That Was High Tech

Among countless pickup trucks, the Dodge Ram TRX was absolutely one of the finest.

Though Madison modestly claimed his vehicle was cheap, Gavin had seen him brag more than once about his taste in cars around the team.

Besides, Texas had its own ranching ecosystem and cowboy culture.

As one of the first states in America to develop a large-scale ranching economy, pickup trucks—convenient for hauling and tough enough to take a beating—had been the most coveted vehicles among Texas ranch owners ever since cars first appeared.

Within the Dallas Cowboys, Gavin was a homegrown local. He also held the top spot in NFL history, a sports legend whose prestige in Texas far surpassed even the governor's.

He did not need to do anything extra to cater to Cowboys fans. Those people already adored him.

But Madison, who came from Chicago, likely had ambitions of fully integrating into the Cowboys and even retiring here after adapting to the team.

So, in his second year with the team, after winning his first championship, he began buying all kinds of pickup trucks and constantly promoting his love for them in public to appeal to Texas cowboys.

It had to be admitted that quite a few Texas cowboys believed the guy at least had cowboy blood in him.

Of course, more cowboys thought he was better suited to picking cotton.

In short, Gavin was certain it was an excellent vehicle, perfectly suited to Texas roads and the apocalyptic tone of the future.

But...

Gavin frowned and pointed at the Dodge Ram TRX in the distance, speaking quietly to Madison. "You have a great vehicle, but its location... it's a little too far from the parking lot exit."

As he spoke, Gavin shifted his finger toward the left side of the parking lot.

About thirty meters behind and to the left of where the helicopter had crashed, a Hummer was parked there. Gavin continued.

"In my opinion, that Hummer, which might belong to security, is more suitable for us. It's parked right beside the parking lot exit."

"Once we start it, we only need to turn left for seven or eight meters before we can charge out of the parking lot and onto the road leading out of the estate."

"Fuck!"

Hearing Gavin's reasoning, Madison could not help cursing. He rubbed his scalp in frustration and said,

"That's my TRX! I only finished modifying it half a year ago!"

"So it matters more than the life you've cherished for over twenty years?"

Gavin patted his shoulder, offering the big guy a halfhearted consolation.

After a brief silence, Madison nodded helplessly.

"You win. So next, we need to lure those zombies away with the bottles we have, right?"

"That's right."

Gavin raised the empty wine bottle in his hand.

"Those zombies run too fast. If we encounter them head-on, it'll be hard for us to survive."

"We might be faster than them, but our endurance is probably nowhere near theirs."

"Of course, that's only a guess, but I doubt anyone wants to race zombies in a marathon where the stakes are their life."

"If the zombies moved as slowly as they did in The Walking Dead, I'd have a hundred ways to deal with them. But now, all we can do is lure them away."

"In a moment, I'm going to throw a bottle toward the right side of the parking lot and see if we can draw them away from the helicopter."

"If they really follow the sound and stay near where the bottle lands, then we'll return to your room and keep dragging the zombies toward the back of the estate."

"If everything goes smoothly, we'll keep throwing bottles at the far end of the other side of the villa and lure them as far from the parking lot as possible."

"We're inside the house, and they're outside. We got lucky. Thank the helicopter, Old Mac!"

As he spoke, Gavin patted Old Mac on the shoulder again.

Old Mac nodded heavily.

"I knew you always had a plan!"

Even if it was only a simple plan, it gradually eased Madison's mind.

And as he relaxed, Gavin pulled the two car keys from his pocket.

"It's not over yet, buddy. Once we start the vehicle, there's a good chance the zombies will be drawn to the engine noise again."

"I don't like taking risks. I don't want to bet that they can't hear it."

"So I took another look. These two keys from the boss's room really are for his usual cars. He didn't toss them into the garage."

"Look to the right. Those two cars are parked together at the deepest end of the right side of the parking lot."

"If the zombies chase us when we leave, then when they get near those two cars, we might use their lights and unlock chimes to distract them. Even distracting a small portion would help."

"Of course, we might not need them. The Hummer is in such a perfect spot."

"We can get out of the parking lot in less than two seconds after starting it. Those filthy bastards have no reason to catch a pickup with at least eight hundred horsepower!"

"Nicely done, but how do you know those two cars belong to the boss? There's more than one Rolls-Royce in the parking lot."

"Because only one Rolls-Royce happens to be parked beside a Corvette."

Hearing that, Madison pressed his lips together excitedly.

Gavin's addition gave him even more confidence. He clenched his fist and enthusiastically thumped Gavin in the chest.

"I'm lucky to have you, buddy. Whether it's championships or chances to escape, I always get them when I'm with you. You're a fucking genius, Gavin!"

After saying that, Madison turned around and eagerly looked toward the Hummer by the parking lot exit.

As he looked, he extended a hand toward Gavin and said,

"Give me the Hummer keys. I'll drive later. You can rest in the car."

"I don't miss my TRX at all now. It's a good truck, but it's not right for me. We were never meant to be."

"Now I'm a Hummer guy. I support Hummer running for office. Anyway, it doesn't matter if an idiot sits in that position. At least a vehicle would be useful."

With that, Madison kept holding out his hand expectantly.

And Gavin...

He shrugged expressionlessly.

"How could I possibly have the Hummer keys? I said it might belong to security. Before tonight, do you think I'd ignore Victoria's Secret Angels just to cozy up to the security staff?"

"Then what exactly were you planning, boss? We can't even accomplish the core of the plan. No keys—how are we supposed to start that thing? With our steel-like conviction?"

Madison felt like he was about to break down.

Gavin shot Madison a strange sideways glance and replied,

"Quit messing around, Old Mac. There are no cops or reporters watching us now. You can fucking steal the car!"

With that, Gavin bumped Madison's elbow encouragingly and gave him a supportive look.

Meeting Gavin's gaze, Madison froze for a moment before saying to him in disbelief,

"Wait, Gavin. What kind of person do you think I am?"

"I'm a player. I even went to college. Why the hell do you think I know how to steal cars? I've never done that shit before!"

"Is that so?"

Gavin immediately rolled his eyes.

"Tsk, tsk. A kid who grew up on Chicago streets—when you were running around outside, I was still dealing with cow tits on my family farm~"

"I... fuck Chicago!"

Madison was instantly speechless. His facial features nearly twisted together.

After staring blankly for a long time, he finally replied weakly,

"I'm so sorry I didn't turn to a life of crime, Gavin."

"But that isn't important, is it? Let's talk about the new plan. I actually have a deep bond with my TRX."

"It cost me at least three hundred thousand dollars. It has an amazing sound system and engine that I modified myself. I fucking love them."

After saying that, Madison squatted down and turned away, clearly not wanting to look at Gavin's face.

Gavin stared at the parking lot in silence for a moment before saying,

"All right, the TRX really is a good vehicle. Unfortunately, it's parked in the center of the parking lot, at least fifty meters from the exit."

"To drive it to the exit, we'd have to make two quick turns and dodge the other cars that the zombies have knocked into a mess."

"From here, the parking arrangement has changed, but thankfully the TRX hasn't been completely blocked off."

"Of course, the most important thing is that we have no other choice!"

"Wait!"

Hearing Gavin get to this point, Madison could not help interrupting him.

"Why haven't you mentioned your car? Where's your Aston Martin? Could it be closer to the exit?"

"Even without a key, that thing should have fingerprint recognition, right? That's fucking high tech!"

"Heh..."

Faced with Madison's question, Gavin fell silent for a long while. Then he placed a hand on the doorknob leading to the outer stairs and stared at the garden and parking lot outside.

"My car does have fingerprint unlocking, and it really is closer to the exit. We really don't need the keys, but the bad news is that we'll never need them again."

"If you want to remind me how unlucky I am, then look at that damned helicopter."

"Use your eyes and take a good look. Look at that blazing wreck beneath it. Is it possible it has another name?"

"It's the fucking Aston Martin!"