Deadturf

I wake up late at night needing to go to the bathroom. When I check the one connected to our room, though, it turns out that Sara's already in there. That woman spends more time in the bathroom than the sink. What she does in there is beyond me. All I know is that I desperately have to go.

Bleary-eyed and wanting to get back to bed as soon as possible, I wander my way down the hallway, past where the soldiers are staying, hoping to find an open bathroom by the rectories. As I pass a partially open door though, I hear a snippet of conversation through a partially-open door that immediately catches my attention.

Soldier
How's the situation in New York?

Hearing this, I snap back to full alertness, all traces of sleep draining away. I haven't heard any news about the outside world in nearly a month. And from the nature of the question, it doesn't sound like things are going very well. I slowly put my ear to the door so that I can hear the conversation a little better. A man whose voice I can clearly identify as Captain Rhodes begins to speak.

Rhodes
It's getting worse by the second. They could have contained it to Manhattan if Keeler had the balls to authorize demolition of the Brooklyn bridge in time. Now, though? ...The city's gone. Forget it even existed. Last I heard, we're gonna pull out of there in a day or two.

Soldier
Why isn't Keeler authorizing nukes yet?

Rhodes
The boat on that sailed a long time ago. At this point it'd take so many that the fallout would kill everyone who didn't get blown to smithereens.

Solider
So we're going to let New York go? Just like that?

Rhodes
It wouldn't be the first city we wrote off. They're running around like headless chickens back east. Absolutely FUBAR. New York, Boston, Philly... I heard there's cases in Miami now too.

Solider
God. I have family in Miami.

Rhodes
Not for long you don't.

Solider
Permission to speak freely, sir?

Rhodes
Permission granted.

Soldier
Screw you, sir.

Rhodes
You want me to sugar coat it for you, soldier? Tell you it's all gonna be okay? Because it's not. Did you know-- well...

Soldier
What?

Rhodes
Don't repeat this, but I've heard rumors that Keeler is actually considering deadturf.

Soldier
No.

Rhodes
It's true.

Soldier
How much would they be giving up?

Rhodes
Everything east of the Mississippi. That would be the choke point. So that makes us special. This is one of only two cities west of the Mississippi to get hit, you know.

Soldier
So?

Rhodes
Before Keeler can authorize deadturf, before we can even think about doing it... we have to get rid of every outbreak west of the choke point. 100%. You understand?

Solider
God.

Rhodes
The order could come down as soon as tomorrow. Just be ready for it. We can't let our emotions get in the way of what has to be done. It could be the only way left to put a lid on this thing.

Soldier
This is so... so...

Rhodes
Get some rest. Our orders for the time being are the same as ever. Don't worry about how they'll change.