Sherlock Holmes and the Zombie Problem by Nick S. Thomas, Arthur C. Doyle

at all comfortable in a couple of days. This would be a fine replacement for my beloved Marlin.
“That goes for all of you, equip yourselves in as best way possible, and be sure to fill your pockets with plenty of ammunition,” Cyril said to the room.
As the men began equipping with a selection of weapons from the cabinets, Holmes wandered, unsure of what to choose. Despite having a great knowledge of hand-to-hand combat, the detective had never had an intent and enthusiastic knowledge of ranged weaponry like I did. Besides his Webley Bulldog and the typical range of common scatter guns, he had no further firearms experience. As with many subjects, Holmes was ignorant to those he considered unnecessary for the task he undertook, and whilst I doubted he would ever change, firearms now became a subject he was all too keen to develop. Cyril had clearly noticed Holmes’ indecision on the subject and went to his aid.
“What sort of firearm are you most comfortable and effective with Mr Holmes, for I will choose something appropriate?” Cyril asked, glad to be of help on his favourite subject.
“One with the most power at close range and little concern of accuracy,” he replied.
Cyril chuckled.
“Then I know exactly what you need Mr. Holmes!”
Crossing the room, Cyril opened a cabinet and pulled out a weapon that looked like a shotgun, though not like one I had ever seen. Crossing back to us with a large smile and a box of ammunition that he placed down on the table beside us, he took the weapon in both hands.
“Gentleman, this is the Spencer & Roper 1882, a repeating shotgun.”
In awe, this truly was a weapon built for Holmes. Cyril showed how it worked, with a racking foregrip which caused the spent shell to eject and a new shell to be loaded. In the close encounters we had already faced, this weapon would have been a godsend.
The men of the room were quickly gathering a selection of rifles and shotguns and the ammunition for them, clearly all capable folk, likely military men from their efficient and determined will with weaponry. Cyril pointed us to a large wardrobe at the far end of the room, opening it we discovered it was full of all manner and means of carrying weapons and ammunition.
Taking a large leather satchel I filled it with stripper clips for my newly acquired rifle. Holmes took a large leather bandolier and began placing as many shotgun shells in to it as he could. Each of the men took out as much load bearing equipment as they could carry. Next would be sidearms.
What became evident throughout combat of the last two days was that one weapon was never enough, two being barely adequate at best.
“Mr. Matthey, we need handguns, and close quarter weapons,” Holmes said.
“You really feel that will be necessary?” he replied.
“Without a doubt,” Holmes answered.
Matthey was shocked by the fact that seven men equipped with rifles and shotguns, and enough ammunition for a regiment, would not be well armed enough for the battles we faced. Yet he was rather pleased to be asked for further weaponry. Walking to the centre of the room, where a large table stood draped in a velvet cloth, he took hold of the cover and tugged it off. The eyes of every man glistened at what we knew it beheld. The table was almost entirely glass on top, showing a large array of handguns on display underneath in pull out drawers. This was not storage, this was a magnificent display.
“Take what you need from here, I will get us some cold steel,” said Matthey.
As he left the room, Holmes pulled on the closest drawer, which must have been four feet wide, and looking in amazement at the wonders before him. Holmes had never been a firearm enthusiast, but his recent necessity for their usage appeared to have changed that.
I walked over to the large wardrobe of equipment and looked for holsters. Rifling through the items, hung along the top I saw a handy looking device. Taking it off the rack I could see that it was a type of leather