Statistics have shown that flying is the safest way to travel. When
escaping an infested area, this could not he more true. Time en route
compresses to minutes. Terrain and other physical barriers become
insignificant. The need for food, supplies, practically every lesson of
this chapter, fades as yon soar well above the heads of teeming ghouls.
However, traveling by air does have its disadvantages. Depending on
the type of aircraft and the conditions in question, these disadvantages
could cancel any perk of taking to the air.
A. Fixed- Wing Aircraft
For speed and availability, nothing beats the standard airplane, assuming
at least one person in your group knows how to fly one. Fuel will
literally be a matter of life and death. If your journey requires a refueling
stop, make sure you know its exact location and can be assured
of a safe anival. In the first stages of outbreaks, many private citizens
have taken off in their private planes with no knowledge of their destination.
Many crashed, while others tried to refuel at infested areas. In
one case, a fonner stunt pilot flew his plane out of the danger zone, ran
out of fuel, and attempted to parachute to safety. By the time he
touched down, every zombie within a ten-mile radius had seen his
plane crash and were slowly approaching his position. (The result was
reported by another pilot.) Pontoon aircraft negates this potential hazard
(provided you remain over water). However, ditching in the middle
of a lake or ocean may leave you safe from ghouls hut not from
nature. Read accounts of World War lI pilots who spent weeks in life
rafts after being shot down, and you may want to think twice before
climbing into your amphibious bird.
B. Helicopter
The ability to land on any structure, at any time, presents a giant leap
above fixed-wing aviation. Running out of fuel is not a death sentence,
as you do not need an airstrip to land. But what if you come down in
a hostile environment? The noise alone will announce your presence.
Apply the same rules of fixed-wing aircraft concerning refueling.
C. Balloon
One of the most primitive flying
machines is actually one of the most
efficient. A balloon, either hot-air or
helium, can remain aloft for weeks.
The disadvantage, however, is a lack
of propulsion. Balloons depend
largely on wind and thermal currents
to cany them. Unless you have
extensive experience, heading off in
a balloon may do little more than
leave you hanging helplessly above
hostile ground.
D. Airship
They may look ridiculous, they may be almost impossible to find, but
if you're looking to travel by air, nothing is better than a helium-filled
dirigible. These blimps, perfected during World War I and well on their
way to replacing airplanes, were almost abandoned after the Hindenburg
disaster of 1937. Today they exist as little more than floating
billboards or airborne cameras for sporting events. During an infestation,
however, they combine the longevity of a balloon with the mohility
and all-terrain landing ability of a helicopter. Airships have been
used four times during zombie outbreaks-once for escape, once for
study, and twice for search-and-destroy missions. All were resounding
successes.
2. BY WATER
Boats, in almost any form, have been found to be the safest form of
transport during an attack. As stated previously, although zombies do
not use their lungs and can travel underwater, they lack the coordination
to swim. For this reason, traveling by boat has many of the same
advantages as flying. Many times, people escaping across some body
of water have looked down to see ghouls looking up at them from the
bottom. Even if the keel of their boat is less than an inch out of the
zombie's reach, the humans inside have nothing to fear. Studies have
shown that over-water escapes have a survival ratio five times that of
land. Because most of the United States is riddled with rivers and
canals, transport is theoretically possible for hundreds of miles. In
some cases, humans using boats as artificial islands on lakes or ponds
have existed for weeks while the shores swarmed with living dead.
A. Types of Propulsion
1. Motor: Fossil fuel allows not only greater speed but unmatched control
in any type of waterway. The obvious drawback, however, is its
finite supply. Again, either make sure you have enough fuel for the
entire voyage or know exactly where safe, plentiful stocks are kept.
Another problem is, as can be expected, noise. Traveling at slower
speeds will conserve fuel but also alert every zombie within earshot of
the bank (a slow engine makes as much noise as a fast one). Fossilfueled
engines do have their place. In a pinch, they can provide an
extra burst of power. Use them only when necessary, and always be
careful.
2. Sail: Wind is a consistent source of energy. Harnessing it will allow
you to travel without the wony of rationing fuel. Other than the flapping
of loose sails, wind-powered craft have the noise signature of
floating kelp-almost zero. Unfortunately, wind is also highly unpredictable.
A calm day could leave you stranded; a strong gale could
cause you to capsize. Nine times out of ten, the wind will not be blowing
in the right direction. Even if it is, slowing or stopping won't be as
easy as turning off the engine. Any novice can pilot a motorboat like a
Boston whaler, but sailing requires skill, patience, intelligence, and
years of practice. Remember this before you mu to the nearest day
sailor, hoist the jib, and find the wind blowing directly toward the living
dead.
3. Muscle: What could be simpler than rowing? With a little practice,
anyone can propel, and maneuver, his own craft. Here the greatest disadvantage
is as simple as humanity: We tire. This should be taken into
account when planning your seaborne journey. How far do you have to
go? How many people are traveling with you? Even with taking turns at
the oars, can you reach your destination before everyone is exhausted?
Unless you have a backup motor or sail, be careful when planning journeys
that are entirely dependent on human muscle. Remember, humans
require rest; zombies do not. Why put yourself in a situation that pits our
greatest weakness against their greatest strength?
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