hear you scream Master! Master! Just call my name, 'cause I'll hear you scream. Master! Master!♪"

As I continue to quickly kill one walker after the other by simply thrusting my Bo Staff forward, I can't help but smirk while thinking, 'Sure, this song in fact clearly talks about drugs, how things get switched around, instead of you controlling what you're taking and doing, it's drugs controlling you... but the lyrics and overall moods are so fitting in such a moment that it can almost be mistaken for a song talking about fighting zombies...'

While I'm thinking that, the group continues to relentlessly kill as many walkers as possible to make sure that not too many of them push on the gates and fences at the same time as the music continues, "♪Needlework the way, never you betray. Life of death becoming clearer. Pain monopoly, ritual misery. Chop your breakfast on a mirror. Taste me you will see. More is all you need. You're dedicated to. How I'm killing you!♪"

Suddenly the wooden spears of a few people breaks under the constant strain of breaking through the walkers' skull and surprised by that, Andrea, Ruben, and Morales remain stunned on the spot looking at their broken spears in a stupor.

Seeing that scene, I don't waste any time yelling, "Quick, go and grab the spare ones lying over there! I'll cover you!" before I raise the speed, power, and precision behind each one of my strikes to the point where with a single one of my strikes, the Bo Staff is able to pierce through the head of two or more walkers depending on how close to each other they are.

While all this is happening, the trash metal song of the legendary heavy metal band continues in the background as the chorus is repeated, "Come crawling faster! Obey your Master! Your life burns faster! Obey your Master! Master! Master of Puppets I'm pulling your strings. Twisting your mind and smashing your dreams. Blinded by me, you can't see a thing. Just call my name, 'cause I'll hear you scream. Master! Master! Just call my name, 'cause I'll hear you scream. Master! Master! Masteeer."

At this point the much slower and tamer bass solo part of the song starts, but that doesn't mean that the situation on our side became slower and tamer, in fact, it became much more frenetic as the spears of a few more people broke unable to withstand the strain generated by the constant killing of walker and the number of walkers approaching the fences and the gates seems to not diminish at all. 

Luckily Andrea, Ruben, and Morales quickly grabbed the spare spears and joined back with the group allowing the one who broke their spears to momentarily retreat and grab the spare ones.

Seeing this scene repeated many times during our culling of the walkers, I let out a sigh while mentally patting myself on the back and thinking, 'I'm so glad that the group listened to my suggestion of preparing a lot more wooden spear to use a spare. After all, there is only so much that a material like mundane wood can endure.'

While I'm thinking that, the bass solo becomes more complex as the drums, and the guitars join creating a beautiful symphony that is only broken by the walkers' groans and the shouts of Rick, Shane, and Daryl who guide, warn, and encourage the rest of the group.

As we continue to kill all the walkers who are slamming their bodies against the steel gates and fences, the music's pace picks up and the lead singer's voice can be heard resounding in the area, "Master, Master, Where's the dreams that I've been after? Master, Master, You promised only lies. Laughter, Laughter, All I hear or see is laughter. Laughter, Laughter, laughing at my cries!" which is then quickly followed by an incredible guitar solo.

Hearing this part, Daryl throws his broken spear at the head of another walker crushing it with a single blow before he cheers, "Fuck! I love this solo!"

After that exclamation, he rushes to grab another spare spear before returning and yells, "Doc! We should do something like this more often! Killing these with this kind of music in the background is such a rush! Wooohooo!"

Hearing that, I shake my head before I take a quick look at the overall situation and see that the number of walkers is quickly decreasing but also notice that the walkers are also slowly starting to gain a height advantage thanks to the ammassing bodies on the ground in front of the gates and fences that function as steps for the walkers while the others push them from behind making me realize that if it continues like this the walkers are going to climb over sooner or later.

Coming to that conclusion, I don't hesitate to quickly command, "Spread them over! Spread them over! Tap on the rails to attract them away from where most of the bodies are amassed!"

Shane, Rick, Morgan, and Daryl immediately look down and realize what I mean and soon they start to get away from the main group while slamming their spears on the rails and shouting.

"Come 'ere, you bastards!"

"You ugly motherfucker! Come!!"

"Here! Here!!"

"Andrea! T-Dog! You guys get over there and attract the walkers! We can't let the bodies amass too much on one point!"

With that, the situation turns more chaotic as the guitar solo ends and the vocalist resumes, "♪Hell is worth all that, natural habitat. Just a rhyme without a reason! Neverending maze, drift on numbered days. Now your life is out of season! I will occupy! I will help you die! I will run through you! Now I rule you too!♪"

Luckily it seems that our efforts in diverting the walkers' attention are successful as they start to spread over allowing us to continue to kill them without worrying about them using the amassed bodies to climb over while the chorus of the song repeats itself one last time, "♪Come crawling faster! Obey your Master! Your life burns faster! Obey your Master! Master! Master of Puppets I'm pulling your strings. Twisting your mind and smashing your dreams. Blinded by me, you can't see a thing. Just call my name, 'cause I'll hear you scream. Master! Master! Just call my name, 'cause I'll hear you scream. Master! Master!!♪" 

The iconic song of Metallica, Master of Puppets, is quickly coming to an end and at the same time, everyone in the group gets more energized as we all notice that the number of walkers approaching the gates and fences is quickly decreasing at a very noticeable pace which means that this encounter is about to come to an end.

Seeing that we have almost killed all the walkers, Rick quickly shouts, "Do not lower your guard yet! Just a little more! Just a little more and we are done!" followed by Shane who adds, "Yes we got this! Only a few more walkers and we can rest!"

Shortly after that, the last of the walkers is finally put down by Amy who trusted her battered wooden spear right into the eye of the last standing walker and at exactly the same time, the song in the background produced by the Ultimate Boombox also comes to an end.

Shortly after the last walker fell to the ground on top of the countless bodies of the other walkers, I looked around to check everyone's state and asked, "Is any of you hurt? Is everyone all right? Please if so inform me as soon as possible."

Hearing that, Glenn quickly answers, "If you ignore the fact that every single muscle in my body hurts, then I'm fine..." followed by Amy who complains, "I'm just way to tired... that was exhausting."

Andrea also looks at the group and comments, "It seems that everyone is fine, only tired." followed by T-Dog who adds, "Yeah, using the gates and the fences as barriers was a stroke of genius. Killing those walkers has never been easier nor safer... only there were just too many of them! It's unbelievable that all of those were hidden on this farm. I lost count of how many of those things I offed." 

Dale then walks up to Carol's Cherokee, sits on the hood, and lets out a tired sigh before he comments, "I'm getting to old for these things. The next time something like this happens, it is better that I stay behind and watch over the kids." which makes Rick look at him and say, "Maybe that isn't a bad idea. I don't feel too comfortable leaving those unable to defend themselves on their own in the back. There has to be someone to watch over them."

After that, we all rest for some time while Lori, Carol, Miranda, and Sofya start to prepare dinner for everyone and once it is ready, we all eat it together. 

Once we had our dinner, we got inside our vehicles and started to drive them around the perimeter of the farm to reach the part of the fence that Daryl told us that was brought down by the walkers' attack.

After all, with all the bodies lying in front of gates and nearby fences, opening the gates is next to impossible unless we force our way in using the Cargo Truck as a ram but that will damage the Cargo Truck and break the gates which is a waste, moreover, it is way too late to start cleaning up and deal with the corpses, so the only way to access the Farm is by using the alternative entrance created by the walkers on the back of the farm.