Pyrrhic Victory — Kevin L. O'Brien

The Zombie Apocalypse has been going on for a year. Though hard numbers are difficult to come by, it is estimated that 90% of the Human Race has been wiped out, with the first three-quarters killed in the first month alone. Most governments have collapsed, and America is the only remaining superpower. The survivors are desperate for hope, but none seems forthcoming; though not indestructible, the Zombies are unstoppable. How can you kill what's already dead?Lt. Richard West leads one of the last few intact Marine platoons, augmented by civilians, women as well as men, who went through rapid induction and training. A combat veteran before the dead rose, with a willingness to adapt to the ever-changing environment of war, he has managed to keep his unit intact and most of his people alive through the worst, but even he realizes that it is only a matter of time before Mankind's defeat is total and irrevocable. As such, when he and his soldiers are assigned to protect and support a self-described wizard who offered to call up an ally that could totally eliminate the Zombies, he allows himself a small hope that the old man is neither a faker nor insane. Besides, he's a soldier, and he follows orders.But, is the enemy of their enemy really their friend?