Night of the Nazi Zombies by Michael G. Thomas

porch that led to a large doorway, protected by solid wooden doors that were reinforced with iron bands and studs.   Luckily for the soldiers the church doors were open, something Smith made a mental note to rectify.     Smith pulled back his bolt from the safety slot cut into it, the first round slid into place.   With his weapon ready he entered the building first.   Jones, Lewis and Wilks followed close behind and immediately fanned out to check the building was safe.   The church followed the traditional basic design with the altar off to the right whilst the tower was to their left.  
    The doorway the men passed through took them directly into the centre of the nave.   Smith stood there so that he was in the exact centre of the church, he turned in a full circle, noting any points of interest to his men.   With an unknown number of hostiles outside it was important that they established a defensive position that could be held for an indeterminate amount of time.   There were two main aisles running along the northern and southern parts of the nave.   Each of the two long walls featured two tall windows, each a good four feet above the ground.   Smith noted their height with satisfaction; they would be a decent obstacle to the things outside.   Looking ahead Smith could see the chancel, the traditional space around the altar at the liturgical east end of any traditional Christian church building.   In the centre was the altar, a large stone item that commanded this part of the church.   Opposite the chancel was the tower, a cramped but thick walled part of the church with a dark entrance at the rear leading to the staircase.
    Trent moved off to the left so he could scout access to the bell tower.   The two girls ran to corner of the church, finding a dark spot at the northern aisle, they kept low and out of sight.   Jones headed for the altar whilst Lewis took the northern aisle and Wilks to the southern.   So far it all looked good.
    In walked Captain Scott and Lieutenant Harvey, between them they were carrying Humphreys.   Moving through the nave they took him straight to the chancel and lifted him up onto the altar, the only raised flat space they could see.   Lieutenant Harvey moved up to Smith for a situation report.
    Smith explained, “The church look pretty solid.   I’ve got Trent setting up in the tower and all the access points are covered.   I reckon this is as good a place as any to check the wounded and sort out our plan.”
    Harvey nodded in agreement, “Good work Smith, have Martinez brought in here and get Chard, I want him to check them both over.”
    Smith nodded and moved to the doorway.
    Outside the church the small group of four soldiers were still watching the perimeter.   Lewis had left his mortar with the group and it was already set up and in position.    Archer was getting restless; he could see the figures in the distance getting ever so close.   He called over to Gardner to check on the other side of the church.   Looking back he started counting the figures out ahead of him.   He lost count after forty five.
    Gardner ran back.   “Shit!   We’ve got more coming in from the vicarage.”
    Archer kept his eye on the enemy to the front, replied, “How many?”
    Gardner moved up close to him, “At least thirty, maybe more.”
    Clarke moved over to them to share even more good news.
    “You’re not going believe this, we’ve got a whole road full of those guys and they are coming this way.”
    Without hesitation Archer turned and gave his orders, “Gardner, get inside and let the Lieutenant know what’s happening, you two get on the mortar!”
    Inside the church Chard was busy re-applying bandages to Martinez.   He’d already finished with Humphreys, who with a bandaged leg was now sitting up on the altar.   Chard was particularly concerned with the way the wounds were congealing on the two men.   He voiced his concerns to Harvey whilst Captain Scott